Plastic pollution disrupts recovery of threatened coral reefs
A University of at Mānoa graduate’s new research reveals that plastic pollution poses a significant, unseen threat to endangered coral reefs. The study found that chemicals leaching from plastics disrupt the two most critical processes for reef survival—the reproduction of adult corals and the settling of their larvae. The work by Keiko Wilkins, who recently earned […]
Nature vs. pests: Hawaiʻi’s biocontrol attack against invasives yields benefits
Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems and agriculture face growing threats from invasive species, with about 20 new insects and 100 new plants arriving each year, undermining the islands’ ecological, cultural and economic foundations. However, a new report from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) shows that efforts to use biological control—the introduction of natural enemies to suppress invasive pests—on invasive […]
UH’s advanced manufacturing initiative prepares workforce, strengthens economy
The University of Hawaiʻi is spearheading an advanced manufacturing initiative aimed at transforming the state’s economic vulnerabilities into opportunities for growth, resilience and workforce development. “For an island state like Hawaiʻi, given our finite resources, limited manufacturing footprint and heavy dependency on imports, the onus is high for UH to work with our industry partners to help provide […]