Talofa lava! My name is Josie and Iʻm from the Island of Upolu in Samoa. I left the comfort of my family home to pursue my education at UH Hilo, where I graduated with dual degrees in Environmental Studies and Geography. I have been working in conservation with different agencies in Hawaiʻi Island, assisting in scientific research, restoration, and management efforts, from eradicating invasive species, native plants restoration, banding and tracking native Hawaiian forest birds, ʻŌpeʻapeʻa roost monitoring to assisting with mosquito monitoring project. These conservation opportunities and many other professional experiences inspired and motivated me to pursue a master’s degree with the TCBES program at UH Hilo. With support from the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, I am fortunate to pursue this dream, collaborate with passionate conservationists in Hawaiʻi, and join the LOHE lab. I will be doing my thesis research at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, examining the impacts of climate change on the population abundance of native Hawaiian forest birds.
