U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station
CALIFORNIA-ALBANY-ARCATA-DAVIS-FRESNO-PLACERVILLE-REDDING-RIVERSIDE
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http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/
News for immediate release: September 19, 2007—Noon
Contacts: Kathleen Friday, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, 808/933-8121
Sharon Ziegler-Chong, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 808/933-0759
Roland Giller, PSW Research Station public affairs, 510/559-6327
Federal Scientists Help Kama‘aina Enter Natural Resource Fields
HILO, Hawaii—Federal scientists at the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry have
encouraged kama‘aina and native Pacific Islander students to consider natural resource
careers for 12 years and this summer they celebrated having helped more than 100 interns
in that time.
The Forest Service scientists are addressing an observed lack of representation by
Pacific Island young people interested in managing tropical ecosystems in ways
consistent with local cultural, social and economic values. Their work is also fostering
community acceptance of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry workforce as they
conduct research in Hawaii, American Samoa, Republic of Palau, Pohnpei and Kosrae.
The scientists’ primary partner has been the University of Hawaii at Hilo and its
Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science summer program, which matches
students with university, non-profit, and state and federal agency mentors.
“During the 2007 summer, 14 young people completed internships with us,” said
Kathleen Friday with the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. “Two of our former interns
were 2007 mentors—Francis Ruegorong, now a leader in Yap forestry and Kauaoa
Fraiola, a member of our wetlands research team working under the Scientist
Recruitment Initiative.”
Scientist Recruitment Initiative candidates must be enrolled in at least a master’s
degree program, with intentions to complete a doctorate in a desired research field.
This summer’s interns included undergraduate students from Hawaii Community
College, Palau Community College, College of Micronesia, University of Hawaii at
Manoa and University of Puget Sound.
Their research included examining ways to restore degraded Pacific Island
savannas, determining the impact of rising sea levels on invertebrates in Palau mangrove
forests and tracking the progress of the guava rust plant disease on the Big Island.
“Not only have most of our scientists mentored interns every summer, but our
technicians and support staff have supported the program,” Friday said. “Our goal is to
someday have former interns employed with most of the land management agencies we
work with in the Pacific Islands.”
For more information about the Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring
Science, click on: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/uhintern/
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