Keleni Ku'ualoha Fa'anunu
Junior Undergraduate Researcher
Email: kelenif@hawaii.edu
Research Area: Conservation, Genetics, Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Research Interests
Being Hawaiian, a kinship between the land and the people is an important cultural value, which I have held steadfast to. This has influenced me in my approach to conservation and genetics to act as a bridge between this practice of Western science and the abundance of traditional ecological knowledge, especially as it related to Hawai'i.
Current Projects
My current research projects involve using the eDNA method for detection of our native Hylaeus bees and a presumably extinct species of honeycreeper known as the ʻŌʻū. With these projects we hope to confirm sightings, estimate populations, and determine the extent of UV and rainfall damage on eDNA, especially as it relates to Hawai'i.
A collaborative project I have been a part of is our ongoing study comparing the diversity of fenced and unfenced natural area reserves. We have conducted beat-sheeting, eDNA sampling, and collected spider webs as a form of aerial DNA. We hope to analyze the effects of Rapid Ohia Death, ungulates, and invasive species on arthropod communities.
