The Nature of Conservation: Hawaii Adventure with Dad

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In January of this year, my dad and I went on a trip to Hawai’i, to the islands of Hawai’i Island and Oahu. We enjoyed exploring a tropical environment with diverse and beautiful ecosystems and welcoming people. I only was able to glimpse a fraction of what the region holds, but I enjoyed seeing manta rays, humpback whale, green sea turtles, many fish, and even a monk seal! 

In addition to being in Hawai’i for vacation, I was there as part of a team to review work of the Pacific Islands Climate Science Center, a collaboration between the United States Geological Survey (USGS), also under the Department of the Interior, and the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, University of Guam, and other research partners. We also visited the Hawai’i Wildlife Research Center, the only center of its kind in Hawai’i, which provides wildlife rehabilitation to native wildlife, mostly birds, in Hawai’i. 


I think NECWA and the Hawai’i Wildlife Research Center both exemplify a profound dedication to and care for the creatures on this planet. Their work should be acknowledged and supported by the people, communities, and state and federal agencies that depend on them to step up and help where no one else does. 

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