Aloooooha! It’s high time for an update from our island paradise on the goings-on of the Pacific Kittinger contingent. The big news is that I completed my PhD in June (official graduation: August) - finishing in 4 years. My dissertation is entitled “Historical ecology of coral reefs in the Hawaiian Archipelago,” and it’s a mix of marine science, history, and environmental policy. I’ll send you a copy if you have trouble sleeping. No one is allowed to call me Dr. Kittinger except my mother. My friend Ashley is considering altering my voicemail so it says “You’ve reached Dr. Kittinger, if this is a medical emergency, call 911.”
I am now also pleased to report that I am gainfully employed. Daniela, of course, is overjoyed. Like most good things that happen to people, this whole thing arose through a connection among close friends - and North Carolina friends at that. I had been applying to positions far and wide, mostly in academia but also some in government and the private sector. I was intrigued by the idea of working in the world of environmental consulting, but didn’t really have a notion of how to get into it until the National Marine Fisheries Service here in Honolulu approached me about a small project where I would use some of the historical data from my dissertation for their initiative assessing marine turtle populations in the Pacific. This led me to inquire with a good friend – Ed Glazier - who works for a social science consulting firm about the possibilities of working with them on a few projects. Later, on a trip to Wilmington where I presented at The Coastal Society conference, Ed and I talked more seriously about it and he ended up offering me a position working on their company’s projects in the Pacific region. Ed, incredibly, lives in Wrightsville Beach and also got his PhD at the University of Hawaii. Pretty funny how things work out.
I’m now the Lead Scientist and Assistant Director of the Pacific Islands Office of Impact Assessment, Inc. The company is based out of La Jolla, CA and primarily does social science research on environmental issues. For the immediate future I’ll be working on some socio-economic and cultural issues here in Hawaii, but Ed and I also hope to grow the portfolio of work we do in this region. The new commitment that the President has made to a national ocean policy can only help. The oceans are the largest ecosystem in the world, a major mediator of global climate, and I think the public at large is starting to recognize these places as peopled seascapes with a unique heritage and culture. Unfortunately that realization comes too often as the result of major disasters like the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I think this position will put me in a unique place to work at the nexus of science and policy on some very exciting initiatives. Put more simply, I’m actually going to get to use my degree on stuff that is fun but also has the potential to make an impact. Well that’s it for now. Most of you probably wanted more of an update on Daniela and Kai – who are both doing great. Daniela’s exploring the possibility of starting a local organic baby food business called the “Farm to Highchair” project. She’s posted all that on this thing called “Facebook.” Kai is getting more proficient at walking (dare I say, toddling?) and he’s really a blast – it’s so much fun to watch him learn. We’re reading books now too. Much love to y’all and we hope to see you soon on either a trip to the mainland – or for those who have the means and gumption – a trip out here to our island paradise.
BTW, for those of you who are interested – check out my blog below about an incredible trip to the Nā Pali coast of Kaua‘i
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Nu‘alolo Kai, Nā Pali coast, Kaua‘i
The Nā Pali coast is quite possibly the most beautiful stretch of coastline in Hawai‘i. Rugged and primarily uninhabited, it’s characterized by 1000 foot cliffs, windswept waterfalls and deep verdant valleys that cut back into the landscape. These valleys were also once home to Native Hawaiian villages. One such valley - Nu‘alolo Kai - is accessible only by boat. Fronted by a wide reef flat, Nu‘alolo Kai is ensconced in a dramatic semi-circle of 1000-foot cliffs. A huge heiau – or Native Hawaiian temple site – sits in the back of the valley and other archaeological remains include terraced home plots, canoe houses and agricultural terraces. I had the good fortune of being able to visit this incredible place on July 24, 2010 with the University of Hawaii’s archaeological field school at the invitation of Professor Terry Hunt. We arrived via zodiac at 6:30 and met David and Lida Burney who had camped the previous night. David’s a paleo-ecologist who has been documenting changes in the native fauna and flora for over two decades and Lida has most recently been involved in propagating an incredible native plant project at Grove Farms in Kauai. Terry has become famous for his work in Rapa Nui (Easter Island), where he’s countered the common story of environmental and social collapse with new findings on the role of invasive rats as the primary perpetrator of deforestation. He’s also done some incredible archaeological research at other sites in the Pacific, including Nu‘alolo Kai. We spent the day learning about the history of the valley, as understood from archaeology, historical accounts, and living connections among the community of Native Hawaiians that are now stewards of the valley. We planted native plants that the Burney’s had brought in the day before and enclosed them in wire mesh to protect them from the non-native goats that had invaded the valley and denuded nearly all the native vegetation. I got to snorkel the reef flat at high tide and saw some of the biggest parrotfish I’d ever seen in Hawaii. Later on a couple of juvenile monk seals hauled out on the beach in front of our encampment and proceeded to show us what relaxation really looked like. On the boat trip back to the harbor at Kekaha I couldn’t help but wonder what these places had been like back when they were inhabited. What were these Hawaiian’s lives like, and how did they view this incredible place? It was a memorable trip, made even more so by the vibrant cadre of students and professors that allowed me to tag along..
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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