Browsing by Subject "Hawaii"
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Item Open Access A Deep Dive into Hawaii’s Seafood Industry: Reducing Fish Processing Waste(2024-04-25) Seagle, JennaFish processing waste generated throughout the Hawaiian Islands presents both a challenge and an opportunity for local seafood distributors. This research explores potential waste management strategies to alleviate the negative impacts of seafood waste, increase product development, and grow revenue for Hawai‘i-based seafood distributors. Through a survey of seafood distributors in Hawai‘i and a document analysis of strategies from other regions, particularly the Iceland Ocean Cluster, this research identifies potential value-added products and management practices to enhance revenue streams and reduce the adverse effects of fish processing waste. The survey results reveal the current composition, amount, and management strategies regarding seafood processing waste in Hawai‘i. The document analysis identifies successful models of collaboration, value-added product development, financing opportunities, technological innovation, and market development. The recommendations outlined in this report provide a roadmap for navigating challenges and identifying opportunities to minimize fish processing waste and maximize revenue within Hawaii’s seafood industry.Item Open Access Comorbid substance use disorders with other Axis I and II mental disorders among treatment-seeking Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and mixed-race people.(Journal of psychiatric research, 2013-12) Wu, Li-Tzy; Blazer, Dan G; Gersing, Kenneth R; Burchett, Bruce; Swartz, Marvin S; Mannelli, Paolo; NIDA AAPI WorkgroupLittle is known about behavioral healthcare needs of Asian Americans (AAs), Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHs/PIs), and mixed-race people (MRs)-the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population. We examined substance use disorder (SUD) prevalences and comorbidities among AAs, NHs/PIs, and MRs (N = 4572) in a behavioral health electronic health record database. DSM-IV diagnoses among patients aged 1-90 years who accessed behavioral healthcare from 11 sites were systematically captured: SUD, anxiety, mood, personality, adjustment, childhood-onset, cognitive/dementia, dissociative, eating, factitious, impulse-control, psychotic/schizophrenic, sleep, and somatoform diagnoses. Of all patients, 15.0% had a SUD. Mood (60%), anxiety (31.2%), adjustment (30.9%), and disruptive (attention deficit-hyperactivity, conduct, oppositional defiant, disruptive behavior diagnosis, 22.7%) diagnoses were more common than others (psychotic 14.2%, personality 13.3%, other childhood-onset 11.4%, impulse-control 6.6%, cognitive 2.8%, eating 2.2%, somatoform 2.1%). Less than 1% of children aged <12 years had SUD. Cannabis diagnosis was the primary SUD affecting adolescents aged 12-17. MRs aged 35-49 years had the highest prevalence of cocaine diagnosis. Controlling for age at first visit, sex, treatment setting, length of treatment, and number of comorbid diagnoses, NHs/PIs and MRs were about two times more likely than AAs to have ≥ 2 SUDs. Regardless of race/ethnicity, personality diagnosis was comorbid with SUD. NHs/PIs with a mood diagnosis had elevated odds of having SUD. Findings present the most comprehensive patterns of mental diagnoses available for treatment-seeking AAs, NHs/PIs, and MRs in the real-world medical setting. In-depth research is needed to elucidate intraracial and interracial differences in treatment needs.Item Open Access Determining a historic baseline of anthropogenic noise in spinner dolphin resting bays along the Kona Coast of Hawaii(2014-04-20) Stanton, SeanOn March 11th, 2011, the 9.03 magnitude Tohoku earthquake struck off the coast of Japan and caused a tsunami event that crossed the Pacific. Using this event opportunistically to assess how it altered anthropogenic ambient noise in the waters of four bays of Hawaii (Kauhako, Honaunau, Kealakekua and Makako Bays), valuation of what the currently unmeasured baseline noise levels were prior to human existence or influences was attempted. Though a baseline has not yet been found, the results presented will assist in furthering our understanding of oceanic soundscapes and can aide in future soundscape models and research. Once found, the historic baseline will provide information that will help in referencing acceptable levels of anthropogenic noises in future policy-making decisions in Hawaii and elsewhere. Data was recorded on bottom-mounted archival hydrophones for years 2011-2013 in all four bays at 4-minute intervals with 30-second durations. A two-week window (March 4-18th) was completely analyzed for the years 2011 and 2012 (2012 being the control) in efforts to find an associated drop in noise level around the tsunami event. Values for typical bay sounds were found by averaging a one year span of data (January 8, 2011-January7, 2012) for 4 different categories: whales present, dolphins present, both present, and neither present (presence determined through acoustic data interpretation) in all 4 bays. Had a significant drop in noise level been found within the 2011 two-week time period, a comparison between it and the typical noise level under that biological category and bay could have illustrated how humans are currently influencing the oceanic soundscape in the area of study.Item Open Access Development of an Oil Spill Incident Action Plan for the Hawaii Area Contingency Plan(2010-04-28T22:22:36Z) Strickland, RhiannaLessons learned from oil spill incidents, such as the M/V COSCO BUSAN response in 2007 indicate the importance of developing and maintaining area-specific contingency plans, as well as supporting documents such as pre-generated Incident Action Plans (IAPs). The IAP is the integral document produced through the Incident Command System (ICS), and provides the operational plans required to execute an oil spill response. Development of these tools foster partnership and readiness while addressing key stakeholder concerns. Coordinating with the Hawaii oil spill response community, I developed a sample IAP based on past responses and the Hawaii Area Contingency Plan. This IAP highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration and demonstrates how Area Committees can develop tools and plans based on Best Management Practices to facilitate effective responses to oil spills within their local area.Item Open Access Ensuring sustainability in Hawaii’s offshore aquaculture industry: Environmental, economic, and social considerations for future development(2022-05-15) Wong, ZoeOffshore aquaculture, also known as open-ocean fish farming, is an emerging industry in the United States. Hawaii, home to the nation’s only active commercial open-ocean fish farm, has received increased interest and attention as a potential area for growth of the offshore aquaculture industry. State officials will play an important role in guiding the industry’s sustainable development but must take action to avoid the missteps of past projects both in Hawaii and elsewhere. Through background literature research and semi-structured stakeholder interviews, this study seeks to illuminate the environmental, economic, and social considerations that state officials must address and provides policy recommendations for next steps. By formalizing environmental standards for offshore fish farm management, initiating economic research at both state and local scales, committing to meaningful stakeholder engagement with affected communities, and reestablishing a program to oversee development of offshore aquaculture in the state, officials can nurture an industry that enriches Hawaii’s environment, economy, and people.Item Open Access From Norris to Now: A comparison of historic and present-day management and research on spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) around the Island of Hawai‘i(2011-04-27) Heenehan, HeatherThe spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris longirostris) of the Island of Hawai‘i use shallow, protected, warm and easily accessible bays during the day to rest and thus are targeted for swim-with dolphin programs. Since these interactions occur when the dolphins should be resting there is growing concern about the potential effects of these interactions and whether management interventions are required. Dr. Kenneth Norris was a pioneer marine mammal researcher and studied these spinner dolphins until the mid 1990’s. Using Kenneth Norris’ work as a historical baseline, I examined several key aspects of the spinner dolphin biology, research and management and how each has developed or changed since Norris and his colleagues originally studied the population. This project is presented as a set of web articles on the Spinner Dolphin Acoustics, Population Parameters and Human Impacts Research (SAPPHIRE) Project website.Item Open Access Improving Hawaii’s Water Quality: Selecting Sites for Riparian Restoration in a GIS(2007-05) Lavalle, Neoma MThe southern windward side of Hawaii, known as the Ko`olaupoko Moku, is comprised of twenty-one watersheds and three bays. Changes in agricultural practices and recent rapid urbanization have had a significant impact on Hawaii’s water quality, and the Ko`olaupoko Moku is no exception. Eleven of the streams in the Ko`olaupoko Moku and portions of all three of its bays are considered impaired waters by the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In order to protect the unique marine and fresh water ecosystems of this region, riparian restoration is an imperative step in improving water quality. The purposes of this project are threefold. First, to describe the challenges facing water quality in the Ko`olaupoko Moku. Second, to develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) model which maps precision riparian buffers using the Riparian Buffer Delineation Equation (RBDE). Finally, to identify sites appropriate for implementing riparian restoration.Item Open Access Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, mental health and treatment need in the United States during COVID-19.(Drug and alcohol review, 2022-11) Subica, Andrew M; Guerrero, Erick G; Martin, Tammy KK; Okamoto, Scott K; Aitaoto, Nia; Moss, Howard B; Morey, Brittany N; Wu, Li-TzyIntroduction
Before COVID-19, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI) endured a heavy burden of alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use in prior US data. Responding to reports that many NH/PI communities experienced severe COVID-19 disparities that could exacerbate their ATOD burden, we partnered with NH/PI communities to assess the substance use patterns and treatment needs of diverse NH/PIs during COVID-19.Methods
Collaborating with NH/PI community organisations across five states with large NH/PI populations, we conducted a large-scale investigation of NH/PI ATOD use, mental health and treatment need during COVID-19. Between April and November 2021, NH/PI-heritage research staff from our community partners collected data involving 306 NH/PI adults using several community-based recruitment methods (e-mail, telephone, in-person) and two survey approaches: online and paper-and-pencil. Multivariate regressions were conducted to examine potential predictors of NH/PI alcohol use disorder and need for behavioural health treatment.Results
During COVID-19, 47% and 22% of NH/PI adults reported current alcohol and cigarette use, while 35% reported lifetime illicit substance use (e.g., cannabis, opioid). Depression and anxiety were high, and alcohol use disorder, major depression and generalised anxiety disorder prevalence were 27%, 27% and 19%, respectively. One-third of participants reported past-year treatment need with lifetime illicit substance use, COVID-19 distress and major depression respectively associating with 3.0, 1.2, and 5.3 times greater adjusted odds for needing treatment.Conclusions
NH/PI adults reported heavy ATOD use, depression, anxiety and treatment need during COVID-19. Targeted research and treatment services may be warranted to mitigate COVID-19's negative behavioural health impact on NH/PI communities.Item Open Access Soundscape Ecology of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin Resting Bays(2016) Heenehan, Heather LeighSound is a key sensory modality for Hawaiian spinner dolphins. Like many other marine animals, these dolphins rely on sound and their acoustic environment for many aspects of their daily lives, making it is essential to understand soundscape in areas that are critical to their survival. Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest during the day in shallow coastal areas and forage offshore at night. In my dissertation I focus on the soundscape of the bays where Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest taking a soundscape ecology approach. I primarily relied on passive acoustic monitoring using four DSG-Ocean acoustic loggers in four Hawaiian spinner dolphin resting bays on the Kona Coast of Hawai‛i Island. 30-second recordings were made every four minutes in each of the bays for 20 to 27 months between January 8, 2011 and March 30, 2013. I also utilized concomitant vessel-based visual surveys in the four bays to provide context for these recordings. In my first chapter I used the contributions of the dolphins to the soundscape to monitor presence in the bays and found the degree of presence varied greatly from less than 40% to nearly 90% of days monitored with dolphins present. Having established these bays as important to the animals, in my second chapter I explored the many components of their resting bay soundscape and evaluated the influence of natural and human events on the soundscape. I characterized the overall soundscape in each of the four bays, used the tsunami event of March 2011 to approximate a natural soundscape and identified all loud daytime outliers. Overall, sound levels were consistently louder at night and quieter during the daytime due to the sounds from snapping shrimp. In fact, peak Hawaiian spinner dolphin resting time co-occurs with the quietest part of the day. However, I also found that humans drastically alter this daytime soundscape with sound from offshore aquaculture, vessel sound and military mid-frequency active sonar. During one recorded mid-frequency active sonar event in August 2011, sound pressure levels in the 3.15 kHz 1/3rd-octave band were as high as 45.8 dB above median ambient noise levels. Human activity both inside (vessels) and outside (sonar and aquaculture) the bays significantly altered the resting bay soundscape. Inside the bays there are high levels of human activity including vessel-based tourism directly targeting the dolphins. The interactions between humans and dolphins in their resting bays are of concern; therefore, my third chapter aimed to assess the acoustic response of the dolphins to human activity. Using days where acoustic recordings overlapped with visual surveys I found the greatest response in a bay with dolphin-centric activities, not in the bay with the most vessel activity, indicating that it is not the magnitude that elicits a response but the focus of the activity. In my fourth chapter I summarize the key results from my first three chapters to illustrate the power of multiple site design to prioritize action to protect Hawaiian spinner dolphins in their resting bays, a chapter I hope will be useful for managers should they take further action to protect the dolphins.
Item Open Access Substance use disorders and co-morbidities among Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.(Psychol Med, 2015-02) Wu, L-T; Blazer, DGBACKGROUND: Asian Americans (AAs) and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHs/PIs) are the fastest growing segments of the US population. However, their population sizes are small, and thus AAs and NHs/PIs are often aggregated into a single racial/ethnic group or omitted from research and health statistics. The groups' substance use disorders (SUDs) and treatment needs have been under-recognized. METHOD: We examined recent epidemiological data on the extent of alcohol and drug use disorders and the use of treatment services by AAs and NHs/PIs. RESULTS: NHs/PIs on average were less educated and had lower levels of household income than AAs. Considered as a single group, AAs and NHs/PIs showed a low prevalence of substance use and disorders. Analyses of survey data that compared AAs and NHs/PIs revealed higher prevalences of substance use (alcohol, drugs), depression and delinquency among NHs than among AAs. Among treatment-seeking patients in mental healthcare settings, NHs/PIs had higher prevalences of DSM-IV diagnoses than AAs (alcohol/drug, mood, adjustment, childhood-onset disruptive or impulse-control disorders), although co-morbidity was common in both groups. AAs and NHs/PIs with an SUD were unlikely to use treatment, especially treatment for alcohol problems, and treatment use tended to be related to involvement with the criminal justice system. CONCLUSIONS: Although available data are limited by small sample sizes of AAs and NHs/PIs, they demonstrate the need to separate AAs and NHs/PIs in health statistics and increase research into substance use and treatment needs for these fast-growing but understudied population groups.Item Open Access Tobacco use among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and mixed-race individuals: 2002-2010.(Drug and alcohol dependence, 2013-09) Wu, Li-Tzy; Swartz, Marvin S; Burchett, Bruce; NIDA AAPI Workgroup; Blazer, Dan GNon-Hispanic Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHs/PIs), and mixed-race individuals are the fastest growing segments of the US population. We examined prevalences and correlates of tobacco use among these understudied groups. Prevalences among whites were included as a comparison.Data were drawn from the 2002-2010 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Respondents aged ≥12 years were assessed for current (past-month) use of cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff), and pipe tobacco. Respondents' race/ethnicity, age, sex, household income, government assistance, urbanicity of residence, residential stability, self-rated health, alcohol use, and drug use were examined as correlates.Between 2002 and 2010, there was a decline in the prevalence of cigarette smoking among whites (26.9% in 2002; 24.3% in 2010) and Asian Americans (18.0% in 2002; 11.1% in 2010). Prevalence of pipe tobacco use among mixed-race individuals increased from 0.2% in 2002 to 1.6% in 2010; there was little change in the prevalence of cigar and smokeless tobacco use in these racial/ethnic groups. Adjusted analyses showed that, compared with Asian Americans, mixed-race individuals had greater odds of using four tobacco products, and NHs/PIs had greater odds of using cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. Regardless of race/ethnicity, male sex was a correlate of use of cigars, smokeless tobacco, and pipe tobacco; alcohol and drug use increased the odds of cigarette and cigar smoking.These new findings show prevalent tobacco use among NHs/PIs and mixed-race individuals, and highlight the importance of including these populations in future research and reporting.Item Open Access Vigilance Levels & Health in Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins(2012-04-26) O'Toole, Megan MarigoldOver the past several decades, Hawaiian spinner dolphins have become a species of interest for both scientists and tourists alike. Spinner dolphins can be found resting in the bays of coastal Hawaii almost daily, and their habits have been noted by the burgeoning ecotourism industry and increased human presence. While no in depth studies have been performed on the dolphin populations, these increased interactions have researchers concerned about the vulnerability of the dolphin population. Dukas & Clark (1995) hypothesize that a key unexplored factor in animal health is vigilance level, or the ability of the animal to process complex patterns such as foraging or detecting predators based on the amount of rest they are able to obtain. As the lifestyle of spinner dolphins puts them at extreme risk for lowered vigilance levels, the equations put forward in the article were used to create a bio-energetics model that would illustrate its potential effects on their ability to capture prey and evade predators. While short-term vigilance loss does not appear to be significantly damaging to the dolphin’s ability to feed and protect itself, a long-term loss may greatly affect a spinner dolphin’s overall health. These findings indicate that the current human presence in the bays during the spinner dolphins’ resting hours has the potential to detrimentally affect their health and consequently their population numbers and should serve as a starting point for further vigilance based research.Item Open Access VIGILANCE LEVELS & HEALTH IN HAWAIIAN SPINNER DOLPHINS(2012-04-26) O'Toole, Megan MarigoldOver the past several decades, Hawaiian spinner dolphins have become a species of interest for both scientists and tourists alike. Spinner dolphins can be found resting in the bays of coastal Hawaii almost daily, and their habits have been noted by the burgeoning ecotourism industry and increased human presence. While no in depth studies have been performed on the dolphin populations, these increased interactions have researchers concerned about the vulnerability of the dolphin population. Dukas & Clark (1995) hypothesize that a key unexplored factor in animal health is vigilance level, or the ability of the animal to process complex patterns such as foraging or detecting predators based on the amount of rest they are able to obtain. As the lifestyle of spinner dolphins puts them at extreme risk for lowered vigilance levels, the equations put forward in the article were used to create a bio-energetics model that would illustrate its potential effects on their ability to capture prey and evade predators. While short-term vigilance loss does not appear to be significantly damaging to the dolphin’s ability to feed and protect itself, a long-term loss may greatly affect a spinner dolphin’s overall health. These findings indicate that the current human presence in the bays during the spinner dolphins’ resting hours has the potential to detrimentally affect their health and consequently their population numbers and should serve as a starting point for further vigilance based research.