ScholarSpace

ScholarSpace is an open-access, digital institutional repository for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa community. ScholarSpace stores the intellectual works and unique collections of the UH at Mānoa academic community and also provides a permanent web location for those accessing these resources.

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Recent Submissions

Front Cover, Back Cover, Inside Cover
(2025-12-12)
Editor's Foreword, Editorial Assistant's Foreword, Student Editors' Foreword
(2025-12-12)
Changing The Key
(2025-12-12) Akina, Love
This piece is a summary of the main plot points in my full novel project as part of the Honors program. I think of this as in part a love letter–the love of an artist for their craft and how their art, in this case music, seeps into their daily life. My c
The End and Start of the World
(2025-12-12) Deatherage, Amy
Rebirth is an undeniable reality in nature, inextricably woven into the ecosystems and cycles that shape and sustain life on Earth. My poem “The End and Start of the World” is both inspired by this reality, and written in light of the current events unfolding in America. We’re living through a time when science, truth, and equality often feel under siege. As a Chinese-American female in science, I've witnessed firsthand how decisions and policies made at the highest levels are rippling down to impact researchers, conservationists, and those dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in these fields. For all people, but especially those who have dedicated their whole lives to the exploration and protection of our life-sustaining Earth, the challenge of this time often feels demoralizing and unfair. But resilience, as demonstrated by the very nature we're working so hard to protect, means facing hardship head-on, adapting, growing, and pushing forward despite it. I wrote this piece for those who, like me, feel the real heaviness of this moment, but refuse to fall into despair. I hope that these words can be a reminder that, no matter what, science endures, truth and the pursuit of truth matters, and, even in the darkest times, there is a beautiful future worth imagining and living for.
Nothing New
(2025-12-12) Lang, Isabella
In writing this sonnet, I was heavily influenced by the work of Margaret Cavendish and her way of weaving social problems into beautiful metaphors of nature. I took my own spin on this by using the changing of seasons to allude to being mistreated and use
Shifting Salinity, Shifting Species: Understanding Invertebrate Biodiversity at Keʻehi, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
(2025-12-12) Gabina, Hailey; Albertson, Payton; Nelson, Erica; Borum, Gianna
Coastal ecosystems are influenced both by natural processes such as freshwater input and sedimentation, and human activities including urban runoff and shoreline modification. Salinity is a key abiotic factor that affects the distribution and diversity of
Tsunami Induced Oscillations: Along the South Shore of O‘ahu Hawai‘i
(2025-12-12) Summers, Trey
The State of Hawai‘i has put a great deal of effort into implementing tsunami safety and preparedness measures. Despite these efforts, strong currents caused by tsunami induced oscillations may pose significant hazards to Hawai‘i residents who are uninformed of their presence. Pressure measurements collected by Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) nearshore sensors during the 2010 Maule, 2011 Tohoku, and 2022 Tonga tsunamis show that tsunami oscillations produced water level variations which gradually decreased over time. These oscillations were estimated to last from 20.70 ± 0.08 hours to 37.80 ± 0.24 hours at specific sensor sites. The average duration time across all datasets was 30.00 ± 0.12 hours. Additionally, the variations induced by these tsunami events exhibited periodic behavior, with the largest oscillations occurring near a 42.0-minute period. The median peak value was determined to be 42.1 minutes and the range of peak values was determined to be 0.4 minutes. This study hypothesizes that tsunami induced oscillations along the south shore of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i are the result of resonance behavior between the tsunami and the surrounding bathymetry, and that the 42.1-minute period is the dominant resonance frequency along the south shore of O‘ahu. These results may be useful for forecasting tsunami oscillations along the south shore of O‘ahu because they indicate a driving mechanism with predictable behavior. This information can be used by the State of Hawai‘i to determine when it is safe for residents and visitors to go back into the water after one of these events.
Herbivorous Fish Abundance and its Influence on Algal Communities in Maunalua Bay, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
(2025-12-12) Urschel-Speir, Ashlan
Coral reef ecosystems are under increasing threat from anthropogenic pressures, particularly urbanization and the spread of invasive species. Herbivorous fish play a critical role in controlling algal biomass, yet the efficacy of fish herbivory in reducing invasive algae remains unclear. In Maunalua Bay, on the eastern side of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, overgrowth of invasive algae has led to a significant decline in native biodiversity and reef health. This study investigated the relationship between herbivorous fish abundance and macroalgal percent cover across nine reef sites within Maunalua Bay from November 2024 to April 2025. Timed fish surveys and benthic photo quadrats were conducted and analyzed using CoralNET to quantify fish abundance and algal coverage, respectively. Despite variation across sites, a linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between herbivorous fish density and algal percent cover. Sites with the highest fish abundance, such as Kokeʻe and Hunakai, displayed low algal cover, while sites like Wailupe and Kawaikui had high algal cover despite moderate fish counts. These findings suggest that herbivorous fish populations in Maunalua Bay are reliant on other factors, which could be food availability, water quality, or fishing disturbances. However, no correlation between algal cover and herbivorous fish presence suggests that herbivores are currently insufficient to significantly control invasive algal growth, likely a result of overfishing, urban runoff, and broader ecosystem degradation. The results highlight the complexity of reef dynamics and the need for multifaceted restoration efforts that combine herbivory with habitat protection and water quality management to support coral reef resilience.
Adrian: An Embodied, Privacy‑First Platform for Ethical Human–AI Interaction
(2025-12-12) Dixon, Shelby
Modern artificial intelligence (AI) often elevates speed and engagement above privacy, transparency, and autonomy. Adrian proposes a different center of gravity: human dignity and reflective presence. The companion operates entirely on edge computing hard
Playfully Proficient: Enhancing Social Skill Acquisition in Young Children with Autism through Play-Based Interventions
(2025-12-12) Felipe, Jhennai
This project examines the effectiveness of play-based intervention in improving essential social skills among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with ASD often struggle with initiating interaction, sharing, and turn-taking, which can lead to feelings of isolation, peer rejection, and emotional challenges like anxiety and depression (Ke et al., 2017; Williams White et al., 2007). These social difficulties impact not only the individual but also their families, who may face stigma and reduced quality of life (Kinnear et al., 2016). To address these challenges, a targeted intervention was developed based on a social skills assessment and existing literature. The intervention, which included a series of structured play activities, was implemented over 12 weeks with a sample of three children diagnosed with ASD. Sessions were held weekly for 90 minutes, during which participants engaged in games, role-playing, and peer activities. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured changes in social skills and peer interactions. The results displayed gains in social skills and increased social engagement with peers, suggesting that play-based interventions can be an effective approach to improving social skills in children with ASD.