Paubox Kahikina Scholarship — 2024
Aloha folks,
My name is Kawehi and I just finished my Junior year at the University of Southern California (USC). I am pursuing a degree in environmental studies (ENST) with a minor in marine biology. This year has been one of my favorites and I am excited to share what I’ve done this past year, what I’m doing now, and what I hope to be doing next semester.
Before I begin, I want to thank the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship program for everything they have done for me. I am truly grateful for all of their work that has provided me with opportunities and reduced my financial need.
This past academic year was my first year as an environmental studies major and I am happier than ever. I was previously studying economics, but I came to realize that the field does not resonate or excite me. The switch to environmental studies was initially facilitated by my interest in agriculture. Since USC does not have an agricultural program, I found the ENST program caught my eye the most (focusing on policy, communication and science). And just like that, I became an ENST student overnight. At this time, I did a lot of self-reflection trying to understand what was valuable to me. I came to realize that making money working a corporate job was out of the picture. I wanted to combine my love for the ocean, agriculture, and sustainability and landed on aquaculture. Aquaculture, simply put, is the cultivation of aquatic organisms. This can range from seaweed to salmon. I found this industry encapsulated all of my interests and is especially applicable in Hawaii. This now guides me when I choose classes or when I embark on new opportunities.
This past fall semester, I was mostly occupied with my core classes. This past spring was when things got exciting. My classes included fisheries management, Sustainable Aquaculture, ENST Internship and Water/Soil Sustainability. I could talk about these classes for a long time, so I’ll just say that I enjoyed all of them so much! I will, however, talk about my ENST internship. I had the opportunity to work with the Wrigley Institute (under Dr. Diane Kim) in the Nuzhdin Lab, working with giant kelp. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, as it has taught me so much while opening doors to other scientific opportunities.
Intrigued by my internship, I knew wanted to continue working in a similar environment. My principal investigator, Dr. Kim, had revealed to me several summer opportunities that were science-focused. These opportunities included a summer Maymester course and the USC Research for Undergraduates (REU) program. I was fortunate enough to do both this summer.
Right after finishing up the spring semester, I was shipped off to the USC Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island for a Maymester. There, I completed a month-long course in Aquatic Microbiology. This course was largely lab-focused and taught me many lab skills that I’d use soon after the course. This Maymester was the cherry on top of my spectacular spring semester. I made so many friends and met faculty in other interesting fields of science. Not only was the course academically fulfilling, but my time on Catalina included lots of outdoor time (especially in the ocean).
This Maymester course primed me for my current REU experience. I am working in the Schwartzman Lab where I focus on characterizing the relationship between microbes and giant kelp from different populations. So far, this experience has been awesome. I’ve met like-minded students interested in ocean/marine sciences, while continuing to gain valuable experience in the lab. I just finished my 4th week of the REU and have 6 more before my final presentation. I am so excited and grateful for everything I’ve been able to do this year.
Looking into next semester, I am searching for another job in a lab. While I am not particularly picky, something in the marine sciences would be perfect. I am also looking into a seaweed aquaculture program back in Hawaii to gain practical skills in the industry. My courses next semester include Biological Oceanography, California Coastal Zone Science and Policy along with two other core classes.
That wraps up everything I have done this year! Again, I want to thank everyone from the Paubox Kahikina team for all their work. Their efforts are an inspiration and are something I hope to provide for other Hawaii students in the future.
Mahalo Nui Loa
Kawehi
