Investigating climate in Hawaiʻi through scientific, Indigenous approaches

The communities and ecosystems of the Hawaiian Islands are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as flash floods and wildfires. To gain a better understanding of the climate of the Pacific and its variability, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa atmospheric scientist Giuseppe Torri, will conduct research that leverages both scientific and traditional knowledge in Hawai‘i. To fund that effort, Torri was selected to receive a nearly $700,000 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
NSF’s most prestigious award in support of early-career faculty, the CAREER award provides funding to faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.
Beginning this summer, Torri, who is an associate professor in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), will use a scientific approach to better understand the climate of Hawaiʻi, particularly those extreme weather events that affect the islands every year. This approach will mainly utilize extensive high-resolution data collected on the islands, state-of-the-art numerical models, and novel machine learning algorithms.

Complementary knowledge systems
“The vast knowledge acquired by Indigenous people through centuries of observations complements the knowledge derived from scientific research,” said Torri. “This project aims to combine the quantitative methods of science with the traditional knowledge of the islands’ Indigenous communities to provide a holistic understanding of climate in Hawai‘i.”
The NSF project will also allow Torri to adopt place-based methods to teach his undergraduate course on severe weather. Though he initiated the creation of this course last year, the award will enable Torri to hire cultural practitioners and local experts to bring their voices to the classroom and provide UH Mānoa students a well-rounded understanding of severe weather, especially in Hawai‘i.
“I feel privileged to live in a space that has such a rich culture, and so many resources, especially when it comes to understanding our environment,” noted Torri. “This award will be the perfect opportunity to bring some of those perspectives to the scientific community, and to show how the knowledge systems that both are based upon can nicely complement each other.”
Sharing information beyond the classroom
Torri also plans to create a series of short documentaries about the weather in Hawai‘i, wherein he will feature conversations between people who understand weather through different lenses. Along with scientific perspectives, artists, poets, local practitioners, and other stakeholders in Hawai‘i will share their knowledge.
“It is important to share this information beyond the classroom,” said Torri. “Especially in the face of climate change, understanding of the dynamics that regulate climate around Hawai‘i is essential to ensuring that the islands remain habitable and sustainable.”
Recognition of hard work, value of education
At Imperial College London, Torri began his doctoral research mostly focused on high-energy theoretical physics and string theory. During his doctoral studies, however, he developed a deep interest in the dynamical processes that govern clouds, and he decided to switch his research focus to those.
“Unfortunately, academia can be very rigid, and once you start down one path, it’s very hard to change,” said Torri. “This CAREER award is a recognition of all the hard work that I have done for the last 12 years and I am honored to receive this prestigious grant. Most importantly, though, this award will fund teaching and outreach activities that I’ve been dreaming of doing for the last six years.”
Read also on UH News.