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Environmental Health

Small, colorful pieces of plastic are scattered along the water-line of a sandy beach.

Marine Debris

← Return to previous page PICCH Environmental Health Projects Why is marine debris a big concern? Marine debris affects reef health on micro- and macro-scales ranging from marine organisms consuming microplastics to coral reefs suffering structural damage from derelict fishing ...
A tidepool separated from the open ocean by a rocky strip of beach.

Reef Health in Lāhainā

← Return to previous page PICCH Environmental Health Projects Why was monitoring Lāhainā’s coasts urgent? In August 2023, the west-Maui town of Lāhainā was devastated by a wildfire. Though people are typically familiar with how wildfires influence terrestrial ecosystems, much ...
Map of the Pacific Ocean with Hawaiʻi and all the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Island territories labeled and highlighted in a lighter blue color.

Impacts of Militarization across USAPI

← Return to previous page PICCH Environmental Health Projects What are we looking for? Hawaiʻi and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) coastal communities are vulnerable to a wide range of contaminant risks as a result of historic and ongoing militarization. This ...
Cluster of seven circles with simple cliparts labeled ‘Industrial chemicals, PPCPs, Flame retardants, Metals and Metalloids, Biological, Pesticides, and Nanomaterials’ around text reading ‘Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs)’

Contaminants of Emerging Concern

← Return to previous page PICCH Environmental Health Projects What are CECs? As opposed to legacy, or established contaminants, CECs are generally contaminants that are not well understood and are often unregulated. While they may be detected in the environment, ...
A satellite image of Puʻuloa (Pearl Harbor) with a translucent blue overlay outlining the project study area

Ke Awa Lau o Puʻuloa

← Return to previous page PICCH Environmental Health Projects What are we looking for? Toxins introduced into the environment vary with different land uses. A very brief list of examples includes pesticides from agriculture, heavy metals from urban utilities, and ...