This workshop will build capacity within the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (CTAHR-UHM) to effectively incorporate climate science and climate-related information into CES programs and identify locally relevant strategies for climate adaptation. This effort will expand the work and impact of the Pacific Island Agroforesty Adaptation Initiative (PIAAI), a partnership between PICCC and College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (CTAHR-UHM), currently focused on the Territories of Guam and American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Hawaii-focused workshop will allow the PIAAI collaborators to develop and test the efficacy of educational tools and activities in Hawaii which will inform subsequent workshops in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). The objectives of the workshop will be: (i) developing a foundational knowledge of the regional climate system, drivers of climate variability and longer-term climate projections; (ii) identifying relevant climate-related tools and information needs that can best support extension programs; (iii) learning approaches to integrate climate science into extension programs and communicate climate change to our clients. Funding and travel support for the participation of CES agents from the USAPI will contribute to the overall objectives to the workshop and assist with the planning of future climate workshops within the USAPI region. It will also strengthen regional partnerships by integrating a participatory approach that is essential for working in these locations
The PI for the Pacific Island Agroforesty Adaptation Initiative, Clay Trauernicht, and CTAHR-UHM colleagues will organize a 2.5 day workshop consisting of short presentations, panel discussions, and facilitated small group activities. The 3rd day of the workshop will be dedicated to working specifically with the CES agents from Guam, CNMI and American Samoa to gain feedback on the HI workshop and strategically design an approach for carrying out climate science workshops for cooperative extension in each of the agent’s respective locations. The curriculum will be designed to outline current understanding of climate science and use of climate-related resources among CES personnel, provide foundational background of the Pacific climate system and projected climate change, and facilitate discussions that draw on CES expertise to elicit knowledge gaps and existing strategies for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change impacts across Hawaii’s food production systems. The workshop content and format will be flexible and comprehensive in order to accommodate the wide breadth of topics covered by CES programs and the outputs will reflect the interests and priority areas addressed by current CES programs. Funding will also be used to support the travel of up to two CES agents each from Guam, CNMI and American Samoa to attend the Hawaii Climate Workshop from June 7-8, 2017 and subsequent planning session June 9, 2017 at the East West Center on the University of Hawaii- Manoa campus.
