Contact Information
Phone:(808) 956-5950
Fax: (808) 956-3923
Email: mkipapa@hawaii.edu

University of Hawai`i at Manoa
3190 Maile Way, Room 101
Honolulu, HI 96822

Affiliations
Botany, Hawai`i College Connections (Native Hawaiian Scholars Program), Cancer Research Center of Hawai`i

Thesis Title: Quantifying the diets of Feral sheep (Ovis aries) through Rumen Analysis on Hawai`i Island

Personal Statment:

I am interested in natural resource management and applied conservation. In order to better understand and manage our native ecosystems we need to measure and determine the impacts introduced species have on our native species. This is what motivates me to do my research on feral sheep (Ovis aries) on Hawai`i Island. My site is located on the south west side of the Island, near Mauna Loa and Hualalai. My study is to quantify the diets of feral sheep through rumen analysis, using two different methods in the lab. By obtaining a percentage of what their diets are comprised of, it will provide evidence so it can be compared to what kind of vegetation is available at collection sites. This data will help land managers determine the impact of feral sheep on native plant communities and decide on a sustainable population of sheep on the mountain if positive impacts of sheep being on the mountain exist.

Awards:

• 2007-2004 Liko A'e Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program



• 2007-2005 Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) Scholarship



• 2007-2006 Kamehameha Schools, 'Imi Na'auao Scholarship



• 2007-2006 Kahuewai Ola Tuition Waiver at UH Manoa



• 2007-2006 Starr Foundation Science and Technology Fund



• 2006 Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentoring Program



• 2006 AmeriCorps Scholarship