also play a crucial role in supporting com- munity-led resilience and adaptation e orts (NEHA, 2023). For example, strategies are being developed and implemented across the region to revitalize healthier traditional food systems, resulting in more just access to food (NEHA, 2023). Subsistence-based prac- tices such as agroforestry and fishing, which have sustained Pacific Island peoples for mil- lennia and aided in recoveries from natural disasters, are being promoted as a means of supporting conservation, food security, and broader sociocultural objectives in the face of climate change (Frazier et al., 2023). According to G. Bare (personal commu- nication, June 3, 2024), when asked how their environmental public health program is changing and adapting to climate change impacts, Tagabuel said: [ . . . by] discussing climate impacts on drinking water, mosquito-borne illness outbreaks in the Pacific, and communi- cating food safety components during food safety training and environmental health sta training.
cal Diversity, 2023). By supporting home gardens and providing training on sus- tainable farming techniques, this initiative is enhancing food security and resilience (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2023). Other promising adaptations include estab- lishing networks of marine protected areas to preserve coastal resources, safeguarding fish habitats from pollution runo , and restoring traditional fishpond mariculture (Mills et al., 2023). Community food-shar- ing networks, such as those that emerged during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, also o er a model for building resilient food systems in the face of climate change (Fard- khales & Lincoln, 2021; Farrell et al., 2020; Ferguson et al., 2022). A pressing need exists, however, for addi- tional resources and support to scale up these e orts. Environmental public health depart- ments and partner organizations require funding, technical assistance, and capacity building to e ectively implement climate adaptation strategies. Greater coordination and collaboration among the various orga- nizations and agencies working on climate change and health in the Pacific Islands are also necessary, as is a commitment to cen- tering the voices and needs of Indigenous communities in all resilience and adaptation e orts. Ultimately, building climate resilience in Hawaii and the USAPI region will require a sustained and concerted e ort guided by the knowledge, values, and self-determination of Pacific Islander communities. By working together and prioritizing Indigenous rights and leadership, we as a profession can sup- port the development of healthy, sustainable, and resilient island societies in the face of the climate crisis. Conclusion Hawaii and the USAPI region are facing an existential threat from climate change, with profound negative impacts on the health, safety, and well-being of Pacific Islander com- munities. To e ectively address this threat and build resilience in the region, urgent action is needed from governments, civil society organizations, development part- ners, and the environmental public health workforce. Priority needs for Hawaii and the USAPI region include: • Increased funding and resources for cli- mate adaptation and mitigation initia-
tives that are community-driven and cul- turally appropriate. • Capacity building and technical assistance to strengthen the ability of environmental public health departments and local orga- nizations to assess climate-related health risks, develop adaptation plans, and imple- ment resilience measures. • Support for the integration of Indigenous knowledge and practices into climate change planning and decision-making, and the removal of institutional barriers that hinder Indigenous-led management of natural resources. • Improved data collection and monitoring systems to address critical gaps in climate, health, and socioeconomic information and to enable better decision-making and resource allocation. • Enhanced regional cooperation and knowl- edge sharing to facilitate developing and scaling up best practices and innovative solutions across Hawaii and the USAPI. Environmental public health professionals have a vital role to play in building climate resilience in Hawaii and the USAPI, such as: •Advocating for increased resources and support for Hawaiian and USAPI climate change initiatives, and work to elevate the voices and needs of Pacific Islander com- munities in decision-making processes. •Partnering with local communities and organizations to assess climate-related environmental health risks, develop cul- turally appropriate adaptation strategies, and strengthen local capacity for response and resilience. • Providing technical assistance and exper- tise to support the implementation of key resilience measures (e.g., strengthening food and water safety, improving sanita- tion and waste management, enhancing disease surveillance and vector control, ensuring the safety and integrity of build- ings and shelters). • Facilitating the integration of Indigenous knowledge and practices into planning and programming and dismantling insti- tutional barriers and biases that perpetu- ate inequities. By working hand in hand with Hawai- ian and USAPI communities and honoring their unique strengths, knowledge, and lived experiences, the environmental pub- lic health workforce can make a meaning-
Pacific Reef Heron: Changes in ocean temperature and acidity negatively impact fish populations, aecting the heron’s primary food source. Fish abundance is also reduced by coral bleaching, which disrupts the reef ecosystem. In Pohnpei, Federated States of Microne- sia, a partnership between the Island Food Community of Pohnpei, the Pohnpei State Government, and the Micronesia Conserva- tion Trust is working to promote local food production and preserve traditional agro- forestry practices (Convention on Biologi-
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May 2025 • Journal of Environmental Health
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