Jay Moorman, UHM MLA and DArch graduate, and Eileen Peppard, a mentor from the UH School of Architecture Environmental Research and Design Lab (ERDL) and Sea Grant, participated  in the 2021 Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Peter J. Rappa Fellowship program

During the six-week summer program, Rappa Fellows worked on the following projects to advance sustainability and resilience in the built environment.

Fellow: Jay Moorman, UH School of Architecture alumni
Mentor: Melanie Lander, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Extension Agent
“Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Streamside Guide in Action”
As a Rappa Fellow, Jay explored stream stewardship opportunities and challenges while connecting with communities to understand public perspectives and recommend green infrastructure practices. In the face of climate change and sea level rise, understanding jurisdiction and responsibility for stream and stormwater infrastructure maintenance is critical to empower our communities.

Fellow: Ryan Ringuette
Mentors: Eileen Peppard, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Center for Smart Building and Community Design and School of Architecture ERDL. Mark Glick, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute.
“Kaua‘i’s Electric Vehicle and Multi-Modal Transportation Transition”
In 2021, Kaua‘i was selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). The Kaua‘i ETIPP project supports the County of Kaua‘i’s efforts to eliminate fossil fuel use in the ground transportation sector by 2045 while providing convenient mobility options for its residents and visitors. Ryan’s presentation will focus on his efforts to support Kaua‘i’s ETIPP project.

Fellow: Gabriel Leggott
Mentor: Ruby Pap, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Extension Agent
“Kaua‘i County’s Readiness to Join the Community Rating System Under the National Flood Insurance Program”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), under which communities may apply for the Community Rating System (CRS) in an effort to reduce their insurance premiums. By taking the steps necessary to join CRS, a community improves its resilience and preparedness for flooding. This presentation will review Kaua‘i County’s readiness to join the CRS and focus on recommendations to help the County successfully enter the program.