Sarah Severino

Maui Nui Program Research Coordinator

Sarah has more than a decade of experience managing projects in marine sciences and natural resources within Hawaiʻi and holds a Masters in Marine Science from Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Since receiving her degree, she’s worked on a diverse range of projects which include producing a biological natural resources carrying capacity study and report while working for University of Hawaiʻi (UH) and an O’ahu-based non-profit, assessing the potential impact of planned dredging projects for the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and managing several contracts with NOAA’s Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center, Pacific Island Regional Office, and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Hawaiʻi Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary for Lynker Corporation. While at the Coral Reef Ecology Laboratory at the UH, Sarah was the lead researcher for the Hanauma Bay Biological Carrying Capacity study and supervised diverse multidisciplinary teams of state (e.g., Division of Aquatic Resources and City and County of Honolulu) and local community partners responsible for the management, conservation, and restoration of aquatic resources and ecosystems in Hawai‘i. More recently, Sarah had the opportunity to work as the Scientific Lead for Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea’s biological carrying capacity study in response to Act 31 to create, lead and supervise long-term community and researcher monitoring efforts. Sarah is very excited to contribute to protecting and increasing the resilience of natural resources within Hawaiʻi through supporting CORALʻs mission to combine science-based solutions with effective community-driven conservation.