University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduate student Koa Grabar has been named a recipient of the 2026 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA). The award, sponsored by the Ecological Society of America, honors graduate students who demonstrate a strong interest in the intersection of biological sciences and public policy.
Farm to conservation
Grabar’s journey into the world of natural resources began in Hilo. Surrounded by chickens and the unique biodiversity of Hawaiʻi Island, his upbringing sparked a lifelong fascination with Hawaiʻi’s bird populations.
“Growing up on a farm and hiking a lot in Volcano and seeing all the forest birds really [sparked] my interest in this kind of stuff,” Grabar said. This interest eventually led him to pursue studies at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, where he focused his research on the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife.
Grabar’s current research investigates human—wildlife interactions, specifically focusing on how endangered waterbirds adapt to different wetland settings. His work helps wetland managers understand how human presence affects these sensitive species.
Advocating for research resources
As a GSPA winner, Grabar will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in policy training and meet with congressional staff on Capitol Hill. The award focuses on lobbying for research funding in biology and ecology, advocating for the resources necessary to sustain vital research in Hawaiʻi and across the nation.
He expects to graduate in May 2026 and then take a private sector job in environmental land planning. However, his long-term goal remains rooted in the field that raised him: wildlife conservation and wetland protection. For students who are still finding their way, Grabar offers a simple piece of advice.
“Reflecting on what your interests are and what you care about is the most important thing,” he said.
