B.A. Zoology, Connecticut College

M.S. Environmental and Resource Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno

Ph.D. Zoology/Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Contact Info:
Math and Sciences Department, Kalia 101 Kapi'olani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816

Office: Koki'o 202K, STEM Center
Phone: 808-734-9869
email: wkuntz@hawaii.edu

LINKS

Courses

Biology 101/101 Lab: Introduction to Biology
Biology 124/124 Lab: Ecology and Environment
Biology 265/265 Lab: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Students: for access to online content visit laulima.hawaii.edu

Research

My research interests are in ecology, behavior and evolutionary biology with a broad focus on conservation biology and Hawaiian natural history. Prior to becoming full-time at KCC, I studied behavior in native Hawaiian Birds, primarily the 'I'iwi (Vestiaria coccinea) and I continue to stay involved with avian research and conservation in partnership with colleagues at UH-Manoa.

Currently, my students are researching the behavioral ecology of hermit crabs and other intertidal invertebrates. We have set up a "crab lab" for students to conduct independent research.

I have also partnered with The Nature Conservancy and Malama Maunalua to involve students in research and conservation related to the removal of invasive algae from Maunalua Bay.

iiwi C.laevimanus ohia

Mentoring

I am a faculty mentor to undergraduate students in the STEM Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program at KCC and through the C-MORE scholars progam at UH-Manoa. My independent research students design their own projects to address hypotheses in conservation biology and animal behavior, employing both lab experiments and field work.

Visit our the SURE website for the most recent updates on student research at KCC.

Ecology Club

I am the faculty advisor for the Ecology Club at KCC.
Ecology_kaena

Alien Algae Removal at Paiko, Maunalua Bay

Students in Biology 124 Lab are working in partnership with The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and the community organization Malama Maunalua to remove invasive algae from Maunalua Bay. Students are monitoring the impacts of removal on the density both invasive and native algae.

Service Trip to Hakalau Forest NWR

In Nov. 2009 and Apr. 2010 students from Biology 265, Biology 124 and the Ecology Club volunteered their time to help restore native plants at Hakalau Forest NWR on the big island. The next service trip is planned for Nov. 2010.

group

planting

See the Kapio Article on our April Trip