Samuel E. Kahng , Ph.D.
Samuel E. Kahng , Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Oceanography
HPU Email: skahng@hpu.edu
Office Telephone: 808-236-3562
Office FAX: 808-544-1159
Office Location: HPU Marine Science Program Office, Oceanic Institute,
41-202 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA
Ph.D. Oceanography, University of Hawaii
B.A. Physics, Carleton College
Research Interests:
My research interests are in coral reef ecology. For my dissertation, I researched the biology and ecology of an invasive octocoral species and analyzed it in the context of invasion ecology to explain its ecological success in Hawaii. In general, I am interested in how life history traits (especially reproductive systems) relate to the ecological strategies of dominant benthic organisms. I am also interested in the environmental limits of dominant organisms and the mechanisms underlying those limits. Gaining insight into these issues will enable better forecasting of ecosystem response to global climate change (e.g., ocean acidification, warming, disturbance regime, etc.). I am currently investigating the ecological and physiological mechanisms that enable deep-water, photosynthetic corals to thrive where the dominant, shallow-water reef building corals become light limited. The ecology of this “twilight zone” where skiophilous (shade loving) fauna readily compete for space with photosynthetic organisms is poorly understood despite the large amount of nearshore habitat within this depth range. In Hawaii, vast beds of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals (Leptoseris spp.) form deep reefs and bioherms which provide habitat for an abundance of reef fish and invertebrates. In collaboration with the Waikiki Aquarium, we have initiated the world’s first culture of deep-water Leptoseris spp. collected 70-110 m and are in the process of studying the photobiology of these exceptional organisms.
For prospective MSMS graduate students who are interested in future enrollment, I have the following ongoing and potential projects: ocean acidification & coastal ocean carbonate chemistry (in collaboration with Dr. Chris Winn); fisheries management & quantitative modeling; mesophotic coral eco-physiology; and deep-water precious coral ecology. Prospective HPU MSMS graduate students who are interested in joining my lab are encouraged to contact me via email. Please include a CV/resume, unofficial copy of transcript, and short statement of research & career interests.
Marine Science Graduate Students:
Cassandra Pardee, Stock assessment of parrotfish in Hawaii
Dan Luck, Taxonomy and phylogeny of deep-water zooxanthellate corals (Leptoseris spp.) in Hawaii
Martha Maciasz, Stock assessment of the endemic white saddle goatfish Parupeneus porphyreus in Hawaii
Paula Lam, Reproduction of the endemic octocoral Sarcothelia edmondsoni in Hawaii
Lennon Thomas, Stock assessment of the Kona crab (Ranina ranina) fishery in Hawaii (graduated 2011)
Coulson Lanz, Spatio-temporal variability of the carbonate water chemistry in coastal Oahu (graduated 2011)
Peer Reviewed Publications:
Kahng, SE, D Wagner, J Gove, C Lantz, O Vetter, M Merrifield (2012) Temperature related depth limits of warm-water corals. Proceedings of the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium
Kahng, SE, EJ Hochberg, AM Apprill, D Wagner, RR Bidigare (2012) Efficient light harvesting in deep-water, zooxanthellate corals. Marine Ecology Progress Series 455:65-77 (pdf file)
Kahng, SE, Y Benayahu, H Lasker (2011) Sexual reproduction in Octocorals. Marine Ecology Progress Series 443:265-283 (pdf file) (supplement info)
Kahng SE, Spalding H, Garcia R, Brokovich E, Wagner D, Weil E, Hinderstein L & Toonen RJ (2010). A review of community ecology of mesophotic coral reef ecosystems. Coral Reefs 29:255-275 (pdf file)
Concepcion, G, SE Kahng, M Crepeau, E Franklin, SL Coles, RJ Toonen (2010) Molecular data suggest multiple introductions of Carijoa riisei into the Hawaiian archipelago. Marine Ecology Progress Series 401:113-127 (pdf file)
Chan Y, Pochon X, Fisher MA, Wagner D, Concepcion GT, Kahng SE, Toonen RJ, Gates RD (2009) Generalist dinoflagellate endosymbionts and host genotype diversity detected from mesophotic (67-100m depths) coral Leptoseris BMC Ecology 9:21
Wagner D, Kahng SE, Toonen RJ (2009). Observations on the life history and feeding ecology of a specialized nudibranch predator (Phyllodesmium poindimiei), with implications for biocontrol of an invasive octocoral (Carijoa riisei) in Hawaii. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 372: 64-74. (pdf file)
Kahng, SE, D Wagner, N Rothe, Y Benayahu (2008) Sexual reproduction in Carijoa riisei (Octocorallia: Clavulariidae) in Hawaii. Bulletin of Marine Science 82(1):1-17 (pdf file)
Concepcion GT, M Crepeau, D Wagner, SE Kahng, RJ Toonen (2008) An alternative to ITS, a hypervariable, single-copy nuclear intron in corals, and its use in detecting cryptic species within the octocoral genus Carijoa. Coral Reefs 27(2): 323-336
Kahng, SE & C Kelley (2007) Vertical zonation of habitat forming benthic species on the deep reef (60-150m) in the Au’au Channel, Hawaii. Coral Reefs 26(3):679-687. (pdf file)
Wagner, D, SE Kahng, RJ Toonen (2007) New report of predators (Order Nudibranchia) of the alien octocoral Carijoa riisei in the main Hawaiian Islands. Coral Reefs 26(2):411. (pdf file)
Kahng, SE & JE Maragos (2006) The deepest zooxanthellate, scleractinian corals in the world? Coral Reefs 25(2):254.(pdf file)
Kahng, SE & RW Grigg (2005) Impact of an alien octocoral (Carijoa riisei) on black corals in Hawaii. Coral Reefs 24(4):556-562. (pdf file)
Kahng, SE & A Salih (2005) Localization of fluorescent pigments in a nonbioluminescent, azooxanthellate octocoral suggests a photoprotective function. Coral Reefs 24(3):435-436.
Public Outreach Articles:
Kahng, SE (2005) A silent invasion threatens to overrun pristine black coral beds and alter Hawaii’s deep reef community. NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science website
Kahng, SE (2005) Unwelcome invaders. Alien soft coral invades Hawaii coral reef community.
Seminars, Conference Presentations & Abstracts:
2012 12th International Coral Reef Symposium, Cairns, Australia
2012 5th Hawaiian Islands Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii
2011 ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico
2008 NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR) Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Workshop
2008 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2007 Louisiana State University, School of the Coast and Environment (invited speaker)
2006 Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii (invited speaker)
2006 Hawaii Conservation Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii
2006 ALSO/TOC Ocean Sciences Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii
2005 3rd International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals, Miami, Florida
2005 4th International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions, Wellington, New Zealand
2005 Hawaii Conservation Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii
2004 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa, Japan
2004 Hawaii Conservation Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii
2004 13th International Aquatic Invasive Species Conference, Shannon, Ireland
2004 ALSO/TOC Ocean Sciences Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii
Research Grants & Funding:
2012 Coral reef fishery science and management capacity building in the Western Pacific Region, NOAA Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council, SE Kahng, $30,000
2012 Coastal ocean carbonate chemistry in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, SE Kahng, C Winn, $70,915
2011 Coastal ocean carbonate chemistry in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, SE Kahng, C Winn, $70,805
2011 Insular fisheries of the Western Pacific Region, NOAA Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council, SE Kahng, $102,000
2011 Recolonization and community succession of deep-water coral communities in response to disturbance in the form of lava flows, NOAA Undersea Research Program Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory & Coral Reef Conservation Program, SE Kahng, F Trusdell, RW Grigg, R Waller, M Garcia, D Wagner, J Maragos, $146,480
2010 Carbonate chemistry of near shore waters in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, SE Kahng, C Winn, $49,236
2010 Coral reef fishery science and management capacity building in the western Pacific region, NOAA Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, SE Kahng, $12,320
2009 Carbonate chemistry of near shore waters in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, NOAA Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, SE Kahng, C Winn, $9,000
2009 Stock assessment of the Kona crab fishery in Hawaii, NOAA Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, SE Kahng, $48,231
2009 Ecological impacts of Carijoa riisei on black coral habitat, NOAA Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, SE Kahng, RW Grigg, JR Smith, JC Wiltshire, $115,859
2006 Impact of Carijoa riisei on the deep reef, Sea Grant College Program, RW Grigg, SE Kahng, $9,356
2006 Ecological Impacts of Carijoa riisei on black coral habitat, Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, RW Grigg, SE Kahng, $61,000
2005 Ecology of a specialized nudibranch predator (Phyllodesmium poindimiei) and implications for potential biocontrol of an invasive octocoral (Carijoa riisei) in Hawaii, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, RJ Toonen, SE Kahng, $52,018
2005 Ecology and management implications of an invasive soft coral species, Carijoa riisei in Hawaii, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, RJ Toonen, SE Kahng, $40,534
2005 Reproduction and developmental characteristics of an alien soft coral (Carijoa riisei) in Hawaii, Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative, RJ Toonen, Y Benayahu, SE Kahng, $71,898
2005 Aspects of Carijoa riisei ecology and photobiology, Sea Grant College Program, RW Grigg, SE Kahng, $5,883
2004 The ecology and ecological impact of a highly invasive marine invertebrate in Hawaii’s coral reef communities, NOAA Undersea Research Program Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory & Coral Reef Conservation Program, RW Grigg, SE Kahng, RJ Toonen, $63,472
2004 The ecology and ecological impact of a highly invasive marine invertebrate in Hawaii’s coral reef communities, NOAA Undersea Research Program National Institute of Undersea Technology, RW Grigg, SE Kahng, RJ Toonen, $47,408
2004 Phylogeography and origin of a highly invasive alien octocoral Sea Grant College Program, RJ Toonen, RW Grigg, SL Coles, SE Kahng, $9,986
Science Expeditions:
Sept. 27 – Oct 1, 2011: Chief Scientist, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa) Deep water coral surveys of the Big Island
Nov. 19-23, 2009: Chief Scientist, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa) Deep water coral surveys of Maui and Kauai
Oct. 11 – Nov. 9, 2007: Scientific Diver, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (R/V Oscar Elton Sette) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands marine debris removal (Pearl & Hermes, French Frigate Shoals)
Jul. 18 – Aug. 13, 2007: Scientific Diver, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (R/V Oscar Elton Sette) Northwestern Hawaiian Islands marine debris removal (Kure, Pearl & Hermes, Laysan)
Oct. 21-27, 2006: Chief Scientist, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa) Deep water coral survey of the Au’au Channel, Maui
Sept. 8-15, 2004: Chief Scientist, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa) Deep water coral survey of Maui, Kauai, and Kaula
Dec. 12-14, 2003: Chief Scientist, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa) Deep water coral survey of the Au’au Channel, Maui
Nov. 22-25, 2002: Technician, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (R/V Ka‘imikai-o-Kanaloa) Deep water coral survey of South Point, Hawaii
Courses Taught:
MARS6002 Marine Systems II
MARS6020 Marine Science Field Methods
MARS6090 Biological Oceanography
MARS6120 Coral Reef Ecology
MARS6910 Current Topics in Marine Science – Biological Oceanography
MARS6910 Current Topics in Marine Science – Fisheries Management
NSCI3950 Natural Sciences Practicum
NSCI4800 Field Experience in Natural Sciences – Deep Water Coral Reef Exploration
NSCI6900 Master's Research
BIOL2050 General Biology I
BIOL2051 General Biology Laboratory I
BIOL2053 General Biology Laboratory II
BIOL3081 Ecology Laboratory
Volunteer Experience:
2002 United States Forest Service, Tongass National Forest, Alaska: Archaeological Survey
2002 Volunteers for Peace, Liaocheng, China: English Teacher
2002 Okavango Crocodile Project, Maun, Botswana: Nile Crocodile Population Study
2001 Virgin Islands Department of Planning & Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Division, St. Croix, USVI: Leatherback Turtle Conservation
2001 Gerace Field Station, San Salvador, Bahamas: Coral Reef Monitoring
1999 ALNITAK Marine Environment Research & Education Center, Madrid, Spain: Cetacean Behavioral Study
1999 Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor, Washington: Orca Photo Identification Survey
Profession Work Experience:
1999-2001 Principal, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
1991-1999 Manager, Andersen Consulting LLC
