UHERO

Publications

A market analysis for a transfer of development rights program to facilitate sea level rise adaptation

A market analysis for a transfer of development rights program to facilitate sea level rise adaptation

May 26, 2026

Sea level rise (SLR) poses an immense challenge to coastal communities worldwide. In Hawaiʻi, retreat from the shoreline is necessary to preserve beach ecosystems. Transfer…

The Inter-regional Economic Impact of the Reduction in Tourism Following the Maui Wildfires

The Inter-regional Economic Impact of the Reduction in Tourism Following the Maui Wildfires

March 27, 2026

Hawai‘i’s economy, heavily specialized in tourism, is particularly vulnerable to shocks that disrupt tourism numbers. The Maui economy is even more dependent on tourists, and…

New MauiWES Study Published in JAMA Psychiatry

New MauiWES Study Published in JAMA Psychiatry

March 11, 2026

A new study led by UHERO’s Ruben Juarez has been published in JAMA Psychiatry. The article finds mental health consequences of wildfire exposure, housing displacement,…

New MauiWES Study Published in JAMA Network Open

New MauiWES Study Published in JAMA Network Open

August 6, 2025

A new paper in JAMA Network Open, a journal of the American Medical Association, led by Dr. Ruben Juarez, Dr. Alika Maunakea, Dr. Daniela Bond-Smith,…

Publication: Shadows and Donuts: The Work-From-Home Revolution and The Performance of Cities

Publication: Shadows and Donuts: The Work-From-Home Revolution and The Performance of Cities

August 1, 2025

In this article, we set out the relationships between the behavioral and spatial responses to working from home. The analytical framework centres explicitly on the…

Publication: Vog: Using Volcanic Eruptions to Estimate the Impact of Air Pollution on Student Test Scores

Publication: Vog: Using Volcanic Eruptions to Estimate the Impact of Air Pollution on Student Test Scores

June 25, 2025

We pair variation stemming from volcanic eruptions with the census of Hawaii’s public schools’ student test scores to estimate the impact of PM2.5 and SOM2…

Publication: Rural health disparities: Evidence from Hawaiʻi

Publication: Rural health disparities: Evidence from Hawaiʻi

June 20, 2025

This article examines how rurality contributes to health disparities in the Hawaiian Islands using data from the June 2023 wave of a statewide health survey.…

How New Mass Transit Affects Labor Markets: The Honolulu Skyline

How New Mass Transit Affects Labor Markets: The Honolulu Skyline

April 25, 2025

Understanding how the new rail system in Oahu is reshaping decisions around work, housing, and commuting can inform future transit investments. To get a more…

Scaling biocultural initiatives can support nature, food, and culture from summit to sea

Scaling biocultural initiatives can support nature, food, and culture from summit to sea

March 18, 2025

Biocultural nature-based solutions provide many social, cultural, and ecological benefits. Yet, there has been little research on related land-sea societal benefits, hindering our ability to…