Our research explores how soils breathe, move, store, and transform the water and energy that sustain life in Hawaiʻi. Working at the intersection of soil physics, hydrology, and microbiology, we investigate how the physical structure of soils shapes key soil functions from water availability to microbial behavior. Our overarching goal is to generate knowledge and practical strategies that support sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and the long‑term health of Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems and communities. 

Building on this foundation, we study Hawaiʻi’s soils across landscape, field, and pore scales to understand how water is retained and moves through them. For example, at the farm scale, we examine how traditional and innovative agroforestry systems can self‑regulate water and nutrient use. At the microscopic scale, we investigate how microbes navigate and modify their pore‑scale habitats, influencing soil structure, water flow, and resilience. By linking these processes across scales, we hope to reveal soils as living, dynamic systems shaped by both physical environments and biological activity.