In February 2026, we were excited to launched a memorial scholarship for graduate students focusing on Hawaiian wildlife in honor of the late, great Pat Conant. Pat worked tirelessly to battle invasive species and protect native wildlife, and was a friend and cherished HWF volunteer for years. Learn more about the scholarship and Pat’s life and legacy HERE.

Duncan Anderson, HWF Scholarship Recipient

The amazing Patrick Conant. Photo courtesy of Sheila Conant.

This month, our HWF Scholarship Committee awarded the first ever Patrick Conant Memorial Scholarship to Duncan Anderson, a Master of Science candidate within the Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science program at the University of Hawaiʻi – Hilo (advisor: Dr. Jonathan “JP” Price).

Duncan’s thesis focuses on the Hawaiian orangeblack damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomelas), an endangered insect species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Through field surveys, water quality monitoring, and drone-based vegetation mapping of coastal wetlands across the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, he is studying the habitat conditions that support and sustain this species. This research aims to improve our understanding of the species’ habitat requirements and help inform future conservation efforts. As important predators in wetland ecosystems, damselflies help control mosquito populations and other small insects, highlighting the ecological value of conserving these unique native species.

Hawaiian orangeblack damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomelas). PC to Duncan Anderson.

Eighteen applications were received in total, and two other top finalists (Kelli Konicek at UH Mānoa, Ph.D. candidate within the Zoology Dept. studying Drosophila flies and wild yeast baits; and Kat Viehl at UH Mānoa, M.S. candidate with the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology studying stream wildlife with eDNA) were also awarded a small stipend for their research.

The HWF Scholarship Committee for this 2026 award included:

Anchialine pool habitat and study site at Kumuʻola Marine Science Education Center, Hilo Moku. PC to D. Anderson.

Anchialine pool habitat and study site at Punaluʻu, Kaʻū Moku. PC to D. Anderson.

  • Megan Lamson
  • Jodie Rosam
  • Janis Matsunaga
  • Maura Naughton
  • Bill Gilmartin
  • Sheila Conant
  • Jess Kirkpatrick

Stay tuned for our announcement in early 2027 for the next call for applications! We are looking forward to continuing to support new research honoring Pat’s legacy.