Our Work

At Oceanic Pacific Services LLC (OPS), our work is grounded in science, guided by culture, and driven by impact. Through environmental assessments, marine monitoring, and community-centered collaboration, we support sustainable development across Pacific Island nations and beyond.

This section features projects led by our team - both through OPS and through academic research conducted by our founder during undergraduate and doctoral studies at Brigham Young University in Hawai'i and Utah. These case studies reflect our expertise, values, and commitment to bridging Western science and Indigenous knowledge to promote environmental resilience throughout the Pacific.

Moloka'i Reef Complexity Survey

As part of his doctoral research, OPS founder Tava'ilau Segi led a study examining how wave exposure influences reef structural complexity, coral cover, and fish diversity along the Southern coast of Moloka'i. The project combined in photo-transect surveys, surface vehicle surveys, geomorphology mapping, and statistical analysis. Results showed that sturcturally complex reef sites often shaped by wave dynamics supported greater biodiversity. These findings contribute to improve reef monitoring strategies and inform the design of more conservation areas.

Core Expertise:

Marine & Coastal Monitoring
Reef Complexity and Biodiversity Assessment
Benthic Mapping
Data Analysis & Visualization

Sediment Retention by Traditional Hawaiian Fishponds

This study explored how traditional Hawaiian fishponds (loko i'a) influence sediment distribution along the southeast Moloka'i coastline. Conducted by OPS founder Tava'ilau Segi during doctoral research at Brigham Young University - Provo, the project combined water and sediment sampling with GIS and spatial interpolation techniques. The findings suggest that restored and functioning fishponds can serve as sediment traps, potentially protecting nearshore coral reefs from upland runoff. This research supports the ecological value of Indigenous aquaculture systems in modern conservation planning.

Core Expertise:

Marine & Coastal Monitoring
Sediment Sampling & Analysis
Indigenous Collaboration & Knowledge Integration
GIS & Spatial Interpolation

Erosion Risk and Land-Use Change in Savai'i, Samoa

This project assessed how land-cover changes impact soil erosion across the east coast of Savai'i, Samoa's largest island. Conducted by OPS founder Tava'ilau Segi during his doctoral research, the study used high-resolution satellite imagery and ArcGIS Pro to implement the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and identify erosion-prone areas, Outputs from the model highlighted sediment loss patterns across different land uses and slopes within watersheds, informing conservation planning and land-use policy. The work supports sustainable upland management to reduce downstream impacts on coastal ecosystems.

Core Expertise:

Geospatial & Remote Sensing Solutions (QGIS, eCognition)
Soil Erosion Modeling (ArcGIS)
Sustainable Land-Use Planning
Climate Resilience Assessment

Community-Led Conservation Center in Saipipi, Savai'i, Samoa

This project supported the development of a community conservation center in Saipipi Village, funded by Seacology and Brigham Young University to strengthen local marine and forest conservation efforts. OPS founder Tava'ilau Segi played a key role in co-writing the successful grant proposal on behalf of the Saipipi Conservation Committee, securing funds to construct the center and expand community-based conservation initiatives.

Tava'ilau also contributed to designing culturally relevant educational materials, integrating Indigenous ecological knowledge with scientific research to support your engagement and public awareness. Additionally, he coordinated the logistics for outfitting the center, including assembling and shipping a container with furnishing and supplies from Utah.

The conservation center now serves as a hub for education, outreach, and stewardship, helping the community protect vital natural resources for future generations.

Core Expertise:

Indigenous Collaboration & Knowledge Bridging
Grant Writing & Proposal Development
Environmental Education
Conservation Logistics & Program

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Marine Biodiversity Surveys in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

As Part of a collaborative research initiatives between BYU-Hawai'i and the Division of Fish and Wildlife in Saipan, Tava'ilau Segi contributed to comprehensive surveys of coral reef ecosystems in the Western Pacific. The project involved underwater visual census methods to assess fish abundance, invertebrate diversity, and coral health across multiple sites. Working alongside a multidisciplinary teams of students and faculty, Tava'ilau helped document ecological baselines for long-term conservation and resource management in the region. His contribution supported data collection, species identification, and public science outreach.

Core Expertise:

Marine & Coastal Monitoring
Reef Fish and Invertebrate Surveys
Ecological Baseline Assessments
Cross-Cultural Scientific Collaboration