As the nation invests $52.7 billion to strengthen domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing, research and workforce development, University of Hawaiʻi students are gaining a direct pathway into one of the country鈥檚 fastest-growing and most strategically important technology sectors.

糖心视频 Mānoa has joined the (PINES), a regional coalition of 30 universities and colleges, industry partners and workforce organizations working together to prepare students for careers in semiconductor design, manufacturing and research. PINES is led by the SEMI Foundation and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Semiconductors, often called the “brains” of modern electronics, power technologies used every day, including smartphones, computers and automobiles, as well as artificial intelligence, satellites, medical devices, renewable energy systems and national defense technologies.

professors Boris Murmann, Jeff Weldon and Jennifer Ott led 糖心视频鈥檚 successful effort to become part of the network, which spans nine western states and Hawaiʻi. The initiative aims to better connect students with educational opportunities, hands-on training, internships and industry partnerships while aligning university programs with the needs of employers.

“This partnership gives our students the chance to receive training in technologies that are shaping the future while building careers in a rapidly expanding industry,” said 糖心视频 Mānoa Dean Brennon Morioka. “By connecting Hawaiʻi with a broader regional ecosystem, we can help develop homegrown talent, strengthen innovation across the islands and ensure our graduates are prepared to make an impact wherever their careers take them.”

The effort comes as demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply. A May 2026 analysis by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey projected a shortage of between 127,000 and 157,000 semiconductor workers nationwide by 2030, highlighting the need for expanded education and workforce development programs.

糖心视频鈥檚 participation builds on its growing leadership in microelectronics. In 2024, the university joined a Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley-led initiative that gives students experience with the complete chip development process, from circuit design to manufacturing and testing. For more on 糖心视频鈥檚 microelectronics internship, .

By joining PINES, 糖心视频 students will have greater access to regional collaborations and career pathways while helping strengthen Hawaiʻi鈥檚 role in the nation鈥檚 expanding semiconductor ecosystem. The partnership will also give 糖心视频 faculty access to shared curriculum, educational resources and best practices developed by universities and industry leaders across the network.

Related 糖心视频 News stories:

• 糖心视频 microelectronics program builds pipeline of homegrown talent, October 9, 2025
• $15.3M funding fuels microelectronics innovation, August 27, 2024
• 糖心视频 professor aims to develop microchips for future, diversify economy, March 25, 2024

Tucked away at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa鈥檚 Komohana facility in Hilo, a small team of researchers from the (CTAHR) is building the clean seed pipeline that could help secure the future of the state鈥檚 sweetpotato industry. Clean seeds are vine cuttings that are free from harmful viruses.

The National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) Sweetpotato-Hawaiʻi Center is part of the USDA-supported , a national network of clean plant centers, scientists, regulators, and growers. It is the only center in the network dedicated to Okinawan and Hawaiian heritage ʻuala (sweetpotatoes).

The center combines advanced tissue culture and diagnostics with strong partnerships among farmers, researchers, and cultural practitioners. Together, they are laying the groundwork for a reliable, local system for ʻuala and Okinawan sweetpotato health.

贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 sweetpotatoes

While programs on the U.S. continent work with orange-fleshed varieties, the Hawaiʻi center, led by CTAHR Extension Agent Sharon Wages, prioritizes purple-fleshed Okinawan types and traditional ʻuala that are central to local diets and markets.

“Hawaiʻi has the corner on Okinawan sweetpotato in the U.S.,” she said, noting that continental U.S. climates often cannot match the crop鈥檚 performance in 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 tropical weather.

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a major crop in Hawaiʻi, with 6.2 million pounds grown here in 2025, according to the USDA. Nine out of 10 ʻuala are produced on Hawaiʻi Island, particularly along the Hāmākua Coast.

Establishing a virus-free foundation

Supported by researchers Achyut Adhikari and Elisa Urano Mow, a tissue culture specialist, the sweetpotato center uses meristem-tip tissue culture to clean infected plant lines for each kind of ʻulua and establish virus-free foundation material for growers. This clean stock can then be multiplied and distributed, giving farmers a healthier starting point for new plantings.

While all NCPN centers follow a standard virus testing protocol, CTAHR researcher Anna Halpin-McCormick has documented additional viruses in the state. The Hawaiʻi center is now incorporating two of these locally significant viruses into its regular diagnostics, strengthening protection against region-specific threats.

The center has 11 unique sweetpotato varieties. The staff works closely with local growers to advance lines that are both nutritious and marketable, including several Okinawan-type selections and important heritage ʻuala.

Native Hawaiian adults experience mobility limitations—including challenges with agility, gait, balance and fall risk—at significantly higher rates and at younger ages than other major racial and ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi, according to new research from the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 .

The study, published in the CDC鈥檚 , analyzed mobility and functional limitations among adults aged 55 and older using data from the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collected between 2019 and 2021.

Led by Miquela Ibrao, associate director of H膩 K奴puna and assistant professor in the , the study found that 28% of Native Hawaiian adults ages 55 and older reported mobility limitations. In contrast, rates for White, Filipino and Japanese adults ranged from 17% to 19%. These disparities were evident even among those aged 55 to 64, suggesting that mobility challenges begin earlier than typically expected for Native Hawaiians.

“This study points to the need to assess mobility changes earlier than age 65,” said Ibrao. “Staying mobile is critical to living independently and maintaining social connections.”

Addressing health equity

The research team, which included H膩 K奴puna researchers Yan Yan Wu and Kathryn Braun, investigated how social determinants of health—such as income, education, health insurance access and neighborhood walkability—influence mobility.

For both Native Hawaiian and White adults, higher income was linked to lower rates of mobility limitations, underscoring the critical role economic factors play in healthy aging.

“We need more culturally grounded, community-based programs for Native Hawaiian adults,” added Ibrao. “These initiatives are essential to address social determinants of health and help k奴puna age with dignity, connection and independence in the communities they call home.”

H膩 K奴puna researchers hope the findings will inform policies and programs aimed at reducing health disparities and improving quality of life for Native Hawaiian older adults across the state.

The of the rare goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) in its natural deep ocean habitat were reported by a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa-led team of oceanographers. In the past, goblin sharks were only filmed and reported alive after being hooked on a fishing line and hauled to the surface, where divers could observe them and where they soon died. The study documents two live observations of one of the most elusive but iconic sharks on the planet—one at a seamount near Jarvis Island and another on the slope of the Tonga Trench.

Goblin sharks are sometimes referred to as “living fossils,” as they are the only living representative of their family, a lineage of sharks that is nearly 125 million years old. These observations extend their known depth range and geographic range significantly.

“Seeing the most iconic of all the deep-sea sharks alive and looking healthy in its natural habitat is a unique honour,” said Aaron Judah, lead author of the paper and doctoral candidate working in the and (DARC) in the at the 糖心视频 Mānoa . “I was also very surprised about how deep this species was found. The observation from the slope of the Tonga Trench is nearly 700 meters deeper than this species was known to live.”

Judah noted this observation extends the depth record for the entire order of Lamniformes, the mackerel sharks, which include other notable species such as the white shark, basking shark and mako shark. Previously, the goblin shark was only known to inhabit narrow areas off the coast of the western U.S., Australia, and Japan in the Pacific Ocean, and narrow regions in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The findings significantly extend the geographic range, with both sightings being made in the Central Pacific.

Treasure hunting in the archives

In 2025, Judah spoke with colleagues at DARC who mentioned there had been a potential goblin shark sighting during a 2019 expedition aboard the exploration vessel (E/V) Nautilus exploring deep-sea ecosystems near Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll and Jarvis Island within the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.

“I was shocked to hear this because this species was not to be known to be in the Central Pacific,” said Judah.

The footage on that cruise was captured using a camera system on the remotely-operated vehicle Hercules, publicly archived for global access, and later annotated by colleagues at DARC. Judah combed through this archive and discovered that the team had documented a goblin shark during the livestreamed dive on an unnamed seamount northwest of Jarvis Island.

The second observation was made during an expedition to the Tonga Trench which took place in 2024 aboard the research vessel (R/V) Dagon as part of the Inkfish Open Ocean Expedition led by scientists from the , when a baited camera on a bottom lander captured footage of a goblin shark in their natural habitat.

“The Goblin Shark is one of these deep-sea charismatic animals that I never thought we鈥檇 see alive, and then to do so was amazing, but to then learn that colleagues in Hawai鈥檌 also saw one was just incredible,” said Alan Jamieson, professor and founding director at Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Center and study co-author who documented the 2024 sighting.

“It is really important that we still perform natural history work,” Judah said. “New discoveries like this demonstrate that there is still so much to explore in our deep ocean home. Given the newly-expanded geographic range of the goblin shark, this species can be included in regional management and a nation’s biodiversity list, whereas, beforehand we didnʻt know it was even there!”

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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) is central to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to protect the state from invasive plant threats. The $322,000 grant will fund two state projects to improve early identification of major hibiscus, banana, and citrus diseases before they gain a foothold in Hawaiʻi.

CTAHR faculty will play a pivotal role in the detection and diagnostics of a statewide nursery and ornamental plant survey. Assistant Professors Jing Zhou, a specialist in plant virology, Marian Luis, a specialist in mycology, and Extension agent Alberto Ricordi, PhD, are serving as co-principal investigators on the survey grant.

Ricordi will assist in coordinating site visits statewide, while professors Zhou and Luis will do preliminary confirmation of suspected plant diseases. Initial screening will take place at the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (HDAB), while CTAHR‘s specialized laboratories will confirm the presence of diseases before samples are sent to the USDA.

“Building a relationship with CTAHR and 糖心视频 in general is very important because they’re a great asset for the department,” said Josiah Marquez, HDAB鈥檚 Plant Pathologist and lead on the grant. “In terms of these faculty members being specialists in their fields, it’s important that we take advantage of that.”

In the second project, Assistant Professor Garrett Roell from CTAHR鈥檚 Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, and Assistant Professor Huaijin Chen from the Department of Information and Computer Sciences will use artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computer programming to predict which plant diseases pose the biggest risk to Hawaiʻi.

This joint initiative is scheduled as a one-year pilot project. A successful first year could pave the way for more funds and a larger scope to detect other invasive threats, such as destructive insect pests or animal pathogens, long before they reach Hawaiʻi.

As the 2026 World Cup draws millions of spectators to stadiums across North America, the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 (NDPTC) is training emergency managers, first responders, transportation agencies and stadium operators on risk management and preparedness for extreme weather events.

NDPTC is a Congressionally-authorized, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded national center which is part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium. Based at the 糖心视频 Mānoa and funded by FEMA and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the training courses on “Extreme Weather Preparedness for World Cup Cities” was developed by subject matter experts in extreme weather, urban planning, transportation, emergency managers and stadium operations in U.S. host cities.

Managing potential extreme weather threats

The training focuses on assessing and mitigating risks associated with extreme heat, lightning, tornadoes, flash flooding and wildfire smoke. Participants learn to use publicly available data, planning tools and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve understanding of extreme weather risk and prioritize actions to increase safety and security for large-scale events.

“Large public events require organizations to prepare for hazards that can change rapidly and affect transportation systems, critical infrastructure and public safety,” said Karl Kim, professor of urban and regional planning in the 糖心视频 Mānoa and founding executive director of NDPTC. “Our role is to equip planners and decision-makers with practical tools and evidence-based strategies so they can anticipate risks and respond effectively when conditions change.”

The work involves downscaling climate and extreme weather models to the specific times and locations for the games and identifying protective actions to reduce harm to spectators and those participating in the World Cup. With teams and fans coming from different countries, there are many challenges with communications and coordination. NDPTC uses AI to support readiness and for different applications in urban planning and disaster management. Kim said that since many people are using AI, it is important to incorporate these tools into the work on risk management.

Extending NDPTC‘s impact beyond the tournament

The effort builds on NDPTC‘s broader mission of strengthening disaster resilience nationwide. Working with partners through the Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center and Federal Railroad Administration Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety Improvements program, the center develops risk assessment tools and provides training for emergency managers, first responders and community leaders across the country.

The World Cup training is updated regularly as guidance, operational requirements and weather conditions evolve. The curriculum also contains lessons learned from NDPTC‘s broader work in disaster preparedness and risk management. Since its establishment, the congressionally authorized center has trained more than 75,000 first responders and emergency managers nationwide, reinforcing 糖心视频鈥檚 role as a leader in disaster preparedness education and applied research.

The World Cup weather preparedness and latest recording of the training on NDPTC鈥檚 are available for the public.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Washington State University shows how fathers pass on traits influenced by their environment to their children. The research provided new data refining the mechanistic basis of paternal epigenetic inheritance.

The team was spearheaded by Monika Ward of the (JABSOM) and Wei Yan of Washington State University, whose work offers new insight into how these hereditary signals function.

, the study challenges the idea that sperm pick up this vital environmental information while maturing in a specific part of the male reproductive system called the epididymis. Instead, researchers found that mature sperm lack the specific mitochondrial DNA (genetic material for cell energy) required to facilitate this process, suggesting the information is set earlier while the sperm is still in the testes.

How testes help pass on traits

To test this, researchers fed male mice a high-fat diet. They then used a specialized fertilization technique to create offspring using both early-stage sperm from the testes and fully mature sperm. They discovered that the early sperm passed on traits from the father’s diet just as effectively as the mature sperm did.

“This work is a perfect example of how assisted reproduction technologies can be used to advance understanding of key processes in male reproduction,” said Ward, a researcher in the and professor of anatomy, biochemistry and physiology.

Related 糖心视频 News story: 糖心视频 researchers advance study of key male fertility gene

By using a direct injection technique with early-stage sperm, the team proved that sperm do not need to mature in the epididymis to pass on environmental information.

The study also clarified the amount of mitochondrial DNA in sperm. By testing sperm at various stages, the team confirmed that this material is progressively removed during development, leaving mature sperm almost entirely without it. They also found that small RNA, which carries genetic information, is primarily set during development in the testes.

The findings support a framework in which environmentally responsive molecular information is programmed during sperm development in the testes and later delivered to the egg by mature sperm depleted of mitochondrial DNA.

“The founder of our institute, Ryuzo Yanagimachi, was a pioneer who first developed many of the techniques used in modern IVF,” said Ward. “This study is a great example of how his legacy and our expertise continue to lead to new scientific discoveries.”

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research team has received advanced computing hardware through the to support work on artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation wireless communication technologies.

Led by Assistant Professor in collaboration with Associate Professor , the team was selected to receive four NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell graphics processing units. The high-performance computer processors will support research on AI, next-generation wireless networks, cybersecurity and other emerging communication technologies. The computing resources will strengthen 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 research capabilities while expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in AI and wireless networking technologies.

“Our goal is to build wireless systems that are not only faster but also smarter and more adaptable to real-world environments,” Xue said. “These new computing resources will accelerate our research while giving students valuable experience with the tools that are shaping the future of communications and AI.”

Practical solutions, wireless networks

The project is part of 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 growing efforts in communications, cyber-physical systems and networked infrastructure. Through collaborations with academic and industry partners, the research team aims to develop practical solutions for future wireless networks while addressing challenges relevant to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 transportation, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.

Part of the team鈥檚 research focuses on creating digital models of smart ports that combine wireless sensing, AI-powered radio access networks and real-time infrastructure monitoring. The technology could help improve operations at ports and other large transportation hubs, where moving vehicles, shipping containers and changing conditions can interfere with wireless signals.

The research also supports broader efforts to improve connected infrastructure with potential applications in transportation systems, logistics and other environments that rely on dependable communication networks.

Beyond advancing research, the NVIDIA award will provide new opportunities for workforce development by allowing students to work directly with cutting-edge computing technology used in industry and academia.

Tectonic stress along the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems in Southern California has now reached, and in some places exceeded, the highest levels seen in the past 1,000 years, according to research led by Earth scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The study, published in , has direct implications for seismic hazard assessments in one of the most densely populated and infrastructure-critical corridors in the U.S.

“Our results show that stress levels on multiple fault segments are now at or above the highest values seen in the past millennium and that the region may be capable of a large through-going rupture involving both fault systems,” said lead author Liliane Burkhard, research affiliate in the at the 糖心视频 Mānoa and scientist at the University of Bern, Switzerland. “We also found that Cajon Pass may act as an ‘earthquake gate’: sometimes blocking large ruptures from crossing between the faults, and sometimes allowing them to pass through and involve both systems in a single event.”

1,000 years of earthquake history

The researchers built a physics-based computer model that simulates how stress builds up and releases along the southern San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems, including at Cajon Pass, which is a critical junction between the two fault systems. They fed the model a 1,000-year record of earthquake history of the region reconstructed from geological evidence such as radiocarbon dating of displaced sediments and tree-ring records. By running this simulation forward to the present day, they estimated how much stress has built up.

“The conditions that determine whether the 鈥榚arthquake gate鈥� at Cajon Pass opens or stays closed appear to be related to how closely the stress levels on the two fault systems are aligned with each other at the time of rupture,” Burkhard said. “Right now, with stress at historically high levels across the region and more than 160 years elapsed since the last major rupture, the system is in a critically loaded state.”

Results from this study suggest that the stress that would normally be released in large earthquakes has continued to accumulate and is now at unprecedented levels. Perhaps most importantly, the study showed that Cajon Pass could facilitate a joint rupture of both the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults simultaneously, which is a scenario that could be significantly more damaging than a single-fault event, and one that affects densely populated areas including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and the Coachella Valley.

Improving earthquake hazard research

This kind of physics-based stress modeling can help refine seismic hazard assessments and inform infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness, and building codes in the region. Additionally, the modeling framework used in this study is applicable to other complex fault junctions globally, so the researchers are interested in developing it as a reusable tool for multi-fault hazard assessments.

“This is not a prediction of when an earthquake will happen,” Burkhard said. “However, studies like this are important contributions to national and global earthquake hazard research in that we are using rigorous, quantitative science to better understand the risk facing millions of people. What we can say is that the system is critically stressed, and that physics-based models like this one give us a clearer picture of the range of scenarios we should be prepared for. That information matters for hazard assessments, infrastructure planning, and emergency preparedness.”

Additional authors of the study include researchers from Northern Arizona University, University of Bern, U.S. Geological Survey and University of California, San Diego.

A national report co-authored by a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa sociologist found that while the humanities and social sciences continue to produce rigorous and valuable scholarship, some disciplines are experiencing instances where scholarly standards have been compromised as political considerations shape research and academic evaluation.

The , was written by a committee of scholars from universities across the country, including Associate Professor Ashley Rubin in the 糖心视频 Mānoa in the . The group examined concerns about declining public confidence in the humanities and allegations that ideological commitments have influenced scholarship in some academic fields.

“This report is a major milestone because, beyond our findings, it represents an interdisciplinary group of scholars standing up for scholarly rigor and not letting political goals corrupt the research enterprise or the standards by which research is evaluated,” Rubin said.

The committee reviewed research and academic practices across philosophy, anthropology, sociology, history, literary studies and music studies. It concluded that the most serious concerns arise when political goals are allowed to override traditional scholarly standards centered on evidence, objectivity and open inquiry.

According to the report, these concerns generally fall into three categories:

• Treating contested issues as settled science in ways that discourage debate
• Prioritizing narratives that advance social or political goals over the pursuit of understanding
• Rejecting the idea that objective facts and evidence can be separated from political values

The authors identified examples and patterns they point to as consistent with these trends to varying degrees across the disciplines they studied. However, they rejected claims that the humanities and social sciences are broadly failing as academic fields, emphasizing that scholars in these fields are still producing serious and impactful scholarship.

The report recommends that universities should promote intellectual openness, rigorous standards and the free exchange of ideas while resisting efforts to judge scholarship based on ideological conformity. It also cautions against political pressures from outside academia, including attempts by governments or advocacy groups to influence research and teaching.

The authors conclude that the humanities and humanistic social sciences remain essential to higher education because they help people better understand culture, history, society and human experience. Maintaining scholarly rigor, they contend, is critical to preserving public trust in those disciplines and in universities more broadly.

The report was commissioned by the chancellors of Vanderbilt University and Washington University in St. Louis.

Taren Bouwman and Landon Wong, researchers in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR), have been named 2026 ARCS Scholars by the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation鈥檚 Honolulu chapter. This award honors outstanding U.S. citizens pursuing higher education in STEM fields.

Green energy, climate solutions

Bouwman is exploring ways to create a microscopic net that traps algae in the sea and harvests them for energy. His work earned him the H. Keith and Sue Ernst ARCS Award.

In CTAHR鈥檚 Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, Bouwman looks into the relationships between marine algae and earth-bound fungi to overcome a roadblock in the green energy sector: the steep cost of harvesting biofuels, a promising energy source.

“More than half of the cost of biofuel from algae comes from trying to filter the algae out of the water,” Bouwman said. “Fungi can act as a cheap bio-filter to capture the algae so we can extract them together as an energy-rich fuel source.”

Protecting 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 coffee industry

In CTAHR鈥檚 Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, Wong was awarded the Helen Jones Farrar ARCS award in Tropical Plant Pathology and the Dr. Jacqueline Maly ARCS Scholar of the Year award for his research on the taxonomy of coffee root-knot nematodes. This tiny, destructive pest is devastating coffee production across Hawaiʻi Island, Central and South America.

Wong’s project clarified the true identity of the Kona coffee root-knot nematode (tiny pest) (Meloidogyne konaensis) by incorporating genetic, physical and protein-based testing. Wong鈥檚 work determined Meloidogyne konaensis is widely distributed across the coffee-growing regions of Central and South America.

“Traditional diagnostic procedures could take over two months,” Wong said. “This research has facilitated a faster identification method to protect local coffee growers from this pest and allow regulators to accurately screen and identify the nematode pest at ports of entry and in field samples in under a day using a simple genetic test.”

He also discovered a new species of root-knot nematode in Brazil, Meloidogyne pseudokonaensis, named for its similarity and previously mistaken identity as Meloidogyne konaensis.

Some of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 endangered false killer whales are rapidly losing weight, a warning sign that warming oceans and limited prey may be pushing one of the nation鈥檚 smallest whale populations closer to extinction, according to research by a team including scientists from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

The findings provide the first quantitative evidence that nutritional stress and competition with fisheries may be accelerating the decline of this iconic population, which now numbers fewer than 140 individuals.

The research—a partnership between the (PWF), (MMRP) at 糖心视频 Mānoa and —utilized high-resolution drone photogrammetry to track 68 whales (roughly half the remaining population) between 2019 and 2025.

Rapid declines and climate links

The study documented extreme physiological shifts, including one individual that lost an estimated 28% of its body mass—approximately 500 pounds—over a 10-week period. Researchers also found that the population鈥檚 overall Body Condition Index hit a record low in 2020. This decline coincided with a severe marine heatwave and the largest single-year population drop in recent history, suggesting that rising ocean temperatures could be impacting the whales’ ability to maintain necessary energy reserves.

“This study is a critical step in understanding whether prey limitation is driving the extinction risk for these whales,” explains Jens Currie, Chief Scientist at PWF, PhD candidate in the , and lead author of the study. “Our findings suggest that many individuals are living on a thin metabolic margin. We are now examining how competition with fisheries for high-energy prey like 鈥榓hi (yellowfin tuna) and mahimahi may be forcing these whales into a state of chronic nutritional stress.”

Mapping health across the archipelago

The research highlights that health is not distributed equally across the population. Whales in “Cluster 1,” known for traveling broad distances across the islands, showed significant variability in their physical condition. This suggests that the high energetic cost of moving long distances to find prey may be taking a heavier physical toll on certain social groups than others.

To ensure the highest level of accuracy, the research team validated their drone measurements against 3D scans of whales in human care at the Okinawa Churashima Foundation in Japan. This calibration provided the foundational data needed to convert aerial images into precise weight and volume estimates, confirming that the study鈥檚 measurements are accurate to within 3%.

“This level of precision allows us to pinpoint exactly when and where these whales are struggling, which is key for directing conservation efforts,” said Lars Bejder, MMRP director, title=”Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology”>HIMB professor, and co-author of the study.

The whales found in Hawaiʻi are a distinct, island-resident population adapted to the region鈥檚 coastal ecosystems and dependent on these waters for survival. They represent one of the smallest and most endangered whale populations in the United States, where the loss of even a few animals can have consequences for the entire population.

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Three students from the are spending one year focusing on critical marine policy issues in Washington, D.C. representing the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) as 2026 .

Gabrielle Ellis

completed her PhD in biological oceanography in spring 2025, for which she received the Mirikitani Outstanding Dissertation Award. Her dissertation provides baseline ecological descriptions of remote and unexplored habitats of the deep sea, and considers how resilient these habitats are to natural variation and human-induced impacts.

“If I have learned anything through my research as a deep-sea scientist, it is the power of transparent, long-term data in elevating science and protecting important ecosystems,” said Ellis. “I am so excited to witness this through NOAA鈥檚 Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, and I am honored to be working with the international and multistakeholder network of the Arctic Research Program.”

Jonathan Rosen

began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer as a coastal resource manager, and continued this work in Hawaiʻi supporting the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds and monitoring endangered species in the remote atolls of Papahānaumokuākea. He earned his master鈥檚 degree in marine biology as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow studying the impacts of marine heatwaves on fish physiology.

“To me, this feels like a once in lifetime opportunity to expand my experiences and expertise by working alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ecological Services Headquarters,” Rosen said. “Through this fellowship I hope to apply my experience in conservation, research and communication towards the implementation of legislation on national conservation priorities, including the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

Sarah Woo

is currently a PhD candidate in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department at 糖心视频 Mānoa focusing on collaborative community-based research, management and governance. Her graduate research is based in Kāneʻohe Bay, working alongside the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve and regional generational lawaiʻa (fishers), marine scientists who work in the Bay, and resource management agencies.

“I feel extremely grateful to have been selected to represent Hawaiʻi as a Knauss Legislative Fellow in Sen. Brian Schatz鈥檚 office focusing on topics such as oceans, climate, fisheries, and water, and assisting with appropriations and science legislation,” said Woo. “Growing up in the Pacific Northwest鈥檚 Washington, I never expected to live and work in Washington, D.C., but am excited for this new adventure to learn about the federal government so that I can come back home to Hawaiʻi after and apply what I have learned to support community needs.”

For more information, .

The (BOR) unanimously approved the appointment of Vassilis Syrmos as the next chancellor of , the flagship campus of the state鈥檚 10-campus public higher education system, during a special meeting on June 4. Syrmos was recommended for the position by 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel following a nationwide search. His official start date will be July 1.

Syrmos joined 糖心视频 Mānoa 35 years ago as a faculty member in the College of Engineering. As chancellor, he will serve as 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 chief executive officer, reporting to the 糖心视频 president and serving on the president鈥檚 senior leadership team. He will oversee an annual budget of more than $800 million and a workforce of more than 5,000 employees, leading academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations in partnership with the provost and executive team.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve 糖心视频 Mānoa at this important moment,” said Syrmos after the regents’ vote. “While I know the university well, I also know there is always more to learn. My first priority will be to visit every school, college and major unit across 糖心视频 Mānoa to listen and learn directly from our students, faculty and staff. The strength of this university has always been its people, and I believe our best path forward begins by listening first.”

Syrmos has served as interim provost of 糖心视频 Mānoa since July 2025, 12 years as 糖心视频 vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at 糖心视频 Mānoa.

“Vassilis has done an exceptional job as interim provost, building on decades of leadership across the 糖心视频 System and at 糖心视频 Mānoa,” Hensel said when announcing her recommendation. “He brings a deep understanding of 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 budget, operations and role within the broader 糖心视频 System, as well as strong relationships at the state and congressional levels. I am confident he will be an effective partner as we strengthen leadership for our flagship campus.”

Leadership experience

As interim provost, Syrmos helped secure legislative support to sustain the 糖心视频 Cancer Center鈥檚 research and strengthened its ability to maintain National Cancer Institute designation through legislation that doubled Hawaiʻi鈥檚 cigarette tax. He also advanced efforts to improve 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 financial transparency, modernize budgeting, strengthen student success initiatives and better align campus operations with institutional priorities.

As vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos led long-range strategic planning efforts that contributed to record growth in extramural funding, including a high of $734 million in fiscal year 2025, the fourth consecutive year 糖心视频 exceeded $500 million in research funding. He strengthened partnerships with Hawaiʻi鈥檚 congressional delegation, federal agencies and state leaders to advance strategic university priorities and expand research opportunities. Syrmos also established the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, making 糖心视频 the only R1 university in the nation to embed Indigenous knowledge and innovation within its research enterprise.

Chancellor position re-established

The BOR voted to re-establish the 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position in December 2025 following a recommendation from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems to separate the roles of 糖心视频 president and 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor. The 糖心视频 Mānoa Faculty Senate unanimously endorsed launching the search during the spring semester to provide stability for the campus and dedicated leadership as 糖心视频 Mānoa and the 糖心视频 System work to separate long-shared hybrid positions and offices.

Syrmos was selected from a finalist pool that included the provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Francisco State University and the president of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The nationwide search attracted 32 applicants and generated nine additional nominations and inquiries.

Related 糖心视频 News stories:

• Longtime 糖心视频 leader Vassilis Syrmos recommended as 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor, May, 28, 2026
• 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor search committee members announced, March 11, 2026
• 糖心视频 launches search to re-establish 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position, February 25, 2026

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa researcher Claire Kendal-Wright from the (JABSOM) is leading an effort to transform maternal-fetal care in American Samoa, a region where physicians face severe resource limitations at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.

“There was one OB and a resident covering labor and delivery,” Kendal-Wright recalled. “I started asking questions about preterm birth and outcomes, and you realize very quickly how dedicated the health providers are despite how limited the resources are.”

Backed by a U.S. Department of Interior grant to the medical center, Kendal-Wright is working with local clinicians to strengthen care through sonography training, telehealth and improved access to specialists.

The effort targets high-risk pregnancies. According to a study in , American Samoa faces challenging maternal health conditions, including high rates of obesity, hypertension and diabetes, alongside limited diagnostic technology.

Overcoming resource and diagnostic barriers

“When this grant ends, we aim to put in place a care pipeline that has not been available to these mothers,” Kendal-Wright said. “This will enable more mothers to gain the vital information required to make important care decisions about the health of their babies. For the mothers of American Samoa, this is not possible right now.”

It鈥檚 incredibly rewarding work.
—Claire Kendal-Wright

During recent visits with collaborators Curtis Lowery (medical researcher), Larenda Casey (lead sonographer) and La-Tisha Frazier (MD/JABSOM fellow), Kendal-Wright saw clinicians improvise by sharing ultrasound images via cell phone photos for outside opinions.

“You’re dealing with a population where many women have significant risk factors during pregnancy,” she said. “Having the ability to identify complications earlier and make informed decisions is incredibly important.”

The project, started by Men-Jean Lee, JABSOM‘s former associate chair of research and innovation, reflects the school’s mission of bolstering Pacific health equity.

Kendall-Wright added, “It’s incredibly rewarding work. These collaborations help ensure that mothers and babies have access to the best care possible, no matter where they live.”

A University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) alumnus has been recognized for helping tackle one of the biggest mysteries in modern astronomy.

Gagandeep Anand, a senior staff scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, was named the 2026 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) by the Maryland Science Center during its annual STEM awards ceremony on April 29. The award honors rising professionals making major contributions in science, education and research.

Examining a Hubble mystery

Anand earned both his master’s degree and PhD in astronomy from IfA. He studies nearby galaxies to better understand how the universe has evolved throughout time. Much of his work focuses on the “Hubble tension,” an ongoing scientific mystery involving conflicting measurements of how fast the universe is expanding.

Doug Simons, director of IfA, said Anand’s achievement reflects the institute’s broader mission.

“Gagandeep’s recognition speaks directly to the mission of the Institute for Astronomy, to advance world-leading research while training the next generation of scientists,” Simons said. “We are proud to see one of our alumni making important contributions to understanding the universe.”

Honoring emerging STEM leaders

The OYS award honors academic professionals age 35 or younger. Honorees are selected by members of the Maryland Science Center’s Scientific and Education Advisory Council.

“The Maryland Science Center inspires curiosity and exploration, and shares the process and joys of the scientific process,” said Mark J. Potter, president and CEO of the Maryland Science Center. “Anand is well deserving of this prestigious award and serves as a role model for others pursuing work, education, and careers in science.”

Comprehensive data on Hawaiʻi鈥檚 social work workforce is essential to addressing staffing shortages and improving recruitment and retention efforts statewide. To fill this gap, the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 鈥檚 launched a through its . The initiative seeks to identify where social workers are employed, the roles they fill, barriers to licensure, and the critical services they provide.

Having a clearer picture of Hawaiʻi‘s social work workforce is essential to addressing shortages and preparing future social workers…
—Wendy Lum

“The survey aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Hawaiʻi‘s social work workforce so educators, policymakers, employers and community organizations can better respond to workforce shortages and strengthen pathways into the profession,” said Kristl Nakamura, the workforce hub鈥檚 data coordinator.

Respondents are asked about the most rewarding aspects of their work, job search experiences, and the variety of settings in which they practice—from hospitals and shelters to schools and government agencies.

Anyone with a social work degree who is connected to the profession in Hawaiʻi is encouraged to .

“Helping students attain their bachelor’s or master’s in social work is only one part of growing the workforce,” said Wendy Lum, director of the Workforce Development Hub. “Having a clearer picture of Hawaiʻi‘s social work workforce is essential to addressing shortages and preparing future social workers to meet community needs.”

Data to address critical shortages

The need for stronger data comes as Hawaiʻi continues to face severe social worker shortages. In 2024, the reported a 17% vacancy rate in healthcare settings. Additionally, a noted that shortages remain critical in rural communities, including Maui, Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi.

“As we learned during the Maui fires, social workers provide critical mental health support to families and individuals in moments when they need it most,” said Aimee Chung, state advisor of the . “Without accurate workforce data, it becomes harder to advocate for the resources, funding and training needed to sustain our mental health workforce.”

The Department of Social Work and Workforce Hub will share survey results through summary reports and infographics to help guide workforce development efforts, advocacy and future strategies to strengthen and support social workers statewide.

A rare century-old collection of South Asian lithographs and manuscripts is now available online to researchers and the public through the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 , with the launch of its .

Created in 1903 by Atul K. Basu, the collection includes 35 lithographic prints and three typed manuscripts documenting Hindu mythology and religious narratives. Twenty-nine of the lithographs feature Bengali text with handwritten pencil transliterations, adding another layer of historical significance.

Collaboration, technological advances

The digitization project brought together librarians, archivists, technologists and students across Hamilton Library.

“Working on this project was my first experience contributing to the creation of a digital collection and a meaningful opportunity to apply metadata and collaboration in practice,” library and information science intern Munju Kim said.

Kim helped digitize the collection and developed its descriptive materials under the mentorship of IT Specialist Alisa Kwok, who led the digitization effort.

Metadata Librarian Stasha Gardasevic said the project also explored new technological approaches for digital collections.

“This project served as an excellent testbed for exploring the use of AI in supporting digital collections discovery with the transcription of non-Latin scripts,” Gardasevic said. “Gemini Pro did an excellent job interpreting Bengali script.”

Web Developer and Digital Collections Manager Daniel Ishimitsu helped publish the collection online, while Monica Ghosh, chair of the Asia Collection and South Asia Studies librarian, contributed language expertise and subject knowledge throughout the project.

The digital collection is expected to support future research in Hindu mythology, South Asian religious traditions, art history and visual culture.

.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researcher has received a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to help advance quantum technology, a fast-growing field that could improve everything from medical imaging to environmental monitoring.

The three-year project, led by Assistant Professor Bo-Han Wu in 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 in the , will focus on building smarter quantum sensor networks. Quantum sensors are highly sensitive devices that can detect extremely small changes in signals, such as temperature, light or electromagnetic activity, with greater precision than many current technologies.

Tackling real-world situations

The research aims to combine quantum science with artificial intelligence and machine learning to help sensors work together more efficiently and adapt to changing conditions. The project begins June 1 and runs through May 2029.

“This project is about helping quantum technologies move from theory into tools that can solve real-world problems,” Wu said. “Hawaiʻi offers a unique real-world setting for quantum sensor research, where advanced sensors could help address island challenges in ocean monitoring, disaster preparedness and resilient communications.”

For Hawaiʻi residents, the technology could eventually support improvements in areas that directly affect daily life, including disaster monitoring, climate and ocean research, healthcare and communications systems. More advanced sensors could help scientists detect environmental changes earlier, improve the accuracy of medical scans and strengthen future wireless and satellite networks.

One major challenge in quantum technology is that quantum signals are extremely delicate and can easily be disrupted by noise or interference. Wu鈥檚 team will study ways to make these systems more stable, reliable and practical for real-world use.

The project will also help grow Hawaiʻi鈥檚 role in the emerging quantum technology field, which is expected to become an important part of future science and engineering industries. In addition to research, the grant will support education and workforce training through new courses, open-source software tools and outreach activities designed to introduce more students to quantum science and engineering.

The award was funded through the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Foundations of Emerging Technologies program, in collaboration with Professor Hyeongrak Choi from Stony Brook University, which supports research in cutting-edge technologies with potential long-term national impact.

Vassilis Syrmos has been recommended by University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel to serve as the next chancellor of 糖心视频 Mānoa, the flagship campus of the state鈥檚 10-campus public higher education system. His appointment will go before the 糖心视频 Board of Regents (BOR) for final approval on Thursday, June 4. If approved, he will begin serving on July 1, 2026. (Editor鈥檚 note: Syrmos鈥� appointment was approved by the BOR on June 4.)

A faculty member in the 糖心视频 Mānoa College of Engineering for 35 years, Syrmos brings more than two decades of higher education leadership experience. He has served as interim provost of 糖心视频 Mānoa since July 2025. Before that, he served for 12 years as 糖心视频 vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at 糖心视频 Mānoa.

“Vassilis has done an exceptional job as interim provost, building on decades of leadership across the 糖心视频 System and at 糖心视频 Mānoa,” said Hensel. “He brings a deep understanding of 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 budget, operations and role within the broader 糖心视频 System, as well as strong relationships at the state and congressional levels. I am confident he will be an effective partner as we strengthen leadership for our flagship campus.”

As interim provost, Syrmos helped secure legislative support to sustain the 糖心视频 Cancer Center鈥檚 research and strengthen its National Cancer Institute designation through the doubling of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 cigarette tax. He also advanced efforts to improve 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 financial transparency, modernize budgeting, strengthen student success initiatives and better align campus operations with institutional priorities.

As vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos led long-range strategic planning efforts that contributed to record growth in extramural funding, including a high of $734 million in fiscal year 2025, the fourth consecutive year 糖心视频 exceeded $500 million in research funding. He strengthened partnerships with 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 congressional delegation, federal agencies and state leaders to advance strategic university priorities and expand research opportunities. Syrmos also established the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, making 糖心视频 the only R1 university in the nation to embed Indigenous knowledge and innovation within its research enterprise.

“I am deeply honored to be recommended as the next chancellor of 糖心视频 Mānoa”, said Syrmos. “Having served the university for more than three decades, I consider Hawaiʻi and this campus my home. I look forward to working with President Hensel in strengthening student success, advancing research and innovation and working closely with our faculty, students, staff and community partners as we continue to move 糖心视频 Mānoa forward as 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 flagship university.”

Nationwide search

Syrmos was selected from a finalist pool that also included the provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Francisco State University and the president of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The search attracted 32 applicants and nine nominations or inquiries.

The BOR voted to re-establish the 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position in December 2025, following a recommendation from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems to separate the roles of 糖心视频 president and 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor. The faculty senate unanimously endorsed an immediate launch to the search in spring semester to provide stability for the campus and dedicated Manoa leadership in discussions regarding the separation of hybrid positions and offices shared between Manoa and the system.

The search included a representative advisory committee, open nominations and applications, campus visits by finalists, public forums and stakeholder meetings. All three finalists participated in two-day campus visits that included more than 20 meetings with stakeholder groups and a public presentation and Q&A session, each of which was viewed by more than 500 people. Community feedback generated more than 650 comments across all finalists, in addition to input from shared governance groups.

Chancellor responsibilities

As chancellor, Syrmos will serve as the chief executive officer of 糖心视频 Mānoa, reporting to the 糖心视频 president and serving on the president鈥檚 senior leadership team. He will oversee a budget exceeding $800 million and more than 5,000 employees, providing leadership across academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations in partnership with the provost and executive team.

Syrmos is expected to advance 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 mission as 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 flagship research university while strengthening connections across Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and Asia and upholding the university鈥檚 responsibility to the Native Hawaiian community, language and culture.

Related 糖心视频 News stories:

• 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor search committee members announced, March 11, 2026
• 糖心视频 launches search to re-establish 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position, February 25, 2026