A University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo-led study found sewage pollution along 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 coast, from Keaukaha to Honoliʻi. It is the first to map wastewater pollution hotspots from King鈥檚 Landing to Honoliʻi Beach Park on Hawaiʻi Island.

The findings could help prioritize cesspool replacement near existing sewer lines and guide upgrades to 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 wastewater treatment system.

糖心视频 Hilo graduate Joseph “Crispin” Nakoa led the research, conducted in 2020–22, along his hometown鈥檚 coast.

“Growing up in Hilo, these aren鈥檛 just study sites, they鈥檙e places I鈥檝e spent my whole life fishing, surfing and spending time with family and friends,” Nakoa said. “Being able to answer questions that so many of us have had about the health of these waters has been one of the most rewarding parts of this project.”

Tracing the sources

Researchers sampled 16 locations monthly, measuring bacteria associated with fecal contamination, nutrients and chemical signatures of nitrogen in water and limu (seaweed). These measurements helped trace wastewater from cesspools and 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 wastewater treatment plant.

Wastewater was detected at every site, though most pollution indicators were found at low concentrations. Fresh groundwater flowing into the ocean diluted those signals, making contamination harder to detect.

Researchers combined their measurements with nearby cesspool densities to identify hotspots that water testing alone could miss.

Depending on the location, wastewater accounted for 8% to 49% of nitrate, a nutrient, in the water. Groundwater remained the largest source of nitrate.

Supporting community solutions

The study also showed that rivers carry wastewater to the coast.

“We talk a lot about the importance of removing cesspools from near the shoreline, but it鈥檚 also important to remove those near our rivers and streams,” said 糖心视频 Hilo Professor Steven Colbert.

Published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, the findings supported a companion study that traced sewage from homes to shoreline springs within hours to days.

“The goal with this data is to empower the communities鈥o that they can seek funding for solutions to improve water quality, to make it safe for everybody in the community to be able to use these waters,” said 糖心视频 Hilo marine science Professor Tracy Wiegner.

Two researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (SOEST) have been selected to receive National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR Research Fellows awards.

The awards will support Helen Janiszewski of the and Lenore Pipes of the (PBRC) as they develop new directions in fiber-optic geophysical sensing and reconstructing ancient marine ecosystems.

“What鈥檚 exciting about these fellowships is that they give Helen and Lenore the opportunity to take their research in new directions and build on that work at SOEST,” said Rebecca Chung, SOEST director of research development, who worked with Janiszewski and Pipes on developing their fellowship proposals.

Turning submarine cables into seismic sensors

Janiszewski, an associate professor of earth sciences, will lead a project focused on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS)—a technology that enables telecommunications fiber-optic cables to function as dense, continuous arrays of seismic sensors. This work has potential applications for earthquake and tsunami hazard research in Hawaiʻi.

Despite Hawaiʻi sitting at the nexus of the Pacific submarine cable network, local DAS infrastructure and expertise remain limited. Janiszewski aims to establish the technical and collaborative foundation necessary to develop DAS capability at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, enabling her to lead fiber-optic sensing research and education in Hawaiʻi and the broader Pacific. Janiszewski will use the pilot data to build an initial seismic event catalog for the Hawaiʻi region, establishing workflows that can be expanded to additional cable systems as they become available.

Unlocking biological history from ancient marine sediments

Pipes, an assistant professor in PBRC, will develop computational methods to recover biological information from ancient DNA preserved in seafloor sediments, helping to reconstruct past marine communities and build historical baselines for understanding how ocean biodiversity responds to climate change.

In standard marine environments, ancient DNA preserved in deep-sea sediments degrades into extremely short, damaged fragments. Current methods can mistake that damage for evolutionary change, making it difficult to accurately identify the organisms represented in the samples. Pipes will develop new computational methods that account for ancient DNA damage. The approach could recover highly degraded genetic material.

.

Coming home was never just a career move for Kelly Luis, it was a mission. After leaving NASA鈥檚 Jet Propulsion Laboratory to join the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, she is now redefining marine science by uniting satellite-level precision with the deep wisdom of the Hawaiian creation chant, Kumulipo.

For Luis, a Kamehameha Schools Maui graduate, Columbia University alumnus, and former NASA researcher, 糖心视频 Hilo offered something no other institution could match.

“I never dreamed of going to NASA. The thing I dreamed about is coming home to serve,” Luis said. “To return home for this type of mission is so humbling, and I feel very grateful.”

Biocultural vision

At 糖心视频 Hilo, Luis is a new marine science assistant professor at the helping connect advanced marine science with ancestral Hawaiian knowledge. Her experience includes using satellites and NASA research to map coral reefs and study coastal water quality.

“Kelly brings a unique expertise that will help us connect emerging technologies with place-based knowledge,” said Marine Science Chair John H. R. Burns.

In her Hawaiian coral reefs course, Luis pairs scientific classifications with the Kumulipo creation chant, helping students understand the ocean through multiple perspectives.

“I hope I鈥檓 opening the doors for many others to follow,” Luis said.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo graduate student studying a surprising connection between ʻ艒pelu (mackerel scad) and kohol膩 (humpback whales) earned top honors at the 2026 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference. Her research could help scientists better understand how recovering humpback whale populations contribute nutrients to Hawaiʻi‘s marine food webs and fisheries.

Breeann Andrade received the Graduate Student Presentation Award for Best Outstanding Oral Presentation for research examining whether ʻ艒pelu change their feeding habits during humpback whale season, including whether they consume skin naturally shed by the whales.

Andrade, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marine science from 糖心视频 Hilo, is now a graduate student in the university鈥檚 graduate program. During whale and non-whale seasons, she is studying ʻ艒pelu collected from Hilo, Kona and Maui Nui, the region encompassing Maui, Molokaʻi, 尝腻苍补ʻ颈 and Kahoʻolawe. In the lab, she analyzes what the fish eat and looks for chemical clues that can help reveal where their nutrients come from.

“I feel honored that this project allows me to uplift ʻike k奴puna/kuʻuna (ancestral knowledge/tradition) and the ancestors that were researchers long before me on a larger scale,” Andrade said. “I want the information to make its way back to the people who can use it, and not just stay in academia, because I do believe that caring and taking care of Hawaiʻi is a k膩kou (we) thing.”

More 糖心视频 standouts

Andrade was not the only 糖心视频 student recognized at the conference. students Charlotte Bender, James Lee, Keala Kaaloa and Xander Nakamura earned the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation Award for a decade of student-led research monitoring Manu o K奴 nesting on their campus. Their work has helped document nesting changes, guide tree trimming around active nests and contribute information to conservation databases.

To learn more about Andrade鈥檚 research and how she studies ʻ艒pelu in the field and lab, go to .

—By Susan Enright

Assistant Professor of Biology Jennifer Sims has been awarded a for the 2026–27 academic year. She will teach and conduct research at the .

Sims鈥� research focuses on microplastic pollution, plastic degradation and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled environmental monitoring, drawing connections between the shared environmental challenges facing island communities in Malta and Hawaiʻi. Beginning in October 2026, Sims will spend nine months co-teaching biological oceanography and contributing to AI-driven citizen science programs and curriculum to expand undergraduate research opportunities.

“I’m honored to represent Hawaiʻi Community College through the Fulbright Program and to connect what we’re learning here in Hawaiʻi with global efforts to protect our oceans,” said Sims. “Microplastic pollution and ocean health are global challenges, but island communities often experience them first and most deeply. Collaborating with researchers in Malta gives us a powerful opportunity to share knowledge, compare ecosystems and work toward solutions that will benefit island communities around the world.”

Continued Fulbright success

Sims is the fifth Fulbright Scholar selected from Hawaiʻi CC since 2010, continuing the college’s success in the competitive academic exchange program. The college was also recognized as a Top Producing Fulbright Institution in 2023 and 2024.

“One of the reasons Hawaiʻi CC has had such success with producing Fulbright Scholars is our kauhale (village)-wide commitment to supporting international collaboration,” said Professor Pamela Scheffler, a two-time awardee and Hawaiʻi CC鈥檚 Fulbright liaison. “Having a Fulbright liaison on campus means that faculty and staff are supported from before they even make the decision to apply.”

Related stories:

• Turtle tagging: Hands-on research for Hawaiʻi CC Marine Option Program students
• Hawaiʻi CC recognized as top Fulbright producing institution
• Stingless bees focus of Hawaiʻi CC Fulbright Scholar research

Fulbright Scholar awards for the 2027–28 academic year are until September 15, 2026, and the award cycle for the 2028–29 academic year will open in February 2027.

—By Katie Young Yamanaka

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, .

Hayden Niles grew up 1,500 miles from the nearest ocean, in Waubay, South Dakota—a landlocked town of 500 where the closest thing to the deep sea was a swimming pool. This spring, he graduates from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with a bachelor’s in , a minor in , a , and his sights set on hydrothermal vents two miles below the surface.

When it came time for college, Niles, who graduated high school with a class of eight students, initially considered a practical path in nursing. But the ocean鈥檚 pull was undeniable. He chose 糖心视频 Hilo, recognizing it as a realistic option that offered an incredible, accessible marine science program.

“The opportunities here genuinely are shocking,” Niles said, noting the constant stream of emails about internships and jobs. By his freshman year, he had already earned his scientific diving certification, diving headfirst into his passion. He praises 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 intimate class sizes, which allowed for hands-on learning and tight-knit relationships with professors.

“You get a chance to really, really get to know your professors, and that helps a ton,” he explained.

Niles didn鈥檛 just study the ocean; he actively engaged with it. Before his senior year, he secured a highly competitive deep-sea exploration , an opportunity with only a 2% acceptance rate. This experience, which included crossing the equator and studying unmapped seamounts, solidified his desire to pursue deep-sea microbiology. He specifically hopes to research hydrothermal vent bacteria, noting that “there鈥檚 a lot of potential鈥� specifically in the deep sea,” particularly for discoveries that could lead to treatments for diseases such as cancer.

But his ambitions extend beyond research. Niles is dedicated to giving back, currently working with the Bonner Program to manage hydroponic food baskets, aiming to bring sustainable agriculture models back to rural communities like his hometown in South Dakota. He believes in the power of agricultural change, stating, “We can make a difference by shaping people鈥檚 perspectives.”

.

The University of Hawaiʻi has been designated as a new Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute (Pacific RRCI) by the (NOAA) to support coral reef conservation in the Pacific through research, collaboration and public education.

The Pacific RRCI will be housed in 糖心视频鈥檚 , under the aegis of the , and will perform the following critical functions: conduct federally directed research to fill national and regional gaps; collaborate with relevant states and territories, Indigenous groups, coral reef managers, non-governmental organizations, and other coral reef research centers; assist in the implementation of the NOAA鈥檚 National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy and coral reef action plans; build non-federal capacity for management and restoration practices; and conduct public education and awareness programs.

“This new institute combines 糖心视频鈥檚 strengths in cutting-edge, ocean-related research and our collaborative, place-based approach to working with resource managers throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific to protect our vital coral reefs,” said Chad B. Walton, 糖心视频 interim vice president for research and innovation. “At the same time, it provides us with further opportunities to develop our region鈥檚 next generation of researchers and managers in the field of conservation futures.”

To restore and preserve coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. from natural and human-related effects, the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 was reauthorized and modernized by the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021, which was included in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act that became law in 2022. The reauthorized law required the designation of two RRCIs, one each in the Atlantic and Pacific basins, was required. The RRCIs were chosen from 32 preselected coral reef research centers and were designated based on the results of technical merit and panel reviews. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 was introduced and sponsored by Hawaiʻi Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, and Congressman Ed Case.

The 糖心视频-led institute will be guided by experienced reef researchers from 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 Kewalo Marine Laboratory and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 Marine Sciences program, and the University of Guam鈥檚 Marine Laboratory. It will support research, monitoring, capacity building and outreach for coral reef management throughout the U.S states and territories of American Samoa, Guam, Hawaiʻi, and the Northern Marianas Islands and with the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

“Many people worked many years to make this vision for collaborative reef research across the Pacific a reality,” said Suzanne Case, director of the Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures. “We鈥檙e excited to jump in with scientists and communities and agencies across the region to take it forward.”

Fourteen University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world鈥檚 best in the 2026 , released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 22 in the nation and top 100 in the world. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world鈥檚 top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of ):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251–300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251–275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401–450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451–500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451–500 world

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “They showcase the university鈥檚 global standing and reinforce that 糖心视频 Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

糖心视频 Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution鈥檚 success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026
• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026

A new 38-foot teaching and research vessel has arrived in Hilo, giving marine science students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo a powerful new ocean laboratory.

The aluminum workboat, named Kaiola, meaning “living sea,” arrived from Oregon in February. It is now in final outfitting and inspection before heading into the water.

“The new marine science vessel is a 38-foot North River Sounder, a class of aluminum workboat designed specifically for scientific, environmental monitoring, and coastal operations in high-energy conditions,” said John Burns, associate professor and chair of the .

Burns said the team chose the vessel for its stability and flexibility.

“We selected this platform because it provides a stable, shallow-draft, highly maneuverable work deck suitable for diving, instrument deployment, and nearshore research around Hawaiʻi Island,” Burns said.

The hull is made of welded marine-grade aluminum. Burns explains that aluminum boats are ideal for research. They resist corrosion in saltwater. They are lighter than fiberglass but just as strong. They can handle beach landings, heavy equipment and constant use.

“This durability is critical for a teaching and research vessel that will operate year-round in dynamic coastal conditions and remote locations,” he said.

The large open deck allows crews to deploy water and sediment samplers, underwater cameras, sensors and mapping tools. Inside, the cabin supports navigation, computing and real-time data processing.

Hands-on experience

For students, the impact is immediate. The vessel provides access to sites that were once difficult or unsafe to reach and offers more hands-on experience with real research equipment, data collection and marine operations which are core skills for careers in marine science and ocean stewardship.

—By Susan Enright

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo will lead a new $1.2 million, three-year grant funded by NASA to better understand how 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 coastlines can withstand climate change while expanding hands-on research and workforce development opportunities for students across the 10-campus 糖心视频 System.

John Burns, an associate professor of will co-lead the project with Haunani Kane, assistant professor of at the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 .

“We are very excited to connect students from across the 糖心视频 system through applied research experiences that help build educational pathways into careers in science and conservation,” said Burns.

The team will study how sea level rise and warming oceans are affecting coral reefs and nearshore areas. Students will learn satellite mapping, drone surveys, reef modeling and data analysis. They will also work with faculty, community partners and NASA scientists.

Burns directs 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 , where he creates detailed three-dimensional maps of reefs. Those maps show how storms, bleaching and human activity change reef structure and health over time.

—By Susan Enright

Five subject areas were placed in the world鈥檚 top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world鈥檚 top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () 糖心视频 Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that 糖心视频 Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make 糖心视频 Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All 糖心视频 Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

University of Hawaiʻi researchers have published a new study that brings together ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge), ʻ艒濒别濒辞 Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and western marine science to shed new light on one of the ocean鈥檚 most elusive predators, the cookiecutter shark.

Rarely seen but often noticed, the cookiecutter shark is named for the distinctive wounds it leaves behind. Instead of tearing flesh, the small shark removes neat, circular plugs of meat that resemble the cut of a cookie cutter. These unmistakable bite marks are commonly found on prized fish such as ʻahi (bigeye tuna) and aʻu k奴 (swordfish), providing scientists with rare clues about the shark鈥檚 behavior in the deep, open ocean.

“What makes this species so fascinating is that we almost never see the shark itself,” said Justin Suca, an assistant professor in at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补. “We鈥檙e learning about it by studying when and where those bite marks appear.”

The interdisciplinary study was led by Suca, J. Hauʻoli Lorenzo-Elarco, an assistant professor of at Honolulu Community College and PhD candidate at the 糖心视频 Hilo , and Donald R. Kobayashi and economist Hing Ling Chan from NOAA鈥檚 Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC).

Kobayashi, a biologist at PIFSC and 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 alumnus, has been a cookiecutter shark enthusiast for decades.

“I’ve been intrigued by these small sharks for over 40 years, when I first learned about them while a graduate student in oceanography at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and we would encounter them in net tows,” Kobayashi said. “These enigmatic creatures have resisted formal study due to their habitat, behavior, and apparent rarity, so it is quite gratifying to personally contribute some solid scientific knowledge towards understanding them and their ways!”

Night patterns

Published in, the study analyzed a much larger dataset than previous research, examining bite patterns recorded across Hawaiʻi鈥檚 longline fisheries over many years. The results reveal clear and persistent trends: cookiecutter shark bites occur most often at night and are closely tied to lunar cycles, with higher activity during darker, low-illumination periods.

Searching the past

Alongside the scientific analysis, the researchers reviewed Hawaiian-language sources, including historic n奴pepa (Hawaiian-language newspapers), and considered knowledge shared across Polynesian cultures to better understand how the shark may have been recognized in Hawaiʻi. While no direct references were found, the team believes Hawaiian ancestors were likely familiar with the shark鈥檚 distinctive bite marks.

“Our k奴puna (elders) may never have encountered the shark itself,” said Lorenzo-Elarco. “But they almost certainly encountered the evidence it left behind, the distinctive bite marks on fish they brought in from the open ocean.”

ʻ艑濒别濒辞 in science

From that understanding, the team developed a new Hawaiian name for the cookiecutter shark, nahunaiki, meaning “little bites,” and created an ʻ艒濒别濒辞 noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) describing its bite patterns and connection to nighttime conditions. The study also includes an abstract written entirely in ʻ艒濒别濒辞 Hawaiʻi, highlighting how Indigenous knowledge and modern science can work together to reveal patterns that might otherwise remain unseen. Developed by utilizing elements of traditional Hawaiian proverbs, the ʻ艒濒别濒辞 noʻeau says, Muku ka malama, nanahu ka nahunaikio o ka p艒, When the new moon arises, the cookie cutter shark bites.This ʻ艒濒别濒辞 noʻeau is aimed at helping current and future generations of ocean stewards connect the lunar cycle to the bites of this shark.

These findings build on earlier 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 research that linked moonless nights to rare cookiecutter shark bites on humans, particularly swimmers in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 ocean channels, suggesting darkness plays a key role across very different types of encounters.

With a focus on marine and atmospheric sciences, researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and University of Tokyo, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI) convened in Tokyo, Japan for a three-day conference in early October.

The 2025 Joint Conference on Ocean, Coastal, and Atmospheric Sciences, the fifth such joint event since 2008, is designed to facilitate the exchange of research findings and provide opportunities for future collaboration and partnership on grants, research and publications among participants.

“This long-standing collaboration between 糖心视频 Mānoa and the University of Tokyo reflects the best of international science—grounded in trust, shared purpose, and a collective commitment to understanding and protecting our planet鈥檚 ocean and atmosphere,” said Darren Lerner, interim associate dean for research at the 糖心视频 Mānoa (SOEST) and (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) director.

Sharing knowledge, expanding connections

Twenty faculty members, postdocs and graduate students from SOEST and other 糖心视频 departments shared their latest work on marine debris and microplastics; changing ocean currents and climate; biology and ecology of sharks, coral, and deep-sea animals; sustainable aquaculture; and more. After two days of presentations, 糖心视频 Mānoa participants were invited to visit AORI laboratories and field research activities related to their interests.

“Meeting with collaborators at AORI expanded my understanding of how processes that affect our home communities in Hawaiʻi—like ocean warming, deoxygenation, and changing climate cycles like El Niño–manifest in Japan鈥檚 coastal waters,” said Sara Kahanamoku-Meyer, SOEST assistant researcher and Early Career Research Fellow who participated in the conference.

The Joint Conference on Ocean, Coastal, and Atmospheric Sciences is aligned with an agreement between 糖心视频 Mānoa and the University of Tokyo to encourage the exchange of faculty, scholars, students, academic information and materials for the benefit of both institutions and the participants. Hawaiʻi Sea Grant has been the lead coordinator of the conference and the facilitator of the related memorandum of understanding since 2007.

.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 celebrated its 15th anniversary on October 25, marking a decade and a half of cutting-edge discovery and sustainable design.

Opened in 2010, the 26,997-square-foot facility has become a hub for groundbreaking research on marine microbes—organisms that play a vital role in the health of the planet鈥檚 oceans and climate. The state-of-the-art building houses laboratories, offices and a conference center designed to foster collaboration among scientists across disciplines and time zones. Its 50-seat auditorium supports video conferencing and live webcasting, connecting researchers around the world.

In 2012, C-MORE Hale was the first research laboratory building in Hawaiʻi to achieve LEED Platinum certification for environmental design. The facility incorporates energy-efficient systems and low-flow plumbing. It also features smart lighting controls and water recycling technologies that reduce potable water use by nearly half. The building鈥檚 innovative design earned multiple awards, including the Kukulu Hale Award for new commercial projects in 2011.

Leading research in microbial oceanography

David M. Karl, C-MORE鈥檚 founding director, member of the National Academy of Sciences and a professor of at 糖心视频 Mānoa, was instrumental in securing the 10-year, $36.8 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in 2006 that led to its establishment as an NSF Science and Technology Center. The center unites specialists in biology, chemistry, oceanography and engineering from six partner institutions. Together, these teams investigate the structure, diversity and metabolic function of marine microbes—from those that use sunlight to generate energy to others that recycle organic matter and drive global nutrient cycles.

Beyond the facility itself, Karl and C-MORE have positioned 糖心视频 Mānoa as a global leader in microbial oceanography by successfully establishing a link between molecular-level biology and large-scale ocean processes. His pioneering research on marine microbes and their role in global biogeochemical cycles has shaped modern understanding of how ocean life regulates Earth鈥檚 climate. Today, Karl continues to play a key role in advancing microbial oceanography worldwide.

“The opportunities that have been sustained by the investment in C-MORE Hale have put Hawaiʻi on the map of ocean research,” Karl said. “糖心视频 is now recognized as one of the top institutions in the world to study microbial oceanography, and we are also training the next generation of leaders. The future is today.”

Modeling the future of Earth鈥檚 oceans

C-MORE鈥檚 integrated research program is organized around four themes: microbial biodiversity, metabolism and nutrient flow, remote and continuous sensing of ocean processes, and ecosystem modeling and prediction. This approach allows scientists to explore how marine microorganisms influence climate, carbon storage and energy transfer within ocean ecosystems. The center鈥檚 work has advanced predictive models of how marine environments respond to environmental change, establishing 糖心视频 Mānoa as a key contributor to global ocean science.

“C-MORE Hale encompasses all the success in microbial oceanography and David Karl is the founder for microbial oceanography,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “He has brought funding—tens of millions of dollars to support this from the National Science Foundation, from the Moore Foundation, so private, public, federal, state, you name it. It is an unbelievable project. He has created a program that is second to none, not only here in Hawaiʻi and in the continent, but in the world.”

Karl was instrumental in the establishment of an open ocean time-series, called the Hawaiʻi Ocean Time-Series, as a sentinel for observing the effects of climate on the structure and function of microbial communities. C-MORE鈥檚 long-term research station, , located about 60 miles north of Oʻahu, was designated a Milestones in Microbiology Site by the American Society for Microbiology in 2015. The recognition honored 糖心视频鈥檚 historic contributions to understanding marine microbial life and its role in maintaining planetary habitability.

Building Hawaiʻi鈥檚 future in ocean science

In addition to its research mission, C-MORE supports education and outreach programs that inspire future ocean scientists and engage the public in microbial ecology. These efforts span from pre-college curricula and teacher training to graduate and postdoctoral research opportunities, helping to strengthen the next generation of oceanographers.

C-MORE Hale鈥檚 naming under the Daniel K. Inouye Legacy Program honors the late senator鈥檚 lifelong commitment to advancing science and education in Hawaiʻi.

During C-MORE Hale鈥檚 15th anniversary, many students and staff are aboard the R/V Kilo Moana, a 186-foot 糖心视频 Mānoa research vessel that supports the center鈥檚 oceanographic missions by serving as a mobile platform for sampling, experiments and data collection at sea. Karl said a formal celebration to mark the milestone is planned for later this fall.

The and the Keaukaha Community Association hosted the welcome event, He 笔奴办辞ʻ补 Kani ʻ膧颈苍补, on August 2, at the university鈥檚 (PACRC) in Keaukaha, Hilo Bay.

The event brought together Keaukaha community members and ʻohana, 糖心视频 Hilo faculty and student researchers, and local organizations to highlight the collaborative work being done at the center鈥檚 .

The nursery has three main facilities: a lab with 21 flow-through tanks, an invertebrate pool, and four horse troughs used to house corals and run projects. 糖心视频 Hilo students are eligible to volunteer at the nursery during the semester.

“We hope this event strengthens relationships and fosters new collaborations across the community,” said event co-sponsor Steve Doo, a 糖心视频 Hilo assistant professor of who coral and coral reefs.

Ocean stewardship

About 100 visitors from the community 鈥� from keiki to m膩kua (parents) to k奴puna (elders) 鈥� enjoyed the information booths, arts and crafts, land-based coral restoration demonstrations, snorkel surveys and coral outplanting in the bay.

Kaʻaka Swain, president of who also teaches at Ka ʻUmeke 碍腻ʻ别辞 charter school, said the event welcomed the Keaukaha community into PACRC to experience ongoing marine research through hands-on, culturally grounded activities.

“From limu pressing and lauhala fish weaving to touch tanks, coral reef building, and out-planting coral in Puhi Bay, participants explored the connections between culture and science,” said Swain. “Keiki gained a deeper understanding of marine life and a sense of pride in caring for the ocean.”

—By Susan Enright

Across the globe, oceans are acidifying as they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, threatening coral reefs and many other marine organisms. , led by oceanographers at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, revealed that unprecedented levels of ocean acidification are expected around the main Hawaiian Islands within the next three decades.

Increased ocean acidification has the potential to harm marine life by weakening the shells and skeletons of organisms such as corals and clams, amplifying the effects of existing stressors, and threatening ocean-based ecosystems. However, researchers have hope, as some organisms have shown signs of adapting to the changing waters. The study helps researchers, conservationists and policymakers understand the future challenges facing Hawaiʻi鈥檚 coral reefs and provides information for preserving these critical ecosystems for future generations.

Researchers within the laboratory group of Brian Powell, professor in the at the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 (SOEST), used advanced, fine-scale computer models to project how ocean chemistry around the main Hawaiian Islands might change over the 21st century under different climate scenarios based on how much carbon dioxide societies continue to emit.

“We found that ocean acidification is projected to increase significantly in the surface waters around the main Hawaiian Islands, even if carbon emissions flatline by mid-century in the low emission scenario,” said Lucia Hošeková, lead author of the paper and research scientist in SOEST. “In all nearshore areas these increases will be unprecedented compared to what reef organisms have experienced in many thousands of years.”

Emissions shape coral reef future

The extent and timing of these changes vary depending on the amount of carbon added to the atmosphere. In the high鈥恊mission scenario, the team found that ocean chemistry will become dramatically different from what corals have experienced historically, potentially posing challenges to their ability to adapt. Even in the low鈥恊mission scenario, some changes are inevitable, but they are less extreme and occur more gradually.

The team calculated the difference between projected ocean acidification and acidification that corals in a given location have experienced in recent history. They refer to this as ‘novelty’ and discovered that various areas of the Hawaiian Islands may experience acidification differently. Windward coastlines consistently exhibited higher novelty, that is, future conditions deviate more dramatically from what coral reefs have experienced in recent history.

“We did not expect future levels of ocean acidification to be so far outside the envelope of natural variations in ocean chemistry that an ecosystem is used to,” said Tobias Friedrich, study co-author and research scientist in the Department of Oceanography. “This is the first ocean acidification projection specifically for Hawaiian waters to document that.”

Corals potential to adapt

Previous studies have shown that a coral that is exposed to slightly elevated ocean acidity can acclimatize to those conditions, thereby enhancing the coral鈥檚 adaptability.

“The results show the potential conditions of acidification that corals may experience; however, the extremity of the conditions varies based on the climate scenario that the world follows. In the best case, corals will be impacted, but it could be manageable. This is why we continue new research to examine the combined effects of stresses on corals,” said Powell. “This study is a big first step to examine the totality of changes that will impact corals and other marine organisms and how it varies around the islands.”

The research team will continue to investigate the future changes in Hawaiian waters, specifically, heat stress, locations of possible refugia (areas where corals may be more sheltered from stress) for coral reefs, and changes to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 fisheries.

—By Marcie Grabowski

students are diving into marine science, by helping count and study 80 endangered green sea turtles along Hawaiʻi Island鈥檚 coastlines in the first year of the college鈥檚 nascent (MOP).

“I took a zoology class at Hawaiʻi CC and in my lab portion we got to go to Punaluʻu. We did turtle tagging, which was very inspiring to me because since I was a child I鈥檝e wanted to do marine science,鈥� said Hawaiʻi CC graduate Eliea Mitchell-Butler. “And to be able to do it and get involved with the local community was very touching because [the 40-year data set at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach] is the largest and longest-going database worldwide on green sea turtles.鈥�

Students worked hands-on in the Hilo Sea Turtle Health and Population Assessment Program through a special research permit with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Under faculty supervision, they hand-captured turtles, assessed their health, measured and weighed them, and applied tags for tracking. Research was conducted at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and Haʻena Beach on Hawaiʻi Island.

“Even though we鈥檙e the youngest program in the entire system, Hawaiʻi CC鈥檚 Marine Option Program is one of the most unique in that we offer research in sea turtles,鈥� said MOP program coordinator Jen Sims.

Recent Hawaiʻi CC graduate Christian Reynolds said, “I never thought I would be part of real conservation science this soon in my undergraduate education. I joined MOP at Hawaiʻi Community College because it offered me the same opportunities that I would have otherwise had at a four-year university but at a much lower price.鈥�

MOP also offers internships, research projects and cultural fieldwork open to all majors.

For more information about the Marine Option Program at Hawaiʻi CC, email Sims at jlsims@hawaii.edu or visit the .

Lisa C. McManus, a theoretical marine ecologist in University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (HIMB) in the , was named a 2025 Ecological Society of America (ESA) Early Career Fellow on April 29. The society鈥檚 fellowship program recognizes contributions to ecological research, communication, education, management and policy throughout the United States. McManus is among 10 new Early Career Fellows in the country, and is recognized for notable efforts to investigate how climate change impacts coral reef ecosystems.

“I鈥檓 deeply honored,” McManus said. “Many ecologists I鈥檝e long admired were previous ESA Early Career Fellows, and it鈥檚 humbling to be included among such distinguished researchers. This recognition energizes me to pursue even more ambitious questions at the intersection of theoretical ecology and coral reef science.”

In her research, McManus uses ecological theory to understand and predict the responses of marine organisms to changing ocean conditions. Her current projects examine coral-algal regime shifts, coral adaptive potential and marine conservation strategies. Through this work, McManus aims to inform conservation policies that address the long-term resilience of coral reefs. She earned her PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University.

McManus is an assistant professor at HIMB, where she is part of a team of more than 200 faculty, staff and students who study everything from marine microbes to marine mammals to better understand and protect the ocean, both locally and globally.

“The research community at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology is exceptional—not just for the scientific excellence, but for the genuinely supportive culture,” McManus said.

HIMB Director Megan Donahue said, “Lisa has made exceptional contributions to the understanding of coral reef ecology and management, and HIMB has benefited from her open, collaborative approach and strong student mentorship. We are thrilled to see her achievements recognized by this prestigious award from ESA.”

ESA established its Fellows program in 2012, with the goal of honoring its members and supporting their competitiveness and advancement to leadership positions in the society, at their institutions and in broader society. Early Career Fellows are elected for five years, and are members within eight years of completing their doctoral training (or other terminal degree) who have advanced ecological knowledge and applications and show promise of continuing to make outstanding contributions to a wide range of fields served by ESA.

.

Five outstanding students at the were honored with 2025 Ka Lama Kū awards, recognizing leadership grounded in Native Hawaiian values.

Hosted by the 糖心视频 Hilo , the April 15 ceremony honored students who are reflective of exemplary values such as alakaʻi (leadership), ʻike pāpālua (vision), kuleana (responsibility), laulima (collaboration) and mālama (care for others). A student committee selected this year鈥檚 recipients for their impact on campus and beyond.

Awardees

major Shayne Victor received the Alakaʻi Award for his role in the Student Activities Council and multiple student clubs. “Shayne has consistently demonstrated the qualities of an exemplary leader who inspires and empowers those around him,” wrote nominator Kamalani Poepoe.

Hayden Niles, a major from South Dakota, was honored with the ʻIke Pāpālua Award for his vision and community service. “[Hayden] has given over 500 hours of time in our Hawaiʻi Island community over his years here,” said Julie Mowrer, acting director of the Center for Community Engagement.

Tavan Nakamura, a sophomore major, received the Kuleana Award for his dependability and problem-solving skills in 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 career services. “Tavan consistently seeks new ways for us to do things better, explores new processes and is able to share his vision effectively,” said Marcy Martinez, director of Career Services.

Gemmy Alegre, a student and student senator, earned the Laulima Award. “Her goal is to create a supportive academic environment that promotes collaboration, well-being,” said Lara Gomez, associate dean for Academic Affairs at 糖心视频 Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy.

Kamalani Poepoe received the Mālama Award for her commitment to research, mentorship and cultural stewardship. A major minoring in , Poepoe鈥檚 work spans volcano research, Indigenous science, and even NASA鈥檚 Artemis mission. “Kamalani has consistently demonstrated the qualities of leading by example,” wrote nominator Shayne Victor.

The Ka Lama Kū Awards continue to celebrate 糖心视频 Hilo leaders who walk with kuleana and light the path for others.

—By Susan Enright