Moku o Loʻe (Coconut Island) opened its doors to the community on October 18, for a behind-the-scenes look at the world-class marine research conducted in Kāneʻohe Bay. The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa¡¯s (HIMB) hosted its inaugural open house, welcoming nearly 200 community members.
Engaging with research
Visitors traveled to the island aboard HIMB¡¯s educational vessel, Ka Noelo Kai (Knowledge from the Sea), and embarked on a two-hour guided tour. The experience featured stops at research labs that study everything from the tiniest to the largest of ocean life, and offered direct engagement with HIMB faculty, students and staff. An array of hand-on activities highlighted diverse areas of study and showcased the new tools HIMB researchers use to understand and protect the oceans, locally and globally.
“We were delighted to host our first Open House,” said HIMB Director Megan Donahue. “We welcomed neighbors from Koʻolaupoko and around the island and shared our research on sharks, corals and microbes, and the technology we use to study them. It was a great day, and we hope this will become a regular event.”
Participants enjoyed their experience with HIMB research. One attendee remarked, “Wonderful tour—great guides and so very informative. Good to know that studies are being done to ensure that our reef and sea animals will be here for future generations.”
Extending hospitality
The event was organized by HIMB Community Education Coordinator Lauren Van Heukelem and HIMB Indigenous Stewardship Coordinator Aimee Sato.
“The HIMB Open House brought together HIMB faculty, students, staff, and partners to highlight HIMB research, innovative technology, education, and public outreach,” said Van Heukelem. “We look forward to welcoming even more of our community to HIMB during future events.”
Guests were welcomed with a mele komo (entrance chant), grounding them in the place names and elements of the area. Sato recalled the sight of local ʻohana visiting with one another and enjoying the scenery as a personal highlight.
“I was able to talk story with multigenerational families that each experienced something different depending on their age,” said Sato. “Keiki enjoyed the hands-on activities, m¨¡kua adults were interested in the world-class research or ways to help, and kūpuna were able to reminisce on past relationships to the island.”
