The University of �鶹��ý 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 UH’s , 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’s 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 UH’s strengths in cutting-edge, ocean-related research and our collaborative, place-based approach to working with resource managers throughout �鶹��ý and the Pacific to protect our vital coral reefs,” said Chad B. Walton, UH interim vice president for research and innovation. “At the same time, it provides us with further opportunities to develop our region’s 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 �鶹��ý Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, and Congressman Ed Case.

The UH-led institute will be guided by experienced reef researchers from UH Mānoa’s Kewalo Marine Laboratory and the �鶹��ý Institute of Marine Biology, UH �ᾱ����’s Marine Sciences program, and the University of Guam’s 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, �鶹��ý, 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’re excited to jump in with scientists and communities and agencies across the region to take it forward.”

The one-year anniversary of the official designation of Papahānaumokuākea as a National Marine Sanctuary was celebrated on March 3, a historic milestone in the ongoing protection of one of the most sacred and ecologically significant places on Earth. In recognition of this anniversary, the (PMDP), (SAC) and the (�鶹��ý Sea Grant) are starting the new, community-centered initiative, Papahānaumokuākea: Bringing the Place to the People.

Papahānaumokuākea is a place of profound cultural, ecological and ancestral significance. Yet for many, it remains distant and abstract. The project seeks to bridge that distance by fostering meaningful, community-led engagement that deepens public awareness, stewardship, trust and cultural connection to the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. Beginning in summer and fall 2026, PMDP, SAC and �鶹��ý Sea Grant will host community talk story sessions on �鶹��ý Island (Hilo and Kona), Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

This initiative centers Native Hawaiian voices, values and leadership, elevating cultural resource conservation and protection as foundational to the sanctuary’s past, present and future. Their vision is a living, island-to-island exchange where communities do not simply learn about Papahānaumokuākea, but actively shape how its story, stewardship and future are carried forward.

Rooted in listening

These gatherings are not presentations delivered to communities, they are conversations rooted in listening. This initiative allows SAC, whose kuleana is to represent the communities, to learn directly from each island community and amplify their voices. The sessions will explore how Western science and Indigenous knowledge systems can be meaningfully integrated, community perspectives on stewardship and management, cultural resource protection priorities, opportunities for youth engagement and leadership, and how communities wish to remain connected to Papahānaumokuākea.

Community organizations, cultural practitioners, educators and schools, conservation groups, youth leaders, kupuna and ʻike holders, and interested individuals are invited to express their interest in hosting, partnering or participating in a talk story session on their island. The initiative is an invitation to listen, learn and steward together.

The initiative was funded by the . Find more information on .

The , a beacon of marine education and conservation for over a century, is marking its 122nd anniversary in March. Under the new leadership of Interim Director Judy Lemus, the institution is embarking on a period of revitalization, with innovative exhibits, strategic collaborations, and a continued commitment to the unique aquatic ecosystems of �鶹��ý and the tropical Pacific.

The aquarium will host a 122nd birthday celebration on March 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day kicks off with a community coastal cleanup followed by a suite of family-friendly activities.

A new chapter

Lemus brings a wealth of experience in marine facility management, research, and education. Lemus served for four years as the interim director of the (HIMB) within the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (SOEST) and is currently the interim associate dean for academic affairs in SOEST. Her primary focus at the aquarium is on operational improvements and enhancing the institutionʻs role in education, marine conservation, collaborative research, and community engagement.

“Managing the Waikīkī Aquarium is about more than just animal husbandry; it’s also about our engagement with the public and contribution to conservation of Pacific species, and our role as a public outlet for UH research,” said Lemus. “As we celebrate 122 years, we are not just honoring our history, but building the systems, facilities, and stories that will carry us through the next century.”

One major accomplishment under her leadership has been the successful return of Hōʻailona, the beloved Hawaiian monk seal, to his refurbished enclosure.

New and upcoming exhibits:

• The Aquaculture Tank: In partnership with Biota, a local aquaculture company, this exhibit will feature fish and coral raised entirely in aquaculture facilities at the Oceanic Institute and Waikīkī Aquarium. This “no-collection” model highlights sustainable trade and will also showcase 3-D structures from HIMB researcher Josh Madin’s Lab that facilitate coral growth.
• The Edge of Reef Redesign: Formerly an iconic outdoor exhibit, the Edge of Reef was dismantled to make way for a critical infrastructure project. A redesign is planned for this exhibit with support from UH, the �鶹��ýFoundation, and the Friends of the Waikīkī Aquarium.
• New Tank for Mullet and More: The large tank that previously featured mullet, a species revered in �鶹��ý as a staple food and in loko ʻia (Hawaiian fishpond) aquaculture, is being dismantled to make way for a modern habitat. The new enclosure may house mullet and possibly other compatible species such as rays or sea turtles.
• The aquarium is planning new collaborations with a variety of UH faculty and labs to help bring their work to broader audiences.
• AZA Accreditation: The aquarium is starting a Pathway Toward Membership program with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the gold standard in accreditation for zoos and aquariums, with the goal of achieving AZA accreditation for Waikīkī Aquarium in about 5 years.

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A $2-million gift from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos is supporting University of �鶹��ý-led research aimed at restoring fire-prone grasslands on Maui and reducing the risk of future wildfires, building on and long-term recovery following the devastating 2023 fires.

Much of Maui’s former sugar plantation lands are now unmanaged and dominated by invasive species, such as guinea grass, that create more fire-prone vegetation and intensify wildfire risk. Several UH units are collaborating to address that vulnerability through land stewardship research designed to inform policy and guide on-the-ground management decisions.

The effort brings together researchers from the (UHERO) housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s , the , and the Ecosystems and Land Care Program in the Department of (NREM) in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. The work will be conducted with watershed partners, ranchers and ʻāina (land)-based organizations across �鶹��ý.

“Insufficient investment in land care across former plantation lands has left large areas of Maui vulnerable to wildfire,” said Kimberly Burnett, a specialist with UHERO. “This work builds on evidence that actively managed lands, including forests, well-managed rangelands and agriculture, can significantly reduce fuel loads and support outcomes like erosion reduction, food production, biodiversity and community resilience.”

Data-driven strategies for wildfire prevention

In the early stages of the project, researchers will work closely with partners to co-develop research questions and products that are directly useful for land managers and decision-makers. Anticipated outcomes include statewide wildfire risk and probability maps to help guide fire reduction strategies across a range of land uses, as well as analyses of different wildfire mitigation scenarios over space and time.

Those scenarios may include forest restoration, green breaks, agroforestry, grazing and mowing, with researchers assessing the benefits and costs of each approach.

“We want to look at options beyond just mowing brush given how well these different actions align with other things people value and contribute to public safety,” said Clay Trauernicht, a specialist with NREM.

The project will also examine policy and market-based tools that could help finance and support land-use transitions that advance multiple ecosystem services, including wildfire risk reduction, across �鶹��ý.

The gift builds on existing support from the Bezos Maui Fund to restore the island’s watersheds and reduce wildfire risk, and reflects a broader strategy that links environmental recovery with community resilience. That land-based work is complemented by a separate $1.5-million investment to support Lahainaluna High School graduates enrolled at UH who continue to face economic hardship following the fires.

“We are profoundly grateful to our donors for their continued commitment to Maui,” said UH Foundation CEO and Vice President of Advancement Tim Dolan. “Their support is making a lasting difference for the people and places that define this community.”

The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo will lead a new $1.2 million, three-year grant funded by NASA to better understand how �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s coastlines can withstand climate change while expanding hands-on research and workforce development opportunities for students across the 10-campus UH System.

John Burns, an associate professor of will co-lead the project with Haunani Kane, assistant professor of at the UH ����ԴDz� .

“We are very excited to connect students from across the UH 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 UH �ᾱ����’s , 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

A live ramie moth (Arcte coerula) caterpillar was discovered on Kauaʻi last month, marking the first detection of this invasive species on the Garden Isle.

The discovery from a community report to the Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee has sparked a swift response from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the �鶹��ý Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Growing threat to native ecosystems

Ramie moth caterpillars are prolific feeders known to quickly defoliate māmaki (Pipturus albidus), a native Hawaiian plant vital to our forests and culturally significant for its use in lāʻau lapaʻau, traditional Hawaiian healing practices.

“We are really worried about this because we’ve seen it spread from Maui to the Big Island in 2020, then to Oʻahu in 2024, and now to Kauaʻi,” said Michelle Au, a graduate student at the UH Mānoa (CTAHR) who has been tracking the pest since 2019.

Au highlighted the broader ecological risk: the caterpillars also feed on other endemic nettles including endangered species like maʻoloa (Neraudia angulata). The ramie moths also compete for the same resources with native species such as the Kamehameha butterfly and endangered endemic land snails.

Finding natural predators

As the moth continues its rapid expansion across the islands, Au’s research has focused on the detection of resident natural enemies that could help manage this pest. “We’ve been looking for predators and parasitoids already in our environment that may expand its host range and attack the eggs, caterpillars, and adults of the ramie moth, helping to manage populations from devastating levels,” Au said.

Au’s research monitors specimens at various field sites to determine what percentage of ramie moth eggs reach adulthood, which then will lay eggs and inflict future damage.

Community help needed

“I rely heavily on public reports of this pest, especially for new detections,” Au said. “The biggest thing for us right now, especially for Kauaʻi, is to raise awareness in order to track the spread of this pest.”

Officials ask the public to report sightings with photos to or email ipmlab@hawaii.edu. Visit CTAHR’s extension page on the for more information.

The University of �鶹��ý and the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command (9th MSC) have entered into a new Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) to advance environmental stewardship, conservation and regulatory compliance at Army Reserve facilities throughout the Pacific region.

“The University of �鶹��ý is excited to further expand our environmental stewardship role through this agreement with the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th MSC,” said UH Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad Walton. “We are extremely proud to have been selected as a trusted partner in support of the Army Reserve’s mission in �鶹��ý and the Pacific through our expertise in environmental sciences and stewardship.”

The agreement, signed at Fort Shafter on December 1, establishes a collaborative framework for UH experts to provide environmental compliance, conservation and pollution prevention support to the 9th MSC, ensuring alignment with Department of Defense (DOD), federal, state, territorial and local environmental requirements.

“This partnership underscores UH’s commitment to applying its expertise in service to our community and environment,” said Suzanne Case, director of the , which is overseeing the IGSA. “By working alongside the Army Reserve, we are helping to safeguard our environment in �鶹��ý and the Pacific, while supporting mission readiness.”

The new agreement reflects a growing model of military-academic partnerships, where institutions of higher education provide specialized expertise to strengthen DOD operations while creating new applied learning and workforce opportunities for students and researchers.

“Our partnership with the University of �鶹��ý strengthens our shared mission to preserve �鶹��ý’s environment and serve the community,” said Brig. Gen. Katherine A. Trombley, commanding general of the 9th Mission Support Command.

The 9th Mission Support Command is America’s Army Reserve of the Pacific. Under the operational control of U.S. Army Pacific Command, it provides trained and ready forces to overseas contingency operations. The command has 3,500 soldiers and 160 civilians located in three different countries, three states, three American territories and seven time zones throughout the Pacific.

For the first time, scientists have calculated a detailed “energetic budget” for �鶹��ý‘s short-finned pilot whales, revealing what it takes to power their extreme, 800-meter (2,600-feet) dives for food.

A new study led by the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (HIMB) found an average adult whale must eat 142 squid daily to survive, scaling up to 416 million squid annually for the entire population of short-finned pilot whales. This data, published in the , provides a new benchmark for protecting the historically understudied marine mammals.

“Pilot whales are one of the only oceanic dolphins that regularly dive to extreme depths—up to 1,000 meters—to find prey,” said William Gough, (MMRP) postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study. “This deep-diving, high-risk foraging strategy requires a delicate balance between the energy they spend and the energy they acquire. Our study is the first step in quantifying that balance for this specific population.”

Understanding precisely how much energy the animals require is essential for understanding how to effectively manage against threats and ensure their survival.

“This detailed scientific data gives �鶹��ý management agencies a critical tool to monitor how changes in the ocean—from warming waters to ship noise—might push the pilot whales past their survival limit,” said Lars Bejder, MMRP director and co-author of the study.

The deep waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands are home to a genetically distinct population of short-finned pilot whales. These highly social, toothed whales are not migratory; they remain with their tight-knit, multi-generational families in one region for life. The population forages year-round where they pursue their preferred prey: squid.

Requirements can inform effective management

“Deep-diving species like pilot whales are especially vulnerable to human-induced disturbances, such as noises from ships or changes in ocean temperature, which can disrupt foraging or increase their energetic costs,” said Gough. “If they use more energy than they can find, they face an energy crisis that weakens their health, hurts their ability to fight off disease, and ultimately limits their ability to reproduce and recover the population.”

Despite this inherent vulnerability, the Hawaiian pilot whale population benefits from a stable and abundant squid food source, which may better equip them to cope with environmental disturbances than populations elsewhere.

The team placed advanced Customized Animal Tracking Solutions (CATS) tags on eight short-finned pilot whales off the coast of Lānaʻi between 2021 and 2024. The tags recorded movement, depth and sound, and used 2K cameras with LED headlights to observe the whales in their lightless, 800-meter-deep hunting habitat. The researchers developed a new method to estimate minute changes in energy usage by combining data from tags with body measurements from aerial drone footage.

“Getting to be on the water and close to these animals is an absolute joy,” said Gough. “But the fact that we can see into their world, even at 800 meters and under extreme pressures [80 times that at the surface], and observe them capturing their food in complete darkness, feels unbelievable to me. It’s truly a privilege to document the lives of these elusive, deep-diving whales.”

A new study by researchers from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (HIMB) has revealed that endangered Hawaiian monk seals have a hidden vocal repertoire, using a complex range of sounds to call underwater.

Previously, scientists believed monk seals had a simple repertoire, identifying only six different calls based on seals in human care. In this study, the scientists analyzed thousands of hours of passive acoustic data from the wild, they discovered 25 distinct vocalizations.

The study, published in , also found that these low–frequency calls are produced by the seals throughout the day. These vocal types were heard consistently across the Hawaiian archipelago, with calling rates highest at sites where more seals were present. This new understanding of the monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) vocal repertoire opens up a new window into their acoustic behavior.

“We discovered that Hawaiian monk seals—one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals—are far more vocal underwater than previously known,” said Kirby Parnell, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate with (MMRP). “By analyzing over 4,500 hours of recordings from across the Hawaiian Archipelago, we identified more than 23,000 vocalizations representing at least 25 distinct call types.”

Monk seal vocalizations

The study, which deployed passive acoustic recorders at five key monk seal habitats from Molokaʻi to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, uncovered:

Expanded vocal repertoire: Researchers identified 20 previously undocumented calls.

Novel communication strategy: The research provides evidence that monk seals can combine different vocalizations together, creating “combinational calls”—a communication strategy never before reported in any pinniped (seals, sea lions and walruses) species.

A foraging call: The team discovered one novel elemental call type “the whine” produced during foraging, representing only the second known example of a seal species using vocalizations while pursuing prey.

“We were surprised by the sheer diversity and complexity of monk seal vocalizations,” said Parnell. “The discovery of combinational calls, where seals link multiple call types together, suggests a previously unknown level of complexity in pinniped acoustic communication. Finding a new call type—the Whine—associated with foraging behavior was also unexpected and suggests that monk seals may use sound not only for mating or socializing, but possibly for foraging purposes as well.”

Seal conservation in �鶹��ý

These results lay the foundation for using passive acoustics to monitor monk seal populations to protect their acoustic habitats as human activity persists in Hawaiian waters. Future research will decisively link these documented vocalizations to specific Hawaiian monk seal behaviors, such as foraging, swimming, social interactions and reproduction. Next steps involve developing automated detection systems to monitor the seals’ acoustic activity more efficiently and non–invasively.

“This research provides the first comprehensive description of free–ranging Hawaiian monk seal underwater sound production, an important step toward understanding how they use sound for critical life–history events,” said Lars Bejder, director of MMRP, professor at HIMB and co–author of the study. “Because their vocalizations overlap with the same low–frequency range as many human–generated sounds (e.g. vessel noise), this work lays the foundations to evaluate how ocean noise may affect communication, reproduction, and behavior in this endangered species.”

About the team

The team included undergraduate and graduate students, and recent UH alumni, and coauthors from France and the .

“Manually annotating over 23,000 calls by hand is no small feat, and I have a team of interns to thank for helping with the analysis!” said Parnell. “This research would also not have been possible without the support of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, who deployed and retrieved the acoustic recorders in the .”

The work was supported by NOAA Fisheries via the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) award NA19NMF4720181.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa alumna Lauryn Hansen can pinpoint the moment she realized she could turn her passion for the environment into a career, beginning a journey that would eventually lead her to dive deep into the intricate links between ocean and human health.

“My high school history teacher showed our class a clip of a late-night talk show where lobbyists in powerful positions chatted about their stance on climate regulation,” said Hansen. “It was the first time I really thought about how the world worked—and how often people making the biggest decisions may not act in the public’s best interest. That was an ‘aha’ moment for me: realizing that I could channel my deep care and interest in the environment into a career.”

That realization led Hansen, who grew up in California and the Pacific Northwest, to UH Mānoa. She enrolled in the (GES) bachelor’s degree program in the (SOEST).

For her GES senior thesis, Hansen worked with Robert Richmond at the Kewalo Marine Laboratory to investigate how exposure to PFAS, a type of “forever chemical,” influenced different phases of the coral life cycle. This project sparked a strong interest in toxicology and contamination, which ultimately steered her toward pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s (BAM) combined degree in public health at UH Mānoa.

“The transition to public health ended up being a really natural fit,” Hansen said.

Linking research and community

Now, as an with the UH Sea Grant College Program (�鶹��ý Sea Grant), Hansen is focusing on coastal marine resource management related to contaminants of emerging concern, such as forever chemicals, pesticides and microplastics. She collaborates with researchers, water quality managers and government agencies to improve local monitoring and management of these contaminants.

In addition to her research, Hansen contributes to UH ����ԴDz�’s efforts to become a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. After completing Cohort Kaulua, a professional development program, she became a trained Pilina Circle co-facilitator to support spaces for reflection and connection among the campus community.

Looking ahead, Hansen plans to continue working in environmental health with a focus on outreach.

“What matters most to me is being in a role where I can take research beyond the ‘ivory tower’—working with people, shaping conversations, and helping create solutions that make a real difference,” Hansen said.

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