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

UH 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 UH’s successful effort to become part of the network, which spans nine western states and �鶹��ý. 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 UH Mānoa Dean Brennon Morioka. “By connecting �鶹��ý 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.

UH’s 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 UH’s microelectronics internship, .

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

Related UH News stories:

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

The received high marks in the , earning recognition for its international research excellence and academic performance.

UH Mānoa ranked in the top 2.6% internationally and top 3.3% nationally. UH Mānoa placed No. 84 in the nation () and No. 643 globally () in the rankings released on June 17 HST, June 18 BST.

QS measured performance across areas including academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, international engagement, sustainability, faculty-student ratio and employment outcomes. According to QS, UH Mānoa‘s strongest performance areas included its international research network, citations per faculty, international faculty and academic reputation.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our faculty, students and staff to advancing knowledge that serves �鶹��ý, the Pacific and communities around the world,” incoming UH Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “At UH Mānoa, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to learn through discovery, tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningful solutions that make a difference locally and globally.”

Other recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026–27 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings, June 16, 2026
• 2026 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2026
• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 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

The has been recognized among the world’s leading universities in the released on June 16, reflecting its strong research performance and academic reputation. In addition, two subjects at UH’s flagship campus placed in the world’s top 50 and another four were ranked in the world’s top 150.

Overall, UH Mānoa placed in the top 2% internationally and top 4.3% nationally. UH Mānoa came in at No. 110 in the nation () and No. 482 worldwide ().

Several disciplines were highly ranked in the best global universities subject rankings:

• No. 20—marine and freshwater biology
• No. 42—meteorology and atmospheric sciences
• No. 77 (tie)—space science
• No. 90—geosciences
• No. 140 (tie)—arts and humanities
• No. 144—ecology

The rankings assessed universities largely on research performance, global and regional reputation, publications and citations.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication of our faculty, students and staff to advancing knowledge that serves �鶹��ý, the Pacific and communities around the world,” incoming UH Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “At UH Mānoa, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to learn through discovery, tackle complex challenges and contribute meaningful solutions that make a difference locally and globally.”

The U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings are designed to help prospective students compare institutions worldwide while highlighting universities with strong research programs and global impact.

Other recent rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 8, 2026
• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 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

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 �鶹��ý, according to new research from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s .

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

Led by Miquela Ibrao, associate director of Hā Kūpuna 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 Hā Kūpuna 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 kūpuna age with dignity, connection and independence in the communities they call home.”

Hā Kūpuna 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.

As the 2026 World Cup draws millions of spectators to stadiums across North America, the University of �鶹��ý’s (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 UH 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 UH 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 UH’s role as a leader in disaster preparedness education and applied research.

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

A University of �鶹��ý 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 UH Mānoa’s 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 UH Mānoa’s 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 �鶹��ý’s transportation, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.

Part of the team’s 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.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa graduate students across a wide range of disciplines took their research beyond the classroom this spring, translating complex ideas into hands-on experiences for Oʻahu middle school students through the inaugural Graduate Research Outreach Workshop (GROW).

The three-week program in April brought together a cohort of 10 students to strengthen their ability to communicate research in clear, engaging ways for non-specialist audiences. Participants learned to summarize their work in jargon-free language, discuss its real-world importance and create interactive exhibits that make research accessible to the public.

The workshop culminated in a research outreach fair at Waipahu Intermediate School, where approximately 60 students in career and technical student organization programs explored exhibits led by the graduate students. Waipahu Intermediate faculty advisers and school administrators also attended the event, which highlighted higher education opportunities and showcased the diverse research taking place at UH.

“Research has the greatest impact when people can understand it and connect it to their own lives,” UH Mānoa Fellowships, Scholarships, and Professional Development Coordinator Kristen Connors said. “GROW gave our graduate students the opportunity to practice an essential professional skill while also building meaningful relationships with young learners who may one day pursue their own paths in higher education and research.”

The program was organized by the , and Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Student Academic Success Amy Hubbard, Hamilton Library and the .

Beyond developing communication skills, the program aimed to build stronger connections between the university and the community while encouraging younger students to see themselves as future researchers, innovators and problem-solvers.

A post-program evaluation found participants responded positively to the experience. All respondents said the workshop met their expectations and that they would recommend it to others. Most also reported feeling more prepared and confident explaining their research through writing, visuals and conversations with public audiences.

A national report co-authored by a University of �鶹��ý 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 UH 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.

Some of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s endangered false killer whales are rapidly losing weight, a warning sign that warming oceans and limited prey may be pushing one of the nation’s smallest whale populations closer to extinction, according to research by a team including scientists from the University of �鶹��ý 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 UH 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’s 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 ‘ahi (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’s 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=”�鶹��ý Institute of Marine Biology”>HIMB professor, and co-author of the study.

The whales found in �鶹��ý are a distinct, island-resident population adapted to the region’s 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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Comprehensive data on �鶹��ý’s social work workforce is essential to addressing staffing shortages and improving recruitment and retention efforts statewide. To fill this gap, the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s ’s 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 �鶹��ý‘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 �鶹��ý‘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’s 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 �鶹��ý 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 �鶹��ý‘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 �鶹��ý 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 University of �鶹��ý 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 UH Mānoa’s 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. “�鶹��ý 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 �鶹��ý 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’s team will study ways to make these systems more stable, reliable and practical for real-world use.

The project will also help grow �鶹��ý’s 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’s 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.

Co-designed with the community, the , facilitated by the University of �鶹��ý, aims to track health outcomes to inform future research and clinical guidance on fuel exposure and provide resources for those who experienced the fuel spill. To date, the registry has pre-enrolled more than 2,600 participants. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, .

Joining the registry is a two-step process. First, is the pre-enrollment questionnaire followed by either a baseline or expanded questionnaire, depending on how, when and where you used water. Of the more than 2,600 pre-enrolled participants, only 423 have completed their baseline or expanded questionnaires. Registry staff continue to follow up with participants who have not yet completed the process.

“The Red Hill Registry is seeking community input to gain insight on how to increase its completion rates,” said Sanie Weldon, director of the Red Hill Registry. “The feedback received directly informs how the registry improves its tools, communications and support efforts.”

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report in March 2026 which emphasized the importance of continued data collection via the Red Hill Registry to understand links between jet fuel exposure and health effects as well as community-driven efforts related to the Red Hill water crisis.

Whether you are an enrolled participant or experienced the water crisis and have yet to enroll, the registry invites everyone to visit the to learn more and in either the community survey or a virtual focus group.

Community Survey: 15-minute survey seeking feedback on your experience with the Red Hill Registry and its support tools.

Virtual Focus Groups: 2-hour sessions available between June 8 and June 19, 2026. Times will vary to accommodate participation from around the globe.

If you have any questions about these feedback opportunities, registry staff can be reached by email at info@redhillregistry.org or by calling 808-427-8260 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. HST.

A significant reduction in flood damage and erosion across urban Honolulu can be achieved by protecting native forests and controlling invasive species in the Ala Wai watershed, according to a new interdisciplinary study by researchers at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa and state and community partners released May 26.

The research examined how invasive species such as albizia and miconia affect flooding in the Makiki, Mānoa and Pālolo watersheds. Researchers found that unmanaged spread of the invasive plants over the next decade could nearly double expected annual flood damages from $68 million to $134 million.

The study was released following the March 23 flash flooding in Mānoa that overtopped Woodlawn Bridge, flooded homes and left mud across parts of the valley, including Noelani Elementary School. Researchers said healthy native forests act like a natural sponge by slowing stormwater runoff and stabilizing steep slopes. Invasive species can weaken those protections by increasing erosion and clogging streams with fallen trees and debris.

The research team combined hydrological monitoring data with land cover and economic modeling to measure the impacts of watershed management efforts led by the Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership and the Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee.

“The results show decreased streamflow for a given rainfall amount in Makiki and Mānoa, where albizia and miconia were detected and removed most often,” the authors wrote, noting that runoff reductions were observed within just a few years of invasive species removal.

The study also projected that unchecked invasive species growth would more than double annual Ala Wai Canal dredging costs from about $1.4 million to $3 million because of increased sediment runoff. Researchers said the findings highlight the need for long-term funding to support watershed protection and invasive species management programs across �鶹��ý.

Project team members:

• Yu-Fen Huang (NREM)
• Yinphan Tsang (NREM)
• Leah Bremer (Institute for Sustainability and Resilience, UHERO, WRRC)
• Conrad Newfield (ISR, UHERO)
• Emma Yuen (Department of Land and Natural Resources–Forestry and Wildlife)
• Kimberly Burnett (UHERO)
• Nathan DeMaagd (NREM, UHERO)
• Jean Fujikawa (Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee)
• Nate Dube (Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee)
• Erin Bishop (Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee)
• Serene Smalley (Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership)

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UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) physician-scientist Dominic Chow has been selected for the 2026 Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Forum at the National Academy of Medicine.

The invitation-only program brings together emerging leaders in health care, research and policy from across the country.

“It’s a real honor,” Chow said. “To be able to interact with members of the National Academy of Medicine and contribute to discussions that help guide health policy is something I don’t take lightly.”

Chow’s career spans global public health, including training at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and work in Guyana, where he helped lead a yellow fever outbreak investigation.

At JABSOM, he has advanced HIV research through the �鶹��ý Center for AIDS and serves as program director of Ola HAWAII, an NIH-funded initiative expanding clinical research access in underserved communities and supporting studies including Long COVID.

“I think bringing clinical trials to various populations across �鶹��ý helps create more equity,” Chow said.

The forum connects participants to address major health challenges and inform national policy. Chow said he hopes to ensure �鶹��ý’s health needs are represented.

“We have a responsibility to address health disparities here in �鶹��ý and beyond,” he said.

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University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center researcher Michele Carbone has been named the recipient of the 2026 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research by the (NFCR). The prestigious award recognizes his discovery that inherited mutations in the BAP1 gene can dramatically increase susceptibility to mesothelioma and several other cancers.

The foundation said Carbone’s work changed how mesothelioma—a rare cancer of the membranes that cover the lungs and abdomen—is understood, diagnosed, treated and prevented worldwide, while also driving major public health actions in the U.S. and Turkey that have saved lives.

“There is nothing as rewarding as saving lives, telling someone, actually you, your daughter, your son, do not have to die of cancer, you probably will live till old age, and then to see them again, year after year, happy,” Carbone said. “I am incredibly fortunate that my research allowed me to do exactly that. Our research even inspired government action to protect public health in the U.S. and in Turkey. I had the fortune to work with a truly fantastic team of students, technicians, post-doctoral fellows and collaborators: Drs. Harvey Pass and Haining Yang, with whom I shared all failures and successes for almost 30 years.”

Naoto T. Ueno said the recognition reflects the global impact of Carbone’s decades of work.

“Dr. Michele Carbone’s recognition with the Szent-Györgyi Prize is a proud and historic moment for the University of �鶹��ý Cancer Center,” said Ueno. “His work represents the highest standard of cancer research: rigorous science that leads to landmark discovery and ultimately saves lives. By identifying inherited BAP1 mutations as a driver of mesothelioma risk, Dr. Carbone changed how we understand cancer susceptibility, prevention, and early intervention. His discoveries have protected families and communities in �鶹��ý, the U.S., Turkey, and around the world, and they reflect the kind of global impact we strive to advance from �鶹��ý.”

Carbone will receive the award at the NFCR Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship on October 9 in Washington, D.C.

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Kona Low storms, rising oil prices and global conflict are creating new economic uncertainty for �鶹��ý, according to a new forecast from the (UHERO). The pressures are expected to push �鶹��ý inflation higher and weigh on visitor arrivals and spending.

The UHERO second quarter forecast released May 15 indicates �鶹��ý’s economy is slowing after what had been an improving outlook earlier this year. The war involving Iran has driven up global oil prices, increasing fuel and travel costs while weakening some of the international economies that help power �鶹��ý tourism.

At the same time, �鶹��ý is still recovering from damaging March Kona Low storms that caused flooding and infrastructure damage.

“�鶹��ý’s economy is facing a new wave of uncertainty,” UHERO economists wrote in the report.

Tourism entered 2026 with momentum before the storms caused a sharp drop in passenger counts. According to UHERO, conditions have since weakened as jet fuel prices surged, driving up airfare and contributing to airline capacity cuts. Canadian arrivals continue to decline, while Japanese travelers face the weakest yen purchasing power in decades.

UHERO projects visitor arrivals will grow about 2% this year before slowing sharply in 2027.

The labor market is also showing signs of strain. Payroll growth has been mostly flat, and federal employment has dropped by more than 3,000 jobs throughout the past year. Construction and healthcare remain bright spots, supported by major projects including recovery and rebuilding efforts on Maui following the 2023 wildfires and the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District.

Housing affordability also remains a challenge. Median single-family home prices have hovered near $1 million, while insurance premiums continue rising following the Maui wildfires and recent storms.

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UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

As climate change intensifies extreme weather and environmental conditions across the country, about 65% of U.S. adults are concerned that climate change will negatively affect their personal health, according to a new study published in .

The study, a collaboration between the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� and the , analyzed responses from 6,888 adults who participated in the Health Information National Trends Survey.

The study’s co-authors include Alex Ortega, dean of the Thompson school, and Jim Stimpson, a professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

How Americans view climate risks

Researchers found that trust in science, political views and personal environmental experiences shape how people perceive the health risks of climate change.

“This study shows that concern about the health impacts of climate change is driven less by who people are and more by how they think and what they experience,” said Ortega. “Trust in science, political perspectives and lived experiences like extreme weather shape whether people recognize climate change as a health threat, which in turn influences public support for environmental and health policies.”

How we communicate about climate and health affects everyone.
—Jim Stimpson

Individuals who reported higher trust in science were more likely to express concern about climate-related health impacts than those with lower levels of trust.

Political views also influenced responses. Compared to respondents who identified as politically liberal, moderates and conservatives were less likely to report concern about climate change harming their health.

Personal environmental experiences further shaped perceptions. Respondents who experienced extreme weather in their neighborhoods were more likely to express concern. Similarly, those worried about outdoor air quality were more likely to perceive climate-related health risks.

The findings suggest public health messaging should focus on building trust in science, reaching people across political perspectives and connecting climate change to local conditions people can directly experience. Researchers said that approach could help public health agencies and policymakers keep communities informed and engaged as climate policies evolve.

“How we communicate about climate and health affects everyone,” said Stimpson. “When messages don’t build trust or feel personally relevant, people are less likely to recognize these risks or support policies that protect public health.”

The (UHERO) has released the �鶹��ý Housing Factbook 2026, the fourth edition of its annual report offering detailed analysis of the state’s housing market. The report finds that �鶹��ý’s housing crisis remains severe, despite modest improvements in affordability driven by flat home prices, rising incomes and lower mortgage rates in 2025. The Factbook also highlights growing risks from insurance costs, homeowners association fees, slow permitting, natural disasters and policy uncertainty.

“The data reflects our state’s deep housing crisis. Restoring affordability will require the production of more housing, and confronting the barriers that prevent homes from being built,” said lead author and UHERO Associate Professor Justin Tyndall.

Key findings from this year’s Factbook include:

• Home prices have leveled off, but remain extremely high: The statewide median price of a single-family home was $950,000 in 2025. Median single-family prices rose 1% statewide, while condominium prices declined 2%. Existing-home values, measured by UHERO’s Repeat Sales Index, were flat.
• Affordability improved for a second year, but homeownership remains out of reach for most households: Affording the median single-family home still requires more than 180% of the state median income, putting it within reach for only about one-in-five �鶹��ý households. Condominium affordability improved more sharply, although rising HOA fees and insurance costs may offset some of those gains.
• Housing costs now include rising insurance and association-fee burdens: New Census data show that 42% of �鶹��ý homeowners pay monthly HOA or AOAO fees, compared with 25% nationally. �鶹��ý also had the second-highest median monthly HOA fee in the country at $470. In Honolulu, real estate listings from February 2026 showed a median advertised HOA/AOAO fee of $882. Insurance costs are also rising rapidly, with �鶹��ý’s aggregate property insurance premiums paid in the state increasing 13% in 2024—well above the national average and the largest annual increase in over a decade.
• Permitting delays continue to constrain new housing supply: County permitting reforms have produced mixed results. �鶹��ý County and Maui County recorded faster single-family permit processing times in 2025, while Kauaʻi’s delays worsened. In Honolulu, UHERO was unable to obtain records after the launch of the city’s new permitting system, but permits issued in the first half of 2025 continued to show long processing times.
• Lahaina rebuilding is moving unevenly: Two and a half years after the 2023 Maui wildfires, Maui County reported 991 permits to rebuild permanent structures, with 634 issued. UHERO’s analysis finds that single-family homeowners, including vacation-home owners, are receiving permits faster than owners of long-term rentals, apartments and businesses. About 57% of fire-damaged lots showed no permit activity to date.
• Policy changes are reshaping Maui’s condo market: Maui County’s Bill 9, which phases out roughly 7,000 short-term vacation rentals in apartment-zoned buildings, has already cooled the condo market. Maui condo prices in 2025 were down 11% from 2023, while prices for condos on the Minatoya list were down 16%.
• Extreme weather and flood-insurance changes add new housing-market risks: Severe Kona Low storms in March and April 2026 caused catastrophic flooding, landslides, evacuations and more than $1 billion in estimated damage. In June 2026, updated FEMA flood maps will add 3,700 net new parcels on Oʻahu to Special Flood Hazard Areas, raising costs and financing hurdles for 25% more property owners.
• Vacation rentals remain a major share of neighbor-island housing: �鶹��ý had about 34,500 active advertised vacation rental properties in 2025, up from 33,600 in 2024. Vacation rentals account for 20% of all housing units on Kauaʻi and 15% in Maui County, compared with 2.5% in Honolulu.

The Factbook is based on a wide range of data sources and offers housing indicators at the state, county and zip code levels.

The .

UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

A University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa project focused on identifying early brain-based markers in infants exposed to methamphetamine before birth has been awarded a $50,000 grant from through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research represents a critical step toward improving how children at higher risk for adverse developmental outcomes are identified and supported early in life.

The project aims to identify neurodevelopmental biomarkers that can detect early neurobehavioral impairments associated with prenatal methamphetamine exposure. If successful, this work could lay the foundation for scalable screening tools and targeted intervention programs designed to improve outcomes for children across �鶹��ý and beyond.

“This project is about providing families with answers sooner and equipping providers with better tools to deliver care,” said Katy Tarrit, assistant professor in the in the , principal investigator of the study, and director of the �鶹��ý Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory. “The identification of objective neurodevelopmental biomarkers of risk in infancy enables a transition from reactive detection of developmental delays to early, targeted interventions that support optimal brain development during critical stages of neurodevelopment.”

Prenatal methamphetamine exposure has been linked to long-term cognitive, behavioral, motor, and developmental challenges. However, many children are not identified until these delays become more pronounced, often years later.

By identifying measurable early biomarkers of neurodevelopmental risk, the research team aims to establish a framework for early, targeted intervention—particularly in communities with limited access to specialized healthcare services.

More about Ola HAWAIʻI

Ola HAWAIʻI is a UH Research Center in Minority Institutions Specialized Center funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, part of the National Institutes of Health. Based at the , the center works to advance minority health and health disparities research in �鶹��ý, focusing on communities that experience disproportionate disease burden and limited access to care. Supported through a five-year federal NIH award, Ola HAWAIʻI strengthens research capacity, mentors investigators and partners with communities to improve health outcomes statewide.

• Related UH News story: Array of health threats to Native Hawaiians focus of $22.5M grant, September 21, 2022

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa brought together cybersecurity experts, researchers and industry leaders on April 29 for the Indo-Pacific Cybersecurity Innovation Forum, a daylong event focused on strengthening digital security, critical infrastructure resilience and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Held at Campus Center, the forum featured technical talks, policy discussions and workshops aimed at expanding regional cybersecurity capacity and building stronger public-private partnerships across the Indo-Pacific. Speakers included David Carroll of GDIT; Josiah Dykstra and Mengran Xue of RTX BBN; Robert Martin and Nick Tsamis of MITRE; as well as leaders from local fintech organizations and startups, highlighting the forum’s emphasis on cross-sector collaboration.

“UH Mānoa is positioning �鶹��ý as a hub for Indo-Pacific cybersecurity by uniting academia, industry and government to address real-world threats and strengthen critical infrastructure resilience,” said UH Mānoa Professor Mehdi Tarrit Mirakhorli.

Threats, resilience

Speakers addressed emerging threats to critical infrastructure, supply chain security and the growing role of AI in both cyberattacks and defense systems. Sessions also examined how organizations can better anticipate and respond to evolving risks in complex digital environments.

UH Mānoa faculty and researchers joined national experts from government, industry and research institutions to discuss strategies for improving cybersecurity readiness. Topics included protecting transportation systems, securing software supply chains and improving detection of adversarial behavior in critical networks. The event also included a panel of chief information security officers from financial institutions and UH Mānoa, who discussed real-world challenges in protecting sensitive data and maintaining secure operations in fast-changing threat landscapes.

Afternoon sessions highlighted advances in cyber threat intelligence, secure cloud systems and resilience testing for critical infrastructure. Researchers also explored how human behavior, economics and system design influence cybersecurity outcomes.

Craig Opie, co-founder and CTO of Holocron Security, said, “As an island community, critical infrastructure resilience is personal. If power, water, communications or healthcare systems fail, our families and neighbors feel the impact immediately. We have to make the delivery of secure, compliant technology repeatable and built for real-world consequences. I’m proud to be part of events like the Indo-Pacific Cybersecurity Innovation Forum that help educate, empower and protect our community.”

The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is housed in UH Mānoa’s .