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.

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 .

Expanding �鶹��ý’s Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit could help more parents stay in or reenter the workforce while partially offsetting its own cost through increased state tax revenue, according to a new report released May 1 by the (UHERO).

The report examines proposals before the state legislature to increase the maximum childcare tax credit from $2,500 to $5,000 per child, with two bills taking different approaches to how benefits phase out as household income rises.

Researchers find that �鶹��ý’s high childcare costs are among the highest in the nation, and often discourage secondary earners, most often mothers, from returning to work. In 2024, center-based infant care averages more than $24,000 annually in �鶹��ý.

The report explains that the policy’s offsetting effect occurs when a second parent enters the workforce, resulting in increased income tax revenue and additional general excise tax collections. In one mid-income household example, a second earner returning to work would generate $3,401 in state income tax revenue and $1,763 in additional GET revenue under the targeted credit proposal, resulting in a net fiscal gain of $2,663 for the state even after accounting for the $2,500 credit cost.

The report finds the strongest case for expanding the credit is among middle-income households, where childcare costs consume a large share of income, and the added tax credit is more likely to influence work decisions.

However, the report cautions that expanding the credit alone may not be sufficient if �鶹��ý’s childcare supply cannot keep pace with demand. Without more childcare spaces, subsidies could simply drive up prices rather than improve access. The report also notes that for lower-income families, benefit cliffs—when earning slightly more income causes families to lose eligibility for public benefits such as SNAP or childcare assistance—could reduce the effectiveness of any tax credit expansion.

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UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

The University of �鶹��ý accounted for more than $61.2 million—92% of all federal biomedical research funding awarded in the state from the (NIH)—in fiscal year 2025.

�鶹��ý received $66.7 million overall in NIH funding, according to a new report from . The investment supported 902 jobs and generated $188.7 million in economic activity statewide.

NIH funding supports a wide range of research across UH, from improving disease detection and treatment to addressing health disparities and strengthening public health systems that serve island communities, reinforcing the university’s role in advancing health research and innovation in �鶹��ý.

had the largest share, with 72 awards totaling $60.7 million, while the received two awards totaling $468,391. While overall funding remained strong, NIH’s shift to multi-year funding—which obligates the full grant value upfront—resulted in 5,564 fewer grants being funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024.

“Even in a highly competitive and uncertain federal funding environment, University of �鶹��ý researchers continue to deliver work that improves lives here at home and beyond,” said Chad Walton, UH interim vice president for research and innovation. “These investments fuel discoveries, support high-quality jobs and strengthen our local economy. Every dollar makes a difference for our communities.”

Research highlights

Recent awards reflect the diversity of NIH-funded research at UH:

• $322,891 from the National Cancer Institute supports Shugeng Zhao Cao, professor at the at UH Hilo. The project, Discovery of novel natural TEAD inhibitors for the chemoprevention of liver tumors, explores natural compounds from Hawaiian microorganisms to develop the first preventive therapy for liver cancer.



• $2,039,744 from the National Human Genome Research Institute supports Lang Wu, associate professor at the at the UH Cancer Center. The research advances genomic tools and approaches to better understand complex diseases and support precision health applications. (Related UH News story)
• $459,287 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases supports Youping Deng, professor at the . The project, Hawaii Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research, strengthens training in the use of artificial intelligence for nutrition and metabolic health research. (Related UH News story)

Switching �鶹��ý’s power plants from oil to liquefied natural gas (LNG) may not deliver the dramatic drop in electricity prices that some proposals promise, according to a new analysis by the (UHERO), released April 14.

�鶹��ý has the highest electricity rates in the nation, largely because it relies on imported oil. But a 2024 fuel contract renegotiation by Hawaiian Electric has already begun easing some of that burden by reducing how strongly global oil price spikes translate into local costs, saving tens of millions of dollars each month compared to the previous agreement.

The report finds that while natural gas is often far cheaper than oil on the continental U.S., �鶹��ý faces higher costs because the fuel must be cooled, shipped across the ocean and converted back into gas. Those steps significantly narrow the price gap and expose the state to volatile global LNG markets, where prices can surge during supply disruptions.

At current prices, LNG still holds a modest cost advantage over oil. However, much of the projected savings comes not from the fuel itself but from newer, more efficient power plants that use less energy to generate electricity. Similar efficiency gains could be achieved without switching fuels.

Long-term investment concerns

The analysis also raises concerns about long-term investments in LNG infrastructure. Under scenarios where �鶹��ý continues expanding renewable energy, such as solar paired with battery storage, LNG facilities could be underused while ratepayers remain responsible for their costs. Solar and battery systems are already competitive with fossil fuels and avoid the risks tied to global fuel markets.

The findings suggest that while LNG could offer short-term benefits under certain conditions, its long-term value is uncertain compared to continued investment in renewable energy and recent improvements to oil supply contracts.

“The upside is modest and front-loaded; the downside arrives when things go wrong—and in energy markets, they eventually do,” wrote UHERO Research Fellow and UH Mānoa Economics Professor Michael J. Roberts.

Visit UHERO’s website for the and .

UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

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 .

, an assistant professor in the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa , has received the Career Development Award from the to advance medical research and technology for vascular and heart health. The three-year, $230,727 award supports promising early-career investigators working on innovative solutions in cardiovascular and related biomedical research.

“I am very honored to receive this award,” Wang said. “This support allows us to explore bold ideas that could change how we approach medical treatment inside the human body, while building a strong network of collaborators who bring different expertise to the table. It’s a great opportunity to train the next generation of engineers and create technologies that could one day make procedures safer and less invasive.”

Wang’s project focuses on developing miniature soft robotics combined with artificial intelligence to create new medical devices that can navigate hard-to-reach areas of the body and enhance the function of cardiovascular and neurovascular systems. The work builds on Wang’s previous research on soft robotics inspired by diverse marine life. By studying how small aquatic animals move efficiently through complex environments, his team designs flexible robots that can safely operate in delicate spaces, such as inside the human body.

Related UH News stories:

• Bio-inspired breakthroughs: Engineering solutions from nature, August 26, 2025
• Team of microscopic soft robots could transform medical care, November 10, 2024
• Robot tech to clean oceans wows international summit, February 6, 2024

The award also supports collaboration and mentorship with scientists from UH Mānoa’s , The Queen’s Medical Center, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These partnerships aim to strengthen research and expand real-world applications of miniature soft robotics in healthcare.

Wang also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at The Queen’s Medical Center and a cooperating faculty in UH Mānoa’s .

The project highlights UH Mānoa’s growing role in robotics and biomedical engineering, with a focus on developing technologies that can improve patient care and address complex health challenges such as sudden cardiac arrest.

The University of �鶹��ý’s (PDC) has been on the frontlines supporting statewide response to historic flooding in �鶹��ý’ since preparations began in early March, and continues to support statewide recovery efforts currently underway. The applied science and research center’s advanced technology and staff experts are providing state and county officials with on-demand data and analysis to guide decisions and prioritize resources.

As response operations shift into long-term recovery, the Center is working closely with the �鶹��ý Emergency Management Agency and county partners to maintain a shared understanding of conditions on the ground. Through its DisasterAWARE platform, PDC delivers real-time updates and a common operational picture to help agencies coordinate recovery efforts.

“Our focus is on helping communities move from uncertainty to clarity—giving community leaders the confidence and data to make lifesaving decisions,” said PDC’s Deputy Executive Director Erin Hughey. “As we focus on the challenges of today, we are also reminding communities to keep an eye on long-term recovery. Working together across agencies we will remain focused on quickly translating complex information into practical insights, to help �鶹��ý rebuild in a way that is stronger and better prepared.”

Identifying hardest-hit areas

PDC has expanded its data holdings to support the state’s official damage assessment and needs analysis. These include detailed information on the status of schools, major transportation systems and key entry points such as airports and seaports. The data is helping officials identify the hardest-hit areas and direct limited resources where they are needed most.

To support daily operations, PDC staff are embedded at the state emergency operations center, helping integrate new data and analytics into recovery planning. The team is also working with state leaders to develop a comprehensive summary report on the flooding impacts, aimed at improving awareness and informing both local and national recovery support.

The Center remains engaged in state-led coordination meetings and continues to provide on-demand analysis as recovery priorities evolve. Ongoing updates through DisasterAWARE are designed to support long-term rebuilding and strengthen resilience to future disasters.

While the PDC’s current focus is on �鶹��ý’s recovery efforts, it is also looking ahead at the rare Super El Niño hurricane forecast which is slated to be potentially the strongest in a century, affecting not only �鶹��ý but other communities around the world. PDC has an international mission that actively supports disaster planning and humanitarian efforts globally using its advanced technologies, predictive analytics, data science and machine learning capabilities. PDC’s work spans across North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and other regions, developing early warning capacity, supporting preparedness exercises and planning, and offering advanced risk analysis. These projects leverage the same data-driven tools used locally to help decision-makers anticipate risks, coordinate response and allocate resources effectively.

As of March 2026, the UH was managing a $1.12-billion portfolio of awards, across 921 projects, mostly focused on improving the lives of state residents. This vast investment—including $945.7 million from federal agencies and $174.3 million from non-federal sources—is directed at areas of vital importance to �鶹��ý, including agriculture/aquaculture, climate resilience, conservation, invasive species, health and health equity, student access and community impact.

“The research conducted at the University of �鶹��ý improves the daily lives of every resident in the state,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “These projects—from addressing youth mental health and assessing the long-term impacts of the Maui wildfires, to securing our food and water—are essential services. Protecting and supporting UH research is protecting the future and resilience of our island home.”

Providing solutions

UH research provides tangible solutions to island challenges. A $20-million National Science Foundation award, Change �鶹��ý, is in-part establishing a —a network of land and coastal stations that tracks rainfall, temperature, wind and other key variables in real time. This system gives local agencies the data they need to forecast floods and drought, manage wildfire risk and protect critical infrastructure, strengthening community resilience across the islands. At the same time, conservation projects are working to prevent the extinction of 37 endangered and threatened plant species in Maui Nui and to restore climate-resilient ecosystems on Oʻahu.

The fight against invasive species is critical to �鶹��ý’s economy, environment, and quality of life. Current UH projects support Little Fire Ant mitigation and ongoing efforts to manage the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle at locations such as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. In agriculture/aquaculture, research is introducing advanced technology, such as an AI-enhanced irrigation scheduling tool, to enable farmers statewide to benefit from precision water management.

Healthier communities

The impact of UH research directly impacts residents’ health and well-being. UH manages the Red Hill Independent Health Registry, tracking health outcomes and providing resources for those affected by the 2021 fuel release. The Hawaii Clinical Research Network for Health Equity is building a statewide clinical research network to improve health outcomes for underserved communities in �鶹��ý by expanding access to research participation, clinical trials and tailored, community-informed interventions.

UH is also advancing the overall health and readiness of �鶹��ý’s children through the program. Partnering with the �鶹��ý State Department of Education, UH ����ԴDz� Nursing leads a statewide, school-based health system that places nurses and other health professionals in public and charter schools to provide on-campus care, preventive screenings, telehealth, and wellness education. By improving access to essential health services, reducing health-related absenteeism, and coordinating care with families and community providers, �鶹��ý Keiki helps ensure that �鶹��ý’s keiki can come to school healthy, stay in class, and thrive academically.

By supporting UH, the community ensures that critical, place-based solutions continue to be developed right here at home, guaranteeing a healthier, more resilient future for all of �鶹��ý’s people.

Based on all recorded suicide deaths from 2013 to 2023, those in construction, agriculture, and the arts, males and especially those under 40 years old showed the highest suicide rates. Led by Thao Le of the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s (CTAHR) and retired epidemiologist Dan Galanis with �鶹��ý State Department of Health Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch, the revealed how occupational context is associated with suicide risk in �鶹��ý, particularly occupations where people experience chronic uncertainty and low control.

Farmers are consistently exposed to invasive pests, volatile market prices and extreme weather such as the recent Kona low storms. Beyond the physical destruction of crops and infrastructure, the storms have left a trail of mental and emotional exhaustion.

For an occupation already battling thin economic margins, these storms represent more than financial loss—they are challenging farmers’ sense of purpose and identity.

“A farmer’s mental health is tied to the health of their land,” said Le. “When the ‘āina is inundated and the crops and livestock are lost, the emotional toll is immediate and profound. Our farmers are essentially first responders to our food needs, so we need to act as first responders to them now. They are essential to our own livelihood.”

Without immediate concrete support, in the way of streamlined access to financial aid, supplies and temporary housing for displaced farmers, �鶹��ý risks losing its agricultural workforce, which is the backbone of the state’s food security and sustainability goals.

“If structural forces and policies continue to contribute and exacerbate distress, farmers may feel a sense of moral injury, feeling unsupported and abandoned by the systems purported to support them, and distress in inability to uphold their commitment to their land and livelihood due to factors beyond their control,” Le said.

Holistic approach

Beyond concrete material resources, immaterial recognition is equally essential. Elevating respect for farmers, ranchers and fisheries’ hard work and recognizing their role in community wellbeing is a vital form of psychological “capital” that can foster their wellbeing. The Seeds of Wellbeing (SOW)-CTAHR, and Culturally-Based Community Connections project aims to prevent suicide risk through a holistic, community-integrated approach of care that includes a peer mentorship model, incorporating ‘āina-based modalities and Native Hawaiian contemplative practices and free mental health vouchers. Planning is in the works to provide a 3-day immersive leadership and mental mindset training/seminar experience for ag mentors and leaders, an investment for advanced mental health skills building.

SOW–CTAHR is only a small contributor in the larger network of ag supporters led by Agriculture Stewardship �鶹��ý of �鶹��ý Statewide Food System Coordination including �鶹��ý Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Union United, Maui Farmer Support Network, �鶹��ý Good Food Alliance, �鶹��ý Agricultural Foundation, Pacific Gateway and many more.

The is the major statewide, community-driven suicide prevention/mental health collaborative in the state. Valuing life and preventing suicide is everyone’s responsibilities.

�鶹��ý CARES 988 is a 24/7, free support service for help with crisis, mental health and substance use. Dial 988 or text “ALOHA,” no judgement, just help. .

More than 2 trillion gallons of water—enough to fill 3 million Olympic-sized swimming pools—inundated �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� in March. The accumulated rainfall over 14 days reached as high as 3,000% of normal historical levels for this time of year, culminating in a destructive “rain bomb” over ��ʻ�����. Through the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Mesonet and the �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Climate Data Portal, researchers captured the scale of these back-to-back Kona low systems, mapping localized threats and providing crucial data on the state’s severe flooding.

Between March 1 and March 23, statewide rainfall averaged 18.25 inches—more than 2.6 times the standard March average of 6.85 inches.

While the first storm (March 10–16) brought hurricane-force wind gusts of 135.4 mph to �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Island and up to 62 inches of rain to Maui, the second Kona storm between March 19 and 23 triggered a new wave of devastation. The second storm dumped up to 61 inches of rain in localized areas, producing destructive floods across eastern and central �ѴDZ��ǰ첹ʻ��, West Maui and ��ʻ�����.

Communities such as Waialua and Haleiwa on ��ʻ�����’s north shore experienced devastating inundation. �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Mesonet stations highlighted the widespread intensity of the storm: the ����ʻ������ station recorded the island’s highest two-day rainfall of roughly 22 inches, including 19.67 inches in a 24-hour period beginning the evening of March 19. Almost simultaneously, the nearby �����������ʻ�� Ridge station above Waimea Valley recorded 9.75 inches in 24 hours.

����ԴDz�, Palolo flash floods

As the two-week rainy period neared its end, an intense, localized atmospheric event struck ����ԴDz� and Palolo valleys on March 23. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi described it as a “classic rain bomb,” heavy rain caused by a stationary storm cell. This “rain bomb,” over ����ԴDz� and Palolo valleys, dropped 2 to 4 inches of rain per hour.

Six �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Mesonet stations in the Nuʻuanu-����ԴDz� area recorded between 3.5 and 6.5 inches of rain, the majority of which fell within a three-hour window. Falling on already saturated ground, this turned streams into raging torrents and triggered significant flash floods.

The �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Mesonet, a statewide network of state-of-the-art weather stations, is proving to be a critical source of weather information, especially valuable during extreme events.

“We are building the mesonet to serve multiple purposes, including research, resource management, support for farmers and ranchers, and others,” said Thomas Giambelluca, �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� Mesonet project lead, and former director of the UH Water Resources Research Center. “But, providing data when and where it is most needed before and during extreme events like floods and wildfires, might be its most important purpose. Mesonet data will make us better prepared for future events by improving weather forecasts and enabling emergency managers to plan for and respond to extremes.”

A new (NASEM) is urging clinicians to prioritize ongoing symptom evaluation and continuity of care for individuals potentially exposed to jet fuel contaminated drinking water on Oʻahu in 2021.

The report examined health risks tied to leaks of JP-5 fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility that affected the water supply serving Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and nearby communities. As many as 93,000 people may have been exposed to the jet fuel through drinking water, inhalation of vapors or skin contact.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa (JABSOM) Dean Emeritus Jerris R. Hedges, JABSOM Chair and Professor Joseph Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula, JABSOM graduate and clinical faculty member Marcus Kawika Iwane, and JABSOM graduate and UH West Oʻahu Professor Ricardo Custodio served on the 16-member multi-disciplinary National Academies “committee on the clinical follow-up and care for those impacted by the JP-5 releases at Red Hill,” which authored this report. UH Mānoa Professor of Public Health Sciences Catherine Pirkle and Assistant Professor Aurora Kagawa-Viviani served on the multi-disciplinary peer-review team.

Key NASEM report findings

Researchers found limited evidence linking exposure to short-term respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin and mental health symptoms. However, data remains insufficient to determine specific long-term health effects, and no validated medical tests exist to confirm past exposure or the extent of exposure. As a result, the report recommends clinicians carefully document patient histories and symptoms while ensuring ongoing, patient-centered care.

The report also calls for expanded research and improved environmental monitoring to better understand exposure levels and potential health outcomes. Recommendations include developing biomarkers to detect jet fuel exposure, standardizing water testing methods and conducting long-term studies of exposed populations.

“This report highlights the importance of a registry to collect long-term health information to fill the gaps in truly understanding how JP-5 exposure may impact the community over time,” Kaholokula said. “The more people who enroll in the , the more impactful the research and information becomes.”

“Continued enrollment in the Red Hill Registry and similar programs is critical for future studies and research,” Hedges said. “Such registries will provide important additional knowledge related to the exposure, especially regarding potential long-term effects on women and children.”

The report further highlights the need for improved coordination among federal, state and local agencies to ensure drinking water safety and rebuild public trust following the contamination incident.

“The release of this report reminds families that even though we are removed in time from the May 2021 and November 2021 fuel spills, the voices of the individuals and families who lived through the water crisis are still being heard,” said Rosana “Sanie” Weldon, director of the Red Hill Registry. “By enrolling in the Red Hill Registry, whether you had symptoms or not, you help researchers establish accurate baseline data, detect even small health differences which may present years from now, and ensure that findings truly reflect the whole community.”

Importance of Red Hill Registry

The Red Hill Registry aims to track health outcomes and provide resources and education for those who experienced jet fuel in their drinking water from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Based in the at UH, the registry has dozens of partners supporting the registry from across the UH System with technology infrastructure, data security, questionnaire integrity, clinical guidance, water science and more.

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A single new condominium tower in Honolulu may have opened up hundreds of additional housing opportunities across Oʻahu, according to new research from the (UHERO).

The study examines a concept known as housing filtering, a process in which new construction sets off a chain of moves that frees up existing homes across the market. When a household moves into a newly built unit, it leaves behind a previous home, creating an opportunity for another household, and so on.

500+ housing vacancies created

UHERO Associate Professor Justin Tyndall tracked this effect using The Central, a 512-unit mixed-income condo completed in 2021 near Ala Moana. He estimated the project generated more than 500 housing vacancies islandwide within three years, expanding availability far beyond the building itself.

“For policymakers and planners, the results highlight the importance of considering these broader market dynamics when evaluating housing policy,” Tyndall wrote. “Expanding housing supply in high-demand areas can improve affordability not only through income-restricted units, but also through the filtering process that returns older housing stock to the market.”

Greater affordability across the market

He added, “Policies that block market-rate housing construction, because new units are expensive, can be largely counterproductive. The production of all types of housing pushes up the overall supply of homes and can contribute to greater affordability across all segments of the market.”

The homes freed up through these chains were often more affordable and larger than the new units. On average, they were about 40% less expensive per square foot and more likely to include single-family homes with three or more bedrooms.

The study also found that market-rate units tended to produce more total vacancies, while income-restricted units more often opened up lower-cost housing options. Most of the movement remained local, with the majority of households relocating within �鶹��ý.

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UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

For 23 of the past 25 years, more residents have left �鶹��ý than arrived from the continental U.S., according to an . The research finds the answer is not because of high prices or low incomes, but a combination of both that puts the state in a rare and troubling category.

�鶹��ý stands out nationally for having both high living costs and relatively modest incomes, a mix that researchers say drives persistent outmigration. While expensive continental U.S. cities often retain residents with higher wages, �鶹��ý more closely resembles economically “left-behind” regions where limited opportunity pushes people to leave.

An analysis of migration patterns across states and 384 U.S. metro areas shows that higher prices tend to push residents out, while higher incomes attract them. In �鶹��ý, both forces are working in the same direction, but while �鶹��ý has always been expensive, the widening income gap with the rest of the nation is a growing and more troubling driver.

‘Priced out and left behind’

“This combination places �鶹��ý in one of the rarest and most concerning categories in the national data: simultaneously priced out and left behind,” wrote UHERO authors Steven Bond-Smith and Erich Schwartz. “Residents are not leaving for a single reason. They are responding to a structure of economic pressures that makes staying difficult and makes opportunity elsewhere increasingly attractive.”

In urban Honolulu, high costs account for a significant share of outmigration. Incomes, which have recently fallen below the national average, add growing pressure. On Maui, price and income effects are more evenly matched, with both contributing to residents leaving. In both cases, lagging incomes predict growing shares of outmigration, while the high cost of living predicts relatively constant shares. While �鶹��ý Island and �鶹��ý were excluded from the city dataset, researchers believe similar forces are likely happening there too.

Researchers identified additional local factors in Honolulu—including geographic isolation, limited housing supply, congestion and a narrow industry base—that intensify migration pressures beyond what prices and incomes alone would predict.

When adjusting for cost of living, �鶹��ý’s income levels align more closely with struggling continental U.S. regions than with high-cost, high-wage cities such as San Francisco or Seattle.

This post focuses on a key theme from UHERO’s comprehensive report, “Beyond the Price of Paradise: Is �鶹��ý being left behind?” released on February 1. In that report, researchers say lowering the cost of living alone won’t be enough, and that �鶹��ý must boost long-term income and productivity growth to remain economically sustainable. They recommend policies that diversify the economy, support innovation and remove barriers to growth, alongside continued efforts to improve affordability.

UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa .

From 135 mph wind gusts on �鶹��ý Island to 62 inches of rainfall on Maui, a recent Kona low system brought weather conditions usually reserved for major hurricanes to the state. These extreme totals were captured by the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s �鶹��ý Mesonet, a weather monitoring system that is mapping localized threats across areas that previously had no data available. UH’s �鶹��ý Climate Data Portal team created a report on the storm.

Alongside immense flooding, the storm brought destructive winds. The �鶹��ý Mesonet station at Kaiāulu Puʻuwaʻawaʻa on �鶹��ý Island recorded a maximum wind gust of 135.4 mph. Winds were briefly sustained at speeds equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, averaging 105 mph over a 15-minute period.

Maui was hit the hardest, with peak rainfall totals reaching 62 inches in localized regions. �鶹��ý Island also saw heavy precipitation, with areas recording 16–32 inches, and isolated spots also nearing 62 inches. Both Kauaʻi and Oʻahu recorded maximum totals ranging 16–32 inches. Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi experienced peak amounts 4–16 inches.

The upper elevations of Haleakalā experienced the most extreme rainfall, with 33.2 inches falling during the 24-hr period beginning March 13 at 8:30 a.m., nearly double the highest 24-hr rainfall previously recorded there. That amount is much greater than the NOAA‘s official estimate of 19.7 inches in 24 hours for the 1000-year storm (the rainfall amount with a 0.1% chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year). Rainfall was even higher at the Kuiki �鶹��ý Mesonet station on the east rim of Haleakalā crater with 36 inches falling in 24 hours beginning at 6 p.m. on March 13. This amount exceeded the NOAA 24-hr 1000-year extreme rainfall estimate of 28.5 inches.

“Before the project began, �鶹��ý was one of only 20 states without a comprehensive statewide weather monitoring system, meaning we previously had no access to information in many of these areas,” said Tom Giambelluca, �鶹��ý Mesonet project lead, and former director of the UH Water Resources Research Center. “Now, the system is constantly collecting data on rainfall, soil moisture, and other weather variables that can tell us in real time if an area is highly susceptible to fires or flooding, which ultimately allows us to be as prepared as possible”

To make this information accessible, UH launched a real-time weather dashboard offering public access to live weather data from more than 70 monitoring stations currently active across the state. The dashboard updates data every 15 minutes, allowing users to view current, localized conditions including temperature, rainfall, wind, humidity, solar radiation and soil moisture. This creates one of the most comprehensive and timely weather resources available in �鶹��ý.

Two new grants totaling nearly $800,000 will support the University of �鶹��ý’s ongoing (MauiWES), a long-term effort tracking the health impacts of the 2023 Lahaina fires on Maui residents.

The �鶹��ý Community Foundation has awarded $450,000 through its Maui Strong Fund, and Kaiser Permanente has committed $337,500 to the study. The funding will help sustain health screenings, follow-up visits and community outreach as researchers continue monitoring the physical and mental health effects of wildfire exposure.

“This support allows us to keep showing up for the Maui community over the long term,” said study co-lead Ruben Juarez, professor at the (UHERO). “The willingness of residents to participate and return for follow-up visits reflects a level of trust that is essential for understanding the full health impacts of the fires—and for responding in ways that truly help families over time.”

The �鶹��ý Community Foundation funding was awarded through the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative, which was established in response to the Maui wildfires. The collaborative coordinates a variety of funders to streamline funding opportunities for community service providers and organizations.

“The �鶹��ý Community Foundation, through its Maui Strong Fund, is a proud participant of the Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative, which has awarded over $9 million in funds to support organizations that are assisting those impacted by the fires,” said HCF CEO and President Terry George. “Efforts like the MauiWES not only help to provide continued health and mental health support to survivors but also help us to be better prepared and ultimately more resilient in the face of future disasters.”

“Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to funding the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study reflects the belief that strong, community‑focused research should guide long‑term recovery and future preparedness,” said David Tumilowicz, senior director of marketing and community health, Kaiser Permanente. “As climate‑driven wildfires become more frequent and destructive, we need clear, reliable health and environmental data to understand exposure risks, improve clinical care, and strengthen public health systems throughout the United States. MauiWES is providing essential insights that support Maui’s healing, while helping communities everywhere become more resilient in the face of future disasters.”

The grants arrive at an important moment for the project. In December 2025, MauiWES surpassed its 3,000th completed appointment. More than 2,000 participants have taken part since the study began, and more than 1,000 have already returned for follow-up visits, reflecting sustained engagement and growing trust within the community.

Launched after the deadly wildfires that destroyed large parts of Lahaina, MauiWES is a collaboration among UHERO, (JABSOM) and UH Maui College. The study provides free health screenings while generating data to better understand the long-term health consequences of wildfire smoke, environmental exposure and disaster-related stress.

Health challenges continue for residents

The study’s latest findings, published in August 2025 in JAMA Network Open, show that health challenges persist nearly two years after the fires. Many participants reported ongoing symptoms such as fatigue and breathing problems, alongside measurable differences in lung function indicators among those living closest to the burn zone. Mental health impacts also remain widespread, with a substantial share of participants screening positive for depressive symptoms and anxiety.

At the same time, researchers found that strong social support was linked to better mental well-being and fewer days of poor health, even among those with high wildfire exposure. While social connections supported mental health, they did not offset physical effects, highlighting the need for continued medical monitoring and care.

“These new grants come at a critical time,” said co-lead Alika Maunakea, professor in the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology at JABSOM. “They ensure we can continue monitoring both physical and mental health effects more than two years after the fires, while strengthening the community-based approach that our findings show is critical to recovery.”

Juarez and Maunakea recently returned from the first , held in commemoration of the first anniversary of the fires, where they presented findings from MauiWES to help inform the response to the Los Angeles fires. Teams from University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, Stanford University and Harvard University are exploring similar cohort-based approaches informed by lessons from MauiWES for the Altadena, Eaton and Palisades fires.

See more UH News stories on MauiWES.

�鶹��ý’s economy is moving beyond last year’s mild recession, but the recovery will be gradual, according to the ’s (UHERO) first quarter forecast for 2026 released on February 27. After job losses tied to a tourism downturn and federal job cuts, payrolls have begun to edge upward.

A resilient U.S. economy and continued strength in construction are providing support, even as international visitor markets languish. Tepid job and income growth will become the new normal, because of anemic population trends and structural underperformance (relatively low long-run growth trend).

Major takeaways of the February 27 report:

• The U.S. economy has held up better than expected, with solid consumer spending, investments in artificial intelligence and improving productivity. Economic gains slowed in the fourth quarter of 2025, partly because of the federal government shutdown. UHERO expects growth to remain near 2% this year before slowing somewhat in 2027. It is too soon to know the effects of the recent Supreme Court decision invalidating the administration’s broad tariffs. Globally, conditions have improved modestly, but continued trade tensions and policy uncertainty present ongoing risks.
• Tourism has stabilized but is not yet expanding. In 2025, the average daily visitor census dropped 1.3%. The Japanese recovery has resumed at a moderate pace, but arrivals from other international markets have fallen sharply, reflecting adverse reaction to U.S. federal policy. Domestic visitors have helped offset these losses, and spending rose last year even as visitor numbers declined. Arrivals will stabilize this year, but a more substantial recovery in visitor headcounts is not expected until 2027.
• The local labor market has improved modestly after contracting in the first half of 2025. UHERO now expects a small net increase in payroll jobs this year. Construction, health care and the accommodations and food service sectors will continue to add jobs, while federal civilian employment losses will pull down growth numbers. The unemployment rate will remain near its current low 2.2% level.
• Inflation in Honolulu is expected to peak just above 3% in the second half of this year, although persistent U.S. inflation and the recent Supreme Court ruling on tariffs introduce considerable uncertainty. Local inflation will then ease to a 2.5% trend. Mortgage rates will remain near 6%, weighing on housing affordability even as construction activity overall remains elevated.

Overall, UHERO expects �鶹��ý’s economy to expand at a modest rate over the next several years.

“Real income will grow by about 1% annually,” UHERO wrote. “Real GDP will expand by 1.6% this year before converging to a similarly slow long-run growth path. Forecast risks remain significant, including trade policy uncertainty, potential additional federal workforce reductions and ongoing weakness in international tourism. While the adoption of artificial intelligence holds promise, �鶹��ý’s road ahead still looks to be one with slower growth than we have seen in the past.”

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UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s .

See the latest episode of UHERO Focus.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa is expanding its environmental monitoring and research capabilities thanks to a $30,000 donation from the �鶹��ý Water Environment Association (HWEA).

The HWEA gift will help upgrade the college’s environmental engineering lab through the acquisition of advanced instruments—most notably a state-of-the-art gas chromatograph system that acts like a high-tech “nose” that can sniff out and measure different gases in the air—expanding UH’s ability to analyze environmental samples with higher precision. The measurement of greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, as well as compounds tied to odor and corrosion concerns, are key issues for wastewater facilities, community health and regulatory compliance.

“This gift is a vital investment in the research and education capacity of our Environmental Biotechnology Research Group at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�,” said Zhiyue Wang, assistant professor in the and the . “By supporting everything from the acquisition of advanced analytical equipment and software to student travel and professional seminars, these resources allow us to maintain the high-level technology and scholarly records necessary to solve �鶹��ý’s most pressing environmental challenges.”

The upgraded instruments will also provide new learning opportunities for students through lab instruction, capstone projects and research experiences involving advanced analytical techniques used across commercial and municipal laboratories. It also opens the door for deeper collaboration and knowledge exchange between UH and water environment professionals statewide, including potential lab tours, seminars and shared learning opportunities.

The lab’s enhanced capabilities align with HWEA’s mission to protect and enhance �鶹��ý’s water environment by supporting research at the intersection of air and water quality and by helping train the future workforce in modern analytical methods.