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 .