Approximately 250 participants gathered to explore Indigenous innovation and knowledge at the University of Hawaiʻi Innovation Conference held November 8 at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.

The conference, “,” brought together experts and community members to identify solutions in key areas including Indigenous data visualization tools, traditional healing practices, knowledge systems integration and community partnership development.

“Indigenous action means continuity and it speaks to a time when human society had deep ties to their landscape and family units,” said Kamuela Enos, (OIKI) director and one of the conference鈥檚 keynote speakers. “The technologies, their education and all the different systems that they designed were optimized for how people live in place indefinitely.”

东精影业 is a trailblazer in weaving ancestral and contemporary technologies through its groundbreaking Indigenous Data Hub at 东精影业 West Oʻahu. Students have the opportunity to enact change in their communities through place-based data visualization projects. Kari Noe, head of the 东精影业 Indigenous data hub, was one of the conference panelists. 东精影业 is also leading the conversation among Indigenous organizations, aiming to grow innovation partnerships and initiatives.

“Because there鈥檚 some really big challenges and opportunities in our state, whether that is energy, health equity, agriculture, these are areas where Indigenous knowledge actually drives success in the future,” said Vassilis Syrmos. “That鈥檚 why we think Indigeneity and how we do things within our communities will educate our future practices.”

碍奴丑补ʻ辞 Zane, board president of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation and creative director of Sig Zane Designs, opened the conference alongside Enos, setting the context for Indigenous-centered innovation. Presentations included insights from health practitioners integrating traditional healing methods and demonstrations of new Indigenous data tools.

Nikora Ngaropo, CEO of Nikora Ngaropo Motion Design/Young Animators New Zealand, delivered the lunch keynote on Indigenous innovation trajectory. The event concluded with panels featuring local organizations including Purple Maiʻa Foundation, MAʻO Organic Farms and other 东精影业 research initiatives.

The conference highlighted 东精影业鈥檚 ongoing commitment to supporting community-driven research and initiatives that preserve and advance Indigenous practices while positioning community practitioners as innovators in their fields.

The University of Hawaiʻi set another extramural funding record with $615.7 million in fiscal year 2024 (FY 2024). This marks the third consecutive year that 东精影业 has topped half a billion dollars in funding with a record-setting total that is a $99.8 million or a 19.3% increase over 东精影业鈥檚 previous record of $515.9 million set in FY 2023.

Extramural funding is external investments from external agencies such as the federal government, industry and non-profit organizations that support research and training activities conducted by university faculty and staff. Extramural projects support research and innovation that helps to increase the knowledge base and provide solutions that impact the quality of life across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

“Setting back-to-back-to-back records in extramural funding is truly an impressive achievement for the University of Hawaiʻi and our state,” said Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Our faculty, staff and students have once again answered the call with their hard work and dedication to grow the 东精影业 research enterprise, and at the same time, helping us to serve as a major contributor to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy.”

Syrmos noted that 东精影业 research expenditures contribute to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy through business sales, employee earnings, state tax revenue and job creation; and serves as the main component in the diversification of the state鈥檚 economy.

Based on the findings of a 2021 economic impact report published by the 东精影业 Economic Research Organization, $615 million in extramural funding is estimated to generate $947 million in total business sales, $434 million in employee earnings and $53 million in state tax revenue, and is currently supporting over 10,000 jobs (东精影业 and RC东精影业 employees)

“This steadily increasing investment in 东精影业 by external organizations, now totaling well over $1.5 billion dollars in the past three years, demonstrates global recognition of the greatness of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public higher education system,” said 东精影业 President David Lassner. “Every one of these dollars is a testament to the intellectual capacity and capability of our entire 东精影业 community to address the challenges and opportunities facing Hawaiʻi and our planet.”

, 东精影业鈥檚 flagship university, led the extramural award amounts this year with $464.9 million. The 东精影业 System brought in $71.2 million, totaled $51.1 million, received $22.6 million and totaled $5.9 million.

“State appropriations provide a foundation for the strong research enterprise that allows us to bring in even more resources, enabling us to do so much more for Hawaiʻi than we could do with General Funds and tuition alone,” said Lassner.

Examples of 东精影业 programs that attracted the attention of funders:

• 东精影业 Hilo was awarded $2.3 million of a first-of-its-kind, $6.6 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education to lead a three-university consortium to establish a National Native American Language Resource Center that will advocate for and implement training and resource development for Indigenous language education pathways in the U.S. (More info in this 东精影业 News story)


• The at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 received a $10.6 million sub-award from the Lynker Corporation to establish the Hawaiʻi Climate-Smart Partnership to assist Hawaiʻi farmers, ranchers and foresters to implement climate-smart practices and to establish stronger markets for locally produced healthy food and products. (More info in this 东精影业 News story)
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $5.2 million cooperative agreement for natural resources and threatened and endangered species management by the , which is administratively run by the 东精影业 Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. ()



• The U.S. Department of Education awarded the $1 million to Cultivating 21st Century Leaders Through an Indigenous Data Hub in Kohala, Hawaiʻi to expand this initiative to the Hawaiʻi Island community.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services鈥� Office of Minority Health awarded a $2 million cooperative agreement to the to continue community-based efforts to address health disparities in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. (More info in this 东精影业 News story)
• The received a $5.8 million grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to continue a wide area survey of Near Space Objects at its Pan-STARRS observatory on Haleakal膩, Maui.
• The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine awarded $4.1 million of a $27.1 million sub-award to the to establish the Red Hill Independent Health Registry to provide direct support and resources to individuals impacted by the fuel spill and water crisis. (More info in this 东精影业 News story)
• 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 received $4.2 million of a $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish an Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health to foster more impactful and relevant research to communities most affected by nutrition-related health conditions.
• The National Science Foundation awarded a $824,999 grant to for its collaborative proposal with multiple tribal colleges to advance cybersecurity education. (More info in this 东精影业 News story)

Syrmos added that more than $80 million in awards received from the federal government, which have significant impacts to the state and the nation, were secured through the close coordination between 东精影业 and Hawaiʻi鈥檚 congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda.

Governor Josh Green

“We have talked for decades about diversifying Hawaiʻi‘s economy and it makes me so proud to see that the University of Hawaiʻi is doing it. Three consecutive years of topping half a billion dollars in extramural funding and this year, setting a record of $615.7M, is incredible. Having the best and the brightest researchers at 东精影业 boosts our state鈥檚 economy and provides access to valuable insight and expertise in dealing with problems facing our community, like COVID-19, climate change, conservation and renewable energy. It also demonstrates to our young people, considering their futures, that coming to 东精影业 and staying in Hawaiʻi to advance their careers is indeed an option.”

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz

“东精影业 is a world-class institution for research and higher education that鈥檚 helping power Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Our work to secure record federal funding for 东精影业 this year will help build a new Native language center in Hilo, support research on climate change and health disparities, improve educational programs across its ten campuses, and help strengthen the 东精影业 system for thousands of students and faculty.”

U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono

“This historic funding for the 东精影业 System has supported a broad range of projects on 东精影业 campuses throughout the state, enabling 东精影业 faculty and students to do more cutting-edge research on issues critical to our state, our country, and our planet. This funding is a testament to 东精影业鈥檚 ambitious pursuit of competitive federal funding, and I鈥檒l continue working with my colleagues in the Congressional delegation to support federal funding for institutions across Hawaiʻi.鈥�

U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawaiʻi—First District)

“This third straight year of record increase in federal and other extramural funding for the University of Hawaiʻi is very good news on several levels. First, it is a testament to 东精影业鈥檚 growing research and innovation talent and international recognition. Second, it reflects the advanced partnerships that 东精影业 has forged in successfully identifying and jointly pursuing funding opportunities including with our Hawaiʻi Congressional delegation. Third, it increases 东精影业鈥檚 contributions to our overall Hawaiʻi economy in creating and expanding connected businesses and high-quality jobs. As good as this result is, there is plenty of room for continued growth on all levels as we all stay focused on further opportunities. But for now, great job 东精影业!”

U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (Hawaiʻi—Second District)

“东精影业 has long been a research one (R1) university ranking among the country鈥檚 elite institutions, but this new record level of extramural funding sets it apart in its ability to both perform and innovate. While the infusion of well over half a billion dollars in research dollars is significant to our local economy, what excites me is the learning and career opportunities it provides our local youth and the ability for them to remain in Hawaiʻi to work in fields they are passionate about.”

A new $2-million award will help the University of Hawaiʻi address Indigenous health disparities and advance health equity in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities.

The award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) supports (CIIHE, pronounced: cheeee heee), which has the potential to receive an additional $8 million from OMH over the next four years.

The five-year initiative places an emphasis on implementing innovative and culturally derived frameworks to prevent and improve disparities in chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, in partnership with K艒kua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, a federally qualified health center based in Honolulu.

“We are excited by the opportunity that this project provides us to continue to directly support our regional cultural practitioners communities in growing the evidence base for understanding traditional cultural practices as effective contemporary health interventions,” said Principal Investigator and Director Kamuela Enos.

东精影业鈥檚 effort will focus on supporting community-based efforts that increase NHPI patients鈥� exposure to traditional cultural practices like 濒腻ʻ补耻 lapaʻau (plant medicine), cultural birthing practices, m膩lama ʻ腻颈苍补 (caring for the land), lomilomi (massage) and ʻai pono (healthy eating). These practices can serve as a buffer against chronic diseases, specifically cardiometabolic diseases and mental health disorders, through collaborative service, education, research and policy initiatives.

CIIHE was launched by a $1-million grant in fiscal year 2021 from HHS OMH. The Center was created through a vision between Enos and Director and CIIHE Co-Principal Investigator Aimee Malia Grace.

In early 2023, CIIHE received an additional $4.6 million through an anonymous gift that will fund the Center鈥檚 first endowed chair and provide funding for programs and activities to advance their work.

“American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations experience a high burden of health disparities or differences in health outcomes compared to other populations,” said Rear Admiral Felicia Collins, MD, deputy assistant secretary for minority health and OMH director. “Thus, we are pleased that the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity will continue to develop, implement, and evaluate culturally appropriate approaches for reducing and eliminating these disparities through partnerships with academic institutions, Indigenous leaders, and community members.”

For the second consecutive year, the University of Hawaiʻi has set a record in extramural funding at $515.9 million for fiscal year 2023 (FY2023), $10.9 million more over the previous record of $505 million set in FY2022.

, the flagship campus of 东精影业鈥檚 10 campus system, led the extramural award amounts this year with $342.7 million. The 东精影业 System brought in $117.7 million, totaled $33.7 million, received $17.8 million and totaled $4 million.

“We are extremely proud of our back-to-back record hauls in extramural funding, despite having to deal with a myriad of challenges due to the recent pandemic and its lingering after-effects on the world economy and our funders,” said 东精影业 Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “The accolades must be given to our faculty, staff and graduate students for their hard work and dedication to the 东精影业 research enterprise and to the state of Hawaiʻi.”

Extramural funding is external investments from governmental agencies such as the federal government, industry and non-profit organizations that support research and training activities conducted by university faculty and staff. Extramural projects support research and innovation that help to increase knowledge and provide solutions to improve quality of life.

“Every dollar invested by one of our extramural sponsors is a vote of confidence that 东精影业 faculty, staff and students are creating a better future for Hawaiʻi and the world,” said 东精影业 President David Lassner. “This includes everything from climate change, resilience, water quality and energy solutions to addressing health disparities, educational inequities, feeding our population, and training Hawaiʻi‘s people for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

Several examples of 东精影业 programs that attracted the attention of funders:

• The Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges was awarded $16.3 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce for the “Resilient Hawaiʻi: Good Jobs Challenge” initiative that provides employer-driven training in living-wage jobs to individuals whose employment was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more on 东精影业 News.
• The received $5.5 million from NASA to continue a wide area survey of Near Earth Objects at its Pan-STARRS observatory on Haleakal膩, Maui. Read more on 东精影业 News.
• The was awarded $4.5 million, as part of a five-year $23 million grant from the National Institutes for Health (NIH) for Ola HAWAII, a multidisciplinary research center that addresses health disparities in underserved, multiethnic populations in Hawaiʻi. Read more on 东精影业 News.



• 东精影业鈥檚 received $4 million, as part of a five-year $20 million grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF), to integrate climate and data science research under its “Change HI” initiative. Read more on 东精影业 News.
• The received $3.6 million from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to continue its research and maintenance support of the U.S. Navy鈥檚 Wave Energy Test Site in Kāneʻohe Bay. Read more on 东精影业 News.



• ONR awarded 东精影业 a $2.4 million grant to partner with the University of Alaska and the University of Rhode Island to develop and advance energy, marine and other blue economy technologies and opportunities through the . Read more on 东精影业 News.
• NIH awarded $2.4 million to the to continue its important Multiethnic Cohort Study. Read more on 东精影业 News.



• was awarded $2 million of a $3.5 million grant by NSF鈥檚 Tribal Colleges and Universities Program to establish its Kiaʻi Loko Center for Limu Research. The center focuses on applying traditional Native Hawaiian knowledge alongside Western scientific methods to study limu (algae) and traditional Hawaiian fishponds. Read more on 东精影业 News.
• 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (SOEST) was awarded $3 million by ONR to map flood risks related to sea-level rise in Hawaiʻi.
• The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded SOEST and the another $1.5 million increment of a five-year, $25 million project to develop an engineered coral reef system to protect coastlines from flooding, erosion and storm damage. Read more on 东精影业 News.
• The received $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to restore ancestral and cultural practices to improve health equity among Native Hawaiians and NHPI communities.
• 东精影业 Hilo received $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education for its E Hoi I Ke Kumu program to address the Hawaiian language immersion teacher shortage in the state.
• 东精影业 was awarded a $1 million NSF Engines Development Award to establish its Climate-Resilient Food Innovation Network that will serve as a hub for Hawaiʻi and U.S-affiliated Pacific Islands to develop collaborative, food innovation solutions driven by Indigenous knowledge systems and modern technology. 东精影业 could be eligible for another award of up to $160 million. Read more on 东精影业 News.
• 东精影业 West Oʻahu received a $944,307 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to develop its He Paepae Aloha curriculum to increase Native Hawaiian participation and completion of post-secondary education through the incorporation of Native Hawaiian traditions and culture.