A multi-year scientific expedition including the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 and led by researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara and collaborating institutions, were able to find critical connections between land, rainwater and lagoon waters.

The researchers determined that land use on tropical islands can shape water quality in lagoons and that rainfall can be an important mediator for connections between land and lagoon waters. These findings provide vital information for ecosystem stewards facing global reef decline. Their findings were published in .

“The links between land and sea are dynamic and complex, so it鈥檚 a topic that has remained elusive to science,” said Mary Donovan, co-author and faculty at the in the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (SOEST). “It took a dream team to pierce through that complexity. We brought together a group of interdisciplinary thinkers, from students to senior investigators, across at least five major institutions to tackle this immense challenge.”

Understanding the phase shift

Scientists have long been concerned that with an increase in human-associated inputs from land to a coral reef, there is often a “phase shift”—a decline in corals accompanied by an increase in harmful algae. This ecological shift is often linked to excessive nutrients and changes in the microbial community, but the precise connection between land use and coral reef health has been poorly understood.

Through its investigation, the team found that nutrients in the lagoons off Moʻorea were highest in concentration closer to the island, lower farther offshore.

Informing stewardship efforts

“Gravity is a unifying force in ecology, and islands are always uphill from the coral reefs that surround them,” said Christian John, lead author of the study and postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Across Pacific Island systems, the flow of nutrients from mountains to the ocean is a central focus for coastal resource management. Targeted strategies, such as reducing polluted runoff, developing buffers along rivers, or actively mitigating soil loss at development sites, can significantly dampen the adverse effects of land use on lagoon water quality.

“The ahupuaʻa, land use divisions that connect mauka to makai, are central to watershed management here in Hawaiʻi,” said Nyssa Silbiger, co-author and associate professor in the SOEST Department of Oceanography. “Understanding water quality is a fundamental challenge for everyone: it is key to assessing coral reef health and it is inseparable from human health.”

.

Lisa C. McManus, a theoretical marine ecologist in University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (HIMB) in the , was named a 2025 Ecological Society of America (ESA) Early Career Fellow on April 29. The society鈥檚 fellowship program recognizes contributions to ecological research, communication, education, management and policy throughout the United States. McManus is among 10 new Early Career Fellows in the country, and is recognized for notable efforts to investigate how climate change impacts coral reef ecosystems.

“I鈥檓 deeply honored,” McManus said. “Many ecologists I鈥檝e long admired were previous ESA Early Career Fellows, and it鈥檚 humbling to be included among such distinguished researchers. This recognition energizes me to pursue even more ambitious questions at the intersection of theoretical ecology and coral reef science.”

In her research, McManus uses ecological theory to understand and predict the responses of marine organisms to changing ocean conditions. Her current projects examine coral-algal regime shifts, coral adaptive potential and marine conservation strategies. Through this work, McManus aims to inform conservation policies that address the long-term resilience of coral reefs. She earned her PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University.

McManus is an assistant professor at HIMB, where she is part of a team of more than 200 faculty, staff and students who study everything from marine microbes to marine mammals to better understand and protect the ocean, both locally and globally.

“The research community at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology is exceptional—not just for the scientific excellence, but for the genuinely supportive culture,” McManus said.

HIMB Director Megan Donahue said, “Lisa has made exceptional contributions to the understanding of coral reef ecology and management, and HIMB has benefited from her open, collaborative approach and strong student mentorship. We are thrilled to see her achievements recognized by this prestigious award from ESA.”

ESA established its Fellows program in 2012, with the goal of honoring its members and supporting their competitiveness and advancement to leadership positions in the society, at their institutions and in broader society. Early Career Fellows are elected for five years, and are members within eight years of completing their doctoral training (or other terminal degree) who have advanced ecological knowledge and applications and show promise of continuing to make outstanding contributions to a wide range of fields served by ESA.

.

In a series of newly published groundbreaking studies, researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (HIMB) identified 10 new species of marine sponges found in Kāneʻohe Bay, shedding light on an often-overlooked but vital part of coral reef ecosystems.

Published in the journals and , these findings were discovered using an innovative technique that explores both genes and structural characteristics. Despite their status as one of Earth鈥檚 oldest lifeforms, marine sponges remain vastly understudied. These newly identified species contribute to a broadening understanding of sponge biodiversity within the Hawaiian archipelago and throughout Oceania.

The HIMB research team, working out of the , used autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS)鈥攕pecialized devices that mimic the reef鈥檚 natural environment鈥攖o collect sponge specimens without disturbing the fragile ecosystem.

“We used ARMS to collect sponges from within the reef,” said Rachel Nunley, a Scientists in Parks (SIP) intern at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park and lead author of the PeerJ study that identified six new species. “After sponge collection, we used DNA analysis to narrow down what species we were looking at. We found that these species in Kāneʻohe Bay were new to science and have not been documented anywhere else in the world.”

Kāneʻohe Bay, where HIMB is located, is abundant with small, isolated “patch reefs,” which are teeming with undescribed sponge species as well as non-native species introduced from the Caribbean and the Western Indo-Pacific.

Challenges of studying sponges

Unlike other marine life, sponges present unique research challenges due to their small size, fragility and dynamic nature.

“Sponges are found within the ‘nooks and crannies’ of the reef, making them difficult to collect without destroying the reef,” said Jan Vicente, a postdoctoral researcher at ToBo Lab and lead author of the Zootaxa study that identified four additional sponge species.

“Sponges are widely underappreciated, even though they play an essential role in cycling nutrients that help maintain coral reef biodiversity in remote island archipelagos where nutrients in coral reefs are scarce,” said Vicente.

Merging science with ʻike Hawaiʻi (ancestral knowledge)

To honor the cultural significance of their discovery, researchers named the new species based on traditional moʻolelo (stories) or ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) that reflect the species鈥� characteristics.

“They were found in Kāneʻohe Bay off the island of Moku o Loʻe, and their names come from Native Hawaiian stories,” explained Robert Toonen, principal investigator of the ToBo lab and co-author on both studies. 鈥溾赌楲辞ʻ别,鈥� for example, was the sister of three brothers who kept honesty within the family.”

Future of reef research

The research team has sampled more than 1,000 specimens from the coral reef cryptic fauna using ARMS in Kāneʻohe Bay, and they have also recovered ARMS from five different ecoregions across the Pacific. In time, they hope to understand the complete diversity of Oceania. HIMB researchers want to determine which species are endemic, native, and which have been introduced to the Hawaiian archipelago, and how the species are connected.

Funding for this research was provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Acidification Program.

Endangered Hawaiian monk seals and other marine life have benefitted from 25 years of large-scale marine debris removal in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), according to the cover story in the current issue of .

Scientists from NOAA Fisheries (PIFSC) have been studying the devastating impacts of plastic pollution on marine mammals, sea turtles, fish and coral reefs for more than 40 years. To reduce harm to Hawaiian monk seals, as well as the broader marine ecosystem, large-scale, multi-agency, and multi-partner marine debris removal efforts were initiated to decrease impacts of plastic marine debris, primarily abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear.

A team of researchers from PIFSC, the , and the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) examined Hawaiian monk seal entanglement records spanning more than 40 years, both before and after large-scale removal efforts were initiated, and found a substantial reduction in the rate of entanglement where the debris removal effort was most concentrated.

Jason Baker, marine biologist with the NOAA PIFSC Protected Species Division and lead author on the study, said “Now we know that all the hard work and dedication of so many people and organizations that contributed to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands marine debris cleanup did achieve its aim of reducing monk seal entanglement, saving seal lives and improving nearshore habitats.”

Mary J. Donohue, affiliate faculty with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and co-author on the study, has spent her career researching the devastating impacts of plastic pollution on marine mammals and coral reefs. In Hawaiʻi she served as chief scientist on the first systematic at-sea expeditions to document, study, and remove marine debris from the NWHI.

“We’ve shown that you can, in fact, clean up at least parts of the ocean, and it can be consequential, particularly for species of conservation or cultural concern,” said Donohue. “For lasting solutions we also need to reduce the input of fishing gear that becomes derelict, both from legal and illegal fisheries.”

The team鈥檚 work——is available online beginning September 26 and in print on September 27.

Plastic waste poses a triple threat to living organisms and the environment: the physical material itself, the chemicals associated with it, and disease-causing microorganisms that hitchhike on it. The longevity of plastic waste and its fragmentation results in impacts on multiple scales, from marine mammal entanglement in derelict fishing gear to tissue and cellular interactions with the tiniest nanoplastics. As stated in the paper, “Large-scale and sustained removal of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear meaningfully benefits marine ecosystems and has the potential to be transformational in restoration efforts.”

–By Cindy Knapman

Sharks, a species often misunderstood and feared, play crucial roles in ocean ecosystems as top predators. In honor of Shark Awareness Day on July 14, 东精影业 News interviewed shark expert Carl Meyer, researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa , on the importance of sharks to ocean health, common misconceptions and safety tips for being in the ocean.

What types of sharks do you study?

Our research focuses on coastal species such as tiger sharks, Galapagos sharks and scalloped hammerhead shark; bathyal or deep sea species such as bluntnose sixgill sharks, prickly sharks and Pacific Sleeper sharks; and enigmatic pelagic species such as oceanic whitetip sharks and cookiecutter sharks. We use technology to reveal the hidden lives of sharks. For example, we attach sophisticated biologging devices to sharks that track their movements and swimming behavior and give us a shark’s eye view of their lives. These devices help us to understand where sharks roam and how they use their natural habitats.

Why are sharks important to ocean ecosystems?

Sharks are very important for the health of ocean ecosystems. They are top predators that regulate the populations of other animals in the ocean and ensure that no one species becomes dominant and disrupts the marine ecosystem. Sharks are indicators of ocean health. If you have abundant sharks, then your ecosystem is healthy. If you see a decline in sharks, it indicates that there may be a problem with the marine environment.

What are common misconceptions people have about sharks?

The single biggest misconception that people have about sharks is that they’re all dangerous. And this is simply not the case. Most shark species represent little or no threat to humans simply because they consume very small prey, and even the species that we might consider to be dangerous such as tiger sharks, white sharks and bull sharks, actually bite people very infrequently. So these are rare events. Although we might consider them to be dangerous, in fact, we are a lot more dangerous to sharks than sharks are to us. We need to address these misconceptions about sharks in order to have effective conservation measures that allow us to coexist successfully with these really ecologically important predators.

Are sharks mistaking people for prey?

So when sharks bite humans, it’s likely because people in the water have size and movement characteristics that make sharks view them as potential prey.

The mistaken identity hypothesis is a popular misconception that stems from viewing shark behavior through a human lens. Sharks are not mistaking humans for another type of prey. They are opportunistic predators that routinely explore objects with certain size and movement characteristics to see whether they are potential prey. So for example, when we put small video cameras on tiger sharks, we see them routinely investigating inanimate objects like floating coconuts, leaves, plastic bags, those are clearly not things that they’re going to eat, but they go and they investigate them to see if they are potential prey. So when sharks bite humans, it’s likely because people in the water have size and movement characteristics that make sharks view them as potential prey.

What are some safety tips you recommend?

Although the risk of being bitten by a shark is very low, there are some things that we can do to reduce the probability of being bitten and also to improve the outcome in the event that we encounter a shark that tries to bite us. The single biggest thing that we can do is to always do our ocean recreational activities with other people. There is more safety in numbers. It reduces the probability of you being bitten. And if you are extremely unlucky and you get bitten, then there are other people around to help you. So a lot of the time when there’s a shark bite incident, the severity of the outcome is determined by whether there’s somebody close at hand to help the person that’s injured.

Growing up in California, Jennifer Smith loved spending time in the water. But it wasn鈥檛 until pursuing a year-long exchange at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and graduate studies at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, that she found her calling in researching and teaching conservation biology, human impacts on marine communities, ocean sustainability and more.

“For people who are interested in studying tropical ecosystems, whether it be on land or in the ocean, there’s no better place in the entire United States than to go to 东精影业 because you literally have these natural laboratories right outside your door,” Smith said.

Making a difference in Hawaiʻi

Smith, who is now a professor in marine ecology and conservation at the in San Diego, California, went to 东精影业 Hilo to focus on marine science, while she was earning her bachelor鈥檚 degrees in biology and zoology from Humboldt State.

“The time I spent there underwater, realizing there were all these issues happening in Hawaiʻi that weren’t really being addressed with invasive seaweeds taking over reefs, and there were big seaweed blooms choking out coral in a lot of places,” Smith said. “There were also other different things happening, everything from sewage runoff, fueling these massive seaweed blooms, to overfishing of parrotfish and surgeonfish, causing seaweeds to take over in other places.”

Her experiences fueled her interest in more research opportunities. After talking with her 东精影业 Hilo professors, they recommended pursuing a graduate degree at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 under the guidance of Professors Celia Smith and Cindy Hunter. Smith said that 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 was the only program she applied to and was ecstatic when she got accepted.

Smith remembers spending countless hours doing the research she enjoyed out in the ocean, and even got opportunities to travel across many of the Hawaiian Islands and Papah膩naumoku膩kea Marine National Monument, before it was deemed a marine conservation area.

“It’s hard to imagine having something that could have been better for what I was doing, which was spending a lot of time underwater trying to characterize what was going on across the reef and across the whole state,” Smith said.

Learning from the ‘First Lady of Limu’

Smith also recalls many encounters with Professor Emerita Isabella Aiona Abbott, also known as the “First Lady of Limu,” as their offices were down the hall from each other. Smith said she frequently brought Abbott “gifts from the ocean” since she wasn鈥檛 getting out into the field as much and relied on students and faculty members to bring her samples.

Abbott became the first woman and the first person of color to become a full professor of biology at Stanford University and co-wrote a book called Marine Algae of California, which Smith said is like the Bible for studying seaweeds on the California coast.

“When I look at the book, it’s like having a conversation with Izzy,” Smith said. “I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had that opportunity at 东精影业. I try to pass on her stories and her passion to all of my students.”

Annual return to Maui waters

Smith graduated with her PhD in botany, ecology, evolution and conservation biology from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 in 2003. Her dissertation was on the impact of algal blooms (rapid increase in the density of algae in an aquatic system) on coral reefs statewide.

After graduation, Smith continued that work as a faculty researcher at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. She then became a marine ecology researcher at Scripps for a year, before joining the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at UC Santa Barbara as a postdoctoral scholar. Smith then rejoined Scripps in 2008 where she worked her way up from an assistant professor to an associate professor and to a full professor where she is now.

Smith also said that she has continued the work she started in waters off Maui every year since her graduate studies, taking her students to survey and document the health of the coral reefs along with other 东精影业 scientists and the Maui Division of Aquatic Resources.

—By Marc Arakaki

Recently named Fulbright Scholar Lindsay Young will head to the University of the Philippines in Manila to develop a research program and teach a course on blue carbon, carbon stored in coastal marine ecosystems that can fight climate change and protect these areas from natural disasters. Young is an affiliate graduate faculty member from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 鈥� (CTAHR) and the executive director of , a Hawaiʻi-based conservation nonprofit organization.

Young will expand on research on the effects of such areas by compiling information on blue carbon restoration projects to create a publicly accessible online geo spatial database, ultimately allowing others to review project outcomes and identify future sites that could benefit from restoration. Her graduate level course will complement the public impact research program, combining the fundamentals of coastal ecology while integrating the concepts of blue carbon restoration and climate mitigation strategies.

“I am humbled to receive this award, particularly since my career path has been a hybrid of academic and applied work,” Young said. “I look forward to not only developing a new program, but learning from my colleagues and students in the Philippines.”

Combating climate change

Blue carbon is stored in ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses, and can be sequestered in large quantities in both the plants and sediment below. In a publication from the , research shows that 50% of all carbon in the ocean is stored in coastal habitats, despite taking up only 2% of ocean area, indicating that these ecosystems could be an underutilized, yet critical component, to battling climate change.

Young explained that coastal ecosystems have a disproportionately high impact on storing carbon to alleviate the impacts of climate change.

“Coastal marine ecosystems have the potential to store 3-5 times the amount of carbon per acre compared to tropical forests, while also providing significant protection against the impacts of natural disasters,” said Young. “This not only serves to potentially sequester carbon and thus reduce the impacts of climate change, but also mitigate the impacts of severe storms on areas that preserve and restore these habitats.”

The global impact of place-based research

Consisting of more than 7,700 islands with thriving mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, the Philippines is an ideal location to expand the knowledge of blue carbon initiatives on a global scale. Moreover, it will provide academics and managers in the country with the knowledge and tools needed to grow this important initiative.

“As the country with the fifth-longest coastline in the world, the Philippines has the potential to contribute significantly to carbon sequestration in the coastal environment,” said Young.

Despite being in different parts of the Pacific, Young鈥檚 research in the Philippines will still be beneficial to Hawaiʻi.

“The course and skills will be highly transferable to students at the University of Hawaiʻi—particularly given that the State of Hawaiʻi faces the similar environmental threats as the Philippines as a tropical archipelago,” Young added.

The inaugural Ruth D. Gates Endowed Chair in Coral Reef Systems is Rob Toonen. This position was established to honor the distinguished research and outreach of the late Ruth Gates, at the (HIMB) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (SOEST). HIMB sought a scientist with a vision for innovative, integrative and transdisciplinary research in coral reef ecology and conservation.

“This position memorializes the global impact of Dr. Ruth Gates, former director of HIMB and widely known through the wonderful documentary Chasing Coral,” said Chip Fletcher, interim dean of SOEST. “In addition to being a widely respected scientist, Ruth was an exceptional communicator known for her candor, humor, integrity and compassion and respect for the interdependence of all living things.”

Toonen joined HIMB in 2003, and has used lab and field experiments, molecular genetics and computer modeling and more in an effort to address a variety of biological questions. From coral bleaching and conservation, to assessing cues for larval settlement and population genetics of marine invertebrates, sharks and turtles, Toonen approaches research from an ecological perspective—scaling up from genes to individuals to populations.

“We are thrilled to have Rob continue his work at HIMB in this new position honoring our inimitable friend and colleague Ruth Gates,” said Megan Donahue, interim director of HIMB. “Throughout his career, Rob has been at the forefront of purpose-driven research for coral reefs, including foundational work on marine connectivity that catalyzed large, ‘Big Ocean’ marine protected areas; influential studies of coral recovery and adaptation in Kāneʻohe Bay, inspiring hope for the future of coral reefs; a vision for community-embedded research and education actualized in the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve; and, most recently, work on coral restoration and artificial reefs designed to work with nature to protect our coastlines. We also know Rob as someone who lifts others up—a caring and effective mentor for students and an open-hearted colleague.”

Hybrid reefs

Toonen鈥檚 current coral restoration endeavor is a collaborative hybrid reef project known as . This project seeks to mimic natural reefs and enhance them by developing engineered reef modules that will reduce wave energy, support coastal communities, and also provide additional habitat for the diversity of life that feeds local families and makes coral reefs attractive to visitors.

Committed to 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 strategic priority and institutional goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, HIMB has a deep engagement with, and commitment to, its neighborhood educational and nonprofit organization partners.

“I particularly look forward to working with local communities to incorporate Indigenous management practices into the design with the goal of producing shoreline protection technology that also supports a vibrant and productive coral reef community,” said Toonen.

.

–By Marcie Grabowski

Coral reefs are hotspots of biodiversity and are amazingly productive with a vast number of organisms interacting simultaneously. Hundreds of molecules that are made by important members of the coral reef community were recently discovered by a team of scientists. Together, the compounds—modified amino acids, vitamins and steroids—comprise the “smell” or “taste” of corals and algae in a tropical reef, and will help scientists understand both the food web dynamics and the chemical ecology of these ecosystems.

The study, led by researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research was published in the . It provides the first snapshot of the diversity of dissolved chemicals floating among coral reefs and a window into the interactions among organisms that scientists are just beginning to understand.

Although coral and seaweeds (limu) are fixed to the seafloor, these organisms interact via chemicals dissolved in the water. Despite knowing the importance of these molecules built during photosynthesis and released into the seawater environment, their quantity, energy content and structural diversity have always been a mystery to biologists.

Global impact

Reefs worldwide are changing and degrading under local pressures from human misuse and overuse, as well as global threats of ocean warming and acidification.

“One common global shift is a change from coral dominance to increasing biomass of limu, associated with a shift in the structure and function of the ecosystem and the quantity and types of fish and invertebrates that thrive there,” said Craig Nelson, associate research professor in the 东精影业 Mānoa (SOEST) and co-lead author of the work. “Understanding what shifts like this mean to the chemistry of an ecosystem is critical for managers, and this work demonstrates differences in the chemical exudates of corals and algae that can help us understand what changes in coral and algae mean for the ecosystem.”

Thousands of molecules

The team applied a cutting-edge analytical technique, known as untargeted tandem mass spectrometry, to characterize the thousands of small molecules that organisms use for growth, communication and defense.

“We have known for years that organic molecules play a big role in the fate of coral reef systems, but until now we did not have the analytical capabilities to analyze the dynamics of thousands of different molecules that make up the coral reef ’exometabolome,‘“ said Andreas Haas, senior author on the work.

In the reefs surrounding Moʻorea, one of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, the team collected specimens from two reef-building corals (boulder coral and cauliflower coral), one calcified red alga (crustose coralline algae), one brown alga and one algal turf (a mix of microscopic filamentous algae). Then, they isolated and analyzed the molecules that each organism released into the seawater during photosynthesis in the daytime and, separately, at night when photosynthesis ceases.

They found that these organisms release large amounts of hundreds of different compounds which ultimately influence the chemistry of the seawater. The compounds determine nutrient concentrations, the growth of decomposers and the availability of vitamins and minerals essential to the plants and animals which inhabit coral reefs.

Snapshot of the diversity

“There were several surprises with our findings,” said Linda Wegley Kelly, co-lead author of the work. “First, very few molecules were universal to all five of the organisms we studied. Even the two species of corals made few of the same molecules—more than 85% of the molecules we measured were unique to just one specific organism.”

The study demonstrated the release of more than 1,000 distinct molecules with diverse structures, pointing the way forward for new explorations into marine natural products.

This work is an example of 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 (SOEST) announced a seven-year $50 million commitment from Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, which will support various research groups within Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). HIMB will leverage this gift to make meaningful progress in restoring 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 ocean health.

This gift will fund research and programs that document changing ocean conditions, explore solutions to support healthier ocean ecosystems, enhance coastal resilience from storms and sea-level rise, and tackle challenges to marine organisms ranging from the tiniest corals to the largest predators.

东精影业 President David Lassner said, “This transformative gift will enable our world-class experts to accelerate conservation research for the benefit of Hawaiʻi and the world.” Lassner continued, “The ocean ecosystems that evolved over eons now face unprecedented threats from our growing human population and our behaviors. It is critical that we learn from previous generations who carefully balanced resource use and conservation. The clock is ticking, and we must fast-track not only our understanding of marine ecosystems and the impacts of climate change, but the actions we must take to reverse the devastation underway. There is no place on Earth better than Hawaiʻi to do this work, and no institution better able than 东精影业. We could not be more grateful for the investment of Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg in a better future for all of us and our planet.”

Hawaiʻi is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including many threatened and endangered species. The accelerated pace of climate change and ocean acidification has altered environmental conditions faster than expected. Many species have difficulty adapting to the rapid changes taking place in the oceans and scientists see growing impacts to marine ecosystems.

The gift funds research on the impact of climate change on Hawaiian coastal waters, including areas of particular concern or natural refuges from ocean acidification effects. It will also support research on methods for more accurate forecasting of future ocean conditions, as well as efforts to study marine organisms like coral reefs, sharks, and other species.

“Hawaiʻi has one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world—and having a deeper understanding of this ecosystem is the key to preserving and protecting it,” said Mark Zuckerberg and Dr. Priscilla Chan. “We鈥檙e honored to support the University of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 conservation efforts, including their trailblazing research on coral reef restoration, the impact of climate change on coastal waters, and other areas related to the health of our oceans.”

The seven-year commitment funds research that supports healthier, more climate change-resilient coral reef ecosystems. For example, scaling up strategies for coral reef restoration. It also leverages efforts to grow community partnerships and support Indigenous resource management practices. Further, it supports training for the next generation of coral scientists and ocean conservationists.

Interim SOEST Dean Chip Fletcher points out, “In addition to the research funded through this gift, we will improve support for local students in overcoming obstacles to higher education. Through internships, mentoring, community engagement efforts and graduate research fellowships we will grow our pool of scholars, policymakers, and conservationists from underrepresented communities around our state.”

The School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is a world-class research and academic institution focused on informing solutions to some of the world鈥檚 most challenging problems. Through an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained system of Earth and planetary observations, research, and education, SOEST staff work to transform the way people live on Earth by enabling a healthy public, economy, and planet. This gift also funds critical efforts to inform the public, policy makers and resource managers of ocean acidification and warming vulnerabilities.

Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology Director Eleanor Sterling added, “This generous gift is a wonderful opportunity to support the much-needed interdisciplinary work that will help us to better understand ocean systems and Indigenous management strategies and to develop effective approaches for ocean conservation. We aim to make significant strides toward ensuring healthy, diverse oceans as well as meeting the needs of local communities.”

University of Hawaiʻi Foundation CEO Tim Dolan concluded, “We are tremendously grateful to Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg for their generous gift and commitment to restoring our oceans. Through their visionary generosity, our 东精影业 researchers and partners will have the essential funding needed to gain new knowledge and ultimately help our world鈥檚 oceans. The timing of this incredible investment will generate enormous momentum for 东精影业鈥檚 ambitious capital campaign.”

To address the devastating impacts of marine debris in the coastal environment, one of the leading causes of injury and death for sea turtles, seabirds and Hawaiian monk seals, the University of (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) and (HMAR), the largest Hawaiʻi-based marine species response and conservation nonprofit organization, received $50,000 from and the . This grant is matched by $50,000 from non-federal sources.

The funding is one of six new, creative projects to tackle marine debris challenges across the country awarded to Sea Grant programs in Hawaiʻi, Florida, Georgia, Illinois-Indiana, Puerto Rico and Wisconsin. These marine debris projects total $300,000 in federal funding and are matched by non-federal contributions, bringing the total investment to approximately $600,000.

“By preventing marine debris, we can reduce the impacts of this global problem,” stated NOAA Marine Debris Program Director Nancy Wallace. “We are pleased to partner with NOAA Sea Grant to provide support for projects that will help stop trash and fishing gear at their source.”

Reaching the community

In Hawaiʻi, HMAR鈥檚 multipart project incorporates shore-based and underwater marine debris collection, community outreach, school education, and a statewide citizen-science project called “Beat Debris,” which encourages recreational divers to safely remove marine debris and recreational fishing gear, and to report the materials collected so that the data can be collated and analyzed.

“HMAR is excited about the opportunity to partner with the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program and honored to have been awarded this highly competitive grant. Marine debris poses a large and pervasive threat to protected marine species including sea turtles, seabirds and Hawaiian monk seals, as well as other parts of our shared ocean ecosystem such as coral reefs,” said Jon Gelman, the president of HMAR.

Marine debris can include everyday trash such as plastic bags, cigarette butts, foam take-out containers and balloons that end up in the marine environment. It can also range greatly in size from small pieces of plastic that can鈥檛 be seen with the human eye, to large derelict fishing nets and abandoned and derelict vessels. These items become marine debris as a result of littering, dumping, ineffective or improper waste management, and disasters, and can have many adverse effects on wildlife, the environment and coastal communities. Importantly, lost or abandoned recreational fishing debris such as monofilament fishing line, hooks, lures, weights, traps and nets cause a significant number of injuries and deaths to protected marine animals in 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 near-shore ocean environment.

To help align the projects with the NOAA and , the Marine Debris Program鈥檚 will collaborate with project leaders throughout the award period. The project activities begin this summer and will continue for up to two years.

This effort is an example of 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 goal of (PDF), (PDF) and (PDF), three of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

–By Cindy Knapman

A University of Hawaiʻi program designed to enrich the quality of life of its students and the community by increasing their ocean awareness, understanding and appreciation is celebrating its “golden” anniversary. The (MOP) turns 50 years old in fall 2021.

Started in 1971 by pioneers John Craven and Jack Davidson, MOP has turned into one of the most dynamic and inclusive programs in the 东精影业 System. Not only is it open to students of all majors across the 10-campus system, MOP prides itself on the experiential marine-related education it provides. Students enrolled in the program are required to complete 12-16 credit hours of marine-related courses, an interdisciplinary studies seminar course and a final project. More than 2,000 students have graduated from MOP in its 50-year history.

“We are very excited to celebrate MOP鈥檚 50th,” said Cynthia Hunter, MOP director and professor of marine biology at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. “Literally thousands of alumni have gone through this program that supports students by preparing them for careers in marine-related fields through hands-on experiences.”

From the beginning

MOP started as an experiential program organized by faculty and students, and funded primarily by the state legislature and grants. Because 东精影业 did not offer a marine science-related degree at the time, MOP was created to give students an opportunity to gain experience in this field.

Thomas Iwai Jr. grew up in Hawaiʻi and loved the water. He was also hooked on a popular TV series in the 1960s called The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, which featured the aquatic explorations of the legendary French explorer. Iwai Jr. appreciated the program鈥檚 hands-on approach and eventually became MOP鈥檚 first graduate in 1972.

Iwai Jr. credited his experience in MOP volunteering with expert Takuji Fujimura at the 膧nuenue Fisheries Research Center (AFRC)—part of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)—with kick-starting his interest in freshwater prawn culture. He later went on to work with many other freshwater and marine species at AFRC to help in the development of an aquaculture industry in Hawaiʻi.

“I can鈥檛 believe it鈥檚 been 50 years,” Iwai Jr. said. “When the program started, there was a need to try and network and gain experience, especially in the marine field. The creation of the program offered that avenue to students, especially local students. It just so happened that I heard about the program and what they were trying to do and offered whatever help I could as a student to initiate the Marine Option Program.”

Educating future marine experts

Since 1971, MOP has achieved major milestones, including expanding to all 东精影业 campuses; conducting important research such as the Hawaiʻi state fisheries plan, a Kahoʻolawe marine study and green sea turtle projects; hosting dozens of educational events for the community; and jumpstarting the careers of experts in the marine field in Hawaiʻi and across the globe.

Athline Clark is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) superintendent of Papah膩naumoku膩kea Marine National Monument. She is also a local girl who loves the ocean. She has more than 30 years working in communities and to conserve ocean resources, including in an advisory capacity for the Florida Keys and Hawaiian Islands Humpback National Marine Sanctuaries. She was the State of Hawaiʻi co-manager prior to her role with NOAA as the superintendent.

Clark said during her time in MOP, she learned about the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands through a collaborative research initiative. That kickstarted her fascination with the region, a place where she has worked for many years since.

“No other programs at 东精影业, that I am aware of, provide the well rounded aspects of hands-on experience and studies that are provided by MOP for those interested in a career in the marine field,” Clark said. “In addition to my career, many of my staff and many of the leadership in NOAA are MOP alumni.”

One of them is Randy Kosaki, who is the research coordinator at Papah膩naumoku膩kea. Kosaki still uses the “tools of trade” he learned through MOP鈥檚 Quantitative Underwater Ecological Surveying Techniques (QUEST) program. He said his first trip to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands was as a MOP undergraduate intern with DLNR. Twenty-five expeditions later, he said that trip was still one of the highlights of his life.

“That sense of wonder about the natural world that was instilled in me as a MOP student is still the driving force of my career,” Kosaki said. “MOP and QUEST have opened doors and provided career opportunities for me in ways that I never could have imagined possible.”

Clark and Kosaki continue to create more opportunities to give back to MOP鈥檚 current students through scholarships to QUEST. For more than 10 years, he and other NOAA researchers have taken MOP students on annual research cruises to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The students collect data alongside scientists, and often co-author peer-reviewed publications.

“It gives me hope for the future of our oceans when I see the work ethic and enthusiasm of these young scientists. They are the ones who will be caring for our ocean resources long after we’re retired,” Kosaki said.

This program is an example of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 goals of (PDF), (PDF) and (PDF), three of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

—By Marc Arakaki

Seven (MOP) students netted awards at the 2020 System MOP Symposium. The 37th annual symposium that highlights MOP students鈥� marine science projects was hosted on Zoom on April 18.

“Even though students weren’t able to enjoy all of the benefits of an in-person symposium, like talking story during coffee breaks or over lunch, they were able to cheer each other on using their microphones and the chat box. Students were also able to invite friends and family who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to attend to Zoom in and hear their talk live,” said MOP Director Cynthia Hunter.

• Sofia Ferreira Colman (东精影业 Hilo) won Best Research Presentation for “Seascape Ecology and 3D Photogrammetry can Elucidate the Relationships between Coral Patch Characteristics and Chaetodontidae Assemblage Patterns at Laehala, Hilo.” It is the 27th time 东精影业 Hilo has netted the award in the past 32 years.
• Sanoma Boynton (东精影业 Maui College) captured the Sherwood Maynard Ocean Impact Award for “Cup Decomposition Rates in Salt Water.”
• Clara Whetstone (东精影业 Hilo) won Best Internship Presentation for “Internship with Ocean Era: Hawaiian Macroalgae (limu) Culturing Techniques for Future Offshore Demonstration.”
• Jastine Honea (东精影业 Hilo) received the PaCON Award for the project involving the best use of technology with a Pacific focus. Her project is entitled “Patterns of Morphological Variation in an Introduced Population of Peacock Grouper Cephalopholis Argus around Hawaiʻi Island.”
• The John P. Craven Award for the most inspired and inspirational presentation by a MOP “Child of the Sea” was given to two students. Kainalu Steward (东精影业 Hilo) won for “Investigating Spawning of ʻAlamihi (Metophograpsus Thukuhar) in Relation to the Hawaiian Lunar Calendar and Tidal Changes.” Haley Chasin (东精影业 惭腻苍辞补) was recognized for “Size and Population Dynamics of Native Ghost Crabs in Response to Invasive Ants at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.”
• Richard Chen (东精影业 惭腻苍辞补) took the Ana Toy Ng Award for best exemplifying the ideal MOP student.

The symposium is held each spring semester at one of the MOP campuses. It gives students an opportunity to learn about research projects in motion at other campuses and practice their presentation skills.

—By Moanikeʻala Nabarro

New research shows that many larval fish species from different ocean habitats are ingesting plastics in their preferred nursery habitat. The study was conducted by an international team of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the .

Many of the world鈥檚 marine fish spend their first days to weeks feeding and developing at the ocean surface. Larval fish are the next generation of adult fish that will supply protein and essential nutrients to people around the world. However, little is known about the ocean processes that affect the survival of larval fish.

While recent evidence shows that adult fish ingest plastic, this is the first study to show that larval coral reef fish and pelagic species are also consuming plastic, as early as days after they are spawned.

“Larval fish are foundational for ecosystem function and represent the future of adult fish populations,” said Jamison Gove, a research oceanographer for NOAA and co-lead of the study. “The fact that larval fish are surrounded by and ingesting non-nutritious toxin-laden plastics, at their most vulnerable life-history stage, is cause for alarm.”

The study, , was one of the most ambitious studies to date to learn where larval fish spend their time and what they eat while there. The researchers combined field-based plankton tow surveys and advanced remote sensing techniques to identify larval fish nursery habitats in the coastal waters of Hawaiʻi.

Surface slicks concentrate larval fish and plastics

The team found that contained far more larval fish than neighboring surface waters. Surface slicks are naturally occurring, ribbon-like, smooth water features at the ocean surface. They are formed when internal ocean waves converge near coastlines and are observed in coastal marine ecosystems worldwide. The surface slicks also aggregate plankton, which is an important food resource for larval fish.

“We found that surface slicks contained larval fish from a wide range of ocean habitats, from shallow-water coral reefs to the open ocean and down into the deep sea鈥攁t no other point during their lives do these fish share an ocean habitat in this way,” said Jonathan Whitney, a marine ecologist for the 东精影业 Mānoa and NOAA, and co-lead of the study. “Slick nurseries also concentrate lots of planktonic prey, and thereby provide an oasis of food that is critical for larval fish development and survival.”

Larval fish in the surface slicks were larger, well-developed, and had increased swimming abilities. Larval fish that actively swim will better respond and orient to their environment. This suggests that tropical larval fish are actively seeking surface slicks to capitalize on concentrated prey.

Unfortunately, the team also discovered that the same ocean processes that aggregated prey for larval fish also concentrated buoyant, passively floating plastics. “We were shocked to find that so many of our samples were dominated by plastics,” said Whitney.

Larval fish consume plastics days after spawning

Plastic densities in these surface slicks were, on average, eight times higher than the plastic densities recently found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. After towing the net 100 times, they found that plastics were 126 times more concentrated in surface slicks than in surface water just a couple hundred yards away. There were seven times more plastics than there were larval fish.

The majority of the plastics found in surface slicks were very small (less than 1 mm). Larval fish prefer their prey this size. After dissecting hundreds of larval fish, the researchers discovered that many fish species had ingested plastic particles.

“We found tiny plastic pieces in the stomachs of commercially targeted pelagic species, including swordfish and mahi-mahi, as well as in coral reef species like triggerfish,” said Whitney.

Plastics were also found in flying fish, which apex predators such as tunas and most Hawaiian seabirds eat.

A threat to fisheries

Researchers are unclear just how harmful plastic ingestion is to larval fish. In adult fish, plastics can cause gut blockage, malnutrition, and toxicant accumulation. Larval fish are highly sensitive to changes in their environment and food. Prey-size plastics could impact development and even reduce survivorship of larval fish that ingest them.

“Biodiversity and fisheries production are currently threatened by a variety of human-induced stressors such as climate change, habitat loss, and overfishing. Our research suggests we can likely now add plastic ingestion by larval fish to that list of threats,” said Gove.

—By Marcie Grabowski

A citizen science program for middle and high school teachers and students has been awarded $150,000 by the program. (OPIHI) in the (CRDG) at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 College of Education is aimed at understanding the local watershed and scientific process.

OPIHI participants learn about marine ecology and conservation, species identification and sampling techniques. They monitor the limu (algae) and invertebrate communities of the understudied rocky intertidal areas in Hawaiʻi and collect authentic data while improving their scientific skills and building their confidence and interest in science.

The research program is under the direction of CRDG Assistant Specialist Joanna Philippoff and co-directed by Place-Based Lab Manager Anuschka Faucci. “This award will allow us to continue to immerse teachers and students statewide in the scientific process,” Philippoff said. “It will also allow us to support continuing OPIHI teachers as well as bring on a new cohort of novice OPIHI teachers.”

In OPIHI, educators, scientists and cultural practitioners form a supportive community engaged in understanding their local ahupuaʻa. Teachers gain classroom and field experiences which they use to create activities with their students.

In 2018 the program produced a .

Read more on the .

—By Jennifer Parks

graduate student Sabena Siddiqui is researching the social sounds made by Megaptera novaeangliae, known colloquially as the humpback whale, when they are not singing.

Few scientific researchers are dedicated to studying humpback whales鈥� social vocalizations. Siddiqui鈥檚 research focuses on spectral analysis of the social sounds of the humpback whale population that breeds in Hawaiʻi.

“Social sounds can be heard while they are migrating, feeding or breeding, and can be produced by males, females and calves. [This] is a whole other aspect of their communication that is clearly important, but we don鈥檛 know anything about it,” said Siddiqui. “We don鈥檛 know even basic things, like the structure of the sounds or if there is a catalog of sound types. This is what I am trying to discover.”

The humpback whale is a migratory species that travels to island waters every winter for breeding season. “Hawaiʻi is this critical breeding ground for the entire North Pacific population. It is a very special area with high significance for these animals,” said Siddiqui.

The whales are known to adjust their communication when confronted with alien noises that interfere with the marine soundscape. Anthropogenic ocean noise has been increasing due to activities like sonar testing and vessel traffic from commercial and recreational use.

Studies show that such noises can change humpback whale behavior. It can make them change how they produce sounds—some become quieter, some become louder, trying to “yell” over the noise.

Scientists are also worried that anthropogenic noise is “blinding” the whales. “Sound is how cetaceans see,” said Siddiqui. “It鈥檚 like the equivalent of us being under constant strobe lights and we cannot escape it.”

In addition to her graduate studies, for the past seven years Siddiqui has served as the student chair of the American Cetacean Society, the world鈥檚 oldest whale conservation organization. Her role is to mentor and guide student leaders of other groups on the 东精影业 Hilo campus.

Video by Adam Pack.

.

—A 东精影业 Hilo Stories article written by Leah Sherwood a graduate student in the tropical conservation biology and environmental science program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

The (HOT) program based at the has been awarded $9 million in new funding from the National Science Foundation to continue for another five years. Even more auspicious, this month marks the 30th anniversary of the endeavor that has led to so many discoveries in marine ecology and ocean and climate sciences.

The HOT program has provided consistent, long-term observations of physical, biological and chemical properties of the open ocean in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.

HOT was established in 1988 to improve scientific understanding of the structure, dynamics and controls of major biogeochemical cycles in the sea, especially the carbon cycle. In that year, both and , who were professors of oceanography in 东精影业’s newly created (SOEST), established a deep ocean observation station dubbed ALOHA (A Long-term Oligotrophic Habitat Assessment) 60 miles north of Oʻahu as the benchmark site for the HOT program.

Looking back on 30 years of exploration

For 30 years a large and diverse team of researchers has documented variability of ocean water masses and circulation; observed habitat variability; determined relationships between microbial community structure and function, including nutrient dynamics and carbon sequestration; and measured carbon dioxide in the upper ocean and changes to the capacity of the ocean to absorb it.

“In looking back at the past 30 years, there is plenty to be proud of and to celebrate,” said Karl.

Station ALOHA is one of the best-sampled places in the world鈥檚 oceans with a decades-long record of how the ocean responds to climate change. In addition to the monthly ship-based observations, HOT program scientists utilize real-time satellite-based remote observations, as well as unattended mooring measurements, autonomous instrumented gliders and floats, and a cabled seafloor observatory. They have provided invaluable documentation on progressive ocean acidification, and changes to seawater temperatures and Hawaiʻi’s marine ecosystem.

The next chapter of the HOT program

During the five-year duration of the grant, the HOT program will transition to new leadership. , a newly hired oceanography associate professor, and , SOEST researcher, will co-lead this next chapter.

“I am excited to be a part of a program that our society has thankfully supported for 30 years—the long-term monitoring of our planet,” said White, who has conducted research at Station ALOHA for years. “Change is the only constant. Through this program, we’ve been watching the ocean carefully for decades and we鈥檙e starting to see strong, meaningful and statistically significant changes in response to human activities. It鈥檚 more important than ever that we continue this time-series.”

Added Potemra, “Station ALOHA is unique in the world not only because of the HOT program, but it is also where SOEST maintains the deepest real-time observatory, the , and a . The continuation of HOT is a key piece to keep all these projects going hopefully well into the future.”

The HOT program receives primary funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation in partnership with the Simons Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the State of Hawaiʻi.

东精影业 News video: Ocean climate change research sets benchmark

东精影业 has completed 300 research cruises to Station ALOHA, about 60 miles north of Oʻahu, one of the best-sampled places in the world’s oceans with a decades-long record of how the ocean responds to climate change.

—By Marcie Grabowski

The has hit a major milestone in its critical research to observe and understand how the ocean responds to climate change.

On February 28, 2018, 东精影业鈥檚 research vessel Kilo Moana returned from its 300th scientific expedition of the (HOT) program. Completion of 300 research cruises makes Station ALOHA, about 60 miles north of Oʻahu, one of the best-sampled places in the world鈥檚 oceans with a decades-long record of how the ocean responds to climate change.

东精影业 has undertaken almost monthly research cruises for 30 years to the same observation area to observe and interpret habitat variability, and to observe and understand the impacts of climate variability and change on the marine ecosystem.

“It is really satisfying to reach this milestone, and to see the growing importance of the HOT program accomplishments,” said , 东精影业 oceanography professor and co-director of the . “Here we are at 30 years and counting. Each additional year of observations brings us closer to a fundamental understanding of how the ocean functions, and its relationships to climate.”

Invaluable documentation on progressive ocean acidification

On November 3, 1988, the scientists and crew aboard 东精影业 research vessel Moana Wave successfully established a deep ocean observation station dubbed ALOHA (A Long-term Oligotrophic Habitat Assessment) as the benchmark site for the HOT program. Karl and Roger Lukas, who at the time were both professors of oceanography in 东精影业鈥檚 newly created (SOEST), led the expedition.

The primary objective of HOT was to obtain a long-term time-series of physical, biological and chemical observations at a location that was characteristic of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre habitat to address U.S. Global Change Research Program goals鈥攖o document and understand variability of ocean water masses and circulation; to determine the relationships between microbial community structure and function, including nutrient dynamics and carbon sequestration; and to measure carbon dioxide in upper ocean and changes in the capacity of the ocean to absorb it.

“Observing the ocean carefully, consistently, frequently and long enough to capture important modes of variability is very hard work that is occasionally rewarded with fundamental discoveries,” said Lukas, now a 东精影业 oceanography emeritus professor.

In addition to the monthly ship-based observations, HOT program scientists have access to real-time satellite-based remote observations, unattended mooring measurements, autonomous instrumented gliders and floats, and a cabled seafloor observatory with power and fiber optic internet connections back to Oʻahu. This has provided invaluable documentation on progressive ocean acidification, changes in seawater temperatures, and changes in plankton biodiversity.

“The HOT program is providing new understanding of fundamental ocean processes, even as those processes are being modified by human activities on a global scale,” said SOEST Dean . “It is essential to skillfully continue the HOT observations, experiments, data analysis and student training that we may monitor, and inform society how best to respond to, the changing ocean conditions.”

HOT program is 东精影业鈥檚 floating classroom

In addition to its primary mission of ocean research, the HOT program has been an invaluable training ground for undergraduate and graduate students as “东精影业鈥檚 floating classroom,” Karl said. “Several of our former students, and their students, are now involved in HOT program research鈥攕o the HOT influence has now extended into the next generation of marine scientists.”

The success of the HOT program, to date, is a result of the coordinated, dedicated efforts of a large team of academic scientists, marine technicians and engineers, and the professional crews of the research vessels.

The HOT program receives primary funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation in partnership with the Simons Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the State of Hawaiʻi.

—By Marcie Grabowski