The television series, produced by the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), took home 10 Telly Awards, the world鈥檚 largest honor for video and television across all screens, including a gold Telly for (PMDP). This year, the Telly Awards received more than 13,000 entries from across the globe.

The 47th annual Telly Awards Judging Council, who select the winning entries, features more than 250 expert judges from Google, Home Box Office (HBO), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Netflix and more.

“Papahānaumokuākea is more than a protected area, it is a living ancestral and ecological system, connecting people, species, and place across the paeʻāina,” said James Morioka, executive director of PMDP. “Partnering with the Voice of the Sea team on this special episode, sharing our work with the viewers, and being recognized with a Gold Telly helps us continue supporting vulnerable wildlife, restoring sensitive habitats, and perpetuating Hawaiian culture.”

“The level of competition is so high, I鈥檓 incredibly excited to win a Gold Telly Awards with our partners and show off the amazing footage PMDP collected,” said Kanesa Duncan Seraphin, Voice of the Sea host and co-producer. “Winning nine more awards is just spectacular!”

Gold and silver winner

shares what it is like to remove massive amounts of plastic pollution from Papahānaumokuākea, the 582,570 square miles of coral reefs, atolls, and aquatic habitat of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The episode was awarded a gold Telly in the not-for-profit category, and a silver Telly in nature & wildlife.

“Working as a storyteller in Papahānaumokuākea means being trusted to share places and stories that most people will never experience firsthand,” said Andrew Sullivan-Haskins, Emmy-award winning conservation expedition photographer with PMDP. “It’s not just about doing the work, it’s about helping people understand why these environments matter.”

Silver and bronze winner

musically celebrates 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 seas that combines science, art, culture and the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. It was awarded a Silver Telly in the Culture & Lifestyle category, and a bronze Telly in music, dance & performance.

Multiple bronze winner

visits the north shore of Oʻahu, where oral histories inform the revitalization of this rich community resource; the episode also visits the Center for Oral History at 东精影业 Mānoa to learn about cataloging 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 past. The episode took home bronze Tellys in the educational institution and history categories.

Silver winners

shares information about ciguatera poisoning, the seafood illness that comes from toxins produced by microscopic algae in warm, nearshore waters, and the research that aims to help people eat safe seafood. It was awarded a silver Telly in public interest & awareness.

looks at the future of aquaculture at the Hawaiʻi Ocean Science and Technology Park at Keāhole Point, on Hawaiʻi Island—where unique seawater facilities support more than 50 cutting-edge tenants, including Blue Ocean Mariculture, Symbrosia and Cyanotech. The episode was awarded a silver Telly in sustainability.

Bronze winners

reviews aquaculture jobs and internships, from innovative fish mariculture and traditional fishponds in Hawaiʻi, to village-level aquaponics in American Samoa. The episode was awarded a bronze Telly in education & training.

shares information on the different types of estuary systems in Hawaiʻi, how the Division of Aquatic Resources Estuary Team monitors estuaries, the importance of estuaries for protecting critical fisheries habitat, and why Waimea River on the west side of Kauaʻi is such a special place. The episode was awarded a bronze Telly in sustainability.

–By Cindy Knapman

The University of Hawaiʻi is set to play a pivotal role in a new national effort to strengthen America鈥檚 seafood supply and expand sustainable aquaculture. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the creation of the Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM).

Funded by an initial $13.5 million investment for its first year, this five-year cooperative institute aims to harness partnerships with researchers to unlock the potential of U.S. marine aquaculture. The University of New Hampshire will serve as the host institution, with 东精影业 participating as one of five core consortium members in this competitive national program.

The 东精影业 research team is being led by Associate Professor Chatham Callan out of the 东精影业 Hilo (PACRC). Callan is joined by co-investigators Professor Maria Haws of PACRC, Associate Research Professor Erik Franklin of the in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at 东精影业 Mānoa, and Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Associate Director for Extension Darren Okimoto and several other 东精影业 Faculty partners.

“Being selected as a core member of CIFARM is a testament to the decades of world-class aquaculture research happening right here in Hawaiʻi,” said Callan. “Through our partnerships with Native Hawaiian communities, we draw on a tradition of ocean stewardship and fishpond engineering that stretches back centuries. Our 东精影业 team is excited to bring that unique Pacific perspective and expertise to the national stage. By focusing on cutting-edge tech, environmental forecasting, and real-world marine demonstration projects, we are actively building the blueprint for a more resilient, self-sufficient seafood industry.”

$24B in imported seafood annually

CIFARM‘s core mission is to solve real-world challenges affecting seafood producers and consumers while reducing the nation’s reliance on imported seafood. Currently, Americans consume more than $24 billion in imported seafood annually, with approximately half estimated to be farmed overseas. By advancing domestic aquaculture, CIFARM aims to bolster national food security, create jobs and uplift coastal economies in complement to wild-capture fisheries.

The 东精影业 team will contribute to a broad range of research priorities. CIFARM researchers will investigate scientific solutions that can be leveraged for industry advancement. Key focus areas include engineering and technology development, artificial intelligence for aquaculture, environmental observations and forecasting, and marine aquaculture demonstration projects. The consortium will also conduct critical risk management, vulnerability analyses and seafood market research. The Hawaii team will also partner with USAPI researchers, including University of Guam Sea Grant and the in FSM to extend CIFARM鈥檚 reach throughout the Pacific.

“This partnership underscores the University of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 vital role in advancing sustainable aquaculture systems that directly impact our global food supply,” said Norman Arancon, director of the 东精影业 Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management. “We have always championed practical, impactful science. Through CIFARM, our researchers and students will be at the forefront of a $13.5 million national effort, utilizing 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 unique seascape to drive economic growth, bolster food security, and train the next generation of leaders in sustainable marine aquaculture.”

Hawaiʻi is uniquely positioned for this work. The state is already home to Blue Ocean Mariculture in Kona, currently the only offshore fish farm in the U.S., providing a vital real-world connection to the consortium’s demonstration and commercialization goals.

In addition to University of New Hampshire and 东精影业, the network includes Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, New Hampshire Sea Grant, the University of Miami, Florida Sea Grant, the University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute and California Sea Grant.

Three students from the are spending one year focusing on critical marine policy issues in Washington, D.C. representing the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) as 2026 .

Gabrielle Ellis

completed her PhD in biological oceanography in spring 2025, for which she received the Mirikitani Outstanding Dissertation Award. Her dissertation provides baseline ecological descriptions of remote and unexplored habitats of the deep sea, and considers how resilient these habitats are to natural variation and human-induced impacts.

“If I have learned anything through my research as a deep-sea scientist, it is the power of transparent, long-term data in elevating science and protecting important ecosystems,” said Ellis. “I am so excited to witness this through NOAA鈥檚 Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, and I am honored to be working with the international and multistakeholder network of the Arctic Research Program.”

Jonathan Rosen

began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer as a coastal resource manager, and continued this work in Hawaiʻi supporting the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds and monitoring endangered species in the remote atolls of Papahānaumokuākea. He earned his master鈥檚 degree in marine biology as a NSF Graduate Research Fellow studying the impacts of marine heatwaves on fish physiology.

“To me, this feels like a once in lifetime opportunity to expand my experiences and expertise by working alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ecological Services Headquarters,” Rosen said. “Through this fellowship I hope to apply my experience in conservation, research and communication towards the implementation of legislation on national conservation priorities, including the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

Sarah Woo

is currently a PhD candidate in the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department at 东精影业 Mānoa focusing on collaborative community-based research, management and governance. Her graduate research is based in Kāneʻohe Bay, working alongside the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve and regional generational lawaiʻa (fishers), marine scientists who work in the Bay, and resource management agencies.

“I feel extremely grateful to have been selected to represent Hawaiʻi as a Knauss Legislative Fellow in Sen. Brian Schatz鈥檚 office focusing on topics such as oceans, climate, fisheries, and water, and assisting with appropriations and science legislation,” said Woo. “Growing up in the Pacific Northwest鈥檚 Washington, I never expected to live and work in Washington, D.C., but am excited for this new adventure to learn about the federal government so that I can come back home to Hawaiʻi after and apply what I have learned to support community needs.”

For more information, .

The Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas, a captivating experience that intertwines projected animation, evocative music, storytelling and hula, will kick off Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra鈥檚 (HSO) on June 30.

In a collaboration led by the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), this free, one-hour performance features HSO performing ocean-themed original compositions by celebrated local composers Michael-Thomas Foumai, Herb Mahelona, Logyn Okuda, Justin Park and Takuma Itoh, paired with animations by Kari Noe, Janae Taclas, Dillon Valenzuela, Jewel Racasa, Sam St. John, Edward Ayano, Napua Rice, Huy Nguyen and Kieren McKee with guidance from partners, a storytelling advisory, and students from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Art Department.

The program also features a beautiful mele and hula created by Rosanna “Rosie” ʻAnolani Alegado and Aimee Sato under the guidance of Kumu Hula Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani that re-roots our deep pilina (connections) with Kanaloa and kai (the ocean). Audiences will be guided through time alongside native sea life and ʻaumākua (family or personal gods), exploring the vital role humans play in protecting our cherished waters.

“Hawaiʻi Sea Grant is humbled to support the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas as this program embodies our mission to connect people to place and the science that sustains us,” Darren T. Lerner, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant director, said. “By uniting cultural practitioners, artists, educators and researchers, we are able to extend the life of moʻolelo (stories) and ocean wisdom through music, dance and animation that speaks directly to the hearts of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 families. It is a beautiful, collective effort to ensure these stories and understanding continue to thrive for generations.”

“The Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas celebrates our deep connection to the ocean, bringing together music, storytelling, hula and animation to inspire care for 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 precious waters,” said HSO President and CEO Amy Iwano. “We are proud to share this immersive, locally created experience with our community through a free public performance.”

Audiences of all ages

HSO鈥檚 Blockbuster Summer Festival 2026 is made for audiences of all ages who love to experience something special together. For only the second time, the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas will be available to the public to enjoy as a free ʻohana concert.

One hour prior to the concert, nearly a dozen organizations that focus on 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 marine and coastal environment will be available in the lobby to share educational information with the concert attendees. Immediately following the concert, there will be a 30-minute talk story session with key contributors Kalilinoe Detwiler, Itoh and Alegado facilitated by Foumai and Beth Lenz.

The Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas brings together the University of Hawaiʻi, local experts and organizations, as well as federal, state and county agencies to weave culture, science and the arts into an inspiring shared experience. By uniting diverse partners under a common vision, the performance highlights the importance of collective stewardship and showcases how music and storytelling can inspire communities to care for 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 unique marine environments.

The program is a collaborative effort funded by the 东精影业 Mānoa Strategic Investment Initiative awarded to Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, initiated by Lerner and led by Lenz with coordinators Itoh (东精影业 Music Department), Detwiler (东精影业 Mānoa English Department), Anne Rosa (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), Melissa Price (东精影业 Mānoa Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management) and Kanesa Duncan Seraphin (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant).

Details:

• Date: Tuesday, June 30
• Doors open at 5 p.m., concert starts at 6 p.m.
• Location: Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall (777 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96814)
• Admission: .

Conducted by Foumai and narrated by Kanaka singer, actor and voiceover artist Barrie Kealoha.

–By Cindy Knapman

The University of Hawaiʻi is participating in the 2026 Prada Re-Nylon campaign, produced in collaboration with National Geographic CreativeWorks. Highlighting the “” episode, the campaign features local marine educators Joanna Philippoff, director of the in 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 School of Life Sciences and Anuschka Faucci, Leeward Community College instructor, who facilitate the regional hub. This partnership showcases the impact of ocean literacy and the work being done within the Hawaiʻi Blue School Hui to connect students with their marine environment.

The campaign highlights the impact of the education activities of SEA BEYOND, a project by Prada Group conducted in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO since 2019. “Stewards of the Ocean: Hawaiʻi,” showcases how the Hawaiʻi Blue School Hui supports teachers in integrating ocean learning into their curriculum and connects preK鈥�12 students with local community partners. The is a regional group of the USA Blue Schools and the Blue School Global Network, which is coordinated by UNESCO.

The campaign features elementary students and teachers from and one of its Blue School partners, the , at its fishpond in Kāneʻohe.

“It is incredibly validating to have a global campaign, supported by major partners like Prada and National Geographic, recognize the profound importance of supporting schools in building ocean literacy through place-based action-projects that celebrate 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 unique marine biodiversity and rich cultural legacy,” Philippoff said.

Place-based learning

Philippoff and Faucci are supporting 10 schools over two years in developing curricula grounded in place-based learning and mālama ʻāina. They facilitate monthly teacher professional development workshops that showcase curricular resources and highlight current ocean science issues as related to 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 preK–12 students.

“Our partnership with community sites like Waikalua Loko Iʻa is an incredible example of how we aim to prepare the next generation for ocean stewardship and leadership and inspire, support, and cultivate a committed network of teachers, students, and community educators,” Faucci said.

The campaign鈥檚 coverage includes two articles published by National Geographic, one highlights , the other .

The Hawaiʻi Blue School Hui is led by 东精影业 and , the local chapter of the with additional support from .

Visualizing a future where to survive rising tides has earned a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research team the 2026 Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) Best Journal Article Award.

The team leveraged scientific data, studies and community participation to create architectural renderings that visualize how 奥补颈办ī办ī鈥檚 built environment can be modified to accommodate future flooding.

“By merging climate science with architectural design and integrating direct community feedback, we are creating forward-looking, actionable visions that will help coastal communities like Waikīkī successfully adapt to the growing realities of sea-level rise,” said Wendy Meguro, principal investigator and associate professor.

Selected for its “exceptional quality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the field,” was honored in April at the 2026 ARCC–EAAE International Conference at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia.

Engaging stakeholders

The research engaged more than 1,000 individuals, including residents, urban planners, government employees and local business owners. Presentations of these strategies have drawn hundreds of participants from recreation, hotel and restaurant industries. The findings are already being utilized by the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawaiʻi and the Honolulu Climate Change Commission to guide adaptation policies.

“This recognition underscores the immense value of community-driven design in climate resilience,” said research associate Josephine Briones. “Our process shows that when you actively listen to stakeholders and combine their local insights with rigorous scientific evidence, the resulting adaptation strategies become much more practical, impactful and relevant.”

Authored by Meguro, Briones, German “Gerry” Failano and Charles “Chip” Fletcher, the project represents a partnership between the , and . It was funded by Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, National Sea Grant and the Office of Naval Research.

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 (Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi Sea Grant will host community talk story sessions on Hawaiʻi 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鈥檚 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 .

Following a competitive proposal process initiated in October 2025, the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) announced five organizations to establish the first–of–its–kind Community Funding Hubs for Resilience and ʻĀina Stewardship. The five regional hubs are across the moku/hui moku (districts) of West Kauaʻi, Waiʻanae (Oʻahu), Molokaʻi, Central Maui and Kohala (Hawaiʻi Island).

Each hub will receive up to $300,000 over three years to strengthen its administrative, financial and relationship–building capacities needed to support future community–led projects. Aligned with the cooperative vision of the project, these hubs will serve as central resources for managing and distributing funding on behalf of community–based organizations, effectively lowering the barriers to local stewardship.

“In Hawaiʻi, we know the health of our families and our communities is inextricably tied to the health of our lands and our waters, and we benefit from ʻIke Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Knowledge) that teaches us how humans and nature can thrive together in our island systems,” said Kawika Winter, associate professor at and director of the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve. “The Moku System provides us a framework to not only address the problems we face today, but to do so while honoring our ancestors and ensuring that our descendants will be better off than we are today.”

The 5 organizations and their projects

• Kauaʻi Economic Development Board—Strengthening West Kauaʻi: A Funding Hub for Community–Led ʻĀina Restoration & Climate Resilience
• 鈥楨lepaio Social Services—The Waiʻanae Kaiāulu Funding Hub
• Molokai Heritage Trust—Ka Lāhui Hoʻolako
• Living Pono Project—Central Maui Resilience Funding Hub: Expanding Access, Equity, and Administrative Support
• Vibrant Hawaiʻi—Kākoʻo Kohala

Empowering community-led stewardship

The hubs act as trusted intermediaries, forging direct partnerships between funders and local communities. By providing guidance with proposal development and budget management, these hubs help local organizations overcome technical barriers that often prevent small, grassroots groups from accessing vital funding for ʻāina (land) stewardship.

“These hubs are critical for a number of reasons,” said Eric Co, chief executive officer of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. “During COVID, we learned how difficult it was to get support to where trust was greatest and activities were most meaningful—at the grassroots level. These hubs build the equitable capacity needed to do so efficiently across the islands.”

Later this year, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant will launch a separate round of adaptation and resilience project funding. These future opportunities will allow smaller community–based organizations to collaborate with their local Community Funding Hub to develop and manage projects.

This effort was made possible through funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management awarded in 2024.

A PhD candidate at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was selected as one of five 2025 NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)–Sea Grant Joint Fellows across the U.S. Leon Tran is representing the and joins four other fellows who are pursuing doctoral degrees at universities in other states.

The research projects span topics related to modeling and managing systems of living marine resources and fisheries, as well as the economics of their conservation and management.

“I’m honored to be selected for such an exciting opportunity and to contribute to the program鈥檚 legacy of conserving our oceans,” said Tran. “Through the fellowship, I’ll be able to move my experimental work in the lab into the conservation sphere, and help me advance my career as a marine conservation biologist and ocean steward.”

Under the guidance of Hawaiʻi–based fisheries researchers Jacob Johansen, Erik Franklin, Tye Kindinger and Lisa McManus, Tran is developing a tool to forecast how future changes impact habitat suitability for important subsistence fisheries. By integrating laboratory studies on the metabolism of the convict tang (manini) and day octopus (heʻe mauli) with computer–based habitat models, he is exploring where these species can thrive across the Pacific. As coral reefs change under local and global pressures, this work helps reveal how animal physiology shapes where it can live, providing essential insight into how coral reef ecosystems can shift in the future.

Former NMFS–Sea Grant Joint Fellows have gone on to serve in key roles within NOAA Fisheries, other agencies, academic institutions and fishery management councils, making substantial contributions to the management and conservation of marine ecosystems.

Since 1999, this fellowship program has supported more than 134 population dynamics fellows and 42 marine resource economics fellows.

–By Cindy Knapman

A new $4.6–million multi-institute collaborative project to help grow coral restoration capacity in American Samoa will begin in early 2026, leveraging more than two decades of coral heat tolerance studies to inform a restoration with resilience approach.

The project will bring together partners from American Samoa Community College, , American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, 东精影业 Mānoa and Old Dominion University with local agencies and village leaders to focus on restoring healthy coral reefs and training the next generation of natural resource managers.

American Samoa has some of the healthiest coral reefs within inhabited U.S. waters that are exceptionally heat tolerant, as well as the world’s oldest continuously monitored coral reef transect, making it an excellent coral reef study site. American Samoa also has the highest rate of relative sea-level rise recorded within the NOAA global tide gauge network. Since the fringing reef crests (the shallow part of the reef where the waves break) remove up to 97% of wave energy before reaching the shore, maintaining healthy reefs is key to protecting the land. Coral restoration, where corals are grown and outplanted onto the reef, is one method of helping reefs recover from impacts such as storms and ship groundings.

Understanding heat tolerant corals

Researchers have made progress in understanding the environmental and genetic drivers of heat tolerant corals.

“Heat tolerance is key for coral survival due to the increase in marine heatwaves causing mass coral bleaching and coral die-offs,” said Kelley Anderson Tagarino, 东精影业 Sea Grant College Program extension agent in American Samoa and co-lead on the project. “By ensuring some of the corals in our restoration nurseries are heat tolerant, we can help our reefs have a better chance to withstand marine heatwaves. American Samoa has long been known to have highly resilient corals, and now we will be able to weave together local knowledge with Western science to help our reefs continue to protect our islands and feed our people.”

Funding student positions

The project includes funding for three graduate student positions for residents of American Samoa to study coral restoration at either 东精影业 Mānoa or Old Dominion University, and will provide support for local positions focused on coral restoration in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

Oceana Francis, professor in the 东精影业 Mānoa and coastal sustainability faculty with the 东精影业 Sea Grant College Program, will provide critical project support by conducting hydrodynamic modeling (understanding how our ocean water moves) to help identify suitable places for the restoration nurseries as well as which shorelines are at most risk to flooding. These areas will be prioritized for coral restoration outplanting.

The project was funded by the NOAA Coastal Zone Management program.

In 2025, Hawaiʻi experienced its second–driest year in more than a century, alongside persistently above average temperatures throughout the year—a stark reality detailed in the inaugural . Published by the , this first-of-its-kind report uses plain language, along with easy-to-interpret maps and figures, to summarize statewide rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions over the past year.

The report is designed to connect communities, resource managers, and policymakers with the climate data behind what many experienced firsthand, providing essential information to support climate preparedness and long-term planning across the islands.

This report reflects decades of effort to monitor Hawaiʻi鈥檚 climate and conduct high-level scientific research, paired with more than eight years of collaboration by a team of climate and data scientists to develop an expanding suite of high-quality climate maps and decision support tools. These maps are hosted on the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal (HCDP) and, for the first time, make it possible to summarize climate conditions consistently across the entire state.

“Throughout 2025, we heard people across the state talking about just how hot and dry the year felt,” said Ryan Longman, director of the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal. “Now we have the data to show what people were experiencing on the ground. We hope this type of reporting helps connect residents to their own lived experiences with Hawaiʻi鈥檚 climate and gives communities the information they need to plan for what鈥檚 ahead.”

The report is accompanied by a detailed, interactive website that allows users to explore the same climate information for individual islands and even for specific ahupua驶a or watersheds. Together, the report and website provide a clear picture of what many residents across Hawaiʻi experienced firsthand in 2025.

Highlights from the report

• 2025 was the second driest year in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 106-year record, with statewide rainfall averaging just 42 inches—about 20 inches below the 30-year average.
• Maui experienced its driest year on record, while Hawaiʻi Island recorded its second driest year.
• Rainfall was below average for 11 out of 12 months, and August ranked as the driest August in the past 35 years.
• Statewide, 2025 ranked as the sixth warmest year on record, averaging 0.8掳F warmer than normal. For Maui and Kauaʻi, it was the third warmest year since 1990.
• Drought conditions were widespread and severe. By the end of the year, 65% of the state was classified as abnormally dry or worse, and all of Molokaʻi experienced dry conditions. The most intense drought occurred in February, when 56% of Hawai驶i was in severe drought or worse.

Future data collection to expand

Looking ahead, the establishment of the Hawaiʻi Mesonet is expected to further improve the quality and detail of future reports by expanding on-the-ground climate observations. This report marks the first in a new annual series, to be released at the start of each year and refined and expanded over time as Hawaiʻi鈥檚 climate data and monitoring networks continue to grow.

The report also announced the launch of monthly climate update summaries, expected later this spring, which will send the latest information on rainfall, temperature and drought directly to subscribers鈥� inboxes, with a focus on the parts of the island chain that matter most to the individual subscribers.

“The goal of the monthly climate summaries is to provide an early signal of emerging rainfall and drought conditions,” said Longman. “By delivering site-specific information at the scales people actually work at, these updates can support more proactive planning and decision-making.”

The report was compiled by the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal and Hawaiʻi Mesonet teams. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center.

Through an innovative new ocean engineering course at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, graduate students created a low–cost water sampler that is aiding researchers in their efforts to monitor the impacts of the destructive 2023 wildfires in Lahaina, Maui.

The course, launched in spring 2025 with funding from the 东精影业 Mānoa Strategic Investment Initiative and 东精影业 Mānoa (SOEST) Dean鈥檚 Office, was driven by a dual purpose: to address community concerns that require technical or engineering solutions and to satisfy student鈥檚 significant drive to get hands–on experience solving real–world problems.

Lead instructor Camille Pagniello and the five students in the inaugural cohort teamed up with Andrea Kealoha, Nick Hawco, Eileen Nalley and Craig Nelson, all faculty members in the SOEST Department of Oceanography or Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, who have an ongoing project monitoring water chemistry, reef health and fish populations in waters off Lahaina. The sponsoring scientists challenged the students with a mission: design a low–cost water sampler for coastal monitoring that can be deployed in the ocean and autonomously collect seawater.

Working together, and mentored by Pagniello, the students successfully designed and built a water sampler that satisfied all the requirements and cost approximately $800 for the base model. Their cost–effective solution allows scientists to measure key carbon chemistry parameters such as pH, and offers the flexibility to substitute various components to expand its use for measuring trace metals and organic material.

“This effort was a win–win,” said Pagniello, who is also an assistant professor in SOEST鈥檚 . “Students got real, end–to–end design–and–build experience in marine instrumentation while also delivering a new tool to the scientific community that helps democratize ocean science.”

Expanding students鈥� passion, potential

This course is training a new generation of engineers who are community–minded and capable of addressing complex scientific problems with practical and affordable solutions.

“This class was one of the most meaningful experiences I鈥檝e had at 东精影业,” said Maliheh Gholizadehsarvandi, ocean and resources engineering graduate student. “It showed me that I could take on a real–world challenge from start to finish, even though I felt overwhelmed at first. With Camille鈥檚 support, I gained confidence in handling complex problems and learned to enjoy the process. Seeing our project become something real that could benefit the community was very rewarding, and the teamwork and final presentation were definite highlights.”

Pagniello will be teaching the course again in spring 2026 and is interested to hear from the industry partners, non-profit organizations, and community members about problems that could benefit from a technical solution. To share your interest in partnering with the spring 2026 students, fill out this .

—By Marcie Grabowski

In past years Kauaʻi has experienced devastating tropical cyclones, wildfires, flooding, high surf and wave events. In response, the County of Kauaʻi and (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) developed a framework to help Kauaʻi鈥檚 communities prepare more effectively and better support recovery following natural disasters. The written guidelines for disaster recovery operations were formally adopted by the Kauaʻi County Council in September.

The Kauaʻi County Council recognized the increasing threats due to climate change, and the importance of the , through the passage of the “Resolution Adopting the County of Kauaʻi Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework.”

“This framework represents the power of preparation and collaboration,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “I am deeply grateful to our partners at Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, our County departments, and our community organizations for helping Kaua鈥榠 be ready to recover stronger, safer, and more resilient than ever.”

Recovery requires community coordination

This is the first set of written guidelines in Kauaʻi that have been developed to guide the actions and decision-making for recovery and redevelopment post disaster. The guidelines recognize that effective disaster recovery requires the entire community, including state and local governments, utilities, nonprofit organizations and community members.

“This framework establishes a recovery management organization with clear kuleana for County and State government departments as well as other non-profit organizations that are involved with recovery,” said Ruby Pap, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant extension specialist who led the project. “It will help to facilitate better working relationships within the recovery community, better relationships between government and communities, more resilient rebuilding, and will result in a more holistic view of disaster recovery.”

As part of this project, ʻĀina Alliance, a non-profit community-based organization in Anahola, Kauaʻi conducted disaster recovery community visioning exercises with the Anahola community, which culminated in the “Building Back Better: Pre-disaster Framework for Anahola, Kauaʻi” report. Their process can serve as a model for other communities to follow across the island.

The plan was developed with guidance from the County Recovery Working Group and Stakeholder Advisory Group, with representatives from more than 40 departments and organizations led by the Office of the Mayor, Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, Kauaʻi County Planning Department and the Office of Economic Development.

.

–By Cindy Knapman

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has secured a nearly $1.1 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to unlock reliable spawning techniques for a Native Hawaiian sea cucumber species, the warty sea cucumber (stichopus horrens).

The project aims to address a major barrier in developing sustainable aquaculture in Hawaiʻi and supporting traditional Hawaiian fishpond (loko iʻa) restoration efforts. It is a partnership between 东精影业’s (CTAHR) and (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant).

A growing global aquaculture market

Sea cucumbers, which are related to starfish, have a global market of nearly $1 billion, primarily as food and medicinal products. Overfishing has severely depleted them in the ocean. In Hawaiʻi, the lack of dependable methods for breeding local species has been the primary hurdle to commercial aquaculture of this marine animal.

“We plan to address key barriers to the controlled spawning of sea cucumbers in Hawaiʻi by focusing on protocols to induce egg development and spawning in captivity,” said lead principal investigator Andre P. Seale, a researcher and professor in CTAHR’s .

The project integrates 东精影业’s research and extension resources—which use university knowledge to create solutions in communities—with cultural and industry partners, including the Pacific American Foundation’s Waikalua Loko Iʻa fishpond and Kauaʻi Sea Farms. This combined effort is designed to rapidly advance research findings into reliable food production methods and conservation restocking.

This award builds on recent foundational research by the team that was published in . That work identified a protein that causes eggs to mature in the warty sea cucumber, providing the scientific framework for the current project.

To encourage a deeper connection with the ocean and foster ocean stewardship across generations in Hawaiʻi, the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) and 东精影业 Mānoa , in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (HSO), presented Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall on October 23. The free concert captivated audiences by weaving together moʻolelo (storytelling), mele (music), hula and animations.

The performance featured HSO performing ocean-themed original compositions by celebrated local composers Michael-Thomas Foumai, Herb Mahelona, Takuma Itoh, Logyn Okuda and Justin Park. The music was paired with vibrant animations by Kari Noe, Janae Taclas, Dillon Valenzuela, Jewel Racasa, Sam St. John, Edward Ayano, Napua Rice, Huy Nguyen and Kieren McKee.

“We have the research at 东精影业, and we have the finest musicians, world class orchestra, and when we combine those together, we have a powerful message to send to the world using music that goes straight to the heart,” said Foumai, the director of artistic engagement for HSO and also a lecturer at 东精影业–West Oʻahu.

The program also included a mele composed by 东精影业 Professor Rosie Alegado and 东精影业 Indigenous Stewardship Specialist Aimee Sato accompanying a hula under the guidance of Kumu Hula, Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani and Hawaiʻi Community College Professor of Hawaiian Studies Taupōuri Tangarō. Cultural narratives guided audiences through time alongside native sea life and ʻaumākua (family or personal gods), exploring the vital role humans play in protecting cherished waters.

School performances

Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas featured two morning performances for students in grades 4–12. These free school concerts were designed to support STEAM learning, cultural literacy and environmental awareness in classrooms.

“And so it’s exciting to bring all of this talent together to provide an opportunity for our 4th and 12th grade students to be in a symphony, to be in a concert hall, and to get to see all of it in such an immersive experience,” said Beth Lenz, PhD, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant assistant director for strategic communications and engagement.

“It was my first time going to one of those kinds of events,” said Brad Park, Papahana O Kaiona Alternative Learning Program sophomore. “It was very peaceful, I had a peaceful feeling listening to the orchestra. And I liked how it kind of matched the vibe of the video, that’s what I liked.”

Continuing the education through music

This performance continued the successes of the Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds and Symphony of Hawaiʻi Forests. The Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas represented a new chapter in creative collaboration, bringing together 东精影业, local experts and organizations, as well as federal, state, and county agencies to weave culture, science, and the arts into an inspiring shared experience.

“They’re not pre-written works written by someone from outside of Hawaiʻi,” said Takuma Itoh, DMA, composer and professor of music at 东精影业 Mānoa Department of Music. “They’re all created here locally, just like the animation, just like the hula, just like everything in this project.”

The program was a collaborative effort supported by Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and the 东精影业 Mānoa Strategic Investment Initiative, led by Lenz of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, with co-investigators Itoh, Kalilinoe Detwiler (东精影业 Mānoa English Department), Anne Rosa (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), Melissa Price (Natural Resources and Environmental Management Department) and Kanesa Duncan Seraphin (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant).

Four postgraduate fellows from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa were selected to work directly with Hawaiʻi-based organizations through the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) E. Gordon Grau Coastal and Marine Resource Management and Policy Fellowship Program (Grau Fellowship).

“We’re thrilled to mark the sixth year of the Grau Fellowship, which has grown to include 18 Grau Fellows in this newest cohort,” said Maya Walton, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant assistant director for research and fellowships. “The host offices, dedicated mentors, and Hawaiʻi Sea Grant staff and faculty are all collaborating to provide the practical training and experience necessary to prepare the next generation of professionals working at the interface of science, policy and resource management.”

Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)

Olivia Boucher will focus on DAR鈥檚 Holomua Marine Initiative, building and expanding on the work of past fellows who designed island-based management strategies and community-based monitoring plans for this initiative. Boucher will focus her efforts on community engagement, policy research, and cross-sector collaboration that will help bridge science, the public and decision-making. Boucher holds a master of environmental management from 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 (NREM).

Department of Land and Natural Resources Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands

Leigh Engel will be supporting the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands in managing and protecting Hawaiʻi鈥檚 shoreline resources. She will be implementing place-based approaches that mirror natural systems to address coastal erosion and hazard mitigation, while advancing long-term goals of conserving beaches, dunes, estuaries and other vital ecosystems. Engel earned a master of science in NREM from 东精影业 Mānoa, where she was also a Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center Scholar.

City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resilience

Maddy McKenna will be working with the Coastal and Water Program team to implement the city鈥檚 adaptation strategy, honoring both Western science and Indigenous ecological knowledge in developing people-centered solutions for Oʻahu鈥檚 threatened coastlines. McKenna earned a master of arts in climate and society from Columbia University, and a PhD in from 东精影业 Mānoa.

Matt Miller will work on cutting-edge climate mitigation strategies such as managed retreat and to support and enhance the city鈥檚 partnerships with community-based organizations. His goal is to use his experience researching severe and shifting weather in the tropics to help build a resilient Oʻahu through planning and outreach measures. Miller earned a master of science in atmospheric science from 东精影业 Mānoa.

The paid fellowship, named in honor of Emeritus Professor E. Gordon Grau, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant鈥檚 visionary former director, provides early career professionals the opportunity to obtain relevant resource management and policy experience in Hawaiʻi and, for many, to pursue career opportunities in their home state.

.

–By Cindy Knapman

Low pay, limited advancement opportunities, and a small applicant pool for specialized positions are among the biggest challenges facing Hawaiʻi鈥檚 water sector, according to a new University of Hawaiʻi report. The study also found a strong commitment among water professionals to public service and community well-being, and highlighted opportunities for 东精影业 to help strengthen education and career pathways that support a thriving water future for the state.

The report, published October 8, shares insights from 43 representatives from federal, state and county agencies, as well as private and nonprofit organizations. The findings emphasized the need for both technical expertise and a holistic understanding of the political, cultural, economic and historical dimensions of water in Hawaiʻi.

One key finding was, “Many suggested that the University of Hawaiʻi has an important role to play in convening organizations and people across the water sector and in conducting applied and policy relevant research.”

Interviewees cited recruitment and retention challenges driven by low salaries and slow hiring processes, along with a need for more training in specialized areas such as engineering, hydrogeology and aquatic biology. Many also noted that institutional culture and job descriptions do not always effectively attract local candidates with lived experience and a commitment to mālama ʻ腻颈苍补, or caring for the land. The research highlighted the importance of comprehensive, practical training in communication, project management, fieldwork and community engagement.

The report represents the first phase of a collaborative project involving the (东精影业ERO), , , and .

Funded by the Hawaiian Islands Environmental Finance Center of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, the next phase will focus on interviews with 东精影业 departments and professional development programs to identify assets, gaps and best practices for water-related education and careers statewide.

.

After 35 years, the (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) will conclude its leading role in the . In partnership with the City and County of Honolulu鈥檚 Department of Parks and Recreation, they built a national model for promoting marine conservation through education, stewardship and community engagement.

The program was born in 1990 out of growing public concern over the environmental impacts of more than 3 million to 4 million annual visitors to the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. The City鈥檚 Hanauma Bay Management Plan called for reducing visitor numbers, curbing commercial activity, and providing every visitor with structured environmental education to help protect the bay鈥檚 fragile ecosystem. To meet these goals, the city partnered with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant to provide curriculum, research, staffing and materials. Together, they established the Hanauma Bay Education Program—the first initiative in the nation to combine on-site visitor education with active stewardship of a protected marine area.

Since its inception, the program has educated an estimated 38 million residents and visitors about the cultural and ecological significance of the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve while promoting responsible practices to protect its coral reef ecosystem. Hawaiʻi Sea Grant education specialists designed interpretive displays, trained volunteer docents, and developed the award-winning orientation film that every visitor views before entering the bay.

“Through this arrangement, the City gained the prestige of having the State鈥檚 highest institute of education as its Hanauma Bay partner, and also gained access to other University experts, such as planners, architects, translators, lawyers, geologists, botanists, historians, etc. At the same time, the University of Hawaiʻi had a showcase for its future teachers and scientists, and became recognized as a model for other areas around the world,” said Alan Hong, former manager of the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.

As the City and County of Honolulu takes the lead in building on the program鈥檚 success and carrying its legacy forward, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant turns its focus onward and toward expanding support for conservation, education and community engagement across Hawaiʻi and throughout the Pacific region.

“The protection of Hanauma Bay, one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most visited natural sites, hinges on people understanding that the coastal and ocean environments are living entities,” said Darren Lerner, director of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant. “We are honored that Sea Grant鈥檚 leadership helped create and sustain a program that serves as a global model for community-driven conservation and we look forward to developing new partnerships in support of protecting Hawaiʻi鈥檚 treasured places and inspiring future generations to care for and restore our ocean home.”

.

–By Cindy Knapman

After several years away, 贬艒ʻ补颈濒辞苍补, the Hawaiian monk seal, is returning to the at a special homecoming party on September 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

贬艒ʻ补颈濒辞苍补, whose name means “a sign from the sea,” has been a favorite among aquarium guests for more than a decade. Affectionately known as 贬艒ʻ补, this monk seal serves as a charismatic ambassador, inspiring awareness and action for one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most endangered native species.

In 2021, 贬艒ʻ补 was temporarily transferred to a research program at the University of California Santa Cruz, where he was part of a behavioral study of monk seals. 贬艒ʻ补鈥檚 participation contributed toward conservation efforts and expanded scientific knowledge of the endangered species. During his time away, the Waik墨k墨 Aquarium renovated and repaired the Hawaiian Monk Seal exhibit.

贬艒ʻ补鈥檚 homecoming will feature keiki-friendly activities, including educational feeds, animal enrichment, arts and crafts, a touch pool, chalk art, a mermaid photo opportunity, and face painting. A Hawaiian blessing will take place at 10:30 a.m. on the Monk Seal Deck. Community partners will also join with educational booths, including the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, Audubon Society, and Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response.

Long-term relationships built on a foundation of trust between communities, researchers and the natural world can transform science, education and climate adaptation. That is the central message of a study published in by Scott Laursen, a climate adaptation extension specialist with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (PI-CASC).

The article, co-led by long-term Kealakekua residents, cultural practitioners and lineal descendants, showcases a decade of community-driven work on Hawaiʻi Island and its connection to multiple 东精影业 Hilo projects.

‘Speed of trust’

“When science is co-led by communities rooted in place and guided by respect for human and more-than-human relationships, communities and science innovate rapidly; they drive effective actions, and create lasting solutions,” said Laursen. “Moving at the ‘speed of trust’ has been fundamental to the human condition since the dawn of time. Locating and empowering long-term, place-based networks offers a powerful way forward in a rapidly changing world.”

The research focuses on how “relational worldviews”—where people, places and ecosystems are seen as deeply interconnected—are shaping new and effective approaches to climate adaptation. From coral restoration in Kapukapu to rethinking shoreline management on Hawaiʻi Island, the article demonstrates how sustained collaboration addresses urgent local challenges while training the next generation of scientists and resource stewards.

The publication emphasizes:

• Immersing the scientific method within place-based pathways to drive real-world impact through applied science.
• Highlighting the value of building and maintaining long-term relationships between community and research networks.
• Stressing the importance of storytelling and narratives for general audiences in academic literature.
• Presenting hoe waʻa (traditional outrigger canoe paddling) as a metaphor for uniting diverse forms of knowledge (e.g., emotion, instinct, cultural norms, rational intellect).

Paddling together

The article uses the metaphor of hoe waʻa to illustrate how collaboration functions. Just as a canoe crew must trust each other and stay attuned to changing ocean conditions to navigate successfully, research partnerships require skill, humility, flexibility and an awareness of their surroundings.

Co-author Akoni Palacat-Nelsen, executive director of Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui and Kapukapu ʻOhana co-founder, connected this approach to on-the-ground action.

“Climate adaptation is a global initiative. Hoʻāla Kealakekua Nui redirected its resources to address climate adaptation by implementing traditional ecological knowledge,” said Palacat-Nelsen. “It is critical to first re-establish the broken relationship between humans and the impacted resource(s), such that we transcend notions of ‘resources’ and instead engage such arenas as the ‘source’ of life. Place-based traditional knowledge employs methods like kilokilo (community-driven data collection), as seen in our Kanu Koʻa project, which focuses on rebuilding resilient coral communities and restoring the habitat for ʻopae ʻula (shrimp) in our anchialine pools at Kealakekua Bay. The practice of kilokilo reinforces trust in the long-term relationship between humans and the more-than-human experiences.”

Other co-authors include artists, NOAA and National Park Service employees, a policy professional, 东精影业 Hilo geography and environmental science professor Ryan Perroy, recent 东精影业 Hilo graduate students Aloha Kapono and Rose Hart, and PI-CASC鈥檚 Executive Director Darren Lerner.