Low-cost, maritime acoustic sensors that detect incoming aircraft were showcased by the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) in front of an international audience at the 2025 Field Experimentation event (POST FX) on March 7.

Nine sensors were deployed in waters off Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi, and the information they collected was transmitted to a computer on shore. The sensors are intended to assist Pacific Rim allies and partners in strengthening coastal defense.

This was one of more than 20 cutting-edge tech demonstrations that were showcased at POST FX, which is an annual event designed to provide a stage for demonstrations of novel and emerging technologies that engage defense innovators from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. allies and partners from around the Indo-Pacific region. It drew approximately 800 attendees from government, industry and academia spanning 10 countries. Along with participating, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 also planned, organized and executed the event.

“This is the fourth year that we’ve done this. Every year it gets bigger and it gets better,” ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 Director Margo Edwards said. “This year we have 22 technologies. All of them are actually active, so it’s not just a tabletop display. There鈥檚 something that’s going on.”

Defense, surveillance, providing aid

Demonstrations aligned with innovation priorities established by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, including defense against electronic attacks, improved awareness of land, sea, and air domains, and the provision of humanitarian aid in the wake of natural disasters.

“It’s really critical that the Applied Research Laboratory continues to be a center of excellence for federating the research community around defense innovation,” said Joshua Baghdady, POST FX coordinator and ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 uncrewed systems communications engineer. “It’s good for Hawaiʻi and it’s good for the Pacific Rim as we maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific with our like-minded allies and partners.”

The theme for the 2025 Pacific Operational Science and Technology Conference was “Together We Prevail.” The university’s participation emphasized its role in technology development and cooperation around the Pacific region.

“It’s really cool that we’ve been able to participate in this event,” said Matthew Nakamura, a 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 PhD candidate in and graduate research assistant at ARL at 糖心Vlog官方. “I’ve been here every year, and being able to interact with folks around the world is really good to showcase 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 capabilities.”

The at the University of Hawaiʻi (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) has secured a $110 million, five-year contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), with the potential for a five-year extension. This funding will support groundbreaking research, development, engineering, testing and evaluation of DoD programs.

As one of only five U.S. Navy-sponsored University-Affiliated Research Centers, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 has secured over $175 million in funding since its establishment in 2008. The laboratory conducts innovative research addressing some of today鈥檚 most pressing challenges, including renewable energy, sea-level rise, cybersecurity, underwater munitions detection and coral reef ecology.

“The Applied Research Laboratory at 糖心Vlog官方 is not only tackling critical challenges that impact Hawaiʻi and the world, but it鈥檚 also paving the way for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 students to lead in high-tech fields,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This partnership positions 糖心Vlog官方 and our state as global leaders in innovative solutions, from coastal defense to renewable energy and advanced cybersecurity.”

Examples of ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 research:

• R3D Coastal Defense: ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 leads the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) initiative, developing hybrid coral reefs to protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges while supporting marine biodiversity.
• Wave Energy Test Site (WETS): In partnership with Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 operates WETS, the first U.S. project to connect wave-generated power to the grid. WETS advances renewable energy innovation and reinforces Hawaiʻi鈥檚 clean energy leadership.
• Locating and Mapping Munitions: For over 15 years, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 has located and mapped thousands of corroding munitions off Hawaiʻi鈥檚 coastlines, reducing risks to public safety and marine ecosystems.
• Cybersecurity: ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 strengthens Pacific region cybersecurity through advanced computing and Machine Learning models, ensuring rapid anomaly detection and infrastructure resilience.
• Shaping the Future of Technology: ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 drives innovation in digital engineering, prototyping, and maritime technologies, advancing solutions for national defense and environmental sustainability.

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories:

• 糖心Vlog官方 experts develop new tech to find sea-disposed munitions, September 15, 2024
• 糖心Vlog官方 developed, living coastal-protection system prepares for deployment, September 2, 2024
• ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 provides support for Hawaiʻi during emergencies, May 9, 2024
• ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 work helps data tech earn graduate research fellowship, May 3, 2024
• ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 innovative tech hub for Hawaiʻi, national defense, March 27, 2024
• Autonomous surface vehicles, remote sensors, more on display at MCBH, March 8, 2024

Over the past 15 years the University of Hawaiʻi’s (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) has worked to locate and map thousands of munitions (bombs, bullets, etc.) the U.S. military disposed off of the coast of Hawaiʻi after World War II. Since the mid 1940s, the munitions have been corroding on the ocean floor, often in shallow waters, where they potentially pose a risk to beachgoers, swimmers, surfers and divers.

“Around the end of World War II, there were a lot of excess, obsolete and damaged bombs here in Hawaiʻi,” said Margo Edwards, director of ARL at 糖心Vlog官方, who has been spearheading the effort. “And the way we disposed of them was dumping them in the ocean. So we鈥檙e trying to find the things that were dumped in the ocean decades ago.”

Researchers estimate that 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 sea floor is littered with more than 100,000 underwater munitions, with some being discovered near popular recreational areas such as Kāneʻohe Bay and Lanikai Beach. ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 is developing new technologies designed to detect munitions using advanced ocean platforms and sensor payloads. They tested their approach over the summer from an uncrewed surface vessel at Sand Island.

“We have some ocean sensors that are connected with our Mini Sondes or MiSos that are collecting ocean temperature, ocean pressure, sound speed and supply voltage,” said Joshua Baghdady, a research engineer at ARL at 糖心Vlog官方. “They’re feeding back to our ground station in near real-time.”

The project brings together both 糖心Vlog官方 and high school students, providing hands-on training in the latest underwater detection technologies. By emphasizing workforce development, the project aims to equip the next generation with skills in underwater mapping while fostering an interest in STEM career pathways.

“We want to create maps of the area around Oʻahu so we can tell people where there might be a hazard, so that’s one thing,” said Edwards. “But the second part that you’ll see looking at this team is we’re training the next generation of people to be able to do this work.”

Common practice globally

The issue of sea-disposed munitions is not a problem unique to Hawaiʻi, as the practice was common across the global ocean, and the exact locations of many dump sites were poorly documented. At the time the munitions were disposed, navigation systems such as GPS, the Global Positioning System, were neither prevalent nor very accurate, creating an ongoing challenge for those attempting to find munitions and assess or remediate them.

“I was in Malta, right in the middle of the Mediterranean, talking to the folks there who are dealing with the same problem to tell them about the techniques that we’re trying to develop in Hawaiʻi,” said Edwards. “So that they can potentially put them to good use too.”

The Department of Defense approved a two-year partnership with 糖心Vlog官方 to establish a Maritime Test Range Complex. This project will enable researchers from around the world to test new detection technologies in 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 clear waters.

Recognize, retreat, report

A key component of the ARL at 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 work is furthering public education and public awareness of safety procedures related to munitions. The Army’s 3Rs Program aims to inform the public about what they should do if they suspect they have encountered munitions:

• Recognize: Be aware when you may have encountered munitions, and that munitions are dangerous.
• Retreat: Do not approach, touch, move or disturb munitions, but carefully leave the area.
• Report: Call 911 and advise the police of what you saw and where you saw it.

The University of Hawaiʻi (糖心Vlog官方) has reached a milestone in the U.S. Department of Defense funded project that aims to create a living breakwater system to protect coastlines from erosion and create ecosystems where resilient corals and other ocean life can grow and thrive.

The project, spearheaded by the at 糖心Vlog官方 (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) in partnership with 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 (SOEST), has completed the first concrete reef structure, and full production is now underway for 60 units. Pending permit approval, the project is on track for its first deployment of a 50-meter array of structures near the Ulupaʻu crater, off the Kailua Bay side of Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi in late 2024, early 2025.

The Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) is a $27 million, five-year project funded by the (DARPA) and is in partnership with University of California San Diego/Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Florida Atlantic University, Ohio State University and industry partner Makai Ocean Engineering located in Hawaiʻi.

“This project aims to redesign how we do coastal protection,” said Ben Jones, R3D principal investigator and ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 Director of Ocean Science and Technology. “We’re looking at how to engineer a living breakwater system to protect coastlines and that will incorporate living coral. So we鈥檝e engineered a coral reef that is inspired by natural fringing reefs.”

Concrete reef prototypes

The two concrete reef prototypes, cast at Campbell Industrial Park, feature large holes to dissipate wave energy and are specifically designed to promote coral growth:

• The Reef Crest structure (20 ft long x 8 ft wide x 7.7 ft high, 11.7 U.S. tons) will bear the brunt of the larger waves and will be anchored to the seabed to prevent it from moving during larger-wave events.
• The Back Reef Structures (13.6 ft diameter x 5.2 ft tall x 4.4 US tons) will rest in calmer environments.

The structures will sit just below the water鈥檚 surface and leverage the natural shape of the seafloor to preserve the areas鈥� natural aesthetics.

“This is a really great project, a truly interdisciplinary project,” said Zhenhua Huang, SOEST Ocean and Resources Engineering professor. “I am a coastal engineer and through this project I am working with marine biologists, which is a totally different field. So, we work together to achieve this common goal, which is to come up with a solution that is nature based.”

Adaptive biology, nature-based solutions

One (HIMB) team has been breeding more resilient corals that are better at adjusting to warming oceans caused by climate change.

“The adaptive biology part of it is focused on how we get corals onto the structure that are going to survive marine heat waves and future climate change,” said Robert Toonen, HIMB research professor. “This project builds on over a decade of research at HIMB.”

A second HIMB team worked on the design and fabrication of coral settlement modules, complex habitat shapes, that will be placed on the concrete reef base structures. These structures will naturally recruit coral larvae. Additionally, thermally tolerant corals will be attached to some of the modules, which are designed to mimic natural coral reefs.

“We put out these structures with special crevices, cracks and crannies that we’ve noticed through multiple generations of design that coral babies love,” said Joshua Madin, HIMB research professor. “We kind of reverse engineered the reef to find out what they love about the reef and then we reproduced those using 3D printing and concrete casting methods and tested them.”

Project鈥檚 next phase

After the team deploys the structures off of Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi, the site will be monitored. Researchers say they will be able to measure the reduction in wave energy immediately, but it will take a few years to measure the success of the growth of the resilient corals and ecosystem.

“One of the most valuable aspects of this project is that we are taking all of the lessons that we are learning and developing a robust template for how to implement this work elsewhere,” said Joshua Levy, the project鈥檚 technical program manager. “This includes customizing surveying techniques and technology designs that best mimic the area鈥檚 physical environment and natural genetic diversity.”

The R3D team is also exploring potential applications at other vulnerable coastlines on Oʻahu such as Puʻuloa Range Training Facility in ʻEwa, and the Kaʻaʻawa coast.

Research that matters

R3D is one of many research projects at 糖心Vlog官方, which set a record in extramural funding awarded, with $615.7 million in fiscal year 2024. Extramural funding is investments from external agencies such as the federal government that support research conducted by university faculty and staff.

“This groundbreaking project is a prime example of how our world-class research is making a real impact in our communities,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Addressing coastal erosion and creating more resilient coral reefs is research that matters to all of us here in Hawaʻi and to many around the world.”

The at the University of Hawaiʻi (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) is known for its research in renewable energy, coastal defense for sea-level rise, cybersecurity and more but it has also been active in supporting the community, especially in times of crisis.

Maui wildfires

ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 worked with the Maui tech community to distribute Starlink terminals to Lahaina as part of the wildfire recovery effort. Approximately 500 Starlink terminals were distributed over two days, reestablishing communications for emergency personnel and those affected by the wildfires. The team also developed an app to organize information about missing community members and coordinated financial and supply donations for the Lahaina community, acting as “boots on the ground” to support recovery on Maui.

“Our work is community-driven. We help meet the needs of many of the emerging problems 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 communities are facing,” said Margo Edwards, director of ARL at 糖心Vlog官方. “ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 is at the forefront of technological innovation for disaster response, which will be crucial for Hawaiʻi as climate change continues to impact our state.”

COVID-19 pandemic

ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 partnered with the Hawaiʻi Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group to create a forecast tool that allowed epidemiologists to visualize the future state of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tool helped Hawaiʻi鈥檚 medical professionals prepare for hospital capacity and overflow.

“Several online tools exist that incorporate the SEIR [model for infectious disease dynamics] model, however, what we did was take those tools and customize it for Hawaiʻi to support 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥攁辫辫濒测颈苍驳 the lessons from around the world and also factoring in 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 unique circumstances,” said Baseem Missaghi, an application developer at ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 who helped work on the forecasting tool. “It also allowed us to develop a strong relationship with other groups in Hawaiʻi that had a shared passion for helping the community.”

With the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa College of Engineering, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 assisted Hawaiʻi physicians to develop a technique for ventilating up to four patients using a single ventilator with a “multi-split ventilator system.” ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 also partnered with the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa School of Nursing to develop and deploy an app to count how masks were being worn in Hawaiʻi.

“ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 has the ability to quickly build services, tools and apps,” said Missaghi. “Our work with the Department of Education on a check-in app and the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa School of Nursing on the facemask tracking app allowed ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 to help and serve the Hawaiʻi community.”

ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 is the fifth U.S. Navy-sponsored University-Affiliated Research Center, bringing in a total of $139 million since it was established in 2008.

A data analyst at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) was selected for the highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) . This five-year fellowship will cover tuition and provide a stipend at any eligible graduate program for which the awardee is selected.

Joining ARL at 糖心Vlog官方, Ian Robertson became involved with the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) project. One of his contributions to the project was the development of a cutting-edge machine learning algorithm aimed at characterizing how waves break over artificial structures. His work has helped to advance the understanding of wave dynamics and holds promise for improving coastal defense strategies.

“When I started at ARL, I had limited hands-on experience in oceanography despite my math degree,” said Robertson. “However, over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various projects and pick up invaluable skills.”

Robertson is continuing his education through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program by pursuing a PhD in physical oceanography.

“Collaborating with experts in different fields has been instrumental in my research journey,” Robertson said. “Working with colleagues from ocean engineering, marine biology, and various institutions has been eye-opening. It’s essential to bridge the gap between scientists and engineers to develop holistic solutions to complex oceanographic challenges.”

More on R3D

ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 is leading the development of a hybrid coral reef that is designed to protect coastal infrastructure from flooding, erosion and storm damage. The goal of this project is to provide alternatives to coastline hardening solutions, such as traditional breakwaters, jetties or sea walls, with a nature-based solution that incorporates a living ecosystem with a wave-attenuating base structure.

“Coral reefs are in a dire state worldwide and the impact goes beyond the losses of beaches and coastal property,” said R3D Principal Investigator Ben Jones. “These losses negatively affect local economies and Indigenous communities throughout the Pacific who have subsisted off reefs for generations. Ian鈥檚 research will help us understand the nature of the waves breaking near our hybrid reef and will ensure that we can reestablish a thriving, diverse coral reef community in areas where degraded reefs currently persist.”

ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 is partnering with the and the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa as well as a local industry partner, Makai Ocean Engineering, to develop this living breakwater that can reduce wave energy, encourage coral settlement and growth, and survive marine heatwaves. In December 2023 ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 was awarded phase two of the project which includes deployment of a prototype structure in Kailua Bay near Ulupaʻu crater on Mōkapu peninsula.

The at the University of Hawaiʻi (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) is addressing a wide range of emerging problems facing Hawaiʻi and the world such as renewable energy, coastal defense for sea-level rise, submerged breakwaters and coral reef ecology, cybersecurity, underwater munitions detection, and more.

“As the state advances its research and innovation sector to create a more diversified economy through the growth of a high-tech workforce, the University of Hawaiʻi continues to be a driving force behind this initiative,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “The ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 continues to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research while providing a pathway for students to receive the real-world experience required for the high-tech sector here in Hawaiʻi and across the country.”

ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 is the fifth U.S. Navy-sponsored University-Affiliated Research Center, bringing in a total of $139 million since it was established in 2008. In 2022, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 received $27 million in funding.

“I see our role at ARL as being at the forefront of technological innovation, to help protect those who protect us, whether that鈥檚 the military, first responders or our planet,” said Margo Edwards, director of ARL at 糖心Vlog官方. “This research is important to our state and country, and it is exciting that it is happening right here in Hawaiʻi.”

The Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) is an example of that important research. The renewable energy project is a collaboration between the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) and ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 and a proving ground for wave energy converters (WECs). WETS achieved a groundbreaking milestone in 2015 by connecting wave-generated power to the grid for the first time in the U.S.

“Thanks to the funding provided in support of advancing wave energy, from both the U.S. Navy and the Department of Energy, my team has been able to work on this critical issue facing our state and nation,” said HNEI researcher Patrick Cross, who is in charge of the WETS project and related marine energy research tasks. “We strive to develop this abundant source of clean, renewable energy that is ideal for coastal regions and islands, like Hawaiʻi.”

ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 research:

• R3D coastal defense: With a commitment to protecting coastal infrastructure, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 spearheads the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) initiative. With a multidisciplinary team and $17.1 million in funding, R3D is conducting cutting-edge research on hybrid coral reefs鈥攏ature-inspired submerged breakwaters designed to protect coastlines.
• Cybersecurity: As stewards of cybersecurity in the Pacific region, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 operates a network with high-performance computing systems and Machine Learning (ML) models. The Pacific Ecosystem for Cyber analyzes network activity, ensuring swift detection of anomalies and updating ML models within hours.
• Shaping the future of technology: ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 focuses on digital engineering, prototyping, maritime domain awareness and field experimentation technology. Each endeavor contributes to the technological advancement of critical capabilities and addresses emerging challenges.
• COVID-19 response: Collaborating with the Hawaiʻi Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group, ARL at 糖心Vlog官方 developed a forecast tool to aid medical professionals in preparing for hospital capacity challenges. Further contributions include a technique for ventilating multiple patients with a single ventilator and an app for monitoring mask usage in Hawaiʻi.

Autonomous surface vehicles, remote sensors and solar powered water purifiers highlighted the Pacific Operational Science and Technology (POST) Field Experimentation (FX) event, which displayed approximately 45 cutting-edge technology demonstrators including the University of Hawaiʻi (ARL at 糖心Vlog官方) and in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Approximately 20 糖心Vlog官方 participants demonstrated technology with nearly 600 attendees at the event on March 7 at Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi (MCBH).

“糖心Vlog官方 is demonstrating an autonomous surface vehicle,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Applied Research Laboratory Director Margo Edwards. “We developed a technique for trying to have a rapid response after a tsunami or hurricane comes into a harbor. We want to be able to get sensors out in the water before we put any boats or people out there that might get harmed.”

An 8-foot wave adaptive modular vehicle deployed five remote sensors into the ocean to show how technology can be used to detect potentially dangerous chemicals in the water after a natural disaster.

“We’re all subject to the same natural hazards that come in and damage our harbors, damage our homes,” said Edwards. “We want to be able to help mitigate that, and respond to it. That’s why we’re here.”

“We also developed our own kind of low cost maritime sensor payloads that we can deploy into the ocean and collect sort of whatever information of interest,” said Brennan Yamamoto, an Applied Research Laboratory robotics engineer. “So this could be water conditions. This could be turbidity. This could be salinity.”

Fostering a resilient future

POST FX event showcased autonomous cargo drones, hybrid battery packs, buoy sensors and more to contribute to modernizing and fostering a resilient future.

The event was hosted by ARL at 糖心Vlog官方, National Security Innovation Network and USINDOPACOM J85 Science and Technology Division. Presenters spanning the Defense Industrial Base included local Hawaiʻi companies such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Waiea Water, HI-Spectral, LLC and more.

This interactive event brought together U.S. Department of Defense, local, and international stakeholders to witness demonstrations highlighting synchronization and modernization efforts across Joint Services and Indo-Pacific allies and partners.

The (RC糖心Vlog官方) has recognized 20 exemplary employees for their contributions and impact to research at 糖心Vlog官方 conducted on Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.

The awards were based on the following categories:

• Initiative, leadership and resourcefulness in carrying out their achievements
• Impact of their achievements on the project, professional field and/or larger community
• Other variables such as the significance or quality of their achievements
• Each individual received a certificate and cash award. First-place awardees received $1,000 (shared equally by team members), while second-place awardees received $500 (shared equally by team members).

Team Category

• First place (tie): , 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo (Mark Ellis, Robert Madrigal, Oscar Poua, Tommy Waltjen)
  , 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) (Corinne Amir, Jonny Charendoff, Mia Lamirand, Frances Lichowski
• Second Place: , 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 (Grace Matsuura, Kimberley Spencer-Tolentino, JoAnn Tsark)
• Honorable Mention: , 糖心Vlog官方 Maui (Yvette Gurule, Gerry Smith, Kelly Suzuki Payba, Lynette Yamamoto)

Project Support Staff category

• First place: , 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College (Jennifer Benitez)

Researcher/Project Manager category

• First place: , 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 (Derek Risch)
• Second place: , 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 SOEST (Matthew Widlansky)
• Honorable Mention: , (Russell Kackley)
  , 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 SOEST (Natalie Wallsgrove)

The awards were presented at a luncheon event on October 24. A selection committee comprised of Peter Adler, Sarah Guay and Taryn Salmon selected the awardees. For more information, .

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

, the flagship campus of 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 10 campus system, led the extramural award amounts this year with $342.7 million. The 糖心Vlog官方 System brought in $117.7 million, totaled $33.7 million, received $17.8 million and totaled $4 million.

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

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

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

Several examples of 糖心Vlog官方 programs that attracted the attention of funders:

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



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



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



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