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 糖心Vlog官方 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 first cohort of the at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa includes 14 students, seven of whom are supported through from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hawaiʻi (DAR) and a Hawaiʻi-based philanthropic organization. Students and their 糖心Vlog官方 advisors will work collaboratively with the sponsoring agencies and Hawaiʻi communities on their graduate research projects.

“It is really encouraging to see the significant support for this new program from the community and the state and federal agencies we partner with,” said Jeff Drazen, sustainable fisheries program graduate chair and oceanography professor in the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa (SOEST). “Welcoming the first cohort of students is an exciting milestone, and having this level of community collaboration will really advance our goal of ensuring sustainable fisheries for people throughout the Pacific.”

The incoming students receiving fellowships are Kai Holdaway, Alexander Jemal, Ashley Meara, Kahakuhailoa Poepoe, Mackenzie Thielmann, Andrea Vega and Jake Zikan. Of the seven students, six will pursue master鈥檚 degrees, and one will pursue a doctoral degree; two are from Hawaiʻi, and five are from the U.S. continent.

Students address fisheries near and far

Supported by one of two DAR Fellowships, Thielmann鈥檚 research will focus on finding “nursery” areas where young fish grow along Oʻahu’s coastlines to help protect future fish populations. By analyzing a large state dataset, Thielmann will identify where juvenile fish are most common and see if these “hotspots” match up with where legal-sized adult fish live. This project will use advanced science to ensure that culturally important reef fish remain abundant for local families and fishers. Further, this will help DAR create better fishing rules and habitat protections.

One of the four fellowships supported by the in Honolulu, awarded to Holdaway, will support building a computer model that predicts where the Hawaiʻi longline fishing fleet might shift to as ocean conditions and fishing laws change. By analyzing vessel data and interviewing fishers, Holdaway wants to understand how factors like earnings, weather, and mapping tools influence a captain鈥檚 decisions. Ultimately, this work seeks to balance catching target fish with avoiding protected species to ensure a healthier marine ecosystem.

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–By Marcie Grabowski

The University of Hawaiʻi has been designated as a new Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute (Pacific RRCI) by the (NOAA) to support coral reef conservation in the Pacific through research, collaboration and public education.

The Pacific RRCI will be housed in 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 , under the aegis of the , and will perform the following critical functions: conduct federally directed research to fill national and regional gaps; collaborate with relevant states and territories, Indigenous groups, coral reef managers, non-governmental organizations, and other coral reef research centers; assist in the implementation of the NOAA鈥檚 National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy and coral reef action plans; build non-federal capacity for management and restoration practices; and conduct public education and awareness programs.

“This new institute combines 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 strengths in cutting-edge, ocean-related research and our collaborative, place-based approach to working with resource managers throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific to protect our vital coral reefs,” said Chad B. Walton, 糖心Vlog官方 interim vice president for research and innovation. “At the same time, it provides us with further opportunities to develop our region鈥檚 next generation of researchers and managers in the field of conservation futures.”

To restore and preserve coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. from natural and human-related effects, the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 was reauthorized and modernized by the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021, which was included in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act that became law in 2022. The reauthorized law required the designation of two RRCIs, one each in the Atlantic and Pacific basins, was required. The RRCIs were chosen from 32 preselected coral reef research centers and were designated based on the results of technical merit and panel reviews. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 was introduced and sponsored by Hawaiʻi Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, and Congressman Ed Case.

The 糖心Vlog官方-led institute will be guided by experienced reef researchers from 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 Kewalo Marine Laboratory and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo鈥檚 Marine Sciences program, and the University of Guam鈥檚 Marine Laboratory. It will support research, monitoring, capacity building and outreach for coral reef management throughout the U.S states and territories of American Samoa, Guam, Hawaiʻi, and the Northern Marianas Islands and with the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

“Many people worked many years to make this vision for collaborative reef research across the Pacific a reality,” said Suzanne Case, director of the Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures. “We鈥檙e excited to jump in with scientists and communities and agencies across the region to take it forward.”

Danielle Bartz, a PhD candidate in at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has received a . Initially selected by the Zonta Club of Hilo for a $2,000 local award, Bartz advanced to the international competition, where she emerged as one of 16 recipients worldwide. This $10,000 award recognizes outstanding women in STEM, with honorees representing nine countries in this year鈥檚 cohort.

Bartz鈥檚 research leverages cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) technologies combined with local ecological knowledge shared by the community to monitor marine biodiversity and assess critical habitats. She developed a novel, low-cost eDNA water filtration system, which has the potential to revolutionize marine biodiversity monitoring by making it more accessible and cost-effective, particularly in resource-limited settings. This project was supported by the Patents2Products Fellowship through the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Innovation and Commercialization.

“It鈥檚 an honor to be part of a global group of women working to advance STEM, and I am very thankful for the opportunities I鈥檝e found through the Zonta Club,” Bartz said. “I鈥檝e connected with this phenomenal network of women supporting women. My goal is to make marine research more accessible while working alongside local communities to protect culturally and ecologically important species.”

Bartz鈥檚 dissertation examines the disappearance of a culturally and ecologically significant shark species in Hawaiʻi. Her research, which confirmed a shark nursery habitat in Hilo Bay, contributed to the area鈥檚 first formal recognition as a vital shark habitat by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Shark nursery habitat research earns PhD candidate top international award, March 20, 2025

The Zonta Women in STEM Award uplifts innovation and celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of women between 18-35 years of age in STEM fields and acknowledges their groundbreaking research, pioneering discoveries, and/or exemplary contributions to advancing knowledge and innovation in a STEM field.

The Marine Biology Graduate Program is an interdisciplinary program co-administered by 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa‘s and the .

A breakthrough in marine mammal health surveillance can now detect deadly diseases in whales and dolphins in oceans, beaches and remote locations, thanks to new research from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

The 糖心Vlog官方 Health and Stranding Lab at the (CTAHR) worked together with international researchers to validate a portable, field-deployable molecular diagnostic tool for Cetacean Morbillivirus (CeMV). The study was published in .

Rapid detection in the field

CeMV has caused mass deaths of thousands of marine animals globally. Traditionally, detecting such pathogens required sending samples to specialized laboratories, often resulting in delays of weeks to months.

“This is the first application of a field-deployable system for rapid testing for whales and dolphins,” said Kristi West, director of the 糖心Vlog官方 Health and Stranding Lab. “It breaks down barriers to detection because it can be used remotely, even without a traditional lab nearby.”

The portable unit delivers results in about an hour, aiding decision-making during mass stranding events. It is designed for hot, humid environments, making it essential for detecting outbreaks early and potentially preventing larger epidemics. The system uses high-speed testing to provide rapid, on-site results. It proved effective across multiple divergent strains from Hawaiʻi, Europe and Brazil, even in archived tissues up to 28 years old.

“We want to train others so we can increase what we know about disease in many other areas of the world,” West said.

Global collaboration and training

To ensure this technology reaches those who need it most, 糖心Vlog官方 researchers hosted a workshop in Honolulu with Professor Wei-Cheng Yang from National Taiwan University鈥檚 Veterinary School to train stranding responders and scientists from across the Pacific.

Participants included staff from the Taiwanese Cetacean Society, and representatives from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resource鈥檚 Division of Aquatic Resources, NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Geological Survey鈥檚 National Wildlife Health Center, biologists from Guam and Saipan and CTAHR graduate students.

During the workshop, researchers ran tests on known positive and negative samples for diseases impacting dolphins and Nene, the endemic Hawaiian goose. The Taiwanese team also shared their insights from a mass stranding of 11 pygmy killer whales they had responded to just days before arriving in Hawaiʻi, which resulted in the successful release of seven whales.

The project is supported by U.S. Pacific Fleet Environmental Readiness Division and a joint zoonotic disease grant with the state of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 Department of Land and Natural Resources and involves collaborators from Taiwan, the Philippines, Spain, and Brazil.

Fourteen University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world鈥檚 best in the 2026 , released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 22 in the nation and top 100 in the world. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world鈥檚 top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of ):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251–300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251–275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401–450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451–500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451–500 world

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “They showcase the university鈥檚 global standing and reinforce that 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution鈥檚 success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026
• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026

The , a beacon of marine education and conservation for over a century, is marking its 122nd anniversary in March. Under the new leadership of Interim Director Judy Lemus, the institution is embarking on a period of revitalization, with innovative exhibits, strategic collaborations, and a continued commitment to the unique aquatic ecosystems of Hawaiʻi and the tropical Pacific.

The aquarium will host a 122nd birthday celebration on March 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day kicks off with a community coastal cleanup followed by a suite of family-friendly activities.

A new chapter

Lemus brings a wealth of experience in marine facility management, research, and education. Lemus served for four years as the interim director of the (HIMB) within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (SOEST) and is currently the interim associate dean for academic affairs in SOEST. Her primary focus at the aquarium is on operational improvements and enhancing the institutionʻs role in education, marine conservation, collaborative research, and community engagement.

“Managing the Waikīkī Aquarium is about more than just animal husbandry; it鈥檚 also about our engagement with the public and contribution to conservation of Pacific species, and our role as a public outlet for 糖心Vlog官方 research,” said Lemus. “As we celebrate 122 years, we are not just honoring our history, but building the systems, facilities, and stories that will carry us through the next century.”

One major accomplishment under her leadership has been the successful return of Hōʻailona, the beloved Hawaiian monk seal, to his refurbished enclosure.

New and upcoming exhibits:

• The Aquaculture Tank: In partnership with Biota, a local aquaculture company, this exhibit will feature fish and coral raised entirely in aquaculture facilities at the Oceanic Institute and Waikīkī Aquarium. This “no-collection” model highlights sustainable trade and will also showcase 3-D structures from HIMB researcher Josh Madin鈥檚 Lab that facilitate coral growth.
• The Edge of Reef Redesign: Formerly an iconic outdoor exhibit, the Edge of Reef was dismantled to make way for a critical infrastructure project. A redesign is planned for this exhibit with support from 糖心Vlog官方, the 糖心Vlog官方 Foundation, and the Friends of the Waikīkī Aquarium.
• New Tank for Mullet and More: The large tank that previously featured mullet, a species revered in Hawaiʻi as a staple food and in loko ʻia (Hawaiian fishpond) aquaculture, is being dismantled to make way for a modern habitat. The new enclosure may house mullet and possibly other compatible species such as rays or sea turtles.
• The aquarium is planning new collaborations with a variety of 糖心Vlog官方 faculty and labs to help bring their work to broader audiences.
• AZA Accreditation: The aquarium is starting a Pathway Toward Membership program with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the gold standard in accreditation for zoos and aquariums, with the goal of achieving AZA accreditation for Waikīkī Aquarium in about 5 years.

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This week鈥檚 糖心Vlog官方 News Image of the Week is from the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB).

From Maria Frostic, HIMB communications coordinator: The HIMB Shark Lab recently celebrated a historic ‘Personal Best’ with the capture and tagging of a 470 cm (15鈥� 5鈥�) female tiger shark—the longest in the lab鈥檚 30-year history.

Initially tagged on October 7, 2025, near Kapapa Island by a team including Edward Cardona, Molly Deppmeier, Michaela Johnson, and David Itano, the shark was remarkably recaptured seven weeks later within Kāneʻohe Bay. This second interaction enabled visiting researcher Takuya Fukuoka to deploy a short-term biologging tag that was successfully recovered at Penguin Bank. Data from her satellite transmitter now shows the shark frequently traveling between the bay and the bank, providing researchers with invaluable oceanographic insights.

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A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the 糖心Vlog官方 ʻohana!

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other 糖心Vlog官方 connection. By submitting your image, you are giving 糖心Vlog官方 News permission to publish your photo on the 糖心Vlog官方 News website and 糖心Vlog官方 social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

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

From the coral reefs of the tropics to the oyster reefs of temperate estuaries, nature’s most diverse ecosystems are built by “master architects.” A study revealed that the complex shapes of these reefs are not random—they follow precise geometric rules that maximize survival.

The collaborative research of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (HIMB) and Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, offers a proven guide for reviving damaged marine habitats and protecting the vital seafood sources that communities depend on.

“This work shows that there are universal architectural rules for reef persistence,” said Joshua Madin, a senior author of the study, HIMB research professor, and a principal investigator of the HIMB Conservation Innovation Group. “Nature has already solved the design problem. Our job is to read that blueprint and scale it up to help reefs grow faster and survive longer.”

Geometry of survival

Using high-resolution 3D mapping and field experiments in Australia, the team engineered concrete structures spanning a wide range of surface complexities. They discovered that while simple structures left juvenile oysters exposed to predators, and overly complex structures offered diminishing returns, survival peaked at a specific, optimal combination of height and fractal dimension—exactly the geometry found in thriving natural reefs.

“Reefs are not just piles of skeletons or shells,” said Juan Esquivel-Muelbert, the study’s lead author from Macquarie University. “They are finely tuned three-dimensional machines. Their shape controls who lives, who dies, and how fast the reef grows.”

While the fieldwork focused on oysters, the theoretical principles were developed at HIMB and apply directly to coral reefs.

R3D project

The study provides the biological validation for cutting-edge restoration work currently underway in Hawaiʻi. The geometric principles utilized in this paper are a driving force behind the 糖心Vlog官方 project Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D), a project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency that is deploying immense, geometric reef modules off the coast of Oʻahu.

By mimicking the “optimal geometry” of coral reef, using the same principles identified in the study, these artificial structures are designed to do more than just break waves—they are engineered to attract coral larvae, protect them from predators and grow into a thriving coral reef.

“We are applying these exact principles to coral restoration here in Hawaiʻi,” said Madin. “Recent work at HIMB testing these 3D-printed designs showed we could increase the settlement and survival of corals by 80-fold compared to natural reef surfaces. By building with the right geometry, we can jump-start the feedback loops that allow reefs to build themselves.”

New University of Hawaiʻi research confirms that “Sharktober” is real, revealing a statistically significant spike in shark bite incidents in Hawaiian waters every October. The study, which analyzed 30 years of data (1995–2024), found that about 20% of all recorded bites occurred in that single month, a frequency far exceeding any other time of the year. Researchers at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (HIMB) Shark Lab .

The research, led by HIMB Professor Carl G. Meyer, determined that this pronounced pattern, informally known as “Sharktober,” is primarily driven by the seasonal movements and biological needs of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), which account for at least 63% of the incidents during this month.

“The October spike is real and statistically significant, but the overall risk remains very low,” said Meyer. “This pattern appears to be driven by tiger shark biology, not by more people being in the water.”

Extra caution advised

The study uses Hawaiʻi-specific data to provide science-based information that allows residents and visitors to make informed decisions about ocean use during this time of year, supporting awareness and coexistence without sensationalism.

“Understanding when risk is slightly elevated helps people make informed choices, not fearful ones,” said Meyer.

Ocean users are advised to be aware that tiger sharks are more likely to be present in the nearshore waters of the main Hawaiian Islands during October, and extra caution is advised during this month, particularly for high-risk, solo activities such as surfing or swimming in coastal areas.

Postpartum tiger sharks

The findings suggest a strong link between the October spike and the tiger shark鈥檚 reproductive cycle, specifically parturition (giving birth), which occurs during the months of September and October. The evidence indicates two primary mechanisms acting together.

First, there is a temporary increase in the abundance of large adult females in nearshore habitats, including a partial migration of mature females from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to the main Hawaiian Islands.

Second, giving birth to a large litter is energetically taxing, likely leaving postpartum females in a state of poor nutritional condition and increasing their motivation to forage actively to recover energy reserves.

This conclusion is supported by multiple independent lines of evidence, including the peak in tiger shark sightings at ecotourism sites that aligns precisely with the pupping season.

Future research will focus on directly studying adult female tiger sharks during the pupping season, including tracking their movements and using non-invasive tools to assess their reproductive status and body condition. The work was conducted as part of the HIMB Shark Lab program at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, utilizing publicly available shark incident data compiled by the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

A team of shark researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has solved a long-standing mystery, identifying the first-ever documented mating hub for tiger sharks. , led by the (HIMB) Shark Lab, utilized six years of acoustic tracking data to pinpoint Olowalu, Maui and the nature of tiger shark mating.

This challenges the conventional understanding of tiger sharks as purely solitary animals, revealing a predictable seasonal convergence of mature males and females that coincides with the humpback whale calving season in Hawaiʻi.

Solving the mating mystery

For years, it was unclear how tiger sharks, which are typically solitary wanderers, came together to reproduce, or if mating was simply a result of random encounters.

“Tiger sharks typically roam widely in what can seem like random patterns, so finding such a strong and consistent seasonal trend in their movements around Maui was unexpected,” said Paige Wernli, lead author of the study and a graduate student in the HIMB Shark Lab.

The long-term tracking data revealed a strong, predictable seasonal presence and high overlap of both mature male and female sharks at Olowalu, with both sexes exhibiting physical signs of mating activity.

“To our knowledge, no group mating site for tiger sharks has ever been identified. This paper adds an important piece to the puzzle of tiger shark reproduction,” said Carl Meyer, co-author of the paper and principal investigator of the HIMB Shark Lab.

Dual motivations

The timing of the sharks鈥� convergence also aligns with the arrival of humpback whale mothers and newborn calves in the area. This unique ecological overlap indicates that the sharks may be positioning themselves to take advantage of foraging opportunities, such as vulnerable calves or placental falls.

“Mating and foraging on humpback whales may not be mutually exclusive,” said Wernli, “and both could influence tiger shark movement patterns in Hawai驶i.”

The researchers noted that these gatherings are not dense but rather diffuse, spanning multiple months and several kilometers.

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Giant clam populations in American S膩moa are far more stable and abundant than previously thought thanks to the help of local villages, according to a led by researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (HIMB) ToBo Lab. The research found that marine areas managed by local villages consistently supported higher clam densities and larger clam sizes compared to federally designated no-take reserves.

“Many expected that giant clam populations would be in sharp decline, especially near populated islands,” said Paolo Marra-Biggs, lead author of the study and HIMB PhD student. “Instead, we found that clam abundances have remained relatively stable over the past 30 years, and in some areas have maintained high abundances. The biggest surprise was that village-managed closures outperformed federally protected no-take areas, highlighting the efficacy of cultural stewardship.”

The findings carry implications for conservation policy, particularly concerning the current federal process to list giant clams under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The study argues that blanket federal restrictions may not be the best fit for regions where effective Indigenous management systems are already in place.

“The push for ESA listing is supposed to protect giant clams, but our data show that in areas where federal no-take protection already exists, clams populations were among the lowest,” said Robert Toonen, senior author of the study and principal investigator of the ToBo Lab. “Instead, areas under traditional Indigenous management had some of the highest densities of giant clams. If giant clams were listed as endangered species, these traditional practices that have maintained high clam densities in the region would become illegal.”

Assessing population stability

The research team conducted a territory-wide survey from 2022 to 2024, adding 264 new transects to historical surveys that were initiated in 1994. The resulting data set represents the most complete, multi-decadal compilation of giant clams for American S膩moa, assessing population stability across six islands and various management zones.

Collaboration partners for this study include the American S膩moa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, the National Park and the National Marine Sanctuary of American S膩moa.

From land–borne pathogens to high–speed vessel strikes, Pacific whales and dolphins are caught in a “perfect storm” where human-caused trauma and infectious diseases were found in more than 65% of investigated strandings.

by University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researchers provides insights into the threats whales and dolphins face in the Pacific Islands.

Based on 272 stranding investigations of 20 cetacean species between 2006 and 2024, the study provides foundational data to better manage and conserve Hawaiʻi鈥檚 whales and dolphins.

“Dolphins and whales are sentinels of ocean health—we need to understand why these animals die to help others live,” said Kristi West, director of the 糖心Vlog官方 Health and Stranding Lab at the .

Disease is prevalent

Over 18 years, scientists examined more than three-quarters of the stranded whales and dolphins to understand why they died. Most cases (62%) were linked to diseases, and about half of those animals were in poor body condition due to long-term illness.

Infectious agents proved to be a significant threat, affecting 11 different species, including striped dolphins and Longman鈥檚 beaked whales. Two of the most concerning pathogens were morbillivirus and brucella, which can cause serious brain and lung problems in marine mammals.

Toxoplasmosis—a parasite that infects warm-blooded animals and spreads through cat feces across the environment—was responsible for the deaths of two spinner dolphins and one bottlenose dolphin.

Trauma linked to humans

The study revealed that 29% of all strandings were linked to anthropogenic (human-caused) trauma. Vessel strikes were a significant risk, resulting in fatal vertebral and skull fractures for seven individuals, including two pygmy sperm whales, two humpback whale calves, a goose-beaked whale, a spinner dolphin and a striped dolphin.

Interactions with marine debris and fisheries were confirmed as fatal in multiple cases, including:

• A sperm whale died from plastic and fishery debris blocking its stomach.
• A bottlenose dolphin died after a fishhook tore into it.

Public reporting urged

In the Pacific Islands, most dolphins and whales die at sea, and recovery rates are very low. Each stranding examination provides stakeholders with valuable information about what is happening to these animals and their ecosystem. Public reporting is critical to understanding threats to marine mammal health.

Sightings of dead or distressed marine mammals can be reported to the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840, toll-free.

Seasonal seabird nesting in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands triggers shark turf wars and habitat shifts among different shark species, according to a new study led by scientists from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (HIMB) Shark Lab. The research, , found that the annual summer arrival of fledgling seabirds at French Frigate Shoals (FFS) concentrates tiger sharks in specific areas.

“We discovered that tiger sharks gather around small islands in summer to hunt fledgling seabirds, which, in turn, forces other smaller sharks to adjust their habitat use,” said Chlo茅 Blandino, lead author of the study and shark husbandry research specialist at HIMB Shark Lab. “It鈥檚 a clear example of how a seasonal food source can influence habitat use by an entire predator community.”

Using acoustic transmitters, the research team tagged 128 sharks and tracked their movements around FFS over two years. They compared shark habitat use during the seabird season and the off-season, observing clear behavioral shifts.

Avoiding predators, competition

The researchers found that when tiger sharks are present, the smaller gray reef sharks avoid these areas to reduce the risk of being eaten. Meanwhile, Galapagos sharks shift to different times or zones within the atoll to minimize competition. Once the seabirds disperse, the tiger sharks move on and the other shark species return to their original habitats. The study also used fish surveys to confirm that these shifts were driven by predator avoidance and competition, not by a change in the distribution of their usual fish prey.

“This study highlights the far-reaching impact of seabirds, showing they can shape the movements of top predators like tiger sharks, which then ripple through the entire food web,” said Carl Meyer, co-author on the study and principal investigator of the HIMB Shark Lab. “Understanding these predator-prey links is crucial for managing Hawaiʻi鈥檚 marine ecosystems.”

The study noted that if bird populations shift, or if critical nesting habitats are lost—as occurred when Hurricane Walaka decimated key islands in 2018—it can trigger cascading effects. This research was funded by NOAA鈥檚 National Marine Sanctuary Program and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

A groundbreaking study led by the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补’s (HIMB) has revealed critical new details about one of the ocean’s most abundant life forms, SAR11 marine bacteria. Understanding these microbes is vital because they are one of the main drivers of the global ocean’s life-support system—they move and recycle the carbon and nutrients that sustain all other marine life. By better understanding them, scientists can more accurately predict how the entire ocean ecosystem—and the global climate—will react to threats like pollution and ocean warming.

The research, published in , found that the SAR11 bacteria are not a single, uniform population as often thought. Instead, they are organized into stable, ecologically distinct groups, essentially specialized “teams” adapted to specific environments, such as the coast versus the open ocean. This means that one of the ocean’s most important engines is far more complex than previously known.

Using 碍腻苍别ʻ辞丑别 Bay as a natural laboratory, the team linked newly cultivated strains to ocean samples worldwide, showing that these distinct ecological groups differ significantly in habitat preference, gene content, and evolutionary history.

“碍腻苍别ʻ辞丑别 Bay gave us a rare window into how microbial populations can adapt across very small spatial scales,” said Kelle Freel, lead author at HIMB. “By pairing cultivation with a long-term time series, we could directly connect genomes to real ecological differences in the ocean.”

SAR11 bacteria are tiny, streamlined cells that collectively represent one of the most abundant life forms in the ocean and play a central role in marine carbon and nutrient cycling. Despite their global importance, scientists have struggled to understand how SAR11 populations differ from one another, in part because these microbes are extremely diverse and very difficult to grow in the laboratory.

碍腻苍别ʻ辞丑别 Bay provided a uniquely powerful model system to overcome these challenges. Years of sustained sampling through the 碍腻苍别ʻ辞丑别 Bay Time-series (KByT) allowed researchers to pair environmental measurements with newly grown SAR11 strains, creating an opportunity to connect microbial DNA with where these organisms live and how they survive.

“This work shows that SAR11 diversity is not random,” said Michael Rapp茅, principal investigator at HIMB. “By using 碍腻苍别ʻ辞丑别 Bay as a model system, we could integrate genomics with ecology in a way that reveals clear evolutionary structure—structure that holds across the global ocean and provides a common framework for studying one of the planet鈥檚 most important microbial groups.”

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Internationally recognized researchers currently or formerly affiliated with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa have been honored among the world鈥檚 most influential scientists in Clarivate鈥檚 2025 . The annual analysis identifies just 1 in 1,000 researchers globally—including Nobel laureates—whose publications have demonstrated exceptional influence across their fields.

(SOEST) Professor Fei-Fei Jin and the late Director and Researcher Ruth Gates, were recognized in the cross-field category, which highlights researchers whose influence spans multiple scientific areas. Daniel Mende, a former SOEST postdoctoral researcher, was selected to the biology and biochemistry category.

“This distinction underscores the global influence of 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 research enterprise,” 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos said. “Our scholars drive discoveries that resonate across disciplines and continents, and their work exemplifies the innovation and excellence that define our university.”

SOEST Professor Fei-Fei Jin

Jin鈥檚 research interests cover a wide range of topics, including the dynamics of large-scale atmosphere and ocean circulations, and climate variability. His primary research focuses are understanding the dynamics of El Niño-Southern Oscillation, climate variability in the extratropical atmospheric circulation and global warming.

The late Ruth Gates

Gates was a tireless innovator and advocate for coral reef conservation. The focus of her most recent research efforts was creating super corals, coral species occurring naturally in the ocean that could be trained to become more resilient to harsh conditions.

Former SOEST postdoctoral fellow Daniel Mende

Mende specializes in environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, metagenomics and more. He came to 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa in 2014 for his postdoctoral studies on microbial communities in oceans. Mende is now an assistant professor at Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam.

These scientists are identified based on their publication of highly cited papers in the Web of Science Core Collection—a widely respected global citation database. Using rigorously curated data, analysts at the Institute for Scientific Information select individuals who have demonstrated remarkable influence in their field.

This story was compiled based on primary affiliation according to the Web of Science鈥檚 Highly Cited Researchers list. If there are other researchers currently or formerly affiliated with 糖心Vlog官方 on the list, email Marc Arakaki at marcra@hawaii.edu.

For the first time, researchers have documented a round-trip migration of a tiger shark between Hawaiʻi and Mexico. This discovery was made by the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (HIMB) Shark Lab and the (PacIOOS). The finding helps advance the understanding of the species and highlights the importance of international data-sharing initiatives.

The female tiger shark was originally tagged in 碍腻苍别ʻ辞丑别 Bay, Oʻahu, in November 2016. Less than a year later, she was detected at the Revillagigedo Islands and Cabo Pulmo in Mexico by equipment maintained by Mauricio Hoyos and James Ketchum from the non-profit Pelagios Kakunj谩 in Mexico. After three years, the shark returned to Hawaiʻi, where she was consistently detected until early 2024.

“We had previously documented a shark swimming from Hawaiʻi to Mexico,” said Carl Meyer, a researcher at the HIMB Shark Lab. “However, that shark was caught by fishermen and not released, leaving uncertainty about whether these transoceanic travelers return to Hawaiʻi. This latest discovery resolves that question, providing the first direct evidence that individual tiger sharks are capable of completing round-trip migrations between Hawaiʻi and Mexico.”

Sharing data, active collaboration

This transoceanic connection was realized because both the 糖心Vlog官方 and research teams from Mexico shared their data with the PacIOOS-led PIRAT Network and its partner organization Migramar. Identifying such long-range movements is extremely difficult without active collaboration. The PIRAT Network provides a data-sharing platform for researchers that automatically checks for cross-matches like this every four months, paving the way for future discoveries.

“Most detections of our tagged sharks occur within the Hawaiian Islands,” said Meyer. “This individual, for instance, was tagged off O鈥榓hu but later detected near Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, in addition to making a remarkable journey to Mexico and back.”

“Identifying long-range movements like these are often difficult, unless the researchers involved happen to collaborate directly and actively share data,” said Tom Tinhan, PIRAT Network lead. “Not only is this a valuable piece of evidence that advances our understanding of this highly migratory species, but it illustrates the importance of data sharing initiatives like these.”

While the finding confirms a round-trip migration, HIMB shark researcher Kim Holland noted that many details about the journey remain unknown. “We don’t know the route by which the shark crossed the ocean (in both directions) so it’s a little misleading, although tempting, to draw straight lines between Hawaiʻi and Mexico,” said Holland. “This event is in line with other sharks we have tracked that show offshore movements of several hundred miles before returning to Hawaiʻi.”

For the first time, scientists have calculated a detailed “energetic budget” for Hawaiʻi‘s short-finned pilot whales, revealing what it takes to power their extreme, 800-meter (2,600-feet) dives for food.

A new study led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 (HIMB) found an average adult whale must eat 142 squid daily to survive, scaling up to 416 million squid annually for the entire population of short-finned pilot whales. This data, published in the , provides a new benchmark for protecting the historically understudied marine mammals.

“Pilot whales are one of the only oceanic dolphins that regularly dive to extreme depths—up to 1,000 meters—to find prey,” said William Gough, (MMRP) postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study. “This deep-diving, high-risk foraging strategy requires a delicate balance between the energy they spend and the energy they acquire. Our study is the first step in quantifying that balance for this specific population.”

Understanding precisely how much energy the animals require is essential for understanding how to effectively manage against threats and ensure their survival.

“This detailed scientific data gives Hawaiʻi management agencies a critical tool to monitor how changes in the ocean—from warming waters to ship noise—might push the pilot whales past their survival limit,” said Lars Bejder, MMRP director and co-author of the study.

The deep waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands are home to a genetically distinct population of short-finned pilot whales. These highly social, toothed whales are not migratory; they remain with their tight-knit, multi-generational families in one region for life. The population forages year-round where they pursue their preferred prey: squid.

Requirements can inform effective management

“Deep-diving species like pilot whales are especially vulnerable to human-induced disturbances, such as noises from ships or changes in ocean temperature, which can disrupt foraging or increase their energetic costs,” said Gough. “If they use more energy than they can find, they face an energy crisis that weakens their health, hurts their ability to fight off disease, and ultimately limits their ability to reproduce and recover the population.”

Despite this inherent vulnerability, the Hawaiian pilot whale population benefits from a stable and abundant squid food source, which may better equip them to cope with environmental disturbances than populations elsewhere.

The team placed advanced Customized Animal Tracking Solutions (CATS) tags on eight short-finned pilot whales off the coast of Lānaʻi between 2021 and 2024. The tags recorded movement, depth and sound, and used 2K cameras with LED headlights to observe the whales in their lightless, 800-meter-deep hunting habitat. The researchers developed a new method to estimate minute changes in energy usage by combining data from tags with body measurements from aerial drone footage.

“Getting to be on the water and close to these animals is an absolute joy,” said Gough. “But the fact that we can see into their world, even at 800 meters and under extreme pressures [80 times that at the surface], and observe them capturing their food in complete darkness, feels unbelievable to me. It’s truly a privilege to document the lives of these elusive, deep-diving whales.”

A new study by researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s (HIMB) has revealed that endangered Hawaiian monk seals have a hidden vocal repertoire, using a complex range of sounds to call underwater.

Previously, scientists believed monk seals had a simple repertoire, identifying only six different calls based on seals in human care. In this study, the scientists analyzed thousands of hours of passive acoustic data from the wild, they discovered 25 distinct vocalizations.

The study, published in , also found that these low–frequency calls are produced by the seals throughout the day. These vocal types were heard consistently across the Hawaiian archipelago, with calling rates highest at sites where more seals were present. This new understanding of the monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) vocal repertoire opens up a new window into their acoustic behavior.

“We discovered that Hawaiian monk seals—one of the world鈥檚 most endangered marine mammals—are far more vocal underwater than previously known,” said Kirby Parnell, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate with (MMRP). “By analyzing over 4,500 hours of recordings from across the Hawaiian Archipelago, we identified more than 23,000 vocalizations representing at least 25 distinct call types.”

Monk seal vocalizations

The study, which deployed passive acoustic recorders at five key monk seal habitats from Molokaʻi to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, uncovered:

Expanded vocal repertoire: Researchers identified 20 previously undocumented calls.

Novel communication strategy: The research provides evidence that monk seals can combine different vocalizations together, creating “combinational calls”—a communication strategy never before reported in any pinniped (seals, sea lions and walruses) species.

A foraging call: The team discovered one novel elemental call type “the whine” produced during foraging, representing only the second known example of a seal species using vocalizations while pursuing prey.

“We were surprised by the sheer diversity and complexity of monk seal vocalizations,” said Parnell. “The discovery of combinational calls, where seals link multiple call types together, suggests a previously unknown level of complexity in pinniped acoustic communication. Finding a new call type—the Whine—associated with foraging behavior was also unexpected and suggests that monk seals may use sound not only for mating or socializing, but possibly for foraging purposes as well.”

Seal conservation in Hawaiʻi

These results lay the foundation for using passive acoustics to monitor monk seal populations to protect their acoustic habitats as human activity persists in Hawaiian waters. Future research will decisively link these documented vocalizations to specific Hawaiian monk seal behaviors, such as foraging, swimming, social interactions and reproduction. Next steps involve developing automated detection systems to monitor the seals’ acoustic activity more efficiently and non–invasively.

“This research provides the first comprehensive description of free–ranging Hawaiian monk seal underwater sound production, an important step toward understanding how they use sound for critical life–history events,” said Lars Bejder, director of MMRP, professor at HIMB and co–author of the study. “Because their vocalizations overlap with the same low–frequency range as many human–generated sounds (e.g. vessel noise), this work lays the foundations to evaluate how ocean noise may affect communication, reproduction, and behavior in this endangered species.”

About the team

The team included undergraduate and graduate students, and recent 糖心Vlog官方 alumni, and coauthors from France and the .

“Manually annotating over 23,000 calls by hand is no small feat, and I have a team of interns to thank for helping with the analysis!” said Parnell. “This research would also not have been possible without the support of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program, who deployed and retrieved the acoustic recorders in the .”

The work was supported by NOAA Fisheries via the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) award NA19NMF4720181.