Guided by respected elders in our community
The Kūpuna Council of the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) – comprised of community elders with lineal descent to the ahupuaʻa of Heʻeia and Kāneʻohe – provides advice and guidance on stewardship and research activities that happen within the ahupuaʻa, including on Moku o Loʻe. We are grateful for their generosity, their time, and their wisdom.
Our Kuleana In A Rapidly Changing Climate
As the world rapidly changes, HIMB advances local resilience through cutting-edge research and restoration efforts. We simultaneously contribute to understanding and protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems worldwide.
Laulima Days: Many Hands to Steward ‘Āina
He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), in partnership with HIMB, hosts weekly “Laulima“ volunteer opportunities for our network, where we gather to lend our hands towards biocultural restoration efforts with our partners in the ahupua‘a of He‘eia.
The Mālama ‘Āina Plan for Moku o Lo‘e
HIMB and its partners have developed a Mālama ‘Āina Plan for Moku o Lo‘e, outlining a framework for pono stewardship and climate adaptation. This plan is rooted in the Hawaiian worldview, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things and the shared responsibility of caring for the land and sea.
This comprehensive plan balances the need to preserve the island's natural environment with the essential functions of the research institute. The plan directly addresses the challenge of sea level rise by integrating adaptation strategies that are both scientifically sound and culturally appropriate. By braiding Indigenous Knowledge with contemporary science, the Moku o Lo‘e Mālama ‘Āina plan serves as a model of stewardship and adaptation for a changing climate.
Wisdom of ‘Aha Kiole: Guiding the Future of Moku o Lo‘e
HIMB's Mālama ‘Āina Plan for Moku o Lo‘e harnesses the wisdom of the past to navigate 21st-century challenges like climate change and sea level rise. The plan is based on eight considerations of pono stewardship inspired by the ancient ‘Aha Kiole, or "people's council" system, a model for collective decision-making that ensured the responsible care of land, water, and people. To bring this ancient knowledge system to life in a modern day plan for stewardship of the island, each of the eight considerations had a dedicated working group of HIMB faculty, staff, students, community members, and subject matter experts.
Explore the 8 considerations of pono stewardship below.
8 Considerations of Pono Stewardship
Hawai‘i Marine Laboratory Refuge
The Hawai‘i Marine Laboratory Refuge, located in Kāne‘ohe Bay, encompasses the reefs and bay waters surrounding Moku o Lo‘e. This protected area extends from the island's high-water mark to 25 feet beyond the outer edges of the reefs. The refuge is an important site for marine research, and the taking of aquatic life is strictly prohibited for the general public. Exceptions are made for University of Hawai‘i faculty, staff, students, and licensees of the Board of Regents who are authorized to collect aquatic life for scientific purposes. These individuals must adhere to all state regulations regarding minimum size, closed seasons, and gear restrictions when conducting their research within the refuge's boundaries.
He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR)
Established in 2017, the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) lies within the He‘eia ahupua‘a and encompasses 1,385 acres of unique and diverse upland, wetland, stream, estuarine, coastal, and marine habitats within He‘eia.
The NERR is co-stewarded by a dedicated team of partners, including the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), Paepae o He‘eia, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Ko‘olau Foundation, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawai‘i Community Development Authority. This collective actively works to promote resilient ecosystems and communities. As a key partner, HIMB developed the groundbreaking Mālama ‘Āina Plan, which articulates how the institute will steward its lands and waters in alignment with Native Hawaiian values—the first such plan from a University of Hawai‘i organized research unit.
He‘eia NERR Partners
He‘eia NERR partners provide invaluable knowledge and insights that are integral to HIMB's marine research and conservation efforts.
On The Beat of Stewardship at HIMB
Go behind the scenes and experience the breakthroughs, stories and news coming out of our HIMB ‘Ohana.
Four Prestigious Honors for HIMB Graduate Students
HIMB is proud to celebrate four graduate students whose outstanding research in marine mammal energetics, gray whale ecology, fisheries modeling, and data science has earned them prestigious university and national accolades. These honors highlight the next generation of scientists providing the foundational evidence needed to protect and sustain our changing marine ecosystems.
Fellowships for Seven Fisheries Grad Students Highlights Community Support
The first cohort of the Sustainable Fisheries Graduate Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has been selected and includes 14 students, seven of which are supported through fellowships from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and a Hawai’i-based philanthropic organization.
HIMB Researcher Dr. Brian Bowen Ranks #1 Globally in Phylogeography
The Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) is proud to announce a landmark achievement for one of its long-standing researchers, Dr. Brian Bowen. Dr. Bowen has been ranked #1 globally in the field of Phylogeography by ScholarGPS.
3D-Printed Shelters Increase Baby Coral Survival Rates
Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi have developed 3D-printed ceramic "helix recesses" that dramatically boost baby coral survival by providing vital protection from predators and waves. These innovative, low-cost modules increase coral settlement by 80 times compared to flat surfaces, offering a scalable solution for restoring global reef ecosystems.
A Celebration of Science & Community: 2026 HIMB Scholarship Symposium
The 2026 HIMB Scholarship Symposium transformed Earth Day into a dynamic stage for marine innovation, spotlighting the rigorous field studies and AI-driven breakthroughs of 41 emerging scientists. From mapping green turtle foraging grounds to revolutionary reef surveys, the event united rigorous research with community spirit to celebrate the future of ocean stewardship.
Future Telehealth for the Ocean: 'Reef Halos' Enable Global Checkups
HIMB researcher Elizabeth Madin is utilizing satellite imagery and AI to monitor coral reef health globally by analyzing "reef halos," which are circular patterns of bare sand created by fish behavior. These halos serve as visible indicators of ecosystem balance, allowing scientists to assess predator-prey dynamics and reef vitality from space without the need for traditional, localized scuba surveys.