UH to lead new Pacific reef research institute

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

The Pacific RRCI will be housed in UH's Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures, under the aegis of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, 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's 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 UH's 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, UH interim vice president for research and innovation. "At the same time, it provides us with further opportunities to develop our region's 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 UH-led institute will be guided by experienced reef researchers from UH Mānoa's Kewalo Marine Laboratory and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, UH Hilo's Marine Sciences program, and the University of Guam's 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're excited to jump in with scientists and communities and agencies across the region to take it forward."

About UH Research

Research conducted by the University of Hawai'i (UH) impacts the quality of life in the islands and around the world. As the state's major research university, and because of Hawai'i's tremendous geographic diversity, UH plays a prominent role in the state's economic growth and development through its diverse and world-renowned research and innovation programs in astronomy, earth and ocean sciences, medicine and tropical agriculture. research.hawaii.edu

About the University of Guam

The University of Guam (UOG) is a U.S.-accredited, regional land-grant institution founded in 1952, serving Guam, Micronesia, and the Western Pacific. UOG focuses on research relevant to island environments, such as tropical agriculture, marine biology, and sustainable island development, often addressing local/regional themes. https://www.uog.edu/research/

Other Partners

In addition to researchers from across the University of Hawai'i and the University of Guam, the Pacific RRCI was proposed in collaboration with partners across the region. These include other institutes of higher education in American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and CNMI, government agencies from across the Pacific responsible for managing coral reefs, multiple U.S. federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local community-based networks.

INTRO:

The University of Hawaiʻi is taking the lead on a major new coral reef effort.

VO:

The university has been chosen by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to head a Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute.

The goal-protect and restore reefs across the Pacific.

That means more research, stronger partnerships, and better tools for reef managers.

UH will work with scientists, local communities, and island partners from Hawaiʻi and beyond.

The institute will also help train the next generation of conservation leaders.

It's part of a broader national push to strengthen coral reefs facing climate change and other threats.