The is part of a new consortium funded by a federal grant of nearly $1 million to address critical economic and marketing gaps in the country’s aquaculture industry. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic life, such as fish and shellfish, in controlled environments like ponds or tanks. The multi-state and island project will emphasize building bridges across a range of geographic regions between researchers, industry leaders, and state extension services.

“With record production of $90 million in 2023, aquaculture is now one of the largest contributors in agricultural production in ߣsirÊÓƵʻi, yet key information for planning and decision-making is lacking,” said Maria Haws, an aquaculture professor at ߣsirÊÓƵ Hilo. Haws is based at the university’s (PACRC) in Keaukaha, Hilo Bay.

According to Haws, the gap in key information is due to the highly diverse nature of production methods, systems, and species that are cultured in ߣsirÊÓƵʻi. Aquaculture spans from breeding shrimp in land-based systems to farming hamachi (kāhala) in open-ocean cages. However, current studies fail to capture the economic dynamics of these diverse regions.

“ߣsirÊÓƵʻi and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands have relatively weak capacity for aquaculture economics since there are no dedicated aquaculture economists, although some economic specialists contribute to research in this area,” Haws said. “Results from this work, as well as the relationships developed through the consortium, will help compensate for this.”

ߣsirÊÓƵʻi expertise

PACRC will lead the ߣsirÊÓƵʻi component of the project and develop educational materials, online tools for industry and other users, and assist with farm economic studies.

Diverse collaboration

Project collaborators are a geographically diverse group of economists and extension specialists with backgrounds in freshwater, coastal, marine, and recirculating aquaculture systems. Led by Virginia Tech, a public land-grant research university, the group also draws expertise from institutions across the nation such as Mississippi State University, Texas A&M University, University of Maryland, University of Alaska, Morgan State University, Maine Aquaculture Association, University of Guam and University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, to address challenges facing the domestic aquaculture industry.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sea Grant is providing funding for the establishment of the Aquaculture Economics and Markets Collaborative over the next two years.

—By Susan Enright

Proteins are like tiny machines in our bodies, helping with almost everything we do, including breaking down food, carrying messages between cells, and building and repairing tissues, like muscles and skin.

Protein folding is a protein’s way of twisting and bending into the right shape so it can do its job correctly in the body. However, when protein folding goes wrong, it can have detrimental consequences. Misfolded proteins may fail to perform their intended functions or adopt harmful structures that interfere with normal cellular processes. These misfolded proteins can accumulate in cells, leading to various diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis, cancers and more. In Alzheimer’s, misfolded proteins mold into toxic plaques that disrupt neuronal function.

The new book by University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ researchers , published by the American Chemical Society, is a comprehensive publication that delves into the intricate world of protein folding. Authored by chemistry PhD candidate Grace E. Orellana, and Assistant Professor Ellinor Haglund, the book provides a thorough overview of the fundamental principles governing protein folding, from basic concepts to advanced theories. With a focus on both experimental techniques and theoretical frameworks, Orellana and Haglund explore the dynamic process of protein folding, shedding light on the key factors that influence folding pathways and kinetics.

“By understanding protein folding at a fundamental level, researchers can unlock new avenues for biomedical research and drug discovery, hopefully leading to improved treatments for protein misfolding-related diseases,” Orellana and Haglund said.

The Department of Chemistry is housed in the .

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake is a critical issue in public health, especially for communities, such as Native ߣsirÊÓƵian and Filipino populations, disproportionately affected by HPV-related outcomes. Collaboration between physicians and pharmacists offers a valuable strategy to increase vaccination opportunities and completion rates.

Meliza Roman, an alumna of the University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹’s , published a paper in the April issue of that explored the awareness and perceptions of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi physicians regarding pharmacists’ roles in administering adolescent vaccines following a 2017 legislative amendment.

Roman’s study involved surveying physicians across ߣsirÊÓƵʻi. Results indicated that while physicians recognized the beneficial role of pharmacists, they also expressed concerns about the accuracy of vaccine administration and dose tracking. These findings underscore the need for enhanced physician-pharmacist collaboration and additional education and training for pharmacists.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on this study under the mentorship of Dr. May Rose Dela Cruz,” Roman said. “My public health background provided a solid foundation for this study, teaching me valuable writing and presentation skills and highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in advancing healthcare outcomes.”

Roman conducted this research as part of her public health underߣsirÊÓƵuate applied learning experience, which allows ߣsirÊÓƵ to apply their academic knowledge to real-world projects. The HPV vaccine, proven safe and effective, now protects against nine common virus strains that can cause cervical and other cancers. Roman’s study broadens the understanding of physicians’ pre-pandemic perspectives on referring adolescent patients to pharmacies for HPV vaccines. Implementing these practices can help physicians make more informed decisions, providing patients with additional options to receive and complete the vaccine series.

“This study was fortunate to have a student like Meliza interested in research and seeing it through from the beginning with an IRB (Institutional Review Board) application to data collection and finally to an award-winning publication,” said Dela Cruz, an assistant researcher at the Office of Public Health Studies (OPHS). “I am very proud of her accomplishments and commend her for her continued work in public health research.”

Nearly half of the Maui residents affected by the fires experienced a decline in health compared to a year ago, and they continue to face difficulties accessing medical care and medications. These are just two of the findings from the most comprehensive cohort study dedicated to understanding and mitigating the impacts of the Maui wildfires.

Researchers from the University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ (MauiWES) released their first comprehensive report based on surveys and tests collected directly from Maui residents. The results are based on a sample collected mostly in February 2024, and consisted of 679 participants, two-thirds of whom resided in Lahaina at the time of the fires. The other participants either worked in Lahaina, or resided or worked in fire-affected areas in Kula.

Key findings:

• Access to medical care, medications and health insurance disparities: More than four in ten people reported difficulties accessing medical care and medications, compared to about one in ten before the fires. Significant disparities in health insurance coverage were also found, with more than 13% of participants lacking insurance. Notably, nearly 38% of Hispanic respondents reported having no insurance coverage.
• Health outcomes: Nearly half of the participants (46%) reported a decline in health compared to one year ago.
• Physical health: Exposure to smoke, ash, and ߣsirÊÓƵ is strongly associated with worse physical health outcomes and reported symptoms. Based on tests conducted in February 2024, approximately 74% of participants face a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease due to elevated or prehypertension levels. Kidney function may be compromised in 8–20% of participants, and up to 60% may suffer from poor respiratory health.
• Mental health: The survey found a notable increase in depression compared to before the fires, with more than half showing symptoms, significantly higher than state and local averages. About 30% of participants reported symptoms of moderate or severe anxiety. Elevated levels of low self- esteem (35%) and suicidal thoughts (4.4%) highlight severe mental health challenges for survivors.
• Community resiliency: MauiWES participants trust and depend on community organizations more than FEMA or local government in the aftermath of the wildfires, underscoring the vital role of grassroots groups in ߣsirÊÓƵʻi’s disaster response.
• Residential impact: Only 34% of participants report living in pre-wildfire (their original) homes, while 56% are in temporary housing, and 10% have settled into new permanent residences.
• Employment and income: The wildfires caused almost half of the participants to lose their jobs; however, 80% have since secured employment, leaving 20% still unemployed at the time of the survey. Additionally, 74% have experienced a reduction in household income.
• Food security: 47% of households report experiencing low food security, which is higher than previous rates observed locally and statewide.

Researchers’ recommendations:

• Medical care and accessibility: Focus on expanding access to healthcare and insurance coverage for individuals affected by the wildfires, particularly in light of urgent health needs in pulmonary, cardiovascular, and behavioral health.
• Housing stability: Ensure stable, long-term housing solutions for displaced individuals through policies supporting housing supply, financial aid, and access to affordable options.
• Environmental safety: Reduce post-wildfire environmental hazards by cleaning up affected areas, monitoring air and water quality during clean-up, and educating residents about protective measures.
• Community support: Strengthen community networks and engage local organizations to provide culturally sensitive support and enhance resilience.
• Additional support: Develop strategies for targeted support for the most vulnerable individuals, including low-income households, food insecure households, immigrants, people with pre-existing physical and mental health conditions, and people with disabilities, in terms of healthcare access and socioeconomic needs.

“The findings of this study clearly highlight the urgent need for continued support from stakeholders and funders, and better utilize the power of community to reach minority populations,” Ruben Juarez and Alika Maunakea said. “Maui is still in the process of healing, and your support is crucial. While other issues like housing are at the forefront, it is equally important to prioritize health to prevent further disparities, especially among our underserved and minority communities. By addressing these health issues alongside other critical needs, we can work towards a more equitable and resilient recovery.”

Publicly available interactive dashboard

The research team has launched the , which contains all available data. All health and social impact metrics can be broken down by age, race and income groups.

Ongoing research

Over at least the next 10 years, the study aims to document the acute and chronic health impacts and social conditions caused by the Maui wildfires.

The study is led by ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Professors Ruben Juarez, -HMSA Distinguished Professor of Health Economics in the ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ , and Alika Maunakea of the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology at the ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ (JABSOM).

The initiative is a partnership with community-based organizations including the Maui Medic Healers Hui, Roots Reborn, Tagnawa for Maui, and supported by seed funding from the ߣsirÊÓƵʻi Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund and Kaiser Permanente. and is waiting for the governor’s signature. This public impact research project is the result of an ongoing partnership between ߣsirÊÓƵERO and JABSOM.

A new study from the University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ shows that chlorine mixed with petroleum in water can potentially produce inadvertent byproducts harmful to human health.

Small amounts of chlorine, within safe industry standards, are added to disinfect Oʻahu’s drinking water by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) and military installations, . In late November 2021, a petroleum release from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility contaminated the Red Hill drinking water well. Hundreds of families, living on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the Army’s Aliamanu Military Reservation and Red Hill Housing, reported petroleum odors coming from tap water supplied by the U.S. Navy water system.

Lab experiments conducted by researchers in ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s and (WRRC), showed elevated levels of THM4 (Total Trihalomethanes) and HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids), which are both classified as disinfection byproducts, can form during chlorination of petroleum contaminated water. THM4 was the most abundant, and additionally, various unregulated disinfection byproducts were produced. The researchers stress that their findings are from controlled lab conditions, and further research is needed to understand real-world implications.

According to the , “Chronic exposure to disinfection byproducts may increase risk of cancer. Humans exposed to unusually large amounts of some disinfection byproducts could experience liver damage and decreased nervous system activity.”

“These findings highlight the potential health risks associated with chlorinating petroleum-contaminated water, and further research is needed to fully understand these risks in real-world conditions,” said study co-author and Professor Tao Yan from the ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ and WRRC.

During the lab process, control reactors containing either only free chlorine or only petroleum hydrocarbons produced significantly lower or no detectable levels of disinfection byproducts, which indicated that the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons and free chlorine together was responsible for the elevated disinfection byproduct concentrations.

“Recent contamination events in the Pearl Harbor aquifer show that petroleum hydrocarbons can directly enter groundwater wells without undergoing natural breakdown processes,” Yan said. “This study reveals that when unaltered petroleum hydrocarbons come into contact with free chlorine, commonly used in water treatment, they can produce higher levels of regulated disinfection byproducts. Understanding the potential risks during both water treatment and distribution is important for safeguarding water quality and protecting human health.”

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Knowledge about the early forms of life in the universe that may have led to the development of life on Earth remains largely unknown. However, a group of scientists at the University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ are attempting to change that.

In a newly published paper, researchers in the have discovered how some crucial molecules can form in space, which could lead to significant developments about how life may have originated on Earth.

The molecules in question are called nitrogen carrying aromatic molecules, which are important in many areas of chemistry and biology. They serve as the building blocks for a wide range of compounds, including pharmaceuticals, dyes, plastics, and natural products. Aromatic molecules are also found in important biomolecules such as amino acids, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and vitamins.

Using molecular beams, the ߣsirÊÓƵ chemistry team, led by Professor Ralf I. Kaiser, recreated the environments of the Taurus Molecular Cloud (dense region of interstellar gas and dust located in the Taurus constellation, where new stars are actively forming) and of Titan’s atmosphere (resembles Earth’s early conditions due to its nitrogen-rich composition and presence of methane). Titan is Saturn’s largest moon.

In combination with electronic structure calculations by Professor Alexander M. Mebel (Florida International University), along with interstellar (Professor Xiaohu Li, Chinese Academy of Sciences) and atmospheric modeling (Professor Jean-Christophe Loison, University of Bordeaux), postdoctoral fellow Zhenghai Yang was able to pinpoint fundamental structural units of aromatic (not related to smell) molecules, which offers new paths to understanding how the building blocks of DNA and RNA might have formed in space, reshaping our ideas about how life’s ingredients originated throughout the galaxy.

“The study suggests that nitrogen carrying aromatic molecules—pyridine, pyridinyl, and (iso)quinoline—could have been synthesized in environments that scientists are really honing in on due to their similarities to Earth,” Kaiser said. “Understanding how these molecules form is vital for unraveling the mysteries of life’s origins. Findings like these could have future implications, including for practical applications not only in biotechnology and synthetic biology, but also in combustion sciences.”

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The Department of Chemistry is housed in ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s .

ߣsirÊÓƵʻi’s economy will continue to grow, but at a slower pace than in past years (much of the pre-pandemic period and the pandemic-recovery period). According to the ’s (ߣsirÊÓƵERO) , Maui rebuilding and the incremental return of international travelers will support tourism, helping to offset a moderate pullback in the continental U.S. market. Construction will continue to be a source of strength, even as overall job and income growth decelerate. Reducing inflation in the islands will take a bit longer than expected, and growth prospects for ߣsirÊÓƵʻi’s counties differ.

“Maui is set for an extended recovery period this decade, while population slowing will reduce future growth to varying degrees across the counties,” said the forecast.

Key takeaways from the May 10 report:

• The U.S. has continued to outperform its peers, supported by immigration and strong consumer spending. Some moderation of U.S. growth will occur as the labor force softens and high short-term financing costs weigh on households. But considering the economy’s impressive resilience, the extent of slowing will be less than previously anticipated.
• Other major visitor markets have struggled. The four counties have experienced somewhat differing visitor industry performance. All were affected by a first-half 2023 tapering of U.S. arrivals, which may have reflected waning post pandemic rebound travel. Maui has had a somewhat stronger than expected initial industry rebound, but faces a long road ahead. Other counties benefited from visitors substituting alternative ߣsirÊÓƵʻi destinations.
• Despite challenges, inflation-adjusted statewide visitor spending rose last year, propelled by the strongest daily per person visitor spending in more than three decades. Room rates held steady after a period of substantial gains, while there was substitution away from the luxury hotel segment. Inflation-adjusted visitor spending will decline a bit this year, before stabilizing in 2025.
• The state government budget is taking a smaller hit from Maui wildfire cost than expected, but pending hazard pay for employees who worked during COVID-19 will be an added state and county outlay. Already, recent years’ population decline has reduced revenue. The state legislature has passed the most ambitious tax cut and reform package in many years.
• Inflation has picked up in the islands, and it now exceeds the national average. This is primarily because of a delayed pass-through of higher rents. Inflation will resume its downward path over the next two years.
• Job growth continues at a modest pace in all counties other than Maui. Progress to house residents displaced by the Maui wildfires has been slow. A new law grants Maui and the other counties more authority to regulate or eliminate short term rentals.
• Across all counties, soaring mortgage rates caused a dramatic drop in existing home sales, but overall construction activity remains buoyant. Maui rebuilding and ongoing private and government projects, especially on Oʻahu, will push construction employment to record highs.
• A significant new concern is the unfolding insurance crisis. The cost of condo insurance has soared nationwide because of more frequent catastrophic events. Most lenders will not issue new mortgages on under-insured properties. The state legislature has considered a public insurance pool to address these concerns, but this was not adopted during the recent term.
• Wage increases and declining inflation have raised real personal income, but it will slow below 1% this year. Real gross domestic product, our broadest measure of economic activity, will slow sharply from 3.6% growth in 2023 to 1.5% this year, but it will pick up in 2025 as Maui construction kicks into higher gear and external economies improve. As labor force and employment growth slow, both income and GDP will trend lower than in the past.

ߣsirÊÓƵERO is housed in ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s .

For the entire report, .

A visit by the Counsellor for Research and Innovation at the European Union Delegation to the United States in Washington, D.C. provided valuable opportunities for the University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ to access funding, foster strategic collaborations, expand its international network, and support the professional development of its faculty and ߣsirÊÓƵ.

The ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ (OVPRS) hosted the EU delegation visit in March 2024, which included Florent Bernard, EU Counsellor for Research and Innovation, and Jeffrey Lau, Belgian Honorary Consul. Bernard presented at an OVPRS faculty forum to discuss the new EU research and innovation program 2021–27 called .

“The Horizon Europe mission connects very well with priority areas in ߣsirÊÓƵʻi,” said ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Interim Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship Christopher Sabine. “Partnering can provide a powerful diverse perspective that will strengthen both of our regions.”

During their visit to ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, Bernard and Lau met with campus leadership to discuss potential strategic collaborations. In addition, Bernard visited with faculty and staff from the Kewalo Marine Laboratory, ߣsirÊÓƵ Cancer Center, John A. Burns School of Medicine and Social Sciences Research Institute.

Horizon Europe is a new program and will help ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ faculty to forge international collaborations and join collaborative networks to enhance ߣsirÊÓƵ’s research presence across the globe. Through this program, ߣsirÊÓƵ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ can also receive funding for ߣsirÊÓƵuate ߣsirÊÓƵ and postdocs through doctoral networks and fellowships.

For more on the Horizon Europe cluster areas, .

For more on Horizon Europe, visit these .

Research from recent ߣsirÊÓƵuate Brock Santi of the University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at Manoa (JABSOM) explored the link between COVID-19, insurance coverage, race, ethnicity and vaccination, shedding light on previously unexplored aspects of the pandemic’s impact in ߣsirÊÓƵʻi. The study was on May 1. The study found different times during the pandemic provided disparities with different groups.

“We wanted to ensure that patients in the hospital, as soon as they were admitted for COVID-19, were receiving equal care,” explained Santi, who ߣsirÊÓƵuated less than a year ago and is currently working with the ߣsirÊÓƵʻi Department of Health. With a focus on internal medicine and an interest in infectious diseases, he will soon begin an internship with Kaiser Permanente ߣsirÊÓƵʻi.

The study looked at more than 1,000 people. Researchers found no significant differences in outcomes based on insurance type, challenging preconceptions about healthcare access. However, disparities among racial and ethnic groups surfaced, with Filipinos facing a higher risk of in-hospital mortality. The availability of vaccines proved to be a turning point, significantly reducing disparities in outcomes across different ethnicities.

Santi’s journey from medical student to published researcher highlights the importance of passion and dedication in pursuing meaningful research. “Find something that you’re passionate about,” he advises future ߣsirÊÓƵ.

As Santi looks to the future, his enthusiasm for research remains, with plans to delve into RSV and flu research to continue making strides in understanding and combating infectious diseases.

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To help ߣsirÊÓƵʻi reach net-zero energy by 2045, two researchers at the University of ߣsirÊÓƵʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) received a $150,000 Sun Grant Western Region grant to assess how bioenergy generated from bioresources such as agricultural residues and animal manures, via anaerobic digestion, could significantly contribute to the state’s renewable energy.

Samir Khanal, of the , and Tomoaki Miura, of the , are planning to develop the first comprehensive geodatabase on available bioresources across the ߣsirÊÓƵian Islands, and assess their bioenergy production potential.

“The National Renewable Energy Laboratory Biofuels Atlas, a valuable tool for identifying areas with abundant feedstocks, does not have specific data for ߣsirÊÓƵʻi,” Khanal said. “Given the decentralized nature of bioresources across the ߣsirÊÓƵian Islands, developing a comprehensive bioenergy feedstock map is essential.”

Khanal and Miura will combine geographical information system (GIS)-based modeling with bioconversion data. The database will be an interactive, online tool, providing vital insights to encourage the adoption of distributed anaerobic digestion technology.

“We will gather field data from all four major islands and employ GIS-based analysis specifically aimed at mapping the bioenergy potential of agricultural residues and animal manures within the ߣsirÊÓƵian Islands,” said Miura. “This information is crucial for resource management and for strategically planning the size and location of processing facilities to maximize both economic and environmental benefits to the state.”

Other accolades

Khanal was appointed editor-in-chief of , reflecting his achievements in the field of biological waste treatment/bioconversion and bioenergy. The journal is considered tier one, and ranks first in agricultural engineering receiving nearly 10,000 manuscripts per year.

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