This REU Site award to University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, located in Honolulu, HI, supports the training of students for 10 weeks during the summer. Field work for student research projects will occur in the ahupua‘a of Kailua, O‘ahu. Recruitment in this program focuses on native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Sāmoa, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Students will learn to conduct biological research that confronts challenges facing Pacific Island communities, and return this knowledge to their home islands.

​

The overarching goal of this REU-SITE program is to develop a cohort of culturally-connected Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who are well-trained in the conduct of scientific research, the engagement of indigenous communities throughout the scientific process, and in disciplines of greatest importance to their islands and their future, including ecology, environmental biology, and conservation science. The faculty mentors for this REU-Site are spread across several schools and institutes at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa,

​

Student projects will focus on using systems biology research to solve issues identified by the community within Kailua, work on fishery science, sustainable agriculture systems, ecological restoration, invasive species science and management, and disease ecology. Student participants will engage community members, stakeholders, and landowners as they conduct cutting-edge science. They will also be trained in research ethics and responsible conduct, lab safety procedures, scientific writing and publication, and graduate school application procedures.

In order to be considered you must be:

• a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident of the United States.
  ‍
• Enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree
  ‍
• Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate
  ‍
• High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate
  ‍
• Students who have received their bachelor’s degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are NOT eligible to participate
  ‍
• Preference will be given to students from institutions outside of University of Hawaii Mānoa as well as those students who are from a Pacific Island and or identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.