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School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

@soest.hawaii.edu

8.1K followers 32 following 34 posts

World-class research and academic institution focused on informing solutions to some of the world’s most vexing problems. 📍University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa 🌎 www.soest.hawaii.edu

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School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 02/10/2026

A 253-year coral core from Olowalu Reef on West Maui reveals how land use and climate change have affected the reef. Published in Coral Reefs, the study shows increased sediment and nutrient inputs, especially during sugarcane expansion, which correlates with declining coral growth.

soest.hawaii.edu

Massive coral colony on West Maui provides window changes in land use and climate over 250 years

New research led by University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant), UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), and U

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Ocean Acidification Research Center @uaf-oarc-alaska.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The ocean absorbs 27% of human caused carbon dioxide emissions. As the CO₂ reacts with seawater, ocean pH decreases causing #OceanAcidification. 🧪🌊🦑 📈📉 by NOAA and @soest.hawaii.edu

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Carbon Program at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory leads a global ocean observing program to track seawater carbon dioxide and ocean acidification.

In this graph from the Hawaii Carbon Dioxide Time-Series, the red data are observations from the Mauna Loa observatory monitoring atmospheric carbon dioxide, the green data are observations from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa ocean station ALOHA monitoring seawater carbon dioxide, and the blue data are observations from ALOHA monitoring seawater pH.

Find this graph at https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/file/Hawaii+Carbon+Dioxide+Time-Series

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Lars Bejder @lbejder1971.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

New paper out in Marine Ecology Progress Series by Nemeth et al: Energetic scaling of propulsive costs across body sizes in humpback whales. www.int-res.com/abstracts/me...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 07/09/2026

A UH Mānoa study reveals the Moon's soil acts as a cosmic time capsule, preserving supernova history for 100 million years. Researchers developed a mathematical model to decode this "impact gardening," helping future Artemis astronauts read scrambled lunar layers for clues about galactic history.

soest.hawaii.edu

Lunar soil reads as a cosmic time capsule for exploding stars

When a star reaches its final stages of life, it ends in a bright and powerful explosion called a supernova and scatters material across the universe

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 03/09/2026

Climate change is making Hawaiʻi more dangerous. While long-term data show that Hawaiʻi is getting drier overall, short, intense downpours that cause sudden, dangerous flash floods are getting stronger in the islands.

soest.hawaii.edu

Short, intense storms gain intensity across Hawaiʻi

While long-term data shows that Hawaiʻi is getting drier overall, short, intense downpours that cause sudden, dangerous flash floods are getting stronger in the islands, according to a new study led b...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 03/09/2026

Kanesa Duncan Seraphin, host of the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program’s Voice of the Sea television series, won the 2026 Molokaʻi 2 Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships. This was her ninth victory in the race, with a personal-best time of 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds.

soest.hawaii.edu

Professor, TV host wins 9th Molokaʻi 2 Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships

Kanesa Duncan Seraphin, host and producer of the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program’s Voice of the Sea television series and director of its Center of Excellence for Marine Science Educat...

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Lars Bejder @lbejder1971.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Will Shrinking Spinner Dolphin Populations Spur More Protections? www.civilbeat.org?p=1801995&ut...

Will Shrinking Spinner Dolphin Populations Spur More Protections?

Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi found that the number of young spinner dolphins is only half of what it needs to be to maintain a healthy population.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 15/08/2026

SOEST Associate Professor Alison Nugent 👇

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 10/08/2026

Scientists at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are using drones to deploy suction-cup tags on humpback whales, revolutionizing marine mammal research. This method allows researchers to tag whales from a distance, minimizing disturbance and enabling data collection on previously inaccessible whales.

soest.hawaii.edu

Tagging whales from the sky: New methods revolutionize research

Marine mammal research has attained new heights as scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are deploying noninvasive suction-cup tags onto humpback whales using drones

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 29/07/2026

At a symposium on Genki Balls, fermented mud balls designed to enhance water quality, researchers from UH Mānoa and others shared findings from a two-year study of the Ala Wai Canal system, emphasizing the complexity and difficulty of linking environmental improvements to specific efforts.

soest.hawaii.edu

Evidence-based evaluation of Genki Balls focus of symposium

Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) hosted a research symposium and panel discussion on July 17 at its Aloha Tower Marketplace campus where scientists presented the findings of a two-year field and labor...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 23/07/2026

A question for @drxtinakar.bsky.social

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 22/07/2026

Research from UH Mānoa finds the traditional method for estimating air-conditioning and refrigeration energy demand is flawed. A new metric, effective cooling degree days, considers temperature and humidity and shows cooling efficiency has declined by 2–4%/decade since 1971 due to climate change.

soest.hawaii.edu

Research reveals how a changing climate reshapes cooling efficiency and energy demand

New research led by University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa atmospheric scientists found that the century-old yardstick used across many industries to estimate air-conditioning and refrigeration energy de...

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Bubbles enhance air-sea gas exchange, but quantifying their contribution is complex due to nonlinear wind speed dependence, solubility effects, and oversaturation. Read about it all in our latest review. 🌊🧪

agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

The Role of Bubbles in Air‐Sea Gas Exchange: A Critical Review

Studies regarding the role of bubbles on air-sea gas exchange over the past decades are reviewed Bubble-mediated gas transfer is strongly nonlinear, solubility-dependent, and asymmetric; its role...

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Christina Karamperidou @drxtinakar.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Traditional Cooling Degree Days ignore how temperature and humidity affect cooling system efficiency. Our new paper introduces effective Cooling Degree Days (eCDD), a thermodynamics-based metric for representing cooling demand. Paper, code, and data are open source. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Efficiency-weighted cooling degree days reveal opposing temperature and humidity effects on energy demand - Nature Communications

A metric shows air conditioners work less efficiently as temperatures rise, while humidity can worsen or offset losses. Across North America, future cooling energy demand may grow far faster than stan...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 17/07/2026

A study by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa found that human activities alter coral reef chemistry, reducing their resilience to environmental stressors. Researchers discovered 25 contaminants from various sources accumulating in coral tissues, leading to decreased nutrient and energy reserves. 🧪

soest.hawaii.edu

Human activities compromise coral health and resilience

Human activities are fundamentally altering the chemical makeup of local coral reefs, according to a study led by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and published today in Nature Communications

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 14/07/2026

Study led by University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa shows the temp of the Hawaiian mantle plume has increased by ~250°C over the past 47 m.y. This challenges the belief that hotspots cool over time and suggests that heat surges contributed to the formation of the largest volcanoes in the Hawaiian Ridge. 🧪

soest.hawaii.edu

Study reveals Hawaiian hotspot is getting hotter

Contrary to conventional geological thinking, the Hawaiian mantle plume has gotten hotter by about 250°C (480°F) over the past 47 million years

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 12/07/2026

A study led by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa found that calves are only 9% of the spinner dolphin population off Hawaiʻi Island, lower than the expected 17%. This low calf count, due to chronic human disturbance from tourism and recreation, raises concerns about the population’s long-term survival.

soest.hawaii.edu

Low calf numbers raise questions about pressures on Hawaiʻi Island spinner dolphins

Unexpectedly low calf numbers within the spinner dolphin population off Hawaiʻi Island were revealed in a study led by scientists with the Marine Mammal Research Program at the University of Hawaiʻi a...

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Nature Geoscience @natgeosci.nature.com · 29/06/2026

News & Views on this and a related paper by Garrett Ito (@soest.hawaii.edu): www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The deep link between intraplate volcanism and plate tectonics - Nature Geoscience

Two independent studies suggest that thousands of submarine volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean and offshore Africa are likely to have resulted from two high-temperature structures in the lower mantle, who...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 26/06/2026

New research led by @drxtinakar.bsky.social of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa reveals that rising heat and humidity are reducing the viability of cooling data centers with naturally cold outside air, particularly in the tropics and southeastern United States.

soest.hawaii.edu

Rising heat and humidity challenge energy-efficient data center cooling

Reliable operation of data centers has become essential to nearly all sectors of modern society, including healthcare, education, government services, power grid operation, banking, defense, and disas...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 18/06/2026

Work done by SOEST scientists at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has made it to @jimmykimmellive.bsky.social. ⚒️🧪

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 17/06/2026

This is work done at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

First in situ observations of the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni

We report the first live in situ observations of the iconic goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) on a seamount near Jarvis Island in 2019 and on the slope of the Tonga Trench in 2024. Past observations...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 17/06/2026

See more about this research here.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 11/06/2026

A new study reports the first live observations of the elusive goblin shark in its natural deep ocean habitat near Jarvis Island and the Tonga Trench. It reveals that the goblin shark inhabits much deeper waters than previously thought. 🌊🧪

soest.hawaii.edu

Shadows in the abyss: New observations of rare, deep-sea goblin sharks in natural habitat

The first published live observations of the rare goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) in its natural deep ocean habitat were reported in a new paper by a University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa-led team of ocea...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 09/06/2026

New research from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa reveals that tectonic stress along the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems in Southern California has reached historically high levels, suggesting the potential for a large, damaging rupture that could impact Los Angeles and vicinity. 🧪

soest.hawaii.edu

Stress is accumulating in ‘earthquake gate’ of San Andreas fault system

New research led by earth scientists at the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa revealed that tectonic stress along the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems in Southern California has now reached...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 09/06/2026

A seven-year study reveals alarming health declines in Hawaiʻi’s endangered false killer whales, with some losing up to 28% of their body weight. The research suggests that nutritional stress and environmental shifts, like rising ocean temperatures, are driving the decline.

soest.hawaii.edu

Nutritional stress and warming seas threaten Hawaiʻi’s last false killer whales

A seven-year collaborative study has revealed alarming fluctuations in the health of Hawaiʻi’s endangered insular false killer whales, with some individuals losing nearly a quarter of their body weigh...

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

Noam Vogt-Vincent @nvogtvincent.co.uk · 22/05/2026

Global coral reef 🪸 collapse is not inevitable. We explain why in our new science & society piece for TREE! www.cell.com/trends/ecolo... Written with Lisa McManus and Rob Toonen! @soest.hawaii.edu @oxuniearthsci.bsky.social

Global coral reef collapse is not inevitable

Coral reefs are gravely threatened by climate change and other anthropogenic stressors. However, global coral reef collapse is not inevitable, and the status of coral reef tipping points is uncertain....

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 21/05/2026

Elizabeth Madin, a researcher at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, developed software to analyze satellite imagery and detect “reef halos” around coral reefs. These features are created by grazing fish and provide a global monitoring tool for coral reef health. 🌊🧪

soest.hawaii.edu

Future telehealth for the ocean: ‘Reef halos’ enable global checkups

From thousands of feet above the ocean, coral reefs reveal a hidden signal: pale, circular “halos” etched into the seafloor

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 14/05/2026

Emily Josefina Velasquez, a graduating senior from Mozambique, chose the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for its culture of environmental stewardship and community-centered science. At UH Mānoa, she immersed herself in research across multiple disciplines and found a sense of community and belonging.

soest.hawaii.edu

From Mozambique to Mānoa: Graduate bridges continents through science and culture

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduating senior Emily Josefina Velasquez had full-ride scholarship offers closer to home

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 09/05/2026

A number of SOEST faculty, staff, and students were recognized for their dedication and service with University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa awards.

soest.hawaii.edu

Recognizing faculty, staff, student excellence at 2026 Mānoa Awards

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa held its 2026 UH Mānoa Awards ceremony on May 5, 2026

Reposted by School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

American Meteorological Society @ametsoc.org · 07/05/2026

New research from @soest.hawaii.edu published in the Journal of Hydrometeorology reveals that the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) significantly influences climate conditions in Hawaiʻi. Learn how their discovery could help improve forecasts across the islands: bit.ly/3QNQuDi

Traveling tropical disturbance increases rainfall across the Hawaiian Islands

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has identified a large-scale tropical disturbance called the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) as a significant driver of the islands' climate, including extreme event...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 01/05/2026

Vera Wang, a senior at Kaiser High School, won multiple awards at the 2026 Hawai‘i State Science & Engineering Fair. Her project, conducted in @fungaloha.bsky.social's lab at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, found that fungal communities living in coconut husks can biodegrade sunscreen and plastic.

soest.hawaii.edu

Fungi help clean up plastic and sunscreen: Kaiser High student wins at Hawai‘i Science Fair

Vera Wang, a senior at Kaiser High School, won in multiple categories at the 2026 Hawai‘i State Science & Engineering Fair for her research on fungi that can degrade plastic and sunscreen conducted in...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 01/05/2026

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has reorganized the Waikīkī Aquarium into SOEST to enhance research synergies while maintaining its public offerings. This move aims to create a cohesive framework for marine science education and community service, transforming the aquarium into a living laboratory.

soest.hawaii.edu

Waikīkī Aquarium joins SOEST to boost marine research synergies

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has finalized a strategic reorganization moving the Waikīkī Aquarium within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) to strengthen research syner...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 28/04/2026

Prof. Niklas Schneider from the Department of Oceanography showed @helenczerski.bsky.social some of the ocean phenomena that can be demonstrated with a rotating tank. In this case, it’s the formation of subtropical gyres and why we will always have the Gulf Stream. 🌊 weathertank.mit.edu

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 25/04/2026

A student-led engineering team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and UH Hilo, Team RoSE, is a finalist in NASA’s 2026 RASC-AL Competition. Their project, PETAL, proposes a scalable power system for lunar operations that combines nuclear and lunar-soil energy storage. 🔌💡

soest.hawaii.edu

Moon mission momentum: UH team named NASA finalist for lunar power project

Among the finalists in a national NASA competition focused on advancing technologies for future space exploration is a student-led engineering team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and UH Hilo

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 25/04/2026

The University of Hawaiʻi has been designated by NOAA as the Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute to support coral reef conservation in the Pacific. The institute will conduct research, collaborate with various stakeholders, and implement NOAA’s coral reef strategies. 🌊

soest.hawaii.edu

UH to lead new Pacific reef research institute

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 c...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 24/04/2026

Here’s a starter pack of people at SOEST.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 24/04/2026

Researchers from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa created a simple ocean-based model to predict El Niño and La Niña 15 months ahead using ocean surface temperature and height data. It achieves forecast skill similar to complex models. The current forecast predicts a strong El Niño later this year. 🌊

soest.hawaii.edu

Simple ocean-based model forecasts El Niño skillfully, points to a strong event ahead

For decades, scientists have worked to improve predictions of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate powerhouse that can cause droughts, flooding, marine heatwaves, and more around the world

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 24/04/2026

@manelcamacho.bsky.social could you please add us to the science feed? 🙏

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 24/04/2026

It's part of SOEST.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 24/04/2026

A University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa study shows that Waikīkī faces increasing sewage flood risks from sea-level rise through storm-drain backflow and groundwater emergence. The findings call for updated flood strategies focused on contamination, not just surface damage and economic loss.

soest.hawaii.edu

Waikīkī faces escalating threat of sewage-contaminated flooding as sea level rises

A new study by University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa researchers revealed that Waikīkī is facing a fundamental shift in flood hazards as sea levels rise–transitioning from a flooding that is driven primarily...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 24/04/2026

Oceanographers from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa discovered the answer to how species diversity can be so vast and sustained in a seemingly homogeneous environment like the open ocean. 🌊

soest.hawaii.edu

‘Tis the season: Sharing resources sustains ocean microbial biodiversity

Oceanographers from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa discovered that microbial communities–from the sunlit surface to extreme depths–in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre exhibit robust seasonal cyc...

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology @soest.hawaii.edu · 24/04/2026

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) and the Waikīkī Aquarium are collaborating to increase awareness of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Sanctuary through lectures, a revamped exhibit, and educational programs. 🌊

soest.hawaii.edu

HIMB and Waikīkī Aquarium launch collaboration to bring Papahānaumokuākea to the community

In the remote reaches of the Pacific Ocean, where few humans have ever ventured, lies one of the most diverse and culturally significant ecosystems on Earth