UH Mānoa Launches New Ocean Policy Center
The center pairs oceanography and law students to drive science-backed policy advocacy during the legislative session.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Environmental
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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has launched the Center for Ocean Policy to bridge scientific research with legal advocacy. This interdisciplinary initiative connects the Department of Oceanography with the William S. Richardson School of Law to address biodiversity loss and climate change.
Why it matters
By integrating oceanographic science directly into legal frameworks, the Center provides a mechanism for science-backed advocacy during the Hawaiʻi legislative session. This bridge is intended to translate complex climate data into actionable policy solutions for local marine environments.
The Center supports three Climate Change Fellows as of 2024, expanding upon a partnership with the Healy Foundation that began in 2020. The facility coordinates interdisciplinary clinics and capstone projects to pair specialized students with local nonprofit organizations.
The players
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
A public research university hosting departments for advanced oceanography and law.
Healy Foundation
A philanthropic organization that has funded research assistantships and climate fellowship positions at the university since 2020.
The details
The Law-Ocean Clinic operates by embedding law and oceanography students within nonprofit organizations to conduct research and advocacy. This collaborative structure relies on interdisciplinary seminars and capstone projects to ensure legal initiatives are informed by current oceanographic findings. The process focuses on translating technical climate data into policy language suitable for the state legislative cycle.
Timeline
2020: The Healy Foundation began its research assistant partnership.
2024: The fellowship program expanded to include three Climate Change Fellows.
October 26, 2026: The university formally announced the launch of the Center for Ocean Policy.
Second year: The Center is scheduled to initiate an annual symposium.
The Tech Race
The Center moves to align academic output with the specific timing of the Hawaiʻi legislative session to maximize policy influence. This initiative contrasts with standard research programs that often operate on multi-year publication cycles rather than active advocacy timelines.
Local nonprofits will begin collaborating with students through the Law-Ocean Clinic to support ongoing advocacy efforts. Residents can expect the center to host an annual symposium starting in its second year of operation.
The takeaway
The Center aims to bridge the gap between ocean science and state-level legal protections for marine biodiversity. Watch for the inaugural results of the Law-Ocean Clinic during the upcoming legislative session.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and policy initiatives at the Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Maui Now | Hawaii News | Local Maui News and Information | Hawaii News.
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