The he`EIA national estuarine research reserve (nerr), kane`OHE HI was designated on january 19, 2017

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded the University of Hawaii a $1,258,525 Cooperative Agreement on October 1, 2025, under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves program (CFDA 11.420) to support operations of the He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Kaneohe, Hawaii through March 31, 2027. The He'eia NERR, designated in January 2017 as the 29th site in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and the first co-management agreement formally including local community participation, operates as a natural field laboratory for monitoring, research, and public education on coastal estuarine ecosystems. The University of Hawaii's Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology serves as the lead state agency managing reserve operations under a vision to restore the biocultural integrity of the He'eia ahupua'a (watershed) using indigenous Hawaiian ecological principles and contemporary stewardship practices.

The award funds core reserve operations and administration, including salaries for the Reserve Director, Research Coordinator, and Educational Coordinator positions supported by $377,558 in committed state matching funds from the State of Hawaii General Fund. The reserve delivers research, education, and monitoring services that support healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through applied research and training informed by local knowledge. Two Native Hawaiian organizations—Kakoo Oiwi and Paepae O Heelia—received sub-awards from the University of Hawaii in February and April 2026, respectively, to provide specialized environmental restoration and stewardship services, leveraging traditional Hawaiian aquacultural and agricultural management practices alongside contemporary conservation techniques to address ecosystem restoration and climate resilience objectives within the He'eia ahupua'a.

With passage of the coastal zone management act of 1972, the federal government officially recognized the national significance of coastal resources and authorized the national estuarine research reserve system (nerrs) administered by NOAA. The he`EIA nerr was the 29TH site to be designated as part of the nerrs, but the first designed as a CO-management agreement that formally includes the local community. The nerrs works with existing federal and state authorities to establish and operate research reserves and provide for their long-term stewardship. The state of hawai'i has designated the university of hawai`i, hawai'i institute of marine biology (himb) as the lead state agency for the reserve. The he`EIA nerr management plan describes in detail the reserve programs and operations during the five-year period extending from july 2023 to december 2028. This proposal is based upon that management plan and covers the period extending from october 2025 through march 2027. The vision of he`EIA nerr is that the ahupua`a concept is a global example of a thriving and resilient social-ecological community. The biocultural integrity of the ahupua`a of he`EIA is restored to a state of `aina momona (4) and is a legacy for future generations. The mission of this nerr is to practice and promote stewardship through the philosophies and values that have shaped our local community. Our efforts are supported by local knowledge, applied research, education, and training that nourishes healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities. This proposal details the tasks and outcomes associated with the requested federal funding ($880,967) and committed state match funding ($377,558). The non-federal match will come from the state of hawaii general fund by providing state salaries to support the reserve director, research coordinator, and educational coordinator positions. Federal funds will be used for funding of the research and restoration technician, training and engagement program coordinator, and graduate research assistants. During the october 2025 through march 2027 award period, the major program activities and milestones on which the he`EIA nerr will focus include: work with our site partners towards a goal to complete phase 1 of coastal restoration; conduct research within 10 identified priority areas; support the restoration of endangered waterbird habitat; increase flood resilience; continue swmp and ssam-1 protocols; continue implementing coastal training program; continue teachers on the estuary (tote) training program; continue supporting internships with our site partners relating to restoration, research, and education efforts; continue to play a leadership role in advocating for more support for heeia nerrs efforts within the state