The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $874,254 in federal funding to the state of hawaii through the national estuarine research reserve system (nerrs) land…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $874,254 to the University of Hawaii on October 1, 2025, under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves program (CFDA 11.420) to enhance infrastructure resilience and educational capacity at the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The funding supports stabilization and permanent roofing of the P Nui structure, an existing educational facility at the reserve, along with installation of photovoltaic systems to reduce energy dependence. These upgrades will enable the reserve to accommodate larger groups for on-site estuarine and science education programs, including the Teachers on the Estuaries program, while improving structural resilience to storm events, hurricanes, and sea level rise in this coastal zone region vulnerable to climate change impacts.

The University of Hawaii, the recipient, operates the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve. A sub-award of $1,028,534 obligated dollars supports the project through September 30, 2027, with performance taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii. The program provides land acquisition, development, operation, education, monitoring, research, and facilities construction funding to coastal states for National Estuarine Research Reserves as natural field laboratories.

Kakoo Oiwi, a non-profit native Hawaiian organization, serves as a sub-grantee under the award, delivering work on reserve infrastructure sustainability and ecosystem management through its Kakoo Oiwi Infrastructure Sustainability project.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $874,254 in federal funding to the state of hawaii through the national estuarine research reserve system (nerrs) land acquisition and construction program for fiscal year 2025 (NOAA-NOS-OCM-2025-29258). This funding will build the ability of the heeia national estuarine research reserve within the university of hawaii enhance an existing structure (named: p NUI) through stabilization, and upgrading structures to become more resilient in storm events and the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Construction funds will be used to stabilize the existing deck and replace the temporary roof cover with permanent roofing on the existing p NUI structure to accommodate larger groups for education, training, and community outreach and engagement. Upgraded infrastructure is also needed for the reserve to continue to offer safe, on-site estuarine and science education programs, including the teachers on the estuaries (tote) program. The reserve, including kkoo IWI, is in the coastal zone region that will be greatly impacted by climate change effects such as increased storm events, hurricanes, and sea level rise. Self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on utility companies for energy is an important sustainability goal for the reserve. The proposed upgrades to the p NUI facility will ensure the continued availability of a priority gathering space for the heeia nerr, partners, and community, which should be adapted to the changing climate and energy goals of the nerr and the state of hawaii.