Local knowledge meets tech in University of Hawaiʻi’s Honu Ocean Project

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Honu Hawaiʻi Project is an exciting initiative led by Dr. Brian Glaser from the University of Hawaiʻi.

They use special sensors to study ocean tides and water levels around Hawaiʻi. This helps local communities understand flooding and plan better.

Honu’s data is free and available online, making it easy for everyone to use. Their goal is to provide important ocean information to help keep Hawaiʻi safe and beautiful.

KHON2.com was able to sit down with Dr. Glaser to learn more.

Dr. Glaser is a key team member shared insights into their innovative project aimed at making ocean data more accessible.

The project, spearheaded by Honu, bridges the gap between academic research and community needs, providing valuable tools for ocean observation.

Dr. Glaser, who has spent 20 years on Oʻahu, and he focuses on the interplay of chemistry, biology and physics in the ocean.

Collaborating with engineers, he developed new sensors and tools for ocean observation. These efforts, funded by organizations like the National Science Foundation and NOAA, eventually led to the creation of Honu.

This company aims to provide ocean observing tools to communities that typically lack access to them.

A key team member introduced himself and shared his journey from being born and raised on Oʻahu to studying mechanical and product development engineering on the mainland.

With a background in startups, including commercial drones and electric scooters, he joined Honu to work on technology that could benefit communities globally while being rooted in Hawaiʻi.

Another associate on this project is Dr. Kevin Mukai.

“I was born and raised on Oʻahu, attended and graduated from Punahou. I went to the mainland to study mechanical and product development engineering,” Mukai explained. “Ever since college, I’ve been working at hardware and software startups, mainly on the business operations side of things, both as a founder and in hyper-growth phases. I met Brian in late 2019 and wanted to work on a technology product meant to be created in Hawaiʻi but also had the ability to help communities on a global scale.”

Honu’s impact on Hawaiʻi

Dr. Glaser explained that he has worked closely with fish pond communities in Hawaiʻi throughout his career.

These communities face various challenges, from invasive species to the need for better management practices. Using modern tools, Honu helps make these tasks more efficient.

Dr. Glaser mentioned, “We can make it easier to observe, track, and monitor with today’s technology.”

With funding from organizations like the Purple Maiʻa Foundation and support from Senator Brian Schatz, Honu installed sensors at 30 locations around Hawaiʻi, including traditional Hawaiian fish ponds.

These sensors provide valuable data on water levels and tides, crucial for activities like harvesting oysters and planning volunteer workdays.

Using local data for local solutions

Dr. Glaser emphasized the importance of localized data. While NOAA provides high-quality tide gauge data, their stations are sparse.

Honu’s 30 tide gauges throughout Hawaiʻi fill these gaps, offering communities accurate, real-time data. This data is essential for understanding local flooding, planning restoration projects, and more.

Dr. Glaser noted, “Having those local measurements in your own backyard helps understand how flooding is affecting places where flooding never used to happen.”

The key team member added, “Being able to understand the hyper-local impacts, like why is my backyard flooded now when it never used to, is crucial. Honu helps by putting new sensors in new locations to give more accurate real-time data as well as predictions.”

Connecting with the community

When asked how people can engage with Honu, Dr. Glaser explained that all their data is freely available. They maintain about 130 to 140 sites across the U.S., with data accessible on their website and the Tidecast app.

This transparency allows communities to use the data for various purposes, from environmental monitoring to planning community events.

The key team member elaborated, “All of our data is freely available at dashboard.honu.io and on the IOS app store under Tidecast. Honu serves not only all of the federal government’s data but also our own, supplementing and filling the gaps between those federal assets.”

Future plans and community involvement

The interview concluded with a discussion about future opportunities. Dr. Glaser expressed a willingness to discuss how climate phenomena like La Niña could impact their work.

He emphasized that while Honu focuses on hyper-local impacts, they are part of a larger network of academic and governmental efforts to understand and mitigate climate change.

Dr. Glaser’s work with Honu highlights the importance of combining scientific research with practical applications. By providing accessible, localized data, Honu empowers communities to address environmental challenges and make informed decisions.

This innovative approach not only benefits Hawaiʻi but also serves as a model for other regions facing similar issues.

Dr. Glaser and his team at Honu are making significant strides in ocean observation and community engagement.

Their work exemplifies the power of technology and collaboration in addressing environmental challenges, ensuring that both local and global communities can benefit from their efforts.

You can click here to learn more about this important project.

This project showcases how dedication, innovation and community involvement can lead to impactful solutions, providing a blueprint for similar initiatives worldwide.