The University of Hawai‘i (UH) is the state’s premier research institution and is home to world-renowned programs in astronomy, earth and ocean sciences, energy, health sciences and tropical agriculture. Bolstered by a record $734 million in extramural funding in fiscal year 2025, UH remains at the forefront of leading competitive research in science and technology to improve the quality of life throughout the state, around the Pacific Rim and beyond.
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the flagship campus of UH’s ten-campus system, is one of 141 universities in the nation to hold the distinction of being a Carnegie Research 1 university. It is also one of an elite group of land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant universities and is nationally and internationally recognized for its pioneering research in oceanography, astronomy/space exploration, medicine/cancer, genetics, microbiomes, sustainable agriculture, engineering, data sciences and more.
With an unparalleled backdrop of geographic diversity that includes active volcanos, frozen summits, tropical rain forests and the deep ocean, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo boasts notable research programs in marine biology, conservation biology and agriculture. The campus is home to the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, the only science center in the world created explicitly to promote contemporary science education within the context of an indigenous culture.
The University of Hawai‘i at West O‘ahu is UH’s newest campus and has become a nationally recognized leader in cybersecurity education and sustainable community food systems. The campus’ state-of-art Academy for Creative Media Student Production Facility has uniquely positioned UH as one of the preeminent creative media programs in the world and the first with a majority Asian Pacific American student enrollment.
Innovation is not only limited to UH’s major campuses. The Maui Food Innovation Center at UH Maui College is Hawai‘i’s first in-state agribusiness and food entrepreneurship accelerator, while the Innovation Center at Kaua‘i Community College aims to create a more sustainable community via interdisciplinary projects. Both programs typify the UH Community Colleges’ mission to equip students with the necessary skillsets to be successful in today’s modern workforce.
With expertise in technology transfer and commercialization, UH is continually exploring ways to provide new conduits for UH-based research and innovation to reach local, national and international companies and organizations looking to solve real-world problems. In addition to cultivating and nurturing its relationship with the local business community, UH has recently established partnerships with the National Security Innovation Network and the Hawaii Tech Bridge to develop a tech-based startup sector in Hawai‘i that will provide the U.S. Department of Defense with solutions to some of their technological challenges.
Organizational Chart
Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation Organizational Chart
Advisory Structure
Research Development Council
The Research Development Council (RDC) was formed to strengthen communication and coordination between the campuses and the UH Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), with the aim of facilitating the continued success of the research enterprise. By bringing together representatives from across the university system, the RDC provides essential, campus-level perspectives that help OVPRI better organize, support, and advance the growth and success of UH’s system-wide research enterprise.
Research Administrative Burden Task Force
The Research Administrative Burden Task Force was established to identify and pilot practical solutions to reduce unnecessary administrative workload while strengthening research integrity, compliance, and grants performance across the University of Hawaiʻi System.
- Joy Morisawa-Au Hoy, Leeward Community College
- Jennifer Benitez, UH Maui College
- Cheryl Reeser, UH Maui College
- Lea Kinikini, UH West Oʻahu
- Kira Higa, RCUH
- Tracey Heinrich, RCUH
- Brandon Marc Higa, ORS, UH System
- Davin Sasaki, OVPRI, UH System