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Technology Transfer & Ethics

Before UH or any UH/RCUH employee takes part in any technology transfer activity where Act 8 applies, the activities must be reviewed for potential conflicts of interest or violations of the State Ethics Code.

In 2017, Act 38 and Act 39 were signed into law to facilitate the transfer of UH research into commercially viable businesses to expand workforce opportunities, help diversify the economy and provide useful products to the community. Act 38 conferred to UH regulatory and oversight responsibilities of certain sections of the State Ethics Code for technology transfer activities sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i. Act 39 provided UH statutory authority to engage in activities to support UH affiliated startup companies.

Act 38 and 39 was updated during the 2021 Special Session as Act 8, Part III. It can be found in the Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 84-10 and 304A-1961 through 304A-1969.

  1. Update your Conflicts of Interest (COI) disclosure online at MyGrant rCOI (if involved with externally funded research) or the Kuali Build COI disclosure (if not involved with externally funded research).
  2. Submit the Technology Transfer Activity Review Request form (word document) to oic@hawaii.edu.
  3. Disclose any UH intellectual property being used in the activity through the online Innovator Portal or using the paper form.
  4. OIC will work with you to develop a COI management plan and consult the Office of Research Compliance (ORC), if needed.

You can submit a Technology Transfer Activity Review Request form to begin the review process by UH. You can also contact the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at oic@hawaii.edu or 808-956-9024.

More information on COI can be found on the Office of Research Compliance website.

You may contact the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at oic@hawaii.edu or 808-956-9024. You can also contact the Office of Research Compliance Research Integrity Program at coi@hawaii.edu.

Information on COI management plans can be found on the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) website.  OIC will work with ORC if a management plan is needed.

Act 8 relates to technology transfer activities sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i and defines “technology transfer activities” as the “process of transferring scientific findings from the public sector to the private sector for the purpose of commercial development and application for personal or financial gain.”

Eligible “technology transfer activities” may include:

  • Creating joint ventures, limited partnerships, or other corporate forms
  • Allocating equity shares, partnership interests, or other forms of participation
  • Identifying new technologies
  • Protecting technologies through patents and copyrights
  • Forming development and commercialization strategies, arrangements, or projects

The Hawaii State Ethics Code is found in Chapter 84, Part II of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.  The Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission administers the State Ethics Code and can provide guidance on any questions you may have.  Their website also includes quick guides and  training programs.