Over $2.6 Million for Ocean Observation & Forecasting

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will award $2,659,836 to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UH) to fund its Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System to improve forecasting and modeling of extreme weather, storm surges, and high tide events in Hawai‘i and across the Pacific.

The announcement was made by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

“Given Hawai‘i’s unique geographic position, we need advanced ocean forecasting and observation,” said Sen. Schatz. “This funding will help communities across Hawai‘i to plan for and respond to extreme weather and king tides.”

The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System is based within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at UH and aims to promote a safe, healthy, and productive ocean and resilient coastal zone. It collects real-time data on ocean conditions, forecasts future events and develops user-friendly tools so people are able to access this information.