Video News Release: Coconut Island symposium showcases student marine research to donors

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Sarah L Hendrix, (808) 260-3565
Content Producer, External Affairs and University Relations
Posted: Apr 11, 2022




Link to video and sound (details below): 22053 HIMB VNR

WHAT: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Student Scholarship Symposium showcased the work of 33 undergraduate and graduate students from the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) to donors who have been funding their research.

WHEN: Monday, April 11, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

WHO: More than 100 donors, and HIMB faculty, staff and haumāna (students) attended the event. 

WHERE: HIMB, Coconut Island

WHY: An opportunity for UH students to present their research in a public forum and for donors to meet their recipients and interact with one another to support future research collaborations.

OTHER FACTS:

  • $92,810 was awarded through 11 scholarships to 33 students.

  • Students presented on marine research including: Hawaiian coral reefs, tiger sharks, monk seals, humpback whales, baitfish diets, herbivorous reef fish and more.

  • Powerpoint presentations displayed student research, 29 presentations given in-person and four pre-recorded presentations.

  • After each presentation, donors were given a chance to engage through a Q&A session.

  • Student scholarships from donations were used for tuition assistance, books, lab supplies, travel and other research costs. 

  • The scholarships are helping to build the future of marine research in Hawaiʻi.

  • The symposium is an annual event that has been canceled for the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions.
     

VIDEO BROLL: (1 minute, 56 seconds)

0:00-0:21 - approaching Coconut Island
0:21-1:08 - Nakoa Goo’s research on baitfish
1:08-1:22 - Hanalei Hoopia-Sylva presenting his research on corals
1:22-1:56 - Students mingling with donors 

SOUNDBITES:

Nakoa Goo, PhD student at HIMB (14 seconds)

“It’s a great opportunity because it supports future collaborations in research and also helping to let the donors know how their funding is being used, it’s also leading to a lot of positive outcomes.”

Hanalei Hoopai-Sylva, UH undergraduate student in marine biology (15 seconds)

“I think this is a cool place to be able to show your work and be able to sit with people that are really smart, like PhD and masters students, and feel like ʻYa I can do this with them as well. I'm presenting on information and data that I’m collecting.’ So I think it’s just a confidence boost for me as an undergrad to be over here presenting.”

Eleanor Sterling, HIMB director (13 seconds)

“It is such an inspiration to know about the amazing work that is happening here, and to hear it directly from the students themselves. To get everyone together so that we know what everyone is doing here at HIMB, to help support the people of the state of Hawaiʻi and ocean systems everywhere.”