Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary

Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary The sanctuary is part of the marine national monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the single largest conservation area in the U.S.

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is the largest contiguous fully protected conservation area under the U.S. flag, and one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world. It encompasses 582,578 square miles of the Pacific Ocean (1,508,870 square kilometers) - an area larger than all the country's national parks combined. Papahānaumokuākea is of great cultural importance to Native Hawaiians with significant cultural sites found on the islands of Nihoa and Mokumanamana. The extensive coral reefs found in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument are home to over 7,000 marine species, one quarter of which are found only in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Many of the islands and shallow water environments are important habitats for rare species such as the threatened green sea turtle and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. For more information about Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site please visit our homepage at: http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov

Or visit our Discovery Center in Hilo:

Mokupāpapa: Discovery Center for Hawaii's Remote Coral Reefs

Location: 76 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, Hawai`i 96720, 808.498.4709
Center hours: 9 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday - Saturday, Except Federal Holidays

More information: http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/education/center.html

What a summer! 🌊✨ The Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center had a fin-tastic season packed with ocean conservation, c...
09/10/2026

What a summer! 🌊✨ The Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center had a fin-tastic season packed with ocean conservation, community, and fun.

Mahalo to everyone who joined us! Here are a few highlights from our summer:

After Hours events: We teamed up with DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, UH Sea Grant, Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP), and the Hawai‘i Audubon Society. From virtual trips to Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll) and marine debris cleanup to predator fences protecting native birds, we learned so much about preserving our ecosystems.

Out in the Community:
*Bishop Museum Sustainability Fest: You created a beautiful mobile filled with personal pledges to protect our oceans.
*Symphony of the Seas & Outrigger Zone Day: We listened to your best whale songs and used spectrograms to learn how scientists study humpback calls.
*Hawai‘i Conservation Conference: We gathered at the Royal Hawaiian to build a collaborative clay reef and discuss ecosystem preservation.
*Get Into Your Sanctuary Day: Visitors explored our life-sized inflatable humpback whale and learned about the gentle giants that visit Hawai‘i.
*Kūpuna Afternoon Launch: We hosted our very first Kūpuna Afternoon filled with ocean trivia, Hawaiian vocabulary games, and marine crafts! Due to its success, this will now be a monthly event for the rest of the year!

From our keiki to our kūpuna, your curiosity and dedication to ocean stewardship inspire us every day. We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events! 🤙🐋

Photo 1: After Hours with PMDP. Credit: Monica Fries

Photo 2: Kaylee Tanig leading whale song activity at the Symphony of the Seas event. Credit: Monica Fries

Photo 3: After Hours with Hawai‘i Audubon Society. Credit: Claire Generous/NOAA

Photo 4: PNMS SAC members Kammie Tavares, Angelina Elido, and Emma Rudy Srebnik at the PIR booth during Hawai‘i Conservation Conference. Credit: Sara Wood/NOAA

Photo 5: Pledge mobile at the Bishop Museum Science and Sustainability Festival, Credit: Claire Generous/NOAA.

Photo 6: After Hours with Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Josh Atwood Virtual Trio to Hōlanikū. Credit: Claire Generous/NOAA.

Photo 7: Get Into Your Sanctuary Day at

The Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center is CLOSED today, September 8th, due to potential impacts from Hurricane Low...
09/08/2026

The Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center is CLOSED today, September 8th, due to potential impacts from Hurricane Lowell.

The safety of our visitors, staff, and community is our top priority. Please stay tuned to local forecasts and ocean condition updates. We hope everyone stays safe during the storm!

We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

Join us for our next PIOEC After Hours: Loko Iʻa, Aquaculture, and Seafood. In Partnership with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, Symph...
09/04/2026

Join us for our next PIOEC After Hours: Loko Iʻa, Aquaculture, and Seafood. In Partnership with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas, Indigenous Aquaculture Collaborative.

Date: Thursday, September 17th
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center (Aloha Tower Marketplace center courtyard)

This After Hours event will feature films:
ʻAuamo Kuleana - Shared Responsibility (Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas)
Back to the Loko
Honoring the Past, Feeding the Future: Indigenous Aquaculture

Register at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/about/pacific/visitor-center.html (link in bio) and click "Event info"

As we make our final voyage home, we want to share some of our favorite moments with our sanctuary team, and the many re...
09/03/2026

As we make our final voyage home, we want to share some of our favorite moments with our sanctuary team, and the many responsibilities they have had throughout this entire experience.

Executing daily dives in remote marine environments requires precise teamwork and dedication. From morning prep on the dive deck, small boat launches, and navigating changing conditions, our field team works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our science operations running smoothly and safely.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Spotlight: In Hawaiian, ʻĀkoʻakoʻa describes both the physical assembling of corals building a reef on the seafloor and the gathering of people coming together with a shared purpose. Over the course of this 25-day research cruise, this is certainly the case. Our team and partners coming together to protect a special place like Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.

🧠 TRIVIA TIME: What foundational document guides the co-management of Papahānaumokuākea using traditional Native Hawaiian perspectives alongside scientific management?
A) Mo‘olelo
B) Mai Ka Pō Mai
C) Kumulipo
D) Māhele

Previous trivia answer: 70% (Papahānaumokuākea protects what percentage of coral reefs in the United States?)

Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) UH Hilo Marine Option Program HIMB ToBo Lab UH Manoa Marine Option Program Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis Lab

Throughout our research expedition, our NOAA team has been monitoring the distribution and abundance of non-native speci...
09/02/2026

Throughout our research expedition, our NOAA team has been monitoring the distribution and abundance of non-native species.

Chondria tumulosa is an invasive red alga that can form thick, smothering mats over native corals and seabed habitats. Our team utilizes visual surveys to detect for obvious infestations and incorporate environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling. This early detection tool (eDNA) is being utilized to determine if C. tumulosa has spread beyond the upper three atolls of Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.

Populations of C. tumulosa appear to be increasing at Kauaihelani (Midway Atoll), as U.S Fish and Wildlife Service staff have reported an increased amount of biomass washed up on the shorelines. Conversely, populations at Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll) have been difficult to detect by visual surveys, but have still been showing up on eDNA samples. By mapping its spread and tracking reef health, we can better understand its impact to the environment and use this information to guide management decisions and biosecurity protocols.

🧠 TRIVIA TIME: Papahānaumokuākea protects what percentage of all coral reefs in the United States?
A) 55%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 85%

Drop your guess in the comments below! 👇

Previous trivia answer: True. (Manu o kū nest across Papahānaumokuākea, but only nest on one main Hawaiian island: O’ahu)

Photos: Nick Zachar/NOAA, Kailey Pascoe/The Mega Lab, and Cathy Gewecke/Division of Aquatic Resources



There are many beautiful birds in Papahānaumokuākea, where they find sanctuary. We would love to hear which one is your ...
09/01/2026

There are many beautiful birds in Papahānaumokuākea, where they find sanctuary. We would love to hear which one is your favorite and which bird you hope we photograph next!

Photo 1: ‘ā (Masked b***y)

🧠TRIVIA: True or false? Manu o kū nest across Papahānaumokuākea, but only nest on one main Hawaiian island: O’ahu.

Previous posts’ answer: 7 hours (Honu’s lungs are about ⅔ the size of their shells! While resting or sleeping, how long can a sea turtle hold its breath underwater?)

Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) UH Hilo Marine Option Program HIMB ToBo Lab UH Manoa Marine Option Program Multiscale Environmental Graphical Analysis Lab

Photos: Claire Generous/NOAA



‘ā (Red-footed b***y), juvenile

‘ā (Brown b***y)

manu o kū (white fairy tern)

‘ā (Brown b***y)

manu o kū (white fairy tern)

‘ā (Brown b***y)

‘ewa ‘ewa (Sooty tern), juvenile

‘ā (Brown b***y)

‘ewa ‘ewa (Sooty tern)

Did you know that NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources ...
08/31/2026

Did you know that NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources partner to protect Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary?

While both agencies are part of the seven co-managing agencies that work together as a collective to manage and preserve the biological, cultural, and historical resources of Papahānaumokuākea, the co-managers of the sanctuary combine expertise to conduct long-term monitoring of the marine ecosystems, deepening our understanding and enhancing our ability to protect this unique and sacred place together.

Next stop: Homeward bound!

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Spotlight: Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll): Meaning "the backbone of heaven," Kuaihelani describes a mythical floating island in the sky—a name likely inspired by how large, bright turquoise lagoons reflect up into the clouds.

🧠 TRIVIA TIME: Honu’s lungs are about ⅔ the size of their shells! While resting or sleeping, how long can a sea turtle hold its breath underwater?
A) 3 hours
B) 5 hours
C) 6 hours
D) 7 hours

Drop your guess in the comments below! 👇

Previous answer: 70% (Papahānaumokuākea protects what percentage of coral reefs in the United States?)

Photos and videos: Claire Generous/NOAA, Kailey Pascoe/The Mega Lab, Erica Sarters/UH, Mason Mellott/UH, McKenna Allen/DAR, Cathy Gewecke/DAR, and Lucas Doran/NOAA Corps



08/30/2026

Standing at the northernmost coral atoll on Earth, Hōlanikū holds incredible ecological and cultural significance. Reaching the very tip of the island chain gives our team a profound sense of place as we conduct our long-term monitoring work at the boundary of Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.

Next stop: Kuaihelani (Midway)

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Spotlight: Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll): Meaning "bringing forth heaven," Hōlanikū is a standalone name corresponding to Kure Atoll's unique place at the end of the chain. Hawaiian traditions reference it as the homeland of deities like Kāne, Kanaloa, Nāmakaokaha‘i, and Wainu‘u.

🧠 TRIVIA TIME: How large is Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll) Island's diameter?
A) 12 miles
B) 5 miles
C) 8 miles
D) 6 miles
Drop your guess in the comments below! 👇

Previous answer: Coral Gardens (The coral surrounding Lisianski are often called ______ because of their abundance and wide variety of coral species.)



Photos and videos: Kailey Pascoe/The Mega Lab, Cathy Gewecke/Division of Aquatic Resources, and Claire Generous/NOAA

During the RAMP cruise, the team from the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), Mykle Hoban and Carlos Tramonte, f...
08/29/2026

During the RAMP cruise, the team from the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), Mykle Hoban and Carlos Tramonte, focused on environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling! 🌊🔬

Just like visiting someone’s home leaves behind subtle signs of presence, marine life leaves behind genetic traces (skin, scales, waste, etc) as it moves through the water. By collecting eDNA water samples, scientists can gather detailed information on species hidden deep in crevices or patrolling nearby waters, detecting incredible biodiversity without disturbing or harming a single animal.

Next stop: Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll)

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Spotlight: Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll): Meaning “”warped, depressed, or bent in,”” Manawai provides the imagery of the spiritual process of bending inward to reveal the unchanging nature of one’s true undying spirit. It can also be defined as “”branching water,”” where wai connects to wailua (spirit)—highlighting the transitional nature of water as a natural element.

🧠 TRIVIA TIME: The coral reefs surrounding Lisianski are often called ______ because of their abundance and wide variety of coral species.
A) Coral Gardens
B) Coral Castles
C) Coral Bunches
D) Coral Scapes

Drop your guess in the comments below! 👇

Previous post answer: False (Sharks are a rare sight in Papahānaumokuākea due to predation patterns)

Photos and Videos: Claire Generous/NOAA

HIMB



Field videos: Carlos Tramonte/UH
Interview videos: Claire Generous/NOAA

Field videos: Carlos Tramonte/UH
Interview videos: Claire Generous/NOAA

Field videos: Carlos Tramonte/UH

Video: Claire Generous/NOAA

Video: Claire Generous/NOAA

Photos: Claire Generous/NOAA and Carlos Tramonte/UH

During our time at Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, we have seen some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Tell u...
08/27/2026

During our time at Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, we have seen some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Tell us what your favorite sunset or sunrise is in the comments!

Photo 1: Transit to Lalo

Photos: Claire Generous/NOAA

Photo 2: Transit to Kamole

Photo 3: Transit to Lalo

Photo 4: Kamole

Photo 5: Nihoa

Photo 6: Kamole

Photo 7: Nihoa

Photo 8: Lalo

Photo 9: Transit to Manawai

Transit to Hōlanikū

Address

76 Kamehameha Avenue
Hilo, HI
96720

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+18087255800

Website

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