University of Hawai’i Marine Center

University of Hawai’i (UH) Marine Operations are coordinated by the UH School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s (SOEST), an operator institution in the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) and subscribes to the UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards.

The UH Marine Center is located at Pier 35 in Honolulu Harbor and is responsible for coordinating operations on and maintaining the R/V Kilo Moana (KM), a 186′ SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) vessel. The vessel was built in 2001 and commissioned in 2002. SOEST also owns and operates a 6000-m capable Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Luʻukai, which is usually deployed from the KM.

Facilities include: pier space for the KM, visiting research vessels, and several smaller vessels; a machine shop; cranes; and storage facilities.

Services provided by the Marine Center include: ship scheduling; provision of shipboard crew and technicians; engineering support; coordination of shared equipment such as underwater vehicles, and small boats; and vessel chartering.