Hawaii Marine Education and Research Center

The Hawaii Marine Education and Research Center (Hawaii merc) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that facilitates Education, conservation, and scientific investigation of the Marine environment in the Hawaiian islands. Hawaii merc is the first community Marine station on Hawaii island and possibly in the state of Hawaii. The vision to build Hawaii merc was based on a rising need to protect coastal and Marine resources and ecosystems through Education, Research and enforcement, in a rapidly changing climate. Located in milolii on Hawaii island, our 100% volunteer team supports Research of the coastal and Marine environment, and provides opportunities to connect cultural and scientific perspectives for the sustainability of coastal and reef ecosystems in south kona, Hawaii and beyond. Hawaii merc facilitates inter-operability among diverse local communities (native Hawaiian, long-term residents, and new arrivals) with Hawaii state and federal agencies by supplying a neutral convening space paired with organizational and operational skills and science to grow and sustain knowledge exchange and community action.