A Global Hub for Ocean Innovation
Hawaiʻi offers a unique combination of natural assets, research institutions, and testing environments that make it an ideal place to develop and deploy ocean technologies.
Strategic Location & Access to Key Customers
Located at the center of the Pacific, along major maritime routes, Hawaiʻi provides direct access to key customers working in ocean innovation across Asia, the Pacific Islands and the United States Department of Defense.
Ocean Testbeds & Innovation Infrastructure
Hawaiʻi’s has shared testing infrastructure that make it easy for companies to set up shop and pilot their technologies in diverse marine environments ranging from shallow bays to deep open ocean.
World-Class Research
The University of Hawaii leads the world in research related to ocean science, climate research, robotics, and marine ecosystems—providing a strong foundation for ocean technology innovation.
Hawaii’s Blue Economy in Numbers
$10B
Contribution to Hawaii’s GDP annually
100K
of people in Hawaii are employed by the Blue Economy
23%
Sector growth in the past decade
Bridging Ancestral Knowledge with Today’s Technology
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaiʻi has always been a place defined by ocean knowledge and exploration. Our connection to the ocean—how we navigate it, understand it, and care for it—is intrinsic to who we are.
Our Focus Subsectors
Aquaculture and Blue Foods
Ocean aquaculture and marine biotechnology are emerging sectors that support sustainable food production while reducing pressure on wild fisheries.
Coastal Resilience
The resilience of our coasts is essential to our resilience as a state. We invest in ocean observation systems and sensor networks help scientists and decision-makers better understand climate change, ocean chemistry, and ecosystem health
Maritime Technologies
Technologies such as autonomous underwater vehicles, marine drones, and sensor platforms are transforming how we explore and monitor the ocean.
How We Work
We connect resources, people and ideas to launch high-impact projects to grow Hawaii’s ocean innovation economy.
We unlock capital and support infrastructure to launch and grow scalable ocean tech companies in Hawaii. Our work in capital + commercialization expands funding options for new and existing businesses, deepens commercialization pathways, and scales investment into new sectors.
We optimize existing regional assets, facilities, and physical spaces to drive innovation. Our work in place + infrastructure supports our ocean tech sector through critical infrastructure and innovation-focused facilities.
We bring together government, academia, startups, corporates, and non profit organizations to find alignment and opportunities for collaboration.
We advocate for key policies that will help spur growth in the local ocean tech economy.
Featured Initiatives
Ocean Innovation Hui
We’ve developed a coalition of 80+ members across industry, government, academia, and the non-profit sector who gather regularly.
Act 186
We helped write and pass Act 186, which designated Hawaii as an ocean cluster !