Founded in 1947, HIMB is situated on Moku o Lo‘e (Coconut Island), in Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. The island itself provides a unique living laboratory surrounded by 64 acres of coral reef designated by the State of Hawai‘i as a Hawai‘i Marine Laboratory Refuge.

As a research unit within the University of Hawai‘i’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, HIMB is home to world-class facilities for researchers and students in wide ranging disciplines related to tropical marine science.

Aside from being able to earn college credit and a stipend that is intended to help offset the cost of attending our program, students will be provided with a meaningful and robust introduction to marine biology and scientific research. This includes improved understanding of the connection between coastal resources and the effects of human impacts and climate change on coral reef ecosystems. Equally important, it will provide students with valuable skills in science literacy and communication, teamwork, leadership, and mentoring.

We offer an advanced, inquiry-driven and experiential marine biology summer course that builds science and environmental literacy skills for Hawai‘i high school students, recent graduates or early undergraduate students.

Topical content will be taught over a two-week period, with appropriate emphasis placed on marine conservation, stewardship and sustainability. At the completion of the first two weeks of instruction, student teams will conceptualize and execute along side their instructor mentor a ‘mini’ research project over the following four weeks. Students will work both in the field and in the lab at HIMB.

The REMS Pathway begins with our CORE Program and extends beyond the initial summer experience to provide continued opportunities for REMS alumni. Designed to support students as they grow as scientists, educators, mentors, and leaders, the pathway offers courses and experiences that build research, academic, professional, and leadership skills throughout their educational and career journeys.

Explore the REMS Pathway and opportunities available to REMS alumni below.

REMS CORE

Catalyzing Ocean Research Engagement

The foundational six-week REMS summer experience and entry point into the REMS Pathway. Students engage in place-based, inquiry-driven marine science through college-level coursework, hands-on field and laboratory experiences, and collaborative research.

ZOOL 200: Marine Biology
Provides an overview of the biology, ecology, and Hawaiian cultural relevance of marine organisms, with specific emphasis on those found in the Hawaiian Islands. The course explores marine environments and habitats, as well as human impacts affecting marine ecosystems.

ZOOL 200L: Marine Biology Lab
Companion laboratory to ZOOL 200 that provides practical, hands-on experiences in marine biology through laboratory and field-based learning.

Summers Offered: 2013–2018, 2022–2026

REMS ExCEL

Experiential Capacity-building in Education and Leadership

Extends support beyond the summer through academic-year professional development for REMS alumni. Monthly hybrid workshops build academic, professional, scientific, and leadership skills while preparing students for continued opportunities along the REMS Pathway.

Years Offered: 2018–2019, 2022-2027

REMS LEAD

Leadership and Engaged Academic Development

Provides REMS alumni with opportunities to return as near-peer mentors, supporting new REMS students while developing their own skills in mentorship, leadership, communication, and place-based science education.

OCN 196: Research Experiences in Marine Science
An inquiry-driven and experiential marine biology summer course centered on research addressing human impacts and global change in coral reef ecosystems, with an emphasis on collaborative student research.

Summers Offered: 2014–2018, 2024–2026

REMS TEACH

Training Educators through Applied, Community-based, Hands-on Learning

Prepares University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduate student instructors through applied, community-based, and hands-on training in place-based pedagogical practices focused on Hawaiʻi marine science.

MBIO 695: Place-Based Pedagogy for Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences
Introduces graduate students to place-based science education with an emphasis on Hawaiʻi marine science classrooms, including inclusive teaching methods, CUREs, and effective instruction in laboratory and field environments.

MBIO 795: Internship in College Teaching (Marine Science)
Provides graduate students with supervised experience in college-level science teaching, including instructional planning, teaching, and evaluation.

Summers Offered: 2022, 2024–2026

REMS RISE

Research Immersion for Student Excellence

Provides REMS alumni with advanced research experiences through summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and facilitated internships in Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology research laboratories, supporting their continued development as marine scientists and researchers.

Summers Offered: 2019, 2022, 2027

Contact Us

To get notified when our Summer program application opens, click the “Stay Connected” button above.

For more information on KeaoaLoʻe Lab, explore our webpage, himbrems.com.

How long is the program?

REMS is a 6-week summer intensive co that runs Monday - Friday from tentatively 8am-2:30pm. Tentative program dates run from early June through mid July.

Other summer opportunities you might be interested include

The UH Manoa Outreach College's Marine Science Investigations Summer Program (https://www.outreach.hawaii.edu/programs/marine-science-investigations-at-the-hawaii-institute-of-marine-biology/)

Windward Community College's PaCES-HIMB Summer Environmental Science Program (https://windward.hawaii.edu/programs-of-study/pre-college-programs/paces/ )

Other question? Please email at HIMBREMS@hawaii.edu.