The Marine Mammal Research Program
Our laboratory is based at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology on Moku o Loʻe, a vibrant hub for marine research within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Led by Dr. Lars Bejder, we investigate the ecology, behavior, and conservation of marine mammals in Hawaiian, national, and international waters.
Our research combines field observations, advanced technologies, and quantitative modeling to understand how marine mammals live, move, and respond to a changing ocean.Current projects range from assessing the abundance and distribution of small odontocetes around the Hawaiian Islands, to developing automated tools for improving the identification of individual animals from photographs, to estimating whale populations using satellite imagery. We use drones to assess body condition and health, deploy suction-cup tags to study fine-scale behavior, and also look at the population consequences of anthropogenic disturbance. Additional work focuses on the acoustic ecology of Hawaiian monk seals, pilot whales, and endangered false killer whales.
Across these approaches, our goal is to generate robust, applied science that informs conservation and management of marine mammals worldwide and supports stewardship of the ocean systems and coastal communities we are privileged to work with.
Mission Statement
The mission of the MMRP is to be the preeminent academic institution for marine mammal science, conservation, and management serving Hawaiʻi and other Pacific Island Communities. Our pathway to success is through empirical and applied research that supports science-based management, innovation, collaborations and knowledge transfer.