Ten kamaʻāina explorers join deep-sea expedition around the Hawaiian Islands

Ten local scientists, students, and educators are currently sailing aboard Ocean Exploration Trust (OET)’s Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus for a 20-day expedition to explore previously unsurveyed deep-sea habitats around the Hawaiian Islands and within Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. The expedition will utilize remotely operated vehicles and seafloor mapping technologies to explore never-before-seen ridges, seamounts, and abyssal plains throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago. 

The expedition sails with a global team of scientists, engineers, Hawaiian cultural experts, and students, including early-career professionals having their first experiences at sea. These 10 Hawaii-based explorers will join the team at-sea: undergraduate student Mahealani Akui, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (ocean science intern); graduate students Kelsie Pīkake Kuniyoshi (ocean science intern) and Emily Palmer (scientist) from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; local educators as onboard communicators: Gandharva Mahina Hou Ross, Molokai High School,  Gina Errico from Bishop Museum; and Daniel Kinzer from Pacific Blue Studios; and scientists and technical team members: Dr. Fanny Girard, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (co-lead scientist), Meagan Putts, DARC Lab (navigator), ROV pilot Dani Hinshaw, and Andy Collins, Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary staff member (resource monitor).

“ʻAuhea ʻoukou e ka poʻe ʻimi naʻauao e pili ana i ka papakū o ka moana?  E kipa mai a e hahai mai iā mākou ka poʻe ma luna o ka moku noiʻi ʻo E/V Nautilus i ko mākou luʻu ʻana i ka papakū o ka moana ma ke kai hema o Hawaiʻi nei a me moku Manamana ma nā moku o Papahānaumokuākea.  E ʻimi iā mākou ma NautilusLive.org,” said Lead Science Communication Fellow Gandharva Mahina Hou Ross. 

Thanks to the ship’s advanced telepresence technology, community audiences can join the team live-streaming remotely operated vehicle dives and seafloor mapping data collection around the clock, with interactive opportunities to meet explorers and help reveal new knowledge at NautilusLive.org. 

“I’m hoping to bring back a better understanding of the deep ocean from this expedition. With so much of the ocean already previously unexplored, I’m hoping to leave the expedition with new scientific discoveries and data surrounding this unique ecosystem,” said undergraduate student Mahealani Akui. “And ideally, I hope to see the data implemented into broader scientific impact, such as resource management and expansion of our biological and geographical knowledge within the waters of the Hawaiian Islands.”

ROV dives will gather data to characterize deep-ocean habitats, biodiversity, bathymetry, and geological formations. This data helps establish a scientific baseline that future research, resource management, and responsible ocean stewardship decisions depend on. All data from E/V Nautilus expeditions are publicly archived with no embargo or access restrictions to ensure that deep-sea data is permanently available. 

“Voyaging across the deep ocean of Hawai’i on board E/V Nautilus always offers a new perspective and a heightened sense of both wonder and responsibility. The coming together of an incredibly talented team of scientists and explorers with amazing technologies and the deepest realms of our ocean offers me a chance to become a better voyager and crew member on the ship and in all areas of life back home on O’ahu,” said Daniel Kinzer, Pacific Blue Studios and Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.

This is OET’s sixth expedition in 2026, the 19th expedition in Hawaiian waters since 2018, and the 182nd mission since E/V Nautilus’ inaugural season in 2009. Throughout this time, OET’s mission has remained the same: to use cutting-edge technologies to explore our fascinating underwater world and engage curious minds of all ages along the way. This expedition is funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute. 

As always the case with OET expeditions, community outreach is a key part of this expedition’s goals. Viewers across the Pacific and around the world are invited to participate in the exploration: audiences can engage with the team at sea, ask questions, and receive real-time behind-the-scenes updates via NautilusLive.org and social media.  Classrooms and community events are invited to connect with the at-sea team through free educational Q&A interactions, including sessions available in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).

“OET proudly welcomes this expedition team onboard, particularly all who bring deep relationships with the waters of the Hawaiian Islands to this mission. As educators, community ambassadors, and learners, their at-sea experiences will continue to elevate them as role models for the next generations in STEM and ocean fields,” said Megan Cook, OET’s Director of Education and Outreach. 

Educators and students interested in sailing on future E/V Nautilus expeditions can apply for paid internship and fellowship opportunities in 2027 by Oct. 15, 2026 at NautilusLive.org/join