Although Hawaii doesn’t have many high-tech or engineering industries, Hawaii still holds an important role in the world of science in terms of the marine biology research done in the islands. It is obvious why marine biology would be one of the most prominent sciences practiced in the islands due to convenient access to the sea and the wealth of marine life in the Pacific Ocean, and one of the premier marine biology facilities in the islands is theHawaii Institute of Marine Biology, which is located on Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay, just 15 miles from the main campus of the University of Hawaii and downtown Honolulu.

The 29 acres of land on Coconut Island is entirely a research facility surrounded by 64 acres of coral reef designated as the Hawaii Marine Laboratory Refuge.

The island is also composed of 6 acres of enclosed lagoons that are used for keeping organisms in captivity for study. Only researchers and members of the research facility can access Coconut Island and conduct any experiments on or around the island.

Although scientist from around the world come to conduct experiments at the facility, the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology is established primarily for use by University of Hawaii students and faculty.