About the Hawaii Young Investigators Program

The Hawai’i Young Investigators Program (HYIP) provides grants for students to obtain funding to subsidize costs of supplies needed to conduct independent research projects. This program seeks to identify and support Hawaii youths in grades 6-12 interested in participating in the Hawaii Science Fair program or the Hawaii Junior Sciences & Humanities Symposium. Students will be required to write a proposal of their project along with a budget of expenses. Students will gain an introductory experience to the world of proposal writing, while applying for financial support in order to carry out their project. All eligible students are encouraged to apply. The application process is competitive. The number of grants awarded are contingent on funding. This program was started in 2022 after learning the challenges students face with pursuing research they are passionate about. We were able to provide funding to 4 students in 2022 and 10 students in 2023. The response from teachers and students have been tremendous. We really hope to continue this program in years going forward, so if you are interested in becoming a sponsor to support our efforts in providing students with grants, please contact us at acadsci@hawaii.edu.

Download the HYIP 2024-2025 ANNOUNCEMENT

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:
- Must be a student in grades 6-12 enrolled in a Hawaii public, private, or home school
- Must apply to your School or District Science & Engineering Fair (open to Gr. 6-12) or the Hawaii JSHS (open to Gr. 9-12)

HOW DO I APPLY?
Step #1. Complete the HYIP SY24-25 APPLICATION.
Step #2. Submit your completed application by October 4, 2024 to acadsci@hawaii.edu.


2023-2024 HYIP AWARDS

ANGEL KO
Aiea High School (Central), Grade 12, Award: $190
Project Title: Growing Toward Sustainability: Cultivating Hawaii’s Future with Agricultural Innovation
Attended: 2024 Central District Science & Engineering Fair, 2024 HSSEF

ANNE PERALTA
Dole Middle School (Honolulu), Grade 6, Award: $50
Project Title: Decontamination of Heavy Metals in Soil by Native Hawaiian Plants through Phytoremediation
Attended: 2024 Dole School Science Fair

ASHLEY CHUN
Island School (Kauai), Grade 11, Award: $500
Project Title: Using Organic Material Mats to Clean Oil Spills
Attended: 2024 Kauai District Science Fair, 2024 HSSEF

CHANEL-MARIE ARELLIANO
Dole Middle School (Honolulu), Grade 6, Award: $80
Project Title: Improving the Efficiency of an Electrolyzer by Manipulating the Electrolyte, Measuring Efficiency through Battery Voltage Output
Attended: 2024 Dole School Science Fair

GRAY NAUWELAERTS
University Laboratory School (Honolulu), Grade 11, Award: $519
Project Title: Development of Natural Adhesives from Native Hawaiian Plants to Reduce Skin Irritation from Common Adhesive Bandages
Attended: 2024 Hawaii & Pacific JSHS, 2024 Honolulu District Science Fair, 2024 HSSEF

JAMES LOGAN PEREIRA
St. Theresa School (Kauai), Grade 7, Award: $131
Project Title: Improving the Efficiency of an Electrolyzer by Manipulating the Electrolyte, Measuring Efficiency through Battery Voltage Output
Attended: 2024 Kauai District Science Fair

JOANNA TAO
Waiakea Intermediate School (Hilo), Grade 6, Award: $250
Project Title: Improving the Efficiency of an Electrolyzer by Manipulating the Electrolyte, Measuring Efficiency through Battery Voltage Output
Attended: 2023 Leeward District Science Fair, 2023 HSSEF

KIAN SANCHEZ
University Laboratory School (Honolulu), Grade 11, Award: $542
Project Title: Sponge Studies Assessing the Effects of Ecological Impacts on Mycale grandis Detritus Production, and Use as a Natural Deep Sea eDNA Sampler
Attended: 2024 Hawaii & Pacific JSHS, 2024 Honolulu District Science Fair, 2024 HSSEF, 2024 ISEF

NATALIE CHOI
University Laboratory School (Honolulu), Grade 10, Award: $500
Project Title: Skin Benefits of Red Algae Species in Hawaii
Attended: 2024 Hawaii & Pacific JSHS, 2024 Honolulu District Science Fair, 2024 HSSEF

SAGE VINCENT
Kealakehe High School (Kona), Grade 12, Award: $356
Project Title: Resin Cubes
Attended: 2024 Kona District Science Fair, 2024 HSSEF


 2022-2023 HYIP AWARDS

GRAY NAUWELAERTS
University Laboratory School, Grade 10, Award: $200
Project Title: Effectiveness of Essential Oils as Natural Shower Disinfectants
Attended: 2023 Hawaii & Pacific JSHS, 2023 Honolulu District Science & Engineering Fair

KENNETH YI
Mililani High School (Central), Grade 12, Award: $200
Project Title: Decontamination of Heavy Metals in Soil by Native Hawaiian Plants through Phytoremediation
Attended: 2023 Hawaii & Pacific JSHS, 2023 Central District Science Fair (1st Overall), 2023 HSSEF (1st Place Environmental Engineering category), 2023 ISEF

MICHAEL QUINN
Castle High School (Windward), Grade 12, Award: $200
Project Title: Into the Deep-Designing, Building, Testing, and Refining an ROV for the Mesophotic Zone
Attended: 2023 Windward District Science Fair, 2023 HSSEF (3rd Place for Engineering Technology Statistics and Dynamics category)

PARKER WONG
Pearl City High School (Leeward), Grade 12, Award: $400
Project Title: Improving the Efficiency of an Electrolyzer by Manipulating the Electrolyte, Measuring Efficiency through Battery Voltage Output
Attended: 2023 Leeward District Science Fair, 2023 HSSEF