Michael Hamnett is director of the Social Science Research Institute in the College of Social Sciences. His 30 years of work in applied policy research, planning and technical assistance has benefited the community and the state. Hamnett addresses pressing social and environmental issues, and works tirelessly to secure funds for these projects and improve community awareness.

Hamnett has planned and managed more than 40 major policy research and planning projects for the state, the U.S. government and Pacific Island governments. For example, he helped establish the Hawai‘i Hurricane Relief Fund and recently wrote a policy guide for the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs. As principal investigator, he directed a Hawai‘i-Philippines project for energy efficiency and environmental protection and a Kaua‘i Risk and Vulnerability Assessment. As project director, he helped plan Kaho‘olawe restoration and the Hawai‘i coastal hazard mitigation. He is program director for the Hawai‘i Coral Reef Initiative Research Program and the Statewide Hazard Mitigation Forum.