Coming home was never just a career move for Kelly Luis, it was a mission. After leaving NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to join the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, she is now redefining marine science by uniting satellite-level precision with the deep wisdom of the Hawaiian creation chant, Kumulipo.
For Luis, a Kamehameha Schools Maui graduate, Columbia University alumnus, and former NASA researcher, UH Hilo offered something no other institution could match.
“I never dreamed of going to NASA. The thing I dreamed about is coming home to serve,” Luis said. “To return home for this type of mission is so humbling, and I feel very grateful.”
Biocultural vision
At UH Hilo, Luis is a new marine science assistant professor at the College of Natural and Health Sciences helping connect advanced marine science with ancestral Hawaiian knowledge. Her experience includes using satellites and NASA research to map coral reefs and study coastal water quality.
“Kelly brings a unique expertise that will help us connect emerging technologies with place-based knowledge,” said Marine Science Chair John H. R. Burns.
In her Hawaiian coral reefs course, Luis pairs scientific classifications with the Kumulipo creation chant, helping students understand the ocean through multiple perspectives.
“I hope I’m opening the doors for many others to follow,” Luis said.
