National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Inouye Regional Center
What We Do
The NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center (IRC) is a state-of-the-art 350,000-square-foot research facility built on a historic landmark site on Moku‘ume‘ume (Ford Island) in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The IRC encompasses the principles of a sensitive architectural intervention in a historic context—the careful preservation of two WWII fighter aircraft hangars and the insertion of a new building that complements and enhances the individual parts into a comprehensive whole—to create a facility that promotes and showcases NOAA’s mission and services to the people of the Pacific region. The facility consolidates over 700 NOAA staff from multiple line offices (NMFS, NWS, NOS, OMAO, and NESDIS) into a campus rooted in NOAA’s mission and the cultural traditions of the Pacific Region. The IRC includes wet and dry research laboratories, a dive center, a 24-7 tsunami warning operations center, research library, an auditorium, and a public exhibit space.
Who We Are
NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep the public informed of the changing environment around them.
From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need, when they need it.
NOAA’s mission to better understand our natural world and help protect its precious resources extends beyond national borders to monitor global weather and climate, and work with partners around the world.
Our agency holds key leadership roles in shaping international ocean, fisheries, climate, space and weather policies. NOAA’s many assets — including research programs, vessels, satellites, science centers, laboratories and a vast pool of distinguished scientists and experts — are essential, internationally recognized resources. We work closely with other nations to advance our ability to predict and respond to changes in climate and other environmental challenges that imperil Earth’s natural resources, human life and economic vitality.
Cause Areas
Keiki, Environmental Conservation, Preparedness & Response, Education & Training, Community Engagement
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Inouye Regional Center
Volunteer Opportunities
