U.S. Navy Presents Naval Science Awards to Kaua‘i Fair Student Researchers

Four Kaua‘i students were honored with Naval Science Awards at the 30th Kaua‘i Regional Science and Engineering Fair, with Sr. Chief Eddie Ko of Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands presenting the awards on Feb. 7, 2026. The awards recognize student achievement in science and engineering and were handed out during the fair hosted by Kaua‘i Student Research, the nonprofit that supports grades six through 12 in independent research on the Garden Isle.

Kaua‘i Student Research organized the regional competition that draws middle- and high-school projects from across the island. Pacific Missile Range Facility personnel volunteered as judges and, according to event coverage, “brought valuable expertise and thoughtful evaluation to the competition,” reflecting PMRF’s community engagement in local STEM education.

Ko, identified at the fair as PMRF Barking Sands’ senior enlisted leader, posted on PMRF’s Facebook page the week of the event and offered remarks at the awards presentation. “It is an honor and a privilege to present these young scholars with the Naval Science Award on behalf of the Office of Naval Research,” Ko wrote in a Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 11) Facebook post by Pacific Missile Range Facility. At the fair, Ko told students, “I encourage you to continue on with your education, continue creating innovative solutions and return to put your talents to good use here at home.”

The Naval Science Award Program, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, supports these recognitions. ONR describes NSAP this way: “NSAP is a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps program that encourages our nation's students to develop and retain an interest in science and engineering.” ONR further notes that “NSAP recognizes the accomplishments of eligible students at regional and state science and engineering fairs and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in producing and presenting quality science and engineering projects.”

ONR’s eligibility rules clarify that high-school students are the primary award recipients: “High school students in grades nine through twelve, competing as individuals, are eligible for certificates and awards. Award recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In fairs that include middle school students in grades eight and below, these individual students' projects will be reviewed. They are eligible for separate certificates of accomplishment. No monetary awards are issued to middle school students.”

A U.S. Navy photo posted to DVIDS documents a related PMRF awards presentation at the Kaua‘i fair on Feb. 1, 2025 in Kekaha, showing Command Senior Chief Norman Mingo posing with recipients and science fair coordinator Dan Matthews. The image is credited as a U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (Petty Officer 1st Class) Louis Lea, Date Taken 02.01.2025, Photo ID 8856225, VIRIN 250201-N-HW207-1121, resolution 5830x3889, file size 1.42 MB; the DVIDS page lists 54 web views and 4 downloads and notes the image is public domain while requiring compliance with DVIDS usage guidance.

The Naval Science Awards at the 30th Kaua‘i Regional Science and Engineering Fair underscore ONR and PMRF’s stated mission to foster naval-relevant science and engineering interest among Hawaii students and to strengthen the local research community on Kaua‘i.