The depth of Nakoa Farrant’s passion for science has always been evident, but certainly never more so than when he recently spent time logging raw ocean-floor data aboard a 211-foot exploration vessel in the Caribbean.
"It was my first time out to sea like that," says Farrant, a senior at Kamehameha Schools in Kapalama. "It was cool being surrounded by more than 20 scientists and seeing what they do. It was very rigorous, and it takes a lot of commitment. It’s not at all an easy job, but it’s very rewarding."
The middle of three boys born to a Waialua High School teacher and an interior designer, Farrant spent his early childhood attending Sunset Beach Elementary School, playing soccer and baseball and, of course, going to the beach near his home in Haleiwa.
"I’ve always lived close to the ocean, and that’s why I’ve always been interested in conservation issues and studying nature with a Hawaiian component to it," Farrant says.
With his parents’ encouragement, Farrant took advantage of every opportunity to explore his scientific interests in middle and high school.
Last year he developed a Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair project that examined the possible effects of ocean acidification on a marine bacterium.
This year Farrant is working on a project that will measure plankton population and other aspects of a historic fishpond in Haleiwa.
Farrant’s interest and aptitude drew the notice of Kamehameha science teacher Gail Ishimoto, who encouraged him to pursue opportunities outside of Hawaii.
This summer Farrant was one of 15 U.S. students to take part in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ocean for Life program at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary off California.
Last month he was one of 11 high school students to participate in a University of Rhode Island honors program research expedition in the Caribbean led by Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard.
Farrant worked side by side with researchers aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, spending two four-hour shifts each day logging data transmitted from remote vehicles traveling along the ocean floor.
Farrant says the experience opened his eyes to the rigor and scope of scientific exploration and reinforced his desire to continue studying ocean science. He plans on doing just that in college next year.
In the meantime Farrant says he’ll try to make the most of his recent adventures.
"I always try to look ahead," he says. "I want to be able to apply the knowledge that I have now."
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