What Hohonu does

Hohonu is a Honolulu-based climate technology company that delivers a real-time flood and water-level monitoring platform to U.S. government agencies, environmental consultants, ports, aquaculture operators, and research institutions. The platform combines low-cost, rugged ultrasonic (MaxBotix MB7388) and radar (OTT RLS, Vega C22) sensors with cellular telemetry, a four-year-old NOAA QARTOD-compliant automated QA/QC pipeline, public live dashboards, the TideCast iOS app, threshold alerts, and a fully documented API integrated with ArcGIS/ESRI, NWS (AWIPS), Microsoft Teams, and Waze. Proprietary analytics include the Tides+ data fusion methodology (51% improvement over NOAA predictions for the highest tides), a hindcasting model that converts short deployments into years of historical context, and the Flood Planner long-range planning tool launched in April 2026.

The company monetizes through an annual data-as-a-service subscription that bundles hardware lease, cellular telemetry, dashboards, and API access starting at $3,000 per sensor per year, with a higher-priced radar tier, DIY or fully-managed installation options, and flexible multi-year invoicing for project-based government budgets. Additional revenue comes from professional services including custom hindcasting analyses, installation subcontractor management, and consulting for restoration planning and regulatory compliance. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales to emergency management, public works, and environmental planning agencies with grant-backed partnerships (SECOORA, Texas Sea Grant, NOAA, GMRI, ASBPA, Elemental Excelerator) that fund and coordinate deployments across 18 U.S. states. Hohonu has accumulated 3 million+ monitoring hours across 200+ locations and reports 98% sensor uptime with 99% QARTOD test pass rates on typical days. The company was founded in 2014 as a University of Hawai'i Manoa research effort led by oceanographer Dr. Brian Glazer and incorporated in 2020, has raised approximately $2-3 million in cumulative funding (including a $1.8M pre-seed in April 2023 and a share of the January 2026 HCL/UpLink Water Resilience Challenge), and operates with 1-10 employees out of Honolulu.

Name

Hohonu

Legal name

Hohonu, Inc.

Website

https://hohonu.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hohonu provides a real-time flood and water-level monitoring platform combining low-cost sensors, QARTOD-validated cloud telemetry, dashboards, an iOS app, and API integrations for U.S. government agencies, ports, environmental consultants, and research institutions across 18 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flood Monitoring and Water Level Intelligence

NAICS

Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Totalizing Fluid Meters & Counting Devices (3824)

akta.pro primary industry

Real-Time Monitoring & Smart Stormwater (Sensors, SCADA/IoT, RTC) (EUANAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flood Risk Modeling, Mapping & Forecasting (Hydrology/Hydraulics, Digital Twins) (EUANAEAH), Water Quality Monitoring (Surface Water, Stormwater, Drinking Water) (EUAHACAC), Flood Control & Protection Infrastructure (Levees, Floodwalls, Gates, Pump Stations) (EUANAEAI)

Keywords

• Flood monitoring systems
• Water level sensors
• Coastal flood intelligence
• Real-time hydrology data
• Environmental monitoring platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Water Level Monitoring Subscription (Environmental Data as a Service): Hohonu offers environmental data as a service, providing bundled hardware (sensor), data delivery (cell-connected telemetry), and software (dashboards, APIs, analytics) as an annual subscription. Hardware is leased, not sold outright. Pricing starts at $3,000/year per sensor. The subscription model includes options for multi-year contracts to accommodate project-based budgeting. Installation and maintenance can be handled by the customer (DIY) or managed by Hohonu's subcontractor network (Fully-Managed).
2. Professional Services (Installation & Maintenance): Hohonu offers fully-managed installation and maintenance as an add-on service, where the company hires local subcontractors on behalf of the customer. Hardware swaps and maintenance are included in the ongoing pricing. Remote onboarding and troubleshooting support is provided for both DIY and Fully-Managed customers.
3. Custom Analyses & Consulting: For complex scenarios, Hohonu's team delivers one-off studies and analytics tailored to specific planning needs, such as the hindcasting model applied to Tres Palacios Bay for restoration planning and regulatory compliance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Hohonu delivers a turnkey flood intelligence platform that bundles rugged solar-powered ultrasonic and radar sensors with cellular telemetry, real-time public dashboards, the TideCast iOS mobile app, an open API, and advanced analytics (Tides+, Flood Planner, hindcasting) on an annual subscription basis. The offering targets governments, engineering firms, ports, aquaculture operators, and research institutions that need defensible, hyperlocal water level data to close roads, allocate emergency resources, design resilient infrastructure, and comply with environmental regulations.

Product overview

Hohonu is a climate technology company offering a unified flood intelligence platform combining hardware sensors with software analytics. The core Hohonu Platform integrates Ultrasonic and Radar Sensors, the TideCast iOS Mobile App, a Public Live Dashboard, and advanced analytics tools including Flood Planner, Threshold Alerts, Forecast Calendars, Post-Event Hindcasts, Tides+, and a Hindcasting Model. The platform is designed for easy installation with no external wiring required, delivers data via API, HTML widgets, and mobile/web dashboards, and serves emergency management, environmental protection, public works, and port operators across 18 U.S. states at 200+ locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TideCast: Real-time water level monitoring platform and mobile app providing flood detection, tidal monitoring, and community alerting.
• Tides+
• Flood Planner

Products and services

• Hohonu Platform Core subscription platform providing ground-truth water level data through rugged sensors, real-time dashboards, integrations, and advanced analytics; sold to governments, consultants, ports, and communities on annual subscription from $3,000/year per sensor.
• Hohonu Sensors (Ultrasonic & Radar) Low-cost solar-powered ultrasonic (MaxBotix MB7388) and radar (OTT RLS, Vega Puls C22) sensors for tidal, river, and urban flooding; leased as part of the subscription with cellular telemetry and no external wiring required.
• TideCast iOS Mobile App The only iOS app in the App Store providing live water level data (not just predictions), with real-time tidal and flood monitoring, opt-in community alerts, and storm tracking overlay capabilities.
• Flood Planner Long-range planning tool featuring tide tables from local sensor predictions, daily summary cards highlighting King Tides and local flood advisories, and visualization for scheduling road closures and community alerts.
• Custom Analyses & Consulting Services One-off custom studies and analytics tailored to specific planning needs such as hindcasting for marsh restoration planning, regulatory compliance, and engineering assessments (e.g., Tres Palacios Bay case).

Quantifiable outcome

• 51% improvement in tide predictions for highest tides vs. NOAA predictions (Tides+)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHohonu works with multiple offices within and adjacent to NOAA, including IOOS (Integrated Ocean Observing System), Sea Grant, and NERACOOS. The company validates its sensors against NOAA gauges and its data is ingested into NWS workflows. NOAA CO-OPS collaborated on QARTOD methodology development. NWS Boston integrates dozens of Hohonu sensors into its Water Prediction Service across Florida. Dr. Greg Dusek, former Chief Scientist at NOAA CO-OPS (2015-2025), serves as Strategic Scientific Advisor to Hohonu.
• SECOORA (Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSECOORA funds and coordinates the Southeast Water Level Network, which deploys Hohonu sensors across coastal communities from Florida to North Carolina. SECOORA's funding supported installations in Beaufort County, SC and North Carolina. SECOORA and Hohonu collaborate on QARTOD methodology and regional data standards.
• Texas Sea Grant & Texas A&M University-Corpus ChristicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Texas Sea Grant and TAMU-CC's Conrad Blucher Institute forlood forecasting. Hohonu sensors feed both county emergency operations and TAMU-CC's AI-driven flood forecasting models. TAMU-CC uses continuous sensor data to train AI models capable of forecasting flood conditions hours in advance.
• City of Charleston, SCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCharleston deployed Hohonu sensors for flash flooding management. Hohonu data is connected directly into Microsoft's Teams platform for automated alerts, and integrated with Waze for automated road closure escalation. 70+ city staff receive real-time alerts via Teams.
• Pinellas County Public WorkscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPinellas County deployed 13 Hohonu sensors integrated into the county's ArcGIS dashboard, serving as the central flood status map for Emergency Management and Public Works staff during storms. Hohonu's own dashboard used for mobile field checks.
• Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMRI led a coast-wide effort backed by NSF to install Hohonu sensors across 4 Maine coastal communities (Portland, Boothbay Harbor, St. George, Machias). Data integrated into GMRI's own dashboards via Hohonu's API and shared through NERACOOS's regional dashboard.
• Woods Hole GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnvironmental consulting firm that serves as technical advisor on Hohonu deployments. Installed Hohonu sensor at Great Island HOA (Cape Cod) in under 2 hours. Referenced as a customer using Hohonu data.
• ERGISminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical consulting firm that used Hohonu's hindcasting model in the Tres Palacios Bay marsh restoration project. ERGIS received Hohonu data and analysis to support regulatory permit applications.
• City of St. Augustine, FLminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSt. Augustine deployed Hohonu sensors at the Marina for King Tide monitoring. The Resilience Office uses threshold alerts to back up King Tide notifications. Data tied to NAVD88 datum for stormwater planning and design work.
• NWS Boston (National Weather Service)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNWS Boston pulls Hohonu's harbor and island sensors into AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) for improved flood forecasting. API integration enables real-time ingestion of sensor data to validate storm surge guidance and refine impact-based thresholds.
• Port of Monroe, MIminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPort of Monroe deployed 2 Hohonu sensors at the Riverfront Dock for real-time navigation and draft monitoring. Port uses data to guarantee safe draft conditions to vessel operators and pursue new cargo business.
• American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASBPA partnered with Hohonu to install affordable tide gauges across North Carolina coastal communities. ASBPA coordinated partnerships and facilitated community engagement for sensor deployments.
• University of Hawai'i (UH Mānoa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHohonu was born out of the University of Hawai'i (SOEST - School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology). CEO Dr. Brian Glazer is an Associate Professor at UH Manoa. Sensor development began in 2014 through UH research. UH's student-run venture fund made its first investment in Hohonu.
• Nomilo Fishpond (Kaua'i, HI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHawaiian fishpond managed by Dave Anderson, funded by Senator Schatz's office. One of 27 fishponds equipped with Hohonu sensors as part of a state-wide initiative to supplement traditional kilo observation with modern data.
• NWS (National Weather Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationNWS integrates Hohonu data into its Water Prediction Service across Florida and NWSChat for real-time warning coordination. The National Weather Service (via NWS Boston and Florida operations) ingests live sensor data to supplement federal gauge networks and improve flood forecasts.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sutron Corporation: Designs and manufactures environmental monitoring stations including real-time water level and flood monitoring systems for NOAA, USGS, and municipal customers. Directly competes with Hohonu in the same federal/state water-level procurement space, though with a longer hardware-focused track record.
• Campbell Scientific: Supplies rugged environmental monitoring hardware (data loggers, sensors, telemetry) used for hydrology, meteorology, and flood warning applications. Comparable to Hohonu on rugged sensor hardware and cellular telemetry, with deeper enterprise/government reach.
• FloodMapp: Provides real-time flood intelligence and forecasting for emergency management and infrastructure operators. Closely comparable to Hohonu in target customer (government/emergency management) and product (real-time, sensor-fed flood intelligence), though focused more on software/analytics than sensor hardware.
• Fathom: Flood risk analytics and modeling platform serving insurers, governments, and engineering firms. Comparable to Hohonu on flood risk modeling and mapping, though Fathom operates upstream in modeling rather than sensor deployment.

Emerging players

• First Street Foundation: Produces property-level flood, fire, and climate risk data used by governments, lenders, and real estate platforms. Adjacent to Hohonu's environmental-planning use cases, but offers risk-scoring datasets rather than real-time sensor data.
• Onset Computer (HOBO): Manufactures HOBO environmental data loggers and monitoring sensors for water level, temperature, and weather used by researchers and municipalities. Comparable low-cost monitoring hardware category to Hohonu's ultrasonic/radar sensors, though with a stronger research/education tilt.

Broad incumbents

• YSI (Xylem brand): Manufactures water quality and water level instrumentation for surface water, drinking water, and wastewater monitoring under Xylem. Competes with Hohonu's ultrasonic/radar sensors in the same water-monitoring category but with a much broader product portfolio.
• SonTek (Xylem brand): Acoustic Doppler water velocity and level instruments for rivers, estuaries, and coastal monitoring. Comparable sensor technology and customer base (NOAA, USGS, academic researchers) to Hohonu, but with deeper industrial and scientific market presence.
• Trimble Water: Provides water information systems (flow, level, water quality) and analytics for utilities and municipalities. Overlaps with Hohonu's public works and stormwater utility customer segments with a larger enterprise software footprint.
• Jupiter Intelligence: Climate risk analytics platform combining physical climate models with asset-level exposure data for governments, insurers, and infrastructure operators. Comparable to Hohonu's environmental-protection and planning use cases, at much larger enterprise scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Hohonuinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hohonu-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hohonu