NKO.ORG documents the S.A.V.E. (Scientific Analysis and Visualization of the Environment) Program, founded in 1989 and established on Maui in 1995 through a collaboration between Paul Garrett Hugel, the Maui High Performance Computing Center, and Silicon Graphics Computer Systems. Early work included 3D virtual environments and pioneering live video streaming over wireless internet.
Current efforts include AI governance systems with defined authority structures and audit controls, environmental monitoring, 360-degree imaging, and disaster response support across Hawaiʻi. The site also documents Maui’s natural and cultural heritage.
In 1989, the S.A.V.E. Program began. Silicon Graphics staff sought better tools for environmental research. The aim was to make advanced tech easy to use.
Paul Garrett Hugel began with an Apple home computer on a 28.8Kbps US Robotics modem. With early access to the World Wide Web Paul learned about Sequoia 2000 & Mission To Planet Earth. Paul was very excited this was a new frontier in environmental science using rocket launched satellites to earth orbit. Now satellites were being utilized for non military earth science environmental research.
The recently established Maui Research and Technology Park featured a grand opening. Paul attended the 1993 grand opening of Maui High Performance Computing Center. While at the grand opening He met Anthony Presley who was being given a VIP tour. Dr. Presley was director for US Army High Performance Modernization Program at the time. Paul briefly interrupted Dr. Presley’s tour & gave a one minute elevator pitch about joining MHPCC with Sequoia 2000 network. He replied, “Send me a white paper and I will look at it”, then continuing on his VIP tour.
The user accounts staff of MHPCC watched this unfold which may have given some credibility for Paul to be granted a free login account. During the grand opening Paul entered the visualization laboratory home to six or so Silicon Graphics Indigo 2 workstations. Paul had shared access to one of many Unix terminals in the main room. MHPCC had its non classified access terminals connected to the Internet via a very fast 45Mbps T-3 network.
Paul traveled to California for a SIGGRAPH computer graphics conference in hopes of developing funding relationships to enable MHPCC to join the Sequoia 2000 environmental science network. San Diego Supercomputer Center was one of the Sequoia 2000 network partners.
While at the conference, Paul was situated at a bank of pay phones making calls to potential funders, when a unique miracle unfolded. Kelly Ambrose, an executive sales representative from Silicon Graphics Computer Systems, grabbed his attention. “I overheard your conversation and I know a person who might be able to help.” Paul called the contact, set up an appointment, then flew from LAX to SFO. Paul met with the project manager of Silicon Graphics Computer Systems environmental research S.A.V.E. Program, Leslie Doyle. Leslie invited the submission of a white paper which would be reviewed.
Paul spent endless hours at MHPCC in front of a Unix terminal browsing the World Wide Web, learning new technologies like HTML, the display language of the World Wide Web. His focus was on crafting a winning project proposal to submit to Silicon Graphics’ S.A.V.E. Program.
In 1994 Creon Levit from NASA Ames Research Center suggested I use a Silicon Graphics computer to set up a web server at MHPCC. User services at MHPCC said if you can get Silicon Graphics to send you a computer we can set it up on our public facing Internet network for you to use.
MHPCC, Silicon Graphics Computers, and the S.A.V.E. Program worked as a team. They used SGI computers and internet tools to address problems in the environment.
First, an SGI Indigo hosted nko.mhpcc.edu. Later, the site moved to nko.org. Also, NKO stands for No Ka Oi, which means “the best” in Hawaiian. Thus, this name fits Maui.
Next, we made an early VR site. For example, users could explore Maui and the solar system. The site used Virtual Reality Modeling Language, or VRML, to show 3D worlds.
In 2002, I sent live video from the field in Maui over wireless Internet. I was the first to stream live video this way, using Maui Sky Fiber 3G devices.
Using QuickTime Streaming Server, the NKO.ORG team streamed live video from Maui, allowing viewers to see land, events, and environmental issues in real time.
Today, NKO.ORG Builds AI Systems, Supports Political Science, and Protects the Environment
NKO.ORG’s current work includes: We build AI systems with rules and guardrails. We also help with political science, court study, and social justice. In addition, we work on care for the land and the environment. Finally, we use cameras for 360-degree photos and video.
Beyond Maui, NKO.ORG supports disaster tech and IT work in Hawaiʻi and beyond. Paul Garrett Hugel volunteers his skills. He helps with disaster response.
Defines, documents, and enforces governance for AI-assisted software development — combining governance artifacts with executable controls for safe, auditable, evidence-based repository operations.
2. Verify required evidence
3. Confirm approval requirements.
4. Preserve audit records.
5. Execute applicable governance checks.
Status: actively evolving toward this constitutional structure; not yet in place.
Now, explore NKO.ORG for stories, images, and research. Learn more about Maui’s natural and cultural heritage.
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