History and Origin of KONA BLUE

AARO learned of KONA BLUE during its congressionally mandated historical review of UAP-related programs from interviews with current and former U.S. government personnel. Multiple interviewees identified it as a sensitive DHS compartment created to protect the retrieval and exploitation of "non-human biologics." Research determined it originated from efforts by individuals involved in the DIA's AAWSAP/AATIP program (2008-2012) to transition that work to DHS after AAWSAP ended. In 2011, the DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology established it as a PSAP based on claims that relevant information and material existed requiring special protection, citing congressional interest and homeland security implications. However, the program was never approved or stood up; it received no materials, funding, or follow-through. The only documents located were the proposal presentation itself. AARO found no evidence that the U.S. government possesses or has reverse-engineered extraterrestrial technology, and claims of active reverse-engineering programs were inaccurate or misidentified. The associated proposal and documents were declassified and released for public transparency.