The Holistic Analysis of Aerosols in Littoral Environments Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (HAALE-MURI) ACP/AMT special issue aims to advance our understanding and ability to observe and predict the complex distribution and properties of aerosol in the coastal zones. Specific foci of this ongoing 5-year (2015-2020) project are (1) the relative roles and interactions of key environmental factors influencing aerosol distributions impacting electro-optical propagation, (2) methods of characterizing the littoral zone aerosol distribution and properties via next-generation satellite observations and algorithms, and (3) how state-of-the-art data assimilation and visualization methods can exploit this information to provide representative high-resolution quantitative and qualitative analyses. This special issue will highlight progress made on these fronts at the mid-term of this project, showing examples of how traditionally disparate disciplines can provide deeper insight when considered in synergy.