For nearly 20 years, Rachel Hualani Loo has graced the Merrie Monarch stage on ��ōʻ����� night as an ʻō�����貹, or dancer, with Hālau o Kekuhi. This year, she returned to the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium in a profoundly different role: as the 2026 ��ōʻī Wahine (Queen) of the Merrie Monarch Royal Court.

A University of �鶹��ý at Hilo alumna and the director of the , Loo has spent over a decade supporting Hawaiian students on their educational journeys. But when the Merrie Monarch Festival committee asked her to serve in this role, the weight of carrying this kuleana (responsibility) for her community felt different.

“Just to be included in all of this—not just the honor on an individual and personal level, but the real honor is continuing to be part of this community in a different capacity,” Loo expressed.

One of the most special things about being in Hilo during Merrie Monarch week is the opportunity to witness the community’s hospitality and ability to hoʻokipa, to host. Whether welcoming family, friends, or hālau hula, Hilo’s community shows up year after year to graciously welcome everyone. Growing up in Hilo and being part of the Merrie Monarch in different capacities has shaped Loo’s own commitment to this practice.

What the Merrie Monarch Festival and its stage represent isn’t lost on her. Loo recalled the words of her Kumu Hula Nālani Kanakaʻole Zane, whose legacy continues to permeate the festival: “She would remind us that this is the biggest stage for hula: an opportunity to share our language, culture, and dance in excellence. It’s an example of Hawaiian excellence at its highest level.”

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A recent public talk at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� shed light on the decades-long fight for justice by Filipino veterans of World War II and the role of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye in advocating for their rights.

On February 27, Colin Moore, associate professor in the College of Social Sciences, presented “Soldiers of a Forgotten Empire: Filipino Veterans and the Politics of Denial,” exploring how more than 200,000 Filipino veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces were denied promised benefits under the Rescission Act of 1946.

His talk examined the plight of Filipino veterans within the broader context of U.S. imperialism and the Cold War, while tracing Inouye’s decades-long efforts to secure justice. Letters written by veterans to Inouye reveal their frustration, anger and disappointment.

Moore’s work draws from extensive archival research, including visits to the National Archives and Records Administration, the Clinton Presidential Library, and the Daniel K. Inouye Papers housed in Hamilton Library’s .

The presentation was followed by a discussion among in-person and Zoom attendees, many of whom had personal connections to Filipino veterans who struggled to access promised benefits.

Neil Abercrombie, UH Regent and former governor, shared his perspective on advocating for Inouye’s redress legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. are also available to researchers at Hamilton Library.

The hybrid event was organized by the and co-sponsored by UH ����ԴDz� and the Daniel K. Inouye Institute (DKI). Moore’s research is part of the , supported by the Inouye Institute.

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The earned high marks in nearly 20 academic subjects in the , with , and leading the way among the highest-ranked programs.

Oceanography ranked No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 7 in the world, atmospheric science placed No. 8 nationally and No. 11 worldwide, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 32 in the world.

The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy and is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

UH Mānoa also posted strong global and national placements across science, engineering, social science and other fields. tied for No. 17 in the U.S. and ranked No. 51–75 worldwide, while ecology and each tied for No. 24 nationally and placed No. 76–100 globally.

Additional UH Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2025 rankings include communication, education, political science, water resources, biological sciences, civil engineering, food science and technology, environmental science and engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, management and physics.

“These rankings reflect the depth and consistency of excellence at UH Mānoa,” Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Our faculty are advancing research that matters locally and globally, while preparing students to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world.”

UH Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from more than 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

Other recent rankings:

• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

A sophomore has returned from Antarctica after serving as the only participant from �鶹��ý and the United States on a global expedition focused on protecting the continent beyond 2041.

“It’s one of those places that genuinely shows that we don’t need to go in, and we don’t need to find and exploit things for everything that they have.” — Eric Gee

Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee, an and major in the , with a minor in in the , was one of two Villars Institute Fellows selected for the , a two-week mission that took place in December 2025. The expedition brought young leaders, educators and scientists to Union Glacier Camp, a research and logistics hub deep within Antarctica.

“Antarctica serves as a symbol of hope,” Gee said. “That’s the way I’ve started to see it because in Antarctica, no one has any claim over any territory there. Everyone on Earth owns it. It’s one of those places that genuinely shows that we don’t need to go in, and we don’t need to find and exploit things for everything that they have.”

Led by polar explorer Robert Swan, the expedition centered on strengthening global awareness of Antarctica’s importance to Earth’s climate system. According to the Villars Institute, the continent holds roughly 70% of the world’s freshwater in its ice sheets and plays a critical role in regulating global temperatures, ocean circulation and sea levels.

For Gee, one of the most striking observations came from the temperatures. The team prepared for conditions near -10°F. Instead, temperatures climbed to around 30°F on some days, underscoring the effects of a changing climate. Gee also noted that a thinning ozone layer over Antarctica resulted in higher levels of ultraviolet radiation, requiring additional precautions by the team, as well as adapting to 24 hours of straight sunlight during this time of year.

“You have to wear a specific amount of layers,” Gee said. “If you wear too many layers, you overheat and when you overheat you start to sweat. The moment you sweat, you’re not in a good spot because that sweat will very quickly drop your body temperature and I witnessed that the hard way on some of our excursions.”

Antarctica research, education

Throughout the mission, Gee—a Waikōloa native and graduate of Kealakehe High School—and the international team connected live with classrooms around the world, marking the first real-time educational broadcast from Antarctica. Participants collaborated on scientific activities, including environmental DNA sampling, and tested renewable energy and storage systems designed to function in extreme polar conditions. The work highlighted that research in Antarctica can be powered by renewable energy rather than fossil fuels.

Gee’s inspiration

“I’ve always been passionate about learning how things within our world react and how renewable energy and environmental sustainability play a factor into our day-to-day lives,” Gee said. “My inspiration for that came from being on �鶹��ý Island, and just seeing [how] the valleys of Waimea and Kawaihae used to be green when I was growing up, and serious drought turned them dark brown.”

A key focus of the expedition was the Antarctic Treaty, which designates the continent as a natural reserve devoted to scientific research, peace, and prohibits mining and commercial exploitation. Its environmental protections are at risk beginning in 2041, when the treaty is up for review, making international conversations and public awareness about preserving one of Earth’s last untouched areas all the more urgent.

Sharing your story

Gee launched @theantarcticdiary on Instagram and encourages young people to get involved.

After returning to �鶹��ý, Gee will begin sharing lessons from the expedition through school visits, community presentations and public outreach, extending UH Mānoa’s role in global climate education, youth leadership and environmental stewardship. He recently founded a platform called “The Antarctic Diary,” to share his reflections from Antarctica, and to encourage other young people to share their story and establish mutual connections from around the globe.

“I feel like as a young person and as young people, it is sometimes hard to feel like you really have an impact and that your voice can really hold meaning. It can feel like you’re listened to but not heard, and I feel like that’s what I experienced my entire life,” Gee said. “That’s why I’m proud to announce the launch of my program called The Antarctic Diary.”

UH impact

Gee, who studied abroad in Florence, Italy for his freshman spring semester through the UH Mānoa Study Abroad Center, called UH “an extraordinary university.”

“We have many incredible programs and educators who care deeply about their students and our state. I’m thankful for my classes, and the professors and our administration have worked with me to help me make the most of my opportunities, both in and outside of UH,” Gee said. “The access to different study abroad programs is something I encourage every single student to utilize and take advantage of. I have a lot of interests and commitments, and it means a lot to have the support of the university as I pursue them.”

A alumna from the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo represented her homeland, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), at a United Nations meeting on human rights held in Geneva, Switzerland, this fall.

Tamelia Rang, who graduated in December 2024, serves as human rights coordinator at the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs, RMI. Before stepping into that role, she was nominated to represent the RMI as a delegate at the U.N. 60th Session of the Human Rights Council.

The annual meeting ensures that underdeveloped countries and states, in particular those without permanent representation in Geneva, are able to participate and contribute to the work of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

“Participating in the council sessions enabled me to better advance and promote human rights issues that are of primary importance for my region and country, such as climate change, the Nuclear Legacy, gender equality, and right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” said Rang.

‘I want to thank you’

For UH Hilo professor Su-Mi Lee, the timing was striking. She was getting ready to lead her students through a U.N.-style climate-change exercise while her former student was contributing to an actual U.N. meeting.

“I am very proud of her,” Lee said.

Rang said she frequently finds herself drawing on the lessons and values she absorbed in Lee’s classes.

“I wanted to thank you,” said Rang in an email to Lee, “as all of these (lessons) were very instrumental in helping me contribute and participate meaningfully in international spaces.”

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—By Susan Enright

Inspired by family and supported by the University of �鶹��ý community, Zach and Courtney Villanueva, UH ����ԴDz� alumni and owners of , have built a thriving business specializing in ice cream crafted with organic dairy and local ingredients.

In 2020, the duo started selling ice cream on Instagram, making home deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. This initial success allowed the business to grow from home deliveries to local farmers’ markets, eventually debuting a mobile ice cream truck, and now operating a brick-and-mortar store in the Hoʻopili development of Kapolei. The entrepreneurs are appreciative of the consistent support from the UH community throughout their expansion.

Zach, who earned a bachelor’s degree in in 2016, said, “Some of our first customers were people from our time [at UH]. Once they heard we were starting a business, they came out to support which was nice.”

• Related story: Sage Creamery a sweet success for 2 UH alums

Alumni network

“Majoring in accounting, it was really the network. Being in clubs, meeting people that I still keep in contact with today that are not only friends, but they’re customers,” said Courtney, who earned a bachelor’s degree in in 2012. “We get a lot of support from our classmates, even our professors. They all come by, tell their friends about it.”

The creamery is also a three-time participant in the UH Alumni Makers’ Market. This annual event, organized by the UH Foundation Office of Alumni Relations, brings together alumni-owned and led businesses to showcase their products and connect.

“Even though we didn’t necessarily go to school with all of the UH alumni, a majority of those alumni are local people who have similar stories as us who are on similar journeys,” Courtney said. “It’s nice to be a part of this network, just to be in good company.”

Personal inspiration

The dedication behind Sage Creamery is deeply personal, rooted in the legacy of Zach’s late brother, Daniel, an aspiring entrepreneur who passed away from cancer in 2018. His journals provided the inspiration for the pair to start their business.

“After he had passed, a lot of really amazing things came to light, you could almost say otherworldly. Like he was talking to us even after he passed,” Zach shared. “It was almost as if he knew he was going to pass and almost as if he was passing his legacy onto us.”

A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual , hosted by the (PACE) in the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of UH Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

The competition was co-hosted by , a software platform led by a Shidler and PACE alumnus, that empowers community-based organizations to address the social drivers of health. It highlighted PACE’s mission to bridge academic learning with practical, work-based problem-solving.

“Innovate 808 shows how powerful interdisciplinary learning can be when we connect students to real community partners,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “The ideas generated this year show that innovation truly thrives in collaboration.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration

The students in this year’s challenge represented 10 UH Mānoa colleges and schools. The result was a dynamic combination of technical, social and entrepreneurial ideas to support �鶹��ý’s community health workforce.

The winning team, Pear Lens, created a photo-based note capture and conversion tool that allows CHW to document client interactions more efficiently while maintaining data privacy. The team came together as four solo applicants met for the first time during the competition: Justin Paul Alejo (business), Jennifer Kawata (public administration), Biplav Paudel (business) and Ivy Vo (business).

“The competition brought together a diverse team of complete strangers to solve a complex challenge, but we quickly found our rhythm and collaborated seamlessly to propose a simple yet powerful idea,” Kawata said.

Kawehi Kea-Scott, a Pear Suite judge who used to work as a CHW, commended the team for “meeting CHWs where they are” by respecting existing workflows while introducing low-friction technology. “The fact that these students built a fully functioning prototype in just two weeks is remarkable,” Kea-Scott said.

Initially the competition was planned as a winner-takes-all prize structure, but the judges were so impressed by the presentations that three runner-up prizes were added. Each student from the following three teams won $350.

• Jayden Ronel Villanueva, Shannon Tai and Jaylyn-Kate Balon developed a tiered education and certification pathway with AI-generated feedback and mentoring for aspiring CHWs.
• Tate Goodman, Mau Tsujimura, Micah Tajiri and Lenox Covington created a machine-learning workflow tool that helps CHWs select the most effective resources for their clients.
• Logan Lee, Tristan Ta and Yeunggyun Kwon designed a referral platform that connects CHWs and clients based on shared experience and training, fostering stronger engagement.

Takeda invited the winning teams to present their solutions to his executive team and encouraged all participants to consider internships and employment at Pear Suite, as he shared that Pear Suite will be continuing its nationwide expansion after he recently raised $7.6 million in funding.

“Just try it, go out there and find problems to solve,” Takeda said. “Being able to test ideas, try new things and see what the feedback is from your customers is a great way to learn and grow.”

Teams were also mentored by Jeff Hui, PACE‘s entrepreneur in residence, who advised students to “take advantage of these real world experiences. These are the opportunities that open doors to new career paths and set you apart when you are interviewing for a job.”

A leading voice for Indigenous rights in Aotearoa (New Zealand) will visit the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� on Thursday, October 30, to discuss the future of Indigenous governance and solidarity across the Pacific.

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori and a member of New Zealand’s Parliament, will appear in an onstage conversation with Noelani Goodyear-����ʻō��ܲ�, a professor at UH ����ԴDz�. The free public event at the art auditorium is hosted by the UH Better Tomorrow Speaker Series and begins at 6:30 p.m. ()

“We are deeply honored to host the Honorable Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, whose leadership embodies the courage and clarity our times demand,” said Goodyear-����ʻō��ܲ�. “Grounded in the tino rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) of her people and a visionary in her pursuit of thriving futures for Aotearoa and Oceania, she is not only a parliamentarian but a protector. This dialogue is a rare opportunity to learn from her experience and to strengthen the ties between our nations, connected by our great ocean.”

Standing for justice

Ngarewa-Packer has spent decades defending Māori lands and waters. Before entering Parliament, she led her iwi (people), Ngāti Ruanui, in successful campaigns to block seabed mining off the South Taranaki coast. Those battles continue to guide her work in national efforts for environmental protection, poverty reduction and equity for Māori communities.

The Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, which is organizing the event, is a joint venture of UH ����ԴDz�, The Learning Coalition and the �鶹��ý Community Foundation, with support from the UH Foundation.

This event is made possible through the sponsorship of Kaiāulu by Kamehameha Schools, and with additional support from the College of Arts, Languages & Letters, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and William S. Richardson School of Law.

Dane Wicker’s passion for politics and community service began at Leeward Community College, where the University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu offered courses close to home. He earned an associate degree in liberal arts in 2006, and continued to work on to UH West Oʻahu, which was located on the Leeward CC campus at that time.

“The smaller campus setting also made it easier to meet people, build meaningful relationships, and engage with instructors in a way that really shaped my academic experience,” said Wicker.

Wicker earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UH West Oʻahu in 2010. Soon after, he stepped into public service, working as a staffer for the Honolulu City Council, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the �鶹��ý State Senate.

“That progression—from local to federal to state—gave me an in-depth understanding of what each level of government is responsible for,” said Wicker. “I’ve been able to bring that perspective to help bridge local needs with state and federal resources.”

Statewide economic leader

Today, Wicker serves as deputy director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, leading statewide initiatives to diversify �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s economy.

“These efforts not only create jobs but help us increase exports, build up local manufacturing, and strengthen food and energy security. Critical to this is the State’s investment in infrastructure, workforce development and aligning our education pipeline—from K–12 through higher education—to meet evolving industry needs,” he said.

Wicker also brings insights from the private sector. His most recent venture is in farming, and he owned and operated a small retail business before that.

“These experiences taught me firsthand how government regulations, access to capital, and infrastructure challenges directly impact small businesses,” Wicker said. “It also drives the work I do in government—to reduce barriers and help more local businesses succeed.”

Reflecting on his journey, Wicker emphasized the importance of staying engaged.

He said, “Staying connected to the UH alumni ʻohana keeps you rooted in your community and opens doors for mentorship, collaboration and continued learning. It’s also a way to give back.”

More than 30 �鶹��ý high school students and incoming University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� freshmen participated in the 2025 , a statewide initiative aimed at building future leaders in the field of national intelligence.

The program, offered by the UH ����ԴDz� , ran from June 16 to 28, and offered participants a free, three-credit university-level course—POLS 120: Introduction to World Politics. All expenses for the students, including airfare, housing, meals, registration and tuition, were paid through the Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative (P3I).

This year’s cohort had a unique opportunity to examine world events in real time as they unfolded during the program.

“Having a war going on between Israel and Iran, [the students] just came with so many questions,” said Jairus Grove, program director and UH ����ԴDz� professor. “They wanted to understand why it was happening? Why was the U.S. going to get involved? Should the U.S. get involved? And so I think having a global crisis happening while they had an audience for understanding that crisis was really unique.”

The first week was conducted online, where students studied the foundations of international relations and national intelligence. In the second week, they gathered in person on the UH ����ԴDz� campus for an immersive experience that included simulation games and guest sessions with national and local intelligence leaders. The students also participated in a day-long field trip to Pearl Harbor, and on June 27, a ceremony was held honoring their achievements.

“Because of this course I’m heavily debating going into political science now. I think it’s really interesting and something that the world is going to need more of,” said Kaimana Lindsay, a West �鶹��ý Explorations Academy senior.

Madison Au, an ʻIolani School senior, said that the program helped reinstill her passion for political science and history.

“Coming here, I felt really challenged, and I loved it,” Au said. “I would love to work with intelligence and research with sociology and international relations.”

The 2025 cohort reflected a diverse cross-section of �鶹��ý’s educational landscape, with 39% of participants from public schools, 21% from charter schools and 39% from private schools. Students who successfully completed the program earned college credits applicable toward future degrees.

Launched in 2023, the program continues to provide early college access to �鶹��ý residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA, helping prepare them for careers in one of the state’s fastest-growing sectors. It supports the university’s ongoing efforts to develop a robust pipeline of local talent in political science and intelligence studies.