{"id":235852,"date":"2026-06-09T14:58:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T00:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=235852"},"modified":"2026-06-09T14:58:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T00:58:24","slug":"eric-gee-student-regent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/09\/eric-gee-student-regent\/","title":{"rendered":"Antarctic expeditioner\/student joins UH<\/abbr> Board of Regents"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Eric Pōmaikaʻi<\/span> Gee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gov<\/abbr>. Josh Green appointed University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Mānoa<\/span> undergraduate student Eric Pōmaikaʻi<\/span> Gee to the UH<\/abbr> Board of Regents<\/a> (BOR<\/abbr>), subject to confirmation by the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> State Senate. Gee replaces Regent and William S. Richardson School of Law<\/a> JD<\/abbr> candidate Joshua Faumuina, whose term ends in June 2026. If confirmed, Gee will serve a two-year term beginning on July 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m honored to serve University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> students from all islands and campuses, and I look forward to ensuring their voices are heard while working alongside the Board of Regents,” Gee said. “I\u2019ve always been passionate about youth empowerment, and I hope to further that work through my role as the new student member of the Board of Regents.”<\/p>\n

An Honors student at UH<\/abbr> Mānoa<\/span>, Gee is pursuing an international business<\/a> and finance<\/a> double major from the Shidler College of Business<\/a>, with a minor in political science<\/a> from the College of Social Sciences<\/a>. Born and raised in South Kohala on Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island, he graduated as valedictorian from Kealakehe High School in 2024.<\/p>\n

Gee has held leadership roles at both the county and state levels, serving as inaugural chairperson of the County of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Youth Commission and as a treasurer of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> State Youth Commission, where he helped develop youth policy and advised government leaders. His experience also includes work on sustainability and education initiatives with Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Green Growth and cultural programming through Traditions Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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Gee on Antarctica expedition in 2025 (Photo courtesy: Eric Gee)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a Villars Institute Fellow, Gee participated in a 2025 expedition to Antarctica as the only American selected for the international mission led by polar explorer Robert Swan. During the expedition, he joined scientists, educators and young leaders in research activities and live educational broadcasts with classrooms around the world, promoting climate stewardship and raising awareness about the importance of protecting Antarctica. He also was selected for the World Affairs Councils of America Student Scholars Program and appeared in the PBS<\/abbr> documentary series “Rethinking Higher Ed.”<\/p>\n