Antarctica to Mānoa: UH Mānoa student joins global effort to protect a fragile continent

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***SUGGESTED VOSOT SCRIPT BELOW***

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa sophomore has returned from Antarctica after serving as the only participant from Hawaiʻi and the United States on a global expedition focused on protecting the continent beyond 2041.

Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee, an international business and finance major in the Shidler College of Business, with a minor in political science in the College of Social Sciences, was one of two Villars Institute Fellows selected for the Ice Station Expedition, 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 Hawaiʻi 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

After returning to Hawaiʻi, 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."

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

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."

Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/3ixrgu5LgV

VIDEO:

BROLL: (2:11)

0:00-2:11 - Video and photos courtesy Eric Gee from the Ice Station Expedition

SOUNDBITES:

Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee, UH Mānoa student who just returned from the Ice Station Expedition

(0:12)

"Antarctica serves as a symbol of hope. That's kind of the way that I've started to see it for sure because in Antarctica, no one has any claim over any territory there. Everyone in the Earth owns it."

(0:16)

"It's one of those places that I think we understand how important it is to take care of the land. I think you know all the Native Hawaiian practices that are established especially at the University of Hawaiʻi really are present and I'd say Antarctica is one of those places that we can put that into effect."

(0:21)

"You should always leave a place better than how you found it. I believe that us as humans right now are not doing that. I think that we are milking this planet for everything that we really can and I think that we've been seeing signs of how Earth has been reacting to that, especially in Antarctica."

(0:22)

"My biggest call to action and that I hope everyone takes to heart is to share their stories. My story is I saw Kawaihae and Waimea start to turn really, really brown. That's what got me so passionate and so engaged into this atmosphere."

VOSOT SCRIPT

INTRO:

From Antarctica to Mānoa. A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student is back from one of the most remote places on Earth.

VO:

Sophomore Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee (pronounced *Jee) was the only participant from Hawaiʻi and the United States-on a global expedition to Antarctica.

The mission brought young leaders and scientists together to focus on protecting the continent beyond 2041.

Gee says some of the conditions were surprising.

Instead of extreme cold temperatures of negative 5 to 10 below which they were prepared for...temperatures on some days were in the 20s.

Gee also experienced higher UV exposure linked to a thinning ozone layer over Antarctica.

SOT:

"You should always leave a place better than how you found it. I believe that us as humans right now are not doing that. I think that we are milking this planet for everything that we really can and I think that we've been seeing signs of how Earth has been reacting to that, especially in Antarctica."

VO:

Now, he's sharing what he saw with the world.

Gee just launched a new Instagram page, @theantarcticdiary, to connect and inspire the next generation.