The University of Hawaii Board of Regents will soon have a new face from Hawaii Island.

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The University of Hawaii Board of Regents will soon have a new face from Hawaii Island.

Born and raised in South Kohala, UH Manoa junior Eric Pomaika‘i Gee was recently appointed to serve as the student regent on the board for a two-year term beginning July 1.

Gee, who grew up in Waimea and later moved to Waikoloa, is a graduate of Kealakehe High School High School. He said his upbringing on the island has contributed to his desire to be an active and engaged community member.

“I think of Hawaiian culture, in many ways, as a mindset as well,” he said. “I feel like you’re just kind of raised with these values of always giving back to your community, always respecting your elders, always being the best version of yourself and giving back, and I feel like that’s definitely something that growing up and being born and raised here has instilled in me throughout my entire life.”

In his role on the Board of Regents, which is the primary governing body for the UH system, Gee said he will strive to raise awareness among students about what the board does and how they can get more involved.

“I think most of the student body knows there is a Board of Regents. I don’t think they know exactly what they do,” he said. “That’s one of my goals is to get more student engagement within the board, because I do think that there are a lot of concerns and rooms for improvement across all UH campuses — not just the flagship campuses, but across the community colleges, across all the neighbor islands.”

Gee has previous experience in youth engagement and advocacy, having held several leadership positions including serving as the inaugural chairperson of the Hawaii County Youth Commission and as a treasurer of the Hawaii State Youth Commission.

He said those roles, combined with his other life experiences — which include performing with the Yau Gong Lion Dance troupe, joining a scientific expedition to Antarctica, and a semester studying abroad in Italy — have taught him valuable lessons, which he plans to draw on in this new position.

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“I’d say that one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you always can learn more, you can always be open-minded, and you can always see things differently than you’ve seen things before,” he said. “I want people to know that I’m always an open ear, and I’m always willing to challenge my own beliefs. I think that’s one of the things that also makes a great leader.”

He said he encourages other students to take some time to learn more about the Board of Regents and familiarize themselves with the topics being discussed during meetings — which he noted are open to the public and provide opportunities to comment.

“I highly recommend students look into it a little, see if there’s an issue, see if there’s a committee that you’re interested in, and don’t be afraid to use your voice,” he said. “There might be a lot of loud voices in the room, but that doesn’t mean that your voice is any less important.”

Gee, who is pursuing a double-major in international business and finance, with a minor in political science, said he is still developing his future plans and goals, but in the meantime is excited to be engaged in the work of the board, which represents all 10 UH campuses across the state.

“I do really enjoy public policy and working on local and state issues here in Hawaii. That’s one of my passions, for sure,” he said. “There’s a lot still unknown that (I’m) still kind of figuring it out, and I look forward to experiencing that journey one day at a time.”

Whatever the future holds, he said his upbringing in Hawaii is something that will stick with him and guide him along the way.

“I believe that moving forward, you know, even if I eventually go off to the continental U.S. for work or wherever … I feel like I’m still going to carry those values with me for my entire life,” he said.

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Email Grace Inez Adams at [email protected].