The Ocean Explorer Trust, a nonprofit that conducts Pacific expeditions aboard the exploration vessel Nautilus, a 68-meter research vessel equipped with remotely-operated vehicles, has recently released two videos featuring students from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo who participated in voyages while completing their degrees at the University.

The trust states in its description of the two videos that as part of its ongoing efforts "to build an equitable and ethical relationship with the Papahānaumokuākea [Marine National Monument] Native Hawaiian Cultural Working Group to appropriately weave Hawaiian culture into deep sea exploration expeditions and connect with curious minds across Hawai'i and around the world, we're featuring voices of featured Kānaka 'Ōiwi (Native Hawaiians) explorers who are part of our expedition team."

KUKUI GAVAGAN

Lily Kukui Gavagan (Bachelor of Science in Marine Science, Minor in Hawaiian Studies, Certificate in the Marine Option Program, also a cross country runner with Vulcan Athletics) was a science manager in training for the expedition Ala 'Aumoana Kai Uli in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (2023), where Ocean Exploration Trust and partners explored unseen deep-sea habitats aboard the exploration vessel Nautilus with remotely-operated vehicles and seafloor mapping operations focused on the largely unexplored northwestern section of the monument.

Gavagan was a data logger for the expedition Deep Sea Biodiversity and Ancient Volcanoes near Johnston Atoll (2022), where the research team used remotely-operated vehicles to investigate and expand on understanding of prime deep sea coral and sponge habitat near the atoll.

Gavagan offers some advice to young kānaka who are coming into the world of research.

"Stick with your na'au, your roots, what you know is right, stick with what you know you've been taught, and just follow that," she says. "And when a new opportunity comes up, seize it, you don't have anything to lose at all."