Every Rock Has a Story

When Boston College professor Ethan Baxter needed a voice to tell the story of Kīlauea for his hit educational YouTube series, Every Rock Has a Story, he didn’t just look for a scientist. He looked for a leader who could bridge the gap between technical data and ancestral wisdom. He found that voice in Kamalani Poepoe.

A UH Hilo geology major graduating in Spring 2026, Poepoe is featured in Episode 83 of the online program, which brings the wonders of geoscience to elementary students worldwide. The collaboration began at the SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science) conference in Phoenix, where Baxter was captivated by Poepoe’s research presentation. That chance meeting evolved into a production trip to Hawaiʻi Island, where Poepoe took the helm as co-host on Baxter’s show.

“I would not have gone to Hawaiʻi. I wouldn't have met these people. It would not have happened were it not for SACNAS and its mission bringing us all together,” explained Baxter.

For Poepoe, the opportunity was about more than just exposure, but a chance for cultural stewardship. She chose to film at the Kīlauea caldera, a location she describes as “a special place where I conduct science and practice my culture.”

In the episode, Poepoe introduces viewers to the concept of hulihia — the drastic overturning of the landscape. “Kīlauea shows us how volcanic processes continuously reshape the ʻāina,” Poepoe explained. “I wanted to emphasize that change is a natural part of Hawaiʻi’s environment that is happening in real time.”

Poepoe’s ability to weave indigenous perspective with hard science is a hallmark of the Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES) at UH Hilo. As a PIPES intern, Poepoe works within the Kaʻao (storytelling) pathway, which integrates data collection with the ability to articulate the story of the land.

Poepoe’s leadership extends to high-level research. Through a co-operative agreement between UH Hilo and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), she analyzes the chemistry of Kīlauea’s 2023 eruption. Her mentor, USGS Research Geologist Kendra Lynn, noted that Poepoe’s contributions are “valuable and timely in supporting HVO’s mission” to monitor active volcanoes.

By sharing her knowledge on a digital platform with thousands of views, Poepoe is ensuring the next generation sees themselves as represented in the sciences.

“Hawaiʻi is a unique setting for this kind of learning,” said Poepoe, adding she hopes to inspire keiki to think critically about the places they live and how the landscapes around them came to be. “Living on an island in the middle of the ocean could cause them to raise questions about why our environment looks the way it does. It opens the door to meaningful scientific and cultural discussions.”

As she prepares for graduation and a future in volcanology, Poepoe proves that UH Hilo students don’t just study the earth — they teach the world how to listen to its story.

For more on Kamalani’s journey—from her research internship with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to her educational film debut—read the full features in UH Hilo Stories and Big Island Video News.