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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong

Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Identity & Equity Editor

Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong is a junior double majoring in Social & Cultural Analysis and journalism with a minor in performance studies. He is a proud Native Hawaiian from Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi and enjoys hiking his island’s ridges, dancing hula with friends, and reading Hawaiian literature. When he’s not picking pua, you can find him strumming his ʻukulele, complaining about colonization and reminiscing the streams and shores of fair Hawaiʻi. You can find him @dereknui on Instagram.

All content by Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong
An illustration of a building with a glass exterior with green plants growing. There are two pots of green plants drawn next to the building, all against a green background. The building is N.Y.U.’s Paulson Center.

Sad in the Paulson Center? There’s a solution.

NYU’s sustainability initiatives should extend beyond reducing our carbon footprint. We should have a visually lush and verdant campus.
Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Identity & Equity Editor May 4, 2023

As you enter the revolving doors of the new, billion-dollar Paulson Center, New York City's vibrant energy seems to fade away, revealing the new building's ineffectual space. The...

The Mauna Loa erupts against a dark sky. The lava in bright red and orange lights up the volcano and tints the color of smoke shooting out from the crater.

What Mauna Loa’s eruption means as a Native Hawaiian

The recent eruption of the world's largest active volcano on Hawaiʻi Island has spurred celebration among Hawaiʻi’s residents and its visitors.
Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Identity & Equity Editor December 6, 2022

E heluhelu i kēia moʻolelo ma o ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi | Read this article in Hawaiian Hulihia ka mauna, wela i ke ahi. The mountain is overturned, hot with fire.  When...

A flag with New York University's logo against a purple background hangs down a pole mounted on the exterior of a building.

Opinion: Native students need their own space at NYU

Columbia University gave its Native students a brownstone, while NYU’s Native students group meets underground weekly.
Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Identity & Equity Editor October 14, 2022

Native students at Columbia University were recently approved for a five-story brownstone to be used as a long-term residence for Indigenous and Native students. Granting these...

The logo of New York University's Asian/Pacific/American Studies in white in the middle of leaves and flowers.

Opinion: NYU should drop its facade of Pacific Island inclusion

Despite housing the Asian/Pacific/American Institute and an associated major, NYU is failing to provide enough courses on Pacific Island Studies.
Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Identity & Equity Editor September 15, 2022

I realized my previous major, performance studies, at the Tisch School of the Arts was far too white for me, so this semester, I sought out an internal transfer into a major with...

A basket of purple flowers in the foreground and people's hands holding flower petals in the background.

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi

May Day can be a celebration of flowers, lei and aloha — even when you're not in Hawaiʻi.
Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Staff Writer April 29, 2022

In the myriad palms of the Hawaiian islands remains a cultural tradition as distinctive as the fragrant blossoms upon its shores. May Day, the first day of May, is a celebration...