UH ranks 12th in environmental research

An international science journal has ranked the University of Hawaii at Manoa 12th for earth and environmental science research among more than 1,200 universities internationally.

The Nature Index ranks institutions based on the number of research papers published in Nature — which describes itself as the world’s most highly cited interdisciplinary science journal — and a select group of other journals. The rankings, which are updated monthly, cover research published from November 2015 to October.

In the index’s top three spots are the University of California, San Diego; the California Institute of Technology; and the University of Washington. UH Manoa ranked higher than the University of California, Berkeley; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Pennsylvania State University; and University of Oxford.

UH attributed the ranking to its research in ocean and marine science, geology, geophysics and mineral physics, and climate science.

To view the rankings, go to 808ne.ws/natureindexmanoa.

Council to salute resident who sparked global protest

The Maui County Council will honor Hana resident Teresa Shook, who inspired the Women’s March on Washington, on Friday.

Shook, who was frustrated with the 2016 election results, proposed the idea of a march on Facebook. The post led millions of people to the streets with demonstrations in Washington, D.C., Hawaii and around the world.

March participation in Washington was estimated to exceed half a million, according to the Associated Press. Thousands participated in Hawaii, with an estimated 5,000 demonstrators on Oahu and about 5,000 Maui residents who marched along Kaahumanu Avenue in Kahului.

Council member Kelly King said Saturday that the ceremony will honor Shook — a retired attorney, grandmother and breast cancer survivor — after she gained worldwide recognition as “The Firestarter” for the movement.

“What Teresa accomplished demonstrated how genuine passion to make a difference can have such a tremendous impact,” King said. “It didn’t matter she lived in a remote area such as Hana; she was able to touch the far ends of the earth and bring people together. Her determination has inspired many around the world, and the Women’s March will have a lasting impression in history.”

The ceremony, at 9 a.m. Friday in the Council chamber, is open to the public, and testimony will be accepted.