HPU DEBATE SOCIETY HOSTS HAWAIʻI PACIFIC AUTUMN INVITATIONAL

On November 22, 2025, the Hawaiʻi Pacific University Debate Society hosted the 2025 Hawaiʻi Pacific Autumn Invitational, welcoming 48 collegiate and high school students from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi, the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, and Punahou School. Fourteen of the participants represented HPU through the Debate Society and the COM 2640 Argumentation and Debate course. After five rounds of debate, Punahou School emerged as this year’s victor. Congratulations to the winning team!

The Debate Society also recognized HPU’s Sophia Siangco, as this was her final tournament with the team. “Congratulations on your graduation Sophia! We can’t wait to see what you do next!”

The HPU Debate Society extends a special mahalo to Hawai'i Pacific University's Department of Arts, Communication, Languages, and Media for the continued support, which made hosting such a large tournament possible. Additionally, the Society thanks everyone who volunteered their time and talents to judge at the event.

The HPU Debate Society works to empower students to be able to speak effectively and defend their own beliefs through rigorous practice and competition. They primarily compete in British Parliamentary Debate, a popular format used by a multitude of universities around the world. Their next tournament at HPU will be the 2026 Pan Pacific Debate Championships being held March 21-22, 2026. Any interested universities can register now at https://forensicstournament.net/PanPacific/26. 

For more information, please contact Kaikane Glorioso, Lecturer and Debate Coach, at kglorioso@hpu.edu.