How much do you know about the world around you?
The Pacific & Asian Affairs Council (PAAC) invites Hawaiʻi high school students to participate in Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) 2027, an exciting team-based competition that challenges students to test their knowledge of international affairs and global issues.
Working in teams of four, students will compete by answering questions covering six categories related to international relations, world events, and global challenges. From current events and international organizations to regional issues and global policy, AWQ encourages students to look beyond the classroom and deepen their understanding of an increasingly interconnected world.
Why Attend?
Academic WorldQuest offers a fun and challenging opportunity to expand your knowledge of the world while putting your critical thinking and teamwork skills to the test. Through preparation, friendly competition, and engagement with global issues, students will develop a deeper understanding of international affairs and the forces shaping our world. The winning team will earn the opportunity to represent Hawaiʻi at the national Academic WorldQuest competition in Washington, D.C., joining students from across the country.
What to Expect
Team-Based Competition: Form a team of four students from your school and work together to answer questions across six categories covering international affairs and global issues. Test your knowledge, think critically, and see how your team stacks up against other schools across Hawaiʻi.
Preparation & Learning: Get ready for competition with practice questions and support from knowledgeable coaches recruited to help students explore the six competition categories. Build your understanding of global issues while developing the skills and confidence to compete.
Friendly Competition: Challenge yourself in a fast-paced academic competition alongside students from across Hawaiʻi. Collaborate with your teammates, put your knowledge to the test, and discover new perspectives on the world around you.
National Opportunity: The winning team will have the opportunity to represent Hawaiʻi at the national Academic WorldQuest competition in Washington, D.C., competing against top teams from across the United States.
Check out the recap of last year’s AWQ to get a better idea of what the event entails!
Who Should Attend?
Academic WorldQuest is open to all public, private, and charter high school students across Hawaiʻi who are curious about international affairs, current events, and global issues. Whether you're interested in politics, history, economics, international relations, or simply learning more about the world, AWQ is an opportunity to challenge yourself, collaborate with your peers, and develop knowledge that extends far beyond the classroom.
Neighbor Island students are also welcome to participate! Students may join virtually from designated satellite sites across the islands, which will be announced after team registration closes.
You don't need to be an expert in international affairs to participate. Bring your curiosity, build a team, and get ready to explore the world together!
Event Details
Date: Sunday, March 7th, 2027
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM HST (Doors open at 12:00 PM)
Location: TBA
Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 24th, 2027 at midnight
Late Registration Deadline: Sunday, February 7th, 2027 at midnight
Registration Fees: This is a FREE event for all attendees who register by the standard deadline. Late registrations are subject to a fee of $25.00. Payment can be made via PayPal on the registration form or by sending a check to "PAAC" at 1601 East-West Road, 4F, Honolulu, HI 96848 (please note the student's name on the check). Waivers are available upon request through Max Malmud, hs@paachawaii.org.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Students from all public, private, and charter schools within the state of Hawai’i are welcome to apply.
Students must compete in teams of four.
All team members must be from the same High School.
The winning team must be available to travel for 5 days and fully participate at the National Competition in Washington DC, during the dates below:
Depart Saturday, April 10th, 2027
Return Wednesday, April 14th, 2027
Regional Competition Categories:
The Tug-of-War Over Natural Resources
Global Health & Pandemic Preparedness
Gen Z Political Paradigms
International Relations at the Movies
Powering Up Energy Security
Global Debt and Assistance
Don’t Miss Out—Register Today!
Space is limited for AWQ 2027 so grab your team members and register early to secure your spot. This is your opportunity to expand your knowledge of international affairs, sharpen your critical thinking and teamwork skills, and compete for the chance to represent Hawaiʻi at the national Academic WorldQuest competition in Washington, D.C. Don’t miss your chance to be part of PAAC’s Academic WorldQuest 2027!
Our Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) Virtual Launch Party occurred on November 11th, 2026, and provided exciting information related to our 6 local categories, registration requirements, and more!
questions?
For questions reach out to Max Malmud, hs@paachawaii.org or call 808-944-7759.
