If it was easy, it wouldn’t be rocket science.

But that may be small consolation to the University of Hawaii students who lost a payload aboard a rocket that was launched by NASA into suborbital space on Wednesday.

Project Imua contained six experiments, plus cameras. But in the return descent into the ocean, the payload somehow disappeared.

Nonetheless, in designing and building the experiments, the 16 UH students from Kauai, Honolulu, Kapiolani and Windward community colleges held their own in a dauntingly difficult scientific field.

It’s yet another demonstration of how Hawaii’s community colleges, recently rated the most affordable in the nation, are a really good value.

Next up for trio from Hawaii: Italy

The fifth-ranked U.S. men’s volleyball team has redeemed itself, advancing to the semifinals at the Rio Olympics after defeating Poland, ranked second, in a quarterfinal match Wednesday.

The team, which includes three players from Hawaii, had to dig deep after losing its first two matches. Hawaii- born setter Micah Christenson helped lead the team to its 3-0 victory against Poland.

“We’re sacrificing everything we have for each other … ” he said.

The team goes up against Italy today. Veteran members of the U.S. team will remember being swept by Italy four years ago in London during the quarterfinals.

We’re hoping for a much different outcome this time.