April 21, 2017

April 2017 | Volume 92, Issue VII | Honolulu, Hawai‘i | A Voice for Students Since 1923

Fifth Graders Fight for Renewable Energy Legislation

By Eve Huddleston ’19

​W

Identify yourself State your position “for” or “against” Identify the bill by name and number Summarize your recommendation and give an explanation Restate your position at the end of your testimony Thank the committee Hawai‘i’s Electricity Production in 2014 Solar 0.38%

Hydro 0.9%

Wind 5.7%

Other 10.4%

Coal 14.8%

ith the rise in global concern for a sustainable future, ‘Iolani fifth graders have decided to take action. As Hawai‘i residents are using more gas than ever, the students began the process of submitting testimony to the Hawai‘i State Legislature on April 4 in support of a bill requiring ground transportation in Hawai‘i to run entirely on renewable energy by 2045. House Bill 1580 was first introduced on January 25, 2017. Through letters and drawings sent to Senator Les Ihara and Representative Scott Nishimoto, the students described their visions for a clean energy future. The Hawai‘i State Department of Transportation (DOT) and Americans for Democratic Actions also submitted testimony in support of the bill.

“Normally, the adults get all the say,” said Lauren Young ’24. “It’s really cool because, now, we actually get a say in the community.”

‘Iolani Sustainability Specialist Dr. Debbie Millikan began the project two years ago with the Class of 2022 as part of the sustainability curriculum in Mrs. Jami Muranaka’s science class. “We learned about renewable energy and the reasons why we should work towards

HAWAI‘I’S ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION 2014

House Bill 1580, which the fifth graders are supporting, falls in line with the previous Oil ground-breaking House Bill 623. Together, the bills 67.9% strive towards a goal of 100% renewable energy use for electricity production and ground transportation by 2045.

renewable energy,” said Muranaka. “I wanted to give them a chance to have a say in laws that are happening, and not just learn about them but apply what they have learned outside of school.” The 2015 bill they supported, House Bill 623, required Hawai‘i’s electricity production to be 100% renewable by 2045. With the fifth graders’ and others’ support, the bill passed.

This year the students are partnering with Blue Planet Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes a 100% clean energy future in Hawai‘i. The Foundation invited the ‘Iolani community to the Clean Energy Day at the Hawai‘i State Capitol on April 20. With booths and activities designed to educate people about clean energy, attendees learned about the benefits and necessity of pushing for complete renewable energy in the state. ​ Though submitting testimony may seem like a daunting task, the students have felt empowered by the experience.

Dara Ann Kimura ’24, a student in Mrs. Muranaka’s class said, “Sometimes children get overlooked and it’s all about what the adults want. Children never get to have a say in things that will happen. We are the future, so it is important that we are able to have our say.”

Data from the Hawai‘i State Energy Office shows that Hawai‘i has a long way to go before it reaches its goal.

In the next 28 years, how will you help?

According to the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, Hawai‘i is the only state that depends mainly on oil. Less than 1% of electricity in the nation is generated by oil.

English Department Ensures New Changes for Grades 9-12

By Stephanie Wang ’20

G

et ready, Upper School students! Come this fall, several changes to the grades 7-12 English curriculum will be put into place. The English Department faculty is taking steps to insure that high school students graduate from‘Iolani with the content and skills they need.“We’re keeping a lot of what students tend to like about the English curriculum,” said, English Department Chair, Mrs.Micheline McManus. “We, as a department, are trying to help make it better aligned so that the students get more out of it at each grade level.”

As many students know, oral communications is highly emphasized during freshman year. The English department faculty’s plan will spread out the oral communications curriculum, from 7th grade through the 12th grade, to make it more balanced. Emphasis in the 9th grade curriculum will move from the traditional focus on two speech presentations per quarter to one speech, and incorporate more diverse texts, such as short stories and poetry. Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” will replace “Romeo and Juliet” and The “Odyssey” by Homer will become freshman reading too. The English Department also plans to change the current sophomore year texts to American texts, allowing students an opportunity to experience American Literature and U.S. History simultaneously, and to help students grasp both subjects more effectively.

Given the changes in 7-10, the department is currently reviewing the 11th and 12th grade electives as well.

In the 10th and 11th grades, along with the new text changes, two new courses are being added. Students may now choose to take Literature of Loss or Medieval

Page 1 V 6.indd 1

Literature as their English elective. Literature of Loss, taught by Mr. Robert Kane, is a class that will focus on celebrating life and humanity through fiction and nonfiction works. Students will explore the ways in which authors merge themes and literary elements to generate the touching tales of lives dealing with love, loss, and grief. In this course, a variety of literature, ranging from

“We’re keeping a lot of what students tend to like about the English curriculum. We, as a department, are trying to help make it better aligned so that the students get more out of it at each grade level.”

- Mrs. Micheline McManus English Department Chair

appreciation of how literature and writing can provide a deeper understanding of ourselves and of our relationships with one another,” said Mr. Kane.

Medieval Literature: Of Monsters, Mystics, and Marriages, taught by Dr. Laura Wang, will also be available to the juniors and seniors. In this semester elective, students will analyze major English literature works from 700-1500, including stories of battles against monsters, romance, and foreseeing mystical visions.

Students will also learn to interpret poetry and draw connections between literature and history. Adventure awaits all who take it!

English Department changes, however, are rarely permanent.

“Curriculum is sort of a living document,” said Mrs. McManus. “It needs to be revisited, as students need changes.”

children’s literature to sophisticated works by Eudora Welty, James Agee, Norman Maclean, and Jhumpa Lahiri will be shared and analyzed. Students will share their own children’s literature experience with Lower School students. In addition, the course offers campus excursions to Manoa Cottage and Manoa House, where students will have the opportunity to meet and converse with residents and families celebrating relationships in the light of loss.

“I recommend students take this class for a deeper

4/20/17 5:24 PM

Haw hav com

FEATURES2

Treading the Competition at ODP

By Liam Monahan ’20

W

omen’s water polo has been a growing craze in the sports world since its induction into the Olympics in 2000. Its rapid rise now has prospects from across the nation who gather annually at the Olympic Development Program (ODP) in hopes of finding and training the next generation of great American Olympians. May Kamaka ’20 and Amelia (Mimi) Moody ’20 were among the lucky student-athletes invited to this prestigious program and who graciously represented ‘Iolani School during their past trip to California, where the ODP Girl’s Water Polo event was held. Kamaka and Moody shared their stories and waterpolo careers with Imua to inspire others to strive towards greatness.

Both girls never started out playing water polo, or even thought of participating in such a vicious sport. Moody started her sports life with volleyball and swimming, while Kamaka participated in hula dancing, swimming, and softball. It wasn’t until the seventh grade that the two began their water polo careers. Kamaka joined rather willingly, as she just wanted to participate in another sport that seemed fun. Moody, on the other hand, wasn’t initially keen on the sport at first. “I didn’t want to do [water polo],” she recalls, “because it seemed very aggressive. My parents told me to just stick with it, and I ended up loving it.” Her parents’ advice would be a blessing, as Moody and Kamaka are now regarded as two of the best prospects in the state.

So, just how did these girls rise in the ranks in such a short amount of time?

Mentality. Possessing a tough mental attitude is the key to success in waterpolo.Like any other vigorous sport, there is a strong mindset of competition, physicality and teamwork. The style of play can be described as violent. This is especially true for the Center position, in which the player May Kamaka ’20 winds up for the shot against opposing team Le Jardin Academy on Senior Night.

By Baylie Rodrigues ’21 &

Ress Nguyen ’21

Mimi Moody ’20 fights off a Mid-Pac order to get a clear shot on goal.

fights in front of the goal in order to ideally get an open shot and score.

“I will pull on people’s suits because its really fun,” said Moody. Kamaka agrees that aggression is the best way to play, but she will always only use that as a last resort.

So, why play such a brutal sport?

“I actually enjoy playing, competing, and having a team to play with,” said Moody. Like football, it isn’t about the pain or the danger, but rather the feeling of being a part of a team and having that team succeed.

The feeling of unity and teamwork was put to the test in the ODP, where the girls participated on teams with strangers and told to work and succeed in playing other teams in the program. It was through isolation and different settings that scouts could gauge how a player adapts and works with their team. “[ODP] taught me how to persevere. Even when you’re cold, tired, and sore, your team is still depending on you.

You just gotta push through.” Moody has faced similar “growing moments” with Kamaka while in the program.

Together, they recently finished the water polo season with their peers.

Through hard work and a lot of treading, both Kamaka and Moody have been placed on the national stage with the hope of reaching the ultimate sports event: the Olympics. However, their journey to the greatest sporting event in the world has just begun. As freshman prospects, only time will tell where their water polo careers will lead.

Their stories of “rise through strive” can show us that it is not too late to start something, and to be great at it.

Club of the Month

Building to Unite I

By Ian Stone ’21

magine waking every morning with less than two dollars in your pocket and burdened with the responsibility of sustaining a family. What if you wanted nothing more than to provide your children the opportunity to lead a better life, yet could only afford to have them educated in public schools which fall victim to storm damage and government rejection? While such conditions sound farfetched from the secure atmosphere of ‘Iolani, poverty to some degree affects about 80% of the world’s population.

Unfortunately, the wealth of an area as a whole often dictates the quality of education available to its residents.

But what if something could be done on campus to help?

Each year, a group of about 20 students work together to ensure that the poor conditions of impoverished lives and education do not go unregarded. ‘Iolani’s Building to Unite club focuses on aiding poverty in Cambodia and the Philippines with educational resources.

“Building to Unite basically tries to raise money and awareness for child education in rural areas of certain countries that are not fortunate enough to maintain the atmosphere of their public schools,” said club founder Sherry Shin ’18. “We believe that getting these children a decent education in a suitable environment is the best way to prepare them for the world ahead.”

Those involved in this non-profit student workforce collaborate in fundraising through a series of activities intended to promote awareness of foreign poverty in our local community. From garage sales to monetary donations, the team works together all year to collect money and resources that will make a difference.

After witnessing poverty first-hand on a trip taken to Siem Reap, Cambodia in 2015, Shin realized that not much was being done to combat the issue. The encounter with poverty motivated her to start the club. However, Shin’s experiences with the locals of Cambodia and the

Page 2 v18.indd 1

Humans of ‘Iolani: Prom Experiences

Philippines have not been limited to one occasion. She and her family, along with close friend and co-founder Natalie Uhr ’18, have continued to travel to either the Philippines or Cambodia each year to directly put Building to Unite’s efforts into effect. They collaborate with the Honolulu YMCA and the Honolulu Rotary Club to provide construction service on facilities such as classroom roofs and basketball courts, and communicate with local children to promote a new awareness for education.

The work not only serves to educate its poor recipients, but as part of the growing club, participants can learn to team with their peers to attain an objective of global scale. Shin encourages any adventurous student to give the club a try. “If you want to give back to others in need, feel good about doing so, and join a group of diligent workers and energetic people, then join Building to Unite!” For more information, contact Shin at ss1801@iolani.org and don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to make a difference!

How would you prom-pose for prom?

First, I would get a boat and then my date and I would sail into the ocean.

Then we would travel around the world.

When we get to our last stop, which is going to be in Egypt, I’m gonna propose to her on the top of the pyramids, and we’re gonna kiss on Cadence Ueyama ’23 the top in the sunset.

If you were a girl, how would you ask a boy to prom?

When the boy is studying, I’m would grab a bunch of cupcakes then I’d would put them in front of his face.

They would say P.R.O.M. with a question mark. And then right when he turns around, I would throw the cupcakes at him.

What would you wear to prom?

I would wear this all white tuxedo, with nice Jordan’s, and this nice, fresh haircut with waxed eyebrows.

What have you worn to prom?

I wore a blue, floor length dress, and a diamond necklace that my grandma got me.

Kassie Nakaya ’17

Where did you get your clothes?

I want to say Nordstrom at Ala Moana.

How much did prom cost?

It was $210. Don’t tell anybody.

What is your favorite prom-posal?

I don’t know; there were a lot of good ones. Oh yeah, surfboards. They had like four or five surfboards on which they wrote P.R.O.M. and a question mark.

How much did you pay for bids?

I didn’t pay last year, because I had a date, but it was $70 each.

What have you worn to prom?

Well, for the fancy proms, you gotta go rent a tux. So you would go to this place called Hale Niu and you would rent a tux. I don't know why we did it; it just seems stupid now when I think about it. You gotta pay money, you gotta, you know?

Mr. Alan Suemori ’75 How much did prom cost?

When I went to prom, it didn't cost $200. I forget how much it cost, but knowing what I know now, I don't think I would go to prom. If you're gonna go to prom, go with a friend. Don't go with someone who you like but you don't even know. If I had to do it again, I would just go to Rainbow Drive-In. What was your worst prom?

Senior prom, because that's what I did. I didn't go with a friend, and I should've gone with a friend. I feel sorry for the girl I took, and if I could do it again, I wouldn't go.

Mary Shin ‘20 and Sherry Shin ‘18 with the students of Japitan Elementary of Barili, Cebu in the Phillipines.

Photo courtesy of Nan Shin

How did you prom-pose to a girl?

Back then we would just call them up. Now it's a big deal, right? You got to do the whole thing, but back then you just called them up.

4/20/17 4:26 PM

EDITORIALS3

Left vs. Right Brain Thinking: Which Half of the Brain Are You?

By Cameron Maeda ’19 & Sage Kanemaru ’20

T

he human brain is sectioned into two hemispheres – the left and the right. Both halves work cohesively, but just as one hand is more dominant than the other, one region of the brain is typically stronger than the other. Take this quiz by starting at the top box and following the lines down the chain to find out which half of the brain you identify with!

3 .1415926 53589793238 4626433832795 02884197169399 375105820974944 5923078164062862 0899862803482534 211706798214808651 3282306647093844609 5505822317253594081 28481117450284102701 93852110555964462294 895493038196442881097 566593344612847564823 378678316527120190914 564856692346034861045 432664821339360726024 91412737245870066063 15588174881520920962 829254091715364367 89259036001133053 054882046652138 4146951941511 609433057

PREFERRED QUIZ FORMAT?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

OPEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS

FAVORITE SUBJECT?

HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE SONGS?

MUSIC OR SIMILAR ART CLASSES

MATH OR SIMILAR ACADEMIC CLASSES

LYRICS

TUNE

HOW DO YOU NORMALLY COMPLETE TASKS?

BY ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

WHEN YOU’RE MEETING WITH SOMEONE, YOU TYPICALLY...

SHOW UP EARLY JUST IN CASE

I JUST GET THEM DONE ALGEBRA OR GEOMETRY?

ARRIVE ON TIME OR SLIGHTY LATER

ALGEBRA

GEOMETRY

You’re primarily left brain oriented

You’re somewhere in between

You’re primarily right brain oriented

Those who are "left brained" thinkers are logical and analytical. They often excel at math, are articulate in their speech and writing, and have a strong work ethic. They learn best through lectures and textbooks, and prefer to know the answer rather than infer it.

Though studious, they are boxed in by their own thinking. They crumble in situations that are illogical or beyond reason. They prefer memorization to intuition and have a harder time grasping abstract concepts.

Some people exhibit characteristics reflective of both halves of the brain.

Depending on the task at hand, individuals who identify with both halves of the brain tend to switch between logical and creative responses to situations they encounter. For instance, while giving a friend instructions on how to reach a certain location, a “middle thinker” will either tell him/her to go a certain distance and turn left, or describe landmarks and encourage the individual how to reach the location from there.

Those who are right brain oriented live by the cliché, “a picture speaks a thousand words.” They prefer non-verbal and intuitive learning. Since the modern education system primarily revolves around left-brain thinkers, right brain students tend to feel frustrated.

Right-brained students prefer flowing their thoughts directly onto a sheet of paper in open-answer questions, over selecting from A, B, C, or D answers on a multiple choice test. Right-brained individuals are generalized as “creative thinkers.”

Are P.E. Requirements Reasonable for ‘Iolani Students?

By Jessica Guillermo ’21

T

o many teenagers, the words “physical education” conjure images of tedious exercise. But how many even think about the many benefits that physical education (P.E.) offers? P.E. educates students about the importance of staying active and maintaining healthy diets, and teaches skills such as hand-eye coordination and critical thinking. Each ‘Iolani student is required to take two semesters and one quarter of P.E. credits in order to graduate. Some students believe the requirements are too much, and do not see the point in taking P.E. Others say the requirements are acceptable. Are the requirements reasonable?

Many students feel that P.E. consumes a lot of time, and most would agree that participating in an extracurricular sport provides the same benefits that P.E. does, including exercise and nutrition education. During the 201516 school year, 70 percent of Upper School students participated in one sport, and 39 percent participated in more than one. Those who participate in two sports over the school year receive one P.E. exemption credit during the school year.

Most sport practices run every day for about 1 ½ to 2 hours, whereas P.E. class runs for about 40-50 minutes,

Page 3 V 3.indd 1

four times a week. Considering the benefits of playing sports and the amount of time students practice, student-athletes should receive double the PE exemption credits. Student athletes get more exercise, which helps to lessen risks of health issues or certain diseases. Studies show that sports also impact the way an individual thinks, decrease anxiety, relieve stress, and improve memory, sleeping and overall mood.

Physical education is not a class that everyone enjoys because students do not always consider its benefits.

Students learn hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking and nutrition that the activity provides for the body. P.E. requirements are also reasonable for students because, out of the four years of high school, they only need one full year and a quarter of P.E. in total. This really is not as much as it appears. In P.E., students have the same exercise as athletes do, and the same beneficial nutritional education as well.

So which is better? Participate in at least two sports to be exempt from P.E., or enroll in a P.E. class? Sports provide the same benefits P.E. for an individual, yet it requires more practice. P.E., on the other hand, is a class that students are required to take, yet it provides the

nutritional benefits and lessens the risks of encountering health issues and disease. The majority of students wish that P.E. could be an optional class to take at ‘Iolani because of the time it takes out of the regular school day.

Although many consider the benefits of sports and P.E., it may seem difficult to deal with, although it is quite manageable.

Cartoon by Kylie Murayama ‘17

4/20/17 4:42 PM

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT4

Moving Music to Delightful Dancers: PAD Preview

By Channah Ranae Garcia ’20

A

s the school year winds down, the Performing Arts Department cranks it up! With over 15 performances left, now is the time to dive head first into the world of music, dance, and theatre. Experience many exciting displays of talent, including Stage Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra concerts, as well as Musical Theatre performances, Dance showcases, and Chorus concerts. Whether or not you have watched “Beauty and the Beast,” the Musical Theatre I performance of the popular fairytale is sure to delight! Also, Chorus and the Hokuloa singers invite you to a night filled with music at their annual spring concert.

(Above) Members of the 2017 fall play “Our Town” smile for a picture before performing on closing night.

Dane Nakama ’17, Nicholas Hailer ’20, Alisa Boland ’17, Chloe Evans ’19, and Nicole Sundberg ’19.

Photo courtesy of Chloe Evans ’19 (Right) Josh Sunada ’17 and James Gushikumi ’17 perform with their band “Just for Funk.”

(Below) Senior soloist, Angela Yang ’17, plays a movement from the Bruch Violin Concerto.

Photo courtesy of Cyrus Won

April 30May 6 April 28-29

April 8

Stage Band Concert with Eijiro Nakamura 6:30 pm Seto Hall

April 30

LS, Beginning, & Intermediate Theatre Performance 4:00 pm Mamiya Theatre

April 28

Advanced Theatre Performance 7:00 pm Manoa Valley Theatre

April 30

Orchestras 1-3 LS Orchestra Spring Concert 4:00 pm Hawai‘i Theatre

May 12 Spring Dance Showcase Dance Rewind: ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s 7:00 pm Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall

May 12 Chorus & Hokuloa Concert 7:30 pm St.Andrew’s Cathedral

Next Stop: “I Factor” Talent Contest

By Jasmine Kung ’19

entice students from across the island to attend the audition. Vocalists have three minutes, while bands have four minutes, to showcase their capabilities to the Fair’s talent coordinators, ‘Iolani Musical Theatre teachers Mr. Robert Duval and Mrs. Mary Hicks.

“I love seeing the talent from ‘Iolani and all around the island,” said Mr. Duval, talent coordinator for the past five years. “The youngest students are my favorites. They are so cute and will hopefully stay involved in the performing arts for years to come.”

Hailey Akau ’20 sings “A Part of That” from the musical “The Last Five Years” during her audition. Not only is the audition a chance for performers to s the sun finally set, the fluorescent Ferris Wheel show off their skills, it is also an educational opportunity. lit up the night. Screams of children atop the E.K. “Personally, the best part about auditioning is that the Fernandez rides and the laughter of volunteers from the judges give you feedback about your performance.

They food booths filled the baseball field, the sight of ‘Iolani helped me understand which parts of the song should be Fair 2017, themed “Road Trip USA” on April 21 and more choreographed and which parts to ‘sing from your 22. People stocked up on malasadas and smoothies and heart,’” said Hailey Akau ’20, who auditioned for the headed to the entertainment tent to watch the annual second time this year.

“I Factor” Talent Contest, comprised of contestants Madison Kusumoto ’20 added, “I wanted to audition from all over the island. Named after the TV talent for the talent show because I love performing, but also show “X-Factor,” the contest featured solo and group because it is a great opportunity to experience performing performers. The winners took home over $2,000 in prize in front of a different audience.” money.

Despite their nervousness, both performers said they Before performing at the Fair, contestants must pass an plan to audition again next year. “[The audition] was a audition specifically held for the “I Factor” Talent lot of fun and it helps me make sure that I don’t lose my Contest, which takes place annually in the Castle voice at the Fair,” said Akau. building. ‘Iolani distributes flyers to other schools to

PAGE 4 V 6.indd 1

May 21-27

May 18 Jazz Combo Concert with Bobby Shew 7:00 pm Seto Hall

May 21 Musical Theatre III Performance Pippin 2:00 pm Mamiya Theatre

May 12-13

April 8-9

A

May 18-20

May 19 Orchestra 2 & 5 Intermediate Band Wind Ensemble Pops Concert 5:30 pm Student Center Seto Hall

May 21 Chamber Music Recital 3:00 pm Seto Hall May 21 Stage Bands 1-3 Concert 4:00 pm Hawai‘i Theatre

Behind the Scenes Heidi Park ’18

Fair Talent Show Contestant

Why did you audition for the Fair talent show?

I love to sing and perform. I did it for the experience.

What did you perform?

I sang “At Last” by Etta James. I also sang a duet with Danae Dunn ’19.

What did you learn from this experience?

From auditioning, I learned that being confident is really important. When you’re singing a song, it’s not just singing a song. You have to feel the emotions too.

What was the best part about participating?

The best part is the moment you walk in. Every time I audition for something, it’s the same feeling of excitement and fear—the fear of messing up. But it’s the best part because you know you’re excited for it.

Would you want to perform again next year?

Of course! It’s really fun to see all the people at Fair coming around to watch and be entertained.

4/20/17 4:43 PM

FAIR5 A Fair Discussion: Co-Chair Q&A

By Alec Tam ’20

‘I

olani Family Fair has passed, but for many, fun memories of mouth-watering food, exhiliarating rides, and game booths and prizes remain. Through it all, the community rarely acknowledges the co-chairs who organize Fair. These individuals are the true reasons behind Fair’s greatness. Imua spoke with these unsung heroes.

Mapping Out the Details

By Alisha Churma ’19

T

hanks to the generous contributions of students, advisors, and parents, the Family Fair was a great ride. Here are the statisics behind this year’s memorable event.

4,064 Slots

90,000 Sheets

Fair Overall Co-chairs: Taylor Takeuchi ‘18, Natalie Uhr ‘18, Emi Muranaka ‘18, and Trevor Tamura ‘18.

What inspired this year’s theme?

Why Road Trip USA? Two years ago, we had Adventures in Atlantis, which was the underwater theme, and last year it was Race to Space. Because the two themes are polar opposites, we decided to pick something in the middle of the two. Road Trip USA represented that, and it was home. We have never had a theme where we went through the whole U.S. We’ve had Wild Wild West and other themes that focused on specific parts of the U.S. We thought it’d be fun to take a trip through the whole U.S. and experience different parts of our nation’s culture.

What was your favorite part of Fair?

The food. There’s a lot of new gourmet items that sound really good. This year, we did a white sauce pasta as well as a Route 66 dog. Other additions included ooey gooey cheese sticks, bacon and cheese sticks, and poutine fries.

Also, we tried something new: promote #iolanifair to go viral. We wanted people to use #iolanifair to attract different crowds outside of the ‘Iolani community to come to Fair.

What made you become a co-chair?

We’re all Sons and Daughters of ‘Iolani, so seeing Fair happen for 10-12 years really makes you want to be involved. It’s something we all looked forward to in our junior year, so when we were asked as freshman we were very excited to start.

What does the title of co-chair entail? What were your responsibilities?

We oversaw all the student divisions. There was a Food Division chair who was in charge of all the food booths.

A games division chair managed the game booths etc. We made sure that they had things under control, as well as determined the overall theme of Fair. We also met with the adult supervisors, such as Event Coordinator Kevin Tomisato and Event Manager Ms. Cathy Pai, to be clear about our responsibilities. Finally, we facilitated discussions between the Advancement Office, parent chairs, and student chairs.

Number of Manpower Slots Needed to Be Filled

60 Shirts

60 Shirts

60 Shirts

60 Shirts

60 Shirts

60 Shirts

60 Shirts

Sugar

Sugar

400 lbs.

400 lbs.

60 Shirts 11 Shirts

60 Shirts

Sugar 57 lbs.

Sugar

Sugar

400 lbs.

400 lbs.

Amount of Sugar Collected for the Fair

11

11 Rides

2 3

17

60 Shirts

Number of Themed Logo T-Shirts Made for Fair

1 ROUTE

1,657 lbs.

671 Shirts

60 Shirts

4

5

10,000 Sheets

Number of Sheets of Script Printed for Fair

100 Slots

6

7

10 8

9

Number of E.K Fernandez Rides

NEW Page 5 V 4.indd 1

4/20/17 4:49 PM

SPORTS6

Taking Sailing to Another Level Through Design

By Baylie Rodrigues ’21

“T

he ocean and the wind will dictate where you can go, but you have to work with it because you, the sailor, the ocean, and the wind are a team. You have to work together,” said Aaron Tsuchitori ’18.

Tsuchitori was a normal nine-year-old kid who had to get out of the house and decided to try something new. After eight years of learning to race and encountering the challenges of the wind and ocean, Tsuchitori found his passion in sailing. Pondering what to do for his second semester in his junior year, Tsuchitori rekindled his childhood dream and decided to build a new and innovative sailing boat for the North American Competition, scheduled to take place in Long Beach California in 2019.

Designing a sailboat that is quick in speed but keeps within the certain rules in one semester was challenging at first for Tsuchitori.

“I have time to really push the boundaries and limits of what I can really do and develop what I can,” Tsuchitori said. He had to tweak the original designs similar to California and Hawai‘i’s designs.

“I think that there is still more room to innovate and change it up a little bit. It’s fascinating to me,” Tsuchitori

said. He considered building a boat with plywood and fiberglass sheets using various tools in the Fab Lab to accurately cut out all the correct parts. Tsuchitori will use a technique called stitching glue, making holes along the seams with a few rims inside and sewing it together with thin pieces of wire. Then, he will glue it together twice.

“I think it has the potential to turn out to be a really nice boat,” said Mr. Gilson Killhour, Design & Fabrication instructor. “I am very pleased that Aaron was willing to seek out such a large challenge for himself.

Building the boat according to the plans would have been pretty ambitious, but building it in a new set of materials

with a novel construction technique—that’s the kind of challenging of boundaries and perceived limitations that I think we want to encourage.”

In addition to building the boat for the competition, Tsuchitori is also practicing to get better. He is in the ocean training seven days a week with his team. “Right now, my big focus is, okay, I got last at Nationals last year, but let’s work hard this year, train our butts off, and let’s go win something,” said Tsuchitori.

Training all day, every day, may be tiring, but Tsuchitori always finds a way to have fun. He sails with his friends twice a year at the Hickam Harbor on the Air Force base or at Kane‘ohe sandbar. Tsuchitori said “Kane‘ohe Bay is the most fun because there is a lot to explore. I can go to the sandbar and take a nap, or pull up on a reef and snorkel a little bit.”

On other days, he coaches children as the youngest certified high performance sailing instructor in Hawai‘i.

“If you stay in your comfort zone, you won’t be able to do cool things like using hydrofoils,” Tsuchitori mentioned as one of the most significant tips for individuals who wants to experience the ocean and try sailing. You are going to have to work with the ocean,” said Tsuchitori. “If there is a big wave, then you’re going to have to surf that wave because you don’t have another option.”

Varsity Track Team Takes Tahiti During Spring Break

By Nagem Uiagalelei ’19

W

hile many students put their books away and kicked back during spring break, the Varsity track athletes packed their bags and traveled to compete in Papeete, Tahiti. The athletes went ready for the challenge, having trained for several months in running and lifting.

When they arrived, the athletes, who ranged from grades 9-12, were prepared for their events and showed up ready and eager to compete. Participants like Alana Kihoi-Richardson ’18 were shocked to learn what the meet was like. “Competing there was much more relaxed than at home at the ILH meets,” said Kihoi-Richardson.

Participants recalled how the number of heats and athletes were significantly smaller than in Hawai‘i.

“There are some really fast runners in Tahiti,” said Jessica Desmarais ’18, who noticed “the athletes stay active and do not use technology as much as we do here.”

The Tahitian athletes were mainly sprinters, and did well in shorter races. The lack of competitors in events such as long distance running and jumping allowed the ‘Iolani athletes to do well. The Raiders’ 4x400-meter relay team and the girls 100-meter hurdles snagged first place overall.

Aside from training and competing, the athletes took some time to relax and enjoy their surroundings. Tahiti’s many scenic views and serene beaches were, to some

Back to Bases

of the athletes, reminiscent of home. “Certain places in relationship between the two programs. The athletes were Tahiti reminded me of Hawai‘i,” said Shanel Sakamoto thrilled to hear they would be traveling to Tahiti during ’17, “but its waters were so much clearer than any beach the 2017 spring break. Now that the fun and excitement I’ve seen on O‘ahu.” from spring break is over, the athletes are eager to see “Both islands are really similar, but Hawai‘i is much how the next destination will top Tahiti. more developed than Tahiti,” said Desmarais. Despite the similarities to home, the athletes enjoyed some things they have never experienced before. The athletes spent most of their free time outdoors, paddling canoes and even swimming with sharks and stingrays in Mo‘orea.

Head Coach Shane Hedani’s connection to the Tahiti program provided the team with this amazing opportunity. He had heard about this trip last year when former University of Hawai‘i football player Johann Bouit visited the ILH track coaches’ meeting.

He planned to bring athletes to Hawai‘i from Tahiti and asked Coach Hedani if (front) Nikki Shimao ‘20, Taylor Venenciano ‘19, Mya Fuller ‘18 he was willing to host them. Agreeing (back) Shanel Sakamoto ‘17, Tiana Conching ‘17, Jessica Desmarais ‘18, to accept the athletes upon their arrival, Alana Kihoi-Richardson ‘18, Sarisa Choy ‘18 // Photo Courtesy Shanel Sakamoto Coach Hedani sparked the beginning of a

By Alisha Churma ’19 & Kanalu Monaco ’20

B

aseball is fondly known as America’s past-time, and it’s no different here at ‘Iolani. The Boys Varsity team’s season recently came to a close as they were knocked out of a tournament in a game against Punahou.

Two team captains will graduate this year: seniors Chad Suga and Carter Uechi.

Shayden Kubo ’19 steps up to the plate during a game against Millilani High School. // Photo Courtsey Nikye Makishima

PAGE 6 V 9.indd 1

Positions: Shortstop, third base, second base

Positions: Catcher

“You need a unique skill set to play the game. While it helps if you’re athletic, baseball is a thinking man’s game. It requires more than just hitting home runs.

There is a lot of strategy involved in the game, to the point where it can seem like a chess match. I look forward to these types of #10 challenges.”

“Baseball is important to me because I've been playing it all my life and most times I feel I understand baseball better than school. Some may think baseball is boring, but baseball is a smart man's game. You have to play through multiple scenarios in your head. I have a passion for the #3 game and love the sport.”

4/20/17 4:35 PM

FEATURES7

From Sledding Under the Full Moon in Gstaad...

By Zoe Clarke ’18

Zoe Clarke ‘18 and SYA friends tour a Greek temple in Sicily.

I

t has been a little over seven months in a foreign country. I know that seems like a long time, but that time feels like it has gone by in the blink of an eye. Italy has become my second home in more ways than one and School Year Abroad has given me so many opportunities.

Getting used to another life halfway across the world was a challenge in the first couple of weeks abroad, but after the first month, I already felt like I was a part of the small city of Viterbo. My daily routine has changed drastically from the moment I stepped foot in my host family’s home. I wake up well after the sun has risen and walk two minutes to school. My classes consist of cultivating the garden for science and looking at Michelangelo’s artwork. During break, I go with my friends to the nearest café and drink a cappuccino while we converse in our basic knowledge of Italian.

One of the biggest perks of studying with SYA is the freedom we are given. We are allowed to wander around the city anytime we don’t have class to get gelato or coffee with our friends. We can go to Rome, Florence or any other nearby city for the day, and for breaks or weekends, we can venture outside of Italy. Independent travel is one of my favorite parts of this experience because I get to explore all parts of Europe, something I’d otherwise never be able to do. From sledding under the full moon in Gstaad to laying in thermal baths in Budapest, I’ve been on some of the best adventures in some of the most random towns. The memories I have of

trying to find my way around confusing subway systems and eating in really sketchy places will be something I keep with me forever.

My host family are the nicest people I have ever met, and they are really understanding when it comes to speaking Italian. I can talk to them without any mistakes, and we discuss anything from the news to my life back home in Hawai’i. I love cooking with my host dad, playing cards with my host mom and laying in the sun with my host brother. I cannot imagine my study abroad year without them.

It’s been seven months without any of my friends and families from back home. Seven months without the ocean and Hawaiian food. Of course, I miss the familiarity of home, but this year has given me so much more than I expected. The cliché was always “it’ll be the best year of your life, and you’ll remember it forever!”

It’s really true, and everyone I doubted I own an apology to as I truly wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything in the world. My advice to you is to take the chance if you get it because a) not many do; and b) the stuff you’ll learn and experience will make the adventure all worth it.

Immersed in Culture

Changed by China

W

M

By Sean Callahan ’18

hen I first heard about the opportunity to spend the second semester of my junior year in a small village in China, I was skeptical to say the least. I would be giving up my comfortable life to be in a place where I don’t speak the language, I don’t know anybody, and I don’t know at all what to expect. Luckily, I decided to take a chance and head off to the village of Xizhou in Yunnan, China with the Sidwell Friends School China Fieldwork Semester.

After a long trip, I arrived at a town of a few thousand and met the 11 other American students, with whom I would be spending the next four months, I was nervous and disoriented. However, by the end of the week, I felt right at home in a place thousands of miles away from home.

The welcoming attitude of the locals, the students, and the teachers creates a sense of belonging and family. In fact, the locals are so friendly that just a few days after arriving, I was pulled into a procession honoring a local god, and given a paper-mache dragon head to lead a dragon dance through the narrow streets.

On a “typical” day in the program, a gong is sounded to wake us up at 7:30 a.m. The students, teachers, and staff gather in the main courtyard of the traditional Chinese compound, for morning Tai Chi and Chinese reading. After an American breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and noodles, the morning activity begins at nine.

Whether it be biking along Lake Sean Callahan ‘18 leads a procession honoring a local Erhai to study a local temple or Chinese god in Xizhou in Yunnan, China. walking to the town square to apprentice as a silversmith, the morning is always quite an adventure. Following lunch at noon, which is Chinese cuisine, are hour-long classes in math and Chinese. The rest of the afternoon is filled with walks to the market to buy snacks, gym workouts, or finishing up a report for class. Dinner at six is followed by a discussion-focused seminar about the day’s activities and readings. The time after seminar, until curfew, is spent doing homework and relaxing with friends.

One major focus of this program is experiential fieldwork learning. Many of the activities that we do on a daily basis send us out into the village and surrounding areas to interact with the people and places of rural southwest China. For example, for science, instead of simply reading a textbook about geological formations, the group rode horses up onto a mountain and hiked around looking for examples of various rock types and rock formations. Or, for history, instead of reading a book about Chinese history, we visit traditional Bai style houses and learn more about both the recorded history, and its impact on the people of China. By learning this way, students are exposed to many different points of view, and many aspects of history and culture unexplored in the classroom.

After about two months in Xizhou, we headed on a three-week trip on the Tibetan Plateau. While hiking and busing through our many stops, the group explored small farming villages and learned about local beliefs, places, and foods. What truly made this part of the semester memorable was the wide range of activities and places that we experienced. The locations ranged from Haba, a tiny mountain village of Tibetan, Muslim, Yi, and Han people, to the famous Shangrila, with its plethora of natural attractions. While at these unique places, took an eight hour hike through magnificent scenery and learned how to make religious Tibetan thangka paintings from a Buddhist monk.

While it is not as conventional as a semester in a place like Madrid, Paris, or Beijing, and while it may appear daunting at first, that is precisely what makes this opportunity absolutely one of a kind. While nothing is ever quite perfect, for me, this semester certainly comes close.

Page 7 V 4.indd 1

By Lauren Nguyen ’18

y adventure in Beijing originally stemmed from feelings of boredom during my sophomore year.

I’d always had a secret passion for studying Chinese — a passion I was forced to suppress because more difficult subjects like APUSH or chemistry would take priority. I also felt unfulfilled with the never-ending workload at ‘Iolani. I wanted the biggest challenge in my life to be something other than tests, homework, and essays.

Lauren Nguyen ‘18 lights candles at a temple in Yunnan, a province in southern China.

My life in China has been everything, and nothing like I expected it to be. Every day, I have two Chinese classes a day, designed to give us three to four years of Chinese language study in just under nine months. Every night, we learn about 20 new words for our daily quizzes, or tingxies, and engage in a private tutorial with Chinese teachers twice a week. To say that my Chinese has improved since coming here would be a vast understatement. Now, we are reading newspaper articles and novels, giving speeches, having discussions in class – all in Chinese. I take the bus to school every day, donning a blue and white tracksuit that all Chinese high school students are required to wear, and I make my way through the city all by myself.

But what didn’t I expect? I didn’t expect to meet my host family, and, with three years of Chinese study at ‘Iolani under my belt, still be utterly speechless (I couldn’t talk to them for the whole first week I was here). I didn’t think I would have trouble finding my way to my piano lesson; yet, I ended up two hours late and helplessly lost one day in September. I didn’t expect the homesickness to be so horrible it was hard to even breathe. I didn’t expect how difficult it would be to sleep at night. I didn’t expect the loneliness I would feel for almost the entire first semester.

I also didn’t realize that I would wake up one day and suddenly feel a thousand times stronger. There’s no way to describe the sort of personal accomplishment I got the first time I had a successful conversation with a local person, talking about Chinese and American society, Trump, the one-child policy, and understanding that person when he told me that my Chinese was actually quite good. One day, I looked at an advertisement that hadn’t made sense to me for months and understood what it meant. Some of my fondest memories include when I opened up to my host family for the first time, hugged my host sister and felt their love, or when an old man I had just met invited me to a dinner party with his friends, and I adventurously agreed to go (we ate hot pot all night and laughed). One day, you’re laughing with your friends, biking through a traditional alleyway, and you realize – I don’t miss Hawai‘i, because this is my home now. For me, that moment happened just less than a month ago.

I have gained a diffent perspective on the world, one you can only get from experiencing a communist, developing country firsthand. I’ve changed so much; I can’t even recognize the girl who applied to School Year Abroad a year ago. The experience has been a rollercoaster of struggles and successes, but I can honestly say it Lauren Nguyen ‘18 celebrates her birthday with her host has all been worth it. family in Beijing, China.

4/20/17 4:15 PM

LIGHTER SIDE8

Check Out Your May Horoscope!

Information from: http://astrologyclub.org/horoscope-2017/leo-horoscope/#monthly

By Alisha Churma ’19 & Cameron Maeda ’19

TAURUS 4/20-5/20

GEMINI 5/21-6/20

CANCER 6/21-7/22

LEO 7/23-8/22

VIRGO 8/23-9/22

LIBRA 9/23-10/22

This month, you need to relax a little more. It is all right to release your control over some situations. You don’t have to be in charge of every group project - try letting go! You will find that trusting others more this month will teach you how trustworthy they can be.

Taking things too personally this month will make you and the people around you frustrated.

Have a sense of humor, and if something makes you feel bad, try to laugh it off. Someone might unintentionally hurt you. Be more forgiving and flexible this month.

Remember to leave time for yourself to take a break. Reminisce about the days when you didn’t have five million assignments due. You tend to forget that there are more things in life than that “A” in history. Your “inner-child” needs attention -- go play!

Find a new fresh environment.

Organize your folders and binders. Clean out that pencil case.

Throw away those ancient papers that have been hibernating in your locker since first quarter. Go home and clean your room. Open some windows -- invite the sun inside!

Look out for good sales at your favorite stores this month. Note that there are many yard sales this time of year. Remember: someone’s junk might just become treasure to you. Find fun in treasure hunting, especially if you take some of your close friends with you.

Take time to remember a friend who has been there for you.

Do something nice for them in return. Surprise your friend with a “thank you” when he/ she least expects it. If you’re out of ideas, take inspiration from the internet. Let that person know you appreciate him/her.

SCORPIO 10/23-11/21

SAGITTARIUS 11/22-12/21

CAPRICORN 12/22-1/19

AQUARIUS 1/20-2/18

PISCES 2/19-3/20

ARIES 3/21-4/19

You’ve probably noticed that things are different now and you’re beginning to grow up.

Take time to remember where you came from. You might be in some tough situations now, but you must have faith in yourself and the future. Be sure to keep your priorities straight.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Don’t be too full of pride to think that you can do everything by yourself. Realize that your friends, teachers, and family love you and are willing to help you. Remember to show that affection towards those around you too.

You might be at a crossroads right now. But that is not as bad as it seems. These crossroads will grant you an opportunity to structure your future how you please. If you need motivation, refer to someone you trust. Some insight might be all you need right now.

This month, try to make your home environment more comfortable. Change it up by cleaning and re-decorating!

Get rid of all that clutter. It’s just distracing you. Stop worrying about all those tests and projects, and put aside some time to have some fun!

This month, do things for pleasure, not out of necessity. You will feel resentment if you feel overwhelmed or unhappy - try to have happy thoughts! Stop being so critical of yourself and others. Lastly, remember to take a break from studying sometimes and socialize!

Let your inner positive self release itself out to the world.

Then, you will find that more people will back you up in tough situations. There may be a lot going on in your life, in and out of school. Don’t let these negative topics take control of your life. Smile!

Proconsul Corner: Our Bittersweet Goodbye

A

s our time in the Proconsul Corner comes to a close, we can’t help but be overwhelmed by the incredibly positive feedback from students and faculty alike on our writing. After every Imua edition came out, literally ones upon ones of people would mob us, showering their praises and affection on us. We hope those loyal readers of our humble column and people who accidentally started reading from the back have genuinely enjoyed and found a little entertainment from our puns and stories. Maybe a couple of our articles even informed you or had a bit of helpful advice.

But in all seriousness, we really had an amazing time spending this year with all of you. We especially would like to thank the Imua staff for being patient with us as every article deadline approached. You all put in so much time and effort into an aspect of ‘Iolani that captures our

best qualities and for that we cannot thank you enough.

While writing this article, we saw ourselves traveling down memory lane, reminiscing in our best and not so best articles. We mostly enjoyed laughing at the ridiculousness and absurdity of some articles that made us say, “wait, did we really write that?”

We are beyond excited/relieved to pass on this tradition to the next set of proconsuls and look forward to how they will make next year the best that ‘Iolani has ever seen.

Signing off for the last time, Your Proconsuls - Koa, Dane, and Josh

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AMY NAKAMURA

SPORTS EDITOR TIANA HANNEMANN

MANAGING EDITORS SEAN CALLAHAN SARA HUI

LOWER SCHOOL EDITOR EVE HUDDLESTON

ONLINE EDITOR WINSTON WEI

COPY EDITOR ISABELLA CHANG

Page 8 v4.indd 1

Proconsuls Koa Among’17, Josh Chun ’17, and Dane Nakama ’17

STAFF TAYLOR ARAKAKI ALISHA CHURMA CHANNAH RANAE GARCIA JESSICA MAE GUILLERMO JAYSON GUO ETHAN HUI JASMINE KUNG CAMERON MAEDA LEXIE MASCA KANALU MONACO

LIAM MONAHAN RESS NGUYEN BAYLIE RODRIGUES IAN STONE ALEC TAM NAGEM UIAGALELEI STEPHANIE WANG CARTOONISTS KYLIE MURAYAMA KYRA TAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ZOE CLARKE SAGE KANEMARU LAUREN NGUYEN ADVISORS MRS. LAURIE CHANG MS. JENNA TAMASHIRO

4/20/17 4:24 PM