IMUA ‘IOLANI
December 15, 2011
Hanis on peace By Maile Greenhill As a part of the ‘Iolani Peace Institute’s commitment to spreading the awareness of global injustices, Mark Hanis, co-founder of United to End Genocide, came to ‘Iolani in November. Hanis, a grandchild of four Holocaust survivors, graduated from Swarthmore College, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Policy. His work to end genocide mirrors that of Operation RAD, an ‘Iolani club run by Ms. Kimi Frith to raise awareness of the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Hanis spoke about his path to founding United to End Genocide. As a regular college student, he was suddenly inspired by a single newspaper article, revealing to him that genocide happens still today, even though the world pledged “Never again,” after the Holocaust of World War II. He began organizing student demonstrations, and after a donation from Pamela Omidyar, wife of Ebay founder Pierre Omidyar and ‘Iolani alumna, managed to create a nationwide network of inspired students. United to End Genocide offers a “genocide hotline” at 1-800-END-GENOCIDE. Hanis demonstrated how easy it is to speak to a government official with this hotline by having a student bring up his cellphone and call. The hotline offered to connect the student with either their local congressman, senator, or the White House. The hotline outlined a specific bill that promoted an end to genocidal actions, and after speaking with the congresswoman’s secretary, the student successfully passed on the message, urging the congresswoman to support the bill. Hanis’s story shows how easy it can be to make a difference in the world, simply if one has a just cause and is willing to speak out.
A Voice for Students since 1923
Honolulu, Hawaii
Volume 87, Issue 2
Movember Mood
By Andrew Shwetzer
You may have noticed students such as Troy Odo ‘12 and Gabe Branco ‘13 sporting uncharacteristically long beards recently. It was not forgetfulness to shave that prompted the facial growth, but rather, a truly noble cause. Throughout this past November, men across the country skipped their morning shave routine for the “No Shave November” movement. According to Bianca Bystrom Pino ‘12, the purpose of the movement was to raise awareness of prostate cancer. “Men don’t usually don’t like to talk about their health, so it is necessary that they are at least aware of what can happen to them if they neglect themselves,” she explained. No-Shave November was started in Australia by the “Movember” foundation nearly eight years ago. The initial goal was to get thirty men to grow their beards out for thirty days during the month of November to raise awareness of cancer in men. The movement quickly gained momentum in countries all over
Iris Kuo | Imua Iolani “I’m just trying to shave the world,” Bianca Bystrom Pino ‘12 says of her Movember campaign. the world including the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the United States. Since it was founded, the organization has raised over one hundred and seventyfour million dollars in donations to combat cancer. Bianca, along with Taichi Tomozawa ’13, took it upon herself
to raise awareness in the ‘Iolani community. The dynamic duo made one hundred and fifty paper mustaches attached to popsicle sticks and sold them in front of the SAO during the last week of November for fifty cents each. Despite the initial doubt, Tai and Bianca
sold all of them and even received a number of generous donations. The whopping $137 they raised will be sent to the “Prostate Cancer Foundation.” If you are or think you will be capable of growing facial hair by next November, consider joining in the shenanigans!
Hunting for a head of school By Iris Kuo
Considering the first semester hasn’t even finished, the 20122013 school year is probably not on students’ minds. Yet, the search for the new head of school is well on its way. Dr. Val Iwashita has announced he will step down at the end of this year. Wickenden Associates, the educational search firm that has been conducting the hunt, released an opportunity statement with information about `Iolani and the position. For the past month, candidates have been filling out and sending in their applications. Mrs. Lisa Sakamoto, member of the Board of Governors and head of the search committee, said that the committee is still going through the applications at the moment but plans to conduct interviews in mid-January. By February, the committee will have narrowed their search down to three finalists. At that point, the `Iolani community will be reengaged. The finalists will spend the month meeting with students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff. The announcement of the final decision will come in early March, so that the next head of school will have some time to get John Tamanaha | Imua Iolani acquainted with the position. The search committee for the next head of school plans to make the At the moment, though, we can only speculate about who’s submitted an application. Who knows? Maybe your favorite final decision by March. teacher is in the running for the position.
Beached Shark: The Lower School shark has been moved from its original home at the Lower School autoline to the banks of the Ala Wai Canal to the outskirts of the track.
Door Decor: The 7th and 8th graders decorated their homeroom doors for the traditional Door Decorating Contest, bringing a festive touch to the Castle hallways.