Imua Oct 2008: Volume 84, Issue 3

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Vol. 84, Issue 3

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October 17, 2008

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Imua ‘Iolani

92

Honolulu, Hawaii

New library hours displace students

By Serena Li

Ms. Karin Swanson | Imua ‘Iolani

Aduei Riak speaks to students about her transition from Sudanese refugee to college graduate.

Lost Girl: ‘I had hope’

by Ashlyn

Koga

“Appreciate the people around you because without them you would be nothing,” Aduei Riak said as she spoke in front of a class of 60 students at Iolani School. Throughout the 45-minute period, no one seemed bored or tired.

Riak, 24, was separated from her mother at 6 years old. “Don’t forget to pray,” were her mother’s last words to her.

In 1983, there was a civil war in Sudan, initiated when the dominant party, the Khartoum Regime, wanted to monopolize the oil industry. When the people were unwilling to give up their land, Khartoum used the tactic of genocide to wipe out the population.

According to a USA Today article, 2.5 million people died.

To flee the crisis in Sudan, Riak and the other survivors trekked barefoot for thousands of miles in search of a refugee camp.

In November 2001, she emigrated from Sudan’s west region and resettled in Belmont, Mass., with the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Riak was one of 89 girls compared to 4,000 boys who came to America. She spoke to four classes during her Sept. 26 visit, sponsored

by the ‘Iolani Peace Institute.

“There were points where I wanted to give up. But I had hope that tomorrow will be a different day,” she said. At one time, she did give up, but a man threatened her with a stick and said that if she wasn’t going to walk, he might as well kill her.

At 8 years old, Riak arrived at a refugee camp in Kenya.

There were about 80,000 people from different regions of Africa cramped in the camp. But it was there that Riak found out from a cousin about coming to America.

The transition to America was a difficult one for Riak, especially mastering the English language.

But with the help of friends, her foster family, and children’s television shows like Arthur, Riak learned quickly.

Riak was accepted to Brandeis University on a full scholarship.

She worked at the Ropes & Gray law firm in Boston before she became the Associate Outreach Director for The New Sudan Educational Initiative (NESEI) program.

NESEI is a program that offers an opportunity to educate the children in Sudan. Riak heads the Malek School Program. She is in charge of building dorms for the children as well as making sure they learn to read and write.

Inside: Locker thefts - 3 Election 2008 - 6, 7 Going Asian - 12 St. Louis upset - 15

NESEI participates in income generation projects so they can become self-sufficient.

Riak especially advocates girls’ education because she was a so-called Lost Girl. They were given that name because people believed that there were so few that survived the war. Males were not the only people affected by the war, and Riak emphasized that she wanted to give females equal opportunity.

When Riak was 13, a woman came to her school, standing out with a red dress and lipstick. Riak was in awe because of the power the woman exuded. Riak asked what the woman’s profession was, and her teacher told her that the woman was a lawyer. From that day on, Riak was determined to be a lawyer.

As Riak stood in front of the class dressed professionally in black, she had the same charisma as the woman in the red dress.

“She was so inspirational because we don’t get to see people who have been through that much,” student Katherine Lum ‘10 said.

‘Iolani teacher Ms. Catherine Waidyatilleka saw Riak speak during three different periods. “I loved her,” Waidyatilleka said.

Riak was a “lost girl” who found her passion and pursued it.

If you ever walk into the library in the morning, you will find that it is very busy. On your right side, every computer is being used, and you can hear the printers at work. On your left side, students are quietly doing their homework.

The desks are divided into individual working areas, and most of the seats are filled. An ‘Iolani student’s life isn’t easy, and the best place to witness it is the library.

Annie Chang ’11 goes to the library every morning at 7 a.m.

“I use my time in the morning to catch up on homework and review for tests and quizzes,” Chang said.

Chang, like many others, depends on the library’s quiet environment to be productive.

“The library is the only place where I can focus and do my homework,” said Stephanie Ung ’11. “The library is also very convenient because there are books and computers that I can use.”

Now that the library closes at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m., students are left wondering why.

School librarian Ms. Tennye Kohatsu said that closing the library half an hour early was finally decided after much talk and research. Ms. Kohatsu found that the peak hours in the library are

usually from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In fact, she noted that by 4:00 p.m., not all students were studying. Students were found playing games on the computers, checking their e-mails, talking to each other, or even sleeping on the couches or at their desks.

She also noted that other private schools like Punahou close their libraries at 4:00 p.m.

“If students are not fully utilizing the library facilities, then we have to take in consideration the energy costs, and the work of the librarians,” Ms. Kohatsu said.

“Our work hours are long and we always have difficulty hiring parttime employees to accommodate the extended hours.”

The high energy cost is also a problem.

“Electricity is more expensive, and although it is not the main reason why we are closing half an hour early, it remains an important factor,” Ms. Kohatsu said.

So where can students study after 4:30?

“Computer labs close at 4:00 p.m., so there is really no where else to go,” Ung said.

Ms. Kohatsu suggested opening a room, a classroom perhaps, in which students can study.

“If students just need to find a place to study, then we could possibly open a smaller sized room.”

Courtney Ochi | Imua Iolani

Students must find alternate places, like the Weinberg benches, to study after school.

Index

Features--3 Lower School--12 A&E--12 Sports--4&5 Editorials--2

Editorials

Page 2

Imua ‘Iolani

Halloween costumes and trick or treating:

How old is too old?

I love October. It means the anticipation of cool breezes and the end of disgusting summer sweat, the unwrapping of presents on my birthday, and of course that wonderful holiday of all things saccharine and sweet, Halloween.

As I get older though, I’ve gotten the sneaking suspicion that having one’s birthday a week or so before Halloween isn’t as great as it seemed when I was five.

With each new candle on my cake, I am forced to face a growing moral dilemma.

Can I go trick-or-treating?

Or rather, should I go trick-or-treating?

My friends all seem to think so, from their enthusiastic proposals that “we should totally go trick-or-treating this year!”

I, however, am not so sure.

It’s not a question of size.

People have mistaken me for a fifth-grader even until last year.

wonders have kicked in, as well as the niggling thought that grabbing the last piece of candy from a household may possibly be considered stealing from the poor 5-year-old behind me.

Despite all this, though, I can’t help but look longingly at the orange and black streamers decorating my neighbors’ porch.

I may not be a child but I’m still childish.

After all, if I can’t give up trick-or-treating on my own, that must mean I’m still not quite mature enough to have to stop.

So for maybe just one year more, I’ll indulge myself.

As the logic of childhood goes, all my friends are going, so why can’t I? Illustration by Eunice Chang

By Victoria Kim

No one spares me a second glance when I join the ranks of trick-or-treating kids.

Up until a few years ago, I

fully exploited this with the naïve selfishness of childhood.

The problem is, I am no longer a child.

Maturity and all its selfless

Economic downturn means trouble for students

By Jen Rasay When a typical teenager thinks of our country’s current economic state, large sums definitely come to mind.

Hand in hand with these flashes of numerical figures are even larger question marks and evident confused looks.

To say that Wall Street is looking rather gray and bleak is a definite understatement.

Economic issues have not only affected many large retail companies and businesses, but are also on their way to impacting the base of our country’s future: America’s youth.

The economy will present problems to college-bound seniors and juniors who are in need of financial aid.

A college student’s total academic yearly fees comprise of various things: the majority is the tuition, while living accommodations and books also add up to a significant amount of money.

Public institutions, whose main financial resources are state and federal governments, are predicted to raise their student fees in order to stay in budget.

Private institutions will also feel the squeeze as their endowments are impacted by the eco-

nomic downturn.

The problem is that financial aid, while never a sure thing, may be even tougher to acquire in the current economic downturn.

Schools like Harvard, Stanford, Amherst, Duke, Williams, Pomona and others have an abundance of funds reserved for students in need.

However, these funds have experienced significant changes in the past few years.

The amount of financial resources coming in has dropped because investments have taken a turn along with the economy.

As a result, “Generally, highly selective schools with tremendous financial resources have minimized the amount of loans they offer,” college counselor Mr. Todd Fleming said.

Colleges will be more careful in granting aid to students because of the limited amount of funds.

Instead of giving small amounts of aid to a great number of students, institutions will more likely choose to grant bigger scholarships to a smaller number of students, Mr. Fleming said.

“Other schools have instead focused on giving more merit scholarships to improve the overall profile of their enrolling class,” he added.

So what does this mean for ‘Iolani students?

It doesn’t mean that you should turn on the TV and watch Jeff Macke predict the economy’s future on CNBC’s Fast Money.

Nor does it mean that you should lock yourself up in your room and deprive yourself of iPod, Internet, phone, television, and friends so that you can drown yourself in homework and studying.

Although some of our public school counterparts may say to themselves, “What’s the use of working hard in high school when I know that I won’t be able to get into college without a scholarship?” we must separate ourselves from this mentality, step back, breathe, relax, and look at this problem from a different angle to decide how to tackle it bit by bit.

Since when did the words “surrender” and “quit” ever enter our vocabulary?

As ‘Iolani students, do we turn around and run for cover at the first sign of danger?

No, we don’t.

Instead of viewing this economic effect as a gigantic, green, red-eyed monster blocking our path to college, let’s simply think of it as a red brick wall.

With perseverance and a positive attitude, a person can slowly chip away at the red bricks and eventually make a large enough hole.

Others might find enough strength to jump or climb over it.

Someone else might find a way to go around the wall while only a few will be able to break it down with their bare fists.

It doesn’t matter how we overcome this red brick wall.

What matters is that we rise to the challenge and get past it.

For seventh- and eighth-graders, it is not too early to start thinking of college.

You don’t have to decide on what you’ll be majoring on right at this moment, but to have a slight idea is a productive start.

Get on that college path and start thinking of ways you can get past the wall.

On the other hand, freshmen and sophomores should begin forming solid plans for the future.

Although graduation may seem very far off, two or three years can go by pretty fast—just make sure that you can overcome the wall within this time.

To all the juniors and seniors, I hope that this article didn’t come too late.

Imua ‘Iolani is

published by the students of ‘Iolani School, 563 Kamoku St., Honolulu, HI 96826. Established 1923, printed at Hawai’i Hochi.

Imua ‘Iolani accepts advertising on a space available basis. Rates are $100 for 1/2 page, $60 for 1/4 page, and $35 for 1/8 page ads. Please e-mail iolaniimua@gmail.com for more information. Include “advertising” in the subject line. Deadline for the next issue is Nov. 2.

Editor-in-Chief: Katrina Karl Design Editor: Marissa Sakoda Copy Editors: Annie Rian Lianne Chung Photo Editors: Asha Allen Courtney Ochi Features Editors: Amelia Linsky Emily Saka Opinion Editors: Emily Shimkus Tiana Bohner Sports Editors: Bianca Bystrom Kelia Cowan Arts & Entertainment Editors: Akari Hatanaka Kaela Shiigi Lighter Side Editor: Stephen Stack Lower School Editors: Kyle Kim Andrew Zhou Middle School Editor: Madison Obata Adviser: Mrs. Karin Swanson Imua ‘Iolani is distributed free of charge to students of ‘Iolani School.

Mail subscriptions are $15 per year.

Imua ‘Iolani can also be viewed online at www. iolani.org under the “Student Activities” menu.

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

The opinions herein expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty, staff of ‘Iolani School or Imua ‘Iolani.

Features Now they have lock cutters

October 17, 2008

Page 3

Courtney Ochi | Imua ‘Iolani

By Amelia Linsky A spate of seemingly unplanned thefts on campus has given way to a more disturbing problem.

During the third week of September, a student reported that personal items had been stolen from his P.E. locker, but it was unclear whether or not the thief had opened the lock, or if the locker had been unsecured.

Separate incidents in the girls’ locker room and a prank in Weinberg Building contributed to the administration’s frustration that students continue to leave their belongings unsecured and unwatched.

“All of these seem to be more opportunistic than chronic,” Mr. Tate Brown, Dean of Students, observed. “When we really have to worry is when we’ve got a chronic, repeated, planned-out situation. These are fairly infrequent; there’s no pattern. The same person can’t be in both the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms.”

After sports practice on Monday, Sept. 29, a student reported another theft from the boys’ locker room. An investigation by the administration revealed not only the cut lock, but also several other locks with dents from possible failed attempts by that same lock cutter.

“All of ours are under supervision,” Mr. Brown said of the school’s lock cutters. However, smaller versions that could be concealed in a bag or backpack are readily available at hardware stores.

“This is a little more disturbing because we’re talking about someone forcing entry,” Mr. Brown said. “It might be one time, or it could be the start of something.”

He urged student athletes to stay alert and deter opportunistic thieves by securing their belongings.

“We’ll keep our eyes open and hopefully catch the persons who are involved,” he said.

Delicious organic apples are not the only healthy food for sale at the new Whole Foods store at Kahala Mall, which replaced Star Market earlier this year.

Celebrating the arrival of the new Whole Foods

By Annie Rian

The phrase “health food” usually conjures two extremes: on one end, defiantly unshaven and reeking of the failure of organic deodorant, stands the bra-burning, herbal-tea-ingesting, Birkenstocks-with-socks-wearing hippie.

By Katrina Karl On the other end, perched ramrod-straight atop a swivel When students leaves ‘Iolani, their peers ask themselves that ubiquitous question: “Where are they chair, sits the sleek black Volvonow?” driving, NPR-listening rich white Bhasha Chakrabarti left ‘Iolani after her junior year for health reasons. She has since gotten her gen- elitist who hates him/herself. eral educational development diploma, or GED, and, like her former For me, the new Whole Foods classmates, is busy investigating college possiblities for next store in Kahala Mall struck a year. Chakrabarti is currently taking AP Biology and AP Eu- happy medium: it’s a place where ropean History courses through ‘Iolani’s e-school. She anyone from the high-powered is working in retail at the Hawaii State Hospital and at yoga-instructor granny and her Revolution Books. pet Pomeranian to the work“Be really careful,” Chakrabarti said as advice to any- ing family of four can find that one who is considering a similar move. perfect something, be it the best “People assume it’s a lot easier,” she said on being out barbecue brisket on O’ahu, a of school. “It’s a lot harder. You have to plan everything mouth-watering bite of the new on your own.” Chakrabarti is facing some of the chal- vegan lemon-herb tofu salad, or lenges that anyone not enrolled in high school who still just a whiff of fresh produce and wants to attend college does. One of the biggest challenges spices. is that planning.

Greeted by the happily vibrant “The administration has been very helpful,” she said on green of the fresh vegetable stand their facilitating her learning. “They allow me to use the just inside the front entrance, college counseling services, take online courses, and anyone entering Whole Foods for come on campus.” the first time will be impressed “I come once every two weeks or so,” Chakrab- by the store’s success in achievarti said of her trips to campus for labs and college ing at once sheer aesthetic value presentations. and seemingly boundless variety.

Planning her learning outside of ‘Iolani has also The olive bar offers a wide seprovided Chakrabarti with a different approach to lection of tasty bitter morsels aceducation. companied by various cheeses.

“It gives me a lot of freedom to prioritize and plan The neighboring Charcuterie things I want to do. Since I’m only taking two cours- and Cheese stand caters to cares, I have time to actually read extra material and go nivores and cheese lovers, while further into the topics I’m studying,” she said. the salad bar and the Chef’s Chakrabarti has gained other insights from plan- Specialty, both only a few aisles ning her academic and other activities on her own. away, provide delectable Vegan “’Iolani spoils its students in that it provides a and vegetarian alternatives. checklist of things to do in order to be an attractive An entire shelf is devoted to candidate for college, but having that checklist gluten-free products, and the doesn’t encourage you to look at options outside wine section is absolutely obof the ordinary,” she said. “’Iolani provides a scene (or, in the words of Richgreat environment for pure intellectual growth, ard Gere, really, really offenbut at the same time, being in the ‘real world’ sive): here, amidst the specified adds perspective.”

“Wine for Steak” and “Wine for Photo courtesy of Annie Rian | Imua ‘Iolani Cheese” headers, our Volvo-driv-

A new perspective on learning

ing WASP might find comfort in a $74 bottle of 2005 Cuvee de Cote Ronde Domaine Paul Autard Chateuneuf-du-Pape. (And yes, he would know exactly what that means.)

Contrary to what its name may have us believe, though, Whole Foods doesn’t only sell food: the Whole Body section provides mineral-based makeup, essential oils, scented candles, organic soaps and shampoos, and even wooden Buddhas.

“I like MEAT!” said one little girl when I asked her what her favorite part of the new store was.

“And snacks! Snacks are good!”

“The best part about Whole Foods is the variety,” the girl’s mother added. “There’s so much prepared food available, and it’s all so good! The downer is the price, though.”

For those indulging in any of the numerous prepared food options, there’s even a small dining area just behind the lavish cake and pastry stand (which houses, among others, a $27 fruit tart and a $20 raspberry cheesecake).

Wooden tables and soft lighting give the little alcove a personal, restaurant-like atmosphere.

Whole Foods is definitely something to obsess about, whether you come for the food, the atmosphere, or just the sheer excitement of something new.

Most Whole Foods shoppers are not devoted health food fanatics, but are initially drawn to the store because of its promise of high quality, delicious, and widely varied food choices.

And it does not disappoint: “It’s just BEAUTIFUL!” exclaimed a woman browsing the Chef’s Specialty with her friend, gesturing to the high ceilings and spacious aisles. “Look at it!

And the golden beet salad is just amazing! Try some!”

I did, of course.

Imua ‘Iolani Sports ‘Iolani alumnus Blaine Gonsalves shines in Oklahoma Page 4

By Paul Nakamoto Blaine Gonsalves’ ’08 official signing last spring to play soccer at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma was an auspicious one.

In the headmaster’s office, surrounded by friends, family, and coaches (not to mention ear-deep in ilima, maile, and pikake leis), Blaine made it official: he was to become a Hurricane as a freshman in the upcoming 2008-2009 school year.

Last summer, Blaine stepped off the plane in Tulsa to find an “arid, desert-like terrain” stretching endlessly before him. In a phone interview, Gonsalves ad-

mitted that he misses Hawaii, especially the “temperate climate and the fact that you can breathe comfortably.” Despite his difficulty playing in the thin, dry air, he has made an excellent debut to his collegiate soccer career. The Hurricanes thus far are having a decent season, winning seven of twelve games, due in part to Gonsalves. In a tough game against rival Connecticut, he scored a last minute equalizer to tie the game 1-1. In another intense rivalry match up, Gonsalves brilliantly assisted a teammate to take the lead 2-1 against Penn State, which they would go on to keep.

This kind of success might be surprising for a freshman, but

then again, this is Blaine Gonsalves we’re talking about.

His is a name that any high school soccer fan would immediately recognize. Gonsalves made the Iolani varsity squad as a freshman and won three silver medals in state tournaments. Last year’s soccer team was exceptionally strong, with Gonsalves’ unstoppable scoring streak leading the team into the state tournament once again.

The whole team played very well. Gonsalves, however, put up a performance nothing short of spectacular, putting some of the best players in the state to shame.

The semifinal match up between top-seeded ‘Iolani and sec-

Big Man on campus

By Keiko Akamine

metrics. The core is important because it is what the rest of the body feeds off of. With If you ever walked by the weight room, a weak core, it’s impossible to perform at there’s a good chance you’ve seen an in- one’s highest potential. Equally important credibly intimidating man squatting more are Plyometrics, exercises designed to create explosiveness. weight than is humanly possible.

The final level of Coach Dom’s training Looks can be deceiving, however, because Dominic Ahuna, a.k.a. Coach Dom, involves balance and flexibility. Balance is one of the friendliest people on campus. teaches the muscles to fire at the right time, As ‘Iolani’s sports performance coach, he’s in the right direction, with the right amount in charge of preparing our athletes to per- of force. The goal is to minimize injuries form at the top of their game, and he does while maximizing performance. Flexibility is one’s range of motion, which ensures it all with a smile.

Coach Dom believes in creating well that there is no wasted energy or inefficient rounded athletes. There are three differ- movements.

Overall, Coach Dom believes in doent levels to his method of training. He starts with posture, joint mobility, and joint ing anything that will help the athlete he’s training. Since each sport is unique, he stability.

He then moves to core training and plyo- customizes workouts to create a program that best suits the needs of its athletes.

He also incorporates innovative training techniques such as boxing to condition basketball players, and sled workouts for wrestlers.

Coach Dom’s dedication and innovative approach make training fun and effective.

One of Coach Dom’s favorite sayings sums up his philosophy of athletics: “Pain leads to suffering, suffering leads to perseverance, and perseverance builds character.” Coach Dom not only creates successful teams, he creates successful individuals on and off Bianca Bystrom | Imua Iolani the field, court, track, pool and Coach Dom assists Ashlyn Yokoyama as she tries to stay mat. steady.

ond-seeded Mililani was bound to be fierce. In a game deemed by many to be the true championship game, Gonsalves scored three goals, the third in overtime to put the Trojans away 3-2.

I enjoyed few things more last season than sitting on the bench, watching Gonsalves in his element; an artist always creating, and, when necessary, absolutely destroying.

Decorated as a first team allstate and all tournament player, he had to have had some confidence going into his freshman year at Tulsa. His confidence, however, should not be confused with arrogance.

When asked if he might be de-

veloping a leadership role on his Tulsa squad, he reminded me that he’s “still a freshman. No matter how well I do, I have to know my place.”

Gonsalves said his “role is like everyone else’s. Just work hard and do what’s right for the team.”

His attitude likely grew from his experience in ‘Iolani athletics and its deep roots in Father Bray tradition.

Gonsalves confided that sometimes, during chilly training sessions, he secretly wears an ‘Iolani One Team soccer shirt under his Hurricanes jacket. Although he is now a Tulsa Hurricane, his alma mater and the one team spirit lie closer to his heart.

Flags of the past: Homecoming to lack color guard

By Kaela Shiigi When one thinks of homecoming, thoughts of football, dress days, and watching friends perform in the half time show come to mind. The marching band and the dance team have been practicing hard for the show since late July in and out of school.

However, there has been one factor missing from the field for the past few years.

‘Iolani hasn’t had a color guard since 2005 when the last members graduated.

Originally run by alumni, the color guard skillfully twirled flags along to the music of the marching 1993 Ka Mo’olelo O ‘Iolani band. They trained A member of the color guard during its heyday. at Pearl City High we’re hot enough as it is,” said marchSchool’s marching ing band member Gabby Perry ’11. band camp every summer.

“Honestly we’ve been doing fine Unfortunately, the program eventualwithout them,” said Alex Gau ’09. ly fell apart because it became difficult For now, the marching band has put to find the time and qualified instructors together a Santana-themed show acto run it. companied by the ‘Iolani Dance Team.

There has been a recent attempt to They have been practicing hard indoors revive the squad. An alumna currently as well as outdoors on the football and attending the University of Southern baseball fields.

Carolina offered to bring back the proIn addition to the half time show, gram. However, there was not enough band members have been preparing time to gather and train students when for the pep rally and cheer fest to add school was out for summer break. even more spirit to homecoming week Students were normally recruited before events.

Already, they have performed school ended. during the half time show at the Father Current students have their own Bray Classic and other ‘Iolani football opinions about the absence ‘Iolani’s games. color guard.

“It’s looking good!” said drum major “It would be nice to have them, but Jessi Saylors (’09).

Sports

October 17, 2008

Raiders defeat St. Louis Defending Div. I champs fall

By Dylan Lee Games in which top-ranked teams are beaten often prove to be some of the most exciting games of the season. October 4 was no different.

In what was truly a nail-biter, ninth-ranked Iolani of the ILH Division II held their ground and was able to defeat top-ranked Saint Louis of the ILH Division I, 35-30, at Aloha Stadium.

The game remained exciting as the fourth quarter wound down and the Crusaders found themselves driving from the ‘Iolani four-yard line with less than a minute to play. The Raiders held the line, and on the deciding fourth-and-goal play, Saint Louis quarterback Jeremy Higgins was sacked seven yards behind the line of scrimmage, giving the Raiders possession and the chance to kneel to run out the game clock.

The entire game was a backand-forth battle between the two teams. ‘Iolani scored first on its first drive on a 24-yard pass from junior quarterback Jarrett Arakawa to wide-out Keenan Hoohuli.

Hoohuli would later catch the go-ahead, 34-yard touchdown from Arakawa early in the fourth quarter. On both plays, Hoohuli

was for the most part wide open down the field, allowing Arakawa to find the senior receiver with precision.

However, Saint Louis made the game an offensive shoot-out by answering the Raiders on what seemed like every touchdown.

The Crusaders were led by running back Austin Wahinekona, who rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Two of those touchdowns came during the scoring-filled first half, which ended with Saint Louis leading 24-21.

As the second half opened, ‘Iolani’s defense took the field after kicking off to the Saints.

The Raider defense shut down the powerful Saints offense and forced them to punt after only one set of downs.

A high snap forced the St. Louis kicker to chase the ball as it rolled back into St. Louis’ own end-zone. Greg Lum ‘10 was right on his tail and made the tackle as Reuben Sele ‘11 recovered the ball for another Raider touchdown.

The Raiders retained their energy until the final whistle, which is not always easy against a much bigger, imposing team like Saint Louis. Conversely, the Crusad-

ers’ aggressive style of football, which featured many hard and often late hits, often led to inconvenient penalties that gave the Raiders precious yards.

The Raiders made significant use of senior Kela Marciel, who saw action at wide-out, cornerback, and punter, and even started the second half as quarterback.

In a game where the combined scores of the teams would indicate the game to be an offensive shootout, it was the Raider defense that won the game for ‘Iolani.

On the Crusaders’ final drive with less than a minute to go, they marched down to the ‘Iolani red zone and threatened to score.

But the Raiders responded in the clutch shutting down two run plays and forcing an incomplete pass.

On fourth down and St. Louis’ last chance to score, the Raiders sacked Crusader quarterback Jeremy Higgins for a loss and Iolani would run out the clock for the exciting win.

The Raiders, who won the Division II HHSAA State Championship last season, now have a 7-1 record. For the Crusaders, it was the first loss of the season.

Kevin Serai and Chase Hu contributed to this story.

XC boys, girls in the chase

By Tyler Mulloy The `Iolani Invitational is an all-island cross country classic and the largest high school cross country race in Hawaii.

The September 20 invitational was particularly noteworthy because of the new venue at Wheeler Air Field.

More than 1,000 high school and intermediate runners in six races took to the course, including eight teams from mainland.

The California teams were Baldwin Park, Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley, Cerritos, Clovis, Laguna Beach, Notre Dame Academy, Dana Hills, and Rivera Middle School.

The competition has usuPhoto courtesy of Mrs. Beth Mulloy ally been dominated by mainland Andrew Ellison, Robert Tamai, Troy Esaki, Tyler Mulloy, Boris schools.

Pleskacz and Justin Higa placed second overall.

However, this year `Iolani had impressive finishes by both the girls’ and boys’ teams. The girl’s intermediate team However, ‘Iolani placed five in the top 20; Botook first place. rys Pleskacz ‘10, Tyler Mulloy ‘09, Justin Higa ‘11, In the open and varsity races, the girls’ teams fin- Troy Esaki ‘12, and Andrew Ellison ‘10. ished in the top ten despite losing several key run“I am proud of the way everyone on our team ners to injuries. ran hard and gave 110 percent despite the hot condiThe Dana Hills team won both the open and var- tions,” said senior Robert Tamai, one of the three sity races by a significant margin. boys’ team captains.

On the boy’s side, the JV team took third place `Iolani has never won the Invitational, but in the open race, and the boy’s varsity team had an this year’s second place finish was a huge unprecedented second place finish. accomplishment.

The Laguna Beach teams dominated the boys’ Other top ten ‘Iolani runners were Jenna Wong open and varsity races.

‘10, Breanne Ball ‘12, Casey Morrissey ‘14, Kiana The winner was Thien-Nam To, a senior from Harpstrite ‘14 and Rory Zia ‘10.

Cerritos High.

Page 5

Comeback incomplete

Punahou prevails in water polo

By Marcus Joy A rally came too late and fell two goals short when ‘Iolani met the Buffanblu in water polo.

Punahou jumped out to an early lead in the Oct. 3 game, shutting out ‘Iolani in the first half.

As the second half began, the Raiders started to chip away at the Punahou lead, closing the gap to two goals.

However Punahou held off the comeback and prevailed 6-4 in the Division I match.

The animosity in the air was immediately tangible upon entering the gate of the pool.

Every time these two schools face off, the emotions run high.

‘Iolani, coming off a loss to Le Jardin earlier in the week, was hoping to turn things around.

Punahou’s cheering section, located outside of the girl’s locker room, was in constant battle with ‘Iolani’s student cheering section, located against the wall on the Kamoku Drive side of the pool.

Fans even overflowed onto the upper deck outside of the dance rooms.

The bickering between the two sides would continue throughout the game.

The 5 p.m. game played just before the Division I game featured a Division II match between ‘Iolani and Punahou schools.

Punahou, at the top of league standings, were hoping to continue their success. ‘Iolani came out victorious, 7-5.

As 6 p.m. rolled around, the sun had set, and everyone in the stands was prepared for a great game.

‘Iolani fans were met with slight disappointment as Punahou jumped out to an early 3-0 lead.

The ‘Iolani players started to settle in and the game reached a

Steven Wall ‘09 hopes to score.

stalemate as neither team could seem to find the back of the net.

The way the game set up, the Punahou goalie was directly in front of our student cheering section.

A few choice words from some people prompted the goalie’s older brother to come and argue with the fans.

Met with boos from the students, he walked back to his seat near the Punahou section.

Once his brother left, the goalie was subject to more jeering.

But just before the end of the half, Punahou slipped in another goal. Four-zero at half time.

After half time, ‘Iolani started to make its comeback. Senior Vincent Lim scored two quick goals that closed the gap with Punahou.

Punahou scored their fifth on a shot by Kai Golden.

A foul on Andy Atkinson rewarded ‘Iolani a 5 meter shot.

Lim took it but skipped it off the cross bar.

Another foul gave him a second chance and he converted into the lower right corner.

Five-three in favor of Punahou.

The Buffanblu added another goal to their lead.

With a minute left, ‘Iolani, still down 3, put in a goal by Chase Webber, but it was too little, too late.

Disappointment was evident on faces of all ‘Iolani supporters; however, the players gave the fans a great show, fighting all the way to the finish.

Vincent Lim ‘09 and Andrew Atkinson ‘09 made the 2007 California-Hawaii All-American water polo list (10th team and 6th team.)

Bianca Bystrom | Imua Iolani

Election 2008

Page 6

Imua ‘Iolani

Palin: failin’ or sailin’?

Con: ‘Terrifying’ choice

By Ayesha Cooray John McCain’s announcement of his choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate shocked Democrats, Republicans, and pundits across the board. Bubbling with small-town, oh-so-American cutesy-ness, Palin’s performance at the National Republican Convention proved that she was indeed a game-changer.

However, in weeks after, Palin proved that without a teleprompter or written statement, she was totally inept.

Interviews with Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson have revealed Palin’s inexperience and lack of judgment. Yes, I’m sure she is a great mom, but no, proximity to Russia does not count as foreign policy experience.

The scary part of Palin’s inexperience is all of the things she is guaranteed not to know, or issues she will be glossing over only after the counsel of John McCain’s advisers. What does she know about financial markets, Islam, or the history of the Middle East? What can she tell us about the cold war, modern weapons systems, medical research, environmental science or emerging technology?

This is a woman who aspires to be a heartbeat away from the presidency and yet only acquired her passport last year.

This is a woman, who, if elected, will have access to the nuclear codes of the country and has yet never met a foreign

head of state prior to becoming John McCain’s running mate.

Palin is like a warm piece of apple pie a la mode: sugary-sweet and comforting. She makes people feel that everything’s going to be OK if you vote Republican.

But sugary sweet and comforting aren’t the appropriate qualifications for vice-president. What America needs is a cold dose of competence in the executive office.

To her credit, Palin did exceed expectations at the vice-presidential debate, despite the fact that she didn’t always answer the question.

However, exceeding the low expectations set by media pundits isn’t good enough considering the challenges the next administration must immediately face upon inauguration.

The most terrifying aspect of Palin’s campaign is her continual claim that a strong government is one that doesn’t “blink”. In fact, she nonchalantly claimed that she didn’t hesitate to accept John McCain’s invitation to be his running mate. Sarah Palin needs to understand the distinction between a swift and strong response and not thinking things through.

If ever vice-president, Sarah Palin needs to understand that she’ll be facing a lot more pressure than Katie Couric’s rapid-fire. The stakes will be much higher than just looking incompetent on national television.

Pro: We need a new face

By Maile Scarpino

Is Sarah Palin an adequate representative of a vice president? I personally would say yes. Before you say, “What is this writer thinking!” consider the facts and not the emotional propaganda.

Don’t dislike Sarah Palin because you feel Biden is a better choice; dislike her for the ideas, and decisions she makes. Or better yet, like her for who she is and what she brings to the table.

Sarah Palin is a new face in Washington, owing no political favors. Being a Washington outsider, she is not a contributor to the current economic crisis, unlike her opponents. Barack Obama and his party have taken large campaign contributions ($186,000) from Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac, companies known for making bad loans and falsifying their financial stats.

Democrats in Congress wanted to preserve the shaky governmental status of the mortgage giants, “seeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as places to locate former top Democratic Party operatives, where they have earned millions in compensation, despite a continuing series of financial scandals,” according to R. Jerome Corsi of Worldnetdaily.com.

Palin has executive experience being a mayor in her own town and the governor of Alaska. She has worked across the aisle

with both parties in her state in order to do what is in the best interest of the people.

She even challenged corruption in her own political party and won. In 2004 Palin objected to the office of Governor about a Republican commissioner, Randy Ruedrich, who was violating ethics rules.

After being banned from publicly speaking about ethical violations, disbelievers of Palin were corrected, as Ruedrich agreed to pay a fine of $12,000 for breaking the ethics laws.

Palin is involved in the oil industry and regulations. She is aware of the environment and how to drill without hurting natural wildlife. Because she comes from a small town, Palin is a folksy candidate who appeals to the common American population. She can relate to the trails and tribulations Americans are struggling through.

Having a son in Iraq, Palin is very interested in what is going to happen in the war. In addition, she is pro-life, choosing to have a handicapped child and encouraging her 16-year-old pregnant daughter, to have her baby.

So this year, get all the facts and then decide who to vote for.

APUSH classes gain firsthand campaign knowledge

By Emily Saka With the political fervor reaching its peak both nationally and here at home, many teenagers are stepping out to become a part of the process. For Iolani juniors currently taking AP United States History, getting involved is more than just encouraged: it’s an assignment.

Mr. Jeffrey Hackler has been assigning a political campaign project to his APUSH students for 20 years. Every election year, students are given t h e

assignment in place of a research paper and are required to spend at least ten hours volunteering for a campaign of their choice.

“I wanted the students to experience the political process,” Mr. Hackler explained. “I tell them to go the campaign, report what they saw, and get involved.”

The role that students play in the campaign is of little importance to the assignment, as long as he or she is willing to do it. Students in the past have answered phone calls, handed out flyers, waved signs, and participated on island-wide trolley rides to support their candidates. Mr. Hacker’s first volunteer job was making chili.

What’s much more important is the process in which the student gets to that role.

“Shake hands, say hello, say your name, and decide if this is where you want to work,” Mr. Hackler tells his students. He reminds them that in addition to learning about campaigns, the assignment teaches important real life lessons. He encourages them to see what kinds of work are available for a particular campaign, and reminds the students that they can always say no.

“This gives them something to do in the real world,” he said. Before each student can actually begin volunteering, he or she has to walk through the door, speak to adults, weigh their options, and decide if they’re willing to spend their time at the particular campaign.

The students are also given the opportunity to see a campaign and/or the candidate up close. If the student is able, Mr. Hackler encourages them to shake hands with the candidate and ask a question.

“It’s important for the student to observe the candidate and the campaign,” Mr. Hackler

said. He hopes that students will take the chance to learn about politics by comparison, either by comparing how various campaigns are run or by looking at how the candidate interacts with others.

With so many campaigns to choose from both nationally and locally, juniors are approaching the assignment from many different angles. Some are focusing on one campaign while others are hoping to be a part of them all.

Taylor Van Etten ’10 is hoping to volunteer for four different campaigns. He has already worked for Mufi Hannemann, spending time rolling newspapers.

“Volunteers are very unorganized,” he said, in regards to what he’s learned. “It’s a lot of grunt work.”

However, this hasn’t stopped him from pursuing three other campaigns.

Kelli Kaneta ’10, on the other hand, decided to focus all her time to Hannemann’s campaign. She answered phones, waved signs, and was present at the primary election event. Therefore, she saw firsthand how the lack of voter turnout affected the election.

“People really need to go out and vote,” she said.

Lauren Brown ’10 has volunteered time to Ann Kobayashi’s campaign and appreciates how the work got her involved in the community. Andrew Ellison ’10 is anxious to see how national politics are regarded in Hawaii and is hoping to do work for the national Republican campaign.

What’s most important to Mr. Hackler is the hope that students will make the experience unforgettable.

“It’s something that students will remember longer than any lecture,” he said. The lessons the students learn about politics and the real world will live far longer than a quiz or paper, which in today’s world, makes all the difference.

Election 2008

October 17, 2008

Election 2 8 ‘Iolani Votes Undecided/ Third Party - 5% No Vote - 15%

Obama - 62%

McCain - 18% 528 students and 30 homerooms contributed to this poll.

Let them debate!

By Sean Yancey The presidential debates could not have occurred at a more strategic time: faced with the foreboding financial crisis on Wall Street, the candidates were forced to discuss the perils our economy and foreign policy face. Gone are the petty race- or gender-related attacks and irrelevant jabs regarding patriotism.

I was not surprised by the civility of the whole debate. Yet I was thoroughly disappointed by the pervading superficial nature of both the presidential and vice-presidential debates: it seemed that neither candidate was willing to take a stand on the nation’s transcendent issues.

Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, has called the debates a “mockery”. Walter Cronkite, former CBS News anchor, called them an “unconscionable fraud.” Democracy should not be confined to the choice between a mere two candidates.

So here is my solution: open up the debates to third-party candidates. NonDemocrats and non-Republicans are excluded by rules skewed in favor of the two prominent parties. After Ross Perot was included in the debates in 1992, the two major parties changed the participatory requirements. Re-

cently I’ve mentioned contemporary third party candidates like Nader and Barr only to get smirks and laughs.

However, one cannot demean issues such as abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, Social Security, income tax, and child labor laws, which were all originally championed by third parties like the Socialist and Populist parties

are all issues with which any American can identify. But as the requirements to participate in debate stand at polling at 15% nationally, it appears impossible for these viewpoints to get across to viewers.

Traditionally, third parties have been the movers of American politics, going strong on issues that the Democrats and Republicans fail to grasp fully.

Perhaps none of the third party candidates can win, but Nader, Bar, and McKinney are far from being spoilers: instead, they can play their historical role of changing the political playing field, which in its present state is unsatisfactorily two-dimensional.

I’m tired of hearing sound bites and wellrehearsed stump speeches. I’m equally tired of having people decide between the “lesser of two evils” instead of being given a wider choice. I say let the American people, and not the media and parties, decide upon viability. Let them debate!

I’m tired of having people decide between “the lesser of two evils” instead of being given a

wider choice.

of the United States.

Instead of getting today’s most important issues spoon-fed to them by the media, the American people need to get the intellectual recognition they deserve. Debates should be opened to all candidates who may possibly be elected. After all, Nader, Barr and McKinney are theoretically on enough state ballots to win the presidency. And the issues supported by third parties aren’t radical fringe plans either: withdrawal from Iraq, single-payer healthcare and fervent advocacy of American liberties

Left: Photo by Paul Tople, Akron Beacon Tribune/MCT. Right: Photo by Dennis Tennant, Newport News Daily Press/MCT.

Imua ‘Iolani

Viral tactics infect political campaigns

By Annie Rian Whether you know it or not, and whether you like it or not, you are being inundated daily by a deluge of soft-core political propaganda.

And rightly so: with one of the most critical presidential elections in modern memory looming less than a month away, politicians, activists, and political extremists alike are doing their utmost to secure your vote.

Pithy slogans like Barack Obama’s “Change We Can Believe In” followed by the more recent Republican development “A Leader We Can Believe In,” ensure that the ideologies, personal charm, and political experience of each candidate hover constantly at the forefront of American political conscience. Sleek red, white and blue posters, bumper stickers and even buttons and T-shirts allow dedicated voters a chance to proclaim their choice proudly.

But not only the politicians themselves advocate the spread of political wildfire. In an age of fast-expanding technology, activists all over the country are finding a voice in an unorthodox and hitherto latent form of political advocacy: viral e-mail campaigning.

According to a June 2005 article in USA Today, viral e-mail campaigning, analogous to an Internet-era equivalent of word of mouth, involves creating an e-mail that the reader forwards to others, spreading the message across cyberspace with the efficiency of a virus.

“We checked this out on snopes.com. It is factual. Check for yourself,” claims one inhabitant of my Spam folder that sports the ohso-subtle headline “Who is Barack HUSSEIN Obama?”

Another e-mail, its subject heading reading “Women and Sarah Palin,” labels John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate as “a dangerous farce on the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidate.”

Some viral e-mails, rather than simply supporting an idea, call their readers to action.

A recent circulation on the part of a vehement anti-Palin activist urges readers to adopt a “fiendishly brilliant alternative” to traditional protest: to make a donation to Planned Parenthood in Palin’s name.

This mandates that the organization, a support center for women’s reproductive health that, among other services, provides sex education and helps teen mothers afford abortions, would send Palin a letter thanking her for her generous donation.

It worked.

According to an article in the New York Daily News, Planned Parenthood is now $760,000 richer thanks to a recent spike in donations: close to 30,000 people from all 50 states donated in Palin’s name, and two-thirds of those were first-time contributors.

Viral e-mail campaigning brings the excitement of the Presidential elections from the remote distance of the White House into the immediacy of the American Spam folder. As Sarah Palin copes with the disturbing notion that she has inspired thousands of Americans to support women’s health and rights, every other American can be satisfied in knowing that technology can give anyone with an opinion an opportunity to have it heard.

A&E/Lower School Kindergartners anticipate Halloween

Page 12

Imua ‘Iolani

What do you want to be for Halloween?

Amy Hamada: Storm trooper Zoe Omura: Batgirl Zodi Hinderleider: ‘High School Musical’ fan Myla Pellegrini: White Cat JP Hockenberger-Leong: Captain Rex Haili Kekauoha: Tess Neil Natori: Storm troopers

Max Chang: Batman

Johnny Vierra: Vampire

What is your favorite candy?

Heather Elkind: Just regular M&M’s. I like dark chocolate! It’s the best kind! I don’t like peanut butter.

Kala Chong: All of them are good.

Like Chocolate is the best but still like every kind! Oh and I like lollipops!

Christina Au: I don’t know

Hatanaka

Asian hair, Asian languages, Asian dramas, Asian clothing styles, Asian food, and Asian music have become the roaring new fad in the United States over the past few years.

Celebrities such as Jun Matsumoto, Hiroshi Tamaki, and Jay Chou are particularly popular with adolescent girls, as are Maki Horikita, Hyori Lee, and Erika Toda with boys. On Facebook.com, there have been many “Asian hair contests” for people with Asian hairstyles. The winner is decided by whose picture has the most votes for the “most Asian” hairstyle.

Another trend is YouTube stars that are all “Asian.” Popular users such as KevJumba (Chinese), HappySlip (Filipino), and NigaHiga (Japanese) have used the stereotype of certain Asian qualities for humor’s sake in some of their most popular videos.

Although some Americans may want to follow Asian trends, in Japan, the opposite is true.

TV shows such as “Heroes” and “Lost” are among some of the most popular shows watched by

Heather Elkind: Tess from Camp Rock

| Imua Iolani

Christina Au: Hershey’s chocolate.

How Asian are you?

by Akari

Andrew Zhou and Kyle Kim

Japanese young people.

And just as many Americans try to wear “Asian” clothing styles, many young Japanese favor American brands. Hollister Co., Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, Volcom, Roxy and Quiksilver are becoming all the rage in Japan, as is the trend of putting English words on clothing.

When seventh grader Ayami Hatanaka visited Japan in the winter of 2007, she realized that many of the young people were wearing just those brands.

“I looked out of the bus window and saw this young guy wearing Abercrombie and Fitch,” she said. “It was kind of weird.

Also, my friends in Japan were wearing Roxy. I expected them to wear more Japanese clothes.”

Many radio stations in Japan also feature American pop music.

When Luna Oomori, a student in Kitakyushu, Japan, came to the United States in the summer of 2007 and heard “Smack That” by Akon on the radio, she became excited.

“They play this song all the time on the radio back at home!” she said. “No one knows what it means, though.”

Fashionista’s Market: great deals for a cause by

Courtney Ochi

Hey, shopaholics! Welcome to the first of many chic and trendy columns featuring the latest and greatest in boutiques, sales, and other stylish finds around the island.

Designer clothes don’t have to come with designer price tags. At a Fashionista’s Market event, you can find luxurious dresses, skirts, designer jeans, trendy tops, bags, and accessories for 50 to 80 percent off retail price.

Currently owned by husband and wife Alyssa and David Fung, Fashionista’s Market events provide a plethora of hand-picked clothing right for any shopper.

Their mission: “To help you look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.”

But where do these name brand clothes come from, and how are they so cheap? Fung buys the merchandise from retailers in New York, Los Angeles, and even locally in Hawaii. The clothes are samples, seconds, or overruns.

Samples include portions of merchandise used to sell clothing from a designer’s line. Seconds are garments with minor imperfections.

However, no damaged items will be sold. Overruns are cancelled orders or overproduced styles of current or last season merchandise.

The next Fashionista’s Market event will be held from November 1-2 on the second floor of the Cupola Theater of the Honolulu Design Center (1250 Kapiolani Blvd). It’s gonna be huge! This “early Christmas sale” is perfect for avoiding the last minute holiday rush. You’re sure to find great gifts for friends and family, while also snagging a little something for yourself.

Only Hawaii’s most stylish sisters will engage this event, so why not be one of them? A couple of helpful tips for the day: •Arrive early. Good sizes always go first.

•Dressing rooms are communalso plan ahead.

•Don’t bring any oversized bags.Leave them at home and opt for a cute clutch instead. Better yet, try bringing a recyclable tote. Going green is always in.

•Sign up to be an FM member.

Go to www.fashionistasmarket. com or text STYLE to 46786. You will receive notifications of any upcoming events and discounted

admission at the door.

Bring cash or credit, not checks.

At a Fashionista’s Market sample sale, I’ve always found something cute to curb my shopaholic appetite, and now is your chance.

On a side note, the clothing will already be a bargain, but if you’re looking for an extra way to save a little money, stop by the Wedding Café at Ward Warehouse to pick up a “Diva Days” discount card (and a tasty acai bowl while you’re at it). This ten-dollar shopping pass, good from Saturday November 1 to Sunday November 2, will provide all you shoppers with a 20% off discount at many participating spas, boutiques, and online retailers including Bamboo Sky, Alliway, Second Skin, Eco Systems, and more. Most importantly, the pass will get you 20 percent of your total purchase at the Fashionista’s Market event. What a deal!

Portions of the proceeds will go towards buying holiday gifts for the children at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Hurry on in to the Wedding Café and pick one up. Only 1,000 discount cards will be available, so snag yours today.