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Daniel K. inouye Center ILLUSTRATION BY MARK GALACGAC
to be located at Henke Hall
Page 2 | Ka Leo | Monday, June 9 2014
Twitter @kaleoohawaii | news@kaleo.org | Noelle Fujii Editor
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CLIFFORD PLANNING ARCHITECTURE
from page 1 NOELLE F UJII News Editor A center comprised of academic programs and a congressional archive that will honor the late Sen. Daniel Inouye is still in its preliminar y design research phase, but its location has been finalized — Henke Hall. “ The site was chosen after a careful consideration of its proximity to the Hamilton Librar y, which will process the Congressional papers, and to the EastWest Center and Asian Studies Center,” said Denise Konan, dean of the College of A rts and Sciences. The preliminary design research phase will determine the final features and functionality of the Daniel K. Inouye Center for Democratic Leadership. According to Konan, once this phase is complete, the university is anticipating about 18 months for the final design development, permitting and other related activities before construction would begin.
The state legislature has committed $10 million to the center this year, according to Konan, along with $2.5 million of a mix of private and UH funds. Cost estimates will be developed once this research phase is completed.
H O U S I N G A S E N AT O R ʼS L I F E WO R K S “Henke Hall is an excellent and important site for the DK I Center,” Ben Lee, principal of
mitories, East-West Center and other parts of the campus.” He added that the location is an appropriate anchor for the heavily traveled site and the center would be a welcome addition to the campus. The hall was built in 1956, according to Victor Kobayashi’s book, “Building a Rainbow,” and consists of three, one-story buildings, which have termite damage and are not in good condition, Lee said.
Judging from what I overheard at the meeting I was helping at, the center would be a great place for students to take initiatives and be involved with democratic process. I think it would be even better if it ser ves as a place that connects current students with alumni who may be in leadership positions. – KANAE
Clifford Planning & Architecture, said. “It is at the juncture of McCarthy Mall and East-West Center Road and is the main pedestrian axis to and from dor-
TOKUNAGA
UH is still reviewing the size of the facility. Once the firm gets into the design and development phase and prepares construction plans, it will have a better idea on the actual size and cost.
T H E P R E L I M I N A RY D E S I G N CONCEPTS
UH unveiled its preliminary design concepts, which incorporated input from community and university members, for the center on May 7, according to a UH news release. These concepts are part of the preliminary design phase. Lee said there is still a lot of work to be done as the concept phase is at the beginning of the design process. “The next phase of work includes schematic design, design development and preparation of construction documents,” he said. “We are looking at a 16- or 18-month process.” Lee added that the project respects the landscape master plan for McCarthy Mall. “The proposed site plan has a generous setback from McCarthy Mall, straightens the alignment and continues the allay of monkeypod trees to East-West Road,” he said. McCarthy Mall is comprised of buildings such as Hamilton Library, Kennedy Theatre, Moore Hall and Lincoln Hall. continued on page 3
Twitter @kaleoohawaii | news@kaleo.org | Noelle Fujii Editor
Page 3 | Ka Leo | Monday, June 9 2014
News from page 2 The preliminar y concepts also considered the heights and alignments of adjacent buildings, as well as their relationship to the Henke Hall site. The slight 7-foot slope at the site was also integrated in the concepts. The UH leadership is currently reviewing the preliminary design concepts and the fi rm is awaiting a notice to proceed with the next phase of work.
gram, Hawai‘i Democratic Leadership partnerships, a lecture se an oral history project and an archive the senator’s Congressional papers. In a January Kā Leo article Konan said the College of Social Sciences was looking at putting together a degree in Public Policy or Public A ffairs. She said the college is currently in the early stage of exploring potential degree programs at the center.
H O N O R I N G A S E N AT O R
C A M P U S C OM MU N I T Y I N VO LV E M E N T
According to Konan, the center will house seven academic programs, including programs on policy and leadership, an Inouye Fellows pro-
According to Konan, students were involved in the preliminary design phase through
the pre-design workshop and the recent presentation that shared the preliminary design concepts. Kanae Tokunaga, a student who helped with administrative and organizational support at one of the center’s meetings, said the center would be a good place for students to get involved. “Judging from what I overheard at the meeting I was helping at, the center would be a great place for students to take initiatives and be involved with democratic process. I think it would be even better if it serves as a place that connects current students with alumni who
may be in leadership positions,” Tokunaga said. There will also be more opportunities for students to get involved in the future as the center’s programs are developed. In addition to student involvement, the public will be able to provide feedback on the design concepts. “UH leadership and the design team wanted to be as inclusive as possible in developing the design program as well as the preliminary design concept,” Lee said, adding that the community input will further define the next phase of work. “ The
senator is beloved by so many people in Hawai‘i, Asia-Pacific and internationally around the world. I think he would like us to reach out to the community for input and discussion. It is very much like the senator. It is an iterative process so the UH and design team will entertain feedback and comments during the course of the design development process.”
To provide feedback on the concepts, go to: www.socialsciences.hawaii.edu/feedback/dki-predesign.html.
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Twitter @kaleoopinions | opinions@kaleo.org | Kristen Bonifacio Editor
Opinions
Styrofoam bill worth the cost ANTOINETTE RANIT / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
If the bill is passed, Honolulu would join more than 100 cities which have banned polystyrene related materials K RISTEN PAUL BONIFACIO Opinions Editor
A recent Honolulu City Council bill proposes banning foam food containers. If passed, this bill will take a great step toward a more sustainable society. Many of these polystyrene containers are often used only once. Most are resistant to photolysis, decomposition through exposure to light, and they also contribute to Hawai‘i‘s waste problem — especially since a majority of them are improperly disposed of.
THE BUSINESS SIDE Introduced by District 4 Council member Stanley Chang, the proposed bill will change the current law that allows eateries to use polystyrene foam containers just as long as they do not contain chlorofluorocarbons. The new bill would require food containers such as plates, cups and bowls to be compostable. In an online petition started by the councilman, he states “Disposable food service containers must be made of compostable material that will break down into usable compost in a safe and timely manner without leaving any toxic residue.”
The petition has currently received over 720 signatures. If the bill is accepted, it will take effect on O‘ahu on Jan. 1, 2016. In light of the bill, many restaurant owners are not content with the proposed law. Eddie Flores Jr. cofounder of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, has voiced his opposition to the bill. He argues that since compostable containers are triple the cost of regular foam containers, small businesses will pay more under the new requirement. “It sounds like a good idea, but for small businesses, they are dependent on Styrofoam. They are willing to try biodegradable ones but there is a price,” said a worker for one of the food trucks on campus, who wished to remain anonymous fearing repercussions. “It has to bring up the price of the food.” The L&L co-founder also pointed out that gravy and other liquids often seep through the compostable container.
E N D I N G T H E C YC L E This isn’t the first time that a ban on plastic foam has been proposed. Similar bills have been introduced in 2008 and 2009. Then as now, concerns over the extra cost of eco-friendly al-
ternatives as opposed to regular foam containers were the primary reason why these previous bills were unsuccessful. However, the difference in cost between compostable and regular foam containers is often less than 50 cents — a difference that isn’t bad considering the positive environmental impacts it will have. Although it will be a slightly more expensive alternative, it will keep non-biodegradable foam containers out of landfills. The cost difference between compostable and regular foam containers isn’t high enough to greatly affect the total price of the food, if the containers are included. The prices will still be affordable. Furthermore, most of these foam containers are primarily used to serve plate lunches and will only be of use for roughly an hour. Comparing the total amount of time that they’re useful to how long they will be sitting in landfi lls makes paying a little extra for a more ecofriendlier alternative reasonable, considering the long-term negative effects of foam containers. There are also other plantbased plastic compostable containers that are sturdier, though which gravy cannot seep through even after it has been sitting for a while.
E N V I RO N M E N TA L I M PAC T S Due to its chemical composition, polystyrene, also known as regular foam, isn’t biodegradable. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a foam coffee cup can remain in a landfill for more than 500 years. Many of these polystyrene containers are also improperly disposed and find their way to the ocean. As a result, they pose serious dangers to animals, especially to marine life. One type of polystyrene, expanded polystyrene or EPS, is of serious concern since it breaks down into tiny pieces and is ingested by fishes, other aquatic animals and seabirds. Furthermore, the EPA has stated in a 1986 solid waste report that the polystyrene manufacturing process is the fifth largest creator of hazardous waste in the United States. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has also classified styrene, a major component of polystyrene, as a possible human carcinogen.
U H ʼS MOV E T OWA R D S S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has recognized the environmental impacts of these food containers and has steadily made progress towards a more eco-friendly campus.
Last year, with the help of students and faculty members, the UH Mānoa implemented a new policy that greatly eliminated the use of styrofoam on campus. An online version of the policy states “Vendors negotiating new contracts will be prohibited from using EPS foam food-service products.” For vendors who are still under a pre-existing contract, they are “encouraged to phase out EPS foam products use as soon as possible,” and that their contracts “will not be renewed unless said vendors commit to eliminate the use of all EPS food service products.” Sodexo, which operates the University’s dining services, has also been using compostable containers, plates and utensils for a number of years. And similarly, Paradise Palms has committed to being plastic bag free. Although foam containers are useful, there are better alternatives. Banning them will benefit the environment, and make Hawai‘i more environmentally friendly. With such a unique ecosystem, the state must make proper decisions in ensuring the preservation and safety of the animals that live within our region.
comics@kaleo.org | Nicholas Smith Editor
Page 5 | Ka Leo | Monday, June 9 2014
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Twitter @kaleofeatures | features@kaleo.org |Brad Dell Editor
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Features
‘The Group of Death’ DAVID MCC R ACKEN Senior Staff Writer At fi rst glance, the U.S. men’s national soccer team could have an early exit at the 2014 World Cup. The toughest obstacle for this squad to overcome wasn’t head coach Jurgen Klinsmann leaving the U.S. all-time leading soccer Landon Donovan off the final tournament roster. Group G in this year’s World Cup has been hailed as this tournament’s “Group of Death.” It features World Cup favorites Portugal and Germany, along with Ghana, who has previously beaten the U.S. in the last two World Cup Finals. As the fourth side in a talented and familiar group, the odds of the U.S. advancing to the knockout stages in Brazil are incredibly low.
GHANA
World Cup in Korea. The U.S. has never played against a Portugal squad that featured Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Portugal doesn’t have a backup plan if Ronaldo fails to live up to his worldly expectations. He will have to pull off a performance similar to that of Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup in order to bring his country its first ever World Cup trophy. Official Prediction: Portugal 2-2 U.S.
GERMANY Although the U.S. defeated the heavily touted German squad last year in an exhibition match by a score of 4-3, it would come as a major shock if the Americans were able to obtain even a point against Joachim Low’s team. The Germans’ attacking force may only feature one striker in Miroslav Klose, but players like Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski should prove to be enough to defeat an American backline that has only one player (DaMarcus Beasley) who has played in a World Cup. Official Prediction: Germany 3-1 U.S.
The first match for the U.S. will be THE LUCK OF against Ghana and THE DRAW will be the third conThe American secutive World Cup in public will point which the two nations its fi nger at have faced off against Klinsmann for each other. The Ghananot bringing ians have gotten the better Donovan to Brazil, of the Americans, winning but even if he did make each game by a score of 2-1, Donovan apart of his including a second round squad, one player cannot victory in the 2010 World defi ne a team, or make Cup in South A frica. With them victorious. The an attack featuring 28 -yearAmericans were dealt old Asamoah Gyan, and former the worst hand in the Real Madrid and Chelsea star group stage draw and Michael Essien bolstering will struggle to fi nd the midfield, Ghana is in line success in Brazil in to shock Americans for the the coming weeks. third straight World Cup. But it is important to Official Prediction: Ghana 2-0 U.S. FLICKR remember that no match is played on paper and no result P O R T U GA L is official until the full 90 minutes The U.S. has won its last two are played. Nothing is impossible, matches against the Portuguese, but the U.S. needs a miracle-or although their last encounter oc- two- if we want to advance out of curred 12 years ago at the 2002 this historically difficult group.
Review: ‘Koi, Like the Fish’ Rating:
BEN SAUNDERS Staff Writer Advertised by the program as a “timeless family drama,” Kumu Kahua Theatre’s production of “Koi, Like the Fish” does not fail to deliver on its promise. Co-directed by Justin Fragiao and William K āhele, “Koi” is marked by effective design choices, as well as stellar acting throughout. In line with its stated purpose of performing local theatre pieces, KKT takes on Maui playwright Keali‘iwahine Hokoana’s play and delivers a performance that varies between a light, humorous side and a soul-crushingly tragic angle. As such, it does justice to the playwright’s stated intent, which was to write the production “in shades of gray because life is never black and white.”
FA L L I N G A PA R T This is not to say that the performances by the cast were not colorful. The actors guide the audience through a thick web of family ties, showing how quickly things can unravel, even when love desperately attempts to hold them together. Koi (played by Kumu veteran John Wat, a renowned Kumu actor and director who was last seen in HSF’s “Julius Caesar” and “King Lear”) is newly retired and needs someone to take care of him in his advanced age. His niece, Yosepha (Nani Morita, last seen in “Moa A Mo‘i”) agrees to take care of him and the aging house he resides in, along with her reluctant husband Bryce (Reb Beau Allen, last seen in “Cockadoodledoo”) and their newborn baby. What begins as a lighthearted comedy quickly evolves into something far more emotional and complex as the characters attempt to adapt to their new situation and begin to grow apart. Although
DENISE DEGUZMAN
the setting does not change much, this does not detract from the quality of the show due to the stellar acting of everyone onstage. Parts of the show are difficult to watch simply because the acting is so believable, and at least a few audience members were moved to tears during some of the more heated arguments between the members of the once-happy family.
SET FOR SUCCESS W hile the technical design takes a bit of a backseat to the acting, it is nonetheless generally fitting for the play. The set, which was also designed by codirector Fragiao, is simplistic and a believable setting for an old, falling-apart house, and the openness of it does not detract from the story; rather, it forces the audience to observe even the most intense moments closely, without the stage separating them from the action. The light and sound design is also unobtrusive and, while not adding too much to the performance, certainly does not take anything away from it.
Certain small oversights seemed to persist, however. I was interested to see how Koi’s fish (a koi fish, of course) would be manifested, and was surprised to see that it wasn’t represented with so much as a prop. While watching an elderly man talk to an empty fish tank could have a number of other connotations, it was unusual in a play that for the most part felt very realistic. In spite of this, the show for the most part was exceedingly well-done and believable; in fact, certain particularly powerful moments may be too much for younger or more sensitive audiences. However, the show’s messages about love and sacrifice will be relatable to many, and lovers of comedy, tragedy and everything in between should consider checking out what Kumu Kahua’s production of Koi, Like the Fish has to offer. Koi, Like the Fish is showing May 29, 30, 31, and June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Tickets are available at the Kumu Kahua Box Office between 11a.m. and 3p.m., or at www.kumukahua.org.
Twitter @kaleosports | sports@kaleo.org | Nick Huth Editor
Page 8 | Ka Leo | Monday, June 9 2014
Sports NICK HUTH Associate Sports Editor FADI YOUKHANA Managing Editor With the most watched sporting event in the world set to take place this week, both casual and hardcore fans alike will be looking forward to the brilliance and emotion that the World Cup never fails to produce. Some games, teams and players will attract those powerful moments like lightning rods in a storm. Here are some predictions for where and when those moments might take place.
Predicting the best moments in the World Cup
B E S T G RO U P S TAG E M AT C H Nick: Italy and Uruguay will play on June 24, and the two powerful soccer nations are part of a group that is sure to bring plenty of drama. England will play (and likely win) against Costa Rica simultaneously with their match, and the three teams will be fighting for two spots to move on from the group stage. If things play out predictably, both teams will be looking for three points in this match, leading to a more open and exciting game that has both nations hoping to force its style upon the other. Fadi: On the second day of the tournament, Spain will take on the Netherlands. The opening game of Group B is important for two reasons. First, the game will be a rematch of the 2010 World Cup Final at which Spain won 1-0. The Dutch players will be eager to avenge the loss and hinder Spain’s progress in the tournament. Second, the loser of this match will likely secure a second place finish in the group and face likely Group A winner, Brazil. Securing three points in the opening game will be crucial in avoiding the host nation in the first knockout game.
B I G G E S T S TA R N: Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, the 22-year-old star from Brazil, holds the hope of a nation on his shoulders. But the last time
RYU VOELKEL / FLICKR
that the young Barcelona winger was tasked with such a burden, he led Brazil to a trophy in the 2013 Confederations Cup. In the past season, Neymar has scored 12 goals alongside 10 assists for Brazil. His playmaking was already on display in a friendly against Panama last week — where he scored a goal and set up two more in Brazil’s 4-0 victory. His speed and talent with the ball can unlock any defense in the world, and he will be asked to do just that if Brazil hopes to return to the fi nal. F: Neymar will dominate all the headlines for the host nation, and his every touch will be watched by millions. However, the biggest star and potential top scorer will be the Portuguese captain. Cristiano Ronaldo has been enjoying his best season thus far, which was capped with the Ballon d’Or. He led Real Madrid to the
UEFA championship by breaking the tournament’s goal record and single-handedly squeezed Portugal past Sweden in the fi nal World Cup qualifi cation playoff match. Barring some injury worries, Ronaldo should carry his form to the world’s biggest stage.
MO S T S U R P R I S I N G T E A M N: Bosnia-Herzegovina is the only team in the tournament that will be playing in its first World Cup in history, but that does not speak for the talent they possess. The disciplined side boasts a respectable midfield in front of a stout defense, but their ability to advance in the World Cup rests on their goal scorer, Edin Dzeko. The striker from Manchester City is in solid form ap proaching the tournament. His size and finishing ability might guide the inexperienced team
out of the group stage and into the quarterfinals. F: England’s last two tournaments have been less than stellar. In 2006, Portugal defeated England in penalty kicks, and in 2010 Germany embarrassed the side with a dominant 4-1 score line. The world no longer looks at England as an international powerhouse. This tournament will be an end to an era for a squad that features the likes of Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. But, no longer under massive pressure to perform on the global stage, England will make a deep run into the quarterfi nals that will eventually end against Brazil.
B I G G E S T D I S A P P O I N TM E N T N: Beyond the fancy stadiums and the millions of dollars spent to promote the tournament, Brazil is torn on the games. Protests and
graffiti have been seen all over the country, speaking out against the commercialization of Brazil in the interest of the World Cup. The favelas outside the stadiums are fi lled with poor families, crime and children unsure of where their next meal will come from. The social inequality and political unrest could be magnified while the rest of the world is just expecting some exciting soccer matches. F: Injuries will prevent soccer fans from watching a tournament at its full potential. Key players will miss the Cup due to various ailments. Among them is one of the sport’s top attackers: Radamel Falcao. When healthy, the Colombian Tiger is unstoppable, but his ACL injury will limit his country’s progress. Italy will be without key midfielder Riccardo Montolivo after he suffered a broken leg in a friendly. Mexico’s mission to get out of the group stage was dealt a devastating blow after it lost key midfielder Luis Montes. Other key players to miss the tournament include Croatia’s Niko K ranjcar, Netherlands’ Rafael van der Vaart, England’s Theo Walcott and Germany’s Marco Reus, who was injured in his team’s final warm-up game.
W H O M A K E S T H E F I N A L?
N: The Brazilian side, energized by their fans and decades of soccer superiority, will make a dazzling run to the semifinals where they muster a few moments of brilliance to get past a powerful, but uninspired German side. Spain, winners of the last World Cup, will survive its difficult group to face Argentina in the semifinal. It is there that the experienced Spanish midfield will limit the offensive attack from Argentina, sending them to the final in a tense showdown of talent. F: I can’t argue with Nick’s prediction of the final, but I’ll be brave enough to make another prediction. In front of a cacophonous crowd, Brazil will defeat Spain 3-2 in an instant classic.