NEW FINDINGS ON BREAST CANCER TREATMENT NEWS P. 03 Recent published study suggests chemotherapy is over prescribed.
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GLOBAL WARMING IS AFFECTING HAWAI‘I OPINIONS P. 05 ISSUE.02 VOLUME.113 TUE, JUNE 12 - SUN, JUNE 24, 2018 WEBSITE / MANOANOW.ORG/KALEO TWITTER + INSTAGRAM / KALEOOHAWAII
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Individualizing breast cancer treatment
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Four-year study suggests chemotherpay is not always necessary NICOLE TAM EDITOR IN CHIEF
New findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine show 70 percent of women with the most common type of breast cancer do not benefit from chemotherapy. The most common type of breast cancer is when a cancer cell has significant numbers of either estrogen or progesterone hormone receptors on the cell surface while the lymph nodes do not contain cancer.
Results of this study will lead to ... slightly different treatment options with women with many types of breast cancer. – DR. RANDALL HOLCOMBE UH CANCER CENTER DIRECTOR
Over 10,000 cancer patients nationwide participated in phase three of the Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment (Rx), or TAILORx trial. Dr. Randall Holcombe, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center director, explained the molecular test takes a small sample of a tumor for gene testing and determines which group the patient belongs in: low, intermediate or high-risk breast cancer.
The risk score was rated on a scale from zero to 100. The molecular test results reported 60 percent of women registered were in the intermediate group (risk score from 11 to 25). This group of women does not benefit from chemotherapy in addition to hormone therapy. Of the 6,000 intermediate patients, 172 were from Hawai‘i. “At that point, a lot of physicians were thinking we might be overtreating women, giving too many people chemotherapy when they didn’t need it so that’s why the study was done,” Holcombe said. In 2000, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society recommended women to receive hormone and chemotherapy for all types of cancer. “The impact of this study is for women with breast cancer across the nation,” Holcombe said. “Results of this study will lead to ... slightly different treatment options with women with many types of breast cancer.” Dr. Jeffrey Berenberg, co-author of the study and a researcher at UH Cancer Center, spent 11 years working with hundreds of doctors nationwide to promote the study. The study took place from 2006 to 2010. It took seven years to publish because the relapse period for breast cancer is longer than other cancers. Holcombe says pancreatic cancer relapses within one to two years ver-
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sus breast cancer, which takes 5 to 10 years. Researchers had to ensure their data was accurate and strong. The work is not over yet. Berenberg says he will continue to follow the 172 local patients for the next three to four years to ensure current data is still accurate. “In research, you have to be really careful. You have to be very precise. You have to be very communicative. That benefits not just the people who participate, but other patients as well,” Berenberg said. With these new findings, Holcombe said there are ways to treat
women over 50 years old with hormone therapy alone to reduce side effects like fatigue, nausea, hair loss and other symptoms that are associated with chemotherapy. Berenberg added, “In the last 20 years, we’ve been able to identify breast cancer, really sort of the first personalized medicine, but we can start to subcategorize types of breast cancer by things like hormone receptors.” He hopes to expand the study and see how different ethnic groups react to treatment. Ka Leo O Hawai‘i
dents to develop their own communities in creative and innovative ways alongside their peers. Another key concept is being an active participant in the development of one’s own community while maintaining a harmonious relationship with others. The course will touch upon significant issues indigenous peoples face in modern colonial society, such as national borders and citizenship rights, refugee rights and non-governmental TZANA SALDANIA / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I organization ethics and politics. Lestelle hopes to raise awareMinecraft is a video game that lets you shape the world around you, created by Swedish game designer Markus Persson. ness for social and political issues surrounding indigenous peoples, Aug. 10. It is taught by Cody Lestelle, indigenous politics in this course, focusing on Native Hawaiians. “The main goal for this course is to a PhD student studying indigenous Lestelle hopes to challenge stupolitics and alternative futures at dents to think of the possibility that assist in alleviating negative conditions for Native Hawaiians and all life we can create alternative futures. UH Mānoa. “Games are so valuable ... We can in the Hawaiian Kingdom,” he said. Students will create online comThe class also meets general munities with their classmates in resolve our differences through Minecraft, a game where players competitive and cooperative play, requirement focuses such as the immerse themselves in a virtual and as humans that’s naturally how social science diversification (DS), reality where they can build and we learn and innovate the best,” contemporary ethical issues (ETH) and writing intensive (WI). create their own towns and expe- Lestelle said. Students who are interested in Lestelle chose Minecraft as one rience realistic obstacles such as of the primary learning tools in the the course can reach Lestelle at hunger and natural disasters. By integrating technology and course because it challenges stu- lestelle@hawaii.edu.
Playing Minecraft can be worth three college credits, thanks to an outreach class
POLS/WS 394 is an online course offered this summer through the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa outreach college. The class focuses on teaching students about the theory and practice of political organization through a playful and immersive environment in games. The class started on June 10 and will run until
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Chavonnie Ramos CHIEF COPY EDITOR Madelyn Rangel DESIGN DIRECTOR Amy Lowe NEWS EDITOR Mark Ladao FEATURES EDITOR Ralph Arista ASSOCIATE FEATURES EDITOR Meldrick Ravida OPINIONS EDITOR Tzana Saldania ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Kailanianna Ablog SPORTS EDITOR Chavonnie Ramos COMICS EDITOR Eileen Roco PHOTOS EDITOR Alexander Wong WEB EDITOR Algeo Rosario EXECUTIVE VIDEO PRODUCER Agatha Danglapin
The oncotype Dx breast cancer assay test determines which therapy method works best for each patient.
Gaming for credit
LANI HOSHINO FEATURES INTERN
EDITOR IN CHIEF Nicole Tam INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR
ADMINISTRATION Ka Leo O Hawai‘i is the campus newspaper of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. It is published by the Student Media Board biweekly except on holidays and during exam periods. Circulation is 10,000 during the academic year and 5,000 during summer sessions. Ka Leo is funded by student fees and advertising. Its editorial content reflects only the views of its writers, reporters, columnists and editors, who are solely responsible for its content. No material that appears in Ka Leo may be reprinted or republished in any medium without permission. The first newsstand copy is free; for additional copies, please visit Ka Leo. The Student Media Board, a student organization chartered by the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, publishes Ka Leo O Hawai‘i. Issues or concerns can be reported to the board via uhsmb@hawaii.edu. ©2018 Student Media Board
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KA LEO O HAWAI‘I: THE VOICE OF HAWAI‘I
COLUMN CONSERVATION THE BITE CONVERSATION
Honoring and learning from the past to guide the future A commitment to restore the He‘eia watershed through science, stewardship and education
COURTESY OF BRIAN GLAZER
Volunteers can assist with the restoration on the third Saturday of every month. SARAH J. TUCKER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) was designated as the 29th NERR site in the United States on Jan. 19, 2017. Located in the He‘eia estuary and Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu, the designation encompasses 1,385 acres of diverse upland, estuarine and marine habitats and supports the restoration of this area through funds for monitoring, research, education and infrastructure development. Many consider this a monumental achievement, not only for conservation in Hawai‘i, but also as a testament to the hard work and vision of strong local partners and hundreds of community members. “This is an opportunity to do something truly fundamentally different,” Acting Reserve Manager Robert Toonen of the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology said. The He‘eia NERR site and its establishment are unique in a number of ways. Unlike other NERR sites, its distance from the headwaters to the estuary is just under a mile. With highland streams so close to the ocean, the whole system needs to be considered when managing aspects such as land use or reef health. Because of this direct connection through the watershed, the managers of each part of the system, whether it is the upland meadows, the fish pond, or the coral reef, “all have to be in constant communication and on the same page about
what our actions are,” Toonen said. “It has to work for all of us, or it’s not working for any of us.” Although some may see this as a challenge, the He‘eia NERR is designed to utilize traditional knowledge and land-use systems, such as the ahupua’a, that have integrated the management of land and sea in
resource management for the last 10 to 20 years. The idea to form the He‘eia NERR was a product of community-driven conservation efforts and discussions with kūpuna. The contributing groups include the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Ko‘olau Foundation, Paepae o He‘eia, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi and the
It has to work for all of us, or it’s not working for any of us. – ROBERT TOONEN ACTING RESERVE MANAGER
He‘eia for hundreds of years. Ahupua‘a are wedge-shaped divisions of land running from the mountain to the sea, usually following watershed boundaries. Each one provides its community with plentiful resources and a system of land and ocean resource division and management. The ultimate goal of the He‘eia NERR is to develop a coastal management strategy that draws on traditional Hawaiian practices in order to better the ecosystem in Kāne‘ohe Bay and the ecosystem services it provides: spiritual and cultural connections, food and recreation. Prior to the NERR designation, a network of dedicated individuals and organizations existed and made significant contributions to the restoration of the area. Organizations like Paepae o He‘eia and Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, which are now NERR site partners, have been working to foster community-based
Hawai‘ i Institute of Marine Biology (UH Mānoa), in partnership with the government agencies responsible for land management in the area. The community brought their idea to initiate a NERR site designation in Hawai‘ i to the late Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office, and with his support, they started a discussion on beginning an open application process to consider NERR sites throughout the entire Hawaiian Archipelago. Eventually, the He‘eia site was selected and nominated by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for consideration by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. After a long series of public hearings and review in Washington D.C., designation was granted on Jan. 19, 2017. Receiving the NERR designation takes the actions that were already in motion and “connects the dots,” says Hi‘ilei Kawelo, executive director of Paepae o He‘eia. Kāne‘ohe Bay, and in particular
the ahupua‘a of He‘eia, are well-researched habitats, but a comprehensive research program to monitor the restoration success of He‘eia is still not in place. The NERR designation will help coordinate research so that projects are not duplicated. Instead, efforts focus on priorities set out by the NERR partners, which are integrating traditional knowledge and contemporary research to better understand the effects of human activities and natural events and to inform decision makers that affect the area and its coastal resources. A NERR System-Wide Monitoring Program will be established to collect long-term data, including water quality, weather, habitat and land use. Ongoing stewardship and education programs that emphasize cultural practices and place-based education will grow and broaden with increased support from the NERR designation. “This is a great opportunity for the NERR to show this is how we can do responsible science. This is how we can communicate effectively to the community so that we can help to improve how they view stewardship and how they view
science and that the two can work positively together,” Kawelo said. As the He‘eia NERR develops and establishes programs in stewardship, research and education, there is a lot to look forward to. “Let’s take He‘eia and let’s show that working with the community and maximizing those partnerships is really successful, and hopefully that model can grow,” Kawelo said. Through the He‘eia NERR, she believes the opportunity exists “to direct and guide what happens in our community.” “When the site partners manage this place, we ask the question how can we do the best job possible, and let’s listen to everyone,” Toonen said. “[Let’s] ask the question, ‘What do you think is wrong and what do you want to see the Bay look like?’ And then let’s see if we can actually accomplish those goals.” The He‘eia NERR is looking to find a different mechanism of management – one that is driven by the community to ultimately cultivate stewardship of the area based on its traditional roots.
SARAH TUCKER HAS A PASSION FOR MARINE SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION THAT STEMS FROM AN INNATE CHILDHOOD CURIOSITY ABOUT THE SEA. HER RESEARCH INTERESTS ARE CENTERED IN MARINE ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION AND SHE IS CURRENTLY EXPLORING THEM IN THE FIELD OF MARINE MICROBIOLOGY. AS A PHD STUDENT IN THE MARINE BIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM BASED IN MICHAEL RAPPÉ’S LAB AT THE HAWAI‘I INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY, HER DISSERTATION RESEARCH IS FOCUSED ON EXAMINING THE DYNAMICS OF MARINE MICROBIAL METABOLISMS IN KĀNE‘OHE BAY ACROSS DIFFERENT SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL SCALES.
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Global warming hits Hawai‘ i And Hawai‘i hits back
NICOLE TAM / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
The waters around Hawai‘ i have been warming since the 1950s, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. TZANA SALDANIA OPINIONS EDITOR
“I had a prominent politician once tell me, ‘I think sea level is rising because we have so many more tourists now and they go in the water and that makes the sea level rise,’” Professor Charles (Chip) Fletcher, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Hawai‘ i at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and professor of geology and geophysics, said. He is well qualified to explain that rising ocean levels in Hawai‘i and around the world is not because of tourists cajoling in the water: it is global warming. THE HOT PROBLEM, AT HOME AND BEYOND
If I recycle my water bottle, I feel like I saved the planet. The truth is that my environmental heroics are too little, too late and too egocentric. Global warming is happening, and it will keep happening. The truth is that climate change is a systemic issue of the human race. One person’s shorter shower and another’s rooftop tomato garden, while progressive toward an environmentally aware society, are not enough to effectively interrupt global warming. It will take the united front of us and our world leaders to change the course of climate change. Without that, our planet’s trajectory will worsen. The east O‘ahu beaches I grew up building sand castles on have little to no sand left between the Pacific Ocean and the public access walkways. One day, the walkway will be drowned and the road
behind it. I do not think the tourists swimming in the water caused that. Hawai‘i is not isolated from the multitude of impacts caused by climate change. Fletcher is one of five members of the Honolulu Climate Change Commission. According to their website, the objective of the commission is “to gather the latest science and information on climate change impacts to Hawai‘i and provide advice and recommendations to the mayor, City Council, and executive departments as they look to draft policy and engage in planning for future climate scenarios.” The Commission recently created a government report giving information on an issue, known as White Paper, entitled, “Climate Change Brief.” The public report reinforces “the need for an urgent and sweeping transformation in our energy sources, food systems and landuse practices to achieve a decarbonized world economy,” according to its purpose outline. “It is a scholarly piece all coming from peer-reviewed literature or empirical reports … There is additionally a computer projection that we will see more hurricanes as the world warms,” he said. Fletcher says the report is a readable sets of bullets that explains changes to wind, ocean warming, sea level and ecosystems. He notes the main findings to consider global warming’s effects on Hawai‘i are: declining rainfall, sea level rise and heat stress. HAWAI‘I: A CLIMATE POLICY PARAGON
The state legislature ticked off a set of accomplishments year after year. Two bills passed this legisla-
tive session that sets Hawai‘ i as carbon neutral by 2045. Fletcher says if the whole world were to become carbon neutral by 2050, we could stop warming at 2 degrees. Fletcher thinks Hawai‘ i has been able to succeed in environmental initiatives as opposed to other
are being deployed, it is not fast enough for the large demand. The bottom line: Fletcher says we are not going to stop at 2 or 3 degrees. A PLANET (AND EDUCATION) FOR ALL
Everybody who graduated from high school has heard of chemis-
Hawai‘ i has a wonderful story to tell of a significant size community that is ... laying out what the whole world needs to do. – CHARLES FLETCHER ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, SOEST
cities and countries because of a strong environmental ethic from robust roots in Native Hawaiian culture, which taught the people to be sustainable. “Hawai‘ i has a wonderful story to tell of a significant size community that is setting up the legal framework and laying out what the whole world needs to do,” Fletcher said. “I think there is a strong environmental ethic in Hawai‘ i: Avoid the tragedy of the commons: use a resource, but don’t use it up.” The Paris Accord set out as a goal to stop global warming at 2 degrees Celsius. Fletcher says in order to achieve that, we need to decrease our carbon emissions literally last year or maybe to 2021 or 2022. He says the sad reality is all projects predict the earth will see an increase in carbon emissions by 16 percent over the next 20 years. The reason is because India and China are becoming middle class cities and are in demand for new energy. Even though renewables
try and biology; many people have never heard of the word geology. I remember when I was a freshman in college, I could not believe there was a guy up there talking about rocks. I was so awestruck that people pay attention to rocks. They had always been something you kicked out of the way… I believe earth science, or earth and environmental science, should be a requirement at the high school level. Currently, the UH Mānoa general education diversification requirement “DP”, calls for students to take at least three credits of a physical science. While this includes Geology 101 courses, students can also take chemistry, physics or other courses related to the physical sciences. “I think our education system needs to value Earth and environmental science as a core principle. We should gain a fundamental understanding of the planet Earth and human’s role in it. The DP isn’t that,” he said. Former UH Mānoa graduate stu-
dent in philosophy, Matthew Williams, thinks a course on scientific methodology and evidence analysis should be required. “The biggest issue with the layman’s understanding of any science is... an incomplete or misinformed understanding of science and evidential-based empirical research. Resolving that with a methods course that teaches the hows and whys as well as their limits should be a part of any well-rounded education,” he said. In reference to the prominent politician’s comment on tourist-induced sea level rise, Fletcher echoes the sentiment of Williams: “[They] don’t have a basic understanding of scale … Education and critical thinking are so important because if you are taught to be skeptical … You would become skeptical of a lot of the things that are communicated.” But “they,” meaning those who fail to understand the science of global warming, can just as easily be us when we are presented with something we do not understand. Amongst the overload of today’s information, professors make the connections that matter, exposing the true reality of the world both in science and the humanities. Not everyone goes to college. Whatever we are discussing, there is a necessity for objectivity and fact. It is our shared effort to educate each other, including outside of universities and institutions, with the skills of critical thinking across disciplines. Hawai‘i’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions demonstrates the success of this cooperative problem solving. Ka Leo O Hawai‘i
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KA LEO O HAWAI‘I: THE VOICE OF HAWAI‘I
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Mehndi
More than an art form
COURTESY OF HONOLULU HENNA
With various designs and patterns, henna represents feminine beauty and one’s marital status. KAILANIANNA ABLOG ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR
Khushboo Soni, a Fullbright Fellow from New Delhi, India, who attended the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa this past school year, said she took an interest in mehndi, or henna, at a very young age, as it is an integral part of her culture. Oxford Dictionary defines “mehndi” as the art and practice of applying temporary henna tattoos. Henna, a paste made from the henna plant, is used to stain and decorate the skin with traditional Indian designs. These temporary tattoos often include flowery patterns. “Henna is very much a part of my identity,” Soni said in an email interview. “I loved making patterns with Henna so much that when I was little I joined a Henna designing class in my neighborhood and learned it. Since then, on every occasion I will do the patterns on my mother and my relatives hands.” Mehndi can also be referred to as simply “henna.” While the words are closely associated with each other, their meanings can change based on context. According to differencebetween.net, the word “henna,” which means “mehndi” in Arabic, can mean “tattoo ink made from the henna plant, or simply a tattoo made with the dye from the henna plant.” Mehndi, which is the Indian word for henna, is the practice of using henna to make designs on one’s skin. The New World Encyclopedia says the origins of mehndi are unclear. Some scholars believe the practice originated in ancient India, while others believe mehndi was introduced to India by the Moguls, who observed its use in the Middle East and North
Africa. Henna was also used in ancient Egypt to stain the skin of pharaohs prior to mummification. IT HAS TIES TO MARRIAGE, TOO
Many apply henna for cosmetic reasons, especially during major Indian festivals. Soni says the act actually has cultural significance that is associated with marriage. “Indian marriages are incomplete without Henna,” Soni said. “The flowery pattern of the design symbolize the new life that a bride is going to start and how it should be filled with flowers and new colors. The hue and color of the Henna on a bride’s palm is also linked with the love she would be receiving from the groom. The deeper the color of Henna, the more loving [the] husband.” For that reason, only young girls and brides are allowed to apply henna traditionally. With henna being such a large cultural aspect of Indian culture, its meaning varies due to the diversity of the country. “The significance of Henna in all the parts of India is difficult to answer because India is such a diverse country with the play of a number of religious and cultural diversity going on,” Soni said. For example, Soni’s family is from the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan, where mehndi is incorporated into a married woman’s routine. “Henna is not only limited to the festive occasions but for married women it is part of their daily grooming,” Soni said. “They keep their hands decorated with Henna throughout the year, which is not very common in other parts of India.”
MEHNDI IN PARADISE
While henna is a popular practice in South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, it also established ties in the islands. Carolyn Kopecky, owner of Honolulu Henna, mentioned in an email interview that she has been captivated by the practice of henna, so much that she opened her own shop in Waikīkī. “I started playing with henna several years ago, teaching myself through Youtube videos and online tutorials,” Kopecky said. “I was always drawing and making other art, so that part came naturally.” Kopecky finds the connection between the symbolic meaning behind henna and its wearer to be exceptionally beautiful. “Peacocks, birds, and flowers are common motifs, and if meaning is attached it is for beauty and love,” Kopecky said. “Henna is ready and waiting for symbolic content, and that is always up to the artist and their canvas. At her shop, she uses the traditional henna paste, a natural stain known as “jagua,” derived from a fruit that grows in Central and South America, and white henna. Like Soni, Kopecky believes henna has become a part of her identity as an artist. “My work with henna and jagua is a passion that deepens with every person I get to draw on,” Kopecky said. “Sometimes I feel like I can see the patterns and shapes already on the skin, as if henna can trace the soul ... The human body is the most satisfying of canvas, as it gives life to my creations, every story inspiring the next.” Ka Leo O Hawai‘i
NICOLE TAM / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I Chefs across the globe visit Hawai‘ i to adopt techniques to incorporate into their cuisine.
The rise of local Hawaiian food Aloha is spreading around the world, one dish at a time JOY WANG FEATURES INTERN
Local Hawaiian cuisine is making a mark on an international scale as plenty of photos and videos of poke, shave ice, spam musubis and plate lunches flood social media timelines. Local chef Roy Yamaguchi, founder of the restaurant Roy’s and owner of over 30 restaurants, is part of the movement to spread aloha worldwide and says foods like poke and shave ice are associated with food in Hawai‘i. “I think Hawai‘i has always been kind of mystical to a lot of people throughout the world. It’s a place for people to come and enjoy themselves,” Yamaguchi said. This global culinary movement started with the emerging popularity of Hawai‘i regional, boasting chefs like Alan Wong, Peter Merriman, Sam Choy and Yamaguchi. This, along with the eight-year success of the Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival, attracts over 100 local and international chefs to the state annually. Yamaguchi was born and raised in Japan but spent time in Hawai‘ i during the summers, when he
stayed with his relatives on O‘ahu and Maui. Some of his favorite foods from childhood were poi, saimin and chicken hekka. His international travels inspired him to add flares to the foundation of his cooking. Flavors from his childhood have also influenced him. “The flavors of my grandfather’s and my father’s cooking have really resonated in my mind. This is the basis of my cooking,” Yamaguchi said. Chefs from other countries come to Hawai‘ i to enjoy and learn more about local culture and food, as well as the bounty of ingredients it uses. Yamaguchi says these chefs are often inspired and influenced by the unique culinary traditions and bring these Hawaiian recipes they learned back to their homes to share in their communities on the mainland or overseas. “The people of Hawai‘i are food lovers and lovers of their tradition. We’re really happy that we can try and bring that to other parts of the world for people to see,” Yamaguchi said. Food can bring people together and showcase island-style cuisine while demonstrating the spirit of aloha.
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KA LEO O HAWAI‘I: THE VOICE OF HAWAI‘I
SPORTS
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COVER STORY
Pursuing the call ALEXANDER WONG / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
Junior catcher Kekai Rios was the first Rainbow Warrior to get selected in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 28th round. CHAVONNIE RAMOS SPORTS EDITOR
Most people know him as Kekai, but not many people know that it is short for Kamailiokekai Rios. “It means prince of the sea,” Rios said. The prince of the sea has grown up loving and playing baseball all his life. Born and raised in Kahalu‘u, O‘ahu, Rios has always loved playing baseball and had a mindset to play for a professional team. A normal game for him is squatting behind home plate and catching whatever pitch his teammate throws at him. His father, a former baseball coach, has also been a major influence in his life. “It’s tough having your dad as a coach because you’re always the one yelled at. He’s always hardest on you,” Rios said. “But I think in the long run, now that I look back at it, it really paid off.” It did indeed pay off, as Rios received a call that was the icing to his 21st birthday cake on June 6: It was the Milwaukee Brewers with an opportunity he could not resist. Rios was selected in the 28th round, 845th overall pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft on that day. His family, advisers and University of Hawai‘i baseball coaches encouraged him to take the opportunity. “[Coach Trapasso has] always [been] looking out for the best interest in me. He thinks I’m ready to go so I feel the same way,” Rios said. The MLB draft ran from June 4 to 6 and consisted of 40 rounds. Professional teams picked the top college and high school prospects throughout the nation and offered them opportunities to start pro careers.
putouts, 43 assists and caught 4 players stealing bases this season. Rios hit a career .294 with 22 doubles, 4 home runs, 74 runs and 54 RBI. One of the most memorable moments Rios had as a Rainbow Warrior was hitting a walk-off homer against Indiana last season. “I’ve never really hit a walkoff before in my life,” Rios said. “Just having all of my teammates dog-piling me, it was a cool experience. But
Recent Hilo High School graduate Micah Bello was selected in the second round by the Brewers. Bello was the 73rd overall pick, becoming the highest drafted player since Waiakea high school’s Kodi Medeiros in 2014. Bello had an explosive senior season, batting .564 with an on-base percentage of .667, slugging percentage of .821 and 16 stolen bases. Former Rainbow Warrior pitcher Quintin Torres-Costa is also in the Brewers’ system, playing in the Dou... As a kid, I always knew that I wanted to do ble-A Southern Minor Leagues for the Shuckers alongside Medeiros. this. I just used college as a stepping stone to Biloxi As soon as Rios’ name was get to the next level. announced during the draft, Torres-Costa texted him a congratulatory – KEKAI RIOS message: “Welcome to the Brewers.” “It’s kind of good being from CATCHER, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I BASEBALL Hawai‘i,” Rios said. “We’re real famIn his freshman season with overall, being a local kid from here, ily oriented, so knowing that you’re the Rainbow Warriors, Rios made it’s such a great experience — a going and playing with guys that it clear that he wanted to make a humbling experience — being able to you know are playing in the organame for himself in the state: He come here, because not a lot of local nization kind of helps. You can ask them for advice.” batted .331 and caught 19 runners kids get the chance to play for UH.” stealing, the third most in the Big West Conference. BREWERS TOUCH BASES ON ISLAND A RAINBOW WARRIOR Rios also had the opportunity Originally, the Kansas City Royals AND HIS GRATITUDE to spend his summer playing in called Rios offering a $75,000 signing Although Rios has a year of basethe prestigious Cape Cod Baseball bonus offer, but he turned that down ball eligibility left at UH, he leaves League in the same year. for a $100,000 offer with the Brewers. the team to pursue greater heights. “[Being able to go] was a big Primarily a catcher, Rios also has He credits his teammates and surprise,” Rios said. “But as a kid, experience playing as a third base- coaches for his success throughout I always knew that I wanted to do man and designated hitter. the years. this. I just used college as a step“The [Brewers] think the best way “Chayce Ka‘aua has been a big ping stone to get to the next level.” for me to get to the big leagues is to influence in my work ethic,” Rios Against conference foes this sea- be a catcher, so I’m just going to keep said. “He’s been pushing me since son, Rios batted .318 with 22 runs, working hard,” Rios said. “But what- the day I got here.” 15 RBI, 4 doubles and a home run ever they want me to play, I’ll go.” Ka‘aua graduated this past spring for a .383 on-base percentage. Rios It is not a surprise that the Brew- and has been the upperclassmen has also played a vital role for the ers picked another Hawai‘ i player Rios looked up to over the years. As ‘Bows’ defense behind the plate as to join their family. Rios was the Rios leaves, a gateway to the spota catcher. Ranked 23rd for fielding fourth of five players with Hawai‘ i light is opened for catchers like in conference play, Rios made 141 ties that got drafted this year. redshirt sophomore Tyler Murray. MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF
Before coming to UH, Rios was part of the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama team that captured third place in the Division I Wally Yonamine Foundation Baseball State Championships presented by the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association in 2015. Rios was also named to the 2014–2015 Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball all-stars first team.
“Tyler is definitely ready,” Rios said. “He’s a catcher that could’ve gone different places and probably be the starter.” Although Rios has gotten the most starts this season and handled a pitching staff with eight different starters, he thanks Ka‘aua and Murray the most for that. “Those guys have a lot to do with me on the playing field and giving me tips to how I can be better,” Rios said. Rios hopes to one day get up to former Rainbow Warrior Kolten Wong’s level in MLB. “I know it’s going to be a long stepping stone, but I’m ready for the challenge,” Rios said. Players selected in the MLB draft have until July 6 to make their final decisions. FACTOID
ALEXANDER WONG / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
KEKAI RIOS HEIGHT: 5-11 CLASS: Junior POSITION: Catcher HOMETOWN: Kahalu‘u, O‘ahu