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Campus Center to get an upgrade AMY LOWE / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
Campus Center and Hemenway Hall have an estimated $7.8 million repair expense, according to a Board of Regents Committee on Budget and Finance presentation on Sept. 5. CHAVONNIE RAMOS EDITOR IN CHIEF
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Campus Center is expected to undergo renovations starting the week of Sept. 16. According to a university spokesman, the main inconvenience will be a loss of seating in the public areas of Campus Center (on the second and third floor) while tile work is being done. The forum seating area and bookstore entrance on the second floor will be barricaded during the initial phases of the project. The contractor will open up seating as large sections are com-
pleted, but the west entry stairs (from Hemenway Hall and Sinclair Library) will be closed. During renovations, Campus Center will still remain open for normal business hours. UH officials said that students, faculty and staff are asked to be aware of the construction barriers and follow the wayfinding signage. The following places can be accessed from the mauka entrance from Campus Road (the east entry stairs from the Campus Center courtyard or first floor elevator entrance from the courtyard): Food court, Jamba Juice, Simply-to-Go, Starbucks, Subway, Meetings and Event
Services, Student Life and Development, Ticket and Information Office, restrooms, elevator and level three ballroom and meeting rooms. The renovations are expected to be completed by the start of spring 2020. Additional phases of the renovation project are expected to start soon after, which include renovations to the Campus Center Ballroom and the west entry and courtyard stairs. There are also plans to improve the elevators and replace air conditioning. The renovation project is part of a Campus Center master plan to upgrade the 46-year-old facility. Besides replacing the tile flooring,
some of the plans include updating lighting fixtures with energy efficient fixtures located in the open public areas on levels two and three as well. The funding for the project was provided by the state Legislature, which costs under $3.1 million. The most recent renovation phase of the Campus Center complex was completed in 2014, which included the bookstore entrance and Starbucks. Ka Leo O Hawai‘i
Ka Leo will continue to provide updates regarding this phase of the Campus Center renovation project. Go to manoanow.org/kaleo for more.
New clinic opens at William S. Richardson School of Law MELDRICK RAVIDA ASSOCIATE FEATURES EDITOR
A woman gently wiped her cheeks to catch the teardrop escaping her eyes as attorney and fundraising chair Mark S. Davis said, “It will be in this building that generations of future lawyers passing through these halls who learn the skills to enable them to use a jury system and be an active part in preserving that part of our system.” The new law school clinical building first opened its doors on Sept. 6 with traditional Hawaiian ‘oli and a lei-cutting ceremony before the faculty, staff and students made their way through the corridors and into the new rooms to celebrate its completion and promise. “[This is] the place where we’ll be able to most directly connect with the community,” University of Hawai‘i President David Lassner said during the ceremony. “And that really is what is special about this law school as compared to most law schools around the country — is the way it is embedded into the community and supports the community. So the
opportunity for the clinics and the public engagement will really help as a law school and a university to serve the people of Hawai‘i.” The clinic will serve as a space for the school’s growing clinical programs, three of which are currently moving to the building with the other seven in the process of transferring. Professor and co-director of the Clinical Law Program John Barkai said that the clinical program has seen growth over the years with 10 clinics and 9 simulation courses presently. “It also provides a big physical statement of the importance of the clinics and letting people know what we are doing here at the university. For some clinics, our clients will be coming to the university but for a lot of the clinics we do work through agencies or in other different places,” Barkai said. Additionally, the interior design offers multifunctionality. The chairs and tables are mobile and the clinical work will involve roleplay and simulations, as well as a number of rooms that can be used for small legal functions such as depositions, interviews, negotiations and counseling sessions.
CORRECTION:
“I’ve been going here for three years now, and I always saw it in construction and basically from nothing to something, and seeing how it is now is really breathtaking actually,” Erika Ngo, a marketing and travel industry management student, said. Daniel Hironaka, student services specialist at the law school since 2017, said that the last time he was in the clinical building was last year. “Dean (Denise) Antolini gave some of us a tour and the structure was complete but it was very bare-bones, there were no carpets here, exposed wires, the walls weren’t really complete,” Hironaka said. “So, from that point until now going here today, it’s very nice, it’s very modern in here. I saw the mock-ups and blueprint but seeing it in real life is fantastic.” Antolini, associate dean of Academic Affairs, worked closely on this project from its inception to its existence, attending over 140 meetings with contractors and all partners involved in the production of this project. According to Antolini, it wouldn’t have been possible without the power of yes.
EDITOR IN CHIEF Chavonnie Ramos MANAGING EDITOR Cassie Ordonio CHIEF COPY EDITOR Gradon Wong DESIGN DIRECTOR Amy Lowe ASSOCIATE DESIGN DIRECTOR Ana Bitter WEB EDITOR Jolie Ching INTERIM NEWS EDITOR Geneva Diaz FEATURES EDITOR Doris Kung ASSOCIATE FEATURES EDITOR Meldrick Ravida OPINIONS EDITOR Kailanianna Ablog SPORTS EDITOR Jonathan Chen PHOTOS EDITOR Marcel Saragena ASSOCIATE PHOTOS EDITOR Shafkat Anowar
“It takes a million, maybe a bazillion people, to say yes to build a building, right. All the details. There were some people who just spent years on this project. It took all of them to say yes thousands and thousands of times to build this project. And when people said no, we figured out a plan B, we figured a way around it, we figured out how to solve it; and that’s what we’re trying to convey to our students, faculty and staff at this new building: to be a good lawyer, to serve the community, you have to say yes and figure out how to problem-solve.” Davis concluded, “It’s an ability for our students to learn how to deliver justice to our community and those individuals, rich or poor, weak or powerful, who depend on our judiciary through the access to justice that they desire and they deserve.” “This building will serve as this law school’s commitment to maintaining a viable and active judiciary system.”
Go to manoanow.org/kaleo to see photos of the new building.
Ka Leo discovered that information from the Life Sciences news story in the previous issue was inaccurately attributed. The story has been retracted from the website.
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. ©2019 Student Media Board
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PRIDE ROCK’S NEWEST BREWERY THAT GOT COACH ROLOVICH BUZZING
ZAC TOCHER / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
The iconic Beer Lab scientist overlooking one of his many creations.
ZAC TOCHER / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
Poi Pounder fresh on tap at the Waikele location. NATHAN BEK FEATURES INTERN
When University of Hawai‘i football head coach Nick Rolovich offers a tip on a story — we listen. He first built a name for himself with his ability to scout and coach football talent, and now he adds beer connoisseur and inventor to that list; His latest scouting report has put Beer Lab HI on the map. We talked to one of the three co-founders, Nicolas Wong, to find out why. There’s only one brewery on the island that can match the speed and level of productivity of the UH football team’s run-shoot offense: Beer Lab HI. “Our brewery is built on the concept of constant change, experimentation and small batch brews,” Wong said, referring to Beer Lab’s prolific microbrewing philosophy. “We release about one to three new beers a week.” In 2016, Beer Lab opened its doors in Hawai‘i, inviting fellow beer lovers in for a memorable experience. Thanks to some inspiration from Dogfish Head Brewery, their beer labs were designed to
do exactly that. According to their website, their seven-barrel system gives their master brewers an opportunity to “create unique brews with varying malt bills, hop profiles and specialty ingredients” freely and constantly. Over the years, their customers have been spoiled expecting and often getting new brews every visit. LIVE PONO, DRINK ONO
The market for beer and football has always thrived in Hawai‘i. However, the people of Hawai‘i have long looked elsewhere to source this tradition. The way Wong views it, importing beer is just “shipping water across the ocean,” as he’ll be quick to remind you that beer is 95% H₂O. But thanks to the innovative work of local craft brewers and coaches, the market is quickly growing domestically. Three juggernauts of the movement — Wong, Kyle Shimabukuro and Coach Rolovich — teamed up to create a beer that tells that story. They call it the “Poi Pounder.” “Beer has historically been hyper local as every culture has its own tastes and styles,” Wong said. According to Wong, the Poi Pounder
was created to celebrate that. Rolovich attributes a lot of his on-field success to the community support he receives. As an ode to the community, he and Wong created a beer that local players and fans can be proud of and enjoy. They decided on a craft beer inspired by the staple Hawaiian dessert Kulolo. The beer’s ingredients closely resemble the delicacy’s recipe, using ingredients like local taro and coconut to go along with its vanilla, hops and barley. Wong called on fellow local entrepreneur Shimabukuro, founder of HiLife, to mock up the bottle’s branding. The designer decided to use the iconic “pride rock” head, the mad Beer Lab scientist and signature HiLife logo to permanently stamp the collaboration. The beer, to say the least, has been a success. At the time we visited, just one bottle remained, which was heavily guarded by Wong at the university pub. Luckily, the Poi Pounder is on tap at every location.
store now or in the future. The beers crafted in the Beer Lab are made for Beer Lab. While there are many batches, each beer is meant to be enjoyed in the aura that the pubs create because the beer is only one part of the overall experience. “We wanted less of a destination and more of a home,” Wong said, describing the setting they strive to achieve at every location. For Wong, the experience starts with the employees. “We work hard to ensure our beer tenders love their jobs and are stoked to be working! Beer tastes better served with a smile and by people who love what they are serving.” Although the menu is always evolving, three staples have managed to stick around: the Ko‘olauloa, the Omakase and Pansan brews. The Ko‘olauloa is a hazy IPA that combines fruity aromas with hoppy bitterness. The Omakase is a play on the “catch of the day” menu item that most restaurants
feature and is simply the bartender’s favorite for that day. Finally, the Pansan brew is not only inspired by the Philippines, but also designed to help sustain the country’s oceans — all proceeds from the beer are donated to the Pride 4 Philippines foundation.
ZAC TOCHER / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
A rare look at a limited edition Poi Pounder bottle.
“BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME”
Chances are, you will never find one of Beer Lab’s creations in the
ZAC TOCHER / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
A look into the lab at the Waikele brewery.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
K A LEO O HAWAI ‘I THE VOICE OF HAWAI‘I
Picnic on the Path 2019 Building homecoming on UHM’s campus KAILANIANNA ABLOG | OPINIONS EDITOR
CHAVONNIE RAMOS / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
“Picnic on the Path” is a campus effort made to increase college spirit and support.
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa welcomes its community back home with its third annual “Picnic on the Path.” Associate Director of Alumni Relations for special events at the University of Hawai‘i Foundation Office of Alumni Relations (UHFAR) Laura Wood says the event is meant to build excitement for homecoming. “The main goal of this event is to start building homecoming a little bit more on campus,” Wood said. “We’re really trying to build that out and see people be open to it and really spirited about their school, their campus, their football program.”
Along with creating a fun event for the UH community, Associate Director of Alumni Relations programs for UHFAR Liane Smith mentioned that another goal for Picnic on the Path is to bring alumni home. “We want to bring alumni back on campus,” Smith said. “We’ve seen it at other schools where alumni fly in for homecoming. We hope to build it to that, at some point.” According to Wood and Smith, this year’s Picnic on the Path will feature games, an on-site photo booth, new food trucks and giveaways, which will include retro-themed jersey rally towels
courtesy of UH Athletics. What makes this event different from its predecessors is the increase of campus participants, like Greek life. Along with budgeting and vendor communications, Wood and Smith worked with several departments and offices such as the Office of the Chancellor and Marketing to make Picnic on the Path a reality. “Each office has their specialty as to what they bring to the event. Athletics is really good at bringing the really big prizes that bring students out, and we do a lot of the marketing push, and then the
Office of the Chancellor does a lot of working with facilities to make sure the grounds are good to go,” Wood said. In addition, alumni of any UH campus will have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets for the homecoming game. Those who are interested can fill out a form at uhalumni.org/contact/tickets to retrieve a discount code. The offer is only valid for online purchases, with a limit of eight tickets per user. In a joint statement, Wood and Smith said they hope that through events like Picnic on the Path, students and alumni will begin to
recognize and look forward to homecoming, as it “can be a fun, engaging and powerful tool for students and alumni to feel connected to and build spirit for their college.” Picnic on the Path is set for Sept. 20 and will take place on Legacy Path from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to the public. Anyone who has feedback or suggestions on how to improve UH homecoming activities may contact Wood at Laura.Wood@uhfoundation.org or Smith at Liane.Smith@ uhfoundation.org. Ka Leo O Hawai‘i
Origins of the Rainbow Warrior JOLIE CHING // WEB EDITOR
professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, founded the first women’s athletics program. Just as the men’s program was known at the time as the “Rainbows,” the women’s program was nicknamed “Rainbow Wahine,” or literally translated from Hawaiian, “Rainbow Women.” THE FOOTBALL TEAM
Before they were ever known as the Rainbow Warriors, the UH football team was once called the “Deans.” However, this changed when a rainbow appeared in the sky during a football game in 1923 where the current team, led by UH head coach Otto Klum, won 7-0 against Oregon State at Mo‘ili‘ili Field. Those who watched the game began nicknaming the football team as the Rainbows, believing they would surely win as long as a rainbow was overhead. This was not the first time a
rainbow was associated with UH. Due to the rainbow’s deep roots in Native Hawaiian culture, it was first adopted in 1982 as the official logo of the UH Athletics Department, where it remained until 2000. While the rainbow became a long-standing name and logo of the team and the university, it was not until 1974 that the football team officially adopted the moniker Rainbow Warriors in partial honor of UH scholarship fundraising organization ‘Ahahui Koa Anuenue - the Order of the Rainbow Warrior. In 1972, Dr. Donnis Thompson, a
THE COLORS
Though the football team came to be associated with the rainbow, the general colors of UH were green and white. The color scheme was born when a group of faculty wives were deciding on designs for the school’s social calendar. At the time, materials could take weeks to arrive to the islands on ship, forcing the wives to use only materials that were immediately available to them: standard white and green (from Hawai‘i’s tropical plants).
Coincidentally, white and green colors were found to be significant in ancient Hawaiian history and culture. Green was the color of Lono, one of the four major gods in Hawaiian culture who represented agriculture, rain and peace. Owing to its location in the lush Manoa valley, the campus itself embodies these values. White, on the other hand, was historically a status symbol of Hawaiian royalty. In 2000, two new colors, black and silver, were incorporated into the color scheme. Black was chosen for its reference to the Kumulipo. The Kumulipo (“Beginning in deep darkness”) is a sacred creation chant of a family of Hawaiian chiefs, tracing their genealogy back to the beginning of the world. Silver was chosen due to its resemblance to the reflection of rainfall as mist envelops the Manoa valley and forms a rainbow.
THE LOGO
In 2000, the UH Athletics Department released a new logo under the theme of pupukahi i holomua, “unite and move forward as one.” On the surface, the “H” stands for Hawai‘i; however, it also carries a double meaning in that it also represents the Hawaiian word “hā”. Hā means “breath of life” and was used as a greeting in ancient Hawai‘i in which two people exchange breaths by pressing the bridge of their noses together and inhaling, believing their hā to be a conveyor of mana, or spiritual power. The patterns on the logo are inspired by Hawaiian kapa designs. The three triangles on each side of the H represent the body, mind and spirit of the individual, all of which the Native Hawaiians believed to be traits humans could not live without.
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HOMECOMING THEMED ISSUE
Meet the new t UH baton twirler
Callyn Marvell
SHAFKAT ANOWAR | ASSOCIATE PHOTOS EDITOR Callyn Marvell was diagnosed with Spina Bifida (birth defect affecting the spinal cord) and had to go through surgeries when she was 3 months old to 4 years old. She admitted that her left leg is numb and incapable of any reflexes due to the surgeries, but her love for twirling has kept her persistent toward her goal. “My flexibility was affected by the surgeries and my ligaments in my ankles are very stretched out. I had to overcome certain flexibility constrictions, but my coach helped me through this very easily,” Marvell said. In order to twirl, she played the
flute throughout high school. Playing the flute helped Marvell sync her twirling with a marching band routine. Marvell, a freshman at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, is the new baton twirler for this football season. Marvell was seven when she started baton twirling. It started through receiving a flyer for pompom and baton twirling in her elementary school. As of now, Marvell wishes to make a lot of friends and focus on her grades to get into the nursing school. >> Go to manoanow.org/kaleo to see more photos of Callyn in action!
SHAFKAT ANOWAR / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
Callyn Marvel on her stand position before she starts practicing with the UH marching band.
GEAR UP
DORIS KUNG FEATURES EDITOR
Where to buy your UH apparel
Here are a few stores students wanting to show some school spirit can go to buy some University of Hawai‘ i apparel.
MORE INFO
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INFO
LOCATION 2465 Campus Road
LOCATION 801 Kaheka St.
HOURS Mon. - Thurs. 7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m Fri. 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 12:30p.m
HOURS Open 24 hours, 7 days a week PRICE Range $15 and under
PRICE Ranges from $5 to over $90
MĀNOA BOOKSTORE
DON QUIJOTE
Located on campus, the Mānoa Bookstore can be found on the bottom floor of Campus Center. A wide variety of UH apparel and accessories can be found. Styles range from men’s and women’s casual wear like hoodies and knit cardigans to athletic wear like polos.
Similar to Walmart, Don Quijote is a budget-friendly option for UH apparel. It is located on Kaheka Street behind Teddy’s Bigger Burgers on Kapiolani Boulevard. Also limited in styles, casual t-shirts, hats and slippers are sold at this store. MORE INFO
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INFO
LOCATION 700 Ke‘eaumoku St.
LOCATION 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #2000
HOURS Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
HOURS Mon. - Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
PRICE Range $11.48 to $30
PRICE Range from $19.95 and up
WALMART
VICTORIA’S SECRET PINK
Close to Ala Moana Shopping Center on Ke‘eaumoku Street, Walmart is an option for buying UH apparel. Though styles are limited, shirts and hoodies with general logos can be found. UH logo beach chairs are also sold.
Located on the second floor of Ala Moana Shopping Center, PINK’s collegiate collection includes UH apparel for women. Items mostly consist of different styles of tops.
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COLUMN
A gentle reminder
AC CONTROVERSY CO O WITH W WIT TH BIKINI ATOLL Reporting on Micronesian issues
Why the small things matter CASSIE ORDONIO MANAGING EDITOR
KAILANIANNA ABLOG / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. KAILANIANNA ABLOG OPINIONS EDITOR
It was mid-June when my friend wanted to commit suicide. Due to clashing schedules, we hadn’t talked in months, but social media filled me in on their life: a new partner, sushi cravings, the struggle to get a parking permit. It also told me that they wanted to hurt themselves. I am not afraid of death. Even when I watched my grandmother take her last breath or thought I had cancer when I felt a lump in my breast, dying was never a concern. Losing my life pales in comparasion to the fear I have of losing a loved one to suicide. As any friend would, I spammed their accounts, asking if they were okay, telling them I was there. You can imagine the gut-wrenching feeling I had when they didn’t reply. They were one of the first friends I made in high school. I cannot recall my secondary education experience without thinking of them. From our teen years to early adulthood, we traded our daily lunchtime conversations for once-in-a-few-months hang outs and short car rides. While college changed the dynamics of our relationship, the friendship stayed strong. Healing had been a logical process for me: If you see pain, you fix it. If someone is physically hurt, give an ice pack or Salonpas. If someone is crying, hand them tissues and offer support. But suicidal thoughts are not always visible. So how could I fix something I couldn’t see? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide was the second leading cause of death among 10 to 34 year-olds in 2017. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline states that mental disorders, job or financial loss, and
hopelessness are some risk factors that increase the likelihood of considering or attempting suicide. I remember the wave of relief when their name finally flashed on my phone screen. Their first response came as a series of texts telling me they were okay and comfortable to call. I did not ask for an explanation when they picked up the receiver. I let them do the talking: what triggered the suicidal thoughts, who they already spoke to, what they planned to do now. At that point, I didn’t care about approaching the situation with logic. I was just happy they were alive. I reiterated that, despite my busy schedule, I was there for them; I did not want them to feel like they had to battle their demons alone. I told them I loved them and cared about what happened to them. “Thank you, Kai,” they said. “You saved my life tonight.” As we bid each other good night, the tears started falling and I found myself bawling in my mother’s arms, something I had not done since I was in elementary school. I almost lost a dear friend that night. Although they told me otherwise, I will not take credit for saving their life. People who have suicidal thoughts are not weak individuals who need saving. As Iyanla Vanzant, an inspirational speaker and television personality, said in an episode of “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” “You don’t want to die. You just want to stop hurting.” Some are more open to sharing their struggles than others. Regardless of whether someone’s inner struggle is visible or not, our responsibility as friends and family is to remind each other that we care, that we are willing to listen. As I learned that night in June, the small things still matter - so much so that they can give someone a reason to keep living.
Bikini Atoll has been used for westernized entertainment for decades, and Pacific Islanders are finally putting their foot down on the ongoing issue. An island of people who have experienced nuclear testing are outraged with the ongoing products dedicated to their home. Almost a month ago, Texas-based Manhattan Project Beer Company released a row of new products dedicated to nuclear bombs. One of its products is named “Bikini Atoll.” Shortly after its release, Pacific Islanders took to Twitter and expressed their frustration about the company’s insensitivity. Some have photoshopped the picture of Bikini Atoll out of the beer and replaced it with the Twin Towers and the name 9/11.
blocked by the beer company. “I find it kind of unprofessional that they would block the voice of the indigenous people stating their disapproval of their product,” Tokeak said in an email interview. “They claim to want to raise awareness on Bikini’s nuclear legacy and yet they disregard and silence the voice of the people who have been living with this issue. I just don’t feel that their response was not sincere or even apologetic. Mainland Americans seem to forget that narration is an important tool, Bikini is the Marshallese people’s narration to tell in a way that they want to, a label on a beer does not justify the intense history.” Something happened during this time frame. Pacific Islanders from all over Pacific regions came together to support the people of the Marshall Islands. Tokeak said he was surprised
Just to use the nuclear testing for entertainment, I mean first of all, it makes me feel really sad what our society has come to. – JOSIE HAWARD WE ARE OCEANIA, HAWAI‘I COORDINATOR
Some messaged the company through social media and its website to voice their concerns, then asked if the company could remove its product or change the name. In the company’s response–blocked. Within the 24 hours of backlash, the company released a statement on Twitter addressing the issue: “Our beer named Bikini Atoll was not created to mock or trivialize the nuclear testing that took place in the Marshall Islands. Through our brand and naming, we are creating awareness of the wider impacts and implications of the United States’s nuclear research programs and the pivotal moment in world history that is often forgotten.” The statement included that it will only address this once in regards to the matter because they said they have received numerous harassments and death threats. The company did not respond to requests for comment on this article. Hideo Tokeak, a Marshallese living in El Paso, Texas, is one of the few who reached out and was
by the outpouring of support from Pacific Islanders throughout the regions of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. “We live in an era where us Pacific Islanders are no longer staying quiet about issues that concern us,” Tokeak said. “We are no longer letting bigger nations bully us into submission. We’re not only standing up for ourselves but for each other. The ocean has always connected us, but colonialism divided us for a brief moment making us forget the ties that we once shared.” Tokeak and others were not the only ones to reach out, but the Republic of the Marshall Islands did as well. In addition, petitions with thousands of signatures were circulating online to have the product removed. Jack Niedenthal, secretary of health and human services in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, wrote a statement to the beer company. “As a nation, the people of the Marshall Islands have one of the highest cancer rates in the world, all
of our families can tell a personal cancer story that often times can be traced directly to the nuclear testing period, my family included.” It does not help the beer company that its name is the same as a nuclear testing project. “You’ll never forever your first sip,” reads the slogan of Manhattan Project Beer Company. But the people of the Marshall Islands will never forget the violent history of nuclear testing. That’s because mainstream commercials and cartoons will be sure to bring up that piece of history. If anyone remembers the annoying but catchy swimsuit song by Brian Hyland that was played in many commercials, the song goes, “she wore an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polkadot bikini.” French fashion designer Louis Réard introduced the two piece swimsuit and named it bikini in 1946, not long after the nuclear bombs were detonated on Bikini Atoll. On July 1, 1946, Able was the first bomb to hit Bikini Atoll from the U.S. Crossroads Project. In Nickelodeon’s “Spongebob,” everyone’s favorite sea creature lives in a pineapple under the sea in a town called Bikini Bottom. In the “Dying for Pie” episode, Spongebob was supposed to die eating a pie bomb from Squidward, who bought it from pirates. At the end of the episode, Spongebob saved the pie to share with Squidward but tripped, leading to the pie hitting Squidward and exploding. The cartoon showed a quick film of one of the bombs from the Crossroads Project. This episode was showcased at the Micronesian Youth Summit earlier this year. The Hawai‘i-based coordinator for We Are Oceania, Josie Howard, spoke about the episode. Howard also found out about the beer product through social media. “Just to use the nuclear testing for entertainment, I mean first of all, it makes me feel really sad what our society has come to,” Howard said in a phone interview. “It’s almost not seeing us as human beings.”
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BIOPLASTICS TO THE RESCUE? Non-petroleum plastic products fall short of making a positive impact
COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE COASTLINES HAWAI‘I
VALENTINA ALVAREZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
From the depths of the Mariana Trench to the salt on our tables, plastic pollution has infiltrated our planet. Plastic is a material designed to be “thrown away” without considering the fact that “away” does not exist. Due to this fundamental design flaw, over 270 species of mammals, reptiles and fish, many of which are rare and endangered, have been harmed by plastic in some way. Wildlife become entangled in large plastic debris, potentially leading to suffocation, drowning and eventual death from hunger. The ingestion of plastics results in internal abrasions and blockages that impair sexual activity and immune systems in wildlife and may lead to death. As a further complication, microplastics (plastics broken down into small pieces) are passed up the food web, affecting all levels of an ecosystem and even finding their way onto our dinner tables. In Hawai‘i, plastic pollution inundates our beaches and harms their inherent beauty as well as the animals that call these places home. Unfortunately, most of the debris found on the picturesque shores of Hawai‘ i is not the result of consumption within the state. The Hawaiian Islands are situated just southwest of the eastern portion of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The garbage patch is a gyre, the result of atmospheric and oceanic pressures pushing free floating debris into one area. This patch, which covers 1.6 million square kilometers (twice the size of Texas), is a dense cloud of floating and submerged plastics and other debris. As the gyre spins in a clockwise motion, plastics are broken down into smaller and smaller pieces through weathering until they drift away from the patch and eventually hit remote islands in the Pacific Ocean and the west coast of the U.S. This
Plastics are ingested by animals and passed up the food chain.
COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE COASTLINES HAWAI‘I
Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘ i’s ocean plastic program has recycled over 20,000 pounds of plastic.
is why the portions of the Hawaiian Islands that face the northeast are the regions with the highest concentrations of plastic pollution. Though most of the plastic pollution that litters our shores is not the result of consumption on our land, we must think globally and act locally to see progress in our state. The global plastic issue is being tackled locally in Hawai‘ i on multiple fronts, an example being legislation banning the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam. Many people have made personal efforts to replace single-use plastic bags and water bottles with reusable ones and to carry cutlery and containers from home. This green wave has created a new market opportunity and businesses want in. To tackle this green market, many businesses have ditched plastic entirely and looked toward more sustainable materials, such as bamboo and paper. Others
have begun exploring a different kind of plastic material: bioplastic. Bioplastic producers claim that their products are “eco-friendly” and label them as “biodegradable” or “compostable” since they are made by extracting the polymer directly from plant biomass, not petroleum. ECO-FRIENDLY AND COMPOSTABLE? SOUNDS GREAT! BUT IS IT?
The Federal Trade Commission offers “green guides” to give producers guidance in labeling. Companies can use these terms so long as they conform to certain industry standards, much like “organic” and “all-natural” labels on food products. According to the FTC, a product is “biodegradable” only if it returns to nature in a reasonable time frame without the help of commercial facilities and “compostable” if there is reliable evidence that all materials of the
product will break down in a safe and timely manner when placed in the appropriate composting facility. If a product or material claims to abide by industrial standard “ASTM6400”, it fits the aforementioned definition of “compostable” and can only decompose in an environment of at least 50° C. These temperatures can only be achieved in commercial composting facilities, not backyard compost bins. Unfortunately, there are no composting facilities in the state of Hawai‘ i that can properly break down these materials. But “compostable” plant biomass-based plastics are still better than petroleum-based ones, right? Don’t they degrade faster than traditional plastics? Well, a study performed by 5 Gyres for Better Alternatives Now, or “B.A.N. List 2.0,” has shown otherwise. To determine how bioplastic products perform when subjected to the ocean or environment, products from several companies were left in ocean and land environments for extended periods of time. Over the time span of two years, the bioplastic products remained totally intact or broke up into “micro-bioplastics” but did not decompose or biodegrade at all, meaning that our wildlife entanglement and ingestion issue is not solved. SO, ARE BIOPLASTICS THE ANSWER?
Bioplastics are an attempt to move away from the use of petroleum-based products which extract non-renewable resources
from the earth and are often mixed with toxic additives that end up seeping into our oceans and environment, but they are not a real solution as they only provide a new “less-bad” problem. Without proper composting infrastructure, wildlife will ingest and become entangled in bioplastics as they do with traditional plastics. As industry is driven by profit, there are potential gains and unexplored market opportunities in more sustainable packaging that will reduce stress on wildlife, and, inevitably, ourselves. As we sit in anticipation or pioneer the exploration into these uncharted, plastic-filled waters, we must take individual responsibility and change our consumption habits, for the sake of conserving biodiversity and our own well-being. Though we’ve been imprinted with the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle,” challenge yourself to go no further than “reduce.” Replace any plastic products with reusable or refillable products that provide the same service without using any disposable materials at all. Even small reductions like these will lessen the impact of plastic pollution on our ecosystems and wildlife.
Conservation Conversation is contributed by the Society for Conservation Biology Hawai‘ i Chapter. To join the chapter and see more opportunities to get involved in conservation efforts in Hawai‘i visit https://www.hiscb.org. Ka Leo O Hawai‘i
VALENTINA ALVAREZ IS A GRADUATE STUDENT IN THE ZOOLOGY PROGRAM WITH INTERESTS IN CONSERVATION, INVASION ECOLOGY, AND THE PRESERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF CUTTING-EDGE GENOMICS METHODS. SHE IS ALSO AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER OF SUSTAINABLE COASTLINES HAWAII, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FUELING THE PRESERVATION OF OUR COASTLINES AND WILDLIFE THROUGH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.HISCB.ORG | TWITTER: @ HI_SCB
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All aboard the Fruit-Train
JONATHAN CHEN SPORTS EDITOR
In a day and age when football offenses continue to shift toward smaller and nimbler players playing in faster paced schemes, Dayton Furuta certainly sticks out. Standing at 250 pounds, Furuta is one of the biggest running backs in all of college football. “Nowadays you don’t really see big backs in these fast-paced offenses, this fast-paced football,” Furuta said. “But they’ve still got a spot for us somewhere.” Furuta’s rare mix of size and athleticism was apparent from day one. Born to Dayne and Li‘i Furuta, the Mililani-native grew up playing for the Waipio Panthers youth football team. Playing in the running back position, he was nicknamed after one of his idols by his peers on the team. “Growing up, I watched guys like West Keliikipi, Nate Ilaoa, and Reagan Maui‘a,” Furuta said. “I watched all those big dudes. That was my nickname back then. [My teammates] used to call me Keliikipi when I played for Waipi‘o. [Running back] just fit perfect for me.” His love of the position continued into high school. A 2014 graduate of Mililani High School, Furuta was a four-sport athlete for the Trojans. In addition to football, he competed in wrestling, judo and basketball. Furuta showed a knack for all his sports. As a junior, he captured the 213 OIA wrestling championship. He also placed fifth at both the 2012 and 2013 HHSAA state meet, finishing his wrestling career with a 55-9 record. Furuta also excelled at judo, where he finished third at the HHSAA championships in both 2011 and 2012, before finishing as the runner-up in 2013. He finished his judo career with a 70-4 record. “Wrestling and judo were fun for me,” Furuta said. “It’s more about the team than you would think. Even though they’re individual sports, I think I learned the most about teamwork in those sports.” Furuta also dabbled in basketball, though it was more about conditioning and having fun with childhood teammates for him. For Furuta, his heart always belonged to football.
“I always knew football was gonna be the ticket,” Furuta said with a smile. On the football field, Furuta was a do-it-all athlete, excelling in all phases of the game. He played primarily at linebacker, and was named as a first team all-state linebacker in 2014. He was also named second team all-state utility player by the Star-Advertiser in 2012. He also showed flashes at running back, leading the team in rushing yards six times during the 2012 season. He had one of his finest performances in the First Hawaiian Bank Division I state football tournament, leading the Trojans over Maui’s Baldwin High School with 118 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Furuta was also a consistent contributor on special teams, and was selected first team allOIA Red West three years in a row from 2012-14. At the culmination of his high school football career, he was selected to participate in the Hawaii Union Builders Foundation Goodwill Senior Bowl. “My mindset was always to do whatever I can do so that the team can win,” Furuta said. “If I had to throw my body in front of a truck to win the game, I would. I do it all for the team, and everything works out in the end.” After being inducted into the HHSAA Hall of Honor in 2014 and graduating as an honor-roll student, Furuta made his way to UH. As a kid growing up on O‘ahu, he vividly remembers watching the Rainbow Warriors during his youth. “Back in ‘06-’07, with Colt Brennen and them, my grandpa had season tickets,” Furuta said. “He would always give me tickets to go to the games, me and my friends. I can still remember the team upsetting Nevada. When we won that game and the crowd stormed the field, I was one of those kids jumping over the fence first. Just being able to experience that, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a Warrior. When the opportunity came, I had to take advantage of it.” He certainly did take advantage. Now heading into his final season of eligibility as a fifth-year senior, Furuta has been named one of the captains
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Last season, Dayton Furuta played in 13 games and started six at running back. He finished second on the team in rushing with 459 yards on 93 carries. Furuta accounted for three touchdowns (two touchdowns and one receiving) and tallied for a pair of 100 yard games (114 yards vs. Duquesne and 101 yards vs. Wyoming).
for the team he grew up watching. However, his journey at UH wasn’t always so straightforward. Arriving in 2015 after a position-fluid career in high school, Furuta wasn’t able to find his role on the team right away. He redshirted in 2015, before appearing to settle down at the familiar linebacker position in 2016. He was seldom used however, appearing in just four games as a member of the special teams unit and racking up two tackles on the season. In 2017, Furuta made the switch to offense. Due to lack of depth on the team, he was asked by head coach Nick Rolovich to make the switch to tight end. Furuta became a heavy contributor on special teams, appearing in all 12 games and finishing with four tackles. “My mentality since I’ve been here was [to do] whatever I could do to benefit the team,” Furuta said. “I came in as a linebacker. We had the depth and the returning starters, so my role was on the scout team. Everyday I put in work and worked as hard as I can. Opportunity presents itself. Whatever I thought would make the team better, that’s what I did.” 2018 marked yet another transformation for Furuta, as he made the transition to running back. He was an immediate contributor, starting in six games at his new position. He finished the season ranked second on the team with 459 yards on 93 carries. He also picked up the
first two rushing touchdowns of his career, while tacking on another receiving touchdown. All in all, Furuta appeared in 13 out of a possible 14 games during the 2018 season. He missed the final regular-season game at San Diego State, but not without a very good reason. Back in O‘ahu, on Nov. 20, 2018, Sky Kaleihuluaeokalani Lee Furuta was born. With her birth, Furuta, a college student and division 1 athlete, also became a family man and a father. “Growing up in sports, you experience a lot of emotions,” Furuta said. “The ups and downs, the pain, and just putting in the work. None of it compares to holding your daughter for the first time.” On Aug. 24, 9-month-old Sky made her first appearance at Aloha Stadium to watch her father take on Arizona. “It’s just a great experience, her finally being out there,” Furuta said. “Just having her out there having fun, dancing with the crowd, it’s extra motivation looking to the sideline and seeing her.” Sky’s first Hawai‘i game ended up being a memorable one, as Furuta and the ‘Bows took down the Wildcats 45-38 in an upset win. The Rainbow Warriors wrapped up the season-opening victory with a last second tackle of Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate at the 1-yard line. “I’m just happy that she had fun,” Furuta said. “I wasn’t sure how she would react to all the noise and the band. It was pretty much an
instant classic. We had like 20,000 people there. 20,000 were roaring the whole time, and my daughter was one of them. She was loving it.” In the weeks leading up to the game, Furuta, just one year into his time as a college running back, was named as a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award, the award honoring the top running back in college football annually. He was also named to the watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. “It just goes to show that hard work does pay off. A lot of the times it’s what people don’t see that’s going to separate you from the rest. All the extra work, especially the team 5 a.m., 6 a.m. workouts.” Furuta will now have the rest of the season to prove that his inclusion on the watch lists were no fluke. If the Arizona game were any indication, the ‘Bows offense is set to put up some big numbers this year. “When the offense is clicking, and the defense is clicking, I honestly don’t think there’s a team that can stop us,” Furuta said. “There’s not an offense that can outscore us. Just fireworks. We want fireworks and that’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna give the fans something interesting to watch.”
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