Fall 2016
Leeward Community College
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Cultivate Thought Cultivate Compassion
Cultivate Yourself
Learn how the choices you make about the way to play a scene affect the interpretation. ‘Staging’ doesn’t just mean the set or stage itself; it’s everything you do onstage to bring the drama to life. Come see how alternate staging, cutting, and acting affect the meaning in a piece.
Music - Theatre - Dance Experience YOUR Leeward Theatre For More information or to buy Tickets visit: http://LCCTheatre.hawaii.edu or2 call 455-0380 Ka Mana‘o
NOW HIRING PART TIME TUTOR - APPLY TODAY -
The Wiz Kids Learning Center in Pearl City tutors children in basic skills from phonics through algebra. If you are dependable, enthusiastic and enjoy working with kids, this is a great opportunity.
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Call 455-5437 www.wizkidshawaii.com
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22 entertainment
6 // Mixed Plate 8 // Hawaii Escape Challenge 9 // Scaling Up 12 // #luckyweliveHIking 14 // Changing Majors 16// Preview: College Bash 18 // Toxic Relationships 22 // Rehashed: Gaming Genres 24 // Mixed Reviews 26 // Fashion 34 // Off the Eaten Path: Keep On Truckin’ 38 // Recipes: Yogurt Two Ways 40 // Student Showcase 41 // Campus Voices 42 // Comics
ONLINE
www.leeward.hawaii.edu/kamanao
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34 food
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Ka Mana‘o
kamanaoleeward@gmail.com
/kamanao.leewardcc
TWITTER / INSTAGRAM @ka_manao
editor’s note A
s summer comes to a close, the semester begins. For some, this is just the beginning of another five months of the same monotonous routine — attending class, listening to instructors ramble on and taking tests they don’t much care for. For others, this signals a fresh start at a new campus with new opportunities and experiences. For myself, the loom of a new semester epitomized the struggle to transition from sloth to workaholic. Prior to taking a two-week vacation in Alaska, I found it extremely difficult to accept the fact that my hands would be off the magazine, especially with the deadline getting closer—it goes against my nature. After returning to Honolulu
and experiencing what Alaska has to offer, however, I found it just as hard to transition back. Sitting at a desk in the office, staring at emails and incomplete assignments and the knowledge of a rapidly approaching deadline quickly depleted my renewed energy and creativity. What should have been a smooth transition back to work turned into several scattered days of processing the situation and falling further behind. That brings me to this issue’s theme: change. It’s an inevitable part of life, and it happens, whether we’re ready for it or not. In this issue, the staff did their best to capture that idea with as wide a range of topics as possible. From changing
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the walls of a green room to the end of a relationship, each topic examines change in its many facets. Life is full of transitions, and each presents its own unique challenges. What’s important to remember is that each change gives way to new opportunities, a new view of the world we live in and a perspective to change it. by Chance Nakazato illustration by Lily Chan
A COMPILATION OF RANDOM FACTS & OPINIONS BY KA MANA’O STAFF ILLUSTRATIONS BY TRINA SISOMVANG
FALL 2016 You Jelly? Floating throughout the world’s seas are the gelatinous jellyfish. Appearance-wise, they are primarily recognized in their maturity with having rounded hoods and stinging tentacles. However, this is only one among many evolutions in the jellyfish’s complex life cycle. Formed by a male’s sperm fertilizing a female’s eggs, jellyfish begin their lives as oval-shaped larva called planula. The planula then hooks on to the bottom of a smooth rock or other structure and grows into a polyp, which resembles a miniature sea anemone. During this stage, which can last anywhere from several months or years, asexual reproduction occurs. The polyps clone themselves and bud into another stage of jellyfish life called ephyra. It is this form that grows into the more familiar adult medusa.
SPUDS: Potato WIFI As more planes are outfitted with Wifi capabilities, airlines need to test and maintain the signals for optimal use. With airline flights averaging 39,000 feet, signal strength can be sporadic and if incorrectly calibrated, can interfere with navigation and communications equipment. To accurately test for the aforementioned criterion and make necessary adjustments, researchers need a plane at maximum capacity. One airline, Boeing Co. tested its wifi capabilities, and to simulate a plane full of passengers they employed sacks of potatoes. Due to similarities in water content and chemistry, potatoes, much like humans, are capable of absorbing and reflecting radio waves. With this in mind, Boeing Co. researchers bought 20,000 pounds of potatoes and nicknamed the project Synthetic Personnel Using Dialectic Substitution or SPUDS. Boeing Co. spokesperson Adam Tischler, commented on the creativity of the project. “It’s a testament to the ingenuity of these engineers,” Tischler said. “They didn’t go in with potatoes as the plan,” Since SPUDS’ creation in 2006, Boeing Co. the program has successfully calibrated three different aircraft models (777, 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner) in several major airlines.
Sources: amnh.org, scientificamerican.org
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Lykoi Lykoi, cats exhibiting a strange mutation affecting their appearance and behavior, have seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Cats with the lykoi mutation have been popping up all over the world for the past 20 years, according to Google. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Johnny Gobble and his wife, Brittney, are the first breeders of lykoi, as stated on their website. The cats come with patchy black fur and are more canine in behavior in that they are more affectionate and have predatory instincts. “I bet you thought they were an internet joke! Or maybe you thought they were a cat with a skin problem? Let me assure you that these are very healthy cats,” the Gobbles wrote on their website, lykoikittens.com. Some are concerned with the ethics of breeding animals such as the lykoi, citing the pitbull breed and their respiratory problems. “I totally get why people dislike breeders. … Not all breeders are the same,” the Gobbles wrote on their site. Gobble has confirmed after several tests that the a lykoi’s appearance does not come with any diseases or disorders. “All foundation lykoi were tested by the Gobble’s for diseases. … Skin sample testing, echo-cardiograms (to check heart health), DNA testing, thyroid testing, infectious disease testing, blood type testing, and organ panel testing,” reads their site’s FAQ page. Lykoi are currently going for around $2,500.
D.s.l.r. v. Point and shoot For many, there have been great debates as to which camera to pick up. Point-and-shoots are as simple as they sound, but digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are more technical. When deciding on which camera to pick up, check out the following pros and cons list:
POINT AND SHOOT
Pros • Settings that are easy to understand. • Small and compact. • Price is easy on the pocket. Cons • Limits creativity. • Smaller, more fragile. • Most point and shoots are not weather sealed (meaning the camera can’t get rained on or snowed on).
D.S.L.R.
Pros • Variety of entry level DSLR’s that won’t be a pocket buster. • Wide variety of lens (a lens for every occasion). • Print larger files for more detailed and artistic photographs. • All entry-level cameras have easy to follow setting. Cons • D.S.L.R.’s are very heavy and cumbersome • Be aware of bad grey market accessories that can damage your camera. • Requires external memory and equipment. Remember, it’s not the camera making beautiful photographs; it’s the person behind the camera.
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Hawaii Escape Challenge Leeward alumnus launches escape room business
by Chance Nakazato illustrations by Lily Chan
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scape rooms are adventure-style establishments where players voluntarily lock themselves in a room and use elements of said room to solve puzzles and riddles to escape within a time limit. Breaking out as one of the most popular forms of entertainment today, the escape room business is growing rapidly. Escape rooms are extremely versatile in terms of their benefits including team building, increasing morale and motivation and acting as a fun activity to do with friends and family. Leeward alumnus Keokolo “Keo” Akina recently established his own escape room business, Hawaii Escape Challenge Challenge, on O‘ahu. Akina originally got the idea after playing mobile escape room apps, as well as completing an in-person escape room in California with his family. After returning to O‘ahu, he started what he called a “traveling escape room,” visiting various school campuses, including Leeward. “I used (the traveling escape room) with Student Life and their retreats to offer a fun, unique team-building activity, and my goal has always been to have a storefront where everybody can basically go to this hub of team building and activities and having good fun.” Hawaii Escape Challenge has two permanent locations at Windward Mall and Pearlridge. Both have different types of escape rooms and offer different experiences to participants. The Windward location houses a prison break theme, while the Pearlridge location features virus
and diamond heist themes. As far as what Hawaii Escape Challenge will offer, Akina hopes to set his business apart from others on O‘ahu by providing a unique and altogether fun experience for a variety of audiences. From family birthday parties to corporate-level team building activities, Hawaii Escape Challenge creates an enjoyable and diverse experience with its multiple escape themes. As a Leeward student, Akina was heavily involved in campus activities and organizations like Student Government and IM LeeSports, and he attributes those experiences to be some of the main influences on his life and his decision to follow through with Hawaii Escape Challenge. “I worked in Student Life, in different roles,” Akina said. “And these roles would require you to be organized, lead people, be okay with talking in front of people, with planning. So much about this business, I’m just able to use from the different jobs that I’ve had with Student Life and apply it here.” Those he worked with while involved with Leeward’s student life organization also had a lasting impact. “Part of me can say that I wouldn’t even be here right now if it wasn’t for— not just academically—attending Leeward Community College, but just all the people there that, after I graduated, have contacted me, and I kept in touch (them) and maintained relationships and they’ve just always encouraged me to keep doing what I want to do,” Akina said. “Even if at some points, where I was like, ‘oh I don’t know if I want to pursue that career anymore,’ they
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gave me options to other things, you know, just like fully supported it.” With an undergraduate degree in Management Marketing, Akina maintained that education was a good step, however, as an entrepreneur, he maintained that starting a business, requires more than just textbook knowledge. Sometimes finding the answers require taking risks, doing your research and being passionate about the endeavor. “You have to be okay with risk, and you just have to be okay with ‘I’m going to put 30 or 40 grand in, and I may never see it again,’” Akina said. “Just do it, as long as you know you have a good idea and have done all the proper research and it seems really solid to you and it’s something you’re really passionate for, don’t even think about it just do it. If you think about it too much, you’re going to hesitate.”
Windward Mall
46-056 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Pearlridge
98-1005 Moanalua Rd, Aiea, HI 96701 info@hawaiiescapechallenge.com (808) 798-0431
SCALING
UP ABOVE: Student Jordan Miller paints framework for upscaled composition.
Leeward students adorn Richard Aadland green room with new mural by Chance Nakazato photos courtesy of Michael Harada
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or her independent study, Leeward student Sachiyo “Sasha” Lee, along with assistance from fellow students Jordan Miller, Kelen Uslan and assistant professor Michael Harada, created a vibrant tropical mural in the theatre’s green room inspired by French post-impressionist painter Henri Rousseau. Lee’s father who works as a carpenter often employs her to help paint the walls of houses. Paired with several different classes in art and painting, Lee has received extensive experience, however, using walls as a mural canvas proved to be a different kind of challenge. Harada, who has worked on several mural-size projects of his own, cited some challenges that arose. “So (Sasha) was familiar with painting large walls but she had never painted a mural,” Harada said. “But it’s just about
scaling up, and so, a large part of this process was sort of a tutoring thing of getting her to think big, and going through the steps of enlarging the image, planning it out, putting it on the wall and painting it. Sort of trying to be efficient and also being flexible enough to make adjustments, because you know, things happen.”
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TOP: Panoramic photo of completed mural. ABOVE: Sasha Lee poses before in-progress mural.
The Process
The Challenges
Before spring break, Lee and Harada researched possible art styles to use for the mural, and after exploring their options, Lee elected Harada’s suggested style of Henri Rousseau. Due to its simplicity and color schemes both Lee and Harada felt the form would be appropriate for the project and situation. “I suggested Henri Rousseau because he had done a lot of tropical themed paintings,” Harada said. “And his painting style was simple enough so that it would be easy enough to use that style visually and for a number of different artists to come in there and paint. So you wouldn’t see this huge divergent range of personal styles, it was really simple enough so that if people rotated through helping the painting process it would remain consistent because the style allows that. After determining the style, Miller came on board to help prime and prepare the room for sketching. Lee then came up with a sketch featuring the mural’s overall composition and scaled it to fit the room’s’ walls. Through trial and error, Photoshop and an overhead projector, the sketch was scanned, enlarged and divided into separate sections—a process that, according to Harada, is useful for large-scale painting.
For nearly two months during the regular semester, Lee and Miller laboured over the project. From the mural’s overall design, to its different color compositions, the final product required a great deal of flexibility, originality and commitment. Both students often worked into the night to complete the mural, and while it was stressful it proved to be a satisfying experience. Some of the more unique challenges that arose involved using four-foot long paintbrushes and ladders to cover hardto-reach places and a lack of scaffolding. “It consumed a lot of time outside of regular class time, their jobs, (and) whatever other commitments they had, same thing for me,” Harada said. “We were lucky enough to get the space with wide latitude as to the timeframe we could go in there and work and part of it is because the theatre is, and was, winding down getting ready for the renovation. So we had the freedom to go in there, not as we please, but almost because we would go in and work till the later hours of the evening, which is not odd for theatre, we weren’t the last to leave at night in that space. We would stay there till eight, and they were just warming up.”
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“Different parts of the campus have different needs and different ideas.” In assisting Lee, Miller found the project to be an enjoyable experience. “Kind of all of it, all of it was pretty much fun,” Miller said. “When we were looking at different colors, so not actually putting down the real paint, just seeing how everything would fit together; that was a really fun part. A lot of the mess we were making on the walls was probably half the fun of that.”
The Benefits According to Harada, the Richard Aadland green room wasn’t as welcoming as it should have been, attributing its original color to be an “institutional beige.” After the mural’s completion however, an increasing number of performers, production staff and students began to utilize the space. “As we were bringing the room to completion, people would just walk in there, people who had nothing to do with the painting, people would just walk in
and stand there—that’s what it did to the room,” Harada said. “Now people like being in there, like sitting on the bench in that room, like hanging out there. So if you do the right things with the space, it creates a really inviting area which previously it may not have been and it showcases what students on this campus can do. So I think it serves many purposes and it’s a great showcase.” Lee’s mural is the first of many Harada hopes to bring to the Leeward campus, and as a strong advocate for promoting student work and talent, he hopes this will convince others to reconsider their positions on campus artwork. “I look forward to doing more of these things… Now whether that can become a reality remains to be seen but I think there’s lots of possibilities,” Harada said. “Different parts of the campus have different needs and different ideas. I just think it’s something that we could do and really could give a distinctive character to this campus, and I think, showcase the talent that resides on this side of the island—Central O‘ahu, North Shore (and)
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the West O‘ahu area.” Independent studies allow students to work with their instructors, but unlike regular course projects, these studies involve little to no supervision by the instructor, which encourages student growth in several different areas. “This is above and beyond the call of duty, so I’m selective with independent studies,” Harada said. “And how it works is, a student who has formed a relationship with the instructor, that’s close enough for the instructor and the student to be able, it’s kind of a collaborative process, and it depends on the class, to agree to work together on this special project that the student wants to do. It can be like this (mural), a very ambitious project, or it can be just an extension of a class that has been offered at Leeward.”
#luckyweliveHI PALI HIKES
by Melany McAngus
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he Windward side of the island is the best place to go for mountainous views, saturated green landscapes, and hidden waterfalls. You just have to know where to look. A good place to start is along the Pali Hwy. The Pali is littered with some of the best hiking trails on the island. Due to the heavy rainfall that comes with the mountainous area, these trails are the epitome of the lush foliage, vibrant flowers and gushing waterfalls associated with living in paradise.
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PALI PUKA
Pali Puka, Nu‘ua
nu
MAUNAWILI FALLS Located within a quiet neighborhood near Olomana, Maunawili is a popular watering hole where visitors and locals alike can enjoy a beautiful waterfall. This particular trail takes about an hour, most of which consists of walking through a muddy path and crossing rocky streams. There are also some railroad tracks that create a staircase of sorts, so come prepared for cardio. The wonderful thing about this trail is that hikers get vantage points from every angle—hiking through the dense forest, wading through streams and walking along the ridge overlooking the entire mountain range. The waterfall is usually full and flowing thanks to the yearround rainfall. This waterfall can get a lot of foot traffic during the weekend, but there is a second fall behind the first that is easily accessible through climbing to the top of the main falls. It’s a great place to escape the majority if you’re looking for something more quiet and serene.
ilua
, Ka Maunawili Falls
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Pali Puka is a shorter hike that is perfect for people who want to get a really great vantage point to see the entire east side of the island. The trailhead is located by the Pali lookout. Though it begins in a bamboo forest, this hike takes you, primarily, along the thin ridge of the mountain so use caution. From start to finish, hikers are granted generous Views of the entire east side and overlooking Old Pali Road. The peaks offer a beautiful background as well. The main point of interest is a natural hole in the side of a rock wall, hence the name “puka.” This geological phenomenon is like a portal that offers a peek at the world on the other side. It’s definitely worth the picture.
Round Two
steps to
Financial aid will not cover classes for students who are taking classes after recieving a degree unless they fill out a second degree form. Veterans’ benefits will not cover retakes of classes that have already been passed.
Changing Majors by Chance Nakazato
Major Problems
The art of Liberal arts
Counselors encourage students to consider whether a major is right for them. From CareerCoach to STAR’s What If Journey feature, from counselors to friends, students have much to consider. “If they’re wanting to change their major just for official sake, then that’s one thing, but if you’re changing your major because of a career step, you want to make sure that are there jobs in that field. What are you going to do with that degree?” Leeward Community College counselor Tiana Loo asked.
“If you’re unsure or on the fence about something, it’s best to just go through liberal arts, and you can always go through What If Journey and use STAR to help you figure out and maybe explore some other majors’” Takamatsu explained.
Don’t Waste Time “If you’re really close to getting your degree in a major, in one or two semesters, I’d probably just stick with that versus switching a major and having to start all over again,” Loo said. “If you’re close, just get that degree, have that degree under your belt, and then if you want to later on get a higher degree in whatever field that you wanted to go for, definitely do that.”
How long is the wait? “It gets processed pretty quickly but is not effective until the next semester,” Leeward Community College Counselor Tiana Loo said. “You can still see on STAR the two majors: your current one and future.”
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why change majors? “It’s pretty important to change your major just so that you can see on STAR what your degree requirements are,” Leeward Community College Counselor Tiana Loo said.
Undecided, Undeclared “Have a major rather than call yourself undeclared,” Leeward STEM counselor Heather Takamatsu said. “You don’t need to know it right when you enter. ... It’s really okay to use your time here (at Leeward) to explore figure stuff out and then change your major as needed.”
Rinse and repeat “(Major changing) happens often, so it’s okay to change to something else as well, but I think it’s good to seek advice,” Takamatsu said. “Do your research, but people change their major a lot of times, an average student.”
Veterans “(Veterans) can go into E-benefits, which is basically like a (Department of Defense) and (Veteran’s Affairs) website combined,” Leeward military and veteran counselor Kardyn Flores said. Four to six weeks after applying to the site, veterans will receive a letter in the mail explaining how long they will be covered. “Sometimes, they don’t necessarily qualify for 100 percent of the benefit, so if it’s only 60 percent of the benefit, then they’ll have to pay the 40 percent, and that may be where financial aid comes in,” Flores said. “I can’t always guarantee that the federal aid will be there and (in) the same amount as it was in previous terms.”
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akazato by Chance N by staff d le photos compi
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t’s often said that college is a time of discovery, and sometimes rediscovery, for students. This is especially true for students transitioning from secondary to higher education and students who are returning to school post hiatus.
Although this transition involves learning inside the classroom, a large portion of learning occurs outside as well. Whether that’s in the form of student employment, organizations, or campus events, college campuses provide a unique atmosphere for any student to learn about themselves and the person they can be. This semester, Leeward’s Student Activities Board (SAB), will be holding the eighth annual College Bash event, with the theme being “Red, White and Blue: Fun in the Sun”— a picnic-style event modeled after the election year colors. Since the its launch in the fall of 2009, College Bash has become the official welcome backwelcome to Leeward event, and is widely anticipated by students, faculty and staff. “College Bash is like the big welcome back event to students, either coming in for a new semester or returning students, so we just try to make a big welcoming event with free food, games and prizes,” Leeward SAB co-chair vBrandon Prohaska said. Vendor-wise, SAB hopes to bring in
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vendors matching the event’s theme of “Red, White and Blue: Fun in the Sun.” This can include various food trucks, game booths like Dodgebow and tattoo artists. This year however, to align with the theme, Prohaska cited the possibility of more outdoor type activities. Student Life coordinator Lexer Chou, who previously worked as the Student Life program coordinator at UC Davis, brought College Bash to Leeward in 2009, and since then the event has grown and transformed to become an avenue of communication and connection between students, organizations and campus departments. “It’s a way for clubs and organizations and all these departments to get their name out there at the beginning of school in a fun way, you know, not that tabling at the concourse doesn’t generate any interest but it’s more,” Chou said. “And especially for first time students, maybe they’re kind of shy to go up and talk to somebody who’s sitting at a table at the concourse so it’s just a way to kind of break that ice.” After each College Bash, Chou receives
“Being involved on campus in any facet, on any level is just going to accentuate your college experience because that’s what it is, an experience,”
feedback from participants in the form of surveys and word of mouth, and overall the reception is largely positive. “So whether that’s the clubs or actual campus departments, everybody always rates College Bash on a scale of one to ten, an average 8.5 and they come back every year,” Chou said. “So that in itself states that they see a value in it, and for them it is easier because they do get something interactive... So as long as they can get two people every hour to help staff it, then they help us by covering the actual game and the second person, in theory, is the one that actually talks to the students. Like ‘this is what we’re about,’ so on and so forth. I think it just helps the organizations one, get out there, get involved (and) give back to the college as well.” A large part of why College Bash is so effective is because it’s organized by students, for students, as well as for its versatility and capacity to cater to a diverse student population. Prohaska and his fellow SAB members work with Chou to determine everything from games and
activities to food and decorations for the event, but essentially the goal is to create an event and atmosphere which can be enjoyed by all. “A lot of it is basically getting recognition for everyone on campus because we bring everyone out. Everyone from Ka Mana‘o, SAB, Student Government, you know different clubs, we try to get them recognized,” Prohaska said. “And being since it’s the first (couple) weeks of school, a lot of students are going to be passing by and interested in what they have to see.” Ultimately, College Bash can open up any number of doors for students looking to expand on their college experience. Interested students can volunteer, join the different clubs and organizations featured during the event or just develop relationships with their fellow peers. “I mean that’s what Student Life really is right, that being involved on campus in any facet, on any level is just going to accentuate your college experience because that’s what it is, an experience,” Chou said. “That’s part of our theme, is
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that you’re having fun at the same time you’re learning and you’re hopefully taking it all in. That we want their journey here, whatever it may be, two years, five years, however long that they take it as an experience. And that they don’t waste their time here. So get involved in things that you are interested in, push yourself a little bit beyond your comfort zone and if you don’t like then whatever you don’t have to do it again but just put yourself out there a little bit.”
TOXIC
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any people will experience a toxic relationship in their lifetime. Whether it be a social or romantic relationship, there are those willing to lend a hand when times get rough. A toxic relationship refers to any relationship that is unhealthy physically, mentally or emotionally. This is one of many problems that college s tudents may face. According to a poll by the website “Break the Cycle,” 57 percent of college students have been in intimate relationships that were abusive. Furthermore, most people fail to recognize anything is wrong until further down the line, and once they do, they don’t know where to turn. In the same poll from “Break the Cycle,” 57 percent of students can’t spot abuse and 58 percent don’t know where to get help.
knew she was still in contact with her ex,” Legaspi said. “She knew it would make me mad, and she did so in secret. Whenever I found out, I got paranoid. I didn’t know what to do and it stressed me out and my trust for her just lacked,” Eventually, the relationship came to an abrupt end when his ex ceased all communication leaving Legaspi in a state of rage, sadness and confusion. While he managed to move on, the relationship still impacted him greatly. “I’ve been straying away from (romantic relationships),” Legaspi said. “In fact, I think it’s been a negative impact for intimate relationships. I’m still unsure of myself due to all the trust issues I’ve went through.” Legaspi’s story is a prime example of what most people might think of when
assignment, the results showed that both parties had failed. “It reached a tipping point because this person backlashed at me when we were studying together and it was out of nowhere, unexpected, and it got worse with a lot of communication,” The student said. “It sort of reached a point where there was a lot of cursing and more aggressive way of communicating with me.” The student decided to back away from the situation because he didn’t see this side of his friend before and it scared him. From that day on, the two removed each other from social media and barely spoke to one another. “And so the result of what happened and how it ended, it impacted me quite
57 PERCENT
of college students have been in intimate relationships that were abusive.
Facing the Hardship For Leeward natural science major Darron Legaspi, being in a toxic relationship impacted many aspects of his life. Legaspi’s relationship was with a girl online. The two hit it off after she broke up with an ex, and while things were great at first, the situation quickly took a turn for the worse. His ex accused him for a wrongdoing that he later found out that he was framed for. The person who framed him for it was his ex’s ex-boyfriend that was trying to break them apart. To make matters worse, Legaspi’s ex continued to communicate with her previous partner despite the events which transpired. “I didn’t know who to trust because I
they hear of a toxic relationship. Intimate relationships, however, are only one of many forms toxic relationships can take. A male Leeward pre-engineering student who wished to remain anonymous recalled a friendship that turned toxic. “Well, I would describe it as toxic in the sense that it was an unexpected, unfair trade-off,” The student said. “Overall, it was just an unhappy ending in the relationship. I would like to add though. I’m still better off.” This student recalled how throughout the friendship there were incidents of conflict between both individuals either from losing at online games or miscommunication. Eventually, the conflict reached a tipping point. After the student and former friend tried studying together for an
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a lot,” the student said.“It stressed me out a bit, it made me worry, and it made me question whether I should live or not,”
Moving On While both Legaspi and this student experienced their own share of hardship, they were still able to take away some positives. For Legaspi, his relationships with family and friends were positively affected. “It got better actually,” Legaspi said. “My friends and family were very supportive during this time. All my friends were there for me. I couldn’t ask for better people to help me during this time.” The anonymous student, on the other hand, saw personal growth. “I could still find strength into realizing
that my friendship with this person opened up myself as a person and met more friends because of that, even though I’m probably better off without each other,” The student said. Even with all the hardship he went through, Legaspi was still able to find positive values from the toxic relationship. “There are good men and women that get hurt in relationships that they don’t deserve,” Legaspi said. “Speak out before it’s too late. There are people there that willing to give a hand. And if anyone can give me a solution that will get me a back on track towards a healthy romantic relationship, I’m willing to listen,”
Seeking Help Toxic relationships are challenging to say the least, but there are ways to make it easier. At Leeward, there’s a wide variety of resources that can help those in need. Not only does the campus provide counselors and a psychologist that are willing to listen, there’s also a campus organization called Love Pono that helps people in toxic relationships. Love Pono chair Lexer Chou created the committee to provide workshops and events to promote healthy relationships for students, faculty and staff on campus. Chou’s driving force is her passion to help support people in unhealthy relationships while encouraging healthy ones. “We do this by providing workshops that focuses on healthy relationships, what do they look like and what are the red flags of an unhealthy relationship,” Chou said. “We also have workshops about masculinity and what that looks like across various cultures and how views on masculinity can play a large role in unhealthy relationships. We don’t want to just put on anti-violence events and such, we want to create culture change that builds on a deeper understanding of these issues.” Love Pono also hosts special events
that help raise awareness of domestic abuse. One of the most recognizable being “Walk a Mile in their Shoes.” At this event, all participants are encouraged to walk in high heels for the day. While it literally gives people the chance to walk around in someone else’s shoes, the event represents empathizing with the challenges and tribulations that many people from different walks of life experience on a regular basis. While groups like Love Pono exist to aid people in toxic relationships, it’s still not an easy thing to approach. Chou stated that everybody’s situation is different, and there’s no one answer that will solve everyone’s problems. “If you just need someone to talk to, then we will listen,” Chou said. “If you need help finding outside resources, then we will provide that to you instantly. If you’re not comfortable yet speaking to any of us one on one, then we hope you will join us in one of our future events to learn more about what we do and just talk story with us,” There is no one solution to toxic relationships. What may work for one person, may be detrimental to another. While most people are different in their own way, there’s one desire that’s common among them: to be happy in their life. One of the ways to get happiness is through the relationships that they make. They shouldn’t let the toxic ones prevent the healthy ones from providing the happiness that they want. by Gerick Banga illustration by Lily Chan
LOVE PONO Love Pono’s mission is “to provide a safe environment to help the Leeward Community College community build and maintain healthy relationships through education, intervention, campus and community resources, and counseling.” The group’s main focus building awareness of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence. These are not women’s issues, these are people issues. We all need to be agents of change. Love Pono members are trained in providing assistance and knowledgeable of a variety of community resources. Members also have a passion to advocate the end of violence and spread a culture of nonviolence within the Leeward Community College campus. Love Pono’s focus is to provide prevention and awareness education by promoting healthy relationships to create a safe community for our faculty, staff, and students. The awareness can be through workshops, events, flyers, and any other way it is requested.
Love Pono Contact Website: www.leeward.hawaii.edu/lovepono
Email:
loveponoleewardcc@gmail.com
Lexer Chou Contact Phone: 455-0248 Email: achou@hawaii.edu
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REHA SHES NEVER DIE
by Gerick Banga illustrations by Matt McAngus
Originality vs. Popularity
he gaming industry may be getting oversaturated with unoriginal content due to constant rehashing from game companies for profit. Unlike other forms of media, gaming genres can struggle with originality due to the formulaic approach some developers take to making games and the accessible tools to make the process easier like premade game engines. The new objective-based first-person shooter (FPS) “Overwatch,” for example, soared to the top of popularity charts and while many gamers praise its originality, not all share that same opinion. An older, equally popular FPS called, “Team Fortress 2,” and another one called “Battleborn,” which was released alongside “Overwatch,” shared similar qualities. These releases sparked many arguments within the gaming community about originality versus popularity.
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On one side, the argument that companies create games based on what genres gamers find appealing definitely holds water. A good example of this would be the sudden influx of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games. Two of the most popular MOBAs to be released are “Dota 2” and “League of Legends.” Both provide a vast array of characters to play as, with the goal being to destroy the other team’s base. This competitive gameplay attracted millions of players. While these games are free-toplay, they still make profits through in-game microtransactions and official merchandise. Soon after the success of MOBAs, more were released with nearly the same business plan, such as “Heroes of the Storm” and “Smite.” Although these games do appeal to certain players, it may not assure the games quality. Game distribution platform Steam has seen a wide array of zombie survival games due to the popularity and success of a game called “DayZ.” This game’s success can be seen all over YouTube, with reviews praising its unique mechanics and features.
Not long after the release of “DayZ,” several “early-access” zombie survival games were released. “Early-access” refers to games that are still unfinished but available for purchase to support development. The problem is that some games never leave early-access or the finished product is not on par to what was promised. A notable example of this would be “Infestation: Survivor Stories,” a game that promised to surpass “DayZ,” but got panned by critics and received backlash from Steam users. Multiple complaints were never resolved and many negative reviews were deleted by the developers.
Appealing to Fans
Another rising trend in the gaming industry is funding games through crowdfunding, or contributions from the public. One of the reasons being it’s easier than seeking corporate investors. Many publishers and other entities seek titles that appeal to the masses, which may cause new intellectual properties (IP) to get improper footing and will sometimes be buried under the heavier advertising that bigger
companies can afford. Consequently, the up and coming studio may also have a difficult time standing out. This not only affects new titles, but future installments to existing series as well. Sometimes sequels don’t get realized because developers believe there’s no money to be had, the “Ace Attorney” series is the perfect example of this. Despite Capcom’s known reputation and the cult following after the success of three consecutive releases, the company was hesitant to release any recent title. And while the cult following did provide some profit, they didn’t believe they could attract newcomers with the next installments. It was only after pressure from fans that they released the newest installment, but only as a digital download.
Looking for the Good Stuff
Now, there are cases where a studio can strike a balance between making original content and maintaining the popularity of their titles. A good example of this would be Naughty Dog. Their success lies in good marketing and an emphasis on the unique elements of their games.
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Naughty Dog released such titles as “Jak and Daxter” and “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.” “Jak and Daxter” was released when the Playstation 2 was thriving, and “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” was released as one of the launch titles for the Playstation 3. Since both games were well praised, they spawned separate series. Polishing current content while simultaneously adding new content to entice new fans and appease existing ones is an skill that Naughty Dog understands. In “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End,” they added tools to help traverse terrain making the old climbing system feel fresh and new. Not to mention the excellent graphic enhancements and the exciting movie-like story that the series is known for. All in all, the call for original content versus staying relevant to the gaming community is a dilemma for both new and existing game companies. Finding a balance is the true challenge. Advertising may work to increase a game’s hype, however, it can also lead to high expectations among gamers, but that’s a different issue for a different time.
Mixed Reviews contains some staff opinions about art, music and entertainment. This time around, Mixed Reviews covers music about love, webcomics about love and art that goes back to basics. Here’s some art to consume:
Released on July 29, London singer-songwriter NAO’s debut album, “For All We Know,” is full of synth, funk, soul nuances coupled with hypnotic vocals. Prior to her debut album, NAO released two five-track EPs: “So Good” in Oct. 2014, “February 15” in May 2015. NAO has been on several 2016 artist-to-watch lists, including HUNGER TV as well as BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac and BBC’s Sound of 2016, and definitely does not disappoint with her debut. This time around, she’s giving her audience a whopping 18 tracks, complete with an intro track and three behind-the-scenes snippets. The album runs the gamut from upbeat dance to stripped-down melancholy, but NAO’s intimacy is ever present. “For All We Know” has an overall theme of bittersweet love and is apparent in NAO’s songs about good love (“Get to Know Ya,” “Happy”), bad love (“Inhale Exhale,” “Bad Blood”), insecurity (“Girlfriend,” “DYWM”) and moving on (“In the Morning,” “Fool to Love”). While it has been argued that the content of the album sometimes feels like different variations of the same flavor, that is more of a testament to its cohesion.
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As advancements in technology inch us ever closer to the boundaries of the Uncanny Valley, a newfound appreciation for the aesthetics of bad 3D art has surfaced among various groups on the internet. Though largely ironic in appeal, animations, designs, and video games rendered in minimalistic and low-poly styles have garnered enough genuine attention to be recognized as a niche artform. Though, whether recognition or ridicule is appropriate is entirely up to the beholder. In its inherently surreal appearance, some early 3D art has resurfaced merely to beg the question, “Is this really what used to pass as acceptable?” Mushbuh, a terrific producer of simplistic 3D art, has seemingly found a style balancing perfectly between adorable and unsettling. Their playfully self-aware, childlike illustrations are akin to the aforementioned renders of the 90s, but through realistic lighting and textures offer a freshness only possible with today’s software.
The webcomic “How to Love” by Alex Norris is not your ordinary guide to love. Writing under the pen name Dorris McComics, their fresh perspective on topics ranging from flirting to breakups, makes readers wre-examine conventionally held beliefs about romance. At the beginning of each strip, a question is posed and later answered. The charm of “How to Love,” comes from readers’ ability to interpret the meaning of individual strips and choose what advice they would like to take from it, Norris encourages her readers to think outside the box for solutions. Get ready to be hooked from the start, with the hilarious description of a person who falls in love and transforms into a “Love Monster,” a pink frog-like humanoid who appears throughout the series. The simple, colorful style of “How to Love” will keep readers engrossed as they root for Love Monster. The comic is inclusive to LGBTQ+ readers, with almost all characters kept gender-neutral and with 100 comic strips in total, readers are sure to relate to at least one.
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CAPSULE
WARDROBE by Melany McAngus
I
n the 1930s, the average woman’s closet had 32 pieces. Why? Back then, clothes were well made and more expensive, so people only bought items they needed and loved. Today, the average closet total is 120 pieces. Since the manufacturing processes of clothes have changed, clothes are made cheaper and as a result, women buy more but the items bought don’t last long and are quickly replaced. Today’s sales and promotions are designed to tempt shoppers to buy more clothes simply because they’re more affordable. Capsule wardrobes are a recent trend. They are appealing because they streamline a wardrobe into what is needed, eliminating a cluster of unnecessary pieces that are hard to mix and match.
Reasons to downsize Save money: People are tempted to buy clothing because everything is cheap or on sale, but it adds up in the long run. Focus on finding versatile pieces that will stay in style and streamline a wardrobe in the long term as opposed to having excess. By eliminating the need to shop for more, people will actually save money and have more disposable income, which is what every college student needs. Decluttering is good for you: Getting organized and downsizing on possessions can have a positive effect on a person, both mentally and physically. Too much clutter can induce stress, overeating (and subsequent weight gain), increased exhaustion, and it is possibly the reason one is always be running late. Buy higher-quality items: Instead of spending all your money on smaller and cheaper items, shoppers can save up for the high-quality items. Invest in real leather jackets or one-of-a-kind trousers that will be staples in your wardrobe and will remain in good shape for years to come. Less to clean and organize: Fewer clothes mean less laundry, less time spent looking for things in the morning, less hassle when figuring out what to wear and less time organizing a closet.
Make room in your closet: Everyone has a few articles of clothing that are either the wrong size, damaged beyond repair or out of style. Clearing these out makes room for new pieces that are flattering and current. It’s time for “out with the old, and in with the few” to become a new mantra..
How
Take inventory: Empty the closet and create “keep” and “toss” piles. This can greatly decrease the amount of clothing that is currently taking up space. Throw away things that are out of style, don’t fit, or are irreparably damaged. Only keep one: If you have two black dresses, get rid of one. A closet only needs one of each thing. Resell or donate: Plenty of online sites allow you to sell clothes such as Poshmark and Threadflip. People have even created Instagram accounts specifically for selling their unwanted clothes. Plato’s Closet is a local vendor that will also pay money for lightly used clothes. Anything else can be donated to Goodwill or Savers, and those places will give discounts for donations. Find the Right Colors: The key to downsizing a wardrobe is working within a color palette. Figure out what colors are flattering and work well together so that all pieces can combine to create different outfits.
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HAIRSTYLES IN 5 MINUTES OR LESS
HAIR
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1
Braided Bun
2
1. Part hair down the middle, separating hair into two equal sections. 2. Braid both sides to create two pigtail braids 3. Twist the two braids together to create one braid at the back of the head.
Top Knot
2. Secure hair on the top of the head with a hair tie.
3. Continue adding pieces of hair and wrapping through headband until both sides are wrapped to the back of the head
4. Secure bun with bobby pins.
MAKEUP
4
Twisted Fishtail
5
Double-braided Headband
1. Grab a 1-2 inch section of hair from either side of the head at the temples.
1. Grab a 1-2 inch section of hair from behind each ear. Gather all other hair into a ponytail.
2. Twist both pieces and secure at the back of the head with a clear elastic. (Note: This can also be done by securing the two sections first and then pulling the ponytail through itself to twist.)
2. Braid both sections of hair.
3. Continue steps 1 and 2 down the back of the head until the braid reaches the nape of the neck. 4. Loosen the twists to cover the areas where the clear rubber bands may be showing.
Headband Chignon
1. Part hair on the preferred side. Place headband over head and rest on the forehead.
3. Twist ponytail and wrap around the hair tie.
4. Wrap the new braid around to create a bun. Secure with bobby pins as needed.
3
1. Flip head upside down and gather all hair neatly at the crown of the head. (Alternative: While head is flipped, French braid the back of your hair from the nape of the neck to the crown.)
3. Grab the left braid, bring it over the head, and secure behind the right ear with a bobby pin. 4. Repeat step 3 with the right braid. Let all other hair down and make sure bobby pins are hidden. (Alternative: While hair is still in a ponytail, curl the ends in opposite directions with a 1-inch barrel curling iron.)
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2. Take the front 1-inch section of hair and wrap it through the headband.
4. Take remaining hair, roll, and pin to the back of the head. Use bobby pins to secure any flyaways.
DAYto NIGHT How to transition your hair and makeup from day wear to a night out.
Base: MAC Studio Fix in NC45 2 Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Palette 3 Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow 4 Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Palette 1
1
3
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2
4
Daytime: 5
6
Clear Mascara Lipstick
Night Time: 4 Coastal
Scents Eyeshadow Palette 5 Mascara 7 Hourglass Highlighter 8 Lip Palette 9 Eyeliner
5
7 6
8
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off the
eaten path Food trucks are a local staple and with a new wave of food trucks, there are some new and interesting alternatives to the classic plate lunch. Spurred on by events such as Eat the Street and HNL Night Market, along with the renovation of the Old Fisherman’s Wharf into bonafide food truck park Makers & Tasters, a new scene has been created for food enthusiasts eager to try these truck’s inventive creations. These trucks have mastered their niche specialties and are definitely worth trying. by Melany McAngus
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»
BANAN
Originally a store front in Manoa, Banan Bowls has branched off as a food truck in Kaimuki that serves a great, healthy alternative to ice cream made from bananas. It comes in three varieties: acai, greens and original banana flavors and a variety of toppings to choose from such as coconut flakes, cacao nibs, honey, fresh fruits, almond butter. The truck is provides a lovely covered eating space, complete with hanging lights and a rustic country aesthetic.
HAWAIIAN TWISTED TATERS
This truck is offering a new twist on the classic potato chip (pun intended.) They take potatoes, cut them in a spiral and place them on a stick before deep frying. If that isn’t enough to satisfy, their main attraction, kalua pork nachos, has a potato chip base topped with queso, ranch, bacon, green onions, barbeque sauce, and a generous helping of kalua pork.
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MUSUKAWA / TEA ON FLEEK
Two delicious options in one food truck, this duo is comprised of Musukawa, specializing in Onigirazu-style musubi made to order and Tea On Fleek which creates hand crafted, speciality teas infused with fresh fruits and herbs. On their own, both places provide a great selection of quality food items, but together they form a dynamic Japanese flavor. The fried pork belly musubis and Lilikoi Sunrise are two crowd favorites.
THAI BO
Located in the heart of Haleiwa is Thai Bo, formally Souvaly Thai, a great onestop truck for all things Thai food. The best item on the menu is—hands down— the crab curry. The price is a little steep (around $30 depending on the price of crab), but it’s worth the price for the amount per serving. An entire king snow crab is cooked to perfection within a spicy red curry that is delicious and super filling. Bring some friends along to split the cost, and no stomach will leave empty.
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yogurt two ways
by Coe Snyder | photos by Marcel Saragena
G
reek yogurt is yogurt that has been strained to remove its whey and is normally thicker, richer and creamier than nonstrained yogurts. When purchasing Greek yogurt, be sure that it is plain, strained Greek yogurt.
dill-icious dip ingridients
start to finish: 5 minutes servings: 4 4 tablespoons greek yogurt 4 tablespoons sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, shredded 3 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds 1 teaspoon dill, chopped Âź teaspoon chives, chopped
Cheese dips and spreads often use sour cream or mayonnaise as a binder to hold the ingredients together. Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative that provides protein and other nutrients to a normally unhealthy appetizer dish. In a bowl, thoroughly mix all ingredients together. Serve immediately, or cover and place in refrigerator. Jellies, jams, and other fruit toppings add sweetness that goes well with the richness of the spread. Sweet and savory foods taste great with a hint of spice. Sriracha is a fantastic hot sauce that has a blend of seasoning and spices which add not just heat, but flavor. Adding sriracha to strawberry jam is surprisingly delicious. Topping the crackers and spread with various individual ingredients found in the spread allows for an easy aesthetic improvement while highlighting the ingredients in the spread.
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no-bake cheesecake
ingridients
start to finish: 30 minutes servings: 5 1 pound cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup greek yogurt 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Âź teaspoon vanilla extract
No-bake cheesecake is easy to make and tastes great. Greek yogurt provides a source of protein and results in less calories than traditional cheesecake. This base can be combined with any ingredients to make any type of cheesecake you want. Cheesecake traditionally has a graham cracker base made by combining graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar. Although it is simple to make, I wanted to keep the recipe as simple as possible. Waffle cones add a unique twist that is crunchy, sweet and requires almost no preparation.
Prepare fruit by removing stems and slice fruit into bite-size pieces. Macerate the fruit slices by covering them in enough sugar to coat completely, adding more as needed to sweeten fruit to taste. Let sit for 15 minutes or longer. In a bowl, thoroughly mix the cream cheese, greek yogurt, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Crush the waffle cones into a desired texture. Serve the cheesecake mixture, macerated fruit, and crushed waffle cone in a bowl. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate.
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showcase 1
2
1) @kuuhooilina 2) @the_human_photography_machine 3) @natejar 4) @meldaniellephoto 5) @beatlefantasy
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5 4
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CAMPUS VOICES Q: What’s the biggest transition you’ve went through this year? photos by Millicent Alvarez
“
I just got out of the army so I’m not from out here so I’ve never really been to school before so it’s kind of different coming here. It’s just a completely different lifestyle so just sitting down in a classroom of people is way different.
“
Moving and getting ready to move off island. It’s been kind of a disaster. Moving is always a disaster. There’s never kind of any gliding over it, especially when you have dogs or kids, I only have dogs.
Jesse Channell, Liberal Arts
Suzanne Pohlman, Anthropology
“
I think it was when I took a trip to (the) mainland. I was always in a really small country, in my city only, never travelled around and when I came out to (the) new world, it’s my first time really coming out and it’s really a surprise because I saw and (learned) things I never knew. I visited the Golden Gate Bridge, which I never thought that I would go. It’s one of the Seven Wonders of the (Industrial) World and I was thinking I wouldn’t have enough money to go there, I never thought about (it), I didn’t care (that it) was (one of) the Seven Wonders but (in San Francisco) my aunty drove me to the Golden Gate Bridge. Oh my gosh, we took a bunch of pictures, like 100, more than (a) hundred. Oh my gosh, it was so awesome.
Thu Thi Hoang Luu, Liberal Arts
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comics fall 2016 Artlife
by Lily Chan
Cheese & Quackers
by Megan Ridings
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Ka Mana‘o staff
is the student publication of Leeward Community College. It is published quarterly, funded by student fees and advertising, and administered by the Board of Student Communications. Editorial content reflects views only of staff. Ka Mana’o welcomes students interested in being staff members, as well as submissions of creative works. Ka Mana’o reserves the right
to edit for length and content, and publication is not guaranteed. All content published in Ka Mana’o and its website may not be reprinted or republished in any form without permission. Copies of Ka Mana’o are available at newsstands throughout campus. Copyright 2016 Board of Student Communications
Stanley Lee adviser Chance Nakazato editor-in-chief
Lily Chan Kaeli Giron Matthew McAngus Trina Sisomvang illustrators
Melany McAngus Nate Jaramillo associate editors
Gerick Banga Coe Snyder writers
Jasmine Bautista layout editor
Aaron Pila Milli Alvarez photographers
Melany McAngus Marcel Saragena photo editors
Nick Jones Megan Ridings designers
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Your teaching career path happens to go right through town. Your next big move could be right here in Hawaii. At University of Phoenix, we shape our curriculum around the skills employers are actively seeking, so your studies can prepare you for a brighter future. Get started at our local campus and see how far you can go.
Visit phoenix.edu/hawaii or call us at 808.536.2686
University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (http://hlcommission.org). For more information about University of Phoenix accreditations and licensures, please visit http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/accreditation.html. The University’s Central Administration is located at 1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85282. Online Campus: 3157 E. Elwood St., Phoenix, AZ 85034. College credit granted by University of Phoenix. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. © 2015 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. | COE-4689
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