KA MANA‘O Spring 2019
LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Popoki + Tea
p. 8-11
Cats and Boba
Showcase
p. 19
#kamanaoleeward
M olokai 2 Oahu
p. 24-26 The world’s most challenging paddle race
Off the Ea te n Path
p. 30-31
Aunty’s Lil Green Hut
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I SHOULD PROBABLY GET A RIDE HOME. BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING 3 KA MANA‘O
Contents Editors Note Feature Mixed Plate: Business Mixed Plate: Study Places #LuckyweliveHI Book Review Instagram Showcase Murals of Leeward Life of an Immigrant Sports: Molokai 2 Oahu Game Review: Dark Seed Castlevania Aria of Sorrow Off the Eaten Path Recipes
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Feature
// 6 // 8 // 12 // 14 // 16 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 22 // 24 // 26 // 28 // 30 // 32
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12 Mixed Plate
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#luckyweliveHI
26 Game Review
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Off da Eaten Path
ONLINE
www2.leeward.hawaii.edu/kamanao/
kamanaoleeward@gmail.com
/kamanao.leewardcc
TWITTER / INSTAGRAM @ka_manao
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Last Editors Note Aloha Leeward Community College. Being the EditorIn-Chief has been filled with a lot of ups and downs. I’ve been a part of student life since 2014. I started off as a staff photographer and what an adventure it has been. I would never have guessed where my hard work would have taken me. For starters, I felt like my life has come full circle when we flew to Los Angeles, California for a conference. My late grandparents took me to Universal Studios a long time ago, and when I went to the Universal Studios sign that we took pictures at, I had flashbacks of my grandparents. I am glad that I was able to share my love and passion for photography, but to become a writer too… That was just something crazy in its own right. Winning the 2017 Pa’i Award for student photo of the year (beating out all colleges in the State of Hawai’i) just proved that I can hang with anyone. To those who will be reading this after I leave, always work hard. Be that hardest working person in the room. When you become that hardest working person in the room, you will realize that all the hard work and the hardship you go through will be rewarded. Put trust in your ability create the best content you can. Nothing will ever be handed to you. Stand your ground and put in the work. Love you all. - Marcel Saragena
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me ired p s t in tha sue s i The
of. roud p t s mo I am e u iss The
Our First Editors Note They say when opportunity knocks on your door, you answer, and that is what I did. I was introduced to Ka’ Manao by a friend from high school, and got offered the position of a layout designer for the Spring 2018 issue. Me, being a freshman with no idea what to expect, jumped at the offer. I had already picked up a few skills from my yearbook class back in high school, so I thought it would be a perfect chance for me to learn new things. And during my first semester, I procrastinated on my assignments. It seems that my high school habits did not die easily. My then editor; Marcel Saragena, urged me to make sure it did not happen in the future. Although it took awhile for me to develop time management skills, I eventually did so. I learned over the Fall 2018 issue that time management is key, in an environment where deadlines must always be met. With this issue being my first as co-editor, I am very grateful for our staff here at Ka Manao and I look forward to working with our wonderful staff here at Leeward Community College.
Who am I? I am Brandi Kaneshiro,the new co-editor for Leeward Community College’s Ka Mana’o. I was a photographer, that joined Ka Mana’o with encouragement from Marcel Saragena, the editor-in-chief at the time. Being part of Ka Mana’o allows us to meet new people, make lasting connections, and friends we may not find by just being students. This first semester, as an editor, has been great. I hope to bring out the best in my peers and help in building their portfolios, alongside my own, so that I can contribute to everyone’s experience. This is a great staff and I am happy to be a part of such wonderful people.
- Brandi Kaneshiro
- Gerald Soria
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Feature
by Brandon Ferreira | photos by Brandi Kaneshiro
W
ty went on to also graduate from Hawaii Pacific University, later accumulating over ten years of experience in marketing and media within Hawaii.
hether we like to admit it, or not, people have a thing for cats. We love them for being silly, adorable, and even loyal if we take one in. They have an undeniable innocence, that just makes them fun to watch. This could very well be the reason, why a cat cafe sounds so appealing to people, and why it’s such a popular concept. The idea of animal-centered cafes, originated in the Asian nation of Taiwan, in 1998, where they were the first to use cats as the central focus. It picked up more popularity in Japan, and has since then spread to America, and some parts of Europe.
It wasn’t until Ms. Peralta begun doing volunteer work for places with cats, that she developed a liking towards them, and thus why she adopted her cat, Mara, in 2016, and visited cat cafes in Las Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Liberty saw the cat cafe idea as a “force for good” and decided that she would create her own, down in Oahu. In order to do so however, she had to first determine whether or not, Oahu even wanted a cat cafe on her shores. Liberty took note of the fact that, in Hawaii, various pet businesses mainly focus on dogs. In order to figure out if a cat-centered shop will pick up traction, Ms. Peralta used her intelligence in marketing, to devise a test-- that test being, a monthly event, in which she would allow consumers to play with kittens, and buy homemade boba tea.
Popoki+Tea is a monthly pop-up cat cafe which usually appears in Kaimuki. It allows customers to enjoy a refreshing cup of milk tea, while also giving them the chance to spend time with cute kittens, meet fellow cat-lovers, or even adopt a feline of their choosing. The story of Popoki+Tea begins with Liberty Peralta, the owner and creator of the kitty-based event, and enjoyer of boba tea. While growing up in Waianae, Liberty had spent much of her time around a variety of animals, but not cats as her father did not have a liking to them, at the time.
And thus, after two years of hard work, Popoki+Tea officially held their first event in June 2018, with The Public Pet in Kaimuki. Since then they have helped get fifty cats adopted within the year they have been active, and have quickly begun to pick up media attention.
After graduating from Waianae High School, Liber-
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The Missions of Popoki+Tea
Popoki+Tea Itself
There are two goals that Ms. Peralta has in mind for Popoki+Tea, the first of which is to obtain a permanent location. She hopes to find one within Honolulu, that way the cafe is in familiar territory, and act as a home for cats searching for a home.
Because Popoki+Tea is commonly held in pet stores, of which have business besides the event, there is one thing a person must do before entering. An attendee must first sign an online liability waiver, which is located on Popoki+Tea’s website. It can be signed in advance, or at the entrance of the event holder itself. What Popoki+Tea offers for the time of its guests, is cute kittens and wonderful tea. They provide the cats with their own area, away from the main cafe, in which they are allowed to roam around and hang out with the people that enter.
The second goal is more personal to Liberty, herself. With Popoki+Tea, she aims to get more people to see that cats are really cool. There are many people who often judge cats, much like Ms. Peralta’s father, and despise them, despite the fact that they have not spent much time around cats. Liberty believes that through spending time with cats, these people would grow to actually like them, and thus she decided to use Popoki+Tea as a platform-- a way by which people can nurture their care towards felines and see that they are not as bad as they think.
Every cat there is up for adoption, happily provided by various foster services, thus making it an easy place to obtain a new feline companion. Popoki+Tea also grants homemade teas which are sold to the patrons. They have regular milk tea, which can come with or without boba; matcha milk tea, which can also come with and without boba; hibiscus tea; and plain water. They also offer cookies, stickers, and tee shirts-each item featuring the very same kitty theme. For adoption information: @FostercxChick on Instagram
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Mixed Plate: Q&A
Planting Seeds to Grow Your Business by Krisheree Shimamoto
Local businesses can be found all over Hawaii. From restaurants to wedding planners, local ambitionests open up opportunities for the people of Hawaii to put their unique and individual skills to use. Leeward Community College offers many classes in business, entrepreneurship, and finances to help their students dream businesses come into light. I sat down with Francesca Diaz, a local business owner, and Leeward Community College alumni, to talk to her about the struggles and accomplishments she has encountered since she first started her floral business.
Please, introduce yourself. My name is Francesca Diaz, I live in Makakilo. I attend UH West Oahu and I am apart of their sustainable community food systems program. I’m a floral designer, I make leis, bouques, wedding arrangements and floral arrangements.
What is your company called? The name of my company is Kahihae Floral. I got this name because Kahi is part of my daughters middle name and Hae means wild, so together it means wild one.
What does your company/business do? My company makes artistic floral arrangements that are catered to our clients. We are different because we appeal and create based on our clients personality. It makes it fun for them and fun for me. It’s almost like they get to see parts of themselves interpreted in florals.
What inspired you to start your business? I’ve actually really loved florals. I have been dancing Tahitian for 10 years. We had to learn to make our own costumes, and I’ve always loved plants. So I really enjoyed creating costumes with them. From then, I just got inspired to continue to do that on my own. The other year I was speaking at a botany conference in spain and I started to make hakus and leis to fundraise. I was getting good feedback from all my friends and family, and they encouraged me to do it more.
How has what you learned at school helped you with your business? I graduated from Leeward in 2017 with my AC degree in science in tropical agriculture. It has been a great program and the teachers at the program take care of me as if I were a plant. 12 KA MANA‘O
They planted seeds in me and were very mindful of how I grow, and watered gifts and talents they saw in me. Also, they gave me room to expand thinking as well as giving me input and criticism. That really gave me the push I needed to become creative with planting to find sustainable practices that not only help yourself but also the environment and helps people positively. I feel that UH West Oahu they are polishing me and my skills to give me the abilities I need to do what I dream to.
What difficulties have you faced since starting your business? It’s easy to get into the mindset that your success is dependent upon how many sales you make or how many people know about you. I’m very grateful to have my business at the pace at it is because I also have to balance it with my schooling. If I have too much on my plate at one time I would wont have time for my family or for school and I would be rushing with my work. Some things that I’ve learned that is very important for any business starting up is time management and being able to say no.
How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business? I market through Facebook, Instagram and in person. I like to talk to people, and even if we’ve just met you can always let them know about your business. They might be interested and you can connect them to your other marketing forms (Facebook, Instagram) I also have a website. It’s good to create relationships with people, whereas the website is more of an online album and look book. It is important to interact with your customer, but don’t always consider them your customer. If they are your family or friend, treat them like your family or friend. But always keep that relationship aspect of your business in mind.
Do you have any advice for young entrepreneurs? I definitely do. It’s not about you. Don’t go with money, go with passion. My passion is plants and when I was little I didn’t know you could be anything but a gardener or a farmer. As I got older, I realized that there’s more that can be done. However, there are a lot of things that are not available and it is important that you make things happen. Do something that no one has done before. Find something that you’re passionate about. Always remember that your family and friends are your biggest supporters. Even if you have to start small by contacting all of your family and friends and offer them a discounted price, do it. Keep them close because they’ve always been there for you and they’ll always be there for you. Also, every time your reach obstacles just continue to push through them and conquer them. Website: www.kahihaefloral.com Instagram: @kahihaefloral
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Mixed Plate
Places to Study Leeward Campus by Brandon Ferreira photos by Brandi Kaneshiro
A
s the Fall semester draws close, new students must be informed of the various study places on campus. It should be noted that the effectiveness of these locations, vary from person-to-person, and thus not all of them may prove useful to some. With that said, Leeward Community College has a variety of places to study — to prepare oneself for the coming tests, and the teacher who feels the need to quiz specific students on very specific topics.
THE LEEWARD LEARNING COMMONS One of the first buildings you should see when entering the campus, the Learning Commons is a place where learning commonly happens. And that isn’t just a joke, the Learning Commons are where most people go if they need a place to get serious work done. In terms of looks, the Learning Commons offer very little to look at-- which is not a bad thing. It is very undistracting, which means that it is easier for students to focus on their tasks. Various students come to the commons, with determination in their minds, as they believe that their studies are very important. It is a place of learning after all, and seeing other students work so hard, could actually make even the laziest student double their efforts. There are also a decent amount of computers for students to work or study on, printers to provide hard-copies of assignments or paperwork, and desks for groups to gather and work on projects. Not to mention that the Learning Center is where three of the campus’ greatest resources lay: the Writing Center, for support in all forms of writing; the Language Resource Center, which allows students to practice secondary languages; and the library, where students are granted nearly endless amounts of information to use in essays, or to just study from. There are many reasons to see the Learning Commons as the best place to study on campus, however one thing that can halt that, is the fact that everyone else considers it the best as well. It is often filled with students, especially around noon and it does not clear out until later in the day.
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KIMOBEAN: LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S COFFEE SHOP
THE CAMPUS COURTYARD The outdoors bring out the best in everyone, even while trying to study for that one very important test. The campus courtyards are a great study place for almost everyone. They are very accessible, seeing as there are three within Leeward Community College, and all of them have benches and tables for students to sit down and work on. And even if the benches are full, and they feel the need to embrace the romantic, students are able to sit down under a tree and do their work or just sit in the grass. They are out in the open, and allow students to embrace nature-- to relax and enjoy themselves while they study. They are a healthy change from the interiors, and give an actual breath of fresh air, for students who have spent hours in an airconditioned room. Vending machines are always nearby, if students need a drink or a snack, and there is always a courtyard close to every classroom.
To many, the image of a beleaguered college student sitting in a dimly lit cafe, jotting down notes and surfing the web on a MacBook, with a hot cup of coffee on their side, is oddly appealing. Kimobean, Leeward Community College’s own coffee shop, allows students to embrace that small fantasy and make it their own. Set in the campus Learning Commons, right next to the front desk, this cafe is an ideal study place. It brings a plethora of caffeinated beverages, that are bound to keep even the sleepiest of students awake, served by the kindest of baristas-some of whom are also students of Leeward as well.
The main downside to using the courtyards as a study place, however, is their unpredictability. There are days where the weather may be horrible-- rain may fall and ruin papers, or wind will blow them away. Electronics will be in danger if they get wet, and the heat may be uncomfortable to some if it increases. However, despite those dangers, the campus courtyards are a reliable study place for all to enjoy. 15 KA MANA‘O
The cafe doesn’t just have coffee though, it also provides a wonderful atmosphere. Kimobean brings this down to earth, urban style that nicely contrasts the rest of the college; with its use of dark browns and grays, of which smoothly blend in with each other, as the lighting is dim, and moody. It’s a calm place to just work in, which is almost exactly what we as students need to get efficient studying done. However, Kimobean’s main drawback is its limited seating. The cafe tends to fill up fast around noon, but this can be quickly fixed if you set a time in which you head on over. If you’re a fan of the coffee shop blues, this place is for you.
#luckyweliveHI
Ka‘ena Point
by Danielle Smith | photos by Marcel Saragena
Embedded in the worn down paths of all the famous hikes we’ve come to love is a history rich with culture and stories of Hawaii’s past. Unless for a school trip, or with a kanaka friend or family member, it’s rare that those who make the trip know the stories woven into their creation since times way before us. This very idea can be seen in a popular hike at Ka‘ena Point Natural Reserve, located on the western coast of Oahu. The hike itself is a tranquil five-mile round trip walk over rocky paths and takes under three hours to complete, even for an uncle with a stick and slippers (although shoes are preferred). In this story, it is known through mo‘olelo (Hawaiian history) that the Ka‘ena trail was the final walk for Hawaiian ancestor souls as they made their way into an afterlife. At the end, hikers will come across a lighthouse and coral beach. According to Kim Fethal and Scott Seabury from University of Hawaii at Manoa, this area is where the ancestors would end their life’s trekk, at a special rock that serves as their leaping place into another realm. This place is called the Leina-aka-’uhane. It is said that the only time for the souls to leap is when the green light flashes after the sun has set. 16 KA MANA‘O
The path to the end is nothing short of breathtaking. On one side, the unforgiving oceans rush forward against the sweeping monuments of coral. The blue expanse stretches to meet the skyline, an amusing sight to be seen for hours. These spots are best for whale watching, which usually frequent between January to March, and for catching glimpses of dolphins, turtles and other flying fish. Look just on the other side of the trail and you’re met with the strong, motionless stature of luscious green mountains. With the ideas of a final walk of life in mind, the area is alive with beauty and serenity, creating a spiritual connection with the earthly surroundings. The raw earth has a voice of it’s own along the trekk, the winds and ocean a refreshing sound away from the usual bustle of life. Waianae, Makaha and everything afterwards is notorious for being hot, and for good reason. In Hawaiian, ‘ena literally means ‘red-hot’. There’s no denying the shining rays of bright sunshine along the whole path, so it’s important to use sunscreen on your back and necks, as well as consider bringing a hat or towel. The best time to hike is early in the morning, when the sunrise is casting brilliant colors but keeping the temperatures cool. After 10AM,
the sun mercilessly beats down on the path so unless you’re trying for a farmers tan, the importance of sunscreen and shade is emphasized. The combination of nourishing sunlight, refreshing ocean spray and graceful clouds near the mountaintops makes for a hike that barely feels like work. The lands around the path have wildly overgrown to provide the area with an array of greenery and interesting flowers. The clean air revitalizes the body with each breath, so breathing deeply and counting each exhale provides hikers with an experience that heals. For some exhilarating - for others terrifying - the trail is narrow, with a cliff hanging off the edge closest to the rocky shores. There is still enough room for many to fit on the path at once, even a little incoordination without fear of falling over. The walk is made mostly on solid dirt paths, but weather conditions may invite large puddles to obscure the path. There are alternate routes along the center to avoid large rocks and puddles. The path scales upwards only once and very slightly, making it extremely effortless for all ages willing to explore. The best way to make the journey is with a friend, the open environment welcoming conversation to flow easily and truly making the time fly. There’s
no way to escape the blazing sun, but it’s often windy enough to keep things cool. Until the walk back. The westernmost tip opens up to a beautiful landscape. The contrast of ocean and mountain blend well here, with plants, rock and sand making for an interesting hill by the shore. The wildlife here flourishes, including a variety of seabirds indigenous to the island, and others that find sanctuary. There are even manatees who come ashore the coral reefs. The Department of Land and Natural Resources do dispatch someone to preserve the area and wildlife during the day, so be sure to exhibit the most respect for the natural setting. Throughout the hike, it’s encouraged for you to consider what disables you in life, or what makes things stressful and hard. At the end, all those worries, fears and irritants are meant to be let go and washed away with the movement of the roaring tides. Ka’ena point hike is intended for more than just a glimpse of natures beauty; it’s an opportunity to invite healing, clarity, and peace.
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Book Review
Hour of the Bees by Anneliese Schneider | Illustration by Erika Pascual
The first book from author Lindsey Eagar, Hour of the Bees is a touching coming-of-age story with a deeper message about protecting our natural resources. Set in New Mexico, Hour of the Bees is told from the perspective of twelve-year-old Carolina, or Carol, who is spending her summer in the desert with her family fixing up her grandfather’s farm in preparation for putting it on the market. Although she is originally unhappy to be separated from her friends and their summer plans, she slowly grows to love the farm and the stories her grandfather— though battling dementia—can still tell. This book weaves together Carolina’s narrative of her evolving relationship with her grandfather and her older sister with her grandfather’s stories of a time long ago, a time when the farm wasn’t desert at all. Carolina begins to realize that her grandfather’s stories, like many things on the farm, are not as impossible as they seem to be. Hour of the Bees is a young adult fiction novel, and a relatively easy read. The hardcover version has three hundred and sixty-seven pages. Contained within its moving and entertaining story, Hour of the Bees also has some important and timely themes: what it means to be a family, growing up, and protecting out irreplaceable natural resources. Hour of the Bees is definitely worth the read. Check it out at Hawaii’s public Library system or on the Overdrive app for free.
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Showcase #kamanaoleeward to get featured follow @Ka_Manao for news and updates mindbored
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Student Showcase
A Day in Life of Hawaii by Erika Pascual
Over the holiday season, artists from all over the campus have been busy with paint on their hands and sweat on their brows. If you’ve been been to the bookstore or cafeteria, you’ve probably seen the results of all their hard work. These beautiful murals have been painted by your fellow Leeward Students. This project was a combined effort of the Beautification Committee a.k.a. Our Student Government staff and Khyra Dillard (@ peacepeepdesigns). They noticed how incredibly boring the wooden construction panels around campus were and decided to do something to change that. With the support and guidance of Vice Chancellor Mark Lane, they were able to gather a group of talented artists to help “beautify” the area.
We asked Student Government the reasoning behind this project, here are their collective answers What was the concept or theme behind the mural designs? We chose the theme “A Day in Life of Hawaii”. Hawaii is a beautiful place to live, we have all types of people and cultures that we see everyday. We also wanted to show the students of Leeward Community College and its faculty what it’s like to live in paradise.
What made you want to kickstart this project?
We wanted to beautify the campus and showcase the creative talent we have here at Leeward Community College. What better way than to students design the construction boards wrapping around the A.D. building. We felt that it would benefit the campus two fold: beautifying our campus and showcasing our talented students.
How important do you believe art is in our generation? Art is and will continue to be an important factor in all generations. Self-expression, human creativeness, and imagination bring out the best in all of us. It brings people from all different cultures and backgrounds together in the best of ways. Art is all around us, we believe it’s important for people to freely express themselves. Not only is art beautiful to look at, turns out that creating art can be very beneficial for your mental health.
Should we be looking out for more projects like this in the future?
Beautification Committee at Leeward Community College, we are always looking to beautify the campus. We will be looking into doing more of these projects in the near future. We want to continue showcasing our talented students’ work around campus. Some of the projects you’ll see in the near future will be ceramic designs in our Learning Commons, updated student artwork in the cafeteria (courtesy of Leeward art professors Reem Bassous and Mike Harada), along with artwork at the Hālau once constructions finishes. We are Leeward, we are SG, we are the Beautification Committee.
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How does your mural reflect the theme of this project? “My murals embody the theme of this project through memories. Often, I will reminisce on the fun days I have spent with my family in the sun or the warm afternoons playing fetch with my dog. I believe that the colors within the image itself are reflective of my nostalgia. These colors I’ve chosen are ones that carry many wonderful memories. I wanted to give the effect of my personal perspective with my color choice, shapes and portraits.” “For the first mural, I decided to paint introduced memories of the school, hiking trips and sunsets I spent watching everyday after my classes were finished. My dog Wall-e can be found in the second mural design as a vocal point. He’s front and center because he’s what kept me going during rough patches in my life; I wanted to immortalize him with this design.” -Andre Abordonado (@andreabordonado) “I wanted to participate in this project because I thought it would be a good opportunity. I’ve never done a mural before, nor have I painted on such a large surface. I wanted to gain new skills and knowledge through this project. My mural embodies my day in the life of Hawaii by showing my daily struggles of rushing to school. The blue figure stumbling around is me every morning trying to get to my cousin’s car. I painted the scene in an outline of Leeward to show where I’m going to. (I believe) Art is important in any generation. Art is everywhere, whether we notice it or not, and it’s important to keep Art alive through the generations in order to encourage the expression of one’s soul.” -Jamee Escusa (@jinkee_)
“My piece embodies the theme because I wanted to portray a Hawai’i in my eyes. I decided to take a futuristic route of Chinatown which encompasses a place that I find very important in my Hawai’i which is Chinatown, and also the futuristic aspect to put a twist on it. I believe art is very important to our generation. Traditional art is kinda lost in our generation so I believe that it is important for us, not only as practicing artist, but just as a people study and embrace it. I feel as if art should become apart of the curriculum for it will teach kids to use a different way of thinking , through visual learning and complex thinking.” -Spencer Ilagan (@spencart)
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Da Nang
Thành phố Đà Nẵng
Saigon Sài Gòn
Student Showcase Bidong Island Palau Bidong
The Life of an Immigrant by Hendrik Dang
M
y father, Damien Dang, is my biggest inspiration. He helped me how to write, read, and talk when I was a child and now teaches me how to do business. My father helped me become the person I am today. My father was born in 1972 in Vietnam right after the Vietnam war. He was born in a random inn near Danang because at the time my grandparents and their 10 kids were leaving the North side of Vietnam to move to the South side of Vietnam. Once they finally hit Saigon that was they decided to settle in Hue to raise my father and his siblings. When my father was 13 he decided to escape Vietnam. During his first attempt the boat he was riding on was caught by the Vietnamese police and he was sent to jail for 2 months because he was still a child. Once released from jail he waited a week to help out his parents and decided to leave again. Luckily this time he got out of Vietnam and ended up in Malaysia where a charity was set up there for refugees to stay. While over there my dad said it was worse than prison because it was overfilled with people and they didn’t have enough resources for everyone, so he had days where he didn’t eat. At least in prison, they feed you. After spending 6 months in the refugee camp someone in New York adopted my father, so he went off to meet his new caretaker. Once in New York, he
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New York
Hawaii
met this tall caucasian man and that ended up being the man that adopted him. He took care of my dad by taking him to school, feeding him, teaching him English, and helping him learn life skills. Once my dad turned 18 and graduated from high school he moved to Hawaii. While in Hawaii he stayed in a house in Kaneohe. When he first moved to Hawaii It was a new experience because he lived in the more rural side of Kaneohe which was a big difference from the bustling life of New York. While new he enjoyed Hawaii a lot more than New York. He said everyone is a lot kinder and is willing to give you the time of day, while in New York no one bats an eye to you. My dad soon started working in the local Safeway where he hated working because the management was awful. Once he left that job he started to attend Kapiolani Community College where he had no idea what to do. He spent a
year just doing the general prerequisites. He said that he struggled the most in college because he still didn’t master talking wor writing English yet. He had to take English second language a few times just to start taking English 100, but once he finished those classes he could speaking and write proper English. In his second year of college, he came to the realization he enjoyed computers and wanted to become s coder. After 3 years in college, he finally graduated with his degree and started to pursue a career in coding. He spent a year and a half working odd jobs while looking for a coding job. He mowed lawns, drove buses for tourists, was a guide, and a plumber for a few weeks. Until he finally received a call back from ABC Stores. They needed a coder and my dad almost instantly said yes. When he first went there for his first day he was surprised because all he did was pass out mail and grab
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coffee for his co-workers. After a few weeks he finally got his first coding assignment and from there he finally worked his way up. He made the year 2k program for ABC Stores and led most of the coding effort to become assistant manager. He soon met my mother and wanted to settle down and start a family. He declined his managerial position because he wanted to spend more time with his wife and kids. Now he is the happiest he has ever been from barely having anything to eat in Vietnam to having more than he needs in the U.S.
If you are interested in submitting your own article, please email us at Kamanaoleeward@gmail.com
Sports
M olokai 2 Oahu
by Jonathan Kohli | Illustration by Gerald Soria
The Molokai to Oahu Paddle Boarding World Championship, or M2O for short, is a beast of a race. It is a strenuous and intimidating, thirty-two-mile course across the 2,300 feet deep, unpredictable and ever-changing Ka Iwi Channel, or the “Channel of Bones”. Only paddle boarding elite athletes compete in this awesome measure of ability, where just finishing the race is incredible. 35 world records have been established at the M2O, and each year these warriors of the water push it further and further. Fun, sun, and surf might be one way to look at the M2O but, if you are talking to one of the paddlers who have actually conquered the Ka Iwi channel it takes focus, determination, and power. The M2O has 13 different race classes. There are men and women’s solo paddling, team, prone, stock, and hydrofoils in different variations. Each paddler or team has a support boat that stays with them the entire time, helping with navigation and refueling the paddler.
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“There are so many people in way better physical The Ka Iwi Channel itself is the water- where I could even condition than I am, I’m way between Molokai and Oahu. The race be a part of the list of nobody special, I’m just starts in the morning at Kaluakoi on Molo- qualifying athletes, somebody that doesn’t kai. Participants cross the channel and head and then, to be able quit when it gets hard.” toward Eastern Oahu, around China Walls, to cross that finish -Karen Figueroa and pull in at Maunalua Bay Beach Park. line, it’s such a priviThe event expo starts there at 10:00 AM and spectators fill the park to see their friends and family paddle their way to the finish line. The top finishers come in at around 11:30.
A particularly notable athlete who participated in the 2017 M2O is Karen Figueroa. She is the oldest woman, aged 52 years old at the time, to finish the course while solo paddling, a very difficult task. Getting into the M2O is no easy task. All paddlers must be able to paddle for more than 10 miles and provide race history to show that they are safe and capable. Figueroa is a testament to those harsh qualifications to enter the competition, as she was not allowed to participate, prior to 2017. In Ms. Figueroa’s own words: “It took me so long to get to a place
lege”. Figueroa states that, in order to actually succeed in the M2O “You gotta learn to catch the waves, be strong and use the conditions, you can’t battle the channel, you’re in a partnership with the water”. Figueroa describes how the race itself requires not only a strong body, but a strong mind: “There are so many people in way better physical condition than I am, I’m nobody special, I’m just somebody that doesn’t quit when it gets hard”.
If you want to keep up with the M2O, or attempt to participate, you can follow their Instagram (@molokai2oahu) or go to their website: http://www.molokai2oahu.com/
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GAME REVIEW
Dark Seed 2 by Kalahiki Reid | illustration by Erika Pascual
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D
ark Seed 2 is a horror pointand-click adventure game that starts off where the story left off in the previous game. You play as Mike Dawson, the same protagonist from the first game. In the first game, Mike has traveled to the nightmarish realm known as the Dark World, and learned the existence of its inhabitants who are biomechanical horrors living in a disturbingly warped metallic reality where everything considered pleasurable and sane is flipped to its extreme opposite. Mike occasionally corrects himself in thinking he figured out how the Dark World works - both in the first and the second game - because he constantly witnesses things that disturb him and fill him with doubt. In this alternate dark universe, Mike learns that these inhabitants are not hostile, but are actually oppressed from a race called the Ancients. It only adds to Mike’s stress when he finds out the nightmarish inhabitants of the Dark World are terrified of the Ancients, because if the natives of the Dark World are disturbing in their own right, then how horrifying must the Ancients’ appearance be for them to be feared? There isn’t a description of what the Ancients look like, but the mentions of their activities, their horrible schemes to consume life on a planetary scale, the design of their technology and artificiallymade organic monstrosities, and their brutal punishments for violating the oppressive laws where death is considered a mercy, are enough to errode anyone’s sanity. Which is the point of Dark Seed 2. After Mike had prevented the Ancients’ plan of unleashing a parasitic embryo that would hwave matured into a worldending monster. Yet the victory is short-lived as Mike’s mental health rapidly deteriorates. He moves back to his hometown to live with his mother, and has to take medication and daily therapy.
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But he finds himself as the primary suspect of the murder of his loveinterest, Rita. He then learns the Ancients had taken the very same parasitic embryo that Mike killed previously - or thought he killed - and experimented on it to create a monster called the Shapeshifter. It can take any form and travel in and out of the Dark World into Mike’s reality. As Mike explores his hometown, becoming nostalgic at the memories of the changed town, and horrified at the secrets of the people he thought he once knew, while trying to discover the truth behind Rita’s murder as he uncovers conspiracies and secrets of his hometown. Yet more dead bodies turn up and everyone thinks he did it. Even worse, Mike later learns the Shapeshifter is a tool for the Ancients’ real plan. They created a monster called the Behemoth, and plan to unleash it in Mike’s world and harvest all its life energy. To accelerate its nurturing development, the Ancients created a sadistice device that gains energy by exploiting the warped physics of the Dark Work; it runs on severed human heads. Overall, Dark Seed 2 is a great game however it is not without flaws. This game has low graphics, making it difficult to see certain items that are needed to finish the game. The time mechanic has been continued into Dark Seed 2, where doing actions accelerate the passing of time in game, and if you spend too much time not progressing the story, you will lose. There are ways to make the game unwinnable if you make the wrong choices too. The puzzles themselves are difficult because the solutions to complete them are bizarre and disconnected, and are so ridiculous that it makes you consider why it is a puzzling obstacle at all?
Game Reviews
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Article by Brandon Ferreira | Illustrion by Gerald Soria
T
Japanese gaming company, Konami, for Nintendo’s Gameboy Advance, and re-released on the Wii U Virtual Console.
One such game is “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow”, developed by the
The game takes place in the year, 2035. Soma Cruz, the hero of “Aria of Sorrow”, is going to watch an eclipse with his friend, Mina Hakuba, at a local Japanese shrine. They both black out, and find themselves inside a castle, with a mysterious man known as Genya Arikado (an old friend of Mina’s).
he “Castlevania” series is one of the most renowned video game franchises of all time. Starting off as a plethora of difficult platformer games on various retro systems, the series evolved into a set of very intricate adventure game where the player must scour Dracula’s castle, in search of items and abilities that will make their character even stronger.
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confuses the poor boy even more, but Genya knows exactly what this means, doesn’t explain it, and tells Soma to make his way to the castle’s throne room. The boy happily obliges, as he just wants to go home and make sure Mina gets out safe. And this is where the game begins. As Soma Cruz, the player must explore Castlevania to find Dracula’s throne room, while obtaining weapons and armor along the way. Soma’s main method of attack, are the various weapons strewn about the castle. He can wield swords that attack quickly, heavy swords that swing at an angle, spears that are slow but great on damage, and even a random handgun he finds at the bottom of the castle’s moat. This may sound incredibly limited, however as you kill monsters, you may find that some let out a weird orb that just flies into Soma’s body. That is a Soul, and Souls give our hero more moves to work with. They could range from a helpful double jump, to shooting fireballs out of his hand, to even transforming into a devil monster, that rips through enemies. It is in your best interest to explore the castle, so you may kill more monsters, and obtain more souls, to make yourself more powerful.
Arikado then explains that they are in Dracula’s castle, for mysterious reasons that he won’t explain just yet. For context, Dracula in this world is practically Satan, so everyone knows that being here is not a good thing. The group is suddenly attacked by monsters, with Arikado killing all but one that goes after Soma and Mina. Soma manages to kill the monster, but a mysterious orb flies out of it, and into his body. This
Speaking of exploring, there are a ton of areas to go to in Castlevania. You start off in the Ruined Castle Entrance, but will soon come across the Chapel and the Library (the latter of which provides the double jump soul). Further exploration will lead to a gallant ballroom, the inner quarters, a floating garden, and a dangerous clocktower with spikes in it. There are also colorful caves deep underneath the castle, which also lead into a colosseum that looks very different from the rest of the castle.29 KA MANA‘O
Now, exploring the castle may come off as daunting, especially since there are many areas Soma cannot reach at the beginning. However it all changes once Soma learns the double jump and slide moves. The game opens up incredibly fast, and areas that seemed unreachable before, can be accessed within seconds. Whether it be through what you find along the way, or by just poking around, the game offers the player whatever they need to get a move on. Some items are in secret rooms, hidden by breakable walls (hint: smack any wall you think is suspicious) and those items are powerful in their own right. Backtracking is kept to the absolute minimum, and to make it easier, there are teleporter rooms scattered throughout the castle that can quickly take you to other teleporter rooms once found. Graphically, “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow”, is amazing. It uses a Gothic-Horror aesthetic, that allows the game to get bloody and unsettling, while keeping bright colors that make the sprites pop out of the scenery. The animations are smooth and f luid, bringing a type of f low to the game that can’t be seen anywhere else, with Soma’s silky walking animation being a prime example. And The game’s soundtrack is fantastic, using the Gameboy Advance’s sound chip to create energetic ballads, and downright unsettling atmospheric pieces. Overall, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a wonderful game, and one of my absolute favorites. It brings amazingly
Off The Eaten Path
by Danielle Smith | photo by Marcel Saragena
Aunty’s Lil Green Hut
It’s refreshing to find a little home away from home, where the usual luxuries of comfortability and tranquility are as present as ever. Aunty’s Lil Green Hut on the North Shore is a wholesome, organic food truck that captures this essence in a unique way. Located in Kahuku amidst a bustling open market with food trucks of all kinds, Aunty’s Lil Green Hut distinguishes itself with a personble, quaint seating area and an interesting array of food items. The family-owned business welcomes newcomers with an all around experience of good food, good venue and fantastic service. After finishing one item, the food truck entices you to come right back. Establishing itself apart from the rest of the food trucks, Aunty’s menu consist of “organic goodness,” according to a small sign right next to it. The food truck is extremely inclusive of any preference to taste, offering gluten free versions of crepes, waffles and sandwich melts at $9 each. Even if being health conscious in your food choices is foreign, Aunty’s provides options that encompass the most popular flavors like their Nutella crepe. There goes on to be a variety of entrees that gives the option to be served in a bowl, as a gluten-free crepe or a rice wrap. Aunty’s makes it worth the trip as it gives options not commonly made at home or that can be bought at random in local stores. This includes Mediterranean options with feta, olives, cucumber, basil, babaganoush and tomato. Other options in the entree portion include components to the Southwest, with black bean chili,
salsa, avocado, cucumber and black olives. The best part? The produce that comes with both entrees are entirely locally grown in the owner’s own garden. The items featured are a refreshing break from the surrounding greasy and heavy food. If one is not keen on greens or is not looking for a full meal, Aunty’s Lil Green Hut also presents a variety of creative and interesting drinks to try. Agave and li hing lemonade, multiple flavors of homemade kombucha, hibiscus refreshers, fresh-brewed coffee and green smoothies are some of those featured. Focused here is one of Aunty’s interesting “floral-blended smoothies” for $8. It isn’t at every place that you’ll find an actual rose incorporated into your drink, but the experience was not at all short from satisfying. All items are prepared at the time of order, so the wait time lasts a few minutes after initially placing it. Nonetheless, the meals come out fresh, cold and pretty. Customers could choose between rose blended, sunflower, lavender, and a tropical spice drink. For this rose blended smoothie, the flavors were bursting with every sip but remained short of being overwhelming. The rose itself added a sweetness that was complemented by the blended strawberries as well. What really topped of the entire item was the hint of honey infused, adding such a sweet savory taste that you have to close your eyes to fully experience each sip. In case one doesn’t have a taste for sweet, their coffee is a bitter balance. Shown here is the Tahitian Dream, an ice blended coffee that satisfies any coffee lover with a 30 KA MANA‘O
prominent but complementive brew. The icy drink is a welcome refreshment against the sun that constantly beats down in this area. The market this food truck is located in is an open-space area, so the large plants and colorful vibrant flowers surrounding Aunty‘s sets it apart. Keeping with her organic “Go Green” slogan, the seating area is considerably spacious and expertly decorated with an assortment of plants. The lush landscape is perfect for providing a secluded space that traps the magic inside and keeps the bustle out. There are wrought-iron lawn chairs, sofas and tables scattered across the gravel grounds, sprinkled with quaint personable touches. It’s difficult not to want to kick your feet up on one of their coffee tables and sleep your troubles away. All the furniture is marked with maturity, with fastened ties and glue holding the small decorations in place, giving an illusion like the entire setup has just been waiting for someone to come and experience it. Amongst all the noise and masses of people that frequent the area, Aunty’s Lil Green Hut is a quiet sanctuary. Aunty’s Lil Green Hut serves as a welcome break from the mainstream flavors as they capture a true taste of organic goodness. Fresh, friendly and sure to be a favorite, Aunty’s was a pot of gold nestled in the heart of Kahuku food trucks.
Where: 56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731 When: 10:30-6:30 Price: $2-10. Cash only.
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simple caramel sauce by Gerald Soria photo by Jozelyn Roa
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup white sugar • ¼ cup water • ¾ cup heavy cream • 4 tablespoons butter
DIRECTIONS
• saucepan
1. Pour 1 cup of white sugar into saucepan
• pinch salt (optional)
2. Pour ¼ cup of water and have the sugar dissolve
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional)
evenly 3. Do not mix, take a wet paper towel and clean any sugar on the saucepan walls to prevent crystallization 4. Heat pan to medium heat 5. Wait until the sugar starts to become transparent and all sugar is dissolved 6. Turn to medium high heat 7. Do not leave during this step 8. Have the sugar turn into a deep amber color 9. Take 4 tablespoons of sugar and add it to the saucepan Once melted, take the saucepan off heat and immediately add the ¾ cup of heavy cream 10. Once melted, take the saucepan off heat and immediately add the ¾ cup of heavy cream 11. Mix contents until bubbling subsides 12. ½ tablespoon of vanilla and 2 pinches of salt will add extra flavor to your caramel 13. Let the caramel cool 14. Serve with desserts 32 KA MANA‘O
OREO FRAPPUCCINO by Brandi Kaneshiro
Adapted from Starbucks Secret Menu Yield: 2 Servings
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender add milk, ice, vanilla bean ice
INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •
cream, chocolate chips, mocha syrup and an Oreo.
8 ounces milk 1 cup ice 2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips 1 tablespoon mocha syrup 1 Oreo Whipped cream Oreos, crushed
2. Blend until smooth. 3. Pour into a glass and garnish with whipped
cream and crushed Oreo cookies. 4. Enjoy!
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K A M A N A’ O STAFF Advisor Stanley Lee Co-Editors Gerald Soria Brandi Kaneshiro Copy Editor Brandon Ferreira
Ka Mana’o 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 througout campus. Copyright 2019 Board of Student Communications
Writers Kalahiki Reid Anneliese Schneider Danielle Smith Jonathan Kohli Illustrators Erika Pascual Photographers Krisheree Shimamoto Designers Jozelyn Roa
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Kristina Nip President
Student Government here at Leeward CC is all that it is due to the continued support of our students, administration, faculty and staff. We embody all that Leeward CC is and strive to enhance your (the students’) college experience through various intiatives events. We Jacob and Sanchez autism want to ensure that YOUR voice will always beDiagnosed heard with and represented in every aspect of our campus community. Go Leeward!
Khyra Dillard Secretary
Honestly, I love being a part of Student Government! I’ve gained a lot Although I’ve only been apart of SG for a year, I’ve noticed that I’ve grown as a leader. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader. As a leader, it’s important to be excellent with our time management. I love that I’m kept accountable on Student Government. As a leader, it’s also important to stay humble and listen to other’s ideas and concerns. I enjoy that each of the members offer a new outlook and spin on life. I appreciate the opportunity to grow with them during my time here at Leeward. Also, I love that SG brings light to student concerns, making sure that our voices are heard. I look forward to all the upcoming changes we’ll help bring about. We have many things being worked out at the moment in order to keep Leeward a great campus!!
from being apart of this organization. Lack of speech is a sign of autism. Learn the others at autismspeaks.org/signs.
Kealohi Leleo Senator
It has been an awesome experience to be part of Student Government. I am so glad to grow in this organization from being an intern at the Wai’anae Moku Campus to now being a Senator at the Pu’uloa Campus. I am looking forward to hear your voices and making sure it is heard. I feel so humbled and blessed to be part of a great organization that definitely puts students first. Have a blessed Academic Journey and I hope to see you around.
• • • • •
Email: leeccsg@hawaii.edu Phone: (808) 455-0560 Website: www.leeward.hawaii. edu/studentlife Instagram/Facebook/ Youtube: LeewardSG Questions or Concerns? https://tinyurl.com/SGFAQ
Student Government volunteers in the community every semester.
A FAMILY OF FOUR SPENDS $1500 A YEAR ONMatutino FOOD THEY DON’T EAT Kaui Waianae Moku Senator
My experience in Leeward Community College’s Student Government as the Wai’anae Moku Senator has been amazing! I plan to continue to advocate for my student body and help my fellow classmates to the fullest of my capabilities. Being a part of Student Government has opened so many doors for me and has helped me grow in numerous ways. From all the leadership development to effective communication trainings, not to mention all the interpersonal relationships skills gained, Student Government has been a great asset in my professional development. For me, being a part of something greater than I am is very rewarding and fulfilling. I enjoy helping others and working alongside a team. My outlook for the upcoming year is very promising. I believe with the team and leaders that I have, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to!
Skyeletta Morrison I SHOULD PROBABLY GET A RIDE HOME. Intern
I am new to Student Government, but plan to become a senator soon. This year I hope to make much progress towards getting significantly lower U-Pass prices, cheaper/free textbooks for students, free printing, and more. Students at Leeward deserve an affordable, yet practical experience and I hope to help with that.
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Ilima Intermediate School Painting their conference rooms
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