THE PINI N
Serving the Tiger community since 1920
Student-edited paper of McKinley High School
Take a trip back to 1940’s wartime Vol. 95 No. 2
Honolulu, Hawaii
December 2016
Honoring Pearl Harbor’s 75th anniversary by Anela Chavez, editor-in-chief
IN HONOR OF THE BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR, the Pinion Staff has compiled a few letters, pictures, stories and special messages from The Pinion archives. Dr. Miles E. Carey was the principal of McKinley High School starting in 1924. Hiromichi Kosaki was the MHS student body president during the school year 1941-1942. Kosaki published a letter in The Daily Pinion on Feb. 2, 1942, when schools resumed after the chaos following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. During this time students were enlisted to help the war effort, like the late Senator Daniel Inouye. Inouye shared his wartime story in the Feb. 25, 1942, issue of The Daily Pinion. Hawaii schools in the war years had to teach students skills not needed before. One skill was how to properly store and handle gas masks. They feared the poison gas the Japanese could release. Even babies had to wear a mask, but their masks were like bags that had bunny-like ears on top and a window to look out of. The Daily Pinion once printed a list of instructions for students. It read: 1. Always have your gas mask within reach. 2. If you must keep moving about, wear your gas mask. 3. Never allow your mask to become wet. 4. At bedtime, keep the mask within reach. This month, the Pearl Harbor Memorial site commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. Battleships like the USS Arizona still lie at the bottom of the ocean. There are also walls of names of the people who died that day. The memorial can be visited seven days a week. “A date which will live in infamy.” These words have echoed throughout history ever since President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Sunday of the bombing left Hawaii devastated and America rattled. Thousands of tin pins and buttons were distributed to remind Americans of the bombing. The pins featured red, white and blue stripes with the phrase “Remember Pearl Harbor.” Much like Sept. 11, 2001, Dec. 7 will forever be marked as a tragic event but also as a day where Americans everywhere pay tribute to those who lost loved ones or their own lives.
More on page 3. RS 17-0474, December 2016
2 THE PINION News
The Pinion Staff Editor-in-Chief Anela Chavez Assistant Editor
Alexandria Buchanan
Reporters
Kirt Choi Lacey Hayashi Jaycee Paat Sonya Park Smith Aidan Sakaio Eileen Wang
Adviser
Cynthia Reves
Mission
The Pinion staff strives to provide and maintain accurate, entertaining and informative news for the students, staff and alumni of McKinley High School. We strive to show diligence in creating all our content so that we can make a positive contribution to the public.
Publication Information The Pinion is published by the Newswriting class and printed by Reprographics Learning Center.
The Pinion McKinley High School 1039 South King Street Honolulu, HI 96814
Email comments or questions to pinion@mckinleyhs.k12.hi.us
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MHS welcomes Supreme Court to Tiger territory
State v. Trinque tried in auditorium by Alexandria Buchanan and Anela Chavez, reporters
On Thursday, Sept. 29, McKinley High School hosted a Hawaii Supreme Court oral argument in the State v. Trinque case which started in 2012. The Judiciary’s Courts in the Community Program allowed students from schools across the island to come watch the event and learn the court system. State v. Trinque is about Rick Trinque, the defendant, who was “charged by indictment Hawaii Supreme Court members Recktenwald, Pollack, with Commercial Promotion of Chang, Nakayama and Wilson with MHS students. Photo Marijuana in the First Degree and by Anela Chavez. Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit,” according to the Hawaii Courts website. This case is not expected to be resolved for several years. “I hope that they [the students] had the opportunity to learn about the case that we were arguing today,” said Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. Judges have to remain unbiased, ask the right questions and ultimately decide the fate of someone’s life. There is no jury in a supreme court trial, they are the final word. However, Judge Kevin Chang said, “We all have biases whether we realize it or not.” “[Important traits to have are] integrity, impartiality, fairness, compassion,” said Recktenwald. He said judges have to follow the law while realizing their decisions have “real” effects on people. The process to become a judge includes attending law school for a minimum of three years, experience in the field and a degree in law. The steps to take may seem difficult. Judge Chang said he was intimidated when he first became a judge because he knew how much responsibility it takes. He also said someone interested in becoming a judge does not have to be a serious intellectual, just willing to evolve. “I was totally average ... never thought about practicing law as a career ... and I didn’t develop that idea until I was in college,” said Chang. The program responsible for this event is the Judiciary Courts in the Community program, an educational outreach program to give students in Hawaii the opportunity to get hands-on experience in court and government work. The first oral argument under this program was given in February 2012 to students at Farrington and Mililani High Schools. “If you work hard on something, in this case trying to understand what happened in this particular case, it shows they [the students] have a point of view which a supreme court justice has. That’s something that’s very empowering,” said Recktenwald.
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For more information and pictures, visit: http://www. courts.state.hi.us/outreach/courts_in_the_community.
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ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1941, on a Holy Sabbath morn, the radio blasted out the most unbelievable news, the news of an attack by our Far Eastern neighbors, the Japanese, on Pearl Harbor. It took me several minutes to realize what was happening because at first I thought it was just a joke. But when my First Aid Station clerk called me up and ordered me to report to duty at once, I knew it was the real “McCoy.” When I arrived at the First Aid Station, all the First Aiders crowded around the only radio, a portable, tensely waiting for news, good or bad. All of a sudden we heard a sickening shrill and a loud boom. We were knocked off our feet by the powerful pressure. One of the bombs had fallen on our school, which was adjacent to our First Aid Station, and several in the neighborhood. Fortunately none of us were injured. Immediately the boys formed squads and went out after casualties My squad came across the first casualty, who unfortunately was already dead. She died of a shrapnel wound on her skull. This was my first experience in picking up a dead and bloody body. After this first case we went out to look for more casualties. This time we went to the inferno on King and McCully streets to help the firemen gather human flesh fragments of the bombed victims. ... By Daniel Inouye, Sr. (Feb. 25, 1942)
FELLOW MCKINLEYITES: School has at last resumed again. But, no doubt, school days will be quite different from those preceding December 7, 1941. We know what happened on December 7, 1941. We know why our “Christmas vacation” started a bit too early and lasted a bit too long. We know why school seems so different now with shorter hours and the many empty chairs of those who are actively working for Uncle Sam. We know that today, as never before, our rights of liberty and freedom are at stake. The issue is cleancut; we know where we stand and we know what our duties are. I realize how weak and fruitless are words of mine that attempt to encourage each and everyone of you to do his or her best. Many of you have already taken an active part in this great struggle to preserve our liberty. I am sure that all of you, as loyal Americans, are doing your best to spell Victory for America and her Allies. Let us remember in the words of William Allen White, “...come what may, however the tide of battle sways and ebbs and turns, liberty is deathless, freedom is immortal, truth at last shall rise and march.” In closing, I wish each and everyone of you, whatever you are doing, wherever you may be, best wishes and good luck! Sincerely yours, Hiromichi Kosaki (Feb. 2, 1942)
Students in health class practicing putting on gas masks. Photo from The Daily Pinion archives.
- THE PINION 3 News
YOUNG PEOPLE OF MCKINLEY Dear Friends: Welcome! We begin school again under most unusual circumstances. This is your first experience with war. This is my third; although I was a very small boy at the time of the Spanish-American War. I am sure that many of you are shocked by what has happened. I am not surprised if you are. War is never a lovely thing; but at times, it seems necessary. It is certainly necessary now if we wish to protect democracy. We are going to use this period ahead as an opportunity to rise to new heights. We will develop a new and heightened appreciation of the inter-racial character of our common country. We will build a new sense of unity -- a unity that grows through sharing in a common danger and a common cause. In fighting to protect democracy we are fighting a holy war -- and we shall win. It is in this spirit that we begin work again at McKinley. I have full confidence in your soundness and courage. Have faith! Sincerely and affectionately, Miles E. Carey (Feb. 2, 1942)
Air raid drills involved trenches, sand bags and gas masks. Photo from The Daily Pinion archives.
4 THE PINION News
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The Clowns this past Halloween Viral videos, threats and other mayhem
by Eileen Wang, reporter
Art by Christina Choi. On the shortlist for this year’s Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year was coulrophobia, which is the extreme and irrational fear of clowns. This Halloween, a group called the Clowns made posts on social media and tried to scare people by standing beside the road with weapons, clown costumes and make up that covered their faces. Some people posted on social media saying they saw the clowns and they looked horrible during the night. Students didn’t know what the Clowns’ main purpose was. Some of them don’t even know each other but decided to gather around in the streets and communities. There were no reports of clown sightings during Halloween Night, but The Clowns were a popular topic at McKinley High School, with a recurring chant of, “Beat those clowns!” People had different opinions when they saw the Clown posts on Facebook or Twitter. Some people got scared but others thought it was just a Halloween joke. “They are annoying, and they really bothered other people, but
I don’t think that they are harmful. They are just clowns doing silly things,” said freshman Edward Lansangan, “ Another freshman, Jacelyn Kaleiwahea, had a different opinion. She said that the clowns affected people’s daily life. She said that her cousin posted on Snapchat and said she saw a clown hidden behind the tree and he kept playing peekaboo with her. Kaleiwahea said that her cousin didn’t get scared, but the clown really bothered her. “Those clowns were just trying to scare people,” said Kaleiwahea. At the same time, people made posts on social media showing how they saw a clown and they beat them or got hurt by the clowns, but not all of them are real. Some people believed the posts and some did not. “Some people they posted about the clowns just because they want to get popular on the social media, so I don’t think those posts are real. Most of them are fake,” said Lansangan. However, both agreed that if the purge of clowns was just a Halloween joke or if it really occurred somewhere, the people who spearheaded the fake information and the clowns should be held accountable and face legal ramifications.
Sugar, delicious but dangerous
by Sonya Park Smith, reporter
Some McKinley High School students are eating foods and drinks that contain a lot sugar. “Sugar itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Our bodies are actually kind of designed to burn sugar and carbohydrates for energy,” Jared Winquist, science teacher, said. Winquist said that the issue is when too much sugar is consumed. “The problem is the quantity of sugar and the overuse of simple sugars.” Some students are aware that sugar consumption has risks. Junior Justin Lam is aware that sugar causes health problems. “You can get diabetes,” said Lam. Junior Angelica Reyes knows that sugar gives people teeth problems. “You can get cavities,” said Reyes.
Both boys and girls are eating more sugar than they should. Infographic by Sonya Park Smith.
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Class of 2017 cheer on their fellow seniors during the class level activity. Photo by Dawson Langinbelik.
- THE PINION 5 News
The Art Club was one organization that participated in banner contest. Photo by Dawson Langinbelik.
Homecoming, another spirited week for Tigers A game at the assembly was to gather “poke� for a poke bowl. Photo by Sara Vu, photography class.
MHS cheerleaders perform in front of the court. Photo by Yuki Akuda, photography class.
Savanna Diorec and Noah Diaz served as King and Queen. Photo by Leslie Vu, photography class
6 THE PINION Features
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What it means to be an American Students reflect
on opportunity
by Shaye Witkus Editor’s Note: This year’s theme at McKinley High School is” Many Cultures, One Aina.” Quarter 2’s focus was on America. Shaye Witkus wrote a commentary defining what it means to be an American. Fighting for what you feel is right is what it means to be an American. Black Lives Matter protesters demonstrate this. They are fighting for their rights against violence. On August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, an 18-year-old black male, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by a white police officer named Darren Wilson. On Sept. 7, 2016, a Ferguson activist leader by the name of Darren Seals was found shot and dead in a burned vehicle.. America used to be a place people could call “home.” With all the cruelty going on, our “home” has changed from a special utopia to a grim dystopia. To be an American is to show peace to other races, not to discriminate against one another based on the color of your skin. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” In Black Lives Matter rallies, the people walking are not only black but of every race. This shows that many Americans support each other. Being an American is not intentionally putting a target on someone of a different color for demise. Having mutual respect and acceptance is one way America functions. The quote, “Treat others the way you would like to be treated” and putting it to use is American. Being an American is not being closed minded or prejudiced. Citizens getting involved with the law is another way America functions. Standing with a huge crowd fighting for the rights of Black Lives shows that people want something done. Similar to the Civil Rights Movement, citizens just have to keep stating what they feel is equal and fair. Lack of mutual respect can destroy relationships and, cause pain, and lead to a stressful life. Without acceptance, you are prone to no change. Change is what helps a person grow, and accepting different types of people no matter where they come from is what it means to be an American. So what does it mean to be an American? An American is someone who fights for their rights and for their freedom like when supporters of Black Lives Matter protest. An American is someone who chooses peace between the races, not discriminating and judging based on the color of someone’s skin. An American is someone who accepts others and has mutual respect for them no matter the differences. These are the ways to be an American.
Art by Anela Chavez.
by Lacey Hayashi, reporter Opportunities are left behind and taken every day. Each day brings a new adventure with a new story. When trying something new, it’s the little things that count. It can affect a person more than you think. Junior Sydney Bruce didn’t study for an algebra 2 test, and regrets not studying for this specific test. She said it’s sad to get a B. When she could have done better by being prepared. Bruce also mentioned her desire for higher grades because “you know that’s average.” Also, she knows herself as a procrastinator who made a wrong choice. She will be sure to study for upcoming tests. In moments of regret, mistakes change people. It is what makes them who they are. Not all choices remain exactly alike, maybe similar. After all, change is always happening. People make mistakes that they wish were different. Others would not change a thing. April Nakamura, student activities coordinator, is someone who would change past choices, but the littler things are what she regrets most. She said, “Although you do learn from them, I would do them differently.” A lot of factors contribute in any opportunity. Certain advantages pass by leading you to lose the importance of the experience. Some valuable life lessons get lost. Senior Jerome Cruz said, “It’s a part of life. You learn from failures.” He was saying opportunities bring failure and success. Either one can help you throughout time.
Art by Lacey Hayashi.
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- THE PINION 7 Features
The importance of voting during an election This past November was the 2016 Presidential Election. The two finalist were Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hilary Clinton. It was asked if not voting was a responsible thing to do. Here are some responses. by Aprille Tang Yes, people should vote. Voting is really important because it shows initiative as an American citizen. All Americans should be required to vote because I believe a vote matters. A single vote could help the election favor a certain party rather than another. If I were able to vote I would vote for Clinton. Not because I support her ideas or anything but simply because I feel she is the lesser of two evils. Also she has a very strong opinion on women’s rights that I agree with. She is a strong role model for feminism, which Trump is the complete opposite of. Clinton would also make history in being the first woman President. This will show girls all around the world that being President is not only a man’s job and that it is possible for a woman to run our country. I feel her becoming President would be a great win to the feminist community.
I would not vote for Trump because he speaks like a racist and makes very rude remarks. The way he speaks is not what I would want from my future President. Especially because it could possibly start wars with other regions of the world. Other world leaders could possibly want to break foreign policies and end good relationships with the United States. Trump as President would be an example of the worse of two evils. He doesn’t believe in equal rights. He has also made statements of women that I dislike. Although I would vote for Clinton, other people might think otherwise which is why voting is really important to show their opinion.
Art by Anela Chavez.
by Jason Thai Not voting is not a responsible option in a Presidential election. This is because in the past we fought for the right to vote. If we don’t vote then that’s just a waste of work. If I were to vote in this year’s election, then I would vote for Trump. I don’t really like Trump but he is the better choice out of the two candidates. Trump, can raise/better our economy but he’s too direct with it. Also, he has some good points about why not to vote for Clinton.
I wouldn’t vote for Clinton because the way I see her, is that she’s cheating in a way that she is using her husband as a cover. Her husband, Bill Clinton is a former President of the United States. She has done many deals with hostile countries. Some of which who have threatened war. She also uses the Clinton Foundation as a cover too, money that supposedly is being used for good. Clinton is also a hypocrite who doesn’t fully support women’s rights. This is why voting is needed.
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Features
What it means to be an adult by Lacey Hayashi, reporter An adult can be defined socially, legally and biologically. Socially means it is based on opinions. Legally, a child is an adult at 18. Biologically, when they reach puberty, they are adults. At the legal age of 18 people can legally consume and buy alcohol, vote legitimately, get tattoos and get married. Freshman Celine Morton said, “Becoming an adult is different for everyone simply depending on what pathway that person chooses to go on.” Once a person reaches maturity, independence begins to kick in. Junior Kylie Porlas said, “You no longer feel like mommy and daddy can take your problems away.” Porlas also said that you live without the same limitations. When you grow up, you can lose quality traits or aspects of yourself. The older traits get replaced by the new. Naivete might be lost. Senior Susie Normandin said, “You realize life’s pretty tough.” Adults, like parents or teachers, try to give advice from their experiences. Early childhood Education teacher Heather Itokazu said, “Age gives you life experience.” Relationships can also reflect adulthood. Experiencing good or bad friendships can effect you. Your role models can help you learn how to make and keep good friends. Porlas said, “ You find out who your friends are.”
Art by Lacey Hayashi.
A backpack holds a student’s most important items to do their best in school. Art by Anela Chavez.
The Borrowers
Things you bring to do well in and out of school by Alexandria Buchanan, reporter
The borrowers. You all know who they are. Those kids that always need to “borrow” a pencil, money, pens, etc. I’m sure you’ve all been there, and being the kindhearted ladies and gentlemen you are, you let them borrow whatever they need with no questions asked. Usually, you won’t be getting those things back. For those of you who always need to ask for things from others, whether you forgot to bring that pencil for your test or bus fare for your ride home, this article is for you. Here is a list of things that students bring to school every day so you can be prepared during and after school (and cut the people you always borrow from some slack). 1. School Supplies (Pen, pencil, paper, etc.) The obvious choice so you can do well in school. Without these it would be pretty hard to pass your classes. Sophomore Jordan Kanakanui said, “I have to bring my school supplies so I can do my work for school. If I don’t bring it I fail my classes.” 2. Wallet Freshman Alyssa Kondo said, “I bring my wallet to school every day because I never know when I need to pay for a bus ride or if I decide to buy something after school like a drink.” A wallet is a great organizational accessory to carry important things like your cash, ID, etc. 3. Needle Senior Dianne Gabrillo said she has kept a sewing needle in her wallet ever since middle school. “I still keep it because it’s useful like when I had to fix a flute, or that other time when I got something stuck and only a needle could nudge it out. I’ve used it several times and it’s helped a lot.” Although this isn’t something everyone may think of bringing, it’s a good idea. It’s always good to be prepared because you never know what’s going to happen. Some of you already bring these things to school daily, like school supplies and your wallet, but for those of you who don’t maybe you should try. You never know what could come in handy at school and the more prepared you are the better.
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- THE PINION 9
Is procrastination beneficial?
Features
by Aidan Sakaio, reporter Why exactly do procrastinators procrastinate? Well, according to a select few students around McKinley High School and other sources, like articles on the internet, people tend to procrastinate simply because they can’t help it. Whether or not someone is a procrastinator is not a matter of choice, but rather a habit. Freshman Brycen Lagunero said, “Most students procrastinate because they forgot about it, or just didn’t feel like doing it.” Lagunero admits that he has procrastinated on several assignments in the past. Students sometimes don’t even notice when they are procrastinating. For example, imagine that you are sitting at your desk determined to do work, but you decide that you should spend three hours on your phone trying to find “inspiration.” Freshman Adam Reyes said, “I procrastinate a lot.” Studies have shown
that many people have a tendency to procrastinate. Freshman Kenny Nguyen said, “Everyone procrastinates.” While this is a bit of a stretch, it has been proven that vasts amounts of people do procrastinate. People procrastinate for a multitude of reasons. According to a procrastination survey conducted by Sid Savara, a worldwide scholar and software designer, 63% of people procrastinate because they simply don’t feel like doing anything. 19% of people don’t know how to do what they’re trying to do. 9% claim that there’s no time for what it is they are trying to accomplish. 9% feel like it is not that urgent.
Most people agree that procrastination should be perceived as something that could potentially have a detrimental effect on you while trying to complete assignments, or meeting deadlines. However, research on the subject conducted by psychologists have proven that writers who procrastinate may produce creative work.
Art by Aidan Sakaio.
Addicted to a smartphone by Jaycee Paat, reporter Brain studies show we have a chemical inside our brains giving us that urge to look on our phone. Those chemicals are Dopamine, Serotonin and Oxytocin. They give us the urge to pick up our phone every time a notification beep goes off. So how can we avoid going on our phones every few seconds? What can we do to relieve ourselves if we ever think of our phones? Here are some opinions, comments and suggestions. “Smartphones are taking over people’s lives,” freshmen Shinwin Chen said. Freshmen Syhmon Lazo said he is not a smartphone addict. “Learn how to entertain yourself or put a timer on your phone to limit the usage of your phone,” said Lazo. “Leave it in your bag or turn it off,” said Robi Nitake, social studies teacher. Even if people were to do those things as it was suggested, the urge to not touch it wouldn’t last long. It’s almost as if the phone is a ticking time bomb to people. Every time they feel like it’s
going to go off notifying them of a message, they’ll race to it just to check and see. It’s merely as if it was a drug people would want to use every few seconds because they pretty much have nothing else to do except talk, text or play games.
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Lucy’s Lab Creamery brings Editorials
Pinion staff visits shop at Kamakee location by Alexandria Buchanan, reporter Lucy’s Lab Creamery’s ice cream is homemade and their flavors are very different than your average ice cream shop. Lucy’s Lab Creamery isn’t called a “lab” for nothing, and once you look at their menu, you’ll realize why. The shop currently has nine flavors; Brownie Batter, Almond Float, Honey Lavender, Nutella, Strawberry Moscato Sorbet, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Thai Tea, POG. Sorbet, Fruit Loops Vodka and Pumpkin Spice. The flavors are switched monthly so you always get the chance to try something new. One of the more popular flavors is Fruit Loop Vodka, but don’t worry, the alcohol is cooked out of the ice cream so minors can enjoy it as well. Other flavors the shop has been known to sell are Bacon Whiskey and Buttered Popcorn. Inside the store is a suggestion box where customers can recommend flavors. The worker said that the owner then creates these flavors in his “lab,” and if it’s a success, he sells it. These recipes are so secret not even his employees know how he makes them. I tried the Nutella ice cream in a sugar cone. It tasted chocolatey, rich, and creamy and was perfect for a hot day. The flavor was not overpowering with chocolate and it had a good balance. Pricing is determined by weight. A single scoop in a cone or cup is about $3 without toppings. The shop also sells a Pan De Creme for $5.50, which is an ice cream sandwich of sorts made with Hawaiian sweet bread, ice cream, toppings and a spread of your choice. Toppings available are Oreo pieces, various cereals, sprinkles and much more. Customers have the option of getting their ice cream in a cup, sugar cone or cake/regular cone. The small shop sells good quality ice cream, but there’s little room for customers. The shop plans to sell 17 flavors at their new location so there’s something for everyone. If you’re tired of going to the same places after school every day, Lucy’s Lab Creamery is a great option to try something you’ve never had before.
The Fruit Loop Vodka Pan De Creme. Contains a scoop of the signature ice cream on Hawaiian Sweet Bread with strawberry jam and fruit loops cereal. It is then pressed with heat. Photo by Pinion Adviser Cindy Reves.
by Sonya Park Smith, reporter Lucy’s Lab Creamery is an ice cream shop close to Ward Consolidated Theatres. The business has been running for a little bit over two years. Lucy’s is relocating to South Shore Market in the Ward Complex in December. I visited the Kamakee location in November. This location has no tables or chairs, but the South Shore Market location will. Price is determined by the weight of ice cream. It costs $1/ounce. All of the ice cream is homemade. The most popular flavors, according to the worker, are the fruit loop vodka and the brownie batter. The flavor I purchased was the Strawberry Moscato Sorbet. I ordered a small cup with one scoop. The taste was very juicy, naturally sweet and tasted like it didn’t have much sugar in it. Eileen Wang ordered the honey lavender. She said it was a good choice. A little bit of lavender smell came out and the ice cream started to melt really fast. Photo by Eileen Wang.
- THE PINION 11
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twist to traditional ice cream by Eileen Wang, reporter I couldn’t really imagine what kind of ice cream they would serve because the name of the shop includes “Lab.” I was afraid that we were going to try some weird tasting ice cream, but my mind was changed after we arrived there. Lucy’s Lab Creamery is located across the street from World Gym on Kamakee Street in the Ward area. It is a small and cute ice cream shop, painted in cool colors. In December, the shop is moving to South Shore Market. This ice cream shop is not just an ice cream shop to the owner, Lee Wang, who launched the desserterie as a way to indulge his passion for ice cream and science. Wang opened this shop for his mom, Lucy, who passed away in 2012 from breast cancer. I ordered the honey lavender flavor in a sugar cone. Once I licked the ice cream, a strong taste of honey ran into my mouth and just stayed there. Then a little bit of lavender smell came out and the ice cream started to melt really fast. Three ounces of this flavor was enough sweetness for me, but might be too much for other people. All in all, the honey lavender is a good choice. If you are a person who likes to try something you’ve never tasted before, go and try out Lucy’s Lab Creamery!
Editorials
The Pinion staff members just got their orders. Photo by Pinion Adviser Cindy Reves.
by Lacey Hayashi, reporter Lucy’s Lab Creamery is a small ice cream shop named after the owner’s late mother, Lucy. It’s a five-minute walk from McKinley High School right now, but in December, the shop is moving to South Shore Market, which will add a few minutes to the walk. When I visited, the person working there was friendly and inviting. This small operation sells unique flavors that change every month. During my visit, 11 flavors were available. The worker said they are trying to make six more. The flavor I chose was the POG sorbet. It was definitely my type of flavor. It was sweet, tart and smooth, just the way I like my ice cream, although there are other tastes I would like. If you are a person who likes adventures, surprises, or new experiences, this is the place to go. With their ever-changing flavors like fruit loop vodka, POG sorbet and pumpkin spice, this place will surely give you something you rarely taste.
Menu for Lucy’s features all topping choices, prices and their signature items. Photo by Pinion Adviser Cindy Reves.
New Location @ 1170 Auahi Street South Shore Market
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Editorials
Our freedom is being taken away
The difficulties journalists face around world by Anela Chavez, editor-in-chief We all know that President Donald Trump says whatever he wants. During the election and after he made a few comments about the press and how we should be ashamed of ourselves, how we aren’t good people and that we are some of the most dishonest and unfair people he’s ever met. It’s comments like this that can start propaganda and lead to the endangerment of journalists. Another issue we journalists face is the limitations that are set for us. Student journalists aren’t always allowed the same freedom as professionals. The Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier case led to an increase in the censorship of high school student media. The case of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District provided a lot but not unlimited protection. In order for school officials to legally censor any material, they must have educational justification. Scholastic journalists are petitioning their governments to return to the Tinker standard.
Art by Jaycee Paat.
V I O L E N C E Art by Aidan Sakaio. Visit the website of the Committee to Protect Journalists to learn more about the dangers journalists face around the world. Visit the website of New Voices USA to see what scholastic journalists around the country are doing to fight censorship.
Art by Eileen Wang.
Disney’s Polynesian Princess, Moana, scores big
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- THE PINION 13 Editorials
by Kirt Choi, reporter I went to Windward Mall to watch the long-anticipated Disney movie “Moana” on Nov. 25. The ticket line stretched down the walkway into the mall. Everyone in the theater was making noise because they were eager for the movie to start. Once the movie started, everyone became quiet. Nobody moved, even to go get a drink/snack or to use the bathroom. The staff in the theaters were very cooperative even though they were busy. The staff members were treating the
“Moana” features Disney’s first Polynesian princess, voiced by local girl Auli’i Cravalho. Her demigod sidekick is voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and together they made a perfect duo for one of Disney’s best animated movies yet. Copyright 2016 Disney.
customers with respect and were helpful. If someone asked where the bathroom was, they directed them to the bathroom. The food and snacks were freshly made, hot and tasty. The drinks were smooth and tasty as well. A good movie has characters that we care about. Moana was a brave and curious young woman who has been longing to embark on the journey beyond the reef. Maui, a lost demigod, was funny and brave. He would do anything for his people, like capture the sun. It was a great animated movie. The characters looked very real and the wardrobe was very accurate. The water which was a character looked realistic too. Moana had cultural music that reflected Polynesian culture. Such as Tuvalu, Samoan and Tongan. It had an engaging plot. It started off when Moana was an infant who was always being told stories about the famous demigod Maui. She started growing more curious about leaving the island to voyage as did her ancestors. Maui had great strength and power. He was knocked out of the sky by the volcano demon after trying to steal the heart from Teviti. He was never seen again for thousands of years. Moana started on her voyage beyond the reef and ended up getting beached by a storm. When she woke up on an island, she met Maui. The ending was great, but you’ll have to see it for yourself.
by Sapioamoa Steffany “Moana” is one of Disney’s best films and, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful and emotional movies of 2016. Disney went all out and did it big. Moana earned $15.7 million its first day out. Some people were saying that Disney misrepresented Polynesian culture by making the main male character, Maui who was portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, a severely overweight being. They believe that he was too fat and that this portrays a
negative stereotype of Polynesians. But I think that he was made thick/ muscular to pull out islands and hold back the sun, like legends say. He isn’t fat, just strongly built. His body shows the power and strength needed to be a demigod. I believe that Disney did not do anything wrong and that Polynesian people are overthinking it. I give credit to Disney for doing a good job by putting together their first movie with Polynesians as the
main characters. Disney obviously did their research. They used traditional clothing to represent Polynesian culture and farming to show how hard working Polynesians are. They also had men and boys that looked fit in the movie, that tells the world Polynesians are naturally built. They showed that women are treated with respect and love from the males of the village.
14 THE PINION Editorials
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Art by Aidan Sakaio.
MHS due for an upgrade by Kirt Choi and Jaycee Paat, reporters
McKinley High School needs to make a few adjustments. Starting with the duration of recess and lunch. Our recess lasts about fifteen minutes and lunch recess lasts around thirty minutes. It is not long enough. As students, we have a lot of energy so we can’t always wait until the end of the day to burn it off. A longer recess period could lead to better grades. Students could take this extra time to finish homework, take an AR test or even seek help from teachers. Students do have Tiger Time but sometimes it’s not enough. With seven different classes to worry about, we need a longer break time. A longer lunch time would also be favorable because there’s always things to be done during that time. Whether it’s an activity being held by the student government, club meetings or simply waiting in line to get lunch. Having extra time to just take a breather is good for the wellbeing of our students. These changes to the schedule aren’t going to happen automatically but a test trial for maybe a year could yield some
interesting results in student learning and behavior. What ever changes are made to the schedule will preferably make our days shorter or at least not much longer than they are now. Another thing MHS needs to work on is our classrooms and how most of them don’t have air conditioning. It’s common knowledge that Hawaii isn’t a relatively cold place, it’s a tropical island! We average at about 80 degrees, which means the weather is almost always hot and humid. There are only a few buildings that are completely air conditioned which is great but it’s not enough. Students have a hard enough time as it is focusing in class and the occasional sweaty person you have to sit next to or the barely functional fans aren’t helping. Having an air conditioned campus would be costly but it could also help to improve student learning and maybe even affect the dress code. This improvement could also lead to more incoming freshmen or transfer student enrollment because having an entire air conditioned campus is a huge
bonus and a possible deciding factor for students who are questioning which high school they want to attend. If our classrooms are put at about anywhere from 60 to 75 degrees then chances are we won’t have the problem of inappropriately dressed students. Girls wouldn’t have to wear shorts, crop tops or low cut tank tops to stay cool and boys won’t have to wear muscle tanks that reveal the entire side of their bodies. Everyone will probably be wearing warmer attire like, jackets and pants. Air conditioned classrooms could also prevent people from passing out due to heat exhaustion. After all, don’t we want the students who attend McKinley to feel safe and comfortable. Upgrading our classrooms will definitely cost the school but the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) has already started a heat abatement program for public schools. That means our government already knows it’s a problem. MHS should start pushing for our entire campus to be air conditioned.
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- THE PINION 15 Online Highlights
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Read Sonya Park Smith’s profile of Sherry Takao. She is a math teacher and what she enjoys most about her job is that she likes teaching math to students. If she were not a math teacher then she would be an accountant. “Math is everywhere,” said Takao.
Read Eileen Wang’s profile on Linda Mediati. She is a librarian that focuses on the young adult readers. She deals with teens from about 6-12 grade. The Liliha public library of Honolulu has the largest amount of Chinese books. To get your first library card, it’s free.
Read Lacey Hayashi’s profile of Mari Faufata-Pedrina. She is a 16 year-old sophomore at McKinley High School who had multiple surgeries. She is a triplet and the only one who has had complications that led to eight surgeries from 2002-2016.
Maybe you will get #CaughtReadingThePinion like sophomore Nekieisa Halito, freshman Cameron Beagley and juniors Jariah Brown and Serena Lene.
Answer our Tiger Tally question online at
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Wrestlers train for successful season 16 THE PINION -
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Sports
Staying positive and focused on getting better
Laulii Iosefa talks Ezekiel Samuelu through a move in the MHS wrestling room. Photo by Aidan Sakaio. by Alexandria Buchanan, reporter
T
he weather is getting colder, Christmas music is playing and stores are advertising holiday sales. While most are out enjoying the winter, the McKinley High School wrestlers can be found Monday through Friday in the wrestling room where they do drills, condition and practice techniques, moves and escapes. “The reason I joined wrestling is I love the sport and how intense it is. It also teaches you a lot of life lessons, and the coach is really good,” said Junior Laulii Iosefa. “I love the bond that we all have and how we all have each others’ backs,” said Iosefa. Freshman Malachi Kaapa Iaea, who has wrestled for the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, joined the team this year and said he appreciates how hard the Tigers work. He also said he looks forward to getting better at his moves and getting wins. “Wrestling at McKinley is almost the same as wrestling at BGCH, but McKinley takes it a little more seriously. At BGCH you didn’t have to do insane workouts and long runs,” said Iaea.
“[I joined wrestling because] it is a sport that I’m more comfortable with and I wanted to improve more on,” said Iaea. Junior Elijah Vincent said MHS wrestlers are more than teammates. They are a family. “Everyone on the team is super close and we all get along well. There aren’t any of the cliques that you would find in other sports. Everyone kind of supports each other and we all have a bond,” said Vincent. Wrestling is more than just pinning an opponent to a mat. In the process, team members learn lessons from their teammates, coaches and opponents that will help them now and in the future. “I know my wrestling coach pushes me to be better. ... He coaches the kids and I know he will make me do my best to be the best,” said Iosefa. “There are many lessons it has taught me. The biggest one I think is that you should never give up. You may be down a couple points or about to get pinned, (but)you can’t give up,” said Vincent.