Whereʻs the love? Look on Page 4-5
A Student Publication of the University of Hawai'i • Honolulu Community College • February 2018
#StopHumanTrafficking
Photo courtesy dailyheadlines.net
By Fredrene Balanay
You meet a guy, online or at the mall. A total stranger. He tells you you’re pretty. He asks you on a date. You talk for hours like he really knows you. You feel connected. Time passes and you continue to see each other. By now he knows everything about you. He showers you with gifts, compliments you in every way. Somehow you know he’s ‘the one.‘ You end up leaving home with nowhere to go. He takes you in, promises to take care of you; provides you with clothes, food,
shelter and all the affection you need. He’s everything you want, trust and rely on. You feel like you found love. Then one night he asks you for a favor. He wants you to meet a few more of his friends. You think nothing of it at first. You agree. You’re at the party and things start to get uncomfortable. His friend is all over you, you talk to him and ask to go home. He ignores you gives you more to drink and continues talking with his friends. You ask again and suddenly he slaps you and his friends laugh.
You don’t know what just happened or why he suddenly seems so different. He orders you to have sex with his friend. You refuse. He threatens your life. You refuse. He threatens your little sister and says he will find her and make her do it instead. He threatens your parents. He reminds you he knows where they live. Also that you have nowhere else to go. Confused and scared you quietly does as he asks. You are no longer his girlfriend, you are now his asset, his sex slave. You have been abducted into a life of pros-
titution against your will. You have just become another sex trafficking victim. “Students should know that human traffickers do not appear to be human traffickers,” said HonCC’s philosophy instructor Chris Moore. “If you’re not being kidnapped or shanghaied somewhere, you are being groomed.” Grooming, or “boyfriending,” is
a process in which the potential victim is charmed and made to Continued on Page 6
Rose petals bloom from copper metal
By Jonz Stoneroad and Chris Garcia
It’s that time of the year for the HonCC Sheet Metal shop to host their annual Red Copper Roses fundraiser. Sheet Metal and Plastics Technology has been selling these roses since 2012. Sheet metal students convey their teamwork skills to reach the project’s deadline. They offer more than just a product; they craft one-
of-a-kind symbols of affection within a warehouse environment. “The roses aren’t exclusively for Valentine’s Day but can be gifts for Mother’s Day and even Memorial Day,” says Sheet Metal and Plastics Instructor Danny Aiu. Aiu adds that some people choose to give copper roses because they last longer than real roses.
Continued on Page 3
Photo Courtesy of University of Hawai'i News
KaLā • Ka Nūpepa o nā Haumāna o ke Kula Kaiaulu o Honolulu
2 Pepeluali 2018
Catcalling is not empowerment By Maia Mayeshiro
“What men fear most about going to prison is what women fear most about walking down the sidewalk.” -Anonymous victim Ka Lā, the campus newspaper of Honolulu Community College. Ka Lā publishes 900 copies every month during the Spring and Fall Semesters. Ka Lā is funded by student publication fees and advertising. Any part of Ka Lā may not be reproduced or reused without permission of the HonCC Student Media Board. Ka Lā is published under the supervision of the HonCC Student Media Board.
Chairperson Angelina Peralta
Board members Angelina Perez Tiera Spencer
Editor-in-Chief Fredrene Balanay
Copy Editor Larry L. Medina
Layout Editor Danielle Martinez
Contributing Writers & Photographers Jonz Stoneroad Maia Mayashiro Christopher Garcia
Contact Information hcckala@gmail.com Student Media Board Building 2, Room 115 Phone: (808) 845-9213 Ka Lā invites letters to the editors, articles, events, advertising and classified ads. Ka Lā reserves the right to refuse or edit submissions. Student editors and writers are responsible for content, which does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Honolulu CC administra-
tion, faculty or staff.
The effects of street harassment, or “catcalling,” and what it does to its victims has recently become more prevalent in mainstream media. The debate on whether street harassment is just harmless compliments or a reflection of “rape culture” (a term that originated in the 1970’s designed to show the ways in which society blames victims of sexual assault and normalizes male sexual violence) is often disputed by both men and women. What exactly constitutes street harassment? Unwanted comments, gestures, and actions forced on a stranger in a public space without his or her consent. Unwanted whistling,
Photo courtesy chicagoreader.com
leering, sexist, homophobic or transphobic slurs, persistent requests for someone’s name, number or destination after being told no. Sexual comments and demands, following, flashing, groping, and/or sexual assault are others. 50 HonCC female students were surveyed re-
cently, and 37 responded “yes” to feeling a stronger sense of fear and danger, rather that flattery when being catcalled. Many of them reported having the first experience before the age of 15. The effects do not instantly subside afterwards, as street harassment poses detrimental
psychological effects as well. In 2008, GfK, Germany's largest market research institute and the fourth largest market research organization in the world, conducted a study of college women. They found that street harassment was significantly related to self-objectification, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and a difficult time focusing in school. Victimizers see women as a sexual object rather than a person. Catcalls or crude comments are often dismissed as “boys being boys” or “a hidden crush.” Girls are taught to become aware of how they need to act in order to avoid unwanted comments, grabs, and gestures throughout their development as if harassment is the norm and expected. This normalization will continue so long as the onus of a woman’s safety is on her ability to not become a victim.
KaLā • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai'i
3 February 2018
Community shares a gift from their hearts by Maia Mayeshiro
As kids, nearly every one of us dreams of someday becoming a superhero. Sadly, with maturity also comes the realization that radioactive liquid, bug bites, and lightning encounters do not actually possess the power to biologically transform us into our childhood idols. However, a small prick from a needle and a moment of courage can get you incredibly close. By donating blood, you are potentially saving up to three human lives each time- while benefiting your health as well! “A single individual who donates blood starting at 17 years old every 56 days until they reach 76 will have donated 48 gallons of blood, potentially saving more than 1,000 lives,” says the American Red Cross. On November 30, Honolulu Community College students and faculty were given the wonderful opportunity to head over to Building 2 (Kumupali) and contribute to
the 5 million Americans that are in dire need of blood. The Blood Bank of Hawai'i had stations set up for those who had made an appointment, as well as walk-ins that met required criteria for being a safe blood donor. The donor should be at least 110 pounds and have a photo ID. If you have diabetes, experiencing menstruation, or past surgery without transfusion, a person is also eligible to donate blood. For those who have had surgery with a transfusion of blood or blood components, there is a one year wait, with other conditions that depend on the height to weight ratio of potential donor. A person is unable to donate if he/she has AIDS, or have ever engaged in high-risk activities including male-to-male sex in the past year; intravenous drugs use; a cold or flu; Hepatitis B or C. If someone is pregnant, there is a 6 week wait. Preparation is important in order
to have the best possible blood donation experience, and even save the most lives. So before you donate remember to drink 8-10 glasses of water; keep your body well hydrated in preparation for a loss in body fluid; avoid coffee, alcohol or caffeinated beverages that dehydrate the body; and get adequate rest. Typically, you should get a good night's sleep the night before your donation. Donating blood helps in treating patients suffering from cancer, bleeding disorders, chronic anemia associated with cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other hereditary blood abnormalities. It is also possible to store your own blood for your future needs. Human blood cannot be manufactured. Afraid that your hemophobia will kick in, or that your body will shrivel up from so much blood loss? Not to worry! After donating blood, the body works to replenish the depleted blood. “Support Hawai'i’s commu-
nity blood center by encouraging friends and family to give and volunteer, or even coordinate blood drives at your office, school, or church,” said a volunteer. “Just because you can’t give blood, doesn’t mean you can’t help save lives!”
"A single individual who donates blood starting at age 17 years old every 56 days until they reach 76 will have donated 48 gallons of blood, potentially saving more than 1,000 lives ." -- American Red Cross
Copper roses bloom from sheet metal Continued from Page 1
Monies raised from the fundraiser are then forwarded to the replacement cost of creating these roses. Each rose has an estimated cost of $15 per rose. The roses themselves are fashioned from sheets of copper, which cost $150 - $170 a sheet. “I liked the thought of [the roses] lasting forever,” says Jo Ann Tuifanu from TRIO-SSS. She first heard about the copper roses through a UH email in 2016. When she saw them in person, she liked how pretty they were. Tuifanu bought two of them, giving one away as a gift. “I gave it to a guy; he thought it was cool.” Tuifanu also wanted to endorse the student crafters as well. “That’s why I really bought [the roses], to help support the [sheet metal students].” Copper roses are available on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at Building 17. The roses go on sale from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Supply of the roses is limited, and traditionally these have been hugely popular sellers. More information on the Red Copper Roses fundraiser will be available closer to Valentineʻs Day at www.thekala.net. (Photos clockwise from left: Alyssa Baligad, Christopher Garcia).
Love is in the air
By Danielle Martinez
Valentineʻs Day is
the same time every year, but it doesnʻt mean it has the same meaning for everyone. To some, this day means professing your love to your sweetheart, pets, or mom. For others, this even means warning us of the dangers of love.
Here are some
some of Honolulu Community Collegeʻs student and staff membersʻ Valentineʻs Day shout-outs for 2018!
KaLā • Ka Nūpepa o nā Haumāna o ke Kula Kaiaulu o Honolulu
6 Pepeluali 2018
Boyfriending: harsh realities of sex trafficking Continued from Page 1 feel like they’re falling in love, said Moore. “Students need to be careful, they need to investigate anyone they want to be with or to know intimately to know exactly who theyʻre dealing with," Moore said. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline website, human trafficking is “a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control victime for purposes of engaging in commercial sexual acts or labor services against his or her will.” “If your ‘no’ means death or your children starving. If your ‘no’ means you are starving, sickness or punishment or torture then itʻs not a free choice. Its coercion,” said Moore when describing the manipulation commonly associated with human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking. Moore who worked with the Womenʻs Action Coalition in New York during the early 1990’s was able to work with groups who dealt with different rights and issues, including human trafficking. In the State of Hawai'i, House Representative Adrias Tupola is taking another approach to this growing concern in the islands. Last year in September 2017, Tupola held a conference on Kauai, Maui, Kona and O'ahu, in partnership with the Dept. of Health, Dept. of Human Services, Child Welfare, the Federal Detention center and other groups. They promoted awareness and education about human trafficking. “I wanted to be a part of the front-end as opposed to always being the legislator that has to hear bad stories on how this happened in a community, and now we have to come up with a law to stop it,” Tupola said. “That's fine, but laws donʻt change behaviors.” According to Tupola, taking a more proactive approach to these concerns is how she hopes to make a difference in the state. Through educa-
tion, heightening awareness, advocacy and learning what you can do is a start towards a solution, said Tupola. “At the end of the day we still have to address behaviors that are resulting in some of these crimes that have targeted some of our most vulnerable youth.” “Educate yourself and figure out where you fit in the solution,” said
dy, information and resources.” Gallant says through this work she was able to connect with women and children in prostitution and get a real sense of the sub-culture and nightlife. “[Sex work] is something very harmful and there are a lot misconceptions on who are trafficked and how much they actually make, all of which is in-
abuse, domestic violence, addiction, sexual assault - all sorts of trauma, emotional and mental abuse,” Gallant said. “Having to deal with all of that and the fact that your body no longer belongs to them, [that] someone else determines when and where and how long they are using your body for profits.” Gallant wants students to know that if they find themselves in a situation or a relationship that they do not feel comfortable or safe, “they have a safe place here at the Wellness Center. No judgment - just understanding,” For additional information and to learn how to Ka Lā Photos by Chris Garcia report a suspectaccurate,” Gallant said. According ed incidence of trafficking, call the to Gallant, all the money earned National Human Trafficking Hotwent to the pimps, and if prosti- line at: 1(888) 378-7888 or check tutes didn’t meet their quota, there out their website at humantraffickwould be consequences. “It’s very inghotline.org real and very scary, I would imagSome local resources include: ine, for the women and girls.” Health Center During her outreach, Gallant Waikiki was able to meet the pimps and email:Information@waikikipeople controlling these women. health.org Ph: (808) 922-4727 They would discuss some of the Ho'ola Na Pua website: resources for health care, the need hoolanapua.org for condoms and sex education. Chow Project website: “I knew which lanes to stay in - I chowproject.org wouldn’t cross lanes with them Ph: (808) 853-3222 and they wouldn't cross lanes with me.” Gallant explained. “And Crisis Text Line website: https:// they would allow us to do our www.crisistextline.org/aloha/
Simone Ispajani, a Santa Monica resident and attendee at the January 2018 Ho'ola Na Pua protest at the Hawai'i State Capitol. The event was held to educate and bring awareness to sex trafficking in Hawai'i. It was there that Ispahani shared her perspective. “Freshman year in college I went to one of those awareness weeks and they had these talks with law enforcement about human trafficking. One woman concluded her talk with this ‘now that you know what is going on you can't just ignore it.’ ” During those years in college, Ispahani and her friends decided to research more into the topic, and found ways to be involved. “You canʻt fix the world, but you can make some kind of difference. Even just by talking about it to one of your friends,” Ispahani said. Kimberley Gallant, HonCCʻs Wellness Center counselor, said “there’s sex work and then there is prostitution.” This referring to the choice and independence of one individual versus the lack of choice for another. In 1995, Gallant spent her graduate internship walking the streets of Waikiki as an outreach worker for the Waikiki Health Center. “I was out there from 10pm-2am, 4-5 nights a week, handing out condoms, can-
outreach and support the women when we could.” For those wanting to exit the life, it was a very delicate process. “I’ve known women who have lost their lives and had to leave their children behind,” Gallant said. “For everyone of those who had gone through that, there have been those who have reconnected with their children moved forward and been successful.” Gallant feels if more people saw prostitution or the sex industry in the context of someone being trapped in a violent relationship, they would look at it through a different lens. “There are many struggles with this life: substance
.
“Having to deal with all of that and the fact that your body no longer belongs to them, [that] someone else determines when and where and how long they are using your body for profits.” -- Kimberley Gallant
KaLā • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai'i
7 February 2018
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Off-campus job opportunity Friends of the Library of Hawai'i Warehouse Staff Position -Full Time/part time -12.50/hr
Responsibilities:
• reciept and pick-up of donations • driving company van and picking up books • volun-
teer assistance • maintain clean and orderly warehouse • maintain an organized inventory of books • palletizing boxes and operating a pallete jack • willingness to work flexible
hours• must be able to lift 50lbs • must have valid driverʻs license and vehicle • must have
On-campus job Student Assistant Student Life & Development Duties: Able to learn and complete general functions of the Student Life and Development (SLD) office including, but not limited to information counter, Campus Center operations, copier functions, filing systems in outer office, basic computer functions of PC and Mac, and ID processing Qualifications: Pleasant personality and good communication skills; MUST be reliable about showing up for work regularly and promptly
On-campus job
violation-free driving abstract for two years
apply by email: admin@friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org (808) 536-4174
Upcoming events
Bookstore Assistant I HonCC Bookstore Duties: Learn and carry out Bookstore policies and procedures; Perform routine tasks, such as accept and process payment for bookstore purchases Qualifications: Cashiering experience & computer knowledge; Able to communicate effectively; Able to understand & carry out directions given by Manager/Student supervisor
FAFSA Workshop Feb. 14, 9am Building 2, Room 401 The Financial Aid Office will be hosting a series of FAFSA and Scholarship Workshops for students during the school year. For more information regarding workshops, please contact our office. All students are welcome to attend. Please bring your 2016 tax information. More information: 845-9116 honccfao@hawaii.edu, https://www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/finaid
Job Number: 10610-A1
Job Number: 10850-A1
Off-campus job Cashier
Promotions Assistant
The Boiling Crab
iHeartMedia
Duties: Money handling; Being able to communicate with guests; Have a good attitude, good costumer service, show both a warm "Aloha" welcoming as well as a warm farewell Qualifications: Works well with others and be a team player; Prefers previous cash handling experience, but not necessary; Must know how to do basic math. Individual must be able to meet their scheduled shifts, and show up on time.
Job Number: 11026
Off-campus job
Duties: Coordinates and attends client meetings with sellers and sales managers as needed to plan events and event logistics; create and execute promotions such as remotes, events, van hits and other street team activities from start to finish; Drives promotional vehicles Qualifications: Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, Photoshop and social media platforms; Excellent organizational skills; ability to prioritize and effectively manage time.
Job Number: 11648
How to apply Visit Hawaii.edu/SECE for information about these and other job opportunities, or stop by by Career Services offices, Building 7, Room 320 to learn more.
Important phone numbers Admissions Counseling Bookstore Business Office Career Services Disability Services Distance Education Financial Aid Health Office
845-9129 845-9129 845-9105 845-9102 845-9204 845-9272 845-9234 845-9116 845-9282
Library 845-9199 Lost and Found 845-9498 Parking 845-9102 Registration, Records 845-9120 Security, 845-9273 Emergencies, 284-1270 Non-Emergencies 561-3809 Computer Lab 845-9293 Student Life 845-9498
Where to eat Hale 'Aina
Next to Building 5 and across the Student Lounge
All Kine Grinds (aka “the food truck”)
Parked on the Mall next to the Hub
Features food from its select vendor Cooking Fresh. With a selection that includes vegetarian options, try the loco moco or the vegetarian mac and cheese.
For local style plate lunches, canned drinks and even the occasional poke bowl, stop by the food truck and try the boneless kalbi or the breakfast plate.
- Sunday to Thursday (10:30AM to 9:30PM) - Friday to Saturday (10:30AM to 10:30PM).
- Sunday to Thursday (10:00AM to 9:00PM) - Friday and Saturday (10:00AM to 10:00PM).
Prices: $
Prices: $$
KaLā • Ka Nūpepa o nā Haumāna o ke Kula Kaiaulu o Honolulu
8 Pepeluali 2018
Dr. Brenda Kwon
Speaking for the spoken word
Dr. Brenda Kwon is a 2015 winner of the Elliott Cades Awards for Literature, the most prestigious literary honor in Hawaiʻi. By Larry L. Medina
Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, she received her BA from University of Southern California in English and creative writing, and her PhD from University of California, Los Angeles in American literature. She is the author of Beyond Keʻeaumoku: Koreans, Nationalism and Local Culture in Hawaiʻi. You say writing is something you've always done. How did you start off? You know Koreans have a 100day celebration for babies, and on the hundredth day there's like some food, there's a pen, there's some money, and they see what the baby picks. And if the baby picks food, then he'll always have food, if it's money, then he'll always have money. I picked the pen, for better or worse. When I was in elementary school, you know how your teacher asked you to write poems and stories? I know it came easily to me, it was a lot of fun. It didn't even occur to me to go into writing until I got to college. All I knew before then was that I loved reading, and I loved stories, and I loved writing. I didn't have that mentality that I was going to be a writer. Did you ever get any feedback on your writing? All through school, I was with some friends, and we had a band, and we'd write lyrics. There was stuff, like "I really like this," but as
far as that sort of encouragement, it never sort of clicked on until I decided to major in creative writing, and that was my second year of college. How did you get into the scene? I was pretty active in spoken word scene, and because of that with events and competitions, I was writing spoken word pieces quite a lot. There were some piecemeal writings here and there, some of it had gotten published in Bamboo Ridge and elsewhere. Why take the spoken word route vs writing lyrics? The spoken word was my primary art form. I do play music, but not as a lyricist - I don't sing. Spoken word was what I was doing and there was such an audience for it and it seemed right for the kinds of conversations on the tougher issues that people were facing, that it was natural to go through that route. What was going on at the time that would result in the public's reaction to spoken word poetry? Particular to Hawai'i, I think Chinatown was instrumental when all of that (was happening). because it started to be just this burgeoning area of musicians and dancers and a lot of beat boys. We particularly went to a place called Studio One. It became that space where artists could create that kind of collective to start looking at some of these things that were
Ka Lā Photo by Larry L. Medina
concerns for all of us. People were hungry for that sort of space.
this beautiful ferocity that these kids have.
So you ran with it? I was where I was an activist for a very long time, so it seemed like the next point in the continuum, you know? So it wasn't as if I suddenly woke up to these issues. It was like, here's a place where people want to talk about it. Here's a place where I can share some ideas and get things going. So it was a marriage between things that I loved and and an art form I was exploring.
Do you see this ferocity in your English students? What do you do to light that fire? Most of the students here are working on degrees where English 100 is something they have to fulfill. If they were to see it through my eyes I’d have to somehow make it OK for 20 people who don’t want to be here to like what I do. If you can see that writing is a visual medium for your voice and there’s some input in it, and there’s some risk, and some radical honesty, then that’s when the writing becomes interesting.
How's the scene now as opposed to 10, 15 years ago? I think it’s very mainstream. If you look at what some of the kids now are writing, the organization is now called Pacific Tongues, They’re incredible writers. They have an honesty and a ferocity that is awe-inspiring. I didn’t have that type of fire when I was a teenager. Is it the political scene that keeps them going? Is it what’s going on socially? It’s all of that. They’re talking about colonization. They’re talking about stolen language. They’re talking about artificial creations of gender - they’re just so much more savvy. Spoken word brings these issues up for them. It never hurts to write to express. It never hurts to be a strong thinker. It never hurts to be able to express yourself orally. There’s
If somebody flips the switch for them, it’s because the switch was already half-on. Somebody who has that passion is already harboring that impetus to go in that direction. If you look at Chris McKinney and Eric Shaffer, they almost can’t stop doing it. What direction do you feel like going after the Cades Award? People would ask what are you doing next, I never knew what to say because I don’t know! I may not have anything else to say. I’ve had people say I should write about yoga, or about cats. There’s lot of suggestions but none of them have hit home. I just made peace of the fact that I’m not that person that writes everyday.