Ka Lā March 2010

We're online: www. thekala.net A STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I • HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE • VOLUME 1, SPRING 2010

HCC starts 90th year celebration

WHERE ARE WE HEADING?

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New president promises UH improvements Page 3

What students really want on the campus Page 4

From HCC -with love on Valentine's Day Page 6

MELE Club reorganizes for spring Page 7

A professor who knows how to rock Page 8

A new master plan for HCC

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Ka La photo by Christopher Balidio

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NEWS KaLa • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai‘i

KaLa Ka La is the campus newspaper of Honolulu Community College. Ka La publishes 2,000 copies every month during the Spring and Fall Semesters.

Ka La, and all campus publications are funded by student publication fees and advertising. All materials published in Ka La may not be reproduced or reused without permission of the HCC Student Media Board, Ka La is published under the supervision of the HCC Student Media Board: Chairperson Julia Ching Publications Director Camille Agojo Radio/Broadcast Director Joel Chasteen Faculty Advisers Emily Kukulies Mike Leidemann

Staff members Lauren Bali Christopher Balidio Vance Baron Jaron Chang Joel Chasteen Li Mei Chen Nicholars Diaz Andrew Garma Cirilo Guisadio Arianna Joy Steven Lynch Korry Paige Andrew Pang Wesley Sanderford Wilsie Scott Charles Sinfuego Mathew Vasconcellos Ashley Wilson Gerald Yamada Nicole Yoshizumi

ISSUE 1 SPRING 2010 Contact Information editor@thekala.net Student Life & Development Building 2, 1st Floor Phone: (808) 845-9498 Submissions Ka La invites letters to the editor, articles, events, advertising, and classifieds. Ka La reserves the right to refuse or edit submissions. Submissions must be signed and include a daytime telephone number and email address.

Editors and writers are responsible for content, which does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HCC faculty or staff.

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HCC starts 90th anniversary celebration Trade school started long tradition back in 1920

By Gerald Yamada

Ka La staff writer

Honolulu Community College is celebrating its 90th anniversary, and the school plans monthly events over the next nine months to mark the occasion.

The anniversary celebration got off to a start in February with a Chinese blessing ceremony that included lion dances and the world’s largest moon cake.

It was held on the diamond head end of the campus mall and was attended by administrators, faculty, students and guests.

The school will continue to celebrate the anniversary by doing an event once a month for a year through next February.

It all started back in February 1920 when the school, opened as a trade school for 42 students, operated in the old Chinese Hospital in Palama.

Now, 90 years, later, there are about 4,500 students on the 26-acre campus that runs along Dillingham Boulevard.

In the early years, most of the students were trained to become carpenters and auto technicians, In 1958, the foods building opened, housing the school's bake shop and cafeteria. The automotive building was completed in 1962 along with the electronics building. The following year, Honolulu Technical School built a two-story science build-

Ka La photo by ChriSTOPHER Balidio

photo CourtESy of HCC library

HCC marked the 90th annivesary of the school's founding with ceremonies on the campus mall, including the sharing of a large moon cake honoring the Chinese hospital part of its history. In its early years the school mostly trained carpenters and auto mechanics, like those above from about 1960. Today, the school has a much more diverse mission serving more than 4,500 students.

ing.

On July 1, 1965, Honolulu Technical School was transferred by statute from the Department of Education to the University of Hawai'i and became part of the Community College System. The following

year, the first Associate Arts degree was authorized.

During the 1970s, Honolulu Community College experienced a construction boom. The fashion and cosmetology building, liberal arts building, library

and student services were all built in the period.

During the last two decades of the 20th century Honolulu Community College established a number of off-campus sites including automotive Technology (1986) and diesel mechanics facility (1988) on the makai end of Kokea Street, the Airport Training Center (1995) at Honolulu International Airport, the Marine Education & Training Center (1995) on Sand Island, and the Pacific Aerospace Training Center (1998) at Kalaeloa.

Continuing to look for ways to meet demand for new workers in the construction industry, Honolulu Community College in 2005 established the Construction Academy in partnership with eight Hawai'i high schools (now 35 statewide).

In March 2001 the administrative headquarters of the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training, a consortium of the University of Hawai'i Community Colleges, opened at Honolulu Community College. Two years later, the Music & Entertainment Learning Experience (MELE) program was started.

"Times of celebration are also times of reflection.

As we prepare to celebrate our 90th anniversary, we are also taking a long and hard look at the future,” Chancellor Michael T. Rota said.

“This year will be a time of implementation planning and preparation for the next decade so that we can continue to meet and exceed the educational hopes and expectations of our community."

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UH vital to state's success, president tells Legislature

Greenwood promises to increase graduation rate by 25 percent the state are under one administration, can help reverse a trend in which A strong and healthy younger Americans are no University of Hawai'i, is longer as educated as older vital to the success of the citizens. state.

“The concept that pubThat was the message lic education benefits the new University of Hawaii entire state and not just the President M.R.C. Greenindividual student today is wood gave in a speech to more important that ever,” a joint legislative session Greenwood said.

Feb. 3 at the state Capitol.

While Greenwood did “I want to make it clear not specifically mention that the University of Honolulu Community Hawai'i system is part of College in the hour-long the solution to our curspeech, she did offer rent economic problem.” many success stories from Greenwood said in the other community colleges first-ever such address by around the state as proof a UH president to the state that the system is working Legislature. as it should.

Greenwood said According to the presiHawai'i’s unique intedent, the university needs grated system of public ed- to focus its attention to ucation, in which all 10 of three strategic broad the the public universities objective: first, increasing and colleges situated in the number of educated citizens; second, contributstrategic locations around

By Cirilo Guisadio Ka La staff writer

University of Hawaii Photo

U.H. President M.R.C. Greenwood makes a historic appearance before a joint session of the Hawaii State Legislature.

ing to the work force and the economy, and third, advancing the university’s ability to build the state’s capacity.

Noting that President Obama has asked Congress to create the American Graduation Initiative to help bring the United States back to being a world leader in the number of citizens with higher education, Greenwood announced that UH will

create the Hawaii Graduation Initiative so that by the year 2015, the number of college graduates will increase by 25 percent.

“Our goal is to remove barriers that prevent Hawai'i residents from getting the higher education they desire and the graduates the state needs,” she said Greenwood assured the lawmakers and the public that the university is

committed to increasing the educational capital of the state by increasing the participation and success of students, particularly Native Hawaiians, lowerincome students, and those from underserved regions. “We are committed to supporting the access and success of Native Hawaiians.” Greenwood said.

Unfortunately, she said, many of the university’s facilities are already old and need critical repair.

“The state of Hawaii needs and deserves a 21st century public university, one with superior facilities," she said.

She did not offer any specifics on how those improvements would be paid for but emphasized the need for a new partnership with the state that will lead to a better future.

The president reported that statewide UH college enrollment rose to 58,000 students, the largest number of students in the history of the University of Hawai'i even in today’s difficult economic conditions.

Greenwood's first visit to HCC campus is an eye-opener

By Matthew Ursua Ka La Staff writer

New University of Hawai'i President M.R.C. Greenwood likes what she has seen so far of programs at Honolulu Community College.

Greenwood toured the HCC campus in the fall

and met with students from the school’s music education and engineering design programs.

“I’m very impressed with the types of programs you have going on here,” she told a gathering of faculty members later in the day.

Greenwood, who became president of the 10-cam-

pus university system in August, told the HCC gathering that community colleges have a special place in her heart because her own son is a “community college reclamation project.”

After receiving a flower lei from HCC Chancellor Michael T. Rota, Green-

wood said she was visiting all the UH campuses to familiarize herself with facilities, faculty and students “out of self-interest.”

“Nothing substitutes for meeting people,” Greenwood said.

Several students who heard about Greenwood’s visit agreed that she should

visit more often.

“I think it’s a good idea for her to come,” said Lake Smits.

Christian DeCosta, a freshman in the Music and Entertainment program, said he was “pretty interested” in hearing what she thought,

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OPINION 4

KaLa • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai‘i

"more student input.

Paved parking lot."

Vishal Hemlani

ww.thekala.net Issue 1, Spring 2010

"The cafeteria is Old and Overpriced. There’s no flavor in the chicken'"

"We need more career classes with an easier transfer system.”

Prudence Kabutaulaka

Salvatore Napoli

‘At UH, They have a Bale, Pizza Hut, a Taco bell. Why can’t We??’

Corey Utu

Ka La photos by Chris Balidio

What students really want on campus

By Nicolas Diaz Ka La staff writer

We wanted to know what was on students' minds. Boy, did we get an earful.

When we sent a reporter and photographer out to ask students what they most wanted to see changed on campus, this is what they said: Parking. Food. Free parking. And more food.

"Parking is junk,” said Prudence Kabutaulaka, a liberal arts major, echoing many others.

Of 25 students surveyed, these were top concerns: student parking, the food in the cafeteria, more clubs and school events, intramural sports, redesigning the classrooms, more classes offered and a better system of transferring to UH-Manoa.

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Issue 1, Spring 2010

New plan may revamp look of campus

By Ka La staff

For the first time in almost 15 years, officials are moving to create a new master plan for Honolulu Community College, Chancellor Mike Rota said in February.

The local firm of Helber, Hastert, and Fee has been hired to work with campus officials to develop the plan.

The decision came after another architectural firm was hired to design a new technology training and science facility on campus, Rota said.

“As we started with the discussions with the community college system regarding a number of important factors related to the location of that facility, the site improvements necessary to improve

Ka La photo by Christoper Balidio

A local firm has been hired to prepare a new master plan for campus development. Officials say the plan will guide almost everything about the campus look and use in the foreseeable future.

the campus access along Kokea Street, and the impact of a planned rail stop on the campus at the corner of Dillingham and Kokea Streets, it was clear that the current college

Facilities Master Plan, approved by the Board of Regents in 1996, was not a helpful guide to inform these discussions,” Rota said.

That led to the idea of

creating a new master plan.The first campus meeting to discuss the facilities master planning process was held Feb. 12 and Rota later went before the student Senate to

brief students on the plan, which he said will be on an accelerated schedule and finished by early next year.

School officials are asking faculty and students to get involved in the planning process by attending upcoming campus workshops, responding to questionnaires and monitoring progress on the project’s website.

Among the issues that will be considered in the plan are aesthetic and safety concerns, building designs, parking access, and integration with the city’s proposed rail project.

Current proposals call for the development of the new science and technology center in the area of the parking lot next to Building 2.

Rest easy while you're in class You'll be able to concentrate on school work because you know your kids are in good hands with professional, on-campus care:

Keiki Hau'oli Children's Center Now, with immediate openings for preschool children Financial aid available For more information: 845-9466

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KaLa • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai‘i

Issue1, Spring 2010

HCC news briefs Scholarship deadline is April 1

Applications are now being accepted for the Hana Lima Scholarships sponsored by Alu Like.

The scholarships offer financial assistance to Native Hawaiian students who are enrolled in a vocational degree or certificate program at any community college in Hawai'i. Up to $1,500 can be used forward tuition and fees, books, and other required tools.

For more information call 535-6734 or email cowills@alulike.org.

Time to think about graduation

If you have not yet submitted your application for graduation (informing HCC that you have or will be completing all your graduation requirements and that you want your certificate or degree) please do so as soon as possible. The deadline is March 15.

Information on the Graduation Application Process can be found at http:/www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/ records/graduation.html The spring commencement ceremonies will be at 5:30 p.m. May 14 at the Waikiki Shell.

Dozens of students stopped by the lounge just before Valentine's Day to create homemade cards and to participate in a romantic trivia contest. The event was sponsored by the Student Life and Development Office.

Class schedule may be go paperless

considering a change that will limit the number of printed class schedules available to students.

Under the proposal, most students would obtain all their information about upcoming classes online only.

However, the new online version of the class schedule would have a feature that would allow students to print it on demand from a local computer.

Cafeteria expands early hours

Managers of the HCC cafeteria have agreed to begin opening the facility at 7 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

That's an hour earlier than usual to accommodate students arriving on campus for early classes.

The cafeteria will have a limited menu for the first hour.

Nominate an example of excellence

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual HCC Excellence in Teaching Award.

Students and faculty can nominate any faculty member for the award. Both teachers and other faculty members are eligible Please include letters of support from both students and faculty, Nomination forms are available at http://honolulu. hawaii.edu/events.php . The deadline is March 12.

Ka La photos

by Jennifer Kakio

Showing some love on campus Students turn out to make their own cards

different activities and games including making hand-crafted cards that Valentine’s Day was celebrated a little early this students and faculty could year at HCC. The Student get involved with. Prizes were given to trivia contest Life lounge held a Valentine’s Day activity party on winners and for the best Valentine’s Day cards.

Thursday, Feb. 12.

By Lauren Bali Ka La staff writer

The lounge was covered in red and pink decorations. Even the refreshments, such as cookies and cupcakes,were themed for the celebration. Students and faculty were more than welcome to join in on the fun.

There was a variety of

Jasmine Kamai, an HCC student, participated in the quiz based on knowledge of celebrity couples and romantic movies.

Although she was not the winner of the game, she was determined to make a card and hopefully win the

best card contest.

Stephanie Sanders, another HCC student, had her fun by making Valentine’s Day cards to display in the fashion building.

She used stickers, glitter, red and pink constructionpaper, stamps and more.

Hillary Brown, a student assistant manager who helped host the event, said that the event was a chance to build the community and make the campus more fun and enjoyablefor students and faculty.

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Issue 1, Spring 2010

MELE Club reorganizes for spring

By Steven Lynch Ka La staff writer

HCC's MELE Club held its first meeting of the semester Jan. 28, and got right down to business.

The club, a campus organization of students enrolled in the 2-yearold Music Entertainment Learning Experience program, is planning a number of activities to enliven campus life.

"The main goal is to Photos by Julia Ching get things going on the The Ho'opili Hou conference on Maui in January provided an opportunity for student leaders from across the state to get together to share right foot," said club ideas and lear new skills. Above, the students gathered for a group photo at the end of the day. Below, one of the skill -building exerercises President Joel Chasteen. the group from Honolulu Community College took part in.

"We would like to create unity between MELE program and students on campus. We are hoping

By Joel Chasteen irrelevant, but it came Community Colleges Ka La staff writer to plan a couple events to serve a more useful participated. and be involved with meaning, showing the The conference proOvercoming rain, vog, other organizations on importance of organizing vided workshops that and in-flight turbulence, and off campus to make and planning, no matter helped develop skills that five Honolulu Community coming to school more how big the talk. ranged from sustainability College students and adenjoyable," Chasteen With all games aside, to stress management. visers attended the spring said. students were able to These skills were taught 2010 Ho‘opili Hou. The club discussed take from this spring’s through interactive classes The annual student helping with the Walk Ho‘opili Hou not only and unique social acleadership conference, a Mile in Her Shoes knowledge to help develhosted by the Hawaii As- tivities. Some workshops event and planning for op themselves, but also enabled fellow leaders to the Spring Fest this year. sociation of Student Life information they could learn principles of goal Students from the MELE Advisors (HASLA), was bring back to their own a one-day event that took oriented planning and its Club may also be given clubs and organizations. purpose. place at Maui Community and develop strategies the opportunity to help Most students were able One of the more creCollege. Students from on how they were going with Na Hoku awards, to leave with something ative activities involved the University of Hawai‘i to defeat their opposing and the Hawaii Lifetime useful from the conferthe common children’s teams; ideas ran from Achievement awards this West O‘ahu, Brigham Young University Hawaii, game “Jun Ken Po.” reading facial expressions ence, and even if they year. didn’t, at least they got Amused students were and the Leeward, Windto using mind games. At The MELE program their Krispy Kreme’s. told to form into groups ward, Maui and Hawai‘i first, the game seemed promotes music industry professions from songwriting to technical production and music publishing. Students can five books of poetry.

Honolulu Community Whistle” was selected “Shaffer’s winning enearn associate of science from approximately 75 His first novel, Burn College assistant professor try has a tensile strength degrees in music busiworks and will be puband Learn, was released Eric Paul Shaffer has been that is sustained throughness or audio engineerlished in Volume 24 of the in November. Shaffer named this year’s recipient out the poem," said ing with the opportunity Hawai‘i Pacific Review, teaches creative writing of the James M. Vaughan Patrice Wilson, judge of to transfer into related Hawai'i Pacific Univerand other English courses Award for Poetry. the contest. bachelor’s programs. sity’s literary magazine. at HCC. Shaffer’s poem, “The Shaffer has published

Student leaders gather for conference on Maui

English professor wins top poetry award

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Issue 1, Spring 2010

Rocking out at HCC

Sociology professor has more than one life to live

By Wilsie Scott Ka La staff writer

Being born in Tokyo and moving to New York City at the tender age of 18 months was just the beginning of Fumiko Takasugi’s diversity.

Today, many people on the campus of Honolulu Community College know her as a sociology professor and active participant in campus and community activities. But did you know she also finds time to participate in the local music scene as a drummer?

It was growing up in New York that Takasugi noticed the great cultural differences of the variety of people living there and also was exposed to a great variety of music.

Although her listening habits now are various, back then she was exposed to Billy Joel, Carly Simon and the rest of the Top 40 on the airwaves. When she was 9 years old, her family moved across the Hudson River to New Jersey, where Takasugi had a 6th grade teacher, Miss Miedowski, who influenced her academic career.

“When I was in sixth grade, we got to choose an area in social studies,” she said.

“I chose sociology. I enjoyed it because we got to make arts and crafts from Mexico because our teacher was part Mexican American.

I thought sociology had to be the coolest career field,” she said.

Even though she later learned sociology is more than arts and crafts, that early experience stuck with her and led her to the academic career she now thoroughly enjoys.

The next 10 years saw Takasugi moving back to Japan where she again attended public school until she finished high school and then studied for a bachelor's degree

Dennis Peralta photo

Sociology Professor Fumiko Takasugi comes by her diversity naturally, having spent years in New York, Tokyo and Honolulu.

“We’re all here to help you succeed. Visit with us, share your goals, and we’ll help point you in the right directioN." Fumiko Takasugi’

at Sophia University. Meanwhile, she constantly listened to the Far East Radio Network, which played current American Top 40.

Once finished with her bach-

elor’s degree, she moved back to New York City and studied for her master’s degree in sociology at Columbia University.

After moving back to Japan to work for a while, she came to

Hawai'i in 1994 and finished her education at UH Manoa, earning a PhD in sociology. It was during her time at Manoa where she immersed herself in the local music scene, going to as many club dates as her schedule would permit.

During this time, she progressed from fan to performer, taking drum lessons from musicians she befriended, until she developed her skills to start her own band.

She didn’t see this as an escape from her classes, but a chance to meet as many varied people as she could, something that tied in to her educational goals.

Although she has been in several acts ranging from “Forlys” and “The Grunge Puppies” to most recently “SheCanDevour,” which played at last year’s HCC Springfest, her main passion is to show that girls and women can be in bands and can work and play in the scene both here and elsewhere.

She advises students to take initiative, ask questions, and be critical of things. Find your own path and make it happen.

There is nothing that can stop you.

But she also recommends keeping your purpose in check. Establish your goals and then don’t be intimidated.

The reason she enjoys instructing here at HCC is the teaching-centered nature and approachability of the faculty.

“We’re all here to help you succeed. Visit with us, share your goals, and we’ll help point you in the right direction,” she adds.

When asked for one final bit of advice, Fumi responds: “It’s really OK to make mistakes and changes. Make the mistakes, learn from them, and keep being determined."