Special fall arts section inside -- pages 3-6
A Student Publication of the University of Hawai`i • Honolulu Community College • December 2012
Poet's corner Read a selection of poetry written by students in Eric Shaffer's creative writing class. Page 6
New citizens Instructor Marty Nikou, who grew up in Iran, addressed a group of immigrants who became U.S. citizens. Page 2
Twilight time Even if you're not a fan, our reviewer says you might want to check out the latest film in the Twilight series. Page 8
Ka La has been voted the best college newspaper in the state by the Hawaii Publishers Association.
Off limits
Vandals, trash cause lounge closure
By Mathew Ursua
Ka La editor
After being shut for two weeks because of trash and vandalism problems, the Student Lounge in Building 2 was reopened for activity on the day before Thanksgiving break. Student Life and Development workers said they planned to keep it open, despite finding new evidence that somebody left gum on one of the chairs. Student Life employee Javele Kaneakua said that her office decided to give students a second chance to prove they can treat the lounge better. Kaleo Gagne, ASUH-HCC student president, took pictures with his iPhone in early November as Student Life officials showed him the damages. The pictures show felt-tip pen graffiti on new furniture, food crumbs scattered about, and food wrappers left in the open. MELE major Tyrell Cherry, who knew about the circumstances behind the closure, said that the decision was “drastic but necessary.” “I didn’t like it,” he said. “I was
Ka La photos by Kaleo Gagne The Student Lounge was dark and off-limits to students for almost two weeks after students vandalized new furniture and repeatedly left trash in the area. Below, a detail of the vandalized furniture
trying to do my work with the wind blowing outside.”
Cherry said the lounge is his “chill spot.” Gagne was instrumental in the decision to shut down the lounge, along with Hillary Brown, who was the acting leader of Student Life while Director Emily Kukulies was out on leave.
Still the president One day after getting a vote of confidence from UH regents, UH President M.R.C. Greenwood visited Honolulu Community College. During the visit, Greenwood mostly ducked questions from TV reporters about the so-called Wonder Blunder in which UH officials were scammed out of $200,000. Greenwood said she is putting that in the past and is ready to continue her duties at the school. Ka La photo by Mat Ursua
KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 2
December 2012
Ka Lā is the campus newspaper of Honolulu Community College. Ka Lā publishes 2,000 copies every month during the Spring and Fall Semesters. Ka Lā and all campus publications are funded by student publication fees and advertising. All materials published in Ka Lā may not be reproduced or reused without permission of the HCC Student Media Board. Ka Lā is published under the supervision of the HCC Student Media Board:
Chairperson Jennifer Kakio Publications Director Matthew Ursua Editor Ieva Bytautaite
Faculty Advisers Emily Kukulies Mike Leidemann
Staff members Delia Fabro Jeffrey Kanemoto Jacqueline Miszuk Noahlani Siaosi Matthew Ursua
December 2012
Contact Information hcckala@gmail.com
Student Media Board Building 2, Room 115 Phone: (808) 845-9213 Submissions Ka Lā invites letters to the editor, articles, events, advertising, and classifieds. Ka Lā 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.
Ka La photos by Mathew Ursua Family members and Friends watch as their Loved Ones become U.S. Citizens at the State Capitol. Below, HCC instructor Marty Nikou shared his experiences as an immigrant from Iran with the group.
New citizens share ties with others By Mathew Ursua
offered culture and a rich history. “All that was taken away from me after the 1979 Islamic Revolution,” he said. Those naturalized last month -- the youngest was a 19-year old girl from the Philippines and the oldest was an 81-year-old woman
from Australia, became citizens of a nation still reeling from the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression. “Perhaps like many of you, I too grew up under dictatorship, tyranny, and socio-economic hardship,” Nikou said. Nikou said that as he walked into the Senate auditorium and saw the faces of the soon to be new Americans, he was reminded of his own naturalization ceremony 18 years ago in San Francisco. Nikou recounted what happened to him in the years before he took his oath. “A hateful, militant
in the mission statement included only a sentence added to the last paragraph. But that sentence carries immense weight for many students. The mission statement now mentions that HonCC will “promote and maintain a multicultural environment where gender diversity and other aspects of personal identity are appreciated and respected.” The change to the mission statement was quite
significant because it reflects the views of the college as a whole. Freshman Maureen Chong-gum said that the change “is good because although those things should be common sense, some people think differently.” Chong-gum said that adding the last part added to the mission statement will make people feel like they are supported by the school regardless of their race, gender, or sexual orienta-
Ka La editor
A dim auditorium beneath the chambers of the state Senate last month was transformed into District Court, making room for nearly 150 spectators who were there to watch friends or family members raise their right hands and take an oath that would seal their citizenship, but not their destinies. Honolulu Community College art professor Moana “Marty” Nikou addressed the nearly 100 newly naturalized citizens Wednesday and talked about fleeing postrevolutionary Iran for a better life stateside. Nikou said that Iran
government took over the lifeline of my country, oppressed its beautiful people, and corrupted its socio-economic structure, so I had to leave in order to breathe and survive,” Nikou said. “America invited me in and provided me with the tools I badly needed to live on.” Many of Wednesday’s naturalized citizens came to America seeking a better lot in life. Toetu Fuatiga brought his family to Hawaii in 1999 after finding little in the way of permanent work in Samoa. Fuatiga’s son Tala was waiting for his dad, who came out with his citizenship papers and hugs for the entire family.
School statement adds a new mission By Ieva Bytautaite Ka La Editor
Honolulu Community may be the third oldest community college in the state, but it is second to none when it comes to standing up for its students. After three years of going from committee to committee, a revised version of HonCC’s mission statement was approved by the school’s Planning Council, and voted in unanimously. The change
tion. Freshman Evan Ishimoto disagreed saying that “the school shouldn’t have to write that out. People should know that already and it is not going to change the way people think.” Perhaps not all students will notice this change, but it will definitely send a message to students who sometimes feel like they have no one to turn to.
KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 3
December 2012
Self Portrait | Jose Corpus
The Arts Issue
Ka La Recognizes Honolulu’s Up and Coming Artists
Breyan Godoy Motion Blur
KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i
December 2012
Photography Breyan Godoy Stop Action
John Kapua Rule of Thirds
Self Portrait | Kealoha Moody
Dianne Horn Motion Blur
Chandler Mitchell
Panning
Ryan Gascon Stop Action
KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 6
December 2012
Poetry
FROM THE COLLEGE’S CREATIVE WRITERS I am Kimo and James
The Great King David
There is an instant shift as a man wakes up in the dark. James takes over the body, and Kimo grumbles quietly in the back of the mind. James sits up as quietly as he can and swings his legs off the side of the bed. Kimo pushes against his mental barrier, but responsibilities come first. James lightly cups his face in his hands trying to clear his head. With a deep breath, James stands and makes for the bathroom.
King David conquered the giant Goliath although people tried to talk him out of it. David graduated high school and enrolled in college even though his grades were average.
by Kimo Wilcox
by David Anthony Dunlap
Kimo is the name a woman whispers in the dark. And Kimo is who James wants to be. James must get up and shower. Kimo wishes to go back to bed. James focuses on the task at hand. Kimo and James wipe off the steam from the mirror, and both stare at a shared face. James dresses quietly and quickly. Kimo longs for the bed and the warmth a woman offers. James looks at the time and curses before running to the car. Kimo complains about traffic. James focuses on the road and moves the visor to shade eyes from the sun. Kimo daydreams about nothing and laughs at an old joke. James and Kimo park the car and stare at the grey building.
Kind David was the second and greatest king of Israel. David was the second son and the biggest baby weighing in at 10 lbs, 4 oz. King David armed himself with a slingshot and five smooth stones. David exudes confidence and isn’t afraid to take charge and make decisions. King David knew there would always be giants blocking the path, but he gathered stones and went to battle David is a leader who appeals to everyone.
Kimo yearns for a doughnut offered at the front door. James barely looks at the pastry and continues walking. Kimo sits down and wants to lean back. James leans forward instead and starts typing. Kimo looks at the clock with disgust and how slow the minute hand moves. James shares the same look. Kimo saves the documents, and James shuts the computer down.
King David was told he was too small to slay Goliath but in the end, his faith and perseverance led him to victory. David considers the impact his decisions will make on the people around him.
James and Kimo get into the car and drive home. Kimo and James make dinner and wait on the coach. James lets Kimo take control and works quietly in the back of their mind. Kimo laughs and eats dinner with the girlfriend. James thinks about love. Kimo makes love. James and Kimo fall asleep, one holding a lover, the other thinking about tomorrow.
David means “beloved.” He wakes up every morning with a smile on his face knowing he is loved by many and named after a king.
David
By Angelo Del Rosario If my name was David, I’d be getting straight A’s. I’d be the MVP throughout my three years at St. Elizabeth middle school and the four years at Aiea high school, where getting together with Jasmine Satinni was as delightful as the red velvet birthday cake that came with a Lamborghini. I would drive that car to an interview and acceptance to Harvard University. I’d be earning a full cholarship soon to be revoked due to poor grades. AP Physics and Calculus were so overwhelming that comfort could only be found through bittersweet Smirnoffs. The Smirnoffs made the road spin, and I totaled the Lamborghini and the patrol car which collided, obligating officer Rodriguez to perform an escort to the state prison. The steel bars were as cold as the nights after Jasmine stopped visiting All I had left was the company of a “far too friendly” room-mate name Butch
KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i
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KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 8
December 2012
BDP2 is the best Twilight film yet By Hillary Brown
Ka La staff writer
Creating a spoiler-free review is what I am aiming for, but you don’t know how hard it is because I want to tell you everything -- absolutely everything -- about Breaking Dawn, Part 2, the final film in the Twilight Saga. Those of you who know the story so far can skip to the next paragraph. For the rest of you, here’s a short recap: Twilight is the story of young woman, Bella Swan, meeting and falling in love with a young man, Edward Cullen, and then subsequently discovering that he is a 170+ year old vegetarian vampire. His family recognizes themselves as vegetarian vampires because they only drink the blood of animals. Who would have thought it? Through the previous four films they struggled to be together and deal with the many obstacles they face from the vampire community. In the last film, Breaking Dawn Part 1, Bella and Edward tie the knot, consummate their marriage, and she ends up surprisingly pregnant. Bella dies bringing their daughter into the world, and in her death
Fans of this movie won’t be able to stay away, but even those who haven’t been following along will enjoy this film.
throes Edward converts her into a vampire. The new film begins with the moment when Bella wakes from her two-day conversion and begins her life anew as a vampire. This plot line revolves Bella’s newborn life and the family’s struggle protect their baby, Renesmee, from the Volturi . So with you all caught up, let me get to the great part about this film. The actors have all grown into the parts quite well, so unlike the first few films, there aren’t too many scenes where you cringe because of exaggerated perfor-
mances. Fans of the books will be happy with this film. There were some changes, but for the most part the film mimicked the book well enough to pass. A co-worker of mine who isn’t a fan of the books was even more ecstatic then I was about how the film turned out. The changes weren’t too out of line with what would work best with the plot and continuity of the previous films. The pace is quick, and there aren’t many down-time moments where the audience is sitting in the theatre thinking “can we get back to the action” or “damn, this film
is dragging. “ I would say from the moment when Bella opens her eyes, the audience is right there and the film moves through the plot like lightening…one minute there, the next minute gone. I didn’t realize how fast paced the film was until the end scene rolled around and I was thinking, “damn this movie is short,” only to realize I had been watching for 1 hour and 35 minutes. It only felt like 30 minutes had passed. The only weird thing was baby Renesmee is a little scary. I don’t know what to call the movie magic used to animate and create a baby with a full mouth of teeth, but I was a little put off. I got over it quickly, but, yeah, for a second I had a what-the-hell? moment. Fans of this movie won’t be able to stay away, but even those who haven’t been following along will enjoy this film. The commercial I saw this morning claimed that Breaking Dawn Part 2 was the best Twilight film thus far, and I would totally have to say with a raised voice, fist in the air, and probably throwing in some surrounding cuss words : HELL YES! Nothing is perfect, but was darn lose. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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