UHWO The Hoot Issue #61

University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Student Newspaper

EDITOR’S NOTE

91-1001 Farrington Hwy

Kapolei, HI 96707

Editor-In-Chief

Mikaela Eaton

Managing Editor

Carley Matsumura

Layout Editor

Tre Zamora

Staff Writers

Lindsey Millerd

Grace Sapolu

Moises Alhambra Jr.

Leviticus Kaopuiki

Photographer

John Kamakana

SMB Advisors

Sharla Hanaoka

Rouel Velasco

On The Cover Student Workers, ACM Student Workers, Japan Study Abroad pictures by The Hoot

Feedback, Submissions, Advertising Inquiries thehoot@hawaii.edu

Questions for the Student Media Board smbwo@hawaii.edu

University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information. Nor does the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu warrant the use of the works is free of any claims of copyright infringement. All views expressed are those of the page author and not of the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu and/or the University of Hawaiʻi system, and any concerns or comments about these pages should be directed to the page author, and not to University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.

© October 2023

The Hoot

Hi Pueos! I hope your semester has been going great so far! Midterms are here. So for this issue, we’ve compiled a few articles flled with tips for you to hopefully make these midterms go by smoothly. Our staf has been working hard to give you this issue. A few new noticeable visible changes have been made. We wanted to give you a new look that would refect our staf and how we want you to receive this information. There are more graphic and illustrated elements that we look forward to continuing to deliver to you. With more experience afer the frst two issues we delivered, we decided to take more time to give us a new look. Afer a fun brainstorming session, we heard from our staf and decided what direction we wanted to take. To give The Hoot a more fun and current look, our editors have collaborated and worked hard. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

As we continue with our semester, we wanted to give you as much information about our campus as possible. With so many diferent departments with important updates, it’s only ftting that we’re able to provide you with all that information in one place. We’ll do our best to deliver and include these updates and will continue to do so. I’d like to also give a special thanks to our staf: Carley, Tre, Lindsey, Grace, Levi, John, and Moises. Thank you for your commitment and awesome work to deliver our campus publication to our fellow students and campus community. And as always, a big thank you to Rouel and Sharla for their never ending support. With a special shout out to the Communications Department for their support.

In this issue, you’ll see a lot of diferent updates and events. If your department has an update or events they’d like to include in our following issue, please don’t hesitate to contact us at thehoot@hawaii.edu. If you, a UH West O‘ahu student, are interested in joining our staf, please reach out to us! Either via email or through our Instagram @thehootnews.

Table

Mikaela Eaton Editor-In-Chief

Career and Internship Fair

Opportunities ahead!

BY MIKAELA EATON

Every semester, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu’s Career Services holds a Career and Internship Fair. This fall semester, the Career and Internship Fair x Careers in IT and Cyber Fair will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the UH West Oʻahu campus in C208. All students are invited to register and attend.

This is an opportunity for all students to connect with employers who are looking for potential candidates. Meet with the participating organizations and create connections. A few of the organizations to look forward to include: Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hawaiian Airlines, State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education, and more! Take this opportunity to fnd what may work for you and to network. Once registered, it’ll prompt you to create a Handshake profle. Handshake is a networking site for college students to fnd jobs and connect with employers. There, you can update your profle and upload your resume.

Visit the Career Services site to find more information and register for the event:

Tips for Success

Career and resume tips to help you succeed

BY GRACE SAPOLU

When going through the college experience, some students fnd it important to start working, either on or of campus. Working throughout college can be dificult, but very useful. It can build skills necessary for life afer college. Megan Tossey and Claudia Chen, both student workers, share some advice:

Q: What is the most important thing for a resume to have?

Megan Tossey: The most important thing for your resume is adding any experience you have. Whether it be doing community service, your past jobs, the clubs you are in, etc. Putting what experience you have in your resume shows the employer what you can ofer the job you are applying to.

Claudia Chen: A great resume is formatted cleanly, easy to read, and demonstrates clear suitability for the role you are applying for. I also think providing evidence/descriptions of your past work experiences in the form of quantifable proof is a great tip as well!

Q: What is one career tip you want to share?

Tossey: One career tip I have is just to go for it. If you are constantly second guessing yourself on every decision, you aren’t going to make it very far. When I applied for study abroad, I was nervous but I knew if I just didn’t go for it I would miss an opportunity of a lifetime. Another example of me just going for it was applying to be a Noʻeau tutor. I was a tutor for ENG100 students before I loved it and I knew I should just go apply for this job. To me, it’s more important to go for what you want because you could have a great outcome from it or, of course, things might not go your way, but you can always look back at it and say: “at least I tried.”

Photo by Student Life

Tips for Success

Continued from page 3

Chen: My one career tip is to gain some work experience while you’re still in college in the form of internships. I think internships are a great way to try out diferent careers for a short while and can help you fgure out what kind of job you would want in the future!

There you have it, Pueos! Some tips from two of the great student workers here at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. Use them to help you grow and succeed. Good luck!

Importance of LinkedIn

Customizing your LinkedIn experience

BY MOISES ALHAMBRA, JR.

Anyone can create a profle to any site and be done with it. Creating a well-defned LinkedIn account can take a bit more time and efort. The Help menu in LinkedIn is a good starting point. However, this article will focus on how you can make your LinkedIn profle work for you.

What is LinkedIn? LinkedIn Help, this service was created for connecting with professionals in the industry of your interest, searching for job postings, and earning certifcations by using the builtin knowledge platforms.

For a typical student looking for internships or entry level jobs, a free account can suffice. Work history, education, certifcations, and licenses (if you have any) are just some of the professional information the site encourages you to share. This information is what makes you visible to potential employers, as no one would look twice at an empty profle.

A LinkedIn profle has a specifc function—to further your career goals. Typically, many people undergo role transitions, which also include changes in positions or companies they work for. The profle serves as an avenue for exploring new career opportunities or building skills in your current role.

LinkedIn builds your professional reputation using a system that vouches for your skills. This is done through your connections, who can be employers, peers, colleagues, managers, and recruiters that can endorse your skills. Another way is passing the skills tests in LinkedIn learning. This is an essential step in creating your personal brand.

Your LinkedIn profle can convey your personal brand. Like with other social media platforms, you can highlight your interests by interacting with companies, people, and posts that align with yours. Many members found their ideal jobs by showing their passions, interests, and aspirations.

As a college student, the skills necessary to land the job of your dreams may require more work from you. LinkedIn Learning is a platform that premium members can use to bridge the skills gap. There is a built-in certifcation system as you complete the lessons, and it automatically updates your profle.

Once you go through creating your LinkedIn profle, there is a cool feature that you can access through the More button. One of the selections lets you build your resume. If you have included job descriptions in your profle, the migration to the resume is seamless. Keep updating your LinkedIn profle and you can update your resume just as easily.

Photo by John Kamakana

Job Interview Tips

What you need to know about job interviews

BY MOISES ALHAMBRA, JR.

Applying to a job position is only a step before getting hired. Getting through an interview process is a built-in method in most job application processes. The proven way of getting through an interview process is being prepared. This preparation starts with the job posting and some research about the company you will potentially work for.

Many online resources, as well as career workshops, advise dressing appropriately for the job you are applying for. This tip is applicable to virtual meetings as well. First impressions are everything, so being presentable and appropriately dressed is key.

An aspect of the interview process as part of your preparation is having the fundamental knowledge about your skills to compare against the minimum requirements asked for in the job description. Whether it be for a grocery store cashier or an executive position

of a well-known company, the expectation is that you will be able to do the job you are applying for. In some cases, like in sofware programming jobs, you may be asked to provide a solution for a particular programming application.

What do employers typically want to know about you in an interview? A question from the interviewer could be, “Why should we hire you? Why should we consider you for this position?”, or simply, “Tell me about yourself.”

Answering these questions can show how interested you are in the position. Your answers will provide insight into how the position fits into your life. For example, will the job just act as a means for living or is it something you are passionate about?

Employers want to know if you will be a good ft for the organization. Many jobs require working with other people. So

situational questions where the interviewer asks, “When is a time you had a confict with someone? How did you resolve it?” can provide this information. Ofering a unique perspective based on your skills or personal qualities will make the hiring team consider a place for you in the organization.

Afer answering the interview questions, a piece of advice for an interviewee is to ask questions at the end. You may be wondering what the daily routine in the workplace is. You can also ask the interviewer how they like their job in the company. Not only will asking these questions answer some of the aspects of the job not included in the job description, it will also provide the interviewer the opportunity to showcase some of the perks, if not the culture that makes them stay with the company.

Photo by John Kamakana

Library Column

James & Abigail Campbell

Library Updates

BY CARINA CHERNISKY | PUBLIC SERVICES LIBRARIAN

Himeyuri and Hawaii Exhibit: Check It Out!

The exhibit will be at our library through Jan. 31, 2024 - don’t miss it! The exhibit, which examines the connection between Himeyuri and Hawaiʻi, shares the story of the Himeyuri Student Corps – consisting of students from the Okinawa First Girls’ High School and the Okinawa Female Normal School – who were mobilized in 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa.

These adolescent female students were conscripted as nurses for the Japanese and Okinawan soldiers; their horrifc wartime experiences speak eloquently to the insanity of war and to the importance of peace. 240 Himeyuri students and teachers were sent to war, and 136

of them became casualties. Learn more about this historical event, the connection between the Himeyuri and Hawaiʻi, and their ongoing message advocating for peace by visiting the exhibit.

Banned Books Week

Celebrate Your Freedom to Read! Banned Books Week, which raises awareness about attacks on your freedom to choose what you read, will be celebrated Oct. 1-7. Censorship is an ongoing issue that afects all of us but especially those in marginalized communities; as such, it’s imperative that we educate ourselves on the issue. Show your support for intellectual freedom by dropping by and chatting with a librarian. To view the Top 13 most challenged books of 2022, go here:

Photos by Leviticus Kaopuiki

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10.

Status of the Library’s Second Floor

It is entirely possible that by the time you are reading this, the Library’s second foor will have reopened. For the latest project updates, visit: https:// go.hawaii.edu/ZFy. We appreciate your patience as the construction project wraps up!

Our Loanable Technology Collection

The Library has a collection of laptops, iPads, and hotspots that are available for current University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu students to check out from the Library’s Circulation Desk on a firstcome, frst-served basis. This collection consists of Chromebooks, Macbooks,

Dell Laptops, iPads, and T9 Mobile hotspots. These devices are always available the frst day of each semester and the duration of the loan is for the entire semester. Though most/all of our loanable technology has already been borrowed for Fall 2023, please keep this collection in mind for future semesters. If you have questions, please email us at uhwolib@hawaii.edu.

Puzzled over Citing Sources?

Check out our citation guide! This guide explains citations and their basic elements, while giving concrete examples of how to properly build citations, and how to weave in-text citations into a paper. It also serves as a jumping-of point to other useful citation resources (generators, managers, Purdue OWL, etc.).

http://guides.westoahu.hawaii.edu/citing

Chat with a Librarian

Need help with a paper? Have a quick question about library services? No need to come into the library or pick up the phone – you can chat with a librarian online! Use the widget on the library website to send us your question Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and we’ll respond right away.

Connect with Us!!

We’re @uhwolibrary on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter so follow us for the latest information about library happenings. Tag us in any pictures you take in the library–we’ll repost our favorites.

Japan Study Abroad

Study abroad makes a comeback with Hokkaido summer program

BY LINDSEY MILLERD

This past summer, I studied abroad in Japan at Tokai University Sapporo, located in the Hokkaido prefecture of Japan. The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu’s study abroad programs stopped during the peak of COVID-19, so this was the frst group to go in a few years.

There were fve of us UH West O‘ahu students who went and we were the only international students at the school. We lived in the dorms on campus and had two resident advisors (RAs) who were students at Tokai. Our RAs were so nice and helpful. They were like our mini tour guides, helping us navigate the school and public transportation when we went out.

Our summer course was an advanced course for Japanese language and culture. Everyone who was accepted had to have some background understanding of Japanese. The majority of our classes were Japanese language, covering reading, writing, grammar, and kanji. The last time I took Japanese was about 5 years ago in high school, so I was pretty rusty, but all my teachers and peers were always willing to help.

Within our classes, we got to experience many cultural activities. One day, we learned how to put on yukata and do a tea ceremony, another day we did Japanese calligraphy. We even went on a feld trip to the Upopoy National Ainu Museum where we learned about the indigenous culture of the region. One of my favorite classes was the kimono workshop where we got to wear the most beautiful pieces and learn Japanese games and dances.

Outside of class, we also did a lot of activities together, often with our Japanese friends from school. We went out to restaurants, thrif stores, malls, karaoke, and even an onsen. In the dorm we had fun watching movies, dancing, or doing crafs together. On my last day, I went on a 12-mile hike with one of our RAs and saw some of the best views of the city. It was a really awesome way to end my stay. Gian Otoman, UH West O‘ahu’s International Programs Coordinator, said, “We plan on sending students over to study abroad in Japan and South Korea next year. We hope to send people to Sapporo next summer/fall and Korea next fall.” Both of these programs will be focused on language (Japanese or Korean). Some are advanced, others are beginner level.

The International Relations and Programs Ofice is planning for more events to promote study abroad during International Education Week from Nov. 13-17. Otoman mentioned they plan on bringing in people who have already studied abroad to share what to expect from the experience.

I loved living in Japan for a bit as it allowed me to connect with my culture and practice my independence. Studying abroad is really great because you get to experience the excitement of a whole new place, but you’re also with a really solid support system. It’s something you can only do while in college, so defnitely try for it while you can!

Photo by Lindsey Millerd

Photo by Lindsey Millerd

Join us for Casino Night!

Save the Date: Oct. 26

BY LEVITICUS KAOPUIKI

Get ready to play your cards right, because in just a few short weeks the Student Activity Fee Board will be shufling up a oneof-a-kind event! Hosted on Oct. 26 in C225 from 5 to 8 p.m., Casino Night will be featuring classic card games like black jack and poker, as well as delicious food, many interactive activities, a photobooth, and more. This night is nothing short of glamorous, so students are encouraged to come dressed in their semi-formal/classy attire. Outside guests 16 years old and up will be able to attend the event with a University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu student, but may need to fll out a waiver. Don’t miss the chance to take part in this fun-flled night, it’s a gamble you won’t want to make!

ASUHWO’s Fall Update

Office hours and election results

BY CARLEY MATSUMURA

Students can now visit members of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu during their ofice hours. Ofice hours are a time for students to talk story with or receive clarifcation from their representatives on issues concerning the UH West Oʻahu community.

Voted into leadership positions by their fellow students, ASUHWO members work to support the student body. Lindsey Millerd, the 12th Senate’s President, encourages students to share “any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have,” during ofice hours.

O ice hours for ASUHWO’s 12th Senate: See roster on right

In-person hours take place in ASUHWO’s ofice within the Student Life Center (C214). To attend online hours, students can reach their representatives through the ASUHWO Virtual Ofice on Pueo Live Discord. Scan the QR code for ASUHWO’s Discord.

The results of the Fall 2023 Elections will be sent out through email and posted on Instagram @asuhwo. Information on the newly-elected members of the 12th Senate can be found on their website asuhwo.com.

Email ASUHWO at asuhwo@hawaii.edu and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

PRESIDENT

Lindsey Millerd

Thursday & Friday 2-4 p.m

In person

VICE PRESIDENT

Mikaela Eaton

Wednesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. & Thursday 3-5 p.m.

Online

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

SENATOR

Danielle Ethan Bantilan

Tuesday 3-5 p.m.

In person & Friday 5-7 p.m.

Online

SENIOR CLASS SENETOR

Jasika Gouveia

Wednesday & Friday 5:30-7:30 p.m.

In person

CAUCUS AMBASSADOR

Kanoelani Bagorio

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 7-8 a.m.

Online

Midterms are Here!

Q&A with Robyn Tasaka and Dr. Steven Taketa

BY GRACE SAPOLU

To help prepare for midterms, here are some tips from the staf on campus. Robyn Tasaka is Director of the Noʻeau Center and Dr. Steven Taketa is a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.

Q: What is an important resource for studying that UH West Oʻahu ofers?

Robyn Tasaka: The Noʻeau Center for sure! Whether our temporary location in A224 and A223 or our permanent location in B203, we are a great space to study in air conditioning. If you hit a snag while studying, you can schedule a tutoring session or see what resources we may have available either online or in our physical space.

Dr. Steven Taketa: UH West Oʻahu Mental Health Services is an important resource. I think it is important because students who take advantage of mental health services are more likely to graduate and succeed. For some conditions, talk therapy is fne. It is very dificult for people to make those decisions on their own.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice for someone studying for their midterm, what would it be?

Tasaka: Start of by attending all your classes and keeping up with your assignments. This will help you to be ready for exams so that you don’t have to cram.

Dr. Taketa: Study rehearsal over cramming. Be very clear on the “why” of your education. Motivation is an important part of success and grit. If a person does not know why they are in college, they should go to the UHWO Mental Health Services. Don’t call yourself lazy. People should also reach out to Mental Health Services for anxiety.

Q: How do you look out for your mental health during midterms and other stressful times?

Tasaka: I try to get enough sleep, fit in weekly exercise classes, and take breaks: true weekends when I can focus on my family and myself, activities I enjoy, and social time, so that I can hit the ground refreshed on Monday.

Dr. Taketa: I think as a psychologist, the thing about mental health is it’s specifc to each person. The mental health challenges vary between diferent people. Mental health success is a lot like academic success. You have strengths and vulnerabilities. When it comes to psychological struggles, you should talk to a mental health professional. I encourage all students to take advantage of the mental health services that we ofer.

Good luck, Pueos. Study hard and take care during midterms!

“WORK OUT LIKE A UHWO JOURNALIST, RUN WITH A STORY”

Photo by John Kamakana

Senior Capstone Spotlight

Q&A with senior capstone students

BY LINDSEY MILLERD

Marc Mercado is a senior majoring in General Creative Media. He will be graduating in Spring 2024 and is exploring a couple of topics to pursue for his capstone. One possible topic is creative directors in the music industry and how they create a brand for artists, and another is healing through music; both ideas focus on artists creating music for their own well-being and how their art can impact others.

Q: Where did the idea come from?

A: Before discovering my passion for creative media, I had a love for music at a very young age. I consider myself a songwriter, which is a healing activity for me. Other music has also healed me. Heartbreak songs, for instance, can be healing because of how relatable they are. However, I want to explore other aspects of songwriting, such as political issues being communicated, or genres of music that build a sense of community and belonging.

Q: Where are you at in your process and are there any challenges?

A: I’m still in the early stages of my capstone research so I’m currently deciding on a topic to focus on. This is proving to be a challenging task because there are so many interesting areas I want to explore. However, I am certain that I want my research to center around music and creative media.

Q: Any plans or goals afer graduation?

A: Afer graduation, I hope to keep working in a creative media job that will provide me with the necessary experience to eventually become a creative director in the music industry, which is my long-term goal. Plans may change, just a thought. Just letting life fow.

Amirah Shyla Abella is a senior in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She is graduating this Fall 2023 and has been working on her policy and procedure capstone project. Her project is meant to explain why certain procedures are the way they are, and how important it is for policies to complement the procedure. Part of her project is also creating a progress report and business map of what happens at her internship.

Q: Where did the idea come from?

A: I got this idea by talking with my internship supervisor. It’s essential to understand the importance of diferent departments and what they do, so when I enter a management position in the future, I can take that into consideration when making policies for the company.

Q: Where are you at in your process and are there any challenges?

A: I am in the organization/preparation step. My challenge is staying focused because I get bored when dealing with a lot of fles and putting them in order.

Q: Any plans or goals afer graduation?

A: My plan is to fnd a job. My concentration is fairly broad, but the purpose of it is to move up the more I gain experience. I also plan on getting a few more certifcates and my masters to enhance my resume.

Scan QR code to view past Capstone projects:

Marc Mercado General Creative Media Major

Amirah Shyla Abella Business Administrator Major