Issue 8 by Trojan Times

Off Offto togreener greener Pastures Agricultureteacher teacherJeffrey JeffreyYamaguchi, Yamaguchi,an anIolani Iolanigrad, grad,aafootball football player, player, a violinist in his Agriculture his teenage yearsand andananIowa IowaState Stategrad, grad,came cameto toMililani MililaniHigh Highin in 1991. 1991. Since then he has teenage years has been a cornerstoneininMililani Mililaniand andHawaii’s Hawaii’sFuture FutureFarmers Farmersof of America America program giving been a cornerstone countlesshours hoursininhelping helpingstudents studentslearn learnabout aboutsustainability sustainability and and self-reliance. self-reliance. Known countless Known the guyfrom fromgrowing growingcrops cropsto tohelping helpinganyone anyoneand andeveryone everyone in need, Yamaguchi asas the gogototoguy Yamaguchi after yearsofofbuilding buildinglasting lastingrelations relationsand andinspiring inspiringfuture future leaders leaders is getting his long after 3030years long deservedretirement. retirement. deserved

To the the Mililani Mililani High School Class To Class of of 2018 2018 ......Congratulations! Congratulations! We share share your your excitement excitement at We at reaching reaching this this milestone milestoneand andwish wishyou youall allthe thebest. best. New opportunities opportunities lie lie ahead ahead and New and we we are are confident confident that thatyour yourteachers, teachers,mentors, mentors, coaches and families have given you the coaches and families have given you theskills skills to meet any challenges you may encounter. to meet any challenges you may encounter.

You You will will discover discover that thatyour yourlives livesare arealways always aa work-in-progress. work-in-progress. Enjoy Enjoy the the journey journey and andmake makegreat greatmemories! memories!

(A special congrats to Kylie Kaulia! We’re all so proud of you!) (A special congrats to Kylie Kaulia! We’re all so proud of you!) M il il ani H igh Scho o l | Issue 8 | May 17, 2018 M ilil ani Hi gh School | I ssue 8 | May 17, 2018

May 17, 2018

To Our Future Staff and Readers by Camille Nevarez-Hernandez

2018nevarezhernandezc@mililanihs.k12.hi.us

his is a bittersweet moment for me—I am writing my last letter as the EIC of Mililani Times. At the beginning of the year when we created this publication, my staff and I had the goal of mailing out our seventh issue to the entire Mililani community, and with hard work and dedication we pulled it off. I can’t begin to explain how proud I am of my staff for always managing to get their work done. While in this program, the workload can generate a large amount of stress stretching over several weeks at a time, but the payoff of seeing the final product makes it more than bearable. As I am a senior this year, along with most of the other board members, it is time we pass on the torch, not only to a new staff, but also to the school and community that we hope to serve. Although we’ve only been established for nine months, we have already made a name for ourselves, and hope that this legacy lives on even after we are gone. I know running this paper won’t be easy

Mililani Times’ mission is to inform the community of news, people, and issues of concern. Community. Responsibility. Dependability. Editor-in-Chief Camille Nevarez-Hernandez

so I’d like to pass on some of the lessons I’ve learned in my year as EIC. Have patience with everyone and yourself. You will encounter problems with almost everything you do. People will not agree to interviews, the weather will be rainy on photoshoot days, or your idea for a design won’t work. This is when your problem solving skills have to come in. You have to think on your feet and find other solutions to make your ideas happen. Things will not always go your way and that’s okay. What matters in the long run, is your staff standing behind you through every failure and

success. As long as you always have your team to rely on, and as long as they can look up to you for guidance, anything is possible. We started this publication as a team, and as long as we stay together every step of the way, our legacy will be upheld for years to come. I want to end by thanking you, the reader. Thank you for looking at our work and appreciating it. We all truly work hard to make this happen, and having the readers enjoy the paper is what it’s all about it. Thank you for your support and I hope you continue to enjoy Mililani Times for years to come.

Community Editor Maiya Ezawa

Copy Editor Caitlin Barbour

Community Editor Marisa Hayase

Vlog Editor Elgin Reese

School Editor Taylor Ann Ono

Social Media Editor Erisa Castillo

Online Editor Connor Tribble

Director of Sales Jacie Higuchi

Design Editor Gavril Ibaan

Photo Stylist Kamaile Fitzgerald

Associate Designer Chaeley Winkler

Head Proofer Nick Malae

Head Photographer Adviser Timothy Won Mr. Christopher Sato Staff Aidyn Aradanas Tyler Birchard Chanelle Camero Jasmine Casana Christina Casanova Chloe Fong Coby Foreman Alicia Getty Henry Hawes Kaitlin Hirasa

Jaden Ige Alexander Ink Kylie Jones Chloe Kitsu Jenna Nakanishi Mia Nava Emily Padello Carlos Prado Megan Schendel Trey Yamamoto

Produced at 95-1200 Meheula Pkwy., Mililani HI 96789 To voice an opinion or concern, feel free to send a letter to L205 or to 2018nevarezhernandezc@ mililanihs.k12.hi.us.

Cover photo by Marisa Hayase | Mililani Times

God of Death By Taylor Ann Ono | Designed By Chaeley Winkler Camille Nevarez-Hernandez | Mililani Times

God of Death is Akira Reas’ (12) first time writing and directing a play. (L-R) Daniel Yoshino (9) as Apollo, Shealynn Foster (11) as Athena, and Christina Casanova (12) as Artemis.

Kenji Reas (11) as Ares falls in love with Aphrodite, even though it was arranged that she marry Hephaestus. (L-R) Angelo Bongbonga (11) as Hephaestus, Alicia Getty (11) as Hera and Kailee Natto (12) as Aphrodite.

(L-R) Diana Morales as Persephone (11) and Marcus Otaka (10) as Hades wed even though Hades is seen as “evil” by all the other Gods because of his power involving death. But their relationship turns into something that cannot be denied, even by the tragedy of death.

MAY 17, 2018

A, B, C Afuso, Travis...............................National Merit Scholarship Aivao-Sisneros, Kayleigh.............University of the Pacific ...............................................................Seattle Pacific University Alos, Kylie.............................University of Hawaii at Manoa Amor, Jasmine Joy........................Hawaii Pacific University ...............................................................Seattle Pacific University ..............................................................Portland State University ...................................................California Lutheran University Ancheta, Jacen...................University of Hawaii at Manoa .....................................................................University of Portland .......................................................Washington State University ................................................................Oregon State University Antonio, Bryan...............................Hawaii Pacific University Arakaki, Bryson.............................................Pacific University Ardona, Cheyenne ...........................Chaminade University Austin, Madison.........Savannah College of Art & Design Badua, Gabriel..................Concordia University, Portland ...............................................................................Pacific University ...............................................................Seattle Pacific University Baguio, Gabrielle.............University of Hawaii at Manoa, ...................................................................College of Engineering .....................................................................University of Portland ..............................................................................Seattle University .....University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chancellor’s Scholar ....................HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Dependent ...........................................................................................Scholarship Barlan, Amanda.................University of Hawaii at Manoa Beaudoin, Ariah................Concordia University, Portland Burgos, Andrew...............................University of the Pacific Campos, Saralyn...........................Hawaii Pacific University .................................University of Hawaii at Manoa, College ..................................................................Opportunities Program Campos, Shane.....University of Hawaii at Hilo, Inspired ............................................................................by You Scholarship Canon, Taysia....................................University of the Pacific Castillo, Erisa...........................................Chapman University ...............................................................................Pacific University Castro-Wong, Chance...............Hawaii Pacific University Chan, Liezl Rae......................................University of Arizona Chang, Halie...................................................Pacific University Chen, Kelly.....................................University of Washington ......................University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chancellor’s ....................................................................................................Scholar ..............................................................................Seattle University .....................................................................University of Portland .......................................................................University of Oregon Cosner, Alissa...........................University of Hawaii at Hilo

d, e, f Davison, Ashley..................University of Hawaii at Manoa Delos Reyes, Jessica........University of Hawaii at Manoa .................................................................Azusa Pacific University ................................................Northwest Christian University Domingo, Mika.......................Soroptimist of Central Oahu ..................................................Community Action Scholarship ...............University of Hawaii at Manoa, Regents Scholar ....................................................................Santa Clara University ................................................................Oregon State University

..............................................................................Temple University ..................................................................................Kenyon College ..................................................................................Tufts University ...............................................................Northeastern University ...............................................................................Tulane University ................................................................University of Pittsburgh ......................................................................................Bates College ..............................................................................Davidson College .....................................Foodland Shop For Higher Education .......................................................................Burger King Scholars ...........................................California-Hawaii Elks Association Domogsac, Noah..........................Hawaii Pacific University Ducosin, Ariel.................................Hawaii Pacific University Eligio, Jessica..................................................Pacific University Engineer, Jhanvi.........Savannah College of Art & Design Estrella, Regis.....................University of Hawaii at Manoa Ezawa, Maiya................................................Seattle University ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa Flores, Alexis......................Rotary Club of Mililani Sunrise ....................................................................Na Ho’okama a Pauahi Fujimori, Taryn.......................................University of Oregon Fujinami, Benjamin...............Honolulu Police Community ...........................................................................................Foundation Furuta, Tayzha................................Hawaii Pacific University Furuta, Tehani................................Hawaii Pacific University

G, h, i Galicha, Liliana..................Concordia University, Portland Gano, Jarryd.................................................Marian University ................................................................Oregon State University .......................................................Washington State University Gapusan, Justice.....................University of Hawaii at Hilo Garza, Manaakeakua.....University of Hawaii at Manoa, .................................................College Opportunities Program Gazzara, Kaya.....................University of Hawaii at Manoa Gentry, Hunter......................Culinary Institute of America Gomban, Taylor.................University of Hawaii at Manoa, ........................................................................Chancellor’s Scholar Goto, Bryson.......................University of Hawaii at Manoa Grucella, Sierra.............................................Baylor University .................................................Hickam Officers’ Spouses’ Club ......................................................................Texas Tech University Guevarra, Maxine.....................California State University ...........................................................................................San Marcos Hamada, Kathrynn...........University of Hawaii at Manoa Hanaoka, Shayla................University of Hawaii at Manoa Hashimoto, Katie.........................Portland State University ...............................................................Hawaii Pacific University ...............................................Pacific Northwest College of Art Hayase, Marisa..................University of Hawaii at Manoa ...............................................................................Pacific University ..............................................................Portland State University Higaki, Alissa.................................................Seattle University ...............................................................................Pacific University Higuchi, Jacie......................University of Hawaii at Manoa Hull, Brianna...................Western Washington University .....................................................................Whitworth University ....................................................................George Fox University Ishisaka, Taylor....................................Chaminade University

j, k, l Jarman, Julia.........................................Marquette University Jenkins, Spencer..............Monsanto Hawaii Life Sciences ...........................................................................................Scholarship Jeon, Jocelyn.......................University of Hawaii at Manoa ...............................................................Seattle Pacific University Johnson, Imani...............................Hawaii Pacific University Johnson, Kaylee...........Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation .....University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chancellor’s Scholar Jung, Matthew...................University of Hawaii at Manoa ..............................................................................Lehigh University .............................................................................Purdue University ....................................Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ...............Honolulu Sertoma Club, 2018 Cottington Trust ...........................................................................................Scholarship .............................................................................Boston University Kamikawa, Keenan......................Seattle Pacific University Kang, Min Soo....................University of Hawaii at Manoa Kashima, Ashlyn.................................George Fox University ................................................................Oregon State University ................................................University of Nevada, Las Vegas .......................................................................Creighton University ......................................................Northern Arizona University ..............................................................................Seattle University .....................................................................University of Portland ...............................................................Saint Martin’s University ....................................................................George Fox University ..............................................................Portland State University Kim, Helen............................University of Hawaii at Manoa Koza, Ashley........................University of Hawaii at Manoa Lake, Emma...............University of Hawaii at West Oahu, ........................................................................Regents Scholarship ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa Lam, Theresa.................................................Seattle University ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa ...............................................................Seattle Pacific University Lanias, Anuhea....................................Chaminade University ...............................................................Hawaii Pacific University Lau, Chaise..............................................University of Arizona ..........................................University of Hawaii at West Oahu ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa ...............................................................................Pacific University Lifoifoi, Joseph...................University of Hawaii at Manoa Lillie, Jodi.................University of Hawaii at Hilo, Athletic

m, n, o, p Massey, Minami.................University of Hawaii at Manoa McNally, Phoebe...............University of Hawaii at Manoa Melville, Thalia................University of Nevada, Las Vegas .......................................................................University of Arizona ......................................................Northern Arizona University ........................................................Western Oregon University ....................................................................Na Ho’okama a Pauahi Minato, Zachary...............University of Hawaii at Manoa, ........................................................................Chancellor’s Scholar ................................................................Oregon State University .......................................................Washington State University Momono, Darren..............University of Hawaii at Manoa Morales, Louis................................Hawaii Pacific University

Disclaimer: This list is as of May 7, 2018. Scholarship information has been provided by students, colleges or organizations, and was subject to verification before being listed. These scholarships do not include federal need programs. List does not reflect acceptance of scholarships.

5 Nakagawa, Breeann........University of Hawaii at Manoa .......................................................................Creighton University ................................................................Oregon State University .....................................................................University of Portland ..............................................................HEI Scholarship Program ........................Monsanto Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship ..................................................Rotary Club of Mililani Sunrise Nakama, Aubrey............................Seattle Pacific University Nakasone, Zack.....................Washington State University ...............................................Western Washington University Nakayama, Kristyn...........University of Hawaii at Manoa ...............................................................Hawaii Pacific University Naruse, Kimberly..............University of Hawaii at Manoa Nishimura, Dayna.........................Saint Martin’s University ....................................................................Chaminade University Okawa, Alyssa.................University of Nevada, Las Vegas Okumura, Tracie...............University of Hawaii at Manoa, ........................................................................Chancellor’s Scholar ........................................................................Chapman University .............................................University of Southern California .............................................................University of Washington .......................................................................Creighton University Ono, Taylor Ann....................Washington State University Ostrov, Jessica......................................New England College .....................................................................Marywood University Ostrov, Julia...........................................New England College ................................................................Southeastern University Pa, Dashaye..........................................Chaminade University Paeste, Jimmie........................Johnson & Wales University Pai, Alex....................................................Woodbury University Perreira, Destiny.............................University of the Pacific Pogue, Ivan........University of Hawaii at Manoa, College ..................................................................Opportunities Program Pura, Ashley-Kate......Savannah College of Art & Design ..........................................................Cornish College of the Arts

r, s Reed, Alexandra.......Brigham Young University - Hawaii Reed, Isabella............Brigham Young University - Hawaii Rego, Keely..........................University of Hawaii at Manoa Rice, Isabelle.................................George Mason University .......................................................................University of Arizona ....................................................................................Marist College ................................................................Oregon State University ................................................Bowling Green State University .......................................................Washington State University ................................................University of Nevada, Las Vegas .......................................................Austin Peay State University Rosario, Giscelle...................................University of Arizona .....University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chancellor’s Scholar Roucoulet, William...........University of Hawaii at Manoa Roy, Donovan......................University of Hawaii at Manoa Sasaki, Kamryn.............................................Seattle University Schiller, Timothy....................U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa ................................................U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Scott, Lindsey...............................Colorado State University .......................................................................Creighton University .......................................................................University of Denver .......................................................................Vanderbilt University

...........................................Washington University in St. Louis Seu, Quaid................................................Creighton University ..............................................................................Seattle University Shaw, Nicholas...................University of Hawaii at Manoa Shea, Shilene........................................Chaminade University Shimokihara, Carli.................University of Hawaii at Hilo, ...................................................................................................Athletic Shiroma, Cody....................University of Hawaii at Manoa Shishido, Bryson...............University of Hawaii at Manoa, ........................................................................Chancellor’s Scholar Soberman, Rafal....................The Evergreen State College Soroten, Victoria...............University of Hawaii at Manoa Suarez, Leichelle...............University of Hawaii at Manoa, .................................................College Opportunities Program Suzuki, Reannon..................................Marquette University ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa ........................................................................The College of Idaho ............................................................Colorado Mesa University .......................................................................University of Dayton ................................................................................Carleton College .................................................................................Grinnell College .....................................................................Willamette University ............................................................Colorado State University

Class of

2018 Scholarship

recipients Designed by Marisa Hayase

t, u, v Tabe, Michael......................University of Hawaii at Manoa .............................................................University of Washington .......................................................................University of Oregon ................................................................Oregon State University Takaki, Amy.....................................................Seattle University ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa Takata, Kerilyn..................................University of the Pacific ..............................................................................Seattle University ...............................................................Seattle Pacific University ...............................................................................Pacific University .................................................................Azusa Pacific University ...................................................................................Linfield College ....................................................................George Fox University Tamura, Tanner.............................................Seattle University ................................................................Oregon State University .......................................................Washington State University Tetsutani, Dylan....................Washington State University Torres, Kailani......................................Chaminade University Travis, Emily..............................University of Hawaii at Hilo, ...............................................................Chancellor’s Scholarship ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa ...............................................................Hawaii Pacific University ......................University of Hawaii at Hilo, Inspired by You ...........................................................................................Scholarship Tribble, Connor.................University of Hawaii at Manoa, ........................................................................Chancellor’s Scholar Tse, Dylan.............................University of Hawaii at Manoa Turpin, Madeline...........................Seattle Pacific University Tyrell, Breiden..........................University of Nevada, Reno ...........University of Hawaii at Hilo, Chancellor’s Scholar ...............................................................................Pacific University ...................................................California Lutheran University ...................................................................................Linfield College ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa Uyeno, Caitlyn.....................................University of Portland

..............................................................................Seattle University ....................................................................George Fox University .....................................................................Willamette University ............................................................University of Puget Sound

w, x, y, z Weber, Nicole....................University of Hawaii at Manoa, ........................................................................Chancellor’s Scholar Wurlitzer, Karlin.........Idaho State University, Glasmann .....................................................................Scholarship & Athletic Xu, Yang.................................University of Hawaii at Manoa Yamada, Claire.................................University of the Pacific ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa .............................................................University of Washington .................................................................University of the Pacific ............................................................University of Puget Sound ....................................Hawaii Future Physician’s Symposium Yamakawa, Jadyn..............University of Hawaii at Manoa Yamashita, Cade............................Oregon State University ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa Yokota, Sarah....................................University of the Pacific ........................................University of California, Santa Cruz .......................................................................................Reed College .......................................................................University of Oregon .................................................................University of the Pacific Yonemori, Bryce..........................................Seattle University ...................................................University of Hawaii at Manoa .....................................................................University of Portland ...............................................Western Washington University ...................................................................................Linfield College ...............................................................................Pacific University Yoshimoto, Kaylee........................Hawaii Pacific University Zuelke, Jack.........................University of Hawaii at Manoa

May 17, 2018

From Air Force to DOE Teacher: Kenui Soars into Retirement After 29 Years

Chloe Kitsu | Mililani Times Kenui has many fond memories of growing up in Queens, New York where she would play in the streets with friends and also wait outside in the summer for the fruit truck to come around with delicious cherries. BY Chloe Kitsu | Designed by Trey Yamamoto

or seven years English teacher Linda Kenui worked for the air force, but she soon found an immense passion for education. Kenui has been an educator for 29 years, teaching at Moanalua Intermediate and Wahiawa Intermediate before ending up at MHS in 1993. Within her 25 years at MHS, Kenui has taken on many roles; from being a student services coordinator, to a general education English teacher, to finally being a special education English teacher. “I grew up in Queens, New

York. I left New York when I was around 20 years old and I lived in Colorado (and) I lived in California. When I was in San Diego, California, I decided to join the air force, so I was in the inactive duty air force for seven years. And then I got tired of all that, and so I decided to finish my degree and become a teacher. So I finished school at Cal. State L.A. and I decided to come back to Hawaii with my husband to teach. My first job was at Moanalua Intermediate, then Wahiawa Intermediate, and then I came to

students. And then when I was not Mililani High School,” said Kenui. a classroom teacher, I think the Kenui had an interest in challenges were meeting all the teaching from a young age, she legal deadlines that I had to meet loved school and the idea of when I was a students services helping others. “I think it was coordinator,” a social thing Kenui. really; I really “when students said During her enjoyed being really learn time teaching, there (in school) and being with something is when Kenui has had many moments my friends,” said it really makes me where she felt Kenui. “And then, accomplished. I used to play feel good.” “When they school all the [students] have time when I was that moment when they’ve really a kid.” learned something. I remember Kenui formed close one time we were reading Catch relationships with her students, 22—the novel Catch 22—and creating fond memories. “For we did a lot of metaphors and example, one girl came to me, I similes and after we reviewed all will always remember this, in the those, one student said, ‘I finally morning and I didn’t even have learned what a simile is, all these her for first period but she was years I didn’t know what it was.’ crying. And she said, ‘Oh Miss I So it’s when students really learn know you’re going to think I’m something is when it really makes silly and it’s really stupid, but me feel good,” said Kenui. my dog died this morning. And As she retires at the end of this I know that it’s just a dog and school year, Kenui encourages everything.’ And I said, ‘Oh no, no, students to strive for the best, no, I’m a dog lover. I completely even though times may get tough. understand how you feel.’ So we “I think for students, I’d like to talked about it, you know, I even say you can get a great education got tears in my eyes because anywhere, but you have to reach I’ve had dogs die. Then the next out and grab that education. It’s day, the mother came in, in the not always going to be the teacher morning, to see me and to thank or anyone giving it to you or me for talking with her daughter. forcing it to you. The teachers who So that was really nice, and you don’t like for example, you there were other moments like can still get a good education, just that, but those were the really do what you have to do and even memorable ones,” said Kenui. more. And for students, watch that She also faced challenges when social life, watch that social media it came to balancing everything because people can be very mean,” that she had to do. “I think said Kenui. maybe time management was a As for the future, Kenui plans challenge, trying to find time to to continue working in real estate, do everything that it required of take care of herself, and substitute a good teacher. Trying to be both for her fellow teachers at MHS. creative and energetic for the

Class of 2018 jimmie paeste “So after high school, I’m shipping off to basic training. I’m already enlisted in the army national guard so after i get back, I’m planning on going to LCC, get my GE credits out of the way then hopefully I’ll be going off to UH West to pursue a degree in criminal justice.”

s the school year comes to a close, the seniors of MHS find themselves at a crossroads between being a child, and becoming an adult. The choices are endless: four year universities, two year community colleges, vocational school, in addition to entering the workforce or the military. Their stories are diverse, and students leave what is familiar to take the journey they’ve spent the last 13 years of their lives preparing for.

Samantha Ramiscal “After High School, I’m attending LCC for an undergraduates associates degree, after those two years I’ll be attending UH Manoa to go get my degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.”

Steven Frisbee “So pretty much I’m not going to college. I’m just going to go straight to the airforce and then I was going stay in for about 20 years but I’m going to go to college while I’m in the air force and I’m going to be a cardiologist in the air force and that’s pretty much it. “

Kaili Garland “I’m going to the University of San Francisco in California and majoring in Physics and hopefully I can become an Astrophysicist.”

May 17, 2018

fter 30 years of teaching, agriculture teacher Jeffrey Yamaguchi is retiring. Having founded the agriculture class and Future Farmers of America (FFA) club when he first arrived, he has since seen his program flourish during his 27 years at MHS. “I’m kinda proud of what we accomplished in terms of when I started here: there was no ag program, there was no FFA. So in terms of both the teaching part—you know going from zero classes to being able to teach six classes. As well as, the facility we built— you know when I first started teaching my classroom was in the back, we had a very small planting area, very small garden. So just the building up the facilities over the years,” said Yamaguchi. Coming from an agriculture bacskground, Yamaguchi’s interest in farming was cultivated from a young age. “Our farm was in Nanakuli but we lived in town, so my dad would have to drive up everyday. And I mean, from as early as I can remember, I really enjoyed going out. When I was really small my dad wouldn’t take me because I would be more of a nuisance than help, ‘cause I’d be so tiny that he’d be afraid that I’d get hurt,” said Yamaguchi. “But from a really young age I remember I’d enjoy going out and as I got older my dad relied on me to help. It was a family farm so, you know, if my uncles couldn’t work that day for whatever reason—doctor’s appointment, vacation, or whatever—I would always work to take their spot, to fill in.” Yamaguchi, originally expecting to take over running his family’s pig farm, got a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University. However, while in college, his father sold the farm leading him to pursue education. “I went away for college, came back,

and I was working at Lahainaluna High School—not as a teacher but with students. And then I decided to get into teaching, so I went back to UH (University of Hawaii) for a couple of years to get my degree and then started teaching.” In 1991, Yamaguchi was employed by the district superintendent at the time, Liberato Viduya, to start the agriculture program at MHS. “He came from an agriculture farming background and he always wanted to have an agriculture program at Mililani High School. And so he actually hired me as a district person housed here at the high school, and I was given the opportunity to start the program. So it started out, my first two years of teaching here, I only had two classes of agriculture. And it took me maybe four or five years to finally get six classes of ag,” said Yamaguchi. Over his years of teaching at MHS, the agriculture program founded by Yamaguchi grew into what it is today. “Across the way what is now my shop used to be a shade house for plants; it was open, had no floor, just wood tables with potted plants. So the industrial arts department, you know our teachers back then, we converted this into a shop. And so I even had my students build a lot of this, so that was a major accomplishment. We did aquaculture—we had big round tanks in the back. With the help of the science learning center, Mr.(Daryl) Ota and Mrs. (Elaine) Mahone, we started the hydroponics table where we grew lettuce hydroponically. There’s been a lot of changes especially facility wise that I guess just attracted the students to take the class,” said Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi also chose to form a FFA club for students in his class who wanted to participate. “When I started teaching I was already exposed to FFA. I knew what it was all about, so we just started the program with the national organization. We had to

the guy tha

Jeffrey Yamaguchi Jeffrey Yamaguchi RetR Camille Nevarez-Hernandez | Mililani Times

Jeffrey Yamaguchi was able to combine his two passions as an agriculture teacher. He was able to work outdoors and share his love for agriculture with his students.

be, what was called being chartered—being recognized—by the national organization as a local chapter. You know, I think I started out with maybe three or four, maybe five, members and we’ve had as many as 20 (to) 21. So you know, it’s just having already known about FFA and then working with the FFA it was easy to get started,” said Yamaguchi. Former state Educational Specialist for Career and Technical Education and state FFA advisor Michael Barros knew Yamaguchi since he started teaching, but worked closely with him in FFA. “He was always instrumental in helping: working with me to organize community activities, organize the district level events, even at the state level he would always be a part of, maybe not so much organizing, but he’d give input and he would be there to help,” said Barros. Yamaguchi pushed his students to be active in the club. “He had several state officers, which is pretty much the highest level in the organization that you can strive for. So the students in his FFA strive for a high level of excellence, so that’s something that really shows that he expects a lot from his students,” said Barros. “His students, just like him, they were always there, they were always dependable, they would help. His characteristics were reflected in his students that were participating outside their regular classroom, so Mililani was always one of the more dependable chapters to look at.” This dependable and helpful personality impacted both Yamaguchi’s students and colleagues throughout the years. “Firstly, so many students have been through his program and the fact that he’s been in contact with them has kind of altered their life course—be it that they kind of chose something within the agriculture field or just because of the kind of personal connections that they built during the course of being in his program. So I think that a lot of students

were very profoundly impacted by Mr. Yamaguchi both here and at other schools, because I know this is not his first school,” said technology coordinator Tom Falenofoa, who also used to work with Yamaguchi in the Industrial Arts department. “In terms of his colleagues for my generation of teachers he had a profound effect on setting the tone of what you should expect of yourself and of leadership within the department—kinda proponent of equity. He’s a good friend. For us, all of the guys kinda my age from CTE, we kinda you know, not as a father figure per say, but kinda like an older brother; like he would show us the ropes on what we should be doing, how we should be the best versions of ourselves.” Even in a personal setting, Yamaguchi proved to care for those around him, welcoming teachers into his home with his wife, Monica Yamaguchi. “I think they definitely have shown a lot of true friendship, they really care for all of their friends, not just myself,” said Falenofoa. “They’ve definitely been part of those times in your life when there’s tragedy, they’ve helped us get through that. They’ve helped us celebrate our periods of triumph, just kinda just what you would expect, without being too personal on either my own experiences or theirs. Like you couldn’t ask for a better friend than Mr. Yamaguchi.” Through this friendship, favorite memories were created. “Well early on when I first started teaching here, we were working on a plan to secure some of our equipment. And he told me that it’d be easy, all we have to do is ‘hasp and padlock the bugga’ and I didn’t even know he was speaking English at that point. He said it so fast, and you know I’m not really from here, so the speed at which he deployed his pidgin, I was confused. And then so he talked to me like I was—you know like people often talk to foreigners—he slowed down and he repeated himself. And even though to

be honest with you I still didn’t know what he was talking about. So that’s just one of those things that’s indicative of the kind of relationship we have, we don’t take things too seriously and we’re always joking around with each other,” said Falenofoa. Yamaguchi also takes with him the memories he made with the people he met while teaching. “Just working with students all over the many years, all the different FFA, working with all the teachers, especially from my department—the Industrial Arts department—there’s many many teachers that came through,” said Yamaguchi. “You know when I first came in I was the young one that looked for help from everybody and now I’m probably the oldest one now in the department. I think maybe right now only Mr. Cadiz has more years at Mililani High School than me in terms of our department. And you know all of the previous teachers, the previous Industrial Arts teachers, that have retired or have gone somewhere else to do other things. So that’s the memories that I take away,” said Yamaguchi. After spending nearly three decades at MHS, Yamaguchi is now looking forward to retirement with his wife. “Hopefully just, I left behind the love, joy of agriculture; you know growing things, working outdoors. You know just give a new experience, different experience, for students who maybe never worked outside, never worked with the soil, never got dirty—that kind of thing,” said Yamaguchi.

at makes plants

Retires After ThreeDecades Decades in in DOE DOE tires After Three by Caitlin Barbour | Designed by Gavril Ibaan & Chaeley Winkler

May 17, 2018

VEX ROBOTICS

places 15th at

INTERNATIONAL

Competition BY tyler Birchard | Designed by TyleR Birchard

rom April 25 to April 28, VEX Robotics team 1973B competed against teams from all around the world in the 2018 VEX Robotics World Championship held in Louisville, Kentucky. Finishing in 15th place in their division, the team got a chance to interact with other students and bond over the stiff competition they faced. “It was an amazing experience, having to see and meet people from around the world. Chinese, Canadian, Puerto Rican, and even Syrian, the place was just full of people with the same ‘want to win’ attitude. Everyone had a goal,” said Senior Liezl Rae Chan. The team earned their spot by placing in the top 50 in the skills challenge, an individual competition designed to test a robot’s capabilities in the rigors of the 2017-2018 game,

where teams had to stack cones, move mobile goals into scoring zones, and park their robots in designated areas. By placing well, they proved themselves worthy to move on to the World Championship. 1973B earned this through innovative robot design specially adapted to do well against the local and international competition. One such innovation came with their powerful and robust drive system. “We had a six-motor drive compared to other teams that had four motor drives. What that allowed us to do was pin robots, to prevent us from getting pinned and bully robots if they’re getting in our way,” said Senior Bryson Shishido. Additionally, they utilized a unique design for their lift mechanism which offered their robot resiliency that others did not have. “We had an arm using a

six bar lift. The other teams were using a double reverse four-bar lift. We were the only robot using a six bar,” said captain of team 1973B Senior Damien Santiago. “I noticed that when I hit other teams or when they hit me, I was less likely to malfunction in the middle of the match.” As members from team 1973B observed their competition, they picked out design variations caused by the different environments the teams came from. “You saw how the competitions in their state or in their district influenced the way they built their robots. For example, almost everyone had a four-motor drive except for Washington. Almost every team in Washington had a six-motor drive because that’s what became the meta there,” said Shishido. The team found that just like

their robots, teams from around the world also have their own distinctive characteristics—the main one being language. “It was challenging working with other countries because they couldn’t necessarily speak English. So we had to somehow communicate using short phrases and pictures in order to talk to our Chinese partners,” said Santiago. While experiencing the international culture, 1973B also grew closer together, bonding through the time they shared together. “I would say my most memorable moments were us bonding; us being in the rooms talking to each other, getting close to each other,” said Shishido. Chan added, “For the seniors, we just had an amazing time with each other, being it our last year and last competition. We all experienced a sense of family,

Team 1973B’s Drive Team consisting of, (L-R) Maxwell Coker (10), Jazen Roughton (11) and Damien Santiago (12).

knowing we can all count on each other to do our best.” The team now turns towards what the future may hold, with high hopes for the upcoming members’ acomplishments. “It’s not like, ‘Oh none of the Hawaii teams have made it to Worlds in a while, you should try to go for it.’ They went to worlds, they know what it is, and that’s their goal for the next year,” said Shishido. “They’re comfortable with each other, they can talk to each other about their issues and maybe in about three or four years, we’re gonna have an amazing VEX team come back again.” Triumphant and united, the VEX Robotics team closes out the season with success on a national level, aiming for that same success in the coming years.

Photo Courtesy of Damien Santiago (L-R) Bryson Shishido (12), Montana Frias (9), and Damien Santiago (12) pose with their robot with other members of the team.

(L-R) Maxwell Coker (10) and Damien Santiago (12) on the field before a match.

Throughout the three days of competition, Team 1973B worked together to keep the robot performing perfectly. Their efforts were represented on the field by their Drive Team, who piloted the robot during the matches and planned strategies with the other teams.

MAY 17, 2018

Photo Courtesy of Britney Wolfe

USA Gymnastics is the National Governing Body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. It is comprised of the Junior Olympic (JO) program, which is made up of 10 separate levels, and the Xcel Program, which is made up of five separate levels. Both of the competitions features a dozen or so age divisions, which are determined by birth date. At the National Championships, the top four all-around athletes in each of the twelve age-divisions are named to the 2018 JO National Team.

Photo Courtesy of Madison Murayama

(Top to bottom) Britney Wolfe (12), Mika Domingo (12) and Madison Murayama (10) competed on the four apparatus: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

Photo Courtesy of Mika Domingo

GYMNASTS COMPETE AT WESTERNS AND NatIONALS By MEgan Schendel | Designed by JAcie Higuchi

rom May 4 to May 6, gymnasts from 21 different states competed against each other at the 2018 Junior Olympic Level 9 Western Championships hosted by USA Gymnastics (USAG) in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the following week, on May 12 and 13, Level 10 gymnasts from across the entire nation competed at the 2018 Junior Olympic National Championships in Cincinnati, Ohio, also hosted by USAG. Sophomore Madison Murayama and Senior Mika Domingo competed in the Level 9 Western Championships, while Senior Britney Wolfe competed in the National Championships. “It’s an honor to have made it that far and be able to represent Hawaii in my Region Two age group. This is my second time going to Nationals and it’s really just an amazing experience,” said Wolfe. To get to Western or National Championships, each athlete must first qualify at their State and Regional competitions. “A region is just how the USA Gymnastics program geographically separates athletes. There are eight regions with about five to six states in each region,” said Domingo. If the athlete meets the minimum score requirement and places in the top seven, then the Level 9 and 10 gymnasts will move onto Western or National Championships, respectively. “The progression of competitions begins with State Championships where you compete to see who will represent your state, Regionals where you compete to see who will represent your region and then onto Westerns or Nationals,” said Murayama. Most of the meets that Hawaii gymnasts attend, aside from a few optional meets, are within the state due to the high cost of traveling. The Regional, Western and National Championship meets are sometimes the only chance that the athletes get to compete outside of Hawaii. “Competing at Westerns is different from competing at meets held in the states because it is a lot larger, there are more athletes and gyms, and it is held in a large arena or convention

center,” said Murayama. Wolfe added, “You’re in a totally different state with gymnasts coming from all over the country; and there are so many people that—in the one venue site they’re using to host the competition—it needs to fit four of each event with room on one side for bleachers and on the other side for college scouts.” Each of the athletes spend around 20 hours a week, year round, training for their six month competition season. “I like competing because of the feeling you get when you know you’ve just done your best and you feel accomplished, like all the training up to that meet was worth it,” said Wolfe. Domingo added, “I really like the feeling of accomplishment that comes with gymnastics. Whether in practice or in competition, there’s nothing better than making your skills and routines and knowing that all of your hard work has paid off.” Competing is the culmination of the athletes’ hard work and the pressure to do well is significantly higher. “I actually get quite anxious before competitions but I really enjoy being able to compete and put on a performance in front of the crowds. I like that I am able to show off all of the hard work I put in during practice,” said Domingo. Murayama added, “Going into competitions, I get extremely nervous even if I prepared as much as I could. Once I start competing, the nerves disappear and I end up focusing on my routines.” The athletes go up against a couple dozen other gymnasts, trying to place on the four apparatus, as well as the all around. “To place fourth on beam at Westerns felt amazing because it’s really hard to medal at a big meet like that,” said Murayama. As seniors, these competitions marked the end of Wolfe and Domingo’s gymnastics careers in the Junior Olympic program. With their season officially over, Domingo is done with gymnastics and is preparing to go off to Santa Clara University, while Wolfe will continue to train in hopes of continuing gymnastics at Utah State University. Murayama still has two years left and hopes to someday make it to the National Championships.

May 17, 2018

Tennis Takes

OIA Championship BY HENRY HAWES | DESIGNED BY EMILY PADELLO

n April 7, the boy’s and girl’s tennis teams finished the regular season by taking home the OIA West Team Championship title. The final match, played at Central Oahu Regional Park (CORP), saw the teams facing their rivals, Pearl City High School. The season ended with the girl’s team suffering only one loss and the boy’s team going undefeated. “I couldn’t have asked for better coaches and a better team,” said Hawaii Technology Academy (HTA) Sophomore Hunter Fujimori, who won the individual OIA Boys Doubles title alongside teammate HTA Freshman Aidan Rooney. “We’re really

Timothy Won | Mililani Times Taryn Fujimori (12) & Hunter Fujimori (10)

close to each other, so we just felt really relaxed when we were playing.” The boy’s perfect record this season was a big accomplishment, “We never lost a match and that just felt really good to me,” said Fujimori. Fujimori’s cousin and four season veteran on the varsity team Senior Taryn Fujimori took the individual OIA Girls Doubles title with the help of Sophomore Kylie Hull. “I think the team support, just supporting each other and the will to never give up, I think that was huge,” said Taryn Fujimori. Despite the success, the championship did not come without hardships. “That was probably the most challenging time we’ve ever had to claim the title and it just really

brought us together as a team. And it really showed how hard everyone was willing to go,” said Senior Brianna Hull. The hard work the team put in throughout the season helped earn them a spot in the State Championships. “We qualified for States so it’s really exciting to know that in my senior year I get to play at States again,” said Brianna Hull. A select number of players competed for state titles from May 3 to 5 at CORP. Taryn Fujimori and teammate Kylie Hull took sixth place for the girls doubles and Hunter Fujimori and Rooney came in fourth place for the boys doubles.

First Boys

BASEBALL OIA

Kamaile Fitzgerald | Mililani Times Bryce Yonemori (12)

Title in 21 years By Chanelle Camero | Designed by Christina casanova

n April 11, the varsity baseball team won the OIA Division 1 Championships against Kailua with a score of 5-4, winning their first OIA title since 1997. “It feels amazing to have won because it was a result of all the hard work we put in throughout the whole season. Also, knowing we haven’t won an OIA title in 21 years makes it better because we did it for the alumni and community. It was especially special for all the seniors because for four years we’ve worked hard during the season and off-season for this one moment, and to see it actually happen was an unreal moment,” said Shortstop Senior Bryce Yonemori. Their practices focused on the team’s attitude. “Coming in as the third seed in the OIA West, we knew we would have a long, tough road to reach the championship game. We recognized that we couldn’t play tense, so we tried to have fun in practice and during games. This brought us closer together as a team and helped everyone to be more supportive of each other when times got rough,” said Yonemori. The team captains’ roles were helpful in contributing positive energy all around to the team. “I pump the team up before the game. I tell them stories and lead in our harmonization in the outfield before games,” said Catcher Team Captain Senior

Korrey Siracusa. “As a captain I have to lead the team in the right direction and make sure everyone is on the same page. We set goals and we get help accountable for those goals.” Yonemori added, “My role as team captain is to be someone my team can look to for guidance, encourage my team to do their best, and lead the team.” During the semi-finals, they beat Campbell High School 6-5 after beating number one in the East Division. “In the OIA West, every game is a battle as anybody can beat anyone at any given time, but the main competing teams were Campbell and Pearl City,” said Yonemori. They were able to overcome adversities in the game. “JR Suehisa fielded a ground ball up the middle and then diving [got] the force out at second base,” said Coach Mark Hirayama. “Brycin Herrera diving to keep a ground ball the infield and getting the out at first base. Our pitchers did great job of throwing strikes.” The outlook changed in the first inning of the game. “Turning point of the championship game was when Noah [Domogsac] hit the grand slam because it’s hard to score runs in that type of a game and to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead was big for us,” said Siracusa. Yonemori added, “It really set the tone for the rest of the game and gave us confidence that we’d win in the end.” When they won the OIA title,

they celebrated and dog piled in the pitchers mound. “The highlight was seeing all the hard work by my players pay off and be rewarded with the OIA title,” said Hirayama. The team stuck to their goals and standards for themselves throughout the season. “We said from the beginning of the season that if we can look ourselves in the mirror at the end of the year and say we did all we could and still came up short, then we would be okay with it. We did not want to go out there with regrets saying we should have done this or we should’ve done that,” said Siracusa. Throughout the season, they learned the value of teamwork in order to succeed together. “Challenges for our team would be to compete as one unit. As a player you always want to play, but the needs of the team will be greater than the wants of the individual,” said Hirayama. Yonemori added, “We overcame these challenges by playing for the guy next to us. You can’t play baseball selfishly as it’s a team sport, so [we] all started playing together as one team.” The team will continue their dedication to the sport, working hard and collaborating together to strive towards their ultimate goal of winning states.

JUDO

May 17, 2018

boys and girls teams takes state and oia championship titles

n Saturday, May 5, the MHS Judo team competed in State Championships, bringing home titles for both girls and boys judo teams. Senior Mitchell Funasaki won the State Championship title alongside Junior Mayu Wise who claimed her 3rd state title soon after she had won the OIA Championship title days before, on April 28. “I had two goals: to make Team OIA Championships with both girls and boys team, and to win my 3rd state title. I accomplished them by training hard everyday during and off season,” said Wise. Mitchell Funasaki (12) and Mayu Wise (11)

By Jasmine CasaÑa | Designed By Kylie Jones

Wise became interested in judo at a young age, taking up the sport at four years old. Because of her dedication to the sport, Wise trained with both the judo team and YMCA judo club to improve. “I trained usually 5 or 6 days a week, year-round, doing judo, running and strength training,” said Wise. “During season I would focus on doing judo more by going to high school practice and club practice after.” Throughout the season, the team faced many challenges such as cutting weight before matches. In order to get into certain weight classes, they must work towards losing weight before a weigh in. Weight classes are one of the determining factors of who will be up against which opponent in a match. Commonly, they try to lose weight by cutting out snacks, restricting fluids and sweating water weight. “I told myself that no one has trained as hard and as much as I did throughout the year,” said Wise. “But more than me motivating myself, my teammates and coaches motivated me a lot, which got me this far.” State Champion runner up Senior Tayler Otsuka added, “I turned to my family friends and coaches for the extra support and comfort I needed.” The teams bonded together off and on the mat, creating friendships that last long after

the season is over. “My favorite moments were stepping on the mat with the girls team during team season,” said Wise. “I also loved going out the night of every tournament with the team.” Each person competing focused on their tactics in order to reach their goals. “I visualized my matches the night before states. I thought about my game plan and how I would fight,” said Wise. “I just thought about how it will all pay off at the end—that I have to just push through these hard times by giving my full effort and not give up.” Wise had expected the season to be difficult and worked towards improvement as a team player and a person. “I learned not only judo from this season, but many life lessons, such as to not give up until the very end,” said Wise. With the season coming to an end, the judo team has already begun to prepare for the upcoming season to defend their title. “I felt very happy, especially right after my finals match. But it also makes me feel more pressure for next year and motivates me to train even harder,” said Wise. “I would say that this season was definitely the hardest one yet, but was a lot of fun at the same time.” Next season, Wise hopes to win her fourth state champion title alongside her teammates.

Timothy Won | Mililani Times