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VOL 32, NO 3 FEB 2018
Reclaim the Power of Poetry → By Dawson Vorderbruegge English 9 & English 11 Teacher
GUEST EDITORIAL
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People say that poetry is not useful in our world today. We need more math and science, more STEM education, more practical and career-readiness training for our future jobs. However, it is an unavoidable fact that poetry still has power in our world.
in the songs they sing—they just like the way the words sound and how they fit the rhythm. The real shame is that we lose this social poetry as we grow older. Outside of lyrical music, we relegate poetry to academic study in dusty classrooms rather than enjoying it socially as we did in childhood. And even more recently, with the advent of earbuds, we don’t even listen to the poetry of music socially anymore. For most people, the only time they hear poetry with other people is in the terrible pop muzak that is blared in the frenetic corridors of 1 Whenever students complain that we study poetry, Ala Moana Center. I simply remind them that the highest-paid and All this is to say that we have a duty to reclaim most influential people in our society are poets. the power of poetry in our world. Poetry is what Musicians, especially rappers and rock musicians, separates us from animals and uncircumcised are potent poets who shape the way people think, Philistines, it is what gives our life meaning. If feel, and view the world. If you still think poetry we ignore it, or only receive it in pre-packaged radio-format songs, we fail at isn’t “useful,” try not listening to music for a week and then “I encourage you to read being human. Listening, focusing, and reflecting with others are get back to me. some poetry this St. the traits needed to experience I have a young son; he’s not yet Valentine’s Day. Don’t poetry. Unironically, these are a year old. He’s just beginning also the traits needed to be a fully to understand hearing a few worry if you don’t get functioning and well-adjusted words — “Mama,” “Cheerios,” it... just focus, listen, (read: ‘woke’) human being. and “No Touching” are among and enjoy being part Some of you may object that the most common. But, I’ve of the grand human poetry is difficult, that it just noticed that he has an innate experience.” doesn’t make sense. The beauty love for rhythm and poetry. of poetry is that, just like my infant Often, when he’s in a fussy mood, I’ll sing a song or make up a silly poem for son, who understands a grand total of five words, him. In these moments, he turns to look at me you don’t have to understand poetry to enjoy it. and his body language gets more attentive, more It is perfectly acceptable to simply find pleasure in the words of a poem and be utterly lost in its focused. When he hears poetry, he listens. I don’t think my son is gifted or exceptional in meaning. That’s okay. Don’t think too deeply about this regard. It’s the same with all babies. Children’s it. The more you read, the more you’ll figure out. literature centers around rhyme and sonic features Finally, since love is the most common theme of of assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia, and all literature, including poetry, I encourage you to alliteration. Kids have incredibly astute auditory read some poetry this St. Valentine’s Day. Don’t skills, even before they have a vocabulary, and they worry if you don’t get it. Like my baby son does, pick up these poetic sounds quickly and with joy. just focus, listen, and enjoy being part of the grand Children don’t have to be taught to love poetry. human experience. They just do. In all cultures and at all times, poetry is formative in the lives of children. Lullabies, singa-longs, patty-cake games, and jump rope chants are a few of the many examples of poetry lived out in the lives of children. The beautiful thing is that even when children don’t know what all the words 1 This is why you should attend concerts. They provide are, they still appreciate poetry. Think of those cute cultural value. Something about sitting and focusing videos of kids singing rock music. These little ones your attention on music with hundreds of other people have no idea what complex themes are present is powerful. Go to a concert, it’s worth the money.
Cover Graphic By Blythe Yoshikane (‘18)
EAGLE EYE Hawaii Baptist Academy 2429 Pali Highway Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 Hawaii Baptist Academy’s Eagle Eye is a student-run and studentcentered publication. Submissions The Eagle Eye encourages students, teachers, and staff to submit letters, essays, opinion columns, and artwork on current school and social issues. They must be signed by the author. Letters may be edited, but care will be taken to maintain the writer’s point. Please submit material to room 300B. Opinions expressed in letters and columns are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hawaii Baptist Academy or the Eagle Eye staff. Advertising Businesses may place ads in the Eagle Eye on a space available basis and for a reasonable fee. Please call the school for more information at 595-6301. Distribution The Eagle Eye is distributed at no charge to the Hawaii Baptist Academy middle and high school students, faculty, and staff. Mail subscriptions are available for a fee.
The Sleep Deprivation Epidemic at HBA → By Kristin Lau (‘19)
EDITORIAL EAGLE EYE TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joel Lau (‘18) STAFF Jarin Ashimine (‘20) Timothy Chang (‘18) Timothy Dixon (‘20) Liam Hixon (‘19) Daniel Jurek (‘21) Kristin Lau (‘19) Marcus Lau (‘19) Jennah Laxamana (‘19) Jazerine Nakamura (‘19) Kaycee Nakashima (‘20) Trinity Helemano-Reed (‘20) Alissa Vasper (‘18) Brant Yamamoto (‘18) Adviser Eunice Sim 2
Students all across the country are getting less sleep than recommended, resulting in greater health risks and reduced productivity. One possible solution is to implement a later start to the school day. CARTOON BY DANIEL JUREK (‘21)
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 68.4% of U.S. high school students are sleeping seven hours or less on school nights. That can lead to lots of problems. At HBA, students start their day in the early morning at 7:45. They go to each of their seven classes four times a week, giving them only a day to complete all of their homework. With this schedule, students find themselves scrambling to study for tests and quizzes as well as to finish writing all of their essays and completing their projects. So, it’s not unusual to see HBA students staying up late at night to fulfill their long list of assignments. Over the past two decades, a group of over 10,000 scientists and physicians called the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has been gathering information and data on the effects of insufficient sleep on teenagers. For the first time ever in 2017, the AASM posted an official statement regarding teenage sleep deprivation. Based on their studies, they’ve concluded that “middle and high school students should get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep on a regular basis to promote optimal health.” Thus, their recommendation is that “teenagers shouldn’t start school any earlier than 8:30 a.m.” Based on HBA’s official website, “close to 75% of the high school students annually compete in interscholastic sports, with approximately
40% of them participating in multiple sports.” Moreover, most HBA students pack their schedules with several AP or honors classes as well as other non-athletic extracurriculars such as clubs and committees. As a result, many students regularly sacrifice their sleep time in order to keep up with the immense workload. Therefore, it’s no mystery why HBA students are falling short on getting the recommended eight hours of sleep.
“Middle and high school students should get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep on a regular basis to promote optimal health.” It’s a huge problem that students are compromising their much needed sleep and overall well being for grades because, according to AASM research, “insufficient sleep can lead to obesity, suicidal ideation, risk taking behaviors, athletic injuries, and metabolic dysfunction.” Yet, lightening the homework load can Continued on Page 18 be difficult since it’s hard to evaluate
In Case of Emergency HOW HAS THE SCHOOL PREPARED FOR “DREAD POTENTIALITY”?
→ BY JOEL LAU (‘18) FEATURE
(Left) Seniors gather in the gym during a recent shelter-in-place drill. (Right) Vice Principal Ryan Frontiera briefs the school on the appropriate emergency drill procedure during a ballistic missile attack. The school is currently in the midst of updating their emergency response protocol after the January 13 false missile alert. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOEL LAU (‘18)
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The time is 12:35 p.m., and the halls are packed with students rushing to beat the Chicken Wednesday cafeteria line. Suddenly, a peculiar sound begins to fill the air. First one phone, then another, then another 500, pretty soon the whole school is awash in a cacophony of pings and buzzes. Hoping to silence the commotion, students are suddenly confronted by a frightening message warning them of a ballistic missile threat speeding toward the island. Had this alert been broadcast weeks earlier, the scene would have been one of chaos, with frightened students and confused faculty wasting precious time to get to safety. However, because of a recent drill rehearsing the response for this specific contingency, the scene is instead characterized by order and purpose, as students grab bags and head immediately to the gym. By the time the administration manages to activate the emergency PA system, much of the school has already taken refuge in the relative safety of the gym. While hypothetical, to Vice Principal Ryan Frontiera, this picture represents HBA’s goal as they work to improve their emergency response procedure after the January 13 wake up call. “Because our primary goal is to be a school,” Frontiera explained, “preparing for a nuclear explosion was not at the forefront of our mind at the start of the year... but we have taken emergency preparedness very seriously.” Senior Kayla Wong echoed the need to update HBA’s protocol: “I can’t say they are ill-equipped, but... because we’ve never experienced a real threat, I wouldn’t say that they are the best prepared they can be.” Currently, should the contingency of an actual emergency arise, the school follows one of three procedures: Evacuation, Lockdown, or Shelter-in-Place. An evacuation protocol is instituted when there is an imminent danger on campus that the school cannot effectively defend its student body against, but there is still time for students
to safely evacuate to a safe area. For example, in the case of a bomb threat, fire, or chemical spill, the high school would evacuate to the Philippine Consulate through the main entrance or the D-building faculty parking lot, while the middle school would vacate to the basketball courts. In contrast, the school executes the lockdown procedure in response to an indefensible danger, such as an active shooter, that requires the immediate withdrawal of students to safer areas. During this protocol, teachers are required to gather whatever students are in their immediate vicinity into their classroom, lock the doors, close the blinds, and turn off both the air conditioning and the lights. Thirdly, the shelter-in-place protocol, which the school recently drilled on February 1, is enacted when the emergency requires the school to take refuge for an extended period of time in the event of a large-scale disaster, such as a nuclear attack. In fact, should the school receive another missile alert, Frontiera advised that “students shouldn’t wait for instructions; they should immediately follow the shelter-in-place protocol [and] go to the gym.” Once the school has gathered, Frontiera explained that the teachers would then lock the gym doors and shut down the air conditioning. In the event of a confirmed nuclear detonation, Frontiera confirmed that HBA’s students and faculty “would actually have to shelter there for multiple days. [HBA] has some food and water on hand... enough for two days. We are trying to get more stored there, and we have an ordering list on hand.” However, Frontiera admitted that whatever food and water stored would not be enough to simulate full meals, as the logistics of storing enough provisions for over 500 people (at least 3000 servings of food
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and 1000 gallons of water) makes meeting these expectations impossible. “The practical reality of it is that we exist as a school...to educate the students spiritually, emotionally, physically, academically, and socially.” “Although we would do our best,” Frontiera added, “we would have to operate in the knowledge and expectation that our goal is to keep everyone alive and safe for two to three days (per recommendation), even if people are thirsty and cranky at the end of it... It would be a calorie reduction for everyone.” Come time for evacuation, Frontiera emphasized that HBA “wouldn’t release or dismiss anyone until it was safe to do so. The school will run the risk of holding students slightly longer if that means that the students are safer.” As for anyone in the vicinity seeking shelter after the explosion, Frontiera explained that signs will be posted on the locked gym doors, directing survivors to the other open rooms such as a classroom and the cafeteria while preventing access to everyone gathered in the gym. “We want to be compassionate and help others” Frontiera acknowledged, “but at A diagram detailing HBA’s three main emergency procedures: lockdown, evacuation, and the same time, we have a responsibility to our finally, shelter-in-place, which will be implemented should a nuclear attack occur. students, and sometimes, we have to put the GRAPHIC COURTESY OF PATRICIA OTA AND DANIEL JUREK (‘21) safety of the large volume ahead of the few.” While Frontiera is the administrator responsible for coordinating drills with the “...the Eagle Eye investigative team can conclude that the students and faculty, the procedures are gym is indeed one of the best places to shelter on campus by actually the product of many hours of work government standards.” by a joint effort between the HBA faculty and staff. The emergency preparation process procedures are modeled around government installation in 2014, curtailing the possibility begins when representatives from each campus guidelines when possible: “For example, for of air-based radioactive contamination. meet four times each year with the upper the ballistic missile drill that we had” he said, But in the end, Frontiera reiterated that no administration based at Wyllie Street offices to “we followed guidelines from Federal Emergency amount of preparation can fully safeguard develop and review HBA’s emergency protocol. Management Agency (FEMA), Hawaii Civil the school from the dangers of natural and After the emergency protocol for every Defense, and the Center for Disease Control man-made disasters. “[Of course] anything contingency is finalized, Frontiera explained, (CDC) had information too, about radiation we do in life, there are risks and potential for the faculty from all three campus meets for contamination.” it to go bad,” Frontiera reminded. However, emergency briefing and training before the And in fact, the Eagle Eye investigative team Frontiera promised that HBA has “taken the start of the school year. Soon, Frontiera plans can conclude that the gym is indeed one of the dread potentiality really seriously.” to begin organizing faculty “walkthroughs of best places to shelter on campus by government Finally, Frontiera closed off with one final the evacuation... practicing before students standards. The CDC and the Department of message of encouragement to the students return.” Homeland Security recommend that in order to of HBA: If the need for emergency drills and Lastly, the faculty meets once more before minimize exposure to radioactive contaminants, evacuation procedures “makes them nervous every emergency drill to review the proper fallout (the nuclear waste that rains from the or uncomfortable or upset or sad, they should procedure, and Frontiera emails explicit sky after a detonation) shelters should meet work very hard to make a more comfortable directions detailing every step of the process. several basic requirements: they should all world for their children.” “So before our first drill, teachers will have be made of brick or concrete, have the ability received the information three separate times to close all windows to minimize airflow, in three separate ways,” Frontiera emphasized. and should possess enough supplies to last “In addition, [the policies are] also located in a minimum of 24 hours. The gym meets all the faculty and employee handbook, so they three. Even the vents situated along the wall’s can reference it whenever they need to.” upper lengths, which were previously kept Frontiera also reinforced that these open permanently, were closed upon the ACs
From Funny to Intense: HBA Students and Teachers Responded to Hawaii’s Missile Threat → By Alissa Vasper (‘18) FEATURE
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A poll that gathered reactions to the January 13 false missile alert revealed that the younger you are, the more likely you were to panic. As the age of surveyed people climbed, the percentage of panicked reactions gradually decreased, resulting in 48% and 44% of juniors and seniors respectively not doing anything about the impending danger— or simply going back to sleep. On the other hand, 73% of teachers took the alarm seriously enough to check online for more information or to prepare for a possible disaster. The emergency alert of a ballistic missile attack inbound to Hawaii was sent out by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, shocking thousands of locals and tourists on Saturday, January 13. It took the agency 38 minutes to notify the public of the false alarm. Within those 38 minutes, the people of Hawaii responded with a wide range of reactions from funny to intense. Here are some of the more unusual stories from HBA’s students and faculty.
CARTOON BY DANIEL JUREK
“I was at a paddling race when the siren and the threat happened. My teammates and I ran from Magic Island to Planet Fitness in Ala Moana and hid in the locker room there. Strangely, I was pretty calm about it, but everyone around me was freaking out.”
“I was at Punahou for a wrestling tournament. When people started to get the notification we were very scared, and then this guy ran in yelling to get out and go to the locker rooms. It was very chaotic because there were thousands of people running.”
Jordan Namba ‘19
Kelcie Ito ‘22
“I walked outside and tried to see the bomb.” Daniel Fujiwara ‘21
“I was too busy trying to get into college to worry about a bomb hitting us.” Mark Zhong ‘18
How middle and high school grades responded during the missile alert
8th 13% 9th 7% 10th 6% 11th 8% 12th 9%
7th 37% 9th 28% 10th 30% 11th 25% 12th 28% % of respondants
% of respondants
PANICKED Artwork by Daniel Jurek
7th 14% 8th 24% 9th 18% 10th 10% 12th 15%
PREPARED
7th 34% 8th 25% 9th 43% 11th 32% 12th 44% % of respondants
% of respondants
DIDN’T KNOW
DID NOTHING/ WENT BACK TO SLEEP
Statistics compiled by Brant Yamamoto
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“My first reaction was, ‘Kim Jun whatever’, you idiot . You just killed yourself and your country.” Mr. Garrett Omoto,
“If the missile hits us, I’d die and couldn’t do much about it. I heard that a man said goodbye to his kids and had a major heart attack, but he survived.”
Art Teacher
Cadi Komenaka ‘23
“I was at church camp without my family. We had to hide in the bathroom, made a prayer circle and sang worship songs. It was such a time of serious reflection. But now I know what I need to make right in my life. “ Sophie Hepton ‘21
“I woke my sister up to panic about it to her, but as soon as I was done, all she did was look at me and mimicked the sound of an explosion.” Natasha Loh ‘20
“I woke up 20 minutes into the alarm, wondered why I wasn’t dead yet, then went to cook my ramen.” Jalen Sur ‘18
“I thought about how if a missle were to hit Hawaii, everyone who knew me would die with me, and there would be no memory of me. Quite sad, really.” Gavin Yamamoto ‘21
3.141592653589793238 4 626 4 338327950288 419716939937510582097494 4 592307816 406 28620899862803 4 8253 4211706798214 80865132823066 470938 4 4 60955058223172535940 8128 4 811174 5028 41027019385211055596 4 4 62294 895 493038196 4 428810975665933 4 4 612 8 4756 4 823378678316527120190914 56 4 8566923 4 603 4 86104 5 4 3266 4 821339360726024914 1273724 587006606315588174 88152092096282925 409171536 4 3678925903600113305305 4 NE WLY WEDS: A ARON AND NINA KONDO 88204 6652138 414 69519415116094 3305727036575959195309218611738193261179310511 → By Trinity Halemano-Reed (‘20) NEWS 85 4 8074 4 62379962749567351885752724 8912279381830119491298336733624 406566 4 308 602139494 639522473719070217986094 370277053921717629317675238 4 674 818 4 6766940 513200056812714 52635608277857713 427577896091736371787214 68 4 40901224953 4 3014 65 495853710507922796892589235 4201995611212902196086 403 4 41815981362977477130 99605187072113 49999998372978049951059731732816096318595024 4 594 553 469083026 4 25223082533 4 4 68503526193118817101000313783875288658753320838142061717766914 7303598253 490428755 4 6873115956286388235378759375195778185778053217122680661 3001927876611195909216 420198938095257201065 4 8586327886593615338182796823030 1952035301852968995773622599413891249721775283 479131515574 8572424 5 415069595 082953311686172785588907509838175 4 6374 6 49393192550604009277016711390098 4 882 401285836160356370766010471018194295559619894 67678374 494 4 82553797747268 4710 404753 4 6 4 620804 668 425906949129331367702898915210475216205696602405803815019 35112533824 300355876 40247496 47326391419927260426992279678235 47816360093 4172 16 41219924 586315030286182974 555706749838505 494 58858692699569092721079750930 29553211653 4 4987202755960236 4 80665 49911988183 47977535663698074265 4252786255 1818 417574 6728909777727938000816 4706001614 52491921732172147723501414 4197356 85 4 8161361157352552133 4757418 49468 4 3852332390739414 333 4 5 4776241686251898356 94 8556209921922218 427255025 4256887671790494 601653 4 6680498862723279178608578 4 3838279679766814 5 410095388378636095068006 422512520511739298 89608 HBA Mathematics teacher Aaron Kondo4and Cross- 4128 4 8862 Not even a real or false missile attack alert was going Country coach Nina Kondo married on January 13. 694 560424196528502221066118630674 504712371378696095636 4 37191 to stop HBA Math teacher Aaron Kondo427862203919494 (‘05) from PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PATRICIA OTA AND AARON KONDO. marrying HBA alum and coach Nina Cheong (‘09). 72874 6776 4 6575739624138908658326 4 59958133904780275900994 6576 40789512694 6839 “We were still going to get married,” said Kondo, whose wedding was the 4 826014769909026 40136394 4 374 5530506 83525957098258226205224 89407726719478268 morning of January 13, the same morning a missile alert was mistakenly sent 8203 4962524 517493996514 31429809190659250937221696 4 6151570985838741059788595 out by Hawaii Civil Defense. “Surprisingly, [the wedding] went well. After all that, everything was still on time pretty much according to plan.” 9772975of 498930161753928 4and 6813826868386894277415599185592524 59539594 3104997252 The married couple’s journey began two years ago, when they both coached 4 6808 4 59872736 4 4team. 6958 4enjoying 8653836736222626099124 60805124 388 4 3904 5124 41365 4976278 HBA’s cross country After a time as friends, Kondo made the first move359977001296160894 and asked Cheong to be his girlfriend. 41694 8685558 4 8 406353 422072225828 4 886 4 8158 4 5602 07977156914 Throughout the years the couple has bonded over weekly date nights 85060168 427394 522674 676788952521385225 4995 4 666727823986 4 5659611635 4 88623057 where they “go out to eat and talk a lot.” Kondo has learned over the years that his wife “doesn’t like to eat carrots and also likes everything cute like 5109659609402522887971089314 566913 74 56 49803559363 4 568174 3241125150760694794 Totoro and Pokemon.” 686722874 894056010150330861792868092087476091782493858900971490967598526136 Leading up to his proposal, Kondo had only one thought on his mind: 55 4978189312978 4 82168299894 8722658804 85756 40142704775551323796 414 5152374 623 “Hopefully, she would say yes because that would’ve been very embarrassing otherwise.” She made his wish come true, and the married couple are now 4 36 4 5 42858 4 4 479526586782105114135 4735739523113 4271661021359695362314 429524 8 looking towards their future and what it holds. 493718711014 5765 4 4037420073105785390621983874 47808 478 4 896833214 4 The couple plans to40359027993 strengthen their relationship by “getting to know each other better and going to church and serving in the church together.” They’ve 571386875194 3506 4 30218 4 5319104 8 4 81005370614 68067491927819119793995206141966 also created short-term goals to achieve “like finishing the thank you cards 3 42875 4 [for 4 406 4 374 5123718192179998391015919561814 67514269123974 8940907186 49423 the wedding].” With regards to their long-term goal, the married couple are trying “to be 196156794 520809514 655022523160388193014209376213785595663893778708303906979 stable enough to one day eventually have kids and raise them well.” 20773 4 6722182562599661501421503068038 4 4773 4 5 49202605 414 6659252014974 4285073 25186660021324 3 40881907104 8633173 4 6 496514 5390579626856100550810665879699816 357473638 40525714 5910289706 41401109712062804 3903975951567715770042033786993 6007230558763176359421873125147120532928191826186125867321579198 414 8 4 882916 4 470609575270695722091756711672291098169091528017350671274 85832228718352093 7
LOVE IS PI
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A Greener Future → By Timothy Chang (‘18) FEATURE
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HBA’s Environmental Club received a $1,000 grant for the second year in a row in the Hawaii Youth Sustainability Challenge sponsored by the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Kupu, local organizations focusing on conservation. The primary goal for this grant will be developing and expanding the garden along the Nu‘uanu stream. “One of the major issues we’re going to face with our garden—because of the location of our campus—is pests, like pigs who can cross the stream and cause major damage,” said Claire Mitchell, HBA marine science teacher and the club’s adviser. The plan is to install fencing to keep animals from disturbing crop growth. Remaining funds are reserved for gardening tools and supplies to assist food waste reduction. The Environmental Club’s main objective is to make HBA’s campuses more sustainable. To accomplish this, the club is split into three distinct committees that each concentrate on different aspects of conservation. The Food Waste Reduction Committee, led by Chad Abarbanel and Justice Stone, conducts audits measuring how much food waste students produce and develops initiatives to mitigate the amount sent to the landfill. Shawn Tamashiro and Cydni Yoshida head the Gardening Committee, which manages, maintains, and cultivates the club’s garden. Britney o’Donnell and Shaelynn Mitsui are in charge of the Community Outreach Committee, which directs projects like fundraisers and other initiatives to get students more environmentally conscious.
Despite focusing on separate areas, “they’re all really interconnected to hopefully make HBA a more sustainable, green campus,” explained Mitchell. The award has been given for two years, and this is the second consecutive year HBA’s club has received it. “We were one of the very lucky recipients the very first year,” said Mitchell. “We were equally fortunate to receive it again.” The majority of the money from the previous grant went to purchase a half-pipe worm bin for the elementary campus. With the bin, the club hopes to get its food waste reduction initiatives active on all three campuses. Along with the $1,000, the “This grant is more than sponsoring organizations are money—it provides sending something even more students with an valuable—mentors to assist opportunity to grow the club. in our awareness and “Having the support and dedication to the earth guidance of experts in that we rely on.” field is worth its weight in Alissa Vasper (‘18), gold and will really take our Environmental Club President projects and programs for the Environmental Club at HBA to the next level,” Mitchell said. “We’re really excited about that component of the grant.” Alissa Vasper, the president of Environmental Club, agrees with Mitchell, “This grant is more than money—it provides students with an opportunity to grow in our awareness and dedication to the Earth we rely on.”
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(Above) Environmental Club members work in their garden along the Nu‘uanu Stream. The club recently won a grant for their vegetable garden. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SHAWN TAMASHIRO (‘19)
Thanks so much for an amazing year. Spirit Week was amazing, and would not have been possible had it not been for your hours of hard work and dedication. Much love,
the class of 2018
dear anonymous,
Everything you do, it sends me higher than the moon. With every twinkle in your eye, you strike a match that lights my heart on fire. I know you know that I like you, but that’s not enough. My heart is aching, so please fall in love with me.
bailey s. pantil
A little Chinese boy will grow into a tall bean pole. Tall, Wise, Prophetic Chinese Bean Pole 9
V a l e n t i n e ’s D a y M e s s a g e s for those without a valentine:
I wrote 3 riddles out of love To ask all those passing above: Who loves Susan, Sarah and Sammi Biology, Oreos, and everything fishy? Who likes overpriced water and ripped shirts? Who befriended the King of Dirt? Baby if you haven’t a clue the answer to all 3, is you.
your bridge
hi mom,
I love you. Love,
your favorite child stella wu,
You are the Lydia to my Wickham. Love,
your bff
dear cam,
These past few weeks have been rough for us, but I still believe we can work things out. Now that you’re single I truly think we’re right for each other. I love your witty sense of humor and your laugh. You’re impulsive and unnecessarily loud comments are hilarious. Love,
anonymous
cassidy hamamoto is the best
better than the rest she has a boneless heart kinda smart her face as beautiful as a lily Hi, welcome to Chili’s.
secret admirer
Follow me on Instagram @conner.wong
conner wong
anonymous
I want you to know that you are a very kind person and I’m very glad that I got the chance to meet such an amazing person like you. But what I love most is how much you like to help people.
anonymous my beloved,
Another year has passed and our love has grown closer together Your friendly smile melts away the stress of our world Your touch reminds me of how much I am valued Don’t stop being you because I want to see love in action
herr whitecoat
cam kaneshiro
You are tolerable Wowie, you are great
your best friend
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You better go to prom Carly ; ) <3 I love youuu!
happy valentine’s day lindsay sasaki,
by the class of 2019
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He has the brightest smile, such wondrous eyes, Such skill in all the does, a passion for Doing the best he can, to realize His calling, always reaching out to more He’s kind and funny, yet he’ll never know. Sometimes in class, I’ll sneak a glance or two Sometimes in hallways, just a small “Hello” But nothing big—God, what am I to do And those that want to know his name, so stay For, on my life, his name I’ll never say lauren uchimura On sodden ground there lies a trampled rose A memory of joy that is forgot. He stoops to take it, resting at his toes. As winter’s chill blows in, the man departs, The clouds roll in, he trudges through the snow. He clutches petals marred close to his chest, The stinging icicles upon his brow, Still beauty fair to his cold body pressed. He stops at a doorway, faint glow from a lamp Does shine upon the knocker, gold and pure. He grasps it softly with his gloves so damp And sends his call, his beckon sure and true. Departs, with trampled rose upon the porch. adam hu Roses are red. Violets are blue. Valentine’s Day sucks for people like you. No chocolate, no roses, Same goes for me too. Just sitting at home Watching shows on Hulu. emma tamashiro
“Love Is and Isn’t” Love is the wind beneath your wings, the umbrella on a rainy day, the jokes that make you smile, the hug that comforts you, or the one that stands at your side. Love isn’t a murky darkness that clings, a person that always has their way, a sneer filled with revile, a curse that makes your feelings turn blue, or a wound that makes you think you’ve died. Cherish; don’t forget. Smile; don’t scowl. Love; don’t hate. jayni ishikawa “Love Is” I was told to write this This poem about love But what have I to say For I am young and dumb I am but a child Too immature and too naive Yet I am told to explain love Something I cannot quite conceive. Ask me to speak Japanese or define a worldview But write about love? Sorry, no can do. Ask me again in the next ten years Maybe then I’ll have an answer for you. caily okazaki
Prickly thorns protrude under the blades of grass The crooked tree branches beckon me to explore, With roots above ground to trip a fool. Will I ever be sure this is true? Can I know the forest beyond my single tiny window? Will I learn to leave this somber room, And remove these chains that wrap my bruised heart? Will I learn to love the forest, And will the forest love me back? coltin kaupiko
Cupid won’t be shooting his arrows anytime soon Don’t expect to receive roses or a heart shaped balloon Better take notes from that Romeo and Juliet story Actually, nevermind because it ended kind of gory True love, new love, love at first sight Makes me so sick I want to put up a fight Why make a holiday to express your love when you do it every day? If you ask me, it’s pretty cliché You won’t find me holding candies or a bouquet Instead, look for me in Long’s the next day Buying the fifty-percent off candy array Still sighing and dreaming about Matthew McConaughey anna kerr
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“The Forest Beyond My Window” Will I peer through the tiny window To the open forest that lies below? Is it true. Will the gregarious greens Of the land greet me with gratitude Even unannounced of my presence? Will I open my door, But to have it scrape against the floor And frighten the faunas of the forest. Would my stumbles and falls bother? Does my unattractive attire trouble them? Will I be welcomed by the woods? The finches will sing, flowers flourish, Colorful flora stand upright above the grass. The tree branches beckon me to explore more, And with a smile, I surely will walk. Will I be nothing to the forest? Vultures will screech and wolves prowl.
Don’t send me flowers Don’t write me a poem Don’t buy me chocolates I want to stay lonesome It’s not that you aren’t pretty Or that you’re not cool I just don’t have time for shenanigans I have to focus on school max wiemken
Junior Camp: Finding Purpose
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→ By Kaylee Fuerte (‘19) NEWS
The HBA class of 2019 recently attended their junior camp on January 18-20. This year’s camp theme was “Purpose”, and the juniors were treated to messages from teachers Lynne Nakano and Dawson Vorderbruegge and Pastor Jordan Seng of Bluewater Mission PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CHRISTINA YASUTOMI
Helping juniors prepare for a meaningful life meant a new theme for junior camp this year. The camp, which took place on Jan. 18-20 at Pu’u Kahea Conference Center, sported the theme “Purpose” as faculty advisers moved on from the previous theme “Identity.” The new theme was designed to “equip, engage, and encourage our students in a way that we were comfortable with and that could push them a little bit further,” said Bible department chair Tony Traughber. “At this age, juniors are looking at potential college options to choose for their future, so the theme seemed fitting,” explained counselor Jennifer Marshall. “At the same time, we wanted students to think much bigger than just career and major, because those things will change throughout life,” she continued. “Actually, the purpose of life is to live out your life purpose.” Marshall invited Jordan Seng, pastor of Bluewater Mission, to speak during the camp’s first worship time on Thursday night. “Seek God, find purpose. Seek purpose, find God,” Seng encouraged the campers. “The messages were really good,” junior Courtney Lee said, “and I liked how they acknowledged that sophomore camp was a huge thing but it was good to move on from that.” Lee recalled learning about the three M’s from Pastor Seng’s testimony: Mission, Method, and Mindset. “Mindset really stood out to me,” Lee said, “because I know how to
keep my purpose on track but also to move on with my faith.” Along with worship and devotional time, juniors participated in class-bonding activities through an intense game of capture the flag and a challenging relay race. “The activities were fun and I had a blast with my teammates,” Lee said, “We really bonded.” For new student Jia Yan Wu, junior camp brought new experiences. “We did a lot of things that I’ve never done before,” said Wu, adding that the camp helped develop her relationship with her friends. “Compared to last year’s camp, this was kind of a let down for me,” said Tyler Hisanaga. “Sophomore camp had much more bonding time in comparison to this year’s.” However, through this camp, Hisanaga felt that he grew closer to his friends and that he learned from the camp, specifically that he should try to stick with God’s plan for him.Looking ahead to next year’s senior camp, Hisanaga says he looks forward to the activities during camp because they help the class to get out of their cabins and bond with each other. Lee also looks forward to next year. “I hope I’ll be spending more time with my class because it’s our last year,” she said.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF JAZERINE NAKAMURA (‘19) AND JENNAH LAXAMANA (19’)
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(Above left to right) Juniors run down to complete the relay; Alexis Nakabayashi and Mikayla Chun compete in the relay; (Left) Junior boys dress up for their team during capture the flag; (Bottom left) Family Group 10 prepares for the relay; (Bottom right) First night at Junior Camp.
Taylor Swift: A Decade Long, an Inch Deep A RE VIE W OF REPU TATION → By Johanna Seng (‘21) REVIEW`
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As a young child, I adored Taylor Swift: countrypop princess of the early 2000s. She was talented, original, pretty and selfless; each girl born 1989 and onward wanted to be her: perfection embodied in a curly haired, blonde Nashvillette.
Taylor Swift at a recent concert promoting her “Red” album. The superficiality of her music indicates that she has not grown as an artist despite her many years in the music industry. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JANA BEAMER VIA FLICKR
At least, that’s what I thought until around the seventh grade. It started seem far more childish. Rather than hold her head high and prove to become more apparent that Swift, although possessing a nice voice the critic wrong with her actions, (the critic had written a negative and the ability to write a catchy song, did not possess the ability to review of one of her performances when she sang off key), she felt the act as a mature adult and form adult relationships. The topics of her need to rebuff him in an aggressive song with lyrics that attacked his songs had stayed as narcissistic and immature as when she was 15. entire character, rather than just addressing the needlessly hurtful Time skip a few years later to 2017 and Swift has a new album, a new occurence of a one-time review. Additionally, “Mean” was released when Swift was 20 and had been style, and a new image. Critics in the music business for years. are alternately praising her and Taylor Swift has not grown as a person and After being the center of so many denouncing her like they always therefore, in many ways, neither has she reviews and tabloid speculations, have, but with this new album, grown as an artist. Swift should have been practiced in Reputation, something has become dealing with criticisms and negative clearer: Taylor Swift has not grown as a person and therefore, in many ways, neither has she grown as an comments. A response like “Mean” may have been excusable when artist. She has instead been unsuccessfully attempting to compensate Swift was 15 and typically naive, impulsive, and narcissistic, but as an adult, she should have been less naive and impulsive. And now, Swift, for her basic lack of maturity in other ways. Taylor Swift’s initial popularity came from her incredibly relatable at 27 is still churning out songs about boyfriends, former friends, and (at least to teenage girls) songs. Most of her songs talked about boys fans breaking her heart in her album Reputation. being at fault in failed relationships, which is what most teenage The most well-known song in Reputation is certainly “Look What girls feel when their relationships don’t go the way they want. Swift You Made Me Do,” the only song in the album with an accompanying focused on being the victim in most of her hits, even when they weren’t music video, characterized by its atypically sensationalistic scenes about guys (which is seldom). For example, in the song “Mean” (2012), of Swift bursting through the ground plastered in zombie makeup, addressed to a man who criticized one of her performances, she sings: lounging in an antique bathtub filled with precious stones, gesturing with hands dripping with diamond necklaces, and swinging in a golden You, with your words like knives cage with writhing snakes as a background. Although the video is And swords and weapons that you use against me shocking, doubtless a result Swift was hoping to achieve, the meaning You, have knocked me off my feet again Got me feeling like a nothing… all you’re ever gonna be is mean. of the actual lyrics is much the same as “Mean”: I don’t like your little games The rest of the song continues like this, accusing the critic of various Don’t like your tilted stage malicious actions against her with varied imagery. As a teenager myself, The role you made me play I can see how many of Swift’s fans see this piece as a brave rejoinder Of the fool, no, I don’t like you in the continuous dialogue between her and her critics, but when one examines the lyrics and meanings with a more adult approach, they Again, this song fixates on critics of Swift, including other celebrities,
PHOTOGRAPH FROM COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG
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and again, Swift plays as the thinly disguised victim. (In many of her new style does initially seem to mask Swift’s basic immaturity, it does songs she has lines about rising up to face a challenge of some sort, so poorly, as it does not do anything to change the meaning behind lending her the image of the brave dissenter, but the main underlying her lyrics, and it takes away the naturalness she’s been loved for by theme of the song is seldom anything but being a victim.) However, fans across the world. the briefly coherent lyrics move on to reference various articles of Another way Swift has decided to increase her appeal to a more mature ridicule and theories against Swift by the general public and famous audience is by changing the language in her lyrics. Swift’s been working figures until it lapses into repetitions of the phrases “Look what you hard to gradually shed the innocent and sweet Reputation she originally made me do” and “I don’t trust nobody and nobody trusts me/I’ll be harbored as a young country star, but this album seems to be the final the actress starring in your bad dreams.” step. Reputation has more curse words than all of Swift’s previous With such a small amount of content in the lyrics, obviously the main albums combined, and it talks about drinking, shallow relationships, point of the song is in its catchy tune and video, in which is tucked and one night stands, topics she’s never sung about before. Many numerous mocking allusions to events that helped to bulk up her people think that talking about these things immediately makes one Reputation. As an example of one such incident, the media previously more wise and seasoned, but if, like Swift, one upholds these things insulted the tragic nature of many of Swift’s songs, saying she “cries in as moral or romanticizes their angsty nature, celebrating such things a marble bathtub surrounded by pearls.” Hence, a scene in the “Look categorizes one as naive at best. Reputation shows Swift moving on What You Made Me Do” video shows Swift in an opulently decorated from simple schoolgirl moods and crushes into equally hollow affairs, bathtub. Another scene in the video only made more “mature” by topics teens Swift has never really talked about the shows Swift crashing a car, most likely a usually skate around, like alcohol and sex. dig at Katy Perry, a famous rival of hers, actual deep dynamics of a relationship. Swift has never really talked about the as the car and Swift’s hair, makeup, and actual deep dynamics of a relationship clothing are reminiscent of Perry’s, and holding a Grammy award: a (forgiveness, faithfulness, hard work, moral challenges) and is now just contemptuous gesture towards Perry for never winning a Grammy. moving on from being a superficial teen to being a superficial adult. Lastly and most childishly, Swift is shown portraying what appears Granted, one could argue that Swift is a prime business woman, to be Kendall Jenner, who formerly “threw shade” at Swift. During a which could be read as showing maturity. Over the course of around family scandal scene, she is wearing clothing largely associated with ten to 12 years, she’s managed to build one of the biggest empires in the Jenner/Kardashian family and sitting in a way almost identical the pop world in money and in popularity and following. She’s savvy to Jenner’s in a recent Instagram post. This method of mocking her and shrewd, as shown in a squabble between her and Spotify, in which rivals to try to cancel out their accusations by making them seem the streaming company refused to pay artists for the three-month ridiculous and uncredited rather than facing her “offenders” with trial of their music. Swift became enraged and wrote the company adult conversation is even below the level of a petty teenage girl. an open letter, chastising them and urging them to give her proper This strategy is more akin to one first grader mocking another. Swift payment. Swift has a net worth of approximately $280 million, and seems just as immature now as she was ten years ago, showing she most people would say that bagging such a large income in such a hasn’t grown in her values and way of handling life. cutthroat business must signify intelligence and maturity. However, Perhaps Swift feels justified in stooping to this level, because she although yes, it takes acumen and maturity to gain this sort of profit, has begun to compensate for her personal immaturity in her music by one suspects the talent to get what one wants in short-term business becoming more “adult” in her style. Reputation’s instrumental style might not equate with the mature values required for long term and lyrical formula conforms to the expectation of modern, trendy relational success and meaningful living. music. The background music incorporates a noticeable amount Taylor Swift, albeit a major country and pop sensation, isn’t maturing of synthetic percussion, bass, electric keyboard, and various other as an artist. This could well be because she isn’t growing as a person: an ambiguous electric noises, a vast deviation even from Swift’s second “improvement” in style cannot mask unchanging pettiness; becoming most recent album, 1989. 1989 includes a more modern sound than “edgier” and darker doesn’t mark one’s transition into an adult. One Swift’s classic acoustic trademark, but it still possesses a clearer suspects that Swift’s commercial success won’t always smooth over vocal track with recognizable instruments and not inhibited by special her personal weaknesses—not even great artistic talent always makes effects. Many popular artists like Kanye West and Selena Gomez also for a meaningful life. have the more artificial sound in their music. Although I suppose this
PAC 5 Soccer Team Sets Sights On Division 2 Title
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→ By Liam Hixon (19) SPORTS
(Above) Lone HBA senior, Joshua Leong, is flanked by his HBA teammates on Senior Day. (From left to right) Gabe Shibuya (‘19), Joshua Leong (‘18), Racen Horita (‘19), Liam Hixon (‘19), Kasen Wong (‘19) and Justin Sakamoto (‘19). (Right) Junior Kasen Wong dribbles away from a Mid-Pac defender. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RACEN HORITA (‘19)
The PAC 5 boys soccer team sets its sights on the Division II state championship after a second win over Damien on January 24, advancing them to the state playoffs. Early in the season, PAC 5 head coach Robert Smock set the Division II state championship as the team’s goal. The ILH Division II is much smaller than previous years with only Damien and PAC 5 competing for one state playoff spot. PAC 5 has officially qualified for the playoffs February 15-17 because of an early season 3-0 victory over Damien and a second 3-1 victory on January 24. The PAC 5 varsity team is made up of over 30 players from numerous schools. The six players from HBA are senior Joshua Leong, as well as juniors Racen Horita, Kasen Wong, Gabriel Shibuya, Justin Sakamoto, and Liam Hixon. Because PAC 5 is a mix of so many schools, the major difficulty is bringing together all of the players from different areas into one team. “The key to a strong team is good chemistry but because PAC 5 is a mix of so many different schools it is difficult to build this chemistry until later in the season,” Sakamoto said. “Now that it is the latter half of the season, the team is truly starting to connect with each other which increases quality of soccer as a whole.” PAC 5 has been training five to six days a week with few exceptions for nearly three months at their home field, Kapiolani Park. The team works on necessary skills and strategies ranging from conditioning to
technical skill drills to scrimmages. The practices are run by Smock and assistant coaches Tracy Trevorrow and Blade Hamada. “Having three coaches is an advantage because they all have their own inputs on the game giving new ways for us to develop,” Horita said. PAC 5 has not won the Division II state championship in over 13 years, making this win all the more meaningful for this team. PAC 5 narrowly missed the playoffs last year due to a loss to St. Louis, which only strengthened the team’s desire to take the title this year. “After the devastating loss to St Louis last year and a 2nd place finish the year before, we have a new drive to win the state title this year,” Leong said. “The team has been working hard at practice nearly everyday with the end goal in mind and if we keep up this mentality we will likely be able to take the state title.”
CARTOON BY DANIEL JUREK (‘21)
Sleep Deprivation Epidemic of HBA From Page 2
“AASM Position: Delay Middle School, High School Start Times.” American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers, 7 Nov. 2017, aasm.org/aasm-positiondelaying-middle-school-high-school-start-times-is-beneficial-tostudents/.
solution that will magically solve the problem of teenage sleep deprivation. In fact, a later school start time is just one of many potential methods that can be used to help solve the issue. Even though there are many different solutions, nothing will happen unless the HBA administration realizes how serious this issue is and that they need to take action soon so that they can help students find a healthy balance between school and sleep.
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just how much homework is too much. So, a new option could be to implement later school start times. Later school times have been proven by data and doctors from the AASM to “[improve] teenagers’ overall health, safety, and academic performance.” In fact, hundreds of schools in 45 states across America “Many students have already implemented regularly sacrifice new school start times their sleep time in and have seen remarkable order to keep up improvements. Kaimuki High with the immense School remains as the only workload.” school in Hawaii to start the school day at 9 a.m. After the switch from 8 to 9 a.m. in 2015, students at Kaimuki High reported getting more sleep, improved sleep quality, and even slightly better grades. But if HBA began school at 9:00 instead of at 7:45 like Kaimuki High, problems such as students filling their schedules with more sports or clubs with their increase of free time may arise. So, a better alternative might be to start at 8:00, because it’s been proven that even a slight change can dramatically help students. Schools in a few states like California and Alaska have reported that the mere 15-minute difference actually improved student attendance and gave more high schoolers a chance to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep. For HBA, starting school at 8:00 might allow students more free time to study since they wouldn’t be wasting as much of their time stuck in traffic on their morning commute to school. Thus, students could get more sleep since they have more time to focus on absorbing the school material. Although later school start times helped high schoolers across America, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll be as effective and beneficial for HBA. However, there isn’t just one
J U N IOR- SE N IOR PROM Departs Monday, March 19, 5:30p.m. at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Admission $68
AP Studio Art students take top honors in Honolulu contest
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→ By Eagle Eye Staff INTERVIEW
The artwork of seniors Akemi Santiago (left) and Blythe Yoshikane (right) won top honors in the 24th Honolulu Art Festival Contest, themed Pacific Harmony–Harmony over the Ocean, a Journey to Peace. Akemi Santiago’s work won the overall award and Yoshikane’s work won first place in the high school division. One of HBA’s Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) is COMMITMENT, which includes the element of “using our talents and resources to work toward the good of humanity.” The Eagle Eye asked these two artists:
How can people use art to work toward the good of humanity? AKEMI: I use art in every aspect of my life to show both my individuality and my connection to culture, ideas, and people in the world around me. People can carry and pass on their beliefs, feelings, and culture through things as simple as their hairstyles, clothing, music, dances, pictures, paintings, and sculptures; art can capture and communicate the overall essence of a certain area, event, or person in a way that words cannot. Art allows people to come together and share an experience even if they hold different beliefs or speak different languages. So whether you’re experiencing art from Ancient Greece, the Harlem Renaissance, or a graffiti mural on the side of a building, the effect created and the feelings evoked by the art surpasses the language and culture barrier and taps into the raw thought process of human instinct, allowing for a response to be felt by people from all walks of life. Art gives a powerful voice to those don’t have the ability to speak their mind freely and helps inspire others to feel and act in ways that compel them to be themselves, to make a difference, and to go against the norm.
BLYTHE: Though Disney films are often labeled as shallow, they taught me at a very young age that art is not just shapes, colors, and figures slapped together. Art—whether it be animation, fine art, poetry, or any other form—is created with intentions to spread its message and inspire any audience through every little detail. By absorbing my childhood infatuation for Disney’s stories into my work, I’m starting to see the creative process with wider lenses. Today, I try to construct characters with different skin tones and eyes that look like mine. I push myself to tell stories that make audiences aware of the society around them. Altogether, Disney’s films pushed me to bravely share my messages through my work and become a more heedful artist. I can honestly conclude that I’ve grown up believing in uncanny possibilities, mysterious worlds, and valiant heroes because of their promises. Spellbound by Walt Disney Animation films, I’ve grown up to be an artist who is confident in her message and eager to share it with the world.