2022 Sep Eagle Eye

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→ By Cameron Pien (‘23) EDITORIAL

Unlike other quantities we tend to idolize, such as money, grades, material goods, or popularity, we are utterly powerless to get more of it, which is why we want it so much. The sobering reality is that time is irreversible and indelible, which makes how we use it all the more crucial. But how should we determine which pursuits are worth offering our priceless hours to? As I begin my senior year, I’ve found that there are two essential ideas that should guide my choices as I seek to maximize my remaining time in high school: Bravery and balance.

We’ve all been told to step out of our comfort zones, and our reaction upon hearing the old adage is often to mumble under our breath that we know that. However, when we reflect on our lives, we find that we haven’t necessarily applied the principle. Why? We avoid doing things that cause fear because we don’t want to be shunned or denigrated. Familiarity is safe, but safety can also lead us into stagnancy. For most of my life, I was terrified of embarrassing myself: If I wasn’t good at something on the first try, I would immediately give up. It was easier to blame my capitulation on lack of natural talent than to acknowledge that I was arrogant and afraid of being embarrassed. However, I recently discovered that my fear of failure has stifled growth. I’ve been dancing ballet since I was three, and a few months ago, I promised myself that I was going to develop my artistry by trying a completely different style of movement and taking a hip hop class. I was probably the worst hip hop dancer in the room, but for once, I didn’t care. By having a mindset focused on growth and not perfection, I was inspired by the other dancers instead of being envious of their skill level, and I had so much fun.

Ignoring your fear doesn’t help you to be courageous, and bravery for bravery’s sake is simply recklessness. In order for bravery to be worthwhile, it’s helpful to identify a clear purpose behind your actions; a powerful motivation can make it exponentially easier to surmount anxiety. The fear of failure can be paralyzing, because we don’t want to lose whatever our hopes are pinned on. We don’t want to watch our relationships or aspirations for the future crumble because of one misplaced brick. We might always be afraid of losing what matters to us, but instead of allowing fear to prevent us from making any choices at all, we can allow our apprehensions to be some of our advisors as we seek to make sound decisions. For example, the fear of loneliness can motivate you to be more intentional about cultivating relationships. We shouldn’t live in a place of fear, but we can listen to what our worries tell us about our priorities. When you’re working towards a larger goal, whether that be maturity, independence, service, or something else, you make each choice with the intention of achieving that standard. Worthwhile goals beget commendable choices, and even if you stumble in the race, the finish line doesn’t change. Since you know what you’re working towards, you’ll be able to recoup and reevaluate in the face of failure. If one route takes you on a dangerous detour, try another.

I’ll be going away to the mainland for college in a year. I’m confident that leaving home is the right decision, but I’m also scared that I’ll inevitably drift away from my family and miss out on time with them. For me, failure wouldn’t be getting rejected from my dream school; it would be losing my relationships with the people I love because I let myself selfishly idolize professional or educational pursuits that only bring fleeting satisfaction. The goal that will guide my choices through the next few years is to intentionally treasure the time I have with my Continued on Page 4

Cover Photo

By Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23)

EAGLE EYE

Hawaii Baptist Academy 2429 Pali Highway

Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

Hawaii Baptist Academy’s Eagle Eye is a studentrun and student-centered publication.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Cameron Pien (‘23)

STAFF

Cayte Akamu (‘25)

Noah Camacho (‘23)

Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23)

Noah Hu (‘23)

Megan Lee (‘23)

Titus Lee (‘24)

Gabrielle Steffany (‘24)

John Yamamoto (‘23)

ADVISOR

Eunice Sim

Follow us @hbaeagleeye on Instagram www.hbaeagleeye. com

The refrain that soundtracks the end of summer often goes something like, “We’re running out of time!” Then, as the school year dawns, our teachers and parents change the track to “Make the most of your time! Enjoy high school, since it flies by and you’ll never get the chance to do it over again.” Time is an elusive, precious commodity that we never seem to have enough of.

(Top to bottom) Campus Ministry Club members Randie Lueder (left) and Kaylee LaBarre make their rounds to recruit new members in the gym; Students check out the Interact Club booth; Korea Club members Taylor Gonsalves (left) and Keenan Kim; Art Club leader Lauren Chee;

Club Fair

→ By Megan Lee (‘23) NEWS

On August 24, high school clubs participated in the first in-person Club Fair since the start of the pandemic. A total of forty clubs— the most ever since the 2013 to 2014 school year—gathered in the gym to promote their organizations at lunch.

During these past two years of hybrid learning, the annual Club Fair became limited to a website with short informational videos and brief descriptions for each club. This year, many students enjoyed the return of the in-person showcase event, which easily allowed them to ask questions about each club’s activities or requirements before signing up. In addition, rather than only hearing about clubs from friends or returning to the same club, students were able to view and inquire about other organizations.

School clubs represent a wide variety of student and faculty interests. This year, there are cultural, religious, professional, educational, and recreational clubs, and students and faculty founded an impressive total of ten new clubs.

High school vice principal Jeroldine Tsuha, who oversaw the Club Fair, believes that this year’s event was a success. She enjoyed seeing students coming back together to sign up for a club or share about their own. Throughout this school year, Tsuha hopes that clubs will provide a way for students to socialize and participate in activities that align with their interests and passions.

What Club Leaders Want You to Know

“I started the Chess Club with Mr. Shiroma after playing chess with friends and realizing that it’s more fun to play with people that are just as interested as you are. I also want to learn more about chess, so finding those people who are interested may be able to teach me and I can teach them.”

KIRA BAKER (‘23), CHESS CLUB

“We started this club because we just wanted to give students the opportunity to de-stress after school and just have a lot of fun. Honestly, dancing is the best medicine for a hard, long day at school. I feel like people need a little joy in their lives, and I believe that the Just Dance Club will provide that joy for people.”

MARISSA WATANABE (‘23), JUST DANCE CLUB

Continued on Page 10

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRENDAN AOKI (‘24).

Bustling School Lunches Are Back

→ By Titus Lee (24’) NEWS

With a new online ordering system, busier lunch periods and new menu items, HBA’s meal service began the new school year with a number of changes. Unlike the past two years—when Covid-19 social distancing protocols necessitated staggered lunch periods—all high school students now eat lunch during the same period on most days of the week. These changes led to long lines in the first weeks of school, as well as the fact that students were given an automatic $150 food credit this year.

a welcome change. Jensen Manuel, manager of FLIK (HBA’s dining service provider), explained his staff’s new workflow, “Every morning, we check how much has been ordered and start preparing meals. Because the online ordering cut off time is at 10 a.m. the same day, we periodically check if orders have increased and make our adjustments to our prep. We do a final check after 10 a.m. to make sure that we have enough for the orders and for those that haven’t pre-ordered.”

Top: With combined lunch periods, free lunch credits and new menu items, the first weeks of school saw long lunch lines.

Bottom: “Build-A-Bowl” is a new menu item that allows students to select from different entree items to “build” a complete meal.

“In general, I think that [“Build-A-Bowl”] is a good idea, but I don’t know if the execution of it is that great,” said junior Brendan Aoki after about two weeks of school. “Build-A-Bowl” is a new menu item that allows students to select from different entree items to “build” a complete meal. While many students have enjoyed the option, the customization led to long lines at first. “Some days it’s good. Sometimes it’s not the best and it takes kind of long,” said Rayden Dacuycuy, also a junior. Classmate Ty Koch, on the other hand, is unfazed. “It’s the love of my life!” he said.

Students and faculty now order food with the new online order feature on the MyEagle website, and the new same-day cutoff time—10 a.m.—has been

As the first quarter comes to a close, the lines have settled down, and Manuel is pleased with the outcome. “Managing the long lines has been challenging. We are glad to see that lunch participation has increased, and we are thankful for that. We’ve had to make a few adjustments to help with keeping up with the lines. I was actually able to clock how long it would take to go through the line one day, and I have to say that serving 150 lunches in ten minutes is a pretty amazing feat by any standard,” he said.

Vice Principal Jeri Tsuha has been assisting with lunch time logistics, helping to expedite pre-order pick-ups. As part of their lunch duty responsibilities, faculty and staff have been assigned to help with line management and to remind students to clean up after themselves. To help the lunch line move quickly, Tsuha offered this advice to students, “When you come to buy lunch, you should have some idea of what you may want; [or] look at the menu online and preorder a poke or acai bowl and other things.”

A Flik kitchen staff prepares spam musibis for lunch. PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN YAMAMOTO (‘23).

Student Council Holds First Public Meeting

→ By Taumafai Steffany (24’) NEWS

During lunch on August 31, the Student Council held their first public meeting of the year.

The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the three venue options for the Winter Banquet before the council vote took place on Thursday, September 8. All students and teachers were invited to attend the meeting, and about a dozen students came to watch.

During the meeting, the Student Council shared the results of the poll that asked students how much money they’re willing to spend on tickets to Winter Banquet and/or prom. Over 300 responses were recorded, with the majority of underclassmen and their parents preferring the cheapest option available, while the majority of upperclassmen and their parents selected the mid-range option of $50-$60. According to the data gathered, most juniors and seniors want to spend less on Winter Banquet in order to fund a more elaborate prom.

The three venues include the Ko’olau Ballrooms for $115 per person, the Hilton Waikiki Beach hotel for $90 per person, and the Hawaii Okinawa Center for $75 per person. The Winter Banquet will be held on Monday, December 19, the first day of winter break. Currently, students are allowed to invite guests from other schools, but council advisor Christina Yasutomi clarified that this rule may change if there are safety concerns due to Covid-19.

During the meeting, an attendee asked if the council plans to help students who want to go to the event but can’t afford it. As of now, there’s no specific arrangements, but the Winter Banquet committee hopes to find a solution.

On September 8, the Student Council and class council presidents selected the Hilton Waikiki as the final venue. Winter Banquet tickets will be available for purchase sometime during the second quarter.

parents and two siblings, and, once I’m in college, to continue to come back to my roots. Personally, bravery could look like saying no to additional commitments that would require me to be away from home despite pressure from others to say yes. I encourage you to identify one of your fears, the resultant motivation, and then practical ways you can be brave in your pursuits.

The second principle, balance, can be perplexing because it’s subjective and extremely tricky to achieve. I haven’t met many people who think they’ve achieved perfect balance in their life; in fact, I’ve found that most of us lean towards one side on the spectrum between the two extremes of pursuing pleasure and pursuing productivity, between living completely in the present and existing in the future. I believe that making the most of our time involves comfortably dwelling in the intersection of reflecting on the past, enjoying the present, and thinking ahead to the future. Making the most of your time doesn’t mean spending every day lazing around on the beach, but it also doesn’t mean sitting at your computer doing schoolwork for hours on end. Although life may be more clear-cut when we abide in extremes, it’s more vibrant when we learn to paint with complementary colors. I recently took a foray into color psychology and learned that hues that are directly opposite each other on a color wheel are actually quite aesthetically pleasing. In the same way, pairing opposite philosophies can produce an unexpectedly beautiful result.

We also have to balance specificity with spontaneity. When faced with the finality of time, we sometimes overcorrect by attempting to stuff every second with productive activities. However, we shouldn’t become inflexible because we’re overly afraid of losing time. This summer, two of my friends and I planned to go to the beach on the west side of the island. When we woke up, we found out that the water near the area we wanted to visit was polluted, so we frantically planned to go to another beach. As we were driving there, we saw storm clouds in the sky down the road, so we turned around and

headed to the North Shore. It’s one of my favorite memories from the summer, not just in spite of but because plans changed several times. We probably spent over an hour driving aimlessly around the island, laughing and listening to music. Ultimately, we can try our best to make the most of our time, but we can’t and shouldn’t micromanage it. I’d like to suggest that the very phrase “making the most of our time” is flawed, because it suggests that we have absolute control over the outcomes of our choices. We can try our best to use the time we’re given wisely, but at the moment we make a decision, we can’t predict the future with absolute certainty. We can only see the true effects of our choices in hindsight. By embracing the fact that we can’t control everything, we can find freedom, and by letting go, we can receive joy in unexpected ways.

Ultimately, my faith in God’s plan has allowed me to release control without fearing that my life will careen off course. When we stop white-knuckling the wheel, sit back, and let the Creator of the universe direct our route, we can find joy, freedom, and humility. Additionally, in moments when I didn’t make the most of my time, like when I withheld an apology or was inconsiderate towards those around me, I found comfort in God’s grace. Though our regrets will always be part of our pasts, we don’t have to carry them into the future. We can make amends with those we’ve hurt, confess our missteps to the Lord, and seek peace in His forgiveness. As you look to the future, identify the cause of your regrets and then brainstorm practical steps toward progress. The first step is always the hardest, whether it be towards forming a new relationship, breaking a bad habit, or bringing a deferred dream to life, but it’s one worth taking. Depending on your goal, some solutions could be to join that club, reach out to that person, get your homework done before watching TV, or, speaking for myself, to stop idolizing productivity and start clearing space on my calendar for relaxation. Time is fleeting, and if you wait for the ambiguous ideal of the “right time” to pursue change, it may never come. Go ahead and start now.

SENIORS KICK OFF HIGH SCHOOL CAMPS AT HOMELANI

→ By Dilan Chock-Makiya (‘23) NEWS

After school on Wednesday, August 29, the senior class—the class of 2023— departed to the North Shore for their final HBA grade camp. The Covid-19 pandemic had put overnight camps on hiatus until this year and the senior class is the first high school grade to resume the annual tradition. There are a few significant changes this year, the biggest being a change in camp location from Pu’u Kahea in Waianae to Camp Homelani in Waialua on the North Shore.

Top to bottom:

(Left to right) Seniors Skylar Takeuchi, Jackson Lincoln, Caleb Nishimura, Matthew Mokan, and Jared Cruz; Ryan Fukui (right) and Noah Camacho run in search of classmates to tag with colored powder during the “Color War” activity;

(Left to right) Senior advisors Sean Malinger, Aaron Kondo, Sean Shiroma, and Ryan Frontiera answers questions posed by students during a chapel session.; Senior girls take a group photo with their clean white shirts before the “Color War” activity.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARISSA WATANABE (‘23) & ANNA SULLIVAN.

The theme of Senior Camp was “RAFT,” an acronym that stands for “reconciliation, affirmation, farewell, and think destination.” Underscored by this theme, chapels and family group times focused on preparing seniors to finish their year well particularly when it comes to their relationships. Lauren Chee appreciated the reminder that saying farewell is a process. “I think that the concept of farewell stuck with me the most because I want to be able to have a good last year and end things well,” she said.

Family groups made posters depicting where they see themselves in 20 years and drew a road representing the most memorable moments of high school. The family groups also competed in “RAFT Wars,” which challenged each group to complete nine different tasks together. These included making a human pyramid, answering trivia questions, and tossing a beach ball in the air for a minute without letting it touch the ground. Chee commented, “I liked the RAFT wars because it was interesting to see how everyone could participate and have a good time.” Classmate Cameron Pien added, “Watching Shane [Kawakami-Williams] chug a whole bottle of Gatorade in under five seconds was pretty impressive”.

In what has become a senior camp tradition, a get-as-messy-as-youcan game was also on the camp schedule. Wearing white t-shirts, the seniors played a game of Color Wars, which involved hitting each other with pantyhoses full of colored powder. Noah Hu said, “I liked being able to run around on the field hitting my friends—in a friendly manner—and watching the colors explode. I felt like a little kid again.”

Many seniors appreciated having free time to hang out with friends at camp. Jeremiah Seng said, “My favorite part about camp was the free time, because I got to talk to a lot of people I wouldn’t normally talk to. It gave me a chance to deepen the relationships I already have, plus make new ones. I also enjoyed playing basketball on the courts with my friends.”

Christian Ministries Coordinator Charles Poore, in his first year overseeing the camp, was glad for the opportunity to spend time with the senior class. “I learned that I should wear a hat, anticipate the smoke from the bonfire, set up the s’mores station away from the smoke, and work on my slam ball game. I enjoyed getting to know the seniors better. Camp gives you the opportunity to relax a little and just hang out with each other,” said. “The students are always intense, hilarious, chill and hungry at the same time,” he added with a chuckle.

Poore is grateful for the team of people who helped ensure the camp went smoothly. “The advisors did an amazing job supporting the camp, Mrs. Yasutomi had everything planned perfectly, and Mrs. Hinkel is always a great help writing devotions, organizing, and supporting,” he said.

This week, the freshmen head to their camp at Camp Homelani. It will be their first camp together at HBA since leaving elementary school.

Seniors took a brief pause during the “Color War” to take a class photo. PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNA SULLIVAN

FAITH MATTERS

→ By John Yamamoto (‘23) FEATURE STUDENT PERSPECTIVES ON SPIRITUALITY & CHRISTIANITY

Hawaii Baptist Academy’s motto is “Christ for Every Nation,” and its mission as a Christian collegepreparatory school is to “[equip] students spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally, so that they bring honor to God.” However, HBA accepts students from all backgrounds, and according to the school’s website, half of its students are from nonChristian families. As a result, while students may be learn from a faith-based curriculum with characteristics like required Bible classes and weekly chapels, they may not all share the same point of view when it comes to religion and spirituality.

For those who identify as Christians, the importance of spirituality is a given. Senior Azure Wasson believes that his faith plays a crucial role in his life. “I think that it’s something that’s a great tool to live my life by,” he said. Wasson sees the Bible as something that “can serve…as a guideline.” He added that Christian principles have helped him think through moral issues. Though both of Wasson’s parents are agnostic, after being introduced to Christianity through a former school, Wasson decided to become a Christian.

For HBA students, topics related to faith and spirituality are part and parcel of the school curriculum.

“I think for Christianity, if you beleive in it, your whole life centers around it, and your goal is to glorify God rather than yourself or anything else.”

Arielle Cook, senior

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN YAMAMOTO (‘23)

Senior Arielle Cook shares a similar view and describes her Christian faith as the foundation for her life. Cook said, “I think for Christianity, if you believe in it, your whole life centers around it, and your goal is to glorify God rather than yourself or anything else.” One way that Cook lives out her faith is in her relationships, where, for example, her beliefs encourage her to be kind to her neighbors. Cook said her faith stems from what her family believes as well as her own experiences of seeing God at work.

Junior Ryan Wong, whose parents are pastors, believes that Christianity helps people live healthy and responsible lives. His faith guides his decisionmaking and is based on having seen God work in his life through miracles and healings. Senior Ethan Nakata’s spirituality also influences the choices he makes. He said, “I guess I know that God’s always watching, so it makes me wary of what I am doing. I don’t want to make bad decisions.”

For non-Christian students, the importance of spirituality varies. Senior Kira Baker said she is open minded about religion but does not believe in one. “Personally, other than school and required Bible classes, [spirituality] does not play a big role in my life at the moment,” she said.

Sophomore Nicholas Niwa describes himself as an agnostic and does not believe in God’s existence. While he thinks that spirituality brings balance to people’s lives, he sees it as a beneficial add-on rather than a necessity. Niwa said he looks at the world through a scientific lens, which can lead him to be more analytical, skeptical, and pessimistic than the average person. Niwa cited his family’s non-religious perspective as part of the source of his agnostic beliefs. Because of the importance he places on empirical evidence, Niwa said he’s not able to wrap his head around the concept of believing in something he can’t see.

Freshman Bryce Mineshima, who doesn’t consider himself very religious but believes in God, said, “I don’t think about [spirituality] necessarily when I wake up, but once a while I will think about it.” Mineshima stated that HBA is the source of his beliefs on spirituality.

Coming from Buddhist family backgrounds, seniors Blu Wong-Ogata and Minori Batara have adapted to being in a school that doesn’t share their spiritual beliefs. Batara said that going to a Christian school almost never bothers him. It isn’t at the forefront of his thoughts, and “because [he has been at HBA] for a pretty long time already—since fourth grade—[he is] already used to it.” Wong-Ogata

shared that she accepts some of the teachings at HBA but rejects others. She said, “I believe stuff [that HBA is teaching] but I also believe Buddhist stuff. I guess I’m kind of a mix.”

The Christian Ministries team at HBA approaches their work knowing that their audience comes from all kinds of spiritual backgrounds. High school Campus Ministry Coordinator Charles Poore said that he tries to “[say] something to everybody, and [challenge] everybody—Christians and non-Christians” in chapels. Poore recalled a recent chapel message where he spoke on how to prepare for the hills and valleys in one’s life. While the sermon reminded Christians on how to live out their faith in tough times, it was also presented in the terms of “this is only really gonna work for Christians.” Poore’s hope in that message is that non-believing students would see the invitation to trust and follow God.

Tony Traughber, Bible Department Chair and HBA’s Director of Faith Integration, also takes an intentional approach to the mixed audience of students. He said, “You’re trying to equip Christians, and you’re trying to show non-Christians, ‘Hey, there’s some real meat to this. There’s some real reason behind it.’”

Bible

Kira Baker, senior

“Personally, other than school and required Bible classes, [spirituality} does not play a big role in my life at the moment.”

Teacher Aaron Brock teaches freshman in their Exploring the New Testament class. Bible classes among the required courses that HBA students take in middle and high school.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN YAMAMOTO (‘23)

CLUB FAIR 2022

CLUB LEADERS SHARE THEIR HOPES

“I started the Chess Club with Mr. Shiroma after playing chess with friends and realizing that it’s more fun to play with people that are just as interested as you are. I also want to learn more about chess, so finding those people who are interested may be able to teach me and I can teach them.”

KIRA BAKER (‘23), CHESS CLUB

“We started this club because we just wanted to give students the opportunity to de-stress after school and just have a lot of fun. Honestly, dancing is the best medicine for a hard, long day at school. I feel like people need a little joy in their lives, and I believe that the Just Dance Club will provide that joy for people.”

MARISSA WATANABE (‘23), JUST DANCE CLUB

“I wanted to run this club because art is a therapeutic experience for me, and I love the fulfillment I get from creating something. I would really love to share that feeling with other students by leading projects that are enjoyable and relaxing, and since this is my last year at HBA, I hope I can leave a positive influence on the community. I know not everyone takes art classes, maybe due to schedule conflicts or because they may not have a real interest or aptitude for art, so I hope our club can be a space where they don’t have to feel obligated to be a master at anything but simply be there to have fun.”

LAUREN CHEE (‘23), ART CLUB

“The Tabletop Game Club is where students can come and de-stress after a long day by playing board games with friends or [by getting] to know new people and bond over similar interests. I started this club with Drew originally as a means to just play around but I saw that it could be something for everyone to enjoy together.”

NICHOLAS NIWA (‘25), TABLETOP GAME CLUB

“I want to create a place where people can bond over their favorite stories. I think books are an amazing vessel for connection, and stories can uplift and inspire, so I’d love to encourage that at HBA. Hopefully, we can foster a community that encourages literacy at HBA, and encourage more of our peers to read for fun. I’m also looking forward to everyone sharing recommendations with one another; maybe people can find new favorites through the club!”

CAMERON PIEN (‘23), BOOK CLUB

“I am running the cooking club with Blu and Ayda, and I wanted to run this club because I enjoy making food and would like to share this practical skill with others. The primary goal of the club is to have fun making tasty food that is easy and accessible for college. The plan is to meet every month or so and learn how to cook various dishes. The requirements to join are a $15 club fee and an attitude ready to learn without burning down the school.”

ARIELLE COOK (‘23), COOKING CLUB

“[I want] to give students a chance to play badminton outside of PE class. The badminton unit in PE is really short, but I’ve heard that many people like playing badminton, so this club would allow people to explore the sport more. Aside from being fun, it’s also a great exercise and is one of the higher calorie-burning sports. I’ve been playing badminton for over 12 years and I also wanted to use this opportunity for me to play more casually.”

Rachel

Cheung

(‘23), Badminton Club

“Our primary goal this year is to fix up the garden and get fruits and vegetables growing. In the past, we had a productive garden, but due to COVID, we had a hard time maintaining it. Other goals are reaching out to community projects where we can practice and learn to give back to the environment like cleaning beaches, planting native trees, or even helping by fundraising. We want to have an active part in school whether it’s small things like composting or holding events where people can learn about sustainability.”

JASMINE CHANG (23),ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

“I wanted to run this club to create more opportunities for people who love music to collaborate, practice, and learn from each other. I founded this club because I wanted to find other musicians who were also passionate in growing in their skills. I wanted to have a space where musicians could play together and help each other to grow as performers. This year, we are planning on meeting once a week to learn new music concepts and practice songs. We are also planning on having several performance opportunities throughout the school year to show what we have learned.”

ABI BuMGARDNER (‘24),CONTEMPORARY MUSIC CLUB

파이팅!

파이팅!

Korean Entertainment Expands Cultural

→ By Cayte Akamu (‘25) FEATURE

Korean entertainment has been growing in popularity in the U.S. Korean pop music (K-pop) had its big break in 2012 when Psy’s mega hit “Gangnam Style” won fans across North America. Since then, K-pop has accumulated a huge fanbase: Since 2014, K-pop music has been streamed for more than 134 billion minutes on Spotify. With their artistic talents, personalities, and stylized looks, many K-pop groups and soloists have risen to popularity worldwide, including NCT 127, Eric Nam, Keshi, ATEEZ, Straykids, and TWICE. Korean TV dramas, too, have been growing in popularity since the 70’s.

According to the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), an agency of the Korean government that “oversees and coordinates the promotion of the Korean content industry,” there are more than 18 million viewers of Korean TV dramas in the United States.

At Hawaii Baptist Academy, there is a growing fanbase for Korean entertainment, especially for K-pop. “My parents are Korean, so I grew up around it,” said freshman Olivia Kim. Junior Jaden Tran added, “I was at my cousin’s house over the summer. I didn’t like [K-pop] before, so they were trying to convert me into liking it, and eventually they got me.” When people have friends and family who love Korean entertainment, it’s easy for them to become fans as well. “My friend was a fan of BTS,” said sophomore Ree Fukumoto, “and she would play their songs around me, which piqued my interest. Ever since then, I’ve supported BTS and other groups too, like Girls Generation and TXT. ” Fukumoto has been a K-pop fan since 2017. Music recommendations can also come from more unexpected sources: Junior Jadynn Wong shared that it was her hairstylist that introduced her to Korean entertainment when she was in sixth grade.

HBA’s middle and high school Admissions Director Patricia Li, who is Korean, offered an explanation for why Korean pop culture has been able to reach a worldwide audience. “The only natural resources Korea has are its people. So that’s why education is super important. Korea was very, very poor in the 50s because of the Korean War, and the president back then required everyone to work around 12 hours a day in the factories to get everything done. They accrued a lot of wealth by doing that. And now we’re reaching the point where there’s huge global companies like Samsung and Hyundai, but though maybe Korea

HBA K-pop fans trade K-pop photo cards, which feature photos of their favorite performers.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CAYTE AKAMU (‘25)

can’t compete economically, we can win a cultural war. So the Korean government decided to sponsor a lot of K-pop groups, K-dramas, and movies, and that’s why they became so big. Like when you go to Times Square in New York, they have huge billboards featuring Korean culture with pictures of food and K-pop stars,” she said.

Currently, Korean boy band BTS or 방 (“Bangtan Sonyeonda” meaning Bulletproof Boy Scouts) is arguably the most popular K-pop band in America. This seven-member band has sold out multiple stadiums in minutes, including the Rose Bowl in California, Seoul Olympic Stadium in Korean, and Wembley Stadium in London. Senior Samantha Cerda said, “I think K-pop is so popular because it’s something different, and BTS definitely pushed it to the U.S. But they also made their songs English so that Americans can follow along, and slowly now as they’re starting to release more Korean songs, it’s

Entertainment Cultural Reach

capturing Americans’ attention…They kind of paved the way.” Fukumoto believes that “people have finally come to realize and appreciate the underrated talents from all over the world.” Li appreciates both the musical and aesthetic aspects, adding, “The songs are very catchy, and the videos help. The music videos are very visually beautiful.”

Korean TV productions have also attained worldwide viewership. Their popularity has been growing in the U.S. since the 70’s, and many Korean productions are breaking streaming records. High school counselor Tara Gruspe, an avid K-drama fan, believes that popular Korean shows like Squid Game, Business Proposal, and Crash Landing on You have been helped by their availability on major streaming services like Netflix. Freshman Kim noted that the shows are “ just so different from American shows, and the plots are always so interesting.” Li believes that the appeal of Korean shows stems from its ability to defy stereotypical genres. For example, a K-drama with a medical setting can still have romance, comedy, drama and action. Li particularly enjoyed Crash Landing On You, a Korean 2019 rom-com, because “it was such an unrealistic story, which made it more entertaining.”

Another well-known Korean show is Extraordinary Attorney Woo, a 2022 legal drama starring Park Eun-bin in the title role and written by Moon Ji-won. The show has “sweet stories and light-hearted, humorous interactions throughout,” said Gruspe.

Popular Korean dramas and music are mostly performed in Korean, so English subtitles or voice-overs are part of the average American fan experience. “Just like anime fans, K-drama fans get used to it,” explained Fukumoto. “Many people like to say it’s too hard, but it’s really not. If you’re a fast enough reader in your native language and

you have the subtitles, it’s seamless. The more you use subtitles, the better you get at reading and watching at the same time. It’s not an imposition in any way for those who truly enjoy this type of media.”

Gruspe believes that reading subtitles actually help her appreciate the shows more. She explained, “Because while you’re watching the K dramas, you really have to focus in and not be distracted. But it’s a good thing…I’m learning about culture too, so I feel like it’s not a waste. It’s not just mindless entertainment. There’s some growth happening in my brain.”

Korean entertainment fans also become fans of Korean culture. Fukumoto said, “K-pop definitely makes me want to learn more about the culture and language. Many of the inside jokes or plot points in dramas and movies relate to older and newer pieces of culture. There are also some songs where knowing Korean culture would help to better understand them.” Cerda shared that she hopes to major in Korean linguistics in college. “[Korean culture] is something new. It’s a different culture, a different language, and I’m interested in languages as well. That’s what kind of intrigued me as well,” she said.

(Top) Freshly unwrapped K-pop merchandise.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CAYTE AKAMU (‘25)

(Bottom) Like many K-pop fans, sophomore Natali Nomura devotes a portion of her bookshelf to her K-pop merchandise.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NATALI NOMURA (‘25)

► Finished as the second ranked quarterback last season and shows no signs of regression

► Has a strong offensive line and the elite wide receiver trio of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Jalen Guyton.

► Josh Allen’s Bills have some weaker links in their offensive line, but the Chargers have virtually none.

► Will face the strongest offenses in the league (Chiefs, Raiders, Rams), giving him the opportunity to play in many high scoring games.

► In 2019, he had the greatest fantasy season ever by a non-quarterback.

► Receptions alone should bolster his average points per game (average 100 receptions every healthy season), unlike Derrick Henry, who’s never averaged above 25 receptions per year.

► Has a strong offensive line

► Virtually all rushing touchdowns will be taken in by McCaffery now that Carolina has no rushing quarterback.

NOAH VS. NOAH FANTASY FOOTBALL LINEUPS

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► With the loss of Emanuel Sanders and Cole Beasly, the Bills’ receiving core has become a bit bare.

► On the other hand, Justin Jefferson is in a loaded offense with Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, and Irv Smith Jr.

► Josh Allen won’t stop throwing the football, as his attempts have increased by 100 every year he’s played.

► Allen’s favorite target, Diggs, is left with little competition to be the number one receiver for Buffalo.

► Has had 6 straight 1000 yard receiving seasons

► The Chiefs traded away their star receiver in Tyreek Hill.

► Although they made additions with Juju-Smith Schuster, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, they have yet to find a true WR1.

► Although Mark Andrews will also be the main target in Baltimore, their offense won’t be nearly as efficient as Kansas City’s, giving him far fewer touchdown opportunities than Kelce.

► Since 2016, the Rams have been in the bottom 10 in the NFL in rushing attempts per game.

► With lead back Cam Akers’ production in question, the Rams will again be forced to rely on their passing game

► Allen Robinson will provide the Rams with the down the field player that they need. Expect Robinson to have a major comeback year.

► Ulike Amon Ra St. Brown, Robinson has an elite quarterback in Matthew Stafford, whereas Brown is stuck with Jared Goff, a subpar quarterback.

► Last year, the Eagles had not only the top rushing offense but also the highest rushing to passing ratio in the entire league.

► With a strong offensive line and a running back committee of Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott, the Eagles are in prime position to repeat their rushing success.

► Brown is also in a crowded receiver room, with Devonta Smith and Jalen Reagor at wide receiver and Dallas Goedert at tight end.

► He’ll provide some fantasy value, but not as much as many will hope.

QB: Justin Herbert

RB: Christian McCaffery

WR: Stefon Diggs

TE: Travis Kelce

Sleeper Player: Allen Robinson

Bust Player: A.J Brown

By Noah Hu (‘23) & → FEATURE

► The best and safest choice for a fantasy football quarterback.

► Last season, Allen was ranked first among quarterbacks. Since the Bills’ focus on their passing game and have no elite running backs to center their offense around, Allen will have many opportunities to gain fantasy points by throwing to his go-to receivers, Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis.

► Allen is shifty when it comes to running outside of the pocket, allowing him to pick up more yards with his run game as well.

► He can accumulate many points by combining his elite arm strength with his ability to scramble well.

► One of the strongest running backs of our generation, Derrick Henry is a must-have.

► Useful in the run and passing game, and especially for redzone plays.

► Last year, Henry was on track to break the league rushing record before he got injured.

► McCaffery will most likely only benefit me for three weeks and then probably get injured for the rest of the season.

► Jefferson is still a very young receiver with many more seasons to come.

► As stellar as he’s been, he may reach new heights as the chemistry between him and Kirk Cousins grows stronger.

► Jefferson has one of the highest ceilings amongst receivers, and we may not have even seen his best form yet.

► Diggs is coming off a mediocre performance with the Bills, whereas Jefferson just finished one of his best seasons, in which he racked up 44.9 fantasy points.

► After Marquise Brown was traded from the Ravens during the offseason, Lamar doesn’t really have a main target to throw to now, other than Mark Andrews.

► With the absence of Brown, Andrews will continue to be Jackson’s favorite target.

► The only people that can take away from Andrews is his quarterback Lamar Jackson, or the other running backs Baltimore decides to use, since the wide receiver core for the Ravens is very poor for the time being.

► With Tyreek Hill being traded to the Dolphins, Kelce will be more heavily focused on defense since he won’t get as many targets or receptions.

► One of the best receivers towards the end of the 2021 season. Didn’t drop below 15 points from week 13 onwards and hit a massive 35.4 points in week 17.

► When the Lions changed offensive play callers in the middle of the last year’s season, he became a highly targeted receiver, and it seems like the coordinator views Brown as a key asset for the Lions’ success.

► Brown can repeat what he did towards the end of last season

► Allen Robinson probably had one of the most disappointing showings as a receiver last year. It’s doubtful that he’ll magically improve just because he’s on a new team.

► One of the more inconsistent receivers last season, even with Patrick Mahomes as the QB.

► Having a player like Hill is one of the most frustrating things a fantasy manager has to deal with—one week he drops 40.0 points, and the next week he drops 5 points.

► Hill has been downgraded with Tua Tagovailoa as QB. Tagovailoa has yet to show he is a promising QB, as he’s still developing in accuracy and arm strength.

► If Tagovailoa fails to consistently connect with him, then Hill could have an even worse fantasy season than last year.

QB:Josh Allen

RB: Derrick Henry

WR: Justin Jefferson

TE: Mark Andrews

Sleeper Player: Amon Ra St. Brown

Bust Player: Tyreek Hill

VOLLEYBALL

HAWAII BAPTIST ACADEMY GIRLS VARSITY

“My most memorable moment was the car rides on the Hilo trip.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my family and teammates.”

“My most memorable moment was when the team went to Hilo and Rachel got a dig and fell right on her butt, and the whole rally just got goofy cause everyone was laughing.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my parents and brother.”

“My most memorable moment was when my team and I went up to Big Island to play in a neighbor island tournament. Placing 3rd was the best feeling in volleyball I have had in a while and I was so happy it was with this team.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my team who never fail to make me happy to come to practice each and every day.”

“My most memorable moment was when the team had a funny talk at the Ann Kang tournament as team bonding.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to the seniors on this team.”

“My most memorable moment was when we were down 2 sets against ULS and we worked as a team to come back with a reverse sweep to win the game.”

“My most memorable moment was when we went to Hilo this year and all hung out in the hotel rooms.”

“I would like to dedicate the Spike Nite game to our coaches because they work really hard for us and they deserve it”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my family and friends who come out and always support me. To the coaches who put their time and effort into helping me reach my full potential. And to the Eagles’ Nest for always showing their school spirit!”

“My most memorable moment was when we were all dancing at the banquet on the last night of the Kamehameha Hawaii Tournament.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my family and the Eagles’ Nest (the best student section.)”

“My most memorable moments was when our team went to Hilo to play at the KSH tournament. I got to really bond with the girls and create a stronger relationship with all of them. Playing and having fun in the atmosphere of support my friends create is very special and memorable.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my family and the Eagles’ Nest. My family has watched me grown as a person and a player in my love for volleyball and their support means so much to me. The Eagles’ Nest is the best student section and I hope to play my best for them and make them proud.”

Junior • OH • 5’ 7”

MAKENA LINCOLN Sophomore • DS • 5’ 3”

KYLIE-SHYNE RIVERA-KAAHANUI Senior • MB • 5’ 6”

KYLIE ANCHETA Freshman • OH • 5’ 4”

SYDNEY HANKEY Senior • Opp • 5’ 8”

KACIE AGENA Senior • DS/Libero • 5’ 0”

KATELYNN ALBANO Sophomore • Libero • 5’ 2”

RACHEL TSUCHIYA Senior • DS • 5’ 2”

“My most memorable moment was when Caroline said ‘cheehoo’ but it came out really soft.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my teammates and family who have always been so supportive.”

“My most memorable moment was when I first got on the team last year and immediately felt so welcomed by everyone.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to Rachel and Nolan for always being by my side, as well as my parents for always supporting me throughout my volleyball career.”

“My most memorable moment was when we won our first set in 7th grade when I first started playing.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my parents because they do so much for me and helped me grow as a player.”

“My most memorable moment was the trip to Hilo this year. It was a fun bonding time with my teammates and we got to play volleyball.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my coaches, teammates, and my family.”

“My most memorable moment was when I traveled to The Big Island with the team and we all attended a banquet dinner where I danced on stage in front of everyone in the dining hall.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my parents who have always been my number one supporters.”

“My most memorable moment was singing in the Myles Mobile with my teammates in Hilo.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my family, friends, teammates and coaches.”

“My most memorable moment was when I got on the Inter team in 7th grade. I was a new student and it helped me to make new friends and feel comfortable. It was also my first time playing school volleyball and it helped me to grow my confidence and better my skills as a player.”

“I dedicate this game to my whole family. They are always supportive and although I may not always listen to their constructive criticism, I’m grateful that they’re there to help me get better. I love them and want to make them proud, I hope to do so throughout my volleyball career. ”

“My most memorable moment was when we had our first home game and our student section was cheering which helped us push through our 5 set match.”

“I would like to dedicate this game to my family who constantly support me in everything I do and care for me every day.”

MAHALO to HBA’s Athletic Booster Club for providing the free food at the Fall 2022 Spike Nite

MARISA NAKATA Sophomore • OH • 5’ 7”

CAROLINE FISHER Sophomore • Middle • 5’ 9”

LEINA CHU Junior • Setter • 5’ 5”

TABBY YEE Sophomore • Setter • 5’ 5”

CORI MATSUMOTO Senior • DS • 5’ 3”

BROOKE BRENNAN Sophomore • MB • 5’ 5”

MAKANA DOANE Sophomore • MB • 5’ 4”

ASIA DE LA CRUZ Sophomore • MH • 5’ 7”

2022 GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

BACK (L-R): Brooke Brennan, Makana Doane, Marisa Nakata, Asia De La Cruz, Caroline Fisher, Sydney Hankey, Caitlin Wong, Kylie-Shyne Rivera-Kaahanui, Tabby Yee

FRONT (L-R): Leina Chu, Kylie Ancheta, Cori Matsumoto, Kacie Agena, Katelynn Albano, Rachel Tsuchiya, Makena Lincoln

BACK (L-R): Miah Nakamura, Lauren Okuyda, Jaydi Dakujaku, Annalyn Higgins, Sophie Dukelow, Kate Iida, Emerson Sisco

FRONT (L-R): Angelina Facchini, Sophie Chong, Rhyan Cobb Dumlao, Chloe Windham, Kalena Canionero, Katie Fong

NOT PICTURED: Kiara Cordova

2022 GIRLS JUNIOR VARSITY VOLLEYBALL