Ho‘okele News Island Pacific Academy’s Newspaper I Mua Me Ka Ha‘aheo Phone: (808) 674-3523
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March 2012
Driving Towards Responsiblity Editor-in-Chief Jordan Hanson
“With great power, comes great responsibility.” This quote, made famous by Peter Parker, AKA. “Spider Man” is only too true for those
millions of teens getting their drivers licenses each year. For some young adults, the excitement of a license and the newly acquired freedom that comes with it inhibit reason and overshadow the necessity to exercise safety on the road.
Teen driving fatalities in Hawaii have seen a downward trend since 2005, when the GDL program was enacted. Statistics courtesy of the CDC. Photo courtesy of wikimedia commons.
According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1999 to 2006, motor vehicle crashes were the leading causes of death for young adults ages 12-19 years old, accounting for 48% of all teen deaths. In comparison, suicide accounted for only 11% of teen deaths and health problems, such as heart disease and congenital defects accounted for 10%. These jarring statistics have prompted many state legislatures to enact the Graduated Licensing Program (GDL). The most frequent causes of teen motor vehicle fatalities in their state were failure to yield, speeding and tailgating another driver due to inattentiveness and inexperience, the very things that the GDL attempts to correct. This highly structured program eases young drivers onto the road by setting stringent restrictions and limitations that were non-existent even a generation before. The hope is
that the increased supervision and regulation will make teens more experienced behind the wheel. “Teens are without doubt inexperienced. It generally takes five years to become an experienced driver,” said Hawaii Driving Institute instructor Ron Aoki. “It only makes sense that in any activity we do, if we want to do it better, we would take lessons or get coaching.” In total, 48 states take part in some aspect of the Graduated Licensing Program, including Hawaii. Although the program varies from state to state, it generally includes three parts: complete supervision of the teen behind the wheel, restricted driving during potentially dangerous situations, such as driving after dark, and then the teen receiving a standard drivers’ license. Although the GDL program does claim to provide its participants with more experience and knowledge, some teenagers are quick to question
the effectiveness and usefulness of the program. “To me, I don’t think it [the Graduated Licensing Program] would make a difference because it’s just common sense to follow the rules of the road,” said senior Anna Cheng. Despite some teenagers’ disproval in having to spend three or more years getting their licenses, there has been a decrease in the number of motor vehicle fatalities since 2006, only a year after the inception of the GDL program in Hawaii. This sense of misjudgment and lack of experience only increases when driving with another passenger or drinking, suggesting that the GDL program, while long and laborious, is saving lives. “Each year 43,000 people die as a result of car collision,” said Aoki. “Of that number, 16-19 year olds have the highest percentage of death. By taking drivers education, you become a more aware driver, which ultimately leads to fewer collisions and less fatalities.”
Jack is [a1000x] Awesome Ediotr-in-Chief Lynn Shin
For a 16-year-old in his fourth business foray, Jack Uesugi has a remarkably low ratio of ego to accomplishment. Uesugi has always had an entrepreneurial state of mind, selling produce, and later homemade t-shirts to classmates in third and fourth grade. His lastest venutre, a website called a1000x.com (a Thousand Times), launched less than two months ago and has over 2500 online followers. The site, which showcases local artists and sells merchandise, revolves around the philosophy “give more, get more.” A portion of the proceeds goes to the Hawaii art community and local charities. Artists showcased on the site submit designs for products like t-shirts and prints and in return receive a percentage of the earnings. The remaining
profit goes to both the company and 808 Urban, a local nonprofit that supports art programs for teens. “We love art, and we love people who support art. One of the goals of this site is to promote creativity, highlight deserving artists in Hawaii, and give back to the community,” said Uesugi. The methodology behind a1000x is DIY-centered. Uesugi is both the brains and the crew and prints the shirts right out of his garage. He scouts artists, sets up meetings and acts as the one-man promoter for his site. He works alongside his father who handles most of the web design and setup. “My dad and I had talked about doing something like this for a while,” said Uesugi. “All the resources were in front of me. My dad is a graphic designer, my mom is a photographer, we own a silk screen printer and we have a lot of
connection to local artists.” Talk turned to action last summer, as Uesugi built the site from the ground up. Between diving trips and schoolwork, Uesugi set out to sign a team of local artists. Ryan Higa, a long-time family friend and the creator of Gruntled Funk art, was his first signed artist. From there, Uesugi went on to sign 20 artists, including John Koga, one of Hawaii’s most well known Modernists, and Estria, a professional graffiti artist. Currently the website is in its busiest stage, with Uesugi signing artists, updating the store and promoting the brand at events. Often, potential clients are surprised to find the founder of a 1000x is not yet out of high school. “Whenever I say I’m a junior they ask me what I want to major in, because they think I’m in college,” said Uesugi.
The site is still new, but the store is up and profit is finally trickling in. a1000x decals decorate almost every laptop on the third floor, some given out in promotion of the site, some sold. But publicity is minimal past the school itself. For now a1000x sells mainly t-shirts, prints and lanyards but plans to expand outward. “I want to eventually move past artists in Hawaii to artists nationwide. I’m currently working on getting my products into stores- transitioning from online,” said Uesugi. The future of the website remains uncertain with
Uesugi off to college in less than two years. But Uesugi has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. “Five years from now, I hope it’s still up and going strong.” Even without me there, I want it to continue,” said Uesugi.