Volume 47, No. 8 May 2019
KaOhanaOnline.org
Ka ‘Ohana now on Facebook Ka ‘Ohana now printed on recycled paper
Graduating seniors share advice on college success your classes and small group discussions, don’t be afraid to relax and talk a little more.”
by Nathan Runion Ka ‘Ohana Staff Reporter
S
tarting college can be an exciting and, at times, terrifying experience. Many students may not know what to expect. In the few years that I’ve attended WCC, I’ve learned a few things that I wish I knew from the start.
Get involved What do you enjoy doing? What’s important to you? Chances are there are others on campus who feel the same way. There may even be a club for it. If not, go start one. I was heavily into ceramics and sculpture, and to be honest, meeting others who enjoyed those activities was one of the main reasons I stayed in college.
Go to class This is probably the best advice I can give. Many students might skip a class or two and think it’s no big deal only to find out later that the missed material was a huge chunk of a test. Attendance is also a factor for many classes, and not showing up will affect your grade. I suggest checking your course syllabi to see how much of your grade will be affected. Don’t procrastinate No video games, no Snapchat and no artwork. Do your homework. Although some of us do have a life outside of college, if you can, just do one problem here, one there, and before you know it, you’re done. Reuse information Whenever you can, reuse information. I’ve used the same base material for English, political science and speech. As long as it’s your work and your research, it’s not cheating. It’s sharing what you know. Get to know your instructors Don’t be another forgettable face. Building a relation-
Attend events I highly recommend the Palikū Arts Festival, which happens every April. WCC hosts many lectures and festivals, which can be great for networking and learning. Or you can even get a job on campus as a teacher’s assistant.
NATHAN RUNION
Graduating senior Dani Springel suggests asking professors for advice.
ship with your professors is important. And do it early on. This may be a little harder at a university but here at WCC, it’s a little more manageable. Ask them questions about your assignments. Find out where you can improve. According to WCC graduating senior Dani Springel, “One thing that helped me succeed was asking my professors for advice.” If you’re interested in the field, ask them why they got
Inside
Cancer, page 2
into it. Find out what their office hours are and drop by. Be nice to everyone I can’t stress this enough. You never know when the most unlikely person could lend a hand. They could offer help with an assignment, life advice or even a new job. There’s also a chance that you may work with or for them one day. According to WCC graduating senior Jessica Leong, “In
Coconut Island, page 4
Don’t get overwhelmed Don’t be in a hurry to get out of here. If you work two jobs, it’s probably not a good idea to take 20 credits. Shop online for books It may take longer to get them, but they are way cheaper. Some instructors may even post the first couple of chapters online just to help you out. Worst case, ask your instructor if they have an extra copy of the textbook that you can borrow or share one with a classmate. Be smart about loans If you don’t need the money, don’t take it. If you do, plan out how you’re going to pay
Restrooms, page 6
for it before you accept it. There’s also a ton of scholarships and grants out there. Do the research. You may be surprised what you qualify for. The financial aid office and TRiO are amazing at finding help. Don’t wait until the end to take the “hard” classes Don’t take all your electives in the beginning. Even if you’re just taking a few classes to get a feel for it all, balance out the hard with the chill. May I suggest an art class after math. Don’t worry if you don’t know what major to pursue Many of us are still trying to figure ourselves out, let alone a career. Get your core requirements out of the way first. Worry about what you want to do later. Ask if you need help WCC has many resources that can assist with anything you need. If you’re having trouble picking classes, go see your counselors. For help with assignments and studying, get a tutor. The math, writing and speech labs are awesome. The best part is, they take walk-ins. TRiO really helped me survive math. Remember self care Don’t eat only ramen the night before an exam. It won’t help you. Also, humans need sleep. Don’t stay up all night cramming for a test. Get your rest, eat right, and remember to get your “me time.”
Art exhibit, page 8
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May 2019
Community News
Ka ‘Ohana
WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Kane‘ohe teen battles brain cancer J
by Madelyn Barr Ka ‘Ohana Staff Reporter
ayvis Ilar is a 14-year-old from Kāne‘ohe who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, also known as DIPG, last October. His family has been trying to spread the word about his diagnosis in order to raise money for this incurable disease. DIPG are highly aggressive glial brain tumors found at the base of the brain and typically only found in children. DIPG affects the lowest part of the brainstem called the pons, which controls the body’s movement functions such as breathing, blood pressure, the five senses, muscles and heart rate. Life expectancy for this kind of cancer is generally nine months after diagnosis, which means it is a very deadly cancer. Ilar has been receiving treatment, including radiation and steroid treatments, from Kapi‘olani Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Honolulu. The Ilars found out about his condition right after his 14th birthday when he and his family noticed that the right side of his body was weak and the right side of his face started drooping. “We thought he had a stroke,” said his aunt Krystle Ilar. Last November, right after his diagnosis, Ilar was planning on going to one of the Bruno Mars concerts at
the Aloha Stadium. Once he and his family arrived in the parking lot, he became unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital. Even though he missed the concert, he received a signed poster with a message from Bruno Mars. An array of other celebrities have also publicly supported Ilar, due to his aunt’s sharing of his diagnosis. Comedian Jo Koy came to his hospital room and spent the day with him and his family. The Rock sent a video message to Ilar, saying “stay strong.” Despite the outpouring of support, Ilar’s tumor has continued to grow. Recent tests show that his tumor has doubled in size causing him to have double vision and weakness on the right side of his body. His mother Jolani Ilar said, “He has been a trooper and had to grow up faster than he had to. Not even a lot of adults would be able to go through what he has and still continue to have a positive outlook and have laughs every day.” His aunt added, “Jayvis got through radiation like a champ. He has been going through this with a great attitude and while some days are harder than others, he doesn’t give up.” Ilar’s faith in God is helping him get through his sickness. He has been learning and performing sign-dance for New Hope Windward’s School of Dance with his cousins and uncle. “Dancing for church has helped Jayvis get his mind off
Cartoon Corner
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COURTESY OF THE ILAR FAMILY
Jayvis Ilar was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) in October.
of his diagnosis and helped him regain his joy as he has been going through this tough and painful journey,” said his aunt. He has also started working with a tutor as he is not
able to attend his classes at Castle High School, where he is a freshman. “He looks forward to seeing his math tutor as he is so motivated to get his math credit,” his mom said.
The Ilar family asks that people pray for Jayvis daily and support the Facebook page “Jayvis Strong,” which includes daily updates of his diagnosis and his journey battling DIPG.
May 2019
CAMPUS NEWS
Ka ‘Ohana
WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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Student employee honored with award A
by Mariko Kershaw Special to Ka ‘Ohana
t the WCC Student Employee Appreciation event on May 1, Maile McLaurin was named the 2019 WCC Student Employee of the Year. As an Alakaʻi Hoʻonui ʻIke or peer success coach, some of McLaurin’s many primary duties include supporting online and evening courses (such as ENG 100 with Jenny Webster, SP 151 with Jeff Ho and ICS 100 and ICS 101 with Mike Kato) by attending each class lecture, facilitating class discussions and small group activities, and answering student questions. Out of class, she hosts one-on-one sessions (in-person and online) with students and meets with instructors to discuss student progress. She was chosen by a committee of WCC faculty, staff and administration as the winner based on the following five criteria: quality of work, reliability, initiative, professionalism and exceptional service. McLaurin’s supervisor and Title III Ho’onui ‘Ike coordinator Scott Sutherland wrote in his nomination essay: “In almost every way, Maile goes above and beyond what I and her instructor partners expect of her. She has helped countless students succeed during her time at WCC. However, what is so exceptional about Maile is her heart.”
At the appreciation event, Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg presented McLaurin with a prize of $250 in the Hale ʻĀkoakoa cafeteria. McLaurin was also presented with a perpetual plaque with her name engraved, which resides in the WCC Library Learning Commons. The Kailua resident plans to graduate from UH West O‘ahu next spring with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The event was co-sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office and ASUH-WCC and co-coordinated by Sutherland, Student Employee Coordinator for Title III Ashley Tilton and librarian/Student Employee of the Year award manager Mariko Kershaw. In addition to McLaurin, four other student employees were nominated. They were Bernadette Rose-Garrett, First Year Experience Counselor/Student Affairs, Justice Denis-Lui, Electronics Aide/Media Technology Services, Kayla Watanabe, Circulation Assistant/Library, and Kirsten Freeman, Student Assistant/Counseling Office. Nominees were recognized at the appreciation event with a certificate, copy of their nomination essay written by their supervisor and lei. There are approximately 139 student employees at WCC. For more information about the Student Employee of the Year Award, visit https://windward.hawaii.edu/seoty/.
Theatre students win awards
WCC theatre students Spencer McCarrey and Tina Uyeno won 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the statewide National Society of Arts and Letters drama competition in March.
SCOTT SUTHERLAND
Maile McLaurin is the 2019 WCC Student Employee of the Year.
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May 2019
Ka ‘Ohana
Community News WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coconut Island embodies storied past I
by Ian Jenss Ka ‘Ohana Editor in Chief
n the middle of Kāne‘ohe Bay lies the island of Moku o Lo’e also known as Coconut Island. From an ancient Hawaiian fishing village to a fantasy for the rich and famous to a retreat for weary soldiers and now a world-class marine biology facility, this little island has a rich and colorful past. For those familiar with the back roads of Kāne‘ohe, Moku o Lo’e sits off Lilipuna Road directly across from Kāne‘ohe Marine Corps Air Station and can be seen from many viewpoints around the bay. I was born and raised in Kāne‘ohe and never knew the true story and history of the island–until now. Educator and marine biologist Kyla Herrmann from the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) gave me a tour of the island recently. My vision of Gilligan’s Island, the popular sitcom of the 1960s and 1970s, vanished as she introduced me to the real Moku o Loʻe. (The TV show actually did use Coconut Island in its opening shots.)
Premier research facility
Run by the University of Hawai‘i, HIMB is the premier marine biology research facility in the Pacific. Its mission is to conduct, promote and support research and training in tropical marine biology. As such, it is a world leader in research aimed at understanding and conserving tropical marine ecosystems. It is also the site of important studies that are helping to understand the current impacts of climate change. For instance, Herrmann mentioned the ongoing study started by the late Dr. Ruth Gates on the assisted evolution of the resilient corals in the bay as well as the work in the Mary Hagadorn lab involving coral banking and cryogenically freezing coral gametes and then using lasers to reanimate them. “There’s fish genetics, shark tagging and everything you can think of from the tiniest microbes to the largest charismatic mega-fauna,” Herrmann said. “(We are) trying to research, restore, preserve for our future. These are just a few of the many projects that happen here seven days a week.” Marine biologist and lab researcher Jan Vicente, who has been working on Moku o Loʻe for two years, added, “We have people working on sharks, corals, sponges, fish larvae and basically anything that lives in the ocean. We all work together really well to answer the same questions but with different organisms.” Dr. Philip Heilfrich and Dr. Robert Hiatt collaborated in 1953 to start the marine lab, which later became known as HIMB. Heilfrich, who spent 44 years associated with Coconut Island, came to Hawai‘i after seeing an ad for a graduate student position at the University of Hawai‘i. He began as a researcher and subsequently became acting director of the lab.
WIKIPEDIA.COM
Moku o Lo’e (Coconut Island) is a hidden but not forgotten gem nestled in the heart of Kane‘ohe Bay on the windward side of O‘ahu.
From 1975 to 1977, he took a short leave to help found the World Fish Center sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation, which helped people with fishery problems in developing worlds. He returned to UH and was offered the position of dean of research for four years. Then in 1980, he took over as director of HIMB. After retiring in 1993, he stayed around to help build a new marine laboratory. When asked about his most memorable moments on Coconut Island, Helfrich spoke of Edwin Pauley and his family, philanthropists who helped turn the small island into the important research facility it is today. “Every year, the Pauleys would have a big gathering on the island, and I will never forget bringing my wife to the island. It was a treat for both of us. We felt very honored and grateful to be allowed on the ‘Forbidden Island.’ The Pauleys were very hospitable to us and made us feel very welcomed. They were great!”
After the defeat of Germany and Japan, he was sent to Japan by President Truman to take inventory of the looted treasures, monies and gold that the Japanese government had accrued during the war. It was on his trip to the far east in 1945 that Pauley saw Coconut Island for the first time through the window of his plane as it was landing at Kāne‘ohe Marine Corps Air Station. The island lay just below the final approach to the runway. In 1946, Pauley and a group of investors purchased Moku o Lo’e from the Holmes Estate for $250,000. The group came together to buy the island with the intent to turn it into a respite for battle-weary military personnel on the mend and later a resort club for the elite. This was the start of many visits by dignitaries and politicians to the island. At one time, there was a Governors’ Convention held in Honolulu, and all 50 state governors were guests
on the island. Among other notable visitors to the island over the years were Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Johnson, General Douglas MacArthur and Hollywood actors such as Clark Gable, Shirley Temple and even John Wayne, who starred in the 1940s movie Wake of the Red Witch which was filmed there. However, for all the glamour and grandiose of those who visited Moku o Lo’e, there is much history that preceded the modern era of the island.
Pre-contact Hawai‘i
The earliest known history of Moku o Lo’e goes back to pre-contact Hawai‘i. In 1650, O’ahu was ruled by a chiefess named Kalaimanuia. Upon her death, the island was partitioned into quarters, and her three sons and daughter fought for dominance over the island. The eldest son was killed and his brother Kaihikapu-a Manuia took over the eastern half of O’ahu
Edwin Pauley’s influence and vision
Edwin Pauley was a charismatic man of many talents. He was an educator, diplomat and successful industrialist who gained his wealth in oil in the Los Angeles area in the early 1920s and then became a pivotal lobbyist to the Democratic Party during World War II. He was an important member of President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration and subsequently a diplomat during Harry Truman’s presidency. As an economic adviser, he was involved in the Potsdam Conference with Truman, British prime minister Winston Churchill and Soviet foreign minister Vyachselav Molotov.
IAN JENSS
Andrew Osberg is a researcher and marine biologist in the ToBo Lab.
May 2019
Community News
Ka ‘Ohana
WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
including Ko’olaupoko. He was succeeded by a son, Kākuhihewa, who resided in Kailua and set out to reunify O’ahu. During this period, windward O’ahu flourished with the many fishponds and lo’i of Kawainui, Kaʻelepulu and Hamakua in Kailua and Paepae o He’eia and Waikalua Loko I’a in Kāne‘ohe. The oral histories of Kākuhihewa speak of a golden age in Ko’olaupoko with an abundance of fish and kalo. I n t h e l a t e 17 t h c e n t u r y, Kākuhihewa’s great-great grandson Kuali’i came to power and reunified the island. His home and power base were at Ko’olaupoko, and he also gained influence on the island of Kaua’i. Cultural interpreter and member of the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club Mahealani Cypher related an anecdote that supports this history. “According to a member of the Robert Manu Gay family from Kaua’i, they are descendants of an ali’i who once lived on Moku o Lo’e with his family. The man said the island was much larger at that time. The chief was the ali’i for Ko’olaupoko and could see nine of the 11 ahupua’a from his home on the island. There are burials on the island, some of which have been uncovered by construction of a fire protection pipeline in recent years.” The Kingdom of Hawai‘i By the 1780s, the Maui king Kahekili II had taken over O’ahu and made Kailua his home base, making the tiny island of Moku o Lo’e close to the political center of the island. With the coming of foreigners after 1778, the capital of the island shifted to the leeward side as
IAN JENSS
University of Hawai‘i research vessels moor inside Moku o Lo’e's lagoon on the leeward side of the island.
land outright. From the times of Kamehameha II (1819-1824), the control of Moku o Lo’e was under Abner Paki, the konohiki (a head of a Hawaiian land division who also controls fishing rights in adjacent waters) of the ahupua’a called He’eia. He married a granddaughter of Kamehameha I, Laura Konia. They had one daughter, Bernice Pauahi, and adopted Lydia Kamaka’eha (who would later become Queen Lili’uokalani). In 1858, after Paki’s death, Princess Pauahi inherited the ancestral lands of He’eia that included Moku o Lo’e. In 1866, she leased 2,500 acres to John McKeague to establish the He’eia Sugar Plantation Company. The provisions granted the company konohiki rights to fisheries and seas around He’eia. It was in 1883 that Princess Pauahi planted the first grove of coconut palms
shrubs. However, rats attacked the sheep, and the flock jumped into the sea and swam back to the shore of He’eia. A family of Filipino immigrants inhabited the island in the late 1910s to the early 1920s. Faustino Olavides, his wife Portenciana and their daughters Ruth and Rose were the only ones on the island during that time. From 1921 to 1925, German immigrant Paul Beyer and his wife Amelia sub-leased Moku o Lo’e in connection with a fishing company he co-owned. They and their seven children lived in a small plantation style house with a tarp-covered lanai. The family maintained a well on the island that was augmented with a rain catchment system. After the Beyer family left the island, it was mostly uninhabited for years, becoming a rat-infested jungle of coconut trees, guava, lantana and mangrove. There were numerous claims of ownership and challenges of title to the island over the years, but in the end, the Land Court decreed that the Bishop Estate had shown evidence of uninterrupted possession from the time of the Great Mahele. In 1937, the Bishop Estate eventually sold the island for $50,000 to Christian Holmes II, the heir of the Fleischmann’s Yeast and Gin companies.
Fantasy island
IAN JENSS
Hammerhead sharks swim in one of the island's shoreline enclosed habitats.
the large European and American ships could be berthed in the natural harbor of Kou (later changed to Honolulu) as Kāne‘ohe Bay was too shallow. Kahekili II was succeeded in 1794 by Kalanikupule, who was defeated by Kamehameha the Great at the battle of Nu‘uanu in 1795. By 1810, Kamehameha had unified all of the Hawaiian Islands. Kamehameha focused his rule not on the abundance of the land but on the foreign trade activity happening around Honolulu. He distributed lands to his favorite chiefs and retainers, and 50 years later his son, Kamehameha III, redistributed the land in the Great Mahele of 1848. During the time of Kamehameha I, Ko’olaupoko, including Kailua and Kāne’ohe, were awarded to Queen Kalama who would own the
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on Moku o Lo’e. During this period, Moku o Lo’e was used as a way station and lookout for fishing. In 1884, Pauahi died, leaving her patrimonial estate to her husband Charles Bishop. In 1885, the He’eia Sugar Plantation foreclosed, and Marcus Colburn leased Moku o Lo’e from Charles Bishop with the condition that he took care of the coconut trees that were growing on the island. It was noted that lantana and guava were also growing on the island at that time.
An island in transition
In 1908, rancher James Bicknell Castle was granted a 40-year lease of He’eia, which included Moku o Lo’e. He introduced 50 to 60 sheep on the island in an attempt to clear it of the lantana
Holmes was a multi-millionaire from Cincinnati, Ohio, who had a dream to make his own fantasy island. He proceeded to transform the tropical jungle island into one of the world’s most spectacular private residences and invested over $1 million in its development. He put in a four-inch pipe between the tiny island and O’ahu for freshwater from the Ko’olau mountains. He also established a telephone cable from the island to O‘ahu. He enlarged the island, built ponds, harbors and a seawall surrounding the island. He added more coconut palms to the ones Princess Pauahi had planted, giving rise to the island’s popular name of Coconut Island. Holmes bought a four-masted schooner in Samoa, the Seth Parker, and had it sailed north to Hawai‘i. It leaked so much on the trip that it was declared unseaworthy. He permanently moved the Seth Parker to Coconut Island and transformed it into a movie theater. As a young boy growing up in Kāne‘ohe,
I have a vivid memory of the ship as it sat moored on Coconut Island. Holmes built outdoor bars at various points around the island. He added a bowling alley and reconstructed a shooting gallery on the island that he had bought at an amusement park in San Francisco. A tennis court was put in as well as a one-acre salt water pool that famed surfer and Olympian Duke Kahanamoku swam in. That’s not all. Coconut Island even housed a small zoo for a short time. Animal residents included donkeys, monkeys, a giraffe and a baby elephant. Upon Holmes’s death, these animals became the basis for the Honolulu Zoo (along with the Honolulu Bird Park at the Kapiʻolani Park site). Holmes threw lavish parties and entertained many celebrities and politicians alike. Cypher said that her grandparents were guests at many of those parties. However, the gala era of Moku o Lo‘e ended with the attack by the Japanese on the Kāne‘ohe Marine Corps Air Station and Pearl Harbor. It was after World War II that philanthropist Edwin Pauley picked up from where Holmes left off.
The island today
When asked to share more of her thoughts on Moku o Lo’e, Cypher said: “We have found that the island has powerful mana, a spirit that is calming and healing. We have held cultural retreats at Moku o Lo’e, and this has helped us to focus our minds and hearts on our work. We consider the island 'kapu' (forbidden or restricted) for the research that is being done, primarily as long as this research is for the benefit of our marine resources and our people. That would be our primary condition on the continued use of this island for the future. We believe that cultural use of the island can co-exist with the scientific research, if managed wisely.” Today, the island is stewarded by the University of Hawai’i and continues to be a world class marine biology research center. With its remarkable story and historic past, Moku o Lo’e truly remains a hidden but not forgotten gem in the Pacific. History, dates and information gathered from Moku o Lo’e, A History of Coconut Island by Christian Klieger and published by Bishop Museum Press (2007).
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May 2019
Ka ‘Ohana
Editorial
Title IX ... and you
WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
by Karla Silva-Park, LMHC, NCC
Gender-inclusive bathrooms and UH policy
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any students and faculty may be unaware that all of our campuses now have genderinclusive bathrooms and have had them for awhile. Many also may not know what that actually means or how it looks in the day-to-day campus environment. In January 2018, the university implemented UH Executive Policy 1.205, which specifically outlines what is being done to ensure that all students, faculty, staff and visitors are able to access restrooms and other facilities in a safe and accessible way. The policy addresses both new construction and existing restrooms, showers, locker rooms, changing facilities and wellness/lactation rooms. Sometimes there is uncertainty as to what genderneutral/gender-inclusive, gender identity and gender expression mean. When we talk about gender expression, we are speaking of the way individuals present their gender to others, regardless of their
designated sex at birth. When talking about gender identity, we are referring to the way individuals identify with their assigned sex at birth. Those identifies may or may not align with their biological sex at birth. The p ol ic y de sc r ib e s gender-inclusive facilities as restrooms, showers, locker rooms, changing facilities and wellness/lactation rooms that are usable by persons of all gender identities and that are not gender specific. G e nde r -i n c lu s ive f a cilities were created as a supportive measure to the university’s policies of nondiscrimination and/or sex discrimination and genderbased violence (Executive Policies 1.202 and 1.204). Individuals are allowed to access and have the right to use any facility that corresponds with their gender identity. These policies provide all individuals protection from harassment and discrimination. On WCC’s campus there are single occupancy rest-
KARLA SILVA-PARK
A Los Angeles restaurant had this sign in its gender-inclusive restroom.
rooms available to faculty, staff, students and visitors alike. They are located in the following locations: Hale Alaka`i on the Kuhina side, two in Hale La`akea on the third floor and the Media Distribution Center; and two
in Hale A`o on both the first and second floors. Many individuals still hold misconceptions about gender inclusivity, often fearing it is more dangerous. Research has shown the public that this is not the case. It is
Sustainability Matters Sustainability and Resilience Fellowships
T
he UH System Sustainability Office and Kupu, an environmental non-profit that provides internships and training, have recently created new Sustainability and Resilience Fellowships with one placed at each college across the UH System. These new Sustainability Fellows are part of the Americorps VISTA program, which is modelled on the Peace Corps but within the United States. This is a volunteer position for recent college graduates that includes a living stipend, some benefits and an educational grant upon completion. This program was designed to improve the sustainability efforts across the system and the emphasis is on completing the Association for the Advancement of Susta i nabi l it y i n Hig her Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking and Rating
Systems (STARS). STARS is designed to measure a college’s sustainability efforts i n c u r r ic u lu m, resea rc h, operation and community and in many ways reflects the unique contributions of institutions of higher education in the larger efforts to transform the way we interact with the environment. Tracking sustainability efforts is particularly important to make sure that improvements are meaningful and lasting. Without measurement and tracking, there is little accountability. Windward Community College is fortunate enough to have a new Sustainability and Resilience Fellow, Navin Erwin-Tagore, who will be working full-time on campus over the next year to complete the STARS reporting as well as assist and support the diverse sustainability efforts on campus. Navin is a recent graduate of the Natural Resources and Environmental Management prog ra m at UH Mānoa and took graduate
classes in the Urban and Regional Planning department. Navin’s work at UH and in the community has given him a wealth of experiences in improving sustainability in a university setting. W h i l e at U H, Nav i n worked with a team of students on a feasibility study for an anaerobic impact digester on campus that would process a portion of the food waste on campus. UH administration is considering the proposal. He also participated in the UH Mānoa waste audit, researching the total waste stream and proposing steps to reduce it. Navin learned about zero waste food systems while working at local elementary school campuses through the Windward Schools Zero Waste Hui. Besides work ing wit h sustainability and waste reduction, Navin has a variety of other experiences that will aid his sustainability work at WCC. He has worked on a farm near Olomana, as a
on us as a campus to educate everyone about access and to shift the culture of the campus to recognize that nondiscrimination policies impact every part of the campus. According to UH Mānoa’s All-Gender Restroom FAQs page: “According to the Transgender Law Center, the Human Rights Campaign and the American Civil Liberties Union, there is no statistical evidence that all-gender restrooms are any less safe than gender-specific restrooms. In fact, some assert that all-gender restrooms might in fact be safer. Even though bathroom attacks are infrequent, the signage on gender-specific restrooms only provides an illusion of safety and does not prevent perpetrators from entering these spaces. Additionally, gender-specific bathrooms have been shown to pose a risk to transgender individuals.” To explore the FAQs further, go to http://studentaffairs.manoa.hawaii.edu/allgender-restrooms-faqs/. Should you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact me, our Title IX coordinator, at karlas@hawaii. edu or at 235-7468.
with Christian Palmer
PATRICK HASCALL
WCC's Sustainability and Resilience Fellow Navin Erwin-Tagore
cook at different Japanese restaurants in Honolulu, and has an interest in art. Agriculture, cooking, art and waste all come together in creating a circular economy in which each part is done thinking about the upstream
a nd dow nst ream effects. Navin is passionate about reducing waste and creating circular economies and is excited about supporting t he diverse ag r ic ult u ra l, culinary and sustainability efforts here at WCC.
May 2019
Editorial
Ka ‘Ohana
WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
7
Can you have white pride without being labeled a white supremacist? Why or why not? As a white, military kid, I got to experience a lot of different places and a lot of different people growing up. Most places it didn’t matter what anyone looked like or where we came from because we were all just kids having fun. But as I grew up and kept moving around, I realized I had started having to have almost an apologetic appearance to myself when I met new people of different races. It felt like I was saying “Hi! I’m Blake." Now look, I’m sorry I’m a white guy. But hear me out… And no doubt, some people are reading this and immediately shutting themselves off from hearing from me. Why? You don’t know me. What about my race makes people think they know me? Inexcusable things were done in the past by
men that look just like me. But they’re long dead and gone. And not only do I not have a say about where I came from, but I don’t even know! I’m proud to be who I am. – Blake Lawson Absolutely white supremacy is absolute narcissism but white pride is necessary in order to not be taken advantage of. Linguistic gymnastics does not lessen the fact that there are people that hate me and want to take advantage of me because I’m white. I have the right to defend myself against irrational bigots as an American, a Christian, a Republican and a white person. I do see an argument to be made for the idea that white pride is based off of violence and oppression. But that's one
dimensional. That’s not all of the European history, and that’s not everything we did. We did a lot of positive things that still benefit this world today. – Dalton Duffield I will begin this comment by saying that I am half white, a strong Democrat, and heavily pro-minority rights. With that out of the way, I think that mistaking white pride for white supremacy is a serious mistake. Just like African Americans, Asians and Hispanics, people of European decent belong to specific cultures that should not be forgotten. I see no problem with being proud of their ancestry, no matter where it comes from. As for whether or not one can express
one without being accused of the other, that is a different matter all together. I will say that the two shouldn’t be inextricably linked, but that it is unfortunately easy to do so in our modern society. – Nick You I don’t think "white pride" could ever exist without being labeled as a white supremacist with the current political situation. Historically, white in America had a bad name from people who identify in other races from many discrimination against “colored people.” These include many occurrences such as black slavery, Japanese internment and KKK, etc. Even now the current president who is a white American is infamous for his
How do you feel about the growing divisions in the country? The fact that our country has split up seems to be a disappointing issue. From my perspective, the two divisions need to become one again. If we continue to remain separate, we will most likely provide a weak government. When I first heard about the growing divisions, it seemed to be a very concerning issue. The two divisions need to reunite for the sake of a better and stronger country. – Reece Fujii
be richer and more powerful. The poor will naturally stay poor, for the most part, and the rich have a greater advantage to become more rich, for the obvious reasons. I feel that the state controls this in a sense of trying to keep the majority of the poor stay poor. It is more than likely for a person to achieve much more in life due to their class or upbringing. The more money you have, the more friends and resources you have to succeed. – Czarina Salas
America, in my view, has always been polarized to the very core. This arises from the bipartisan nature of American politics. I think the rise of media has just made people aware of what has always been present in America. The fact that the internet media nowadays creates an echo chamber in which you only hear what yourʻre used to hearing also contributes to peopleʻs lack of understanding of people whose thoughts might differ from them. – Jihun Jeong
A growing division in this country could be about Trump and building the wall. There is a good amount of people out here who are for the president’s actions. A couple of people that I know are glad that he’s taking people to our country that has been living here illegally. For those people, they are all immigrants of other countries who went through all the trouble to get their correct documentations and green card. For everyone else, it’s quite the opposite. We feel that they’ve been living here their whole life, paying taxes, started a family, and haven’t gotten into any worrying trouble that it’s okay for them to be here. They should just be given the right steps in order to be legally a citizen. This topic will forever divide the country as long as it is a recurring issue. – Alyssa Clevenger
I feel that the growing divisions in the country will eventually decrease the chances of a country being united and strong. Having an increase division was bound to happen because of the political history. The rich will always want more and will do whatever it takes to
discriminative policy against colored people. Not only that the United States has been almost always in white majority ever since independence in 1776. So with these historical backgrounds and the current political turmoil, etc. “white pride” would most certainly never be seen as ‘celebrating racial diversity, rather it would be viewed as "act of white supremacy." – Jeong Min Woo Racism toward another person is racist regardless of the color of skin. If white pride is bad, then the same standard should be held for black pride. As long as the pride doesn’t make one group less superior than the other, it's fine. - Kassidy Wedemeyer
The staff of Ka ‘Ohana wishes you a great summer. From left: Webmaster/ lab guru Patrick Hascall, faculty adviser Kimberlee Bassford, staff reporter Nathan Runion, editor in chief Ian Jenss and staff reporters Anthony Davis and Madelyn Barr. (Not pictured: Lab assistant Ezzio Lavarello.)
Ka ‘Ohana EDITOR IN CHIEF
Ian Jenss
(The Family)
WEBMASTER/LAB GURU
Patrick Hascall LAB ASSISTANT
STAFF REPORTERS
Madelyn Barr Anthony Davis Nathan Runion
Ezzio Lavarello ADVISER
Kimberlee Bassford
Ka ‘Ohana is published monthly by the students of Windward Community College. 45-720 Kea‘ahala Rd, Kāne‘ohe, Hawai‘i 96744. Phone (808) 236-9185. The newspaper reflects only the views of its student staff. Visit Ka ‘Ohana’s website at www.KaOhanaOnline.org. An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution
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May 2019
Ka ‘Ohana
Arts & Entertainment WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Art exhibit reveals a ‘Brave New World’ by Anthony Davis Ka ‘Ohana Staff Reporter
A
crowd gathers across the Hale Pālanakila courtyard. Eager art lovers, passerbys and students intermingle and banter. A curious excitement grows as a new group weaves its way among the crowd–the artists. These select few have been handpicked for Gallery ‘Iolani’s latest exhibit. Running March 29 to May 5, “Brave New World” hosted the cumulative works of Alina Kawai, Erin Marquez, Kana Ogawa, Bronson Shimabukuro, Daniel Stratis, Chiho Ushio and Andrew Yamauchi. The exhibition drew on the possibilities of change in a beautifully fragile world that’s seeing more and more of its inhabitants shrink away into the digital landscape and withdraw further from real world connections. The exhibit literature states that “every generation has a story to tell.” The gathering of these artists and ideas served to communicate this. “This is an exhibit not to be missed,” gallery director Toni Martin said. “A group of young artists who all started their training at a community college demonstrates that painting is alive and well in this stunning exhibit.” The artistic expressions ranged from oils to acrylics, from wonderous wood and fishing weight fusion to decadently graceful cast iron battlements fused with modern day hallmarks. Running along the walls were a collective of stagger-
PHOTOS BY ANTHONY DAVIS
Gallery ‘Iolani’s latest exhibit, “A Brave New World,” showcased the works of artists who began their artistic journeys at community colleges.
ingly large six-foot oil works by Andrew Yamauchi. The grand scale of these paintings encapsulated a variety of subjects. Many housed life-sized figures sprawled amongst nature’s embrace. One figure lay peacefully embraced in the warm depths of a meadow while another watched the skies above as chaos unfolded. A unifying factor drawing many of his works together were surreal landscapes exuding rich warm emphasis on greenish tones. “I take inspiration from
wherever I can get it,” Yamauchi said. “Ideas for paintings and artwork are extremely finite and need to be harnessed and cultivated. The artist, whether young or mature, needs to be on his or her toes when it comes to things like inspiration because ultimately that dragon is the energy source artists need.” Nearby, a set of elegant cast iron weaponry loomed, glistening ominously in the warmed gallery light. Created by artist Daniel Stratis, the
pieces sat regally atop cushions of crimson. The medieval battlements came in the forms of a morning star, ball and chain and mace but sporting modern day twists. Stratis’s mediums of choice were cast and fabricated metal, wood, ceramic, acrylic and interactive electronics, utilizing these mediums to create highly refined objects that both engaged and interacted with the viewer. Stratis attained his bachelor’s degree in fine arts in sculpture from UH Mānoa and
later earned a master’s degree in fine arts from the Rinehart School of Sculpture. The acrylic artistry of Hawai‘i-based artist Erin Marquez beheld a level of skill that lended her work a photocaliber realism. Her paintings depicted avian life in a variety of activities ranging from hunting and flight to candid power poses. They were accompanied by counterparts done in blazing palettes of surreal colorwork and chalk. “Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by birds,” Marquez said. “Growing up in Hawai‘i, I had been unaware of the loss of native Hawaiian birds. The fact that the islands once were a land of birds is awe inspiring. My focus is mainly on these animals, their lives, the land they inhabit and the rich stories that surround them.” More masterful brush strokes were found in the work of Kana Ogawa. A pair of curious toddlers graced the face of one of her canvases, layered in tones of grey and ghostly white. One child peers far into the distance, while the other looks over her shoulder back to the viewer. “It is the state of mind of immigrants,” said Ogawa on the inspiration behind her work. “I come from an immigrant family. And living in Hawai‘i is a constant reminder of the blended cultures in a very good way that I feel fortunate about.”