2024 Ka Hana Kaulana

THE CELEBRATED WORK

Ka Hana Kaulana 2024

Staff Message

When choosing pieces for the magazine, our staffers and editors read each submission. Each work brought conversations of quality and ideas, highlighting student creativity—how these pieces encapsulate this year’s theme: sketchbook. Brainstormed and voted on by our staffers and editors, the theme was to create something personal. In a world filled with technology, we wanted something to feel tangible—genuine and human.

Assistant Editors: Kimberly Sam Maniquiz

Natalia Nieves

Editor-in-Chief: Daisy Wallace

Staffers:

Viktor Cambe

Jewel Guillermo

Malia Manuel

Leialoha Orta

Advisers: Cynthia Reves

Jordin Carmichael

Evon Le

This year, our staffers, editors, and advisers worked tirelessly to honor McKinley’s Ka Hana Kaulana. With teamwork, and effort, they made a fantastic magazine dedicated to the spread of art, poetry, prose and photography. This edition showcases the beauty of simplicity, while highlighting the ingenuity of complex art and written pieces. We are so proud of what we made, and it is with great joy we present it to you, our ‘ohana, our community. We are also proud of the amazing students who submitted to the magazine. Without these students, this magazine wouldn’t be possible. Thank you all for your contributions!

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Table of Contents

Poetry & Prose

A slideshow of Art & Photography in color is at mhspinion.com

“Ultraviolence” by Malia Manuel..............................5

“Marching Dawn” by Viktor Cambe............................8

“Opportunity and a Cat” by Nhi Nguyen..................9

“Frost Lock” by Julian Franco.................................10

“Humanity” by Rylee Warden.................................13

“An Ox is One Who is Humble” by Huy Nguyen.....14

“Sunset” by Yamilet Gutierrez................................15

“Waves of Life” by Neil Ranyel Penones.................17

“If I Showed You My Everything” by Ziyi Ming.....19

“Sister’s Love” by Keyi Guo.....................................21

“Hell is a Teenage Girl” by Malia Manuel...............23

Art & Photography

“I am?” by Ellen Wong.............................................26

“My Bedroom Sanctuary” by Kimo Quinones.........28“

“The Beautiful Swan” by Audrey Limos..................33

“Whispers of Our Heart” by Yi Fei Zhuang.............34

“Bonnie and Clyde” by Adam Auro......................................................................................................4

“A Past Memory” by Jenny Cheng.........................................................................................................6

“To Reach For a Star Long Gone” by Sara Li.......................................................................................7

“Mountains and Seas - Travel Diary” by Jing Li..............................................................................12

“God’s Creations” by Diani Labuguen................................................................................................16

“Lone House in the Flat Lands of Nebraska” by Dominic Niyo.........................................................18

“Snapshot” by Kimberly Sam Maniquiz and Laura Nguyen...........................................................20

“Gloomy” by Vanessa Buquing...........................................................................................................22

“Maids of the Past” by Lukas Gaudier................................................................................................24

“Lost” by Jenny Cheng.......................................................................................................................25

“I’ll Leave Behind a Final Memory” by Sara Li.................................................................................27

“Beauty” by Veloveta Tuiolemotu........................................................................................................29

“Stars” by Chloe Jadotte......................................................................................................................30

“Lilac on Periwinkle” by Dominic Niyo..............................................................................................31

“Road” by MingYu Fei .......................................................................................................................32

“Mountains and Seas - Own World” by Jing Li ...............................................................................35

Bonnie and Clyde

Adam Auro, c/o ‘24

Ultraviolence

Malia Manuel, c/o ‘25

He says my body is ruined

Sewn into me was an intricate guilt, Because it was explored by another before him. Intertwined by a red string of violence.

My worth diminished by someone’s touch. A scarlet letter. My image is bound to an eternal shadow, He was not ready for the depth I embody. A puppet beholden to my past. I was blessed by the burden of another, Instrumental to the trial at hand.

So I wondered, How many women’s bodies have his hands ruined? What is wrong, in his mind, with a man’s hands rather than love it?

that they only know how to spoil a woman’s body

The song, “Ultraviolence” by Lana Del Rey, is based on a book called “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess, which is about brainwashing, exploring abusive relationships and the very close distance between love and pain. The term “Ultraviolence” meaning unnecessary, unprovoked, and usually brutal violence; a theme reinforced throughout the book and song. In my poem, the subject isn’t angry with the man, she isn’t fighting to escape this brutal cycle. Instead, she is almost apologetic, blaming herself for the man’s belittling views, not unlike many victims of abuse. She wants to figure out how she can redeem herself in his eyes. Disconnected and drained, she conforms to his sadistic patterns. She relents.

A Past Memory

Jenny Cheng, c/o ‘25

Marching Dawn

Viktor Cambe, c/o ‘26

I laid awake with the moon and its stars,

And so comes the Marching Dawn, I can see all my thoughts from afar. Gone and gone.

When I laid awake in the noon and its birds,

Another day passes without so much as rest, All their words grind my nerves. Yet my body can take its test.

It’s been like this for a while. How long has it been?

I doubt I’d know.

And so comes the Marching Dawn, Another morning with my mind astray.

I suffer from really bad insomnia so I usually stay up until 5-6 a.m. It’s gotten better over the years but I still struggle with it. When I do struggle usually I just think of what I’m doing with my life.

Opportunity and a Cat

Opportunity is like a cat. It moves through the shadows,

Nhi Nguyen, c/o ‘27

Leaping down roofs, seeking out food

Briefly seen before it runs

But sometimes it sits there, waiting

Plain to see, easy to approach

To offer a treat, or perhaps Out of sight

Just an outstretched hand

Maybe it will pad right up to you

Asking for something good to eat

Leaning in for a moment, Then chasing after a more interesting subject

Maybe you follow it

Maybe you make a treat with it in mind

Maybe you watch as one runs away Then regret till another sits down at your feet, purring.

I decided to write this piece because I noticed that just like cats, opportunities are commonly lurking all around us. They might run away, and you might need to put in some work to get close to one, but if you look for them, you’ll find them.

Frost Lock

Julian Franco, c/o ‘26

The Frost Lock, an unassuming little flower. Three blue triangle petals, white tips pointed to the

“The Queen must live. You will return,” rambled the figure a few times. sky. It is the only color of beauty I have seen in this sanded wasteland. I could look at it forever. A

“What?” Then, without a wish, I was slammed into the sand. When I got up, I was in a large box lit dark shade covered the little flower. only by a falling sun. Red and orange goo covered me. I wore a soft purple uniform with an orange

I looked up to find a dark purple figure, one red and one orange eye with mud all over its head, outline, resembling the one the figure was wearing. “NC Maple’’ was printed on it. The box tipped over looking down at me. The figure grabbed me, pulled me off the ground and held me in front of himself. and I fell out. I was grabbed by the leg and pulled out of the box across cold sand. I did not know where I was. I realized the person who pulled me out was also wearing the purple uniform reading, ‘POT.’

“You’re still alive. Wow, your plan did not work,” Pot said with a grunt. I tried to speak, but he put his hand on my head. “I’m glad you are still here. They took your friend and are trying to find the leader’s son.” He pulled me to a small hut.

“Where are we?” I asked softly.

“We are at Crimson, we’re here to dispatch your friend. Take this.” He gave me a weird looking gun and binoculars.

“What does my friend look like?”

He looked at me, confused, “The one with tied up blue hair, just go.” He pushed me out of the window, and I fell into powder. I realized that the entire town was covered in this powder. Every building was frozen but I was just in the sand. How could this be? I climbed a weird plant with needles and pine cones. Looking into the binoculars, I saw more people in this purple uniform but they held blue rifles armed with tiny tanks. Then, I saw my friend under a pole. She was being tied under the flagpole that flew a green and purple flag at the center of the town. She almost looked like a Frost Lock. I jumped from the plant and ran to her; before I could free her I heard footsteps coming.

A large group of people, dozens, surrounded me. A tall man came to us.

“Ahh, my cute soldiers,” said the tall man who came to hug me. I read his name tag. It read, ‘Supreme Leader.’ He continued, “I thought you were dead, my amateur son must have saved you but I’m glad he did. Now, stay here.”

As he walked to one of the men, a smile popped onto his face. The Supreme Leader said, “You may fire at will.”

Just as the tall man spoke a different voice came out of nowhere. “Long live Maple,’’ and everything

“You must be Maple,” said the little girl, “I’m Anana.” turned blue. I fell to the ground but the ground felt different. Instead of powdery white sand, it was

“Where am I? ” I asked. covered in millions of small green like plants. The soldiers became dozens of large blue and yellow

“That does not matter. Take my hand and you will spread, my friend, from the glory” Anana said, crystals. When I stood up, I found a Frost Lock. The blue plant was under a pole that flew an unknown holding out her hand. purple and red flag. The plant was picked up by a small girl with yellow cat ears in a white dress.

“What is this? I am drawing the line here,” I yelled as the wind picked up.

She glared at me, “You must kill her if you want to know.”

“Kill who? My friend?” I questioned.

“Yes, your friend. If you take my hand, you never have to see that day come,” said a dark voice behind me. I looked around and saw it was the figure. He sat on the green and was eating toffee with tea.

“Sorry about earlier. My name is Zoff, and she is a nuisance.”

I turned back and saw the Frost Lock—it had turned green and died. She let go and it flew away in the wind. Green life started to pop up everywhere.

“She must die to stop the expansion of Them to save us all,” Anana said.

“Take it and nothing will happen. Take my hand and the world will survive. They won’t kill your friend,” the figure put out his hand, “you do not have a lot of time.”

I grabbed Zoff’s hand.

“Some must die for it to stay,” Anana said to me before she walked away. My arm turned yellow when her voice echoed from everywhere, “Speak to the queen; the new world began.”

As the sun fell to the ground with a gasp, the sky started to cry its fluff. I was back in the snowy city, but things were different from when I started.

“Long live Maple,” is all I heard from all the men and women who cheered.

My friend came running to me, free. I realized that the tall man was not there. Instead, it was Zoff. Then, my friend lifted up my hand and we started to dance. I looked at my hand when we danced. Soon, the sky sparkled with red. I found, with fear, my hands were covered in red liquid and the sound of fire came from the sandy horizon.

Mountains and Seas — Travel Diary

Humanity

Rylee Warden, c/o ‘27

Humanity

Destruction, Chaos, War

Love, Compassion, Collaboration

The apple of my eye and the thorn in my shoe

Your own end brought upon yourself

Many try to help

Many harm

Doctors, Teachers, Firefighters

Some of them are bad, many are good

Murderers and Criminals

Some have reasons

They’re the roaring flame and the house They’re the murderer and the victim

They are the eager sword and the weary shield

Destruction and creation

Something that inspired me to write this poem is about how humanity can generally seem bleak even though there are many great people.

An Ox Is One Who Is Humble

Huy Nguyen, c/o

An Ox is one who is humble, Day after day, But he always carries a great burden. Month after month, He wakes up before dawn Year after year. and sleeps long after dusk. Yet, he stays hard at work.

He perseveres Through rain or shine. He stays loyal to his master as a dog to his owner. He does what he says. He says what he does. He is truthful and honest. An Ox is One Who is Humble.

I chose this poem because I am the year of the ox and I wanted to write a poem that relates to me as a person. Also, this poem is about one of the five virtues in Confucianism.

‘27

Sunset

Yamilet Gutierrez, c/o ‘24

Watching the sunset from the beach

All thoughts finalize

Reflecting off the ocean, reach

Such colorful skies

Waves crashing, peaceful noise

From orange and yellow

To pink and turquoise

Clouds move mellow

Bringing a beautiful process

A break from life for just a minute

With nothing to stress

Happiness pursues

Sun reaches the ocean, it’s almost gone The moon takes its place, the night has begun

I wrote this sonnet because I've always loved watching sunsets growing up. It brings me a sense of peace, and I wanted to share my experience in the form of a sonnet.

God’s Creations

Diani Labuguen, c/o ‘27

Waves of Life

Neil Ranyel Penones, c/o ‘27

In the waves of seas, we are but ships.

Onward we sail, with purpose clear, Sailing in the sea that impedes our goal. in the ocean of life, without fear.

Our ship that rages against raging waves, our For we are but ships, strong and free, ship that navigates towards the rising sun. navigating the waves of destiny.

Waves that are sometimes big and scary. Waves that are sometimes small and peaceful. For each wave a challenge, each test a breeze.

But as we map our way with courage and hope, we keep going.

Across the endless sea, night and day. We sail and sail in the Waves of Life.

Niyo, c/o ‘26

If I Showed You My Everything

Landing,

On the floor of my home I’ve been dreaming

My motherland, Am I too silly?

Is my hair oily

If I showed you my everything Do I have a big belly? Would I finally be free?

Then my thoughts came crashing

If I showed you my everything Would I finally be free?

Please don’t leave me hanging

Let the sword start swinging So I’ll never be expecting

I showed her my everything My jumbled thoughts

My crumpled heart She sighed And took me home

I wanted to run away

Yet, when walking in the halls

Touching all the walls

My thoughts fought

Maybe I should be brave

Maybe I should make my thoughts behave

Maybe I should stay

Ziyi Ming, c/o ‘27

Snapshot

Kimberly Sam Maniquiz and Laura Nguyen, c/o ‘24

Sister’s Love

Keyi Guo, c/o ‘27

My sister

My sister loves and protects me like an angel

My sister

Beauty as a flower, but strict

Calm and gentle as water beautiful and kind my sister is selfless to me

Accompanies me all my life

Besides angels can praise my sister, there are many words to praise my sister

As pure as a beautiful lily, its fragrance makes people feel relaxed and refreshed just like other people, being with my sister makes other people interested and happy

My sister is the strength in my life Inspires me to move forward

If I fall she will heal my wounds sister, you are everything to me sister, you are everything to me forever treasured in my heart

I like my sister

I love my family and the best thing for me is my sister. My parents say that apart from them, my sister is the closest person to me in the world. She is not stingy with me and will give me the best things to make me happy. Whenever I am with her, I feel very happy.

Gloomy Vanessa Buquing, c/o ‘25

Hell is a Teenage Girl

“Sit Straight.”

Malia

Manuel, c/o ‘25

Who’s thinner?

“Smile more, beautiful.” as a person,

“Leave something to the imagination but don’t be a prude.”

The world has no regard for me

“Cross your legs.” but as a reflection.

She speaks out against her tormentors,

Break your spine.

Choke, pig.

Carve your eyes out.

The duality of her identity:

She’s “dramatic, angry, mean.”

A woman unhinged.

Fatal beauty standards corrupt, Her vanity is everything.

In an eternal feud with one another.

swinging between a hatred for codependency and a rivalry for attention

Who’s prettier?

She wants to be cool and fit in. Who’s better?

Older guys and little white lies. Because nothing tastes as good She is young and she is lost. as skinny feels.

Selling her soul to the dregs of A false sense of validation society.

We are parallel in our time. Her agony, a loaded gun. Hell is a Teenage Girl.

Maids of the Past

Lukas Gaudier, c/o ‘25

The image depicts the fashion of the Landsknechte, renowned and brutal mercenaries who wore colorful and intricate clothing, commonly including puffed and slashed fabrics. They are notable for capturing Francis I in 1525 and sacking Rome in 1527 and Magdeburg in 1631.

From left to right: Trossfrau (baggage lady), women who traveled with Landsknecht companies, sometimes wives. Officer: He wears a Maximilian-style cuirass with a skirt, stockings, and a garter accessory. His beret dons the feathers of a peacock. The flag he holds is that of the Holy Roman Empire. Arquebusier: Gunners of the 1500s-1600s were often paired with pike formations to provide firepower in the pike & shot era. In his right hand is the signature Katzbalger (cat gutter).

Jenny Cheng, c/o ‘25

I am?

Ellen Wong, c/o ‘27

I was thinking, will I really find out what I look like one day?

I am myself, the starting point of everything and the destinaWill one day I find the meaning of my existence? Perhaps all of tion of everything. I am myself, a traveler of time, a miracle. I this is an endless exploration, and the answer may just be buried am myself, lost in the boundless universe, but I have found the among the stars in the endless. existence of my own life in this universe.

In this silent night, I think about myself and feel my existence. Who am I? Perhaps the answer to this question is quietly flashing in the passing time.

I'll Leave Behind a Final Memory

Sara Li, c/o ‘25

My Bedroom Sanctuary

In the realm of peace and gentle dreams,

A sanctuary where my soul’s redeemed,

A haven of comfort, tucked away with grace,

Oh, how I cherish my beloved bedroom space.

Kimo Quinones, c/o ‘25

Within these walls, a symphony of serenity unfolds,

Whispers of tranquility, a story yet untold,

Where tired footsteps find respite from the race,

My bedroom, a sanctuary, my favorite place.

Embroidered curtains dance to the breeze’s sway,

Sunlight tiptoes in, illuminating the way,

Soft, feathered pillows beckon me with an embrace,

In this sacred refuge, my favorite place.

The bed, a haven of slumber, a floating cloud of bliss, Imprinted with dreams, where peacefulness exists, Cocooned in sheets of solace, embraced by their soft trace, My bedroom’s embrace, my treasured favorite place.

Bookshelves stand tall, revealing worlds untamed,

New realms I explore, where imaginations are unchained,

With each turn of a page, a magical escape takes place, My bedroom, a gateway, my cherished favorite space.

Beauty

Veloveta Tuiolemotu, c/o ‘27

Stars

Chloe Jadotte, c/o ‘25

Lilac on Periwinkle Dominic Niyo, c/o ‘26

MingYu Fei, c/o ‘24

The Beautiful Swan of the Mystic Swan Lake

Audrey Limos, c/o ‘27

In the heart of the mystic Swan Lake’s grace

An enigmatic swan, white as winter’s snow

Glides on the water’s surface, a vision to embrace

It’s a form a poem of elegance a tale to know

With a feathered cloak that shimmers and shines

As if sprinkled with stardust from celestial heights

It dances on the ripples, creating lyrical lines

Reflecting the moon’s glow, it moves with ease

A soloist in a liquid stage, under the night’s veil

A silent symphony, a whispered tale

Each movement, a melody carried by the breeze

Amidst the lilies, it rests a statute in repose

A masterpiece in stillness, a portrait divine

In its presence times the world’s noise goes

As if in reverence to this creature, so fine

Oh, mystical swan with wings unfurled

You are the embodiment of grace and poise

In your beauty, the lake is a mirrored world

Reflecting your elegance, its depths rejoice

Whispers of Our Heart

Yi Fei Zhuang, c/o ‘27

In a world of giggles and endless fun, Your smile, a sunbeam, lighting up my day, Rainbows paint the sky in hues so true.

Hand in hand, we explore a world so sweet.

Two hearts beat so fast like a drum’s sweet hum, In this place of dreams, we both find a way, Our love’s like magic between me and you.

Childhood’s love garden where dreams are so sweet.

Blushing cheeks tell tales only our hearts share, Cute giggles and stolen glances define A friendship blooming into something rare, The love’s magic in a world so divine.

In this world of ours where our hearts take flight, Our love shines forever like stars in the night.

This poem shows a joyful, innocent love experienced in youth. It describes a world filled with laughter, happiness, and shared moments. Expressions, such as blushing cheeks and stolen glances, symbolize the unspoken communication between young hearts. Playful giggles and shared secrets show the carefree and genuine nature of their relationship.

Mountains and Seas - Own World