THE PINI N
Student-edited paper of McKinley High School Vol. 92 No. 1
Honolulu, Hawaii
October 2013
Delving into the Principal’s Story
Principal Ron Okamura did not dream as a young boy of becoming a principal. At first, he wanted to be the first Japanese professional NFL football player. He decided he was too short so instead he wanted to become a chef because he loves to eat. In 10th grade, Okamura decided to become an accountant. He was accepted to the University of Hawaii and began majoring in accounting, but he changed his mind because his personality didn’t fit the job. He wanted to do something he would enjoy for 30 years so he decided to become a teacher. He called his mom and told her that he wanted to become a teacher; the phone became silent. His parents were shocked. When he was in school, Okamura said he always caused trouble in class, although he got good grades. Okamura said, “Instead of going from point A to point B, I went all the way to point Z and came back.”
“ Instead of going from point A to point B, I went all the way to point Z and came back.”
-Principal Ron Okamura
STATE OF THE SCHOOL For 149 years, Mckinley High School has been providing education for Hawaii’s youth. Many changes have occurred over that long period of time. One recent change is a seven-period schedule. In Principal Ron Okamura’s State of the School address to The Pinion, it was one of the first topics he covered. He hopes the seven-period schedule will give students extra opportunity to further their learning. Twelve new teachers have joined the MHS ohana. Eight are transferring in, while the remaining four are fresh from college. Okumura hopes that these teachers feel at home and their time here will be memorable.
This year, MHS enrollment is on the smaller side compared to previous years, especially in the freshman class. Okumura wants more students to attend MHS not just so we can educate them, but to also make the school look better as a whole. Okamura is concerned about the graduation rate. “For me it’s a little disappointing,” he said. He wants to keep students coming to school past freshman year. Finally, Okumura said he wants to make sure that students who graduate from Mckinley High School are prepared, whether they go off to college or enter the workforce. In the end, the school year is going smoothly and with next year being the 150th anniversary of McKinley being a public high school, who knows what will be in store? by Sean Gleason