Inside the May 10, 2004 issue:
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BYU-Hawai'i voyaging canoe sails on maiden voyage
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Iosepa
crew members and leaders go over safety precautions prior to launching the 57-foot traditional double-hulled Hawaiian sailing canoe. — folifotos |
Brigham Young University Hawai'i's traditional 57-foot double-hulled Hawaiian voyaging canoe, the Iosepa, as of Kaleo press deadline was set to sail next week from Hukilau Beach on its maiden voyage, pending fair weather and winds.
William K. "Uncle Bill" Wallace III, director of the BYUH Hawaiian Studies program and captain-in-training of the Iosepa, said conditions permitting, the canoe will sail to Kawaihae, West Hawai'i, where the late Clay Bertlemann and Chadd Paishon of the Hawaiian sailing canoe, Makali'i, have been helping train the Iosepa crew and leaders for the past several years.
Paishon, a veteran of previous Höküle'a and Makali'i open-ocean voyages, will serve as captain on the Iosepa's maiden voyage, continuing to train Wallace and the crew members, consisting of BYU-Hawai'i students, Makali'i crew and Ko'olauloa community members who helped create the canoe several years ago.
"The Iosepa is an integral part of our Hawaiian Studies program, and is truly a teaching canoe," Wallace said. "Student members of the crew must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and have completed or be currently enrolled in mälama 'äina and mälama kai [preserve the land and sea] courses." He added they must also pass a rigorous swimming test and be thoroughly trained in crew responsibilities.
Wallace explained it will take about 19 hours for the Iosepa to reach Kawaihae, where the crew will undergo several more days of training. They will then return to O'ahu, but the canoe will remain at Kawaihae until the end of BYU-Hawai'i's spring term, at which time another crew will sail it back to Lä'ie. During that voyage, Wallace said the Iosepa may stop off at Häna, Maui, and Kalaupapa or other valleys on Moloka'i, before the final downwind leg to Lä'ie.
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Crew
members practice tying eight basic knots which they must know thoroughly for their own safety. |
Anna Logan, a New Zealand Maori who now lives on Lä'ie Point and teaches special education at Hau'ula Elementary, said she got hooked on the Iosepa when her husband, Lono Logan — a member of the original crew, was helping with security. She has since been training with the Makali'i and is looking forward to her first open-ocean trip.
Logan explained each crew member is allowed to take aboard only one 48-quart cooler, which should contain extra clothes, toiletry items, protective gear, surf shorts and rash guard, a waterproof flashlight with emergency blinker, a marlin spike [to unravel knots], sunglasses and lots of sun block.
"It's brutal out there during the day," she continued, "and quite cold at night.
"Everything at home has to be taken care of and pono [right], because you have to be focused when you sail. I feel it's a serious obligation. I won't go on a sail if other things are on my mind," she added.
"I also think it's a real privilege to participate. There are also a lot of spiritual values connected with the wa'a [canoe]. It also keeps me connected to my ancestors," she said, noting she traces her Maori heritage to the Takitimu "canoe" or migration to New Zealand.
Other members of the maiden voyage crew and passengers on the first leg from Lä'ie to Kualoa tentatively include Hawaiian Studies faculty Kamoa'e Walk, Kawika Eskaran — who along with Tuione Pulotu were the Iosepa's master carvers, William K. "Little Bill" Wallace IV, Jude Sells, Ka'ano'i Walk, Adam Eskaran, 6 — the only member of the crew small enough to crawl into the tightest spaces of the hulls, Keali'i Maelua, Kahale Glenn, Noelani Lowe, Thomas Adolpho, Kuola Walk, Keaka Moikeha, Tereihä Hapi, Cy Bridges from the PCC, and Travis Cameron, a BYU-Hawai'i videographer.
Escort vessel crew members include Luther Waiwai'ole, Chris Crosby, Pele Marasco and BYU-Hawai'i videographer Lawrence Lau. — By Mike Foley
BYU-Hawai'i honors five for Ko'olauloa service
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Ahuna |
Mariteragi |
Shiroma |
Payton |
Trotter |
Continuing a biannual tradition that started in 2000, BYU-Hawai'i recognized five individuals on May 6th for their outstanding commitment to the people and communities of Ko'olauloa.
In presenting the awards to Gladys Pualoa Ahuna, Sunday Mariteragi, Seiko Shiroma, Michael Payton and Fred Trotter, President Eric B. Shumway said, "These are the people who have given their lives to bless this area, which in turn blesses the lives of our students."
Representatives from BYU-Hawai'i as well as co-sponsors Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawai'i Reserves, Inc., Lä'ie Community Association, and state legislators introduced each recipient at a banquet in the BYUH and listed their many accomplishments and services in the community [read the entire citations].
Speaking on behalf of the others, Ahuna said, "We are so honored to be recipients of these awards tonight. We would never be able to do anything without the support of our loved ones. Many things we had to do, they had to get involved with."
Trotter, who also spoke on behalf of all the recipients, said, "This group, I call them doers. They saw something to do, and they did it. They really didn't need praise to do it."
"You and I cannot calculate how much good these five people have done. How many lives they have touched, and how many meaningful experiences they have fostered," Shumway responded.
"We will never forget what you have done," he told them.
First pump units arrive for Lä'ie sewer project
Coriolis USA, LLC, the company installing the new residential sewer collection system in Lä'ie, received its first shipment of grinder pumps on May 5th and is preparing to install the first ones later this month, starting on Moana Street.
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(L-r):
Shannon Mathes, Ryan Ratcliff and Tim Mathes show the first Lä'ie sewer collection system pump which arrived May 5th. |
Tim Mathes, Coriolis' construction administrator, said the company will receive another shipment from the E/One Sewers™ manufacturing company in Niskayuna, New York, approximately every week until the project is completed.
"One crew will install two grinder pumps a day," he said. "We're on schedule and still planning to finish in December. About 80% of the main line infrastructure has already been installed throughout the community."
Mathes, whose brother Shannon oversees planning and permitting for the project, explained the grinder pumps consist of:
Mathes added some basins for houses with above-average sewage flow are slightly larger.
Mathes said if a person is standing by the pump when it's in operation, "you can feel minor vibrations but it's hard to hear." He added the pump "has a built-in check valve system that prevents the sewage slurry from re-entering the pump basin. There's also another check valve near the main line."
Mathes explained the circuit breaker has both a visible and audible alarm in the event of a malfunction. "If that ever goes off, limit water usage until a service tech arrives," he said. "There's also a toll free number to call: 866-261-4952. More information will be coming on all of this"; or call 808-293-9201.
Laie Temple Visitors Center to be remodeled
The Lä'ie Temple Visitors Center will close in several weeks to undergo a six-month interior remodeling project that includes new displays that focus on the family.
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Elder
Ralph L. Cottrell, director of the Lä'ie Temple Visitors Center |
Visitors Center director, Elder Ralph L. Cottrell Jr., stressed that the Temple grounds will remain open for tours every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., but there will not be any musical or fireside activities for the remainder of this year.
"This includes our usual Christmas activities," he said, "because we expect a lot of people to come check out the new features at that time. We expect some might stay for hours."
Cottrell, a missionary who has served 16 of a 24-month assignment with his wife in Lä'ie, explained plans call for the main Visitor Center room, with its imposing statue of the resurrected Christus, "to remain the same, but the background will change."
He added the area behind the statue's background wall will feature new Book of Mormon and Proclamation on the Family exhibits. "Also, the diorama theater, which seats 126, will remain about the same, but the two other theater-style viewing rooms will be remodeled into display areas."
Cottrell said one of those exhibits "will focus on God's plan for families. We were getting emotional just listening to the description of it. Another will be a display on Latter-day Saint temples."
One of the new display rooms will have a large picture window with an excellent view of the Temple, and another is tentatively slated to focus on Asian visitors, and a "neighborhood exhibit which shows different homes: I don't know just what it will be, but we're anxious to see it," Cottrell said.
"I love the approach of the new exhibits. They're much more interactive," he added.
Cottrell said the courtyard outside the Visitors Center will also be redone, with new surfacing and white lights only on the fountain. "We will also add wheelchair ramps on the other side [near the Family History Center] so those visitors can see the artist's friezes on display there."
While construction is underway, Cottrell said the Visitors Center missionaries will use a temporary trailer in the parking lot as an office.
He explained there are three other senior missionary couples, including Sione and Adele Feinga of Lä'ie, who started a one-year mission last August, "and a compliment of 18 sisters who are called specifically to the Honolulu Mission Visitors Center assignment. Right now we're at 15.
"We currently have missionaries from Taiwan, Mongolia, Tonga, and Japan," he said, "and we have new ones coming from Tahiti, a Native American, a French Canadian who was raised in Peru, and another from Fiji."
Cottrell said he hopes the Visitors Center project will be finished about the same time as the Hale La'a Blvd. beautification project, which calls for "a lot of new landscaping on the grounds. The current palm trees, for example, will be removed and the new ones will match the trees on Hale La'a Blvd.
"The new traffic round-about in front of the Temple and the first segment of Hale La'a should be finished, with the exception of the new street lights, by the end of May.
"We think we can get everything finished at the same time. It isn't going to be easy," he continued, adding he hopes President Gordon B. Hinckley "can come again and dedicate the projects together."
Cottrell, who is from South Ogden, Utah, and retired from the LDS Church Seminary and Institutes program in 1990, has spent 10.5 years as a missionary, including two terms as president in the Philippines.
"It's going to be an exciting year for us," said Elder Cottrell.
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Ko'olauloa Children's Chorus to tour London
The Ko'olauloa Children's Chorus concert choir, under the direction of Esther Macy — and selected hula dancers from Aunty Sunday Mariteragi's hälau — have been invited to perform in the 2007 International Children's Choir Festival in Canterbury and London, England.
Macy said the group will tour France, Wales, Scotland or Ireland before attending the one-week festival. Tour cultural director Bobbie Äkoi said the group will also put on several Polynesian shows for Latter-day Saint Church members as they travel.
To begin raising funds for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Macy said the choir will hold its first annual garage sale on Saturday, May 22, 2004, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lä'ie Elementary School.
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Ke'i Äkoi
with her teacher, Marvalee Tahauri (r) and mom, Hiromi Äkoi. |
Lä'ie girl wins state 'letters' prize
Ke'i Äkoi, daughter of Bobby and Hiromi Äkoi of Lä'ie, was recently selected as one of three Hawai'i State Library "Letters About Literature" winners, from among 264 entrants.
The entrants were required to write a personal letter to an author explaining in a creative, original way how his or her book changed their views.
Äkoi, soon to be an 8th grader at Kahuku Intermediate, wrote to Gael Mustapha, author of Hula Girl, telling how she drew inspiration from the story when she was chosen to represent her hälau as a soloist in the annual Queen Lili'uokalani Keiki Hula competition.
In addition to a state finalist certificate, Äkoi won a $100 gift certificate, plus her letter will be entered in the national competition.
Kahuku High haps: Debate, History Day honors
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By Natalie Kamau'oha ~ Kahuku High Correspondent
The school year is boiling down and Kahuku High students have an appetite for success. Honors and awards granted to students at both the state and national level perpetuate the tradition of Kahuku excellence.
The Hawai'i Speech League State Forensic Championships, held April 15-17th, highlighted the academic proficiency of speech and debate team members. "The major accomplishment at the state competition was earning the debate sweepstakes award. This is the second time Kahuku has earned this award, however, when the award was received in 1993 the team tied with 'Iolani," explains speech and debate team vice-president Ericka Staples.
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Kahuku
High speech and debate team members |
"The purpose of debate is to develop the habit of diverse thinking. Debate teaches us how to consider both sides of an issue and analyze all the possible solutions. Debate has helped me grow by helping me find myself. I have become a confident, outspoken person. Debate also teaches you valuable research and organizational skills, which have helped me in every aspect of my academic and personal life," Ericka continues.
Awards and skills are only one measure of the team's accomplishments. The level to which the team has cultivated a sense of 'ohana [family] and unity sets them apart from many other school organizations and activities. "The strength of our team is not only found in the motivation of students, coaches and parents, but more in the fact that our team bonds as a family.
"I feel there is no other debate team in America where students genuinely love and care for each other as they do on the Kahuku Speech and Debate team. Everyone is there for each other through trials and victories. Also, without the support of our wonderful principal Lisa DeLong, our team would not be as great as we are today," adds Ericka.
Six team members will represent Kahuku at the National Debate Tournament from June 13-19, 2004, in Salt Lake City, Utah: Ian Tapu, Ericka Staples, Kirstin Marler, Timbre Keli'ikipi, Lacey Golonka and Ken Yoshifuku.
"These students participate in various forms of debate and discuss issues including ocean policy, civil disobedience, and mandatory national service," explains team member Yoshifuku.
"In preparation for the national tournament, I have realized that success lies in the combination of hard work by the students and the support of the community. Primarily, debate has taught me to be confident in myself no matter what the situation," says Ken.
While debate team members research and discuss modern-day issues, History Day participants look back into time at the lessons of the past. Kahuku was well represented at the Hawai'i State History Day Competition held April 17th: First-place awards were presented to Ana Reidy in junior performance, Bethany Smith in senior essay, and Noelle Spring, Lilika Fonua and Jacquelyn Lautaha in senior performance. These students, along with other state winners, will represent Hawai'i at the National History Day Contest on June 13-17th at the University of Maryland.
"Students participating in History Day were required to research topics
related to the 2003-2004 theme, Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History.
Each project focused on an event in history, asking who, what, when, where,
why, and how. The purpose of History Day is to give students a chance to
do extensive research on a topic of their choice. It also portrays an appreciation
for history and fosters a sense of understanding of our past," explained
participant Genevieve Allen.
"History day was helped me become more interested in history in its entirety.
History day has greatly improved my research and writing skills. Facing deadlines
at each phase of the competition has also taught me the importance of time management," she
added.
Spring heralds the closing of the school year; yet, this season blooms success and school-wide honors. Across the spectrum of school activities we see a continued tradition of perseverance and excellence by the Kahuku High student body, faculty, and community.
EDITOR's NOTE: Mahalo nui to senior Natalia Kamau'oha, who has served as Kaleo's Kahuku High correspondent this past school year
Kahuku girls go 12-0, win second water polo title
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The 2003–04 sports year is fast coming to a close at Kahuku, but the championship performances keep coming:
Girls water polo
The top-seeded Kahuku High girls water polo team clinched its second consecutive OIA title on Saturday, May 8th, when they defeated Roosevelt, 8–4, in the BYU-Hawai'i pool.
Stephanie Emery broke a 4–all tie in the fourth quarter by scoring three goals over a two-minute span, with Meme Moody putting in a final goal.
In the semi-finals the day before, Keala Whitford and Emery each scored three goals to put down Kalani, 11–1.
The Lady Raiders finished the OIA with a perfect 12–0 season, "and we should be one of the state favorites," said Kahuku athletic director, Joe Whitford. He added the latest victories bring the team's two-year record to 25–0.
Next year could be very interesting," he added, "because the team is graduating13 seniors this year."
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Latoya
Wily adds 2 of her 19 points during the Red Raiders
romp over Kapolei on May 5th in the quarter-finals of the OIA championship. — Photos by Barry Markowitz |
Girls basketball
Meanwhile, the girls basketball team won the OIA East division title with a 10–1 record, and then spanked Kapolei, 60–28, on May 5th in the OIA quarter-finals.
Their next game is Friday, May 14th at McKinley, starting at 8 p.m. (the game will also be televised on OC16).
"I like our chances for the OIA championship," said Whitford, adding that the Kahuku girls have already secured a berth in the State championship tournament which runs from May 19–22 at the University of Hawai'i.
"The OIA East teams — Kaläheo, Kaiser and McKinley — are going to be tough," he continued. "We've already beaten Mililani by over 40 points, and they're the third seed on the West side."
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Whitford praised the JV girls basketball team for finishing their OIA East season with a 7–3 record. "They had a slow start, losing three of their first four games, but they had a strong finish. Most of the girls are brand new, and they have virtually anew coaching staff," he said.
Track and field
The Kahuku boys track and field team came in a close second, 104–99, to Pearl City in the OIA track and field championship on May 8th at Mililani.
Earlier, the boys took their second consecutive OIA East title when they came in far ahead of the nearest competitor, Moanalua, 117–61.5.
As expected in the OIA finals, the Kahuku boys — Frank Bracewell, Redmond Tutor, Spencer Hafoka and Darren Keahi — won the 4X400 relay with a time of 3:29:04, but came in second to Kaiser in the 4X100.
Individual OIA championship honors went to Tutor in the 400 at 50.87; Bracewell in the 200 at 22.71; and nobody came close to defending state champion Quinton Beaver in the shot put at 51-8. Beaver also placed fourth in the discus.
Other places went to Hafoka, second in the long jump, third in the 110 hurdles, third in the high jump at 5-8 and fifth in the triple jump; Bracewell, second in the 100; Dennis Savelio, third in the 300 hurdles; and Tutor, third in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump.
Kahanu Ah Puck claimed the lone finish for the girls with a third place, 4-6 high jump.
Whitford said the state meet will be held on Maui this week. "I don't know if we can win, but we should do well," he said. "We've already qualified to go."
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Baseball
In response to Red Raiders finishing the baseball season with a 1–9 record, Whitford said, "The players and coach were new and less experienced. We're looking to turn things around next season. Some of the players will be playing in other leagues over the summer, which should help.
"We're not going to drop baseball," Whitford continued, "even though there's always a temptation to redirect the funds to the rest of the athletics program."
Golf
"Kahuku finished fourth in the team OIA championships, with Andrew Kä-në and Isaac Jaffurs finishing in the top 15," Whitford said. "The girls did well, too, with Phyllis Lai finishing in the top 5."
Coach Gillian Yamagata said several players are advancing to the state tournament, including Taylor Porter and Ajri McArthur in singles, and Carmen Yamagata and Chelsea Bunker in doubles.
Judo
Whitford reported the boys finished the OIA in second place and the girls in third. "Some of the other teams have kids who train year-round," he said. "Our players participate in other sports."
In other Kahuku High sports reports:
He stressed the funds have not been released and he's not planning anything around a new facility "until it actually happens."
Kaleo lists a limited number of activities and encourages readers to re-verify details. To submit items, call 754-4304, or e-mail: foleym002@hawaii.rr.com by the next Kaleo deadline before the event.
Proudly sponsored
by Hawai'i
Reserves, Inc. (HRI)
and
co-sponsored by as a community service. |
Composed, edited
and published by
Mike
Foley |
