Wai’anae, HI

December 19, 2014

Successfully graduating high school has many requirements; doing homework, passing tests, and the famous senior project. Every senior that attends public school in the state of Hawaii must complete a senior project that allows them to walk across that stage and into the next chapter of life. From research to life changing decisions, the senior project helps seniors get on the right path to a brighter future.

"The senior project is an opportunity for our seniors who are finishing up twelve years of education and getting ready to move into the real world. there is an english project that is about a seven page paper and then there is a senior project which qualifies you for the recognition diploma which is a ten page paper, a presentation and evidence that you are giving back to your school and your community," said Waianae High School principal Disa Hauge.

Senior Dani Kaohe-David is kick starting her senior project by going back to her martial arts roots.

"I started taking karate originally to be closer with my family since I am an only child I didn't really have anyone to hang out with. I joined karate to be closer with them when they moved away," said Dani.

Karate is more than just a comfort to Dani, it is home. Dani started karate when she was ten years old and earned her black belt just two years later. In trade for becoming the best she had to compete.

"Competing for me actually made me very competitive and it made me want to work hard."

After years of sweat and dedication to her skills, Dani decided to stop karate when she went to high school in order to pursue new challenges.

"I stopped karate because it was my freshman year of high school and I wanted to try something totally different, so I chose cheer."

Now, in her senior year, she is putting her "gi" and black belt on for her senior project and taking on the new challenge of teaching.

"I wanted to help out and teach people like how I was taught and just learn the ropes. I know I am giving up my time and even though I am not getting paid, it rewards you in a different way," she explained.

Although she is giving up her time, Dani seems to be breaking through her senior year with the Japanese way to yell, the kiai.

Like any teacher, Dani finds the silver linings within her project.

"My favorite thing about teaching is when the students are finally catching on after the amount of time you put in. Even though they are happy you feel like a sense of accomplishment and you did something, and it feels good."

As she teaches she realizes that not only does she love to teach, she realizes the struggles that any teacher goes through on a daily basis.

"Teaching is hard and I now know how teachers feel when students don't listen. It's hard being a teacher but it is rewarding," she said.

Dani is giving back what she has gained from her past instructors by paying it forward with the next generation of karate students. Her senior project is meaningful and she is enjoying every moment, for she is getting in touch with her inner warrior. As many other seniors complete this project they have a chance to discover their newfound passions, just like Dani.

Wai’anae, HI

December 18, 2014

This year, Waianae High School (WHS) has decided to attack a long time problem in a new way. At the beginning of this term WHS implemented a new attendance and tardy policy to help combat the large number of student absentee issues.

“We had over 100 students being tardy at first and third period which is the beginning of school and right after lunch,” Vice Principal, Michael Kurose said.

The new system is built on a series of consequences in order to get students to be in class on time and ready to learn. The first three tardies are considered a warning, then afterwards, the consequences grow more severe. After the fourth tardy, there comes after school detention, Saturday school, and weekend detention. Although the repercussions are severe, the administration’s intentions are good.

“We really want our students develop good habits now so when they do go to their careers you know they’ll be ready for it,” Kurose said.

Although the administration feel that the policy will benefit students in the future, students are not feeling very appreciative of the new system.

“I think the new system is stupid, because it punishes students who actually have a reason for being late,” sophomore Kesiah Castellano said.

Students also have found other flaws or loop holes in the system.

“Instead of coming to school late and getting detention or something, you could just stay home and get an excused absence,” freshman, Kylie De La Cruz said.

While some students see the policy as a negative, teachers have a different opinion on the situation.

“The tardy system actually brings students to class on time. You either come when you need to, or face the consequences. It’s on you,” English teacher, Scott Bondurant said.

Despite the issues within the system, it has been upholding its promise.

“In the month and a half that we’ve had this system, the number of tardies have dropped significantly,” Kurose said.

This tardy system’s purpose is to train students to be punctual, but it’s only a small step in Waianae High School’s long term goal.

“We want to not have a punishment system that kinda prevents students from not coming tardy, but really for the students to understand what is the purpose of this school and how being on time benefits them not just in learning the stuff they gotta learn in their classes, but also in their future careers as well,” Kurose said.

Although students may not see the good intentions behind the tardy policy, WHS’s administration knows that their being punctual will help them in the future.

Wai’anae, HI

December 18, 2014

Waianae High School (WHS) is infamous for it’s history of on campus violence.

“We are saddled with an image that outsiders have of us as a place where it’s rough and a place where sometimes not such good things happen. We who live here know that’s not true all the time,” Waianae High School Principal Disa Hauge said.

While that stereotype doesn’t apply all the time, it still has a large impact on the school. According to WHS Dean of Students, Dean Shimada, there are about 182 fights per school year, which averages out to one fight per day.

“Most of the times, it’s just typical injuries from a fight; bruising, cuts, bleeding. The ultimate danger is that someone would get seriously hurt or fatally hurt. Luckily, we haven’t had that,” WHS Vice Principal Ryan Oshita explains.

Despite all of the negativity, Waianae High School is doing something to change their image.

“Waianae High School has an image of itself, that is very proud and very connected to where people came from and this land that we live on,” Hauge stated.

According to the WHS student handbook, fighting is a class-A offense that may result in ineligibility of the violator to participate in co-curricular activities.

In just 20 years, there has been significant improvement.

“When I first started working here which was back in ‘94, ‘95, we had huge riots where a mass of kids would be running, chasing each other, trying getting into fights...But since then, it’s died down a lot,” said Oshita.

Hauge knows that things didn’t just get better. New rules and staffing adjustments had to be implemented in order to make a difference.

“The role of the school is to increase the number of ways we can solve conflict without getting into violence. what we did this year was we reorganized the counseling department. Everybody meets every week and we talk about which kids are getting along, which kids are aren’t getting along and we are trying to be there for students because all students want to learn, they want to do well in school, they want to make their families proud of them. So we are trying to be there as a resource and be out there so that students feel they have someone they can go to.”

This year, the administration has made great efforts to improve the Waianae High School increased the amount of security guards on campus, implemented a locked gate procedure, a new attendance policy, and alternative learning programs that help keep repeat offenders out of the general classroom.

“I can tell you I’ve lived here since like 1956. And the threat of violence is way lower than it used to be,” Hauge said.

Although Waianae’s image isn’t immaculate, they are doing their best to improve it. They want to make school as safe as possible so students can focus on graduating and following their dreams.

Wai’anae, HI

December 18, 2014

Everyone goes through their own unique set of obstacles, and for most teenagers, heartbreak is at the top of the list. Senior Kahea Lagasca is no stranger to the romantic undertow. Kahea’s life was looking up, she had a boyfriend, a sport she loved, and supportive friends. For Kahea, her relationship was her rock. However, her rock was swept out to sea, and Kahea found herself paddling back to shore, alone .

“I was with my boyfriend at the time for 2 years and after we broke up, I wanted to quit everything.”

But even through rough waters, her love for her relationship was not greater than her love for the sport and her team.

“I knew I couldn’t quit on my team.”

With this attitude, Kahea has not only won the hearts of her teammates, but their trust and respect. As team captain of the Wai’anae High School varsity paddling team, Kahea supports her team, because she can’t afford to leave another man behind.

“Whenever I see somebody slacking behind, I try to encourage them to not give up on the team and that we all need them and we’re a team and we’re always going to be together.”

From that moment forward, paddling kept her grounded and helped her to stay in place. It became the new found passion that kept her anchored. Kahea has found that with paddling, she can stay focused through the highs and lows.

“I just took the frustrations out in the boat. It helped me to get through the struggles of my frustration in school, and in relationships”.

With paddling, Kahea has learned that even if she gave it her all, it wouldn’t be enough without a team to support her.

“I was in Hula but it was all about myself so its kind of different like thinking of the team and the team effort.”

Paddling became such a huge part of Kahea’s life that she left her lifetime love, “I dropped hula for paddling,” and with paddle in hand, and her team by her side, Kahea rowed her way to the top.

“We’re a team and we’re always going to be together and no matter what we do, even if we fail, we fail as a team or we strive as a team”.

Last year, Kahea and her team won first place in the OIA state-wide paddling championship. With a new-found taste for glory, Kahea isn’t quite ready to lay down her paddle.

“It was kind of like an inspiration for me and thats kind of my goal is to like try to win or get to championships”.

With this attitude, Kahea is steering her way to victory.

Wai’anae, HI

December 3, 2014

Every teenager has something bigger that they aspire towards: a school they want to go to, a person they want to be, or a career they want to have. However, not all of them take action towards their goals. According to Quartz, an online news magazine, only 30% of people end up working in the profession they dreamed of since they were kids. As teenagers grow and change, so do their goals.

“I love science,” said junior Donald Keopuhiwa, “but as time progresses my mind tends to change because I do new things and makes me think what else I want to do.

Waianae High School senior, Sharina Lagrimas, is the complete opposite. “I’m really clear on what I wanna do in life and I have been planning this since I was 7th grade,” she said.

From the start, Sharina had a clear idea of what she wanted to do - become a pediatric nurse. What makes her different, is the fact that she decided to try make her dreams a reality.

Waianae High School offers six different academic pathways where students can take classes that are specific to their future major. Approximately 150 students are enrolled in the Health and Human Services academy. New additions to the program include an internship at the Tripler Army Medical Center and a simulation center at the high school.

The simulation center has nurses come to the high school every Thursday to do demonstrations and simulate a real hospital environment with the students. Allowing the students to experience these situations give them real insight into their future.

“Honestly, it is because all the shadowing I’ve been doing on every Tripler day. The medical internship really helped me throughout the year.”

However, regardless of how many opportunities and programs there are, only one thing can turn a dream into a reality: motivation. Some young adults go with the flow, and others take the initiative to create their own future.

“Teenagers need to have the actions and motivation to access what they really want in life,” Sharina. “It makes us see what’s really out there.”

Sharina’s advanced involvement with her field is only furthering her progress towards her goal. Having the Health and Human Services academy is a big help, allowing her to take a step not only towards, but into her future. However, when it all comes down to it, her secret to being driven for success is having goals set in stone.

“What you have to do is get it in your mind, where you wanna go,” she said, “and just do whatever you can to get there.”