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And by HIKI NO founding underwriter Bank of Hawaii, investing in Hawaiis future by promoting
collaboration, critical thinking, and other twenty-first century skills through HIKI NO.
And HMSA, helping Hawaiis youth and their families stay healthy today, tomorrow, and
for generations to come. HMSA—trusted for generations.
Next on HIKI NO, stories from across the island chain.
On Kauai, students from Waimea High School introduce us to a graduate of the school who
returned to Waimea to fulfill his dream of opening a custom clothing business, while
students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School catch up with Kauais most famous shark
attack victim. And, students from Island School introduce us to a canoe paddler whose life-learning
accident resulted in a positive lifestyle change.
On Maui, students from Lahaina Intermediate show us how to weave a fashion statement out
of hair.
On Oahu, students from Iolani School take us to Club 100, where members of Hawaiis 100th
Infantry Battalion have gathered for years, while students from St. Andrews Priory introduce
us to a woman from the continental U.S who embraced Hawaiis culture and made it her adopted
home. Waianae Intermediate students introduce us to a former school bully who is turning
her life around.
Also from Oahu, this episode of HIKI NO comes to you from Wheeler Middle School, home of
the Spartans.
Thats next on the nations first statewide student news network, HIKI NO …
Can do!
Welcome to Major Sheldon H. Wheeler Middle School, located on Wheeler Army Airfield in
the heart of Oahu, in the town of Wahiawa. Our school opened its doors in 1969 as an
intermediate school, serving only students in grades 7 through 8. At that time, students
from Schofield Barracks attended nearby Wahiawa Middle School, and students from Mililani
were brought by buses to attend classes here. Now, our school primarily serves students
from Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Mililani Tech Park.
Our first story comes from Iolani School, where students take us to a clubhouse started
by some of the bravest war heroes in U.S. history.
At first, the little blue building on Kamoku Street may seem out of place. But venture
inside, and youll find a treasure trove of history in the form of World War II artifacts,
and if youre lucky, a few veterans talking story.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]
The 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Building, formerly known as Club 100, serves as the
gathering place for 100th Battalion veterans to reminisce and laugh, as well as an education
center about World War II. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the loyalty of Americans
of Japanese ancestry was called into question.
(soundbite from interviewee Robert Arakaki is subtitled.)
After months of debate, one thousand four hundred and thirty-two Japanese Americans
that were serving in the military were reorganized into the 100th Infantry Battalion. While training
as an infantry combat unit at Camp McCoy, the soldiers came up with the idea of creating
a clubhouse upon their return from the war.
From next month, we will start collecting two dollars a month from each one of you,
drawn out of your paycheck. And thats what we did. Its a big amount for us, .two dollars
a month, you know. We only got paid twenty-nine dollars a month.
While in Europe, the battalion suffered heavy casualties while fighting valiantly. The actions
of the 100th Battalion earned its members eight Medals of Honor, one thousand seven
hundred and three Purple Hearts, and the title of the Armys most decorated unit.
Let them remember that despite the prejudice against us, we fought valiantly.
After the war, the goal of creating a clubhouse came into fruition. The original Club 100
was built in Nuuanu, but was moved to its present-day location on Kamoku Street across
from Iolani School. Club membership has dwindled as veterans pass away. Of the three thousand
men who served in the 100th Battalion, only a few members still regularly visit the clubhouse.
However, Club 100 remains a symbol of valor and a wealth of knowledge.
Its very important that we keep the legacy going, primarily because they did a special
thing. Its a story that starts with discrimination against a group, and how this group really
fought through that and became what it is today.
Through the 100th Battalion Clubhouse, the legacy and valor of the 100th Infantry Battalion
will not be soon forgotten. This is David Pang from Iolani School, reporting for HIKI
NO.
Welcome back to Wheeler Middle School in Central Oahu. We are in Mr. Lees industrial arts class.
Mr. Lee shared that one of the biggest changes that happened to our school was in 1989, when
Mililani Middle School opened, and many of the students that would have attended Wheeler
went to Mililani Middle School instead. In the Fall of 1991, the Air Force transferred
command of Wheeler to Schofield Barracks, making Wheeler an Army airfield. Hale Kula,
Solomon, and Wheeler Elementary schools began sending their 6th grade students here, transforming
Wheeler from an intermediate school with 7th and 8th graders to a middle school which teaches
students from grade 6 through 8.
Our next story takes us to Kauai, where students from Waimea High School tell the story of
a hometown boy who returned to Waimea to pursue his dream and give back to his community.
[MUSIC]
Rambla Clothing Company, a local Kauai clothing business, has now opened its first store in
Waimea town. But whats even more interesting is that the stores owner, Kauhi Sarmiento,
is also a graduate of Waimea High School, and has returned to his hometown to promote
his growing business. His clothing store has greatly developed from his backyard beginnings.
I started from senior year, high school. Was me and my friends, me and the boys. You know,
we used to go Polihale and kinda ramble our truck through the dirt road, and that is how
we kinda started the idea. Back in 2005, we got introduced to doing stickers by a small,
little desktop sticker machine, and we did our first stickers and people liked our stickers
and we went from there. We did hats, and tee-shirts came after.
Rambla has had a very humble start, and like most businesses, has had to overcome many
obstacles.
Any business and any business owner or manager can tell you that you always going hit the
wall at financial problems, which if you like take your business to the next level, it costs
money. We had to learn save, learn how to do our math [CHUCKLE] and stuff like that.
To Rambla, giving back to the community is more rewarding than a fifty percent off sale.
You know, people come see us so we can donate stuff, you know, as raffle prizes to concerts.
We did a career day for Waimea Canyon School. You know, we made a bunch of stuff, we gave
it to them. I feel good giving back, because one is, something from my childhood days that
as far as clothing, I never really have. You know, I honestly had my clothes from garage
sales or swap meets out there. That is my roots, that is where I came from, and now
I produce my own tee-shirts. When I can give that away, you know, I feel good because its
something that now I can give back.
The Rambla Clothing Company represents a true role model for giving back. The company has
achieved great success through the hard work, perseverance, and dedication put into the
business. Rambla Clothing Company is here to stay, shining an inspirational light on
the dreams of young new business owners.
I never did, not even one little thought in my head came from when I was growing up, that
I ever thought I was doing this. This is my talent, and this is my gift.
This is Caylee Yamamoto from Waimea High School, reporting for HIKI NO.
If youd like to comment on this story, or anything you see on HIKI NO, join the discussion
at facebook.com/hikinocando, or send us a Tweet at twitter.com/hikinocando.
Welcome back to Wheeler Middle School. Im on the back part of our school located on
eleven acres of State property on a military base. School buildings are staffed and landscaping
is maintained by State workers, but our school also benefits from working with the military.
They patrol our campus at night, and all visitors must be screened at the front gate. About
eight hundred and fifty students attend classes here, with almost ninety-seven percent of
students coming from military families.
We travel now to historic Downtown Honolulu, where students at St. Andrews Priory introduce
us to an Ohio woman who has adopted Hawaiis host culture as her own.
Hawaii is a tropical paradise where tourists come for a dreamy getaway. This is the typical
view of Hawaii, but to Kumu Aggy Kusunoki, Hawaii is something more. With her family
originally from Ohio, Hawaii is where Kumu finds her true ohana.
What started out as a visit to her Uncle Kevins home in Hawaii turned into a realization for
her calling in life. Even to her own surprise, this small-town girl from Ohio became an honorary
Hawaiian. In her new home, Kumu noticed something special in the island life.
The main thing that I noticed after moving to Hawaii is, here in Hawaii, theres such
a diverse cultural background of all the people that are here, Asian, European, haole, mainland.
However, even with the diverse local culture, Kumu experienced some opposition and doubt
from her co-workers when expressing her wishes to live and study in Hawaii.
When I was talking to the other professors about changing my culture area to focus on
Hawaii, looking at tourism, looking at local people, not at the tourists but the local
individuals working in the tourism industry, they said, Good luck with that, youre not
from here, you dont look like you could be from here, youll have to study Hawaiian, youll
have to learn Hawaiian, and thats not gonna happen. And so … give me a challenge, I
guess, and see what happens.
This opposition, in fact, even pushed her to work harder and prove to others and to
herself that she is capable of achieving her goals.
I started Hawaiian that first summer, finished up my Hawaiian language degree. But in the
meantime, I started studying hula with Auntie Vicky Holt Takamine at UH, I started changing
my projects to focus on Hawaii and focus on culture, to focus on culture change, commodification
of culture, and eventually I joined halau with Auntie Vicky, finished up my masters,
finished up my degree in Hawaiian language, and that, in short, is my trip to where I
am today.
Kumu is right where she wants to be. After eventually receiving her masters research
on tourism in Hawaii, she is now teaching Hawaiian history and Hawaiian language at
St. Andrews Priory School in Downtown Honolulu.
Who knows what really is in store for me next. But I am … so pleased and blessed and honored
to be in the position that Im in right now.
Finding oneself is the key to success. Kumu Aggy Kusunoki has shown this through her journey
of finding herself and fulfilling her destiny of expanding the Hawaiian cultural connection.
This is Courtney Nomiyama reporting from St. Andrews Priory, for HIKI NO.
Welcome back to Wheeler Middle School. Were here at our schools zoo where children volunteer
with different types of animals. They find it rewarding and relaxing.
Many people dont know that our school was named after Major Sheldon H. Wheeler, who
was the commander of Lukes Field on Ford Island from November 4, 1919 until his death on July
12, 1921. Major Wheeler was killed along with Sergeant Thomas Kelly when the observational
biplane he was flying entered a flat spin and crashed onto Lukes Field before bursting
in to flames. He was thirty-two years old.
We take you now to Maui and Lahaina Intermediate for a trendy twist on hairstyling.
[MUSIC]
Have you ever wondered how to rock a fishtail braid like your favorite celebrities, Kim
Kardashian and others? Well, here is how.
First, you should brush your hair so your hair wont get all tangled and knotted up when
you do your braid.
After brushing, separate your hair into two parts: one right and one left.
Take one small piece of hair from the right, and bring it over to the left.
Take another small piece of hair from the left, and bring it over to the right.
Repeat this braiding process until you wish to end your fishtail braid. This kind of braid
works with all hair, thick or thin. You will definitely get hooked on this style.
Tip: use some water on your hair before you do the fishtail braid so that no flyaway hairs
pop up.
Use a clear elastic to secure the braid. Wrap the elastic at the bottom of the braid. This
is the finished fishtail product. We cant wait to see you rock your new style. For HIKI
NO, this is Kiana Bell reporting for Lahaina Intermediate.
Welcome back. Were at one of the gates leading into Wheeler Army Airfield. Students and teachers
at Wheeler go through similar gates every day to get to their classes. They also drive
past the historic Wheeler Airfield which has hosted many of aviations firsts, including
the first and longest nonstop flight of the time from the mainland to Hawaii. In 1927,
Lieutenant L.J. Mailand and Lieutenant A.F. Hegenberger took twenty-six hours to fly the
two thousand four hundred seven miles from Oakland, California to Wheeler Field. A year
later, the first flight from Australia to Hawaii landed here, piloted by Charles Kingsford
Smith. Although the most well-known event may have been when Amelia Earhart became the
first solo flyer to fly from California, which also landed at Wheeler, Hawaii.
Next, we travel to Kauai for a story from Island School about a canoe paddler who changed
his approach to living after surviving a devastating accident.
I started paddling when I was twelve, and … and sort of just slipped deeper and deeper
into it, til about the time I was eighteen or seventeen, and I was really putting all
of my time into it. And for about a five-year period, I was training probably, you know,
up to twenty hours a week. And thats like, time on the water, not including commute and
all of that. So, my life was really focused on paddling.
On October 10, 2010, Luke Evslins life was almost taken from him when the propeller of
his escort boat tore through his back during a championship race between Molokai and Oahu.
You know, after I got onto the boat and I was lying there on my back thinking that I
was bleeding to death or paralyzed, or that my stomach had been ripped out of my body,
you know, thats when your mind is going through a lot of stuff. And to me, that was sort of
my transformative moment in those forty-five minutes. And I would say without a doubt,
the most transformative forty-five minutes of my life.
So yeah, up until the accident, you know, my life plan was pretty clear. You know, I
was at a business building canoes, and I wanted to be one of the best paddlers in the world.
Thats the direction I was going in. You know, something that Ive sort of learned through
this accident, you know, is this desire for more, you know, is that we dont always need
more.
Since the accident, Luke has focused on giving back to the environment through his off the
grid sustainable farm.
[CHICKENS CLUCKING]
We have a piece of property, and the goal is basically to reduce inputs, or eliminate
inputs is the ultimate goal. And also outputs, you know. We have a river that we have to
cross to get to our property, so for me, thats like the barrier line. Its pretty obvious
when Im carrying something into that, or carrying it out of that. You know, so normally in a
property, you know, youre taking food in and taking trash out. So, Im trying to minimize
that. So we produce our own electricity with photovoltaic panels, we catch our own water
so theres no pipes or anything connecting us to the outside world. We have a really
good existence right now where were living. You know, we have six solar panels which produce
very little electricity, you know, and it means we cant turn our TV on at night if it
hasnt been sunny, or we cant wash our clothes unless its beaming hot out. But thats fine
with us, you know, and it makes us live with what we have. And that sort of the concept
Ive really applied to the rest of my life, and especially our business, you know, and
this idea of its good where its at, you know, lets perfect this.
Although still very involved in his business, Kamanu Composites, Luke Evslin has been able
to find a balance between his career-driven lifestyle and his desire to reduce his impact
on the planet. This is Gabriel Figueroa from Island School on Kauai, reporting for HIKI
NO.
Were back at Wheeler Army Airfield, home of Wheeler Middle School. Many know of the significant
damage and loss of life during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Wheeler Field was attacked thirty-five minutes after the initial attack on Pearl Harbor.
At that time, four P-40s and two P-36s were able to take off. They flew twenty-five short
attack flights. They, along with planes from Haleiwa Airfield, were able to shoot down
nine attacking aircrafts. There were thirty-seven service personnel killed during the attack,
six missing, and fifty-three wounded on the infamous day.
Now, from the West side of Oahu, students from Waianae Intermediate prove that bullies
can change their ways and turn their lives around.
I really didnt go to school. I gave a lot of attitude, and I was rude to all my teachers,
and I fought a lot. Not really fight, but I used to bully people.
From a young age, Sosefina Matautia was on the road to poor choices.
I started cruising with the wrong people, and they just influenced me to do a lot of
bad stuff.
Bad influences bring bad results. Like most kids her age, Sose had problems, but she didnt
know how to deal with them. So, she acted out.
She would scream, cry, wreck the house. When we would take her to school, she would go
crazy. You know, she would hit the teachers, scream, try run away.
She was running away from reality, because on June 16, 2006, her father, Richard Matautia,
was critically injured when he was hit by a car. He died two days later on Fathers Day.
It was … devastating, hard. I had fear of leaving my mom. And I was just afraid of losing
somebody else.
Acting out is a common way for kids to cope when they face trauma in their life. And one
big example is the death of a parent.
Since my dad wasnt here, I didnt really have guidance. And I always used to look at my
dad to tell me what to do, not my mom.
[CHEERS/INDISTINCT CONVERSATOIN]
After six years on the wrong side of the road, Sose decided it was time to steer her life
in a different direction.
So she went from being completely defiant when getting a consequence, to now being able
to admit parts where she was wrong. And then, being able to admit where she was wrong, but
also receive the consequence and not become angry, like she did in the very beginning
of the school year.
I didnt like my image and my reputation. I didnt like the fact that people thought I
was stupid because the way I acted. My life is different. Like, its more better. I cruise
with people … that influences me to do better things, and bring out the better in me.
With the support of her family and friends, Sose began to dream big.
I want to go to college. I want to get my masters degree, and I want to become a doctor.
Its a reflection of how her attitude has changed. But now, instead of bullying people, shes
bullying her dreams. This is Lorraine Char reporting from Waianae Intermediate School,
for HIKI NO.
If youd like to comment on this story, or anything you see on HIKI NO, join the discussion
at facebook.com/hikinocando, or send us a Tweet at twitter.com/hikinocando.
Welcome back to Wheeler Middle School. Were at the front of the school which overlooks
the base flag. Students here pass by daily reminders of the armed personnels commitment
to protecting the United States of America.
Here at Wheeler, the students and teachers are equally committed to our schools vision,
to be a community that strives to meet high expectations, to be lifelong learners, to
make responsible decisions, to make healthy choices, and to practice good citizenship.
Our final story takes us to Kauai, where students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School show
us Bethany Hamilton has evolved from shark attack victim to role model.
Bethany Hamilton is best known for being a young shark attack survivor. When she was
thirteen, while surfing on the North Shore of Kauai on the morning of October 31, 2003,
in a tragic accident, a shark took her arm and nearly took her life. From then on, she
was able to pursue her dream of becoming a pro surfer and is an inspiration to many.
It hasnt been easy, though, and she had to persevere through a lot to get to this point.
I think for Bethany, some of the biggest challenges were having patience. I dont think she struggled
for a long time like, with losing her arm, but I think at times there was like, the reality
of like, Wow, I dont have an arm, and Im not gonna have an arm for the rest of my life.
After losing my arm, I wasnt really sure if I was gonna be able to continue surfing.
However, surfing was one of the first things she did after losing her arm.
There was definitely like, hard times where I would go in from surfing just so frustrated,
like didnt have any fun, and just felt like the ocean just was trying to destroy me. But
I decided after talking to my dear friend Mike Coots, who had lost his leg to a shark
a few years before myself, and he actually learned how to surf with one leg after he
had lost his leg. So, he kinda like inspired me to, you know, maybe I will be able to surf
with one arm. And I decided that I had to at least try it and give it a go.
I just remember she kinda, you know, was in a groggy state and we just talked kinda like
whimsical about things. And she had talked about, you know, wanting to get into photography
and stuff, and I kinda told her, you know, thats a great thing, but I really think that
shes gonna be back surfing again.
Bethany didnt just stop at getting back in the water.
I see how giving she is, shes always looking to donate to different foundations or, you
know, people that have need, and just willing to travel and always be sharing her story.
I started my own organization, Friends of Bethany Hamilton, and with that, I get to
reach out to amputees and shark attack victims, and people just going through hard times.
And its been really fun to just … meet other people that have gone through similar things
to me.
She still gets involved, even when she doesnt have time, with the local church and the youth.
And even though shes traveling a lot, you know, she makes time for the things that she
believes in.
Bethany Hamilton inspires me by the way she lives her life, the choices she makes, the
decisions she does with her time. You know, she doesnt have much free time, but the things
she does with her free time and the way she gives back to the community, and the way she
influences a lot of people across the world.
Bethany inspired me just by her great attitude, overcoming tragedy and really taking the situation
that she had to deal with and she ran with it.
Im still surfing today and able to share my story with so many people, and make a difference
in this world.
Despite the unexpected tragedy of the loss of her arm at a very young age, Bethany Hamilton
has changed from a victim to a victor. For HIKI NO, this has been Haven Luper-Jasso reporting.
Well, thats it for this weeks show.
We hope youve enjoyed the stories that weve shared from around our islands.
Dont forget to join us next week to see what the students of Hawaii can do, only on HIKI
NO, and only on PBS Hawaii.
Thanks for tuning in to HIKI NO. And remember that HIKI NO means Can Do.
Because the students of Hawaii can do!
[END] Hiki No 412
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