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Next on HIKI NO, stories from across the island chain.
I got teased things like Peg Leg, and Hop Along.
A man overcomes birth defects to become a world famous yo-yo master and kite entrepreneur.
Plus, how an egg farmer championed Hawaiis Buy Local food movement.
Also, a long-distance canoe-racing legend.
The dangers of texting of while driving.
Seashell jewelry from the sand to the hand.
A community comes together to help the helper.
A simple, but effective cure for the deaf and blind.
And how the act of giving back can shape who you become.
All on this episode of HIKI NO, coming to you from Kealakehe High School on Hawaii Island,
home of the Waveriders.
Thats next on The Nations First Statewide Student News Network, HIKI NOÖ
Can do!
Aloha, and welcome to Kealakehe High School, home of the Waveriders. Our school was established
in 1997 and serves fourteen hundred students in grades nine through twelve. We are located
on Mount Hualalai on the Kona side of the Big Island. We serve the largest geographical
school district in all of Hawaii. Kealakehes vision is harmony and unity through dynamic
education and community for everyone, every time. We strive to come together as an ohana
and develop well-rounded citizens who are high achieving. The three Waverider Rs are
Relationships, Respect, and Responsibility. These qualities are emphasized in our schools
unique CEPA, or Citizenship and Ethical Philosophies Advisory program. Starting as freshmen, students
take this class for all four years and graduate with their CEPA ohana.
Our first story takes us to the Leeward Coast of Oahu, where students from Waianae High
School introduce us to an egg farmer who understands the power of combining two words: fresh and
local.
So, everything over here is pretty much all hands-on. Which is better for quality control,
anyway.
And for Mark Takaki, thats what its all about here at Maili Moa; quality and control.
Our brand is Shaka Moa Eggs.
Its almost like a perfect food. It comes in its own package. You know, it has a high amount
of protein for something so small.
He and his family have been packaging this perfection locally for almost two decades
now.
Seven cases; theres thirty dozen in a case, and each case has three hundred sixty eggs.
A lot of work is done to get all the eggs from the chickens to the customer.
Every day, we wash them, size them, grade them. And then, depending on the order, we
either put them in cartons or flats. Thats an average day.
Average would have been great just a few years ago, because the egg industry was in a fragile
state.
Food prices went through the roof overnight. And basically, we needed to downsize because
we couldnt compete with the mainland eggs that was coming in so cheap.
Its not just eggs. Hawaiis food import rate has grown to over ninety percent, according
to a Honolulu Associated Press article in 2012.
With the cost of fuel and everything, and you know, the shipping now going up, its just
gonna make our food more and more costly.
So costly that right now, according to Senate Bill 524, Hawaii consumers pay over $3 billion
annually to import their food.
Until we get our own feed mill or grow our own food in Hawaii, were still gonna be faced
with that challenge. If people are more aware, maybe we can increase our percentage of the
market if we could grow our grain for all our livestock; not just chickens, but our
cows and pigs, and goats and stuff.
Mark knows theres no immediate answer or one-size-fits-all solution.
This is jumbo, extra-large, large, medium and small.
We had to find an alternative. We had to find a niche market where we could get more for
our eggs.
That meant going cage-free to separate themselves from the flock and ensure their survival.
The thing was one big hit, thats why.
Theyre such a hit that Marks chickens have to be hidden from the public so that no one
imitates his process.
I enjoy when our customers come, when they say, you know, We dont want to buy mainland
eggs, we prefer your eggs, yours is the best. When that happens, that makes us feel good.
And Mark hopes that he and his customers can help egg on the rest of Hawaii.
A happy chicken is a happy worker.
From Waianae High School, Im Kahunui Foster reporting for HIKI NO.
And were back on Kealakehes ahupuaa, where the Kau I Ka Malie Multimedia Cultural Center
is a unique building on the Kealakehe campus. Opened in 2012, it represents a partnership
between the Department of Education and the Hawaiian Homestead Lai Opua. The building
is the hale for learning, where our school live morning broadcasts for citizenship and
ethical philosophy takes place, as well as a variety of video and computer courses. During
the afternoons and evenings, the Lai Opua residents use the Malie Center to learn their
Native Hawaiian languages and chants along with 21st century computer skills.
Our next story takes us to Honolulu, where students from Punahou School talk story with
an outrigger canoe paddling legend.
In 1958, seventeen-year-old Joseph *** Napoleon competed in his first Molokai Hoe, the long-distance
open ocean canoe race from Molokai to Oahu. Since then, Uncle *** has competed in the
annual race every year.
My first Molokai race was the best, actually, my first Molokai race, because I really didnt
know what to expect in that race. But I think the best one and fun one was in 66, and I
feel that was the roughest year. I cannot forget, because we turned over three times.
I have movies where the waves, the whitewater just passing the canoe, and hitting us on
the side, and were upside down. Now, there are lot of long-distance races now. Before,
you had only one long-distance race, the Molokai. From June to August, we paddle sprint races,
and in August we have our championships in August, regatta races. And then October, we
train all the way til October for the Molokai race. So we had a lot of time train. Sunday
we would make long runs like three-hour run training. Now, its getting hard to be up in
the top. You know, youre talking our age bracket now, because were a little older than whatever
we racing against. But maybe some day, theyll make a division for us guys if they have enough
guys.
[WIND/WATER SPLASHING]
When youre young, you know, youre up there fighting for the first. Then as you get older,
then you know, everybody start passing you. But in our age bracket, we usually do all
right. Well, like thats all I know what to do. I wasnt good in baseball. When I was young,
I played baseball, basketball, but luckily I always was involved in canoe paddling. And
I enjoy going out there in the water, surfing and whatever. My favorite part, I like the
start, the start of the race. Yeah. And, of course, finishing the race. You see everybody,
and you come up here and enjoy with everybody. Yeah.
After fifty-five years of paddling in the race, Uncle *** shows no sign of slowing
down. This is Alexis Kaneshiro reporting from Punahou School, for HIKI NO.
Were back at Kealakehe High, south of Kona Airport, where the Waverider Learning Center
is open for three afternoons a week. Its an opportunity for students to have access to
resources outside of the normal school day. Between fifty and seventy-five students come
in for three hours to do homework, use textbooks, computers, and receive tutoring from subject
area teachers. Some say its a really great place to learn, and transportation home is
provided.
We travel now to the west side of Maui, where students from Lahaina Intermediate take us
through the steps of making jewelry that starts in the sand and ends on the hand.
The beach; a beautiful place to find shells. Today, were going to show you how to make
seashell bangles. First, walk the beach to find scattered puka shells. Then, take them
home and clean them with bleach and water. Using your wire roll, cut a piece of wire
that will fit your wrist. Bend the wire into an oval or circle. Then, using a wire tool,
bend one end of the wire to make a stop. After being cleaned, put as many puka shells as
you wish to the wire.
Put a wire ball, available at craft stores, at the straight end of the wire. Then attach
the end with the ball behind the curved stop. Now, you have your beautiful puka shell bracelet.
Enjoy! This is Kiana Bell reporting for HIKI NO, from Lahaina Intermediate.
If youd like to comment on this story, or anything to do with HIKI NO, please join the
discussion at facebook.com/hikinocando. Or you can send us a Tweet at twitter.com/hikinocando.
And were back with Kealakehes Culinary Arts Program, where the main purpose is to follow
the ancient Hawaiians ahupuaa system bringing sustainable, fresh, and healthy food from
the farm to the table. The students from the Culinary Arts Program have access to world
class chefs. They train and participate in performance-based competitions, hands-on projects,
and catering jobs. In addition to building skills for career and technical education
and stem-related projects, students learn the craft of culinary arts.
Our next story takes us to the Kalihi district of Oahu, where students at Kamehameha Schools
Kapalama tell us how a community service project at their school can shape who a person becomes
after graduation.
Our hope was that they could have just one day to give back to Pauahi. And most importantly,
not just to give back to Pauahi, but to give alongside Pauahi. She, in my eyes, is the
epitome of what servant leadership is.
While the term servant leadership may be all the buzz today, it was an idea that our schools
founder took to heart over one hundred fifty years ago when she passed on her fortune to
educate Hawaiian children. Following in her footsteps, Kamehameha students hope to fulfill
her legacy through their experiences during Senior Service Day.
Senior Service Day actually started as a massive trash pickup day in Waimanalo. And it was
an effort that we did just to see how our students would react. So, its an ohana effort
that has really taken on a life of its own.
With over one thousand five hundred collective volunteer hours, serving more than fifteen
community organizations annually, the efforts are massive. Some ask: Does it really make
a difference?
We are gonna devote this day to at least planting that seed of servant leadership in our students
now. And maybe a year from now, itll nourish and grow. Maybe twenty years from now, theyll
reflect back on it and remember: Oh, I remember that day.
My senior service project was at Hanauma Bay. I think we did weeding or something like that.
Even something small contributed to the overall look of Hanauma Bay, and through that, we
can share our culture more with the visitors that come here. After I graduated, I felt
like I had to keep staying involved in things, so I found community service opportunities
where I would be able to connect more spiritually with what I was doing so that it became more
of a lifestyle, rather than going out and just doing community service.
While alumni may appreciate these lessons outside of the classroom, current college-bound
seniors may not realize the significance of going beyond the books.
Most students would say, Oh, whats the point of me doing service, its not helping me any.
Well, if they look deeper, it actually does help them a lot. I mean, it helps you grow
in character as a person. And these types of lessons cannot be taught in the classroom.
So, I think lots of students and lots of alumni still do service, because it helps them to
feel the happiness that comes from giving service, and they want to recreate that by
giving more service to their community.
It really did help to shape who I am today. The important thing is, it taught me how to
not go around and volunteer everywhere, which Im sure everyone would like to do that, but
to focus on specific places where I can dedicate most of my time to, to make more of an impact.
Volunteering time and labor may not earn straight As or a college degree, but it can help to
cultivate the servant leaders needed to fulfill Princess Pauahis legacy and shape the future
of Hawaii. For Kamehameha Schools, Im Kiana Lidstone-Cayabyab reporting for HIKI NO.
Were back on the west side of the Big Island with Kealakehes internationally celebrated
robotics team. The Tiki Techs began in 2010 with only four original students. Now, with
over sixty members, including myself, we are competing in seventeen different competitions
this year. We are also hosting our very first STEM camp, reaching out to the community and
inspiring kids to explore the amazing curiosity of science, technology, engineering, and math.
We travel now to the east side of Oahu, where students from Kalani High School show us how
a simple card makes it possible for a deaf and blind person to cross the street safely.
My name is Ramon, my last name is Romales. My sign name is an R on my chest. I am nineteen
years old. I attend school, Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind.
Because its difficult for Ramon to talk with others, he uses special deaf/blind cards to
communicate if he needs help. One card that he uses is to help him cross the streets.
This is how he uses it.
With his cane, hell find the curb of the street, find the notch in the deaf/blind cards so
he doesnt block what is written on it, and wait until someone taps him.
Once someone acknowledges him, he will drop the deaf/blind card that is hanging around
his neck and hold onto the persons arm so they can cross the street.
When theyre done crossing the street, Ramon will politely say thank you, and Ramon and
the helper will go their separate ways.
If Im waiting, and waiting, and standing for a while, and I want to cross the street, please
help me.
This is Megan Shinagawa from Kalani High School, for HIKI NO.
And were back on the west side of the Island of Hawaii, where Kealakehes Polynesian Dancing
class is a special program that allows students to participate in a learning experience that
enhances and improves their personal cultural knowledge. It started off small, with the
original purpose of providing students with another option for meeting their physical
education requirements. And now, the class ranges from fifty-five to seventy-five students.
Students travel around the South Pacific, learning the many unique and traditional dances
of the Islands of Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Tonga, and Tahiti. Kealakehe
hosts the Annual Cultural Celebration May Night, where the students from the Polynesian
Dancing Club contribute the numbers that they learned in class.
Our next story comes from the Valley Isle, where students from Maui Waena Intermediate
tell a story that proves what goes around comes around, in a good way.
Today is a really special day for a real special family. And you know, Habitat for Humanity
is celebrating their Build-A-Thon Weekend. And so, were here in Kahului to really help
a family who has gone through some difficult times. And as you can see with the many, many
volunteers here today, Im just fortunate to be just one of them.
With over one hundred people participating in this Habitat for Humanity two-day rebuild
on One Street in the older section of Kahului, Lieutenant Governor Tsutsui really was just
one of the many volunteers working to construct happier homes.
Im sure you guys have been waiting for this day to make this happen, because your lives
are gonna change, because you have changed lives.
Cindy Cline, who is the director for Women Helping Women and Insights to Success, and
her mother Christine Cabrera, a retired nurse, are in need of this help. Their sixty-one-year-old
home has never been renovated, but today, it is getting a much needed and deserved facelift.
Im very honored that this is happening. We are even more amazed that theyre gonna do
it in two days when we saw just the wood alone for the floors.
Because of the strong foundation Cindy built within the community with years of service
at both Women Helping Women and Insights to Success, the community was able to return
her support.
You only get things done when you do the work.
I know [INDISTINCT] dirty everywhere. [LAUGHTER]
These volunteers set about to fix everything from the leaking roof to the worn out floors
for Christine and Cindy who is Ö
Really an unsung hero. She does everything so quietly, and so privately, and nobody ever
gets to see her. But shes done a lot of work with needy people in this community for many
years. So, Val, whos painting over here, filled out the application with Habitat when Cindy
moved home, to help refurbish this house. Because you can see its very old and dusty,
and it needed to be updated so that its healthier for them. Because a few years ago, she got
sick with a disease called pulmonary hypertension, and it affects her lungs, so she cannot breathe.
She needs a double lung transplant.
Cindys health deteriorated and she was taken off the transplant list. Now she has come
home to live out the rest of her life. As Cindy and her family cross the threshold to
their new home, her outlook seems a bit brighter.
Wow!
This is Renee Matsuda from Maui Waena Intermediate School, reporting for HIKI NO.
If youd like to comment on this story, or anything to do with HIKI NO, please join the
discussion at facebook.com/hikinocando. Or you can send us a Tweet at twitter.com/hikinocando.
And were back above Honokohau Harbor where Kealakehes JROTC program was established in
1997. Each year, over a hundred cadets participate in classes and numerous activities with the
Waverider Battalion.
[INDISTINCT]
[INDISTINCT]
Rest!
The cadets go camping, rappelling, shoot air rifles, and have special teams which compete
against twenty-six other JROTC programs in the State of Hawaii. Over three thousand hours
of community and school service are performed in events such as veteran support, Ironman
assistance, parades, and special events.
We take you now to Kapolei High School on Oahu, where students illustrate the dangers
of texting behind the wheel. Warning: Some viewers may find this PSA a bit shocking,
but the effect does help to drive home the message.
So finally, after four years, Im finally ready to graduate from high school. I got accepted
to USC, but I wont be going to pursue my dream, cause Im about to die in a horrible car accident.
It wasnt even my fault that the driver was texting.
And were back at Kealakehe High during Spirit Week, and its a big deal. Spirit Week is a
celebration of student activities and creative costumes. It gives students a chance to express
themselves and represent their grade levels in free competitions, games, and dress-up
days.
We always end the week with a lip sync contest, powder puff game, and of course, homecoming.
Now, while we are competitive, we are all Waveriders at heart, and its about coming
together as one big Kealakehe ohana.
Our final story takes us to Windward Oahu, where students at Kainalu Elementary tell
the story of a man who overcame his disability and rose to the top of his field.
This is one of my favorite tricks. This is called Eating Spaghetti. You make the spaghetti
noodles, you put some Parmesan cheese, and you [SLURP] mmm.
Thats cool.
This is Walking the Nice Little Doggy. Woof-woof-woof-woof-woof!
Alan Nagao, a professional yo-yo-ist, discovered at an early age he had a special talent for
yo-yo tricks. He played with his yo-yo because he could not do well at things other kids
could do.
[WHISTLING]
Whoa!
I was born with a physical handicap caused by a drug that my mom took. It was prescribed
to her from the doctor. It was called Thalidomide. I have an artificial leg. And I was born basically
with these physical handicaps because of the drug.
In spite of his birth defects, Alan received much attention when he was selected as a National
Poster Child.
Well, I was selected for Easter Seals at four years old. They liked that I smiled a lot.
His smile won the hearts of many celebrities, including the President of the United States.
However, when Alan attended school, life became more challenging.
I got teased things like Peg Leg and Hop Along. You know, sometimes in elementary school,
kids can be kind of cruel, and especially if youre a little different. And I had to
wear that ugly helmet all the time, and so, everybody would kinda look at me. And I was
always the last one to get picked on teams, because I couldnt run. All of the other kids
would run, and play Dodge Ball. It was almost like they already lost the game, just because
they got me on the team.
Alan became an expert at doing yo-yo tricks. When he got older, he had an idea and approached
the American Toy Company to market their yo-yos.
I brought this idea to Japan, and I made a dollar a yo-yo from the American Toy Companies
that sold the yo-yos. And so, I had an event in the Tokyo Toy Fair where we had seventy
thousand boys nine to twelve years old come to play yo-yos. And the line was two and a
half miles long. We launched the yo-yo boom in Japan, and in one year, we sold ten and
a half million yo-yos.
Besides his yo-yo business, Alan got into marketing kites. He formed a high performance
kite team and traveled all around the world competing professionally.
We became the world champions in kite flying. It was a great little dream of mine to travel
around the world. And so, after I started to do this kind of international traveling,
I wrote a book on how to be a team flyer. And it really was more of a book on how to
work as a team. Ive made millions and millions of dollars in business and people, I guess,
look at that as being success. Ive raised a really nice family. You know, Ive been married
for twenty-eight years. So, I think a lot of people look at me and say that I have a
very special talent. And so, its become almost the opposite, where people are looking at
me as being a success story, and use me as an example of what they could do for themselves.
This is Erin Heggarty reporting for HIKI NO, from Kainalu Elementary School.
Well, weve come to the end of this episode of HIKI NO.
Remember; all these stories were written, shot, and edited by students like us.
We hope youve enjoyed them as much as weve enjoyed sharing them with you.
Make sure to tune in next week for more proof that Hawaii students HIKI NOÖ
Can do!