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HIKI NŌ 510
Next on HIKI NŌ, stories from across the island chain.
She's still the same person, she still has the same personality, and she's still my friend.
A transgender eighth-grader teaches others tolerance and acceptance.
Plus, the Polynesian Voyaging Society prepares to circumnavigate the globe.
Also, the anatomy of a hip-hop dance move ...
A Vietnam vet helps other veterans obtain their benefits ...
What you need to know before getting a credit card ...
Feral cats on Kauai ...
And how a young woman with a mysterious disease finds relief in the dance studio.
All on this episode of HIKI NŌ, coming to you from Moanalua High School on Oahu, home
of Na Menehune.
That next, on the nation's first statewide student news network, HIKI NŌ...
Can do!
Welcome to Salt Lake, home to Moanalua High School on Oahu. Moanalua High School was established
in 1972. It operates under the motto Kulia I Ka Nuu, or Striving for Excellence. Now,
in 2014, Moanalua has a little over two thousand students,
which makes it one of the largest public high schools in
the State of Hawaii. In 2013, Moanalua welcomed its new principal, Ms Robin Martin.
Our first story takes us to the west side of Oahu, where students from Waianae Intermediate
introduce us to an eighth-grader who discovered her true
identity.
In sixth grade, I started to wear makeup, and I looked at other people and see how I'm
different from them, and knew that someday, I would be this
way.
Raquel Largo is an eighth grade student at Waianae Intermediate School. From the time
she was in fifth grade, she knew something didn't feel right
inside of her body.
When I was little, actually, some kids would call me or ask me if I'm a boy or a girl,
because the way my hair was, or the way I would do things. When
I was a boy, I didn't do much with my look or anything.
Raquel was born a male named Royce, and is a transgender person. A transgender person
is someone who identifies with the gender that is opposite
from the gender they were born into. So, a person who
was born a male but later identifies as a woman is transgender, and vice versa. There
is a difference between being identified as transgender, as
compared to being identified as being ***.
*** would be someone who takes hormones or does something surgically to identify to
that sex that they identify with. Transgender would
have not done anything to their body to identify as that
gender, as that male or female gender.
In the seventh grade, Raquel finally decided to transition into being transgender, identifying
as a female. She was only thirteen years old at the time.
Well, it's very rare for someone to identify as one at an early age, but it does happen.
Being a student in middle school is tough enough; but being a transgender student presents
its own set of challenges.
I've been bullied a lot, called a lot of names that weren't so nice. And I just didn't think
any of it, because I knew becoming this, I would get
bullied.
According to the 2011 National School Climate Survey Report, nearly sixty-four percent of
transgender students in middle school and high school
in the United States are verbally harassed in school.
People are ignorant to the fact that we're all human beings, and we're all equal.
She's still the same person, she still has the same personality, and she's still my friend.
As an eighth-grader, Raquel has been challenging the people around her to view the world differently.
Waianae Intermediate School administration is examining arrangements needed for transgender
students.
The transgender student is treated just as any other student is on campus. The consideration
that we need to put in place are the logistics, such as
having a gender neutral bathroom.
It will feel awkward to go in the boys' bathroom like this, 'cause I know that a lot of boys
don't appreciate or accept the way I am.
All the support she has received has made a world of difference in her successful transition.
I support her in every way, whichever way she wants to go socially, mentally, physically,
in every aspect of her life.
I know that I can come out and be who I wanted to be, knowing that there are people who love
me and support me.
Living as a female, she finally feels accepted and can be her true self.
I want to be judged positively, because no matter what I look like, pretty, ugly, boy,
girl, because we're all human beings and we should all be treated
equally.
This is Leihalia Panui reporting from Waianae Intermediate School, for HIKI NŌ.
If you'd like to comment on this story, or anything you see on HIKI NŌ, join the discussion
at Facebook.com/hikinocando, or send us a Tweet
at Twitter.com/hikinocando.
Welcome to the campus of the Na Menehune. Many Moanalua High School students don't live
in the community; that's why it can be considered
a commuter school. About three hundred students are on
geographic exceptions and some travel from as far as Waianae, Waikiki, and the North
Shore. Students are attracted to Moanalua because of its central
location, music department, world language learning
center, and media and communications learning center.
And now, students from Ka Waihona o ka Naauao on Oahu take a look at preparations for the
ultimate ocean voyage.
[CONCH SHELLS TRUMPETING/CHANTING]
In May 2014, members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society will embark on a bold and adventurous
expedition aboard the sailing canoes Hokulea and Hikianalia.
The purpose and mission of the worldwide voyage is to take these two canoes safely around
the planet and start a discussion about what this planet
needs to do, and what we need to do as people to make sure
that we bring about once again healthy environments to the sea and to our island Earth. These
canoes have sailed many thousands of miles. Hokulea
herself has sailed well over a hundred and forty thousand
miles within the Pacific, and over the course of the last thirty years we've seen a tremendous
amount of cultural pride and cultural reawakening with
these vessels. And so, one of the thoughts is that, why not
take this canoe around the planet to start those conversations with other native peoples
in other locations outside of the Pacific.
You know, Hokulea, throughout its voyages, has always had a message. Right? And the message
really is learning. It's like looking to our past
to understand, you know, who we are now in the present, and
taking all of that knowledge gained and learned, and moving forward into the future. You know,
the waa is part of the foundation of Pacific Island
cultures. You know, I mean, that's how they got here, on these
canoes. And there's a tremendous amount of knowledge to be gained with that, so that's
like their purpose, that is their purpose. Their purpose
is to help us learn, help us find our way. The purpose of this
voyage is to really go around to a much broader area, which is the globe, which is Earth,
Island Earth, learn from others and what they're doing to
malama, take care of their homes, and share that, share that
broadly as we move around the world. Wherever is our home, it is important that it's healthy
and it's cared for, and our children grow up feeling
safe and strong, and empowered. So, when the canoe's ready,
sea trials, crew training, and then we get all the provisions and stock her up, and then
get ready to head out.
This is Lauren Lui Kwan from Ka Waihona o ka Naauao Public Charter School for HIKI NŌ.
And we're back at Moanalua High School, where many students are members of the school's
nationally recognized music department, which is the
home to Moanalua orchestra, band, and choir. Through the
music departments, students have the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally.
In the Spring of 2013, the symphonic orchestra went to New
York and played at Carnegie Hall for the third time.
We take you now to Hawaii Island, where students from Hilo High School perform that hip-hop
classic, The Six Step.
[MUSIC]
Hip-hop is a dance style and music genre that is more than forty years old. It gained popularity
during the 1970s after professional street-based dance
crews formed in the U.S.
Tyler Nakamoto began dancing two years ago. His interest was sparked by his friends at
Center Stage Dance Studio in Downtown Hilo. He loves to
create his own style, but knows that the basics are
essential. Today, Tyler is going to show you how to do a break dance move called The Six
Step.
From a pushup position, extend your left leg to the right, and pull your right leg beneath
you.
Step 2: Bring your left leg under you, and drop your right hand behind you in a crawl
position.
Step 3: Wrap your right leg around the left, bending at the knee, and putting your left
hand down.
Step 4: Extend your left leg behind, balancing on the edge of your right shoe.
Step 5: Bring your right leg next to the left, returning to the pushup position.
Step 6: Repeat these steps in a circular motion, always returning to the pushup position.
[MUSIC]
Thank you for watching, and I hope you enjoyed learning how to do The Six Step.
We're here at U-Building of the Moanalua High School campus, which was completed in July
of 2013. Because of the music department's growing
numbers and popularity, the school decided to create a new
band room for the six to seven hundred students. It consists of a classroom, office, practice
and storage rooms. When you walk into U-Building, you'll
always hear the sounds of students hard at work,
practicing for the next concert.
Our next story comes from the Manoa District of Oahu, where students at Mid-Pacific Institute
introduce us to a Vietnam vet who practices a different
kind of heroism.
After serving in the Vietnam War and the National Guard, veteran Clay Park created an organization
to help out his fellow veterans who are unable
to obtain their veterans' benefits.
We started what we called an uncles and aunties program. And the uncles and aunties program
started in a veteran's garage. There were five of us;
we were all disabled vets, and we decided that we're gonna
help our veterans navigate the VA system. And that's how the program got started. What
I do is, I help them fill up the application, I help them
get all the information that they need, their military information,
sending applications for that, and then I help them through the process.
Aunties and Uncles help veterans understand that benefits can help their family members
as well.
See, you need to apply for that. But you gotta remember one thing; you don't have to do this
alone. I always tell our veterans that if you're not
gonna do it for yourself, do it for your family.
In the process of helping my brother and my husband, I saw that he did so much good for
people. But just for my family, he's been a great help.
Clay Park, I think he's awesome. I'm really blessed that I can really trust him.
Clay Park has been inspired by his firsthand experience as a Vietnam War veteran, returning
home from a war that was unpopular with the American public.
The war doesn't end when you leave the battlefield. I went to Vietnam in 1966, '67, came back
in 1968. When we got back, nobody wanted to help us,
so we struggled. So, you come back, and what do you do?
You self-medicate yourself by drinking and getting into trouble.
The Uncles and Aunties Program has grown to become a national organization.
When we started the program and working with our veterans, it just exploded.
Today, there are more than twenty Uncles and Aunties that provide services to veterans
in five states, plus Guam. And the list of veterans will continue
to grow as long as there are men and women who put their
lives on the line for our country. This is Jason Kosaki from Mid-Pacific Institute, for
HIKI NŌ.
Back here at Moanalua High School, many students know when the bell rings at the end of the
day they can rush down the street to the manapua truck.
Popular items include manapua, dim sum, or fried
noodles, which are provided by the owner who is known all over the campus as Dan the Manapua
Man. Many schools have manapua trucks near them,
but since Dan has been here for generations, he's become
an icon in our high school and the whole, entire community.
We travel now to the Kaimuki District of Oahu, where students from Sacred Hearts Academy
illustrate what you really need to know about credit
cards.
Students entering college are often targeted by credit card companies and lured into getting
a credit card. It is imperative to know how to manage it
and be a responsible cardholder. A credit card is not free
money. Here's why. Responsible cardholders completely pay off their balances every month.
Finance charge, minimum payment, and balance are three
separate things. Paying only the minimum will end up
in an inflated final balance, because you're not actually paying off the money you owe.
Instead, you're just paying enough money to keep the bank
off your back. Finance charge is just a fee for using the
company's credit card. In order to avoid having a finance charge or minimum payment, you must
pay off your entire balance by your deadline. When
you simply pay off the finance charge or minimum payment,
you will end up having a higher balance due. The longer you take to pay the balance, the
more you will pay later. Would you rather pay that one dollar
you owe now, or five dollars later? So, why even own a
credit card? It is a necessity to own a card in order to build credit history, which is
reviewed by banks, credit card companies, auto dealers, and retail
stores. This will determine eligibility for loans on big
purchases such as tuition, cars, or houses. Being that credit cards are able to hold your
available funds, they are important to have in case of an emergency.
Credit cards can provide lifelong benefits, as long as
you're responsible and prompt with your payments. This is Sara Yiu reporting from Sacred Hearts
Academy, for HIKI NŌ.
We're back in the community of Moanalua, and as you can see, it's an industrial area comprised
of car dealerships, warehouses, and distribution
centers. This is unlike many other schools who are in
community friendly areas surrounded by parks that students can hang out at. Because of
the struggles to find a place to hang out after school, many
students choose to stay on campus where they can visit our
school's concession stand, mini mart, study at the school's library, or exercise at the
fitness center.
Our next story comes from Waiakea High School in Hilo, where students introduce us to a
dancer who finds relief from pain in the activity she
loves most.
Good girl! [DOG BARKING] Good girl!
Eighteen-year-old Kalmia Beets is having a great day.
Sit!
The simple joy of playing fetch with her dog [INDISTINCT] does not always come so easily.
Kalmia has a rare illness that prevents her autonomic
nervous system from regulating her body's normal functions.
I was diagnosed with my condition in 2010. But it's kind of changed since then, so it's
kind of continuous diagnoses.
This condition makes it difficult for her to breathe, and causes her muscles to freeze
up and contract around her organs.
I'm always in pain, actually, and always in what a lot of people would consider severe
pain.
In 2009, Kalmia found comfort through dancing while she was living in a hospital in California.
Sometimes when my pain is just at a baseline 10, like, even that one little notch will
make a difference. Dancing is actually what helps me, because
the endorphins kick in, you get that adrenaline rush. And
honestly, dancing is the best pain medication there is. So, I do several different types
of dance, actually. I do aerial dancing, I do hip-hop dancing,
modern jazz, and just regular contemporary jazz. And I would
probably have to say that aerial is my favorite right now. Dancing is magical; it really is.
Because you not only can let any feeling out, but you
know, it feels good. It feels good, no matter what. If you're
dancing from your heart, it feels good, no matter what.
Kalmia is a student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. She dances at the UH and teaches
at N2 Dance.
A lot of what I've learned in my life is that with a strong mind and with the right support,
that's a much stronger medicine than anything a doctor can
prescribe. I want to be able to share what I've learned
through my struggles so that other people can do the same thing in their life. And so,
that's why I'm really hoping to work with pediatrics who
are struggling with any kind of problem, but especially chronic
health problems or terminal health illnesses.
From Waiakea High School, this is Kacie Laguire reporting for HIKI NŌ.
Back at Moanalua High School, in addition to the newly constructed U-Building, renovations
are seen in many places. In the sports department, there
will be a new softball field with batting cages. The school
will also be redoing the football field by laying down new grass and dirt, which means
that the Class of 2014 will be the first class to break the
tradition of graduating on the field.
Our final story takes us to the Island of Kauai, where students from Chiefess Kamakahelei
Middle School show how feral felines are taking over paradise.
Even paradise has problems. One of the most pressing problems on Kauai is its overpopulation
of feral cats.
You know, we see cats around the island wherever we go, whether it's Walmart, whether it's
out for a hike. Even in the jungles, we have seen feral
cats, and along the beaches as well. Even in restaurants,
we've seen feral cats.
I did see some down at Poipu, or over on the east side at Lepeuli. Unpopulated areas, they
would usually be.
A feral cat is caused by abandonment or un-spayed litters of kittens that are allowed to just
move away from wherever the mother is born, because
whoever has a cat they're not spaying and neutering will have
kittens, and they have an overpopulation of cats.
One of the things a lot of folks don't think about is our climate. Our climate makes it
very easy for the breeding seasons to continue. There's no cold
winter. And this adds to the population explosion; it's
huge.
Well, how do feral cats affect me? It's really through the radio station directly, because
I'm dealing with people who are concerned about them. And also,
in my neighborhood where I see cats that are just out
there on their own, struggling, killing birds, and not doing well on their own. It's very
sad, in my own neighborhood.
The concern isn't just from the residents, but also from the local veterinarians.
Diseases that affect humans are transmitted from cats mainly through feces. So, in the
case of toxoplasmosis, things can happen. Like, if
a pregnant woman gets hold of it, it can cause major birth
defects in babies.
Feral cats don't only have a chance of giving diseases, but taking away one of Kauai's endangered
species.
I have heard that there have been some sightings of feral cats going into the burrows and getting
Shearwater chicks.
But what should we do to help the feral cat population from overpopulating the island?
The takeaway from this is, spay and neuter, spay and neuter, spay and neuter. I mean,
we have to get everybody to spay and neuter their pets. If
they have pets they don't have a home for, they need to take
them to the Humane Society, because that's the place where people go when they want a
pet, that's where they should go.
But until the Kauai feral cat problem is under control, there will continue to be trouble
in paradise. This has been Kekoa Wehner from Chiefess Kamakahelei
Middle School, for HIKI NŌ.
If you'd like to comment on this story, or anything you see on HIKI NŌ, join the discussion
at Facebook.com/hikinocando, or send us a Tweet
at Twitter.com/hikinocando.
Back here at Moanalua High School, the use of technology is highly emphasized when it
comes to learning. On campus, students have access
to about 600 computers, iPads, or iPods. In classes, lessons
are taught on Smart Boards, and students are found taking notes on laptops or tablets.
Most of our students also use technology at home, as teachers
assign online homework, quizzes, and even lectures.
Well, we've come to the end of this episode of
HIKI NŌ.
Remember, all of these stories were written, shot, and edited by students like us.
We hope you've enjoyed watching them as much as we've enjoyed sharing them with you.
Make sure to tune in to next week's episode for more proof that Hawaii students HIKI NŌ...
Can do!
[END] Hiki No 510
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