Super Students
Saturday, October 31, 1998
Name: Ken Tatafu
Age: 12
School: Jarrett Intermediate
Favorite subject: Band
Pastimes: Singing
Future: Singer
Unstoppable. Singing his heart out
That's how people describe Ken Tatafu, a seventh-grader at Jarrett Intermediate.
Diagnosed with sacro agenesis at birth, Tatafu is missing the lower part of his spine that would connect the spine to his hip bone. So he lounges in a wheelchair, but never for long -- he much prefers racing about campus with friends, playing the baritone in band or singing his heart out any chance he gets.
He most often performs "The Impossible Dream" and "This is the Moment." Both talk about achieving the impossible, which he does every day, he said. "Most of the people say that I have a really good gift, that I can sing ... that lots of times they have chicken skin and goose bumps when I sing."
To Tatafu, singing is almost everything. It reveals his hopes and dreams and, most importantly, gives him a good feeling. He passes on that feeling by singing at convalescent homes and by performing with Positive Connections, a group that preaches self-love and staying drug-free.
The hobby also reaped him choice rewards, such as a stint at Disneyworld in March and the title of grand champion in May's Hawaii Stars contest for people with extraordinary abilities.
"I think he's an inspiration to our kids," said school counselor Ruth Sumoto. "Nothing seems to stop him and that's just wonderful. He's a great role model."
Kimberly K. Fu, Star-Bulletin
