Peer advice big help,
isle students say

By Gregg K. Kakesako
Star-Bulletin

Columbine High School in Colorado is no different from any institution in Hawaii, and the shooting that took place there could have happened here, isle student leaders say.

But Ryan Ah Quinn, a freshman at Leilehua High School, believes steps have been taken at his Central Oahu school to lessen the possibility of a shooting like the one last week at Columbine, which claimed 15 lives.

Like many Oahu schools, Leilehua uses student peer leaders to try to resolve disputes among students.

Yesterday, more than 180 students from 17 public and private high schools met at the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus to exchange information in workshops and other sessions designed to help them resolve conflicts.

Sue Chang, representing one of the 12 organizations that sponsored the daylong session, said "schools have allowed peer leaders to assume the responsibility to mediate disputes, and that can be a very powerful tool."

Leilehua peer leaders tended to agree that - unfortunate and tragic as the Colorado shooting may have been - it is not isolated just to that mainland high school.

Their rural Oahu high school near Wahiawa has its own social strata.

"There are the military kids, the locals, the freaks, the skateboarders and others," said Nekeyeta Newkirk, 16. Rayana Charles, 16, recalled a more tension-ridden campus three years ago when she started her freshman year.

"There were fistfights every day," she said. "There was a lot of tension," stemming from rumors, people giving each other "stink eye," racial problems, and disagreements over boyfriends.

However, "now instead of taking out their fists," Charles said, "they are taking it out in mediation."

Stephanie Browne hopes the school's mediation program can help the school prevent a Colorado incident from happening here.

Oliver Ercolani, director of Leilehua's peer mediation program, said there was a student in his school last year who "hated everyone."

"He talked to no one, but we were able to bring him around,"Ercolani said.

"The key for any teacher," Ercolani added, "is not to close the door to anybody. If you close the door on these kids, that's when you will have trouble."

Teachers and administrators can refer students to Ercolani's group, which uses a large room near the administration building furnished with comfortable couches.

Browne said all mediation matters are confidential, although serious crimes and problems are referred to Ercolani.

Tevita Tongotea, a Farrington High School junior who was a discussion leader on gangs and mediation, pointed out that disputes rise out of the differences in cultures.

At Farrington, students can earn a one credit by successfully completing a class on peacemaking.

"Then some of those students are chosen to help resolve disputes," said the varsity football linebacker.