COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN MISSION ACADEMY
Hawaiian Mission Academy offers various leadership opportunities to its students. Student Association Vice President Layla Ohara, center, presides over a legislative council meeting with Johnson Ma, left, Liz Moreno, Ohara, Justin Ko, Kristin Ko and Arvin Tanag.
The academy's mission and vision
statements put importance
on educating the whole person
To the average passer-by, 1438 Pensacola St. appears to be the site of a single building. But, driving onto the property, a first-time visitor is usually surprised to see a well-manicured high school campus with several rare trees and an array of local flora.
Hawaiian Mission Academy, a small Seventh-day Adventist Christian high school, began as a boys' school for the sons of wealthy Chinese merchants in 1896. After going through several curricular changes and locations, the school moved to its present site in 1920. The school stands on the grounds of Princess Kawananakoa's former estate.
A college preparatory school, HMA's mission statement, "To educate the hand, the head and the heart," explains why the school exists. Its vision statement, "To make a difference for time and eternity in service for humankind and God," tells where we are going and what the academy expects of its students.
The mission and vision statements underscore the importance of educating the whole person and preparing students for service. In doing so, HMA prides itself in using Jesus as the role model for a good leader. A small school, HMA offers many leadership opportunities to its students.
Senior Lauren Horinouchi, Student Association president, said, "I don't think I would have run for office in a bigger school because I am basically a shy person." Knowing that she was capable of serving as a leader, Horinouchi decided, after much coaxing and encouragement from other students and staff, to run for office.
"She has developed the confidence to present ideas effectively, and she is a great leader," said librarian Joyce Garrigus.
Another person who considers herself shy is Layla Ohara, SA vice president. While she is a soft-spoken junior, she presides over the student council in a mature and professional way.
"I learn more and more as this year goes by about being a good leader," she said, "and interacting with different kinds of people and getting the job done as a team is a big part of leadership. Although lots of preparation and planning are necessary, working for the student body is fun, too."
Even international students have held student body and class offices. SA Religious Activities Chairman Johnson Ma, a senior from Taiwan, came to the United States just five years ago. Today, Ma, now fluent in English, gives inspirational talks and organizes religious activities.
"Johnson has really blossomed as a leader, and he is an inspiration to both regular and international students," says English/ESL teacher Peter Cheeseman.
Compared with schools with much larger student bodies, HMA allows more students to experience SA, class and club leadership roles. In a school where caring faculty nurture leadership skills by taking time to help student leaders plan and execute programs, a larger percentage of students with the required grade-point averages and commendable citizenship grades can consider running for office.
Hawaiian Mission Academy continues to educate the whole person for service.
A legacy of leadership
Hawaiian Mission Academy alumni who have gone on to serve in leadership roles or other influential positions in the community include:>> John Waihee III (former Hawaii governor)
>> John Waihee IV (Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee)
>> Lynne Waihee (Read to Me International president)
>> David Pendleton (state representative)
>> Mary Kawena Pukui (Living Treasure of Hawaii and author of the Hawaiian Dictionary)
>> Gary Okihiro (director of the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University)
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Life in student dormitory
has international flavor
Hawaiian Mission Academy's dormitory is a melting pot that houses international, mainland and local students.
When international students first come to HMA, they go through a period of culture shock. At first, most are shy and timid. Conversations between an American student and an international student may be exhausting for both. In the first half of the year, confusion and long, awkward silences in which an electronic translator must be used are not uncommon.
"There are so many international students in the dorm and at school, so I never feel that far away from home," says freshman Yukari Nakanishi, of Japan. "Every day, the other students help us learn even more English than we would have learned if we did not live in the dorm."
By the second year, the electronic translator is a long-forgotten device.
But international students are not the only ones to receive help. International students also help one another, and American students learn new languages and some mathematical concepts. Some of the regular students taking Japanese courses often find themselves asking a Japanese student to explain sentence structure and to assist in learning words.
COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN MISSION ACADEMY
Several students boarding at Hawaiian Mission Academy gather around the piano in the dormitory lobby to share some musical moments.
Sophomore Noriko Kato, of Japan, after befriending many Korean dorm mates, is now nearly trilingual, as is senior Maya Kimishima, who has learned English and Chinese in addition to her native Japanese.
Another aspect that makes the dorm such an inviting place is the family atmosphere. When students leave their families and familiar lives behind, homesickness is inevitable for the first month. But when an old life is left behind, a new life blooms and grows, providing new faces and new friendships in the dorm.
Dormitory life is like being adopted into one big family that eats, learns, plays, worships and lives together.
"We take care of each other, like a real family. We always have fun," says Kimishima. "We're never bored."
Help for homework is right across the hall. Study groups meet in the lobby. An avid basketball player need not search far for someone to play some one-on-one in the parking lot.
"Dorm life is priceless because you get to live with your friends and learn responsibility," says junior Megan Church. "I share my bathroom with three other girls, so we all have to do our part to keep it clean and functioning."
Interactions with caring, responsible deans are a bonus of dorm life.
"Our deans, from Uncle Schoen to the task force deans, are cool, funny and down to earth," says senior Johnson Ma. "We have fun activities, special treats and surprises."
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About this section
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is Hawaiian Mission Academy.
Newspaper: Ka 'Elele Editor: Tiara Tinai Faculty adviser: Jane Cheeseman Next week: Kamehameha Schools
At a glance
Address: 1438 Pensacola St., Honolulu 96822 Web site: hma4u.org Principal: Jose Rosado Colors: Blue and white Faculty: 10 full time, five part time Enrollment: 145
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You asked...
What do you think makes Hawaiian Mission Academy unique?
Elisabeth Jeong
Junior
"We are a small school. We all know each other like family."Myeron Penaredondo
Senior
"We don't segregate. We are a mixed student body, so no one race dominates here."Elizabeth Polson
Sophomore
"Our vesper programs and off-campus activities are great!"Richard Sussman
Junior
"The student body is very energetic and full of life. Zesty!"Tevaka Kava
Senior
"Coming from public school, you get out of cliques. Here, we hang out with anyone and everyone."Jordan Patricio
Sophomore
"Homerooms are tight and interactive!"Aya Ohara
Senior
"You make lots of superclose friends within your class."Rhonnie Geyrozaga
Freshman
"The teachers are always available when you need help."Ru-Yi Cai
Freshman
"HMA offers English as a Second Language courses, so it's not as stressful coming from a foreign country right into an American school."
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