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He’s got the Make no mistake about it: Steven W.K. Ho is a man ready for the first day of school today.
rules for 1st
day of school
Security chief earns respect for
keeping Farrington cool and cleanBy Suzanne Tswei
Star-Bulletin"Right here, in my little closet, is my arsenal," said the chief of security at Farrington High School, showing off two large push brooms, six regular brooms, 12 rakes, six dustpans and a bag of garden gloves.
In bold black letters, Ho has labeled each tool: "Lockout, dress code, ID violation, detention, insubordination." Each school infraction calls for an appropriate chore.
"OK, when a student comes in late for school, I said, 'OK, you, detention, go rake leaves. OK, you, no ID tag, you, go sweep the hallway,' " Ho said.
But the real punishment may be the Day-Glo orange vests -- boldly labeled "detention" -- that the students must wear while performing their chores.
"I know the girls really don't like that -- the ugly traffic vests.
"The girls like to come to school wearing the latest fashion, da kine see-through blouse, real small tops -- you can see the belly and everything -- and tiny, tiny skirts with the cheeks hanging out."All of these are dress-code violations. Hey, these are the rules. I make no exceptions," Ho said.
Having been a troublemaker in school himself and a career police officer, the 52-year-old Ho knows to expect school infractions when Farrington opens for the fall semester today along with 126 other public schools statewide. They are on the traditional calendar, while 131 other public schools that converted to year-round schedules have welcomed students back earlier in the month.
"Yes, I am ready to go. I have my system all worked out," said Ho, who rules the 26-acre campus with the dedication of a home-town police chief.
"You see, I have Alpha, Bravo, Charley, Charley-one, Delta, Echo. I divided the school into six sectors, like beats for police department," Ho said yesterday while surveying the campus before the onslaught of freshmen-only day today.
"I can say Alpha, Building A, and my men would know exactly what I am talking about. We always talk in codes when we are responding to calls. I have no need for conversations. Everything must be in code.
"Ten-twelve, that's code for going to the bathroom. That's very important. When I hear that one, I say, 'OK, no bother.' "
His code for himself is five-six-four, which is the Honolulu Police Department's code for the school.
But he is better known as Officer Ho at Farrington, the largest public school in the state with a student population of about 2,500.
His office is equipped with police-style clipboards and walkie-talkies as well as the orange vests and other tools of keeping students in line. It has a homey feel, too, with furniture from his home, an abundance of pink silk flowers and specially commissioned maroon curtains topped with white ruffles (Farrington school colors).
"I want my office to be comfortable. I want the parents and the students to feel like this is their home. The atmosphere is good for talking over problems," Ho said.
Ho said he aims to be swift and fair with his disciplining chores and sometimes will offer tips for good etiquette, such as boys giving up their seats for girls.
His goal is to provide incentives to keep the students in the classrooms, which at times can be a real challenge.
"I have been around a long time. I know the kids will be bringing whatever the fads are from the summer. We'll be seeing them in school soon enough," Ho said.
Ho isn't predicting the fashion trend, which has caused security personnel more grief than more serious violations.
He won't be surprised to see skimpy outfits on the girls and shirts advertising beer on the boys, both persistent problems last year.
As usual, Ho will have a selection of old-fogy clothes collected from thrift stores and school staff to eliminate the inappropriate dressing on the spot.
"You take your chances. You don't know what kind shirt you gonna end up with. Sometimes the boys get blouses, and sometimes they get pink flowers on top."
Ho's no-nonsense and sometimes humorous responses to school violations have made him a personality in and out of the school.
"Yes, I'd say students know about him before they ever come to the school," said Principal Catherine Payne.
"He's pretty famous, and he's well-liked and respected."
Ho first came on campus full time in 1991 as a police officer posted at Farrington, which was becoming notorious with violence and gangs. After he retired in 1993, the school hired him as a truant officer, and he became the security chief in 1998.
"I've seen it all. The gangs come and go, but Farrington is real quiet now," Ho said.
"The gangs have kind of disappeared. They just disappeared or graduated or moved on or don't make themselves visible anymore."
Payne and others at the school credit Ho in part for the improvement. He is a recipient of the Farrington Way Award given by the community and alumni for his contributions to the school.