Hawaiian studies teacher Peter Lonoae'a participated in a ceremony, prior to the start of a recent Ewa Beach Limu Project meeting. The ceremony was performed to address the crowd and the kupuna, or wise leaders, who attended the meeting.
Limu’s new life
A replanting project in Ewa Beach
may help restore indigenous seaweed
Ewa Beach was once known for its abundance of limu, or seaweed. Its limu beds were considered the richest and most diverse in Hawaii. However, because of overharvesting, Ewa Beach's limu population is now diminishing. Also, because of the lack of food supplied by the limu, the water around Ewa Beach has become an unsuitable habitat for ocean life.
About six years ago, a group assembled to help replenish the limu in the local beaches. That group, a nonprofit foundation founded by Walter Kamanaa, Henry Chang Wo and Mack Poepoe, formed the local Ewa Beach Limu Project. Since its founding, many members of the community have participated in the project, assisting in various tasks to help replant the limu in Ewa Beach.
One of the dedicated participants is Campbell marine science teacher Eric Whiteman. Whiteman's students are taking part in the project as a marine science class requirement, and they take great pride in it.
The program is designed to educate the community about the history and preservation of the edible and medicinal limu and unite those whose goals include keeping this part of Hawaiian culture alive.
"I think that it's a wonderful opportunity to get the community together for a good cause, to promote the care of the ocean," Ruth Craft, a Limu Project council member, said. "I hope to gain a better understanding of the limu, friendships, and the closer sense of community and belonging."
Craft meets with a number of community members, from leaders to college students, for three hours every month at Oneula Beach. The meetings, which are held on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, usually feature limu replanting and other educational activities.
But on March 13, various kupuna, or wise leaders, from the islands of Hawaii came, bringing limu indigenous to their islands.
The gathering started with a ceremony where Campbell students, led by Hawaiian Studies teacher Peter Lonoae'a, performed a traditional Hawaiian greeting, offering leis to the kupuna in a respectful and solemn manner. Kyshana Quichocho, who is currently taking a Hawaiian studies course at JCHS, participated in this ceremony.
"I come from Guam, so I thought that it would be a good experience for me to get into the Hawaiian culture," Quichocho said.
Like Quichocho, many other participants hoped to attain a sense of Hawaiian culture from this experience.
One by one, the kupuna stood and told their stories of the history and importance of the limu in the community and the environment, including interesting facts about astrology and culture relating to limu. The gathering sat on lauhala mats, listening to each kupuna's tale.
Limu preservation involves braiding the seaweed on string and burying them under rocks. The limu lock onto the rocks and repopulate.
Campbell marine science students taught participants how to weave the limu by tying raffia string to their toes and braiding the limu in as they go up the string.
Anyone can come to volunteer and show his or her support. In two years, Limu Project members hope this area in Ewa Beach will be considered a state Department of Land and Natural Resources Sanctuary, stopping any further destruction of the limu.
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VIVA LA ROAD TRIP
Excitement was in the air as members of the Campbell Photography Club paused for a picture in front of the tour bus that took them on their two-week journey through Italy, France and England from March 20 through April 2. Shown are Krysia Abihai, Mikiala Malama, Kena Prickett, Trishele Hill, Jacqueline Donnelly and Rheanna Domini, and photography club adviser Jamie Dela Cruz.
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Educator’s leadership
merits recognitionCampbell's Awakuni represents Hawaii
in U.S. competition for principal of the year
Gail Awakuni's mission is to be a transformational leader and a moral agent for those she serves. One of the school's goals as an instructional leader is to develop a professional learning community for students, teacher, staff and community. The vision of James Campbell High School is to be a safe, positive place where life skills help meet the challenges of a changing society.
Under Awakuni's leadership during her four years as principal, Campbell has received many awards and recognition. The school has received grants from groups like the Joint Venture Schools Military Partnership, the Kellogg Foundation, the National Network for Educational Renewal and the James Campbell Estate Foundation.
In honor of her efforts, Awakuni was selected as the MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals' State Principal of the Year 2004. The complex area superintendent, Mamo Carreira, nominated Awakuni, and Awakuni received an official letter stating that she had been selected. Awakuni will go on to represent Hawaii in the selection of the National Principal of the Year 2005, which will be held in Washington, D.C.
"Through her leadership at Campbell High School, students, faculty, staff, parents and community members have gained a collective sense of pride in our students' improvements and achievements," Patty Leahey, a teacher at Campbell since 1972, said.
Awakuni also was selected as one of nine finalists for the Masayuki Tokioka Award Excellence in School Leadership Award. As a finalist, Awakuni attended a luncheon held April 3 at the Island Insurance building, where she received an award of $500 and a plaque. Awakuni donated the money to the school to be used for a trophy cabinet to be displayed in the front office.
The Tokioka award was established to recognize the exemplary efforts of a public school principal in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students. The winner receives a cash award of $25,000, with $10,000 for the recipient and $15,000 going toward a school project. The winner will be announced at the Public Schools Foundation dinner tomorrow.
Awakuni also has been nominated for the Kapolei Outstanding Achievement award in education. The KOA award is given annually to the business, organization or individual that best demonstrates a commitment to the advancement of Kapolei area residents, workers or students by providing education or training programs. Two Campbell teachers have received the award -- science teacher Fred Nakaguma in 1995 and agribusiness teacher Derek Chow in 1991.
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About ‘Hawaii’s Schools’
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is Campbell High School
Newspaper: The Ewa Naupaka Editors: Mikiala Malama and Mary Ann Retondo Faculty adviser: Jamie Dela Cruz
Saber Facts
Address: 91-980 North Road, Ewa Beach 96706 Phone: 689-1200 Mascot: Saber School colors: Black and orange
To our readers
With this page, the Hawaii's Schools page will be going on summer break. Thanks to all the schools that participated this year. See you next school year!
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You Asked...
Who is your role model, and why?
Anna Berger
Freshman
"Antone Aku because he has shown good leadership and has beaten many odds. He's been very understanding and respectful."Benjamin Carter
Sophomore
"Carrol Shelby. He's a good businessman who inspires me to be the same."Michael Wright
Sophomore
"My dad is my role model. He's smart and he taught me everything I needed to know. He shows me right from wrong."Monica Joy Recaido
Junior
"My role model is Willy Wonka because he is in touch with his inner child. He's living out his dream, even if people judge him and label him as weird. He's a carefree individual and I aspire to be that way."
Jourdene Aguon
Junior
"I look up to my younger brother Roshjun. Number one, because he's taller than I am. Seriously though, my brother has a lot of common sense and insightful knowledge about everything. Also, my brother supports me in everything I do."Kenneth Armaral III
Senior
"My role model is my dad because he inspires me to be a better person than he was and not make the same mistakes he did."Bernie Denison
Clerk to Student Services Coordinator Patty Leahey
"My role model would be Mrs. Leahey because she is so thorough and I can only hope to be like her. I am learning a lot from her. Sometimes she's here until 8 p.m. We have something in common; we both love to help kids."
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