School hones building skills

The Construction Academy is now in its third year

School security attendant Dave Barrett sits at the school entrance and monitors traffic entering the campus during the day. But unlike others on campus, he is stuck out in the open, exposed to the elements.

Pearl City High School Name The Messenger Faculty adviser Gay Ching Editors Janel Higuchi and Suha Khan Address 2100 Hookiekie St., Pearl City 96782 Phone number 453-6500 Principal Gerald Suyama Enrollment 1,816 Faculty and staff 140

But Barrett won't be stuck out in the rain for long thanks to Pearl City High School's Construction Academy, now in its third year.

Academy students, led by wood shop teacher Lester Aranaydo, are building Barrett a guard shack. The shack is one of many projects that the academy has worked on. Past projects include the school's air riflery range and playhouses for children.

The Construction Academy is a state-funded program in partnership with Honolulu Community College that gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while gaining practical knowledge in the construction field.

"At first we were one of the first six schools to be selected to be a part of the Construction Academy," Aranaydo said. "Now there are a total of 12 schools that are a part of this."

Students who are interested in construction or carpentry are selected for the Construction Academy after completing Wood Shop I.

"They are selected based on their work attitude," Aranaydo explained. "Attitude is very important because they can't give up. Also, attendance and their willingness to learn are considered heavily because that is what employers look for."

Senior Travis Uyeno, a three-year participant in Pearl City's wood shop program, enjoys his opportunity to be part of the Construction Academy.

"I like to build stuff and working with my hands, so this is awesome," Uyeno said. "I get to learn more hands-on, unlike in other classes."

Sophomore Blaize Soakai agreed. "I love the freedom of the Construction Academy. Instead of sitting in class and taking notes, I get to learn how to fix and make things."

Before work started, the students prepared as if it were a test for another class.

"They needed to learn the basics such as understanding how to mix (cement)," Aranaydo said. "But when it comes down to it, they need practice just like everything else."

Private masonry contractor Greg "Mac" McDonald is assisting with the project.

"Even though the students prepare in class, it helps to have someone in the field come down and help out," Aranaydo said.

But construction work is not as easy as it might seem.

"People think it's easy, but it is actually a lot of hard work," said senior Ikaika Makue.

So how does the intended beneficiary feel about his new guard shack?

"It's really good for me because I can pack less stuff daily," Barrett joked. "But I am very thankful. Plus, because we have so much rain, as the cars drive by, there's usually a whole lot of splashing. But now the shack might provide me with some protection so I won't get so soaked."

The students also will benefit.

"This project is good for the students because they'll feel a sense of pride," explained Aranaydo.

Makue agreed. "I'm going to feel pretty good because it was my own work. It's also going to be pretty fun knowing people are going to use it."

Soakai can't wait for the shack to be completed. "I'm going to feel a type of relief because this is hard work. But it is good for everyone."

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Double standard

As teens struggle to find their individuality, twins say they have to try twice as hard

Any teen attending high school will say that finding one's individuality is an essential part of growing up. But imagine having someone in the same school and the same classes who looks, talks and acts exactly as you do.

For twins in Pearl City High School, finding that individuality is sometimes more difficult. Friends and teachers find it hard to distinguish twins, forcing them to struggle a little harder to maintain an individual identity.

Twins have reported that sometimes when they're in the same classes, teachers who can't keep their identities straight stop calling them by their names, substituting "you."

"I sometimes get irritated because (my twin and I) look alike," says junior Samantha Leong about her twin, Elizabeth. "I want to be my own person, and it's hard because people can't always tell the difference between us."

Senior Jason Hasegawa agrees. "It's kind of hard because a few people say that they can't tell me and my twin apart. It kind of gets annoying.

"Also, I hate it when random people approach me and ask me stupid stuff," he adds. "I mean, it's kind of dumb when my brother and I are sitting next to each other and people ask us if we wear the same clothes."

Junior Lisa Sugai can relate. "Some people have actually asked me if I can feel (my sister's) pain," she says.

Extra complications also arise on the home front. "When one of us gets in trouble, we both get the scolding," says senior Sean Hasegawa.

With all the added problems, some might consider being a twin a bad thing. But that's farthest from the truth.

"In a way, we make each other stronger," Sean Hasegawa says. "We strive to be better than the other one. Especially in football. But it's always healthy competition.

"And I have nothing to worry about," he adds, laughing. "I'm way better than him."

"I think that being a twin is a really good thing," says senior Colin Ebesugawa, "because it makes us unique. Growing up, I've always had someone to play with and talk with and keep me company. I never felt alone."

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"In light of current events, what advice would you give to Britney Spears if you were her best friend?"

Charis Peich
Senior
"I would tell her to take a year off from the movies, music, etc. She should move to a rural part of America. ... She should find out what she really wants in life and hopefully discover God in the process."

Cory Asato
Senior
"I would tell her to drop whoever she is dating. She should see a shrink and focus on her family and rehab."

Jonathan Fukui
Junior
"I would tell her, 'At least your hair will grow back.' And at least she didn't get a nose job like Michael Jackson."

Anthony Feliciano
Sophomore
"I would tell her, 'You need to take care of your children, clean yourself up and do something with your life again.' Click the restart button."

Jasmin Weber
Junior
"I think she shouldn't let others influence her decisions so much and she should be herself. I also think she should grow her hair out and get better taste in guys. An appearance on 'What Not to Wear' would help, too."