April 2010 Voice of the Strongman

From The Head Of School

There have been numerous days this year that I had to ask myself at the end of the day, “Where did the day go?”  Or “What happened?”  I am not sure if you echo a similar year, but here we are in the fourth quarter.  Without a doubt, this has been a wonderful year.

We greatly appreciate your partnership and support.  We accomplished a lot together.  Reflecting back over this year, we thank you for your support in the fundraisers.  At this very moment, the construction company is taking away the old office trailer and will be building a new office building which will house our campus store, Development Office, Parent Room, and a patio space for students to hang out and have lunch.  The spring fundraiser proceeds will purchase the picnic tables for the patio area.  That’s incredible and exciting.  Our completion time is June.

We are excited about the Schools of the Future initiative (21st Century Learning) that we are incorporating into the curriculum.  The January strategic planning sessions clarified growth areas.  I am already excited for our students about next year.  

Again, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family.  Thank you for your partnership in helping us to make the Hanalani experience exciting and challenging.
 

Hawaii Foodbank: A Community Service Project

It has become tradition at Hanalani to participate in the Annual Hawaii Foodbank Drive.  Even when times seem tough for our own school families, when given the opportunity to help others, our Hanalani Ohana responds quickly and truly gives from the heart.  

To put things in perspective, here are some facts found on the Hawaii Foodbank website.  

• According to the new findings reported in Hunger in America 2010, over 14% of our population is receiving emergency food assistance through the Hawaii Foodbank network.
• 183,500 different islanders are provided emergency food assistance annually by the Hawaii Foodbank network, including 55,050 children and over 11,000 seniors.
• Hawaii Foodbank network provides food and groceries to 416 food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters.

We will not know how many pounds of food were donated until the Foodbank sends us a report, but the bins in the hallways were overflowing and emptied several times.  

The Hanalani Ohana collected $1,363.58, in monetary donations.  Thank you so very much for your generous donations for such a needy cause. 

Royals Abroad: Spotlight On Faculty And Staff Alumni At Hanalani

What do a Board member, a P.E. teacher, and a graphic designer have in common? They were all once Hanalani students. Hanalani Schools has been privileged not only to educate students in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord”, but also to see many of those former students return and work at the school. Among those alumni currently working at school are a father and a daughter, a married couple, and several siblings.

Fun Facts

• The tenure award goes to Mr. Mark Sugimoto with 26 years of service. Miss Ah Quin comes in second place with 23 years. Third place goes to Mr. Nathan Sugimoto with 19 years of service.
•  
• Mrs. Haole has been associated with Hanalani Schools since 9th grade, graduating from high school, working at school during the summers, and now working full time as a teacher.
•  
• Mrs. Hiers, Mr. Yoshimura and Mr. Nathan Sugimoto attended Hanalani from kindergarten to 12th grade.

These are the current faculty, staff, Board members and superintendent, who were also known at one time as Hanalani students:
 

Teaching Faculty

• Wendy Ah Quin
• Richard De Lizo
• Leah Estrella (De Lizo)
• Jennifer Haole (Ramos)
• Charles Hiers
• Barbie Lee
• Bonnie Lee (Yasuda)
• Carmela Minaya (Rivera)
• Nathan Ramos
• Nathan Sugimoto

Staff

• Reina Hiers (Shintaku)
• Shannon Lee
• Susanna Robinson (Cuenca)
• Titus Stone
• Kevin Tokoro
• Scott Yoshimura
• Jonathan Ringor
• Mark Sugimoto

Board Members

• Caroline De Lizo
• Billy Hopper
• Dan Kokubun
   

Senior Trip 2010 At "The Wilds", Nc

Fun was had. Decisions were made. God was present. And this year’s senior class created memories that will last a lifetime.

We left Hawaii on Easter Sunday for the annual senior trip to Atlanta, Georgia. We then drove to North Carolina to the Wild’s camp which was followed by several days in Atlanta. At the Wilds, we went water rafting, rode a sixty-five foot swing, and heard various chapel services with heart-rendering messages. We also did many team building activities that strengthened the trust between classmates. It seems like it laid the basis for what God had in store for my class later in the week. The most memorable part of the trip was the last night at camp when we all sat around the fireplace and shared what God has been doing in our hearts for the past several days. Decisions to forgive. Decisions to love. Decisions to make our class stronger and leave a legacy behind at our school. We would have stayed up the whole night talking if we were able to.

We left North Carolina the next morning in high spirits of what God was going to do for us for the rest of the trip. We had a great three days going to the World of Coke, the Georgia Aquarium, Six Flags, and the First Baptist Church of Atlanta for Sunday service. Oh, and of course, let’s not forget the shopping. I think it was very evident that our class was getting closer and closer every long hour we spent together in the vans going to the various places. I believe that our class will honor their decisions that were made before God and before each other. This trip was full of fun, full of laughs, and definitely full of those kinds of memories that you call “priceless”.

Shodoo Demonstration Comes From Japan

It’s been an exciting year for Hanalani’s Nihongo I – III students.  In December 2009, we had the pleasure of watching a kendo (Japanese fencing) demonstration in our SAC.  Arigatoo gozaimasu to alumni  Andy and Wes Fujimoto (and current student Seth Denardi) for their demonstration and for explaining the boogu (armor).   Just as honing one’s skills in kendo requires much discipline, so does taking 1st  place in the Japan Wizards Competition.  

That’s right-- Japanese II students Charles Yamashiro (captain),  Nathan Chun, and Jody Shimabukuro and Advisor Mattison Sensei worked diligently together, study, and memorize information regarding Japan’s culture, language, geography, politics, and history. Students from private and public schools from all islands gathered at Kapiolani Community College on February 20, 2010, to vie for the prize.  Our fabulous trio clenched it, winning a trip to Japan!  Omedeto gozaimasu! (Congratulations!)

Finally, in late March/early April we enjoyed having visitors from Japan.  Students from Japanese II and III hosted students in their homes and brought them to school.  We enjoyed the Nagaoka students’  shodoo (calligraphy) demonstration.  Thank the Lord for a wonderful year!

Student Piñatas Made For Spanish Class

Our students come from different ethnic backgrounds.  Multiculturalism abounds at Hanalani  and is most prevalent in our Foreign Language Classes - Japanese and Spanish. Walk by the classroom of Lee Sensei where Katakana and Hiragana are practiced or stop in at Maestra Beaton’s classes to hear Spanish Bible verses recited or Spanish songs being sung.  Learning a foreign language opens up so many opportunities - for travel, for missions, for penpals, for expanded future employment. It is a proven fact that children can learn multiple languages, especially in the earlier grades.  Hanalani Schools provides regular classes of Japanese and Spanish as early as the seventh grade.

Not only are the students learning relevant vocabulary and grammar but also the culture and customs of the people of the target language.  Spanish students have made piñatas, Mexican paper flowers, and Spanish tiles.  Spanish 2 students had the privilege of hearing from Mrs. Wanda Ortiz Thayne on the importance and advantages of knowing another language.

The New Development Office, Campus Store, & Parent Volunteer Room

Mahalo for your participation in the Spring Fundraiser.  Enough funds were raised to allow us to purchase twenty, eight-foot, aluminum picnic tables to put on the patio area.  This will be a great gathering place for students to eat and hang out. Once again your hard work has greatly benefited your children!

What Do 2nd And 4th Graders Think Of Going To School?

“God has teached me to be good over the school year.  Not everyone is perfect but God is.” – Jacob, 2nd

“My favorite field trip so far was going to the Tenney Theater.  Wow, the shows were fantastic!” – Theresa, 2nd

“My favorite subject is English.  I like English because you learn a lot of things like how to put commas in series and how to use your proofreading marks.” – Jacob, 2nd

“My favorite field trip is when I went box car Racing.  My dad went with me.  I was scared at first but two minutes later, I got use to it.  Box car Racing Rules!” – Keikilani, 2nd

“God taught me to believe better than ever.  God also taught me to be kind to other people.” – Dominic, 2nd

“My favorite subject is math because I like to add, subtraction, times, and divide by.  I like to answer the problems.”  - Logan, 2nd

“My favorite specialty class is Music because we get to sing songs and play lots of games and get to draw and get prizes!” – Kiana, 2nd

“My favorite subject is Science because you get to learn new stuff.” – Cheyenne, 2nd

“My favorite thing I did this year was meating new people.” – Victoria, 2nd

“ My favorite subject is Bible because we learn lots of things about Jesus Christ and what he did on earth.  We also lisen to lots of aplacation storys.” – Katie, 2nd

“God taught me to listen and learn.  He taugt me kindness leads to rewards. And love leads to friends.” – Faith, 2nd

“I learnd to multiply in Math class and I learnd to spell a lot of words.  I hope I go to this school next year too.” – Zachary, 2nd

“I enjoyed Art because we got to work with clay.” – Destiny, 4th

“The one thing I love is all the things my teacher has taught me.” – Jasci, 4th

“I have enjoyed learning new things every day in school.” – Grace, 4th

“I enjoyed all the field trips we went on.” – Lorian, 4th

“I enjoyed the friends that I had and made in Fourth Grade.” – Kailee, 4th

“I enjoyed Bible class so far this year. I also enjoyed the field trip to the Pacific Aviation Museum.” –  Josiah, 4th


“I enjoyed my friends this year. They are always fun.” – Breydan, 4th

“I’m excited to see all the sites on the Big Island Trip and to see Hawaii’s paradise! I can’t wait to learn more about Hawaii.” –  Kailee, 4th

“I am most excited about seeing all the volcanoes. I’m also excited about all the things to see and learn about.” – Caitlyn, 4th

“I am excited about exploring. I would also enjoy having fun.” – Kenneth, 4th

“It will be exciting to go the Big Island and see lots of volcanoes.” – Gracie, 4th

“What am I most excited about the Big Island trip is where we are going to stay. I also am excited to see where we are going to stay. I also hope to see dolphins.” – Jimmy, 4th

“I am looking forward to the plane ride, being in an all girl group, and looking forward to all the places we’ll be going.” – Victoria, 4th

“I am looking forward to hanging out with my teacher. Also, I am looking forward to seeing the different sights and hanging out with my friends.”  – Beth , 4th