Tech Summer Duties

It's that time of the year where I need to check every computer in the classrooms and prep it for the upcoming school year.  Although, our facility problem is our biggest challenge this summer I still need to continue my technology duties of restoring computers and preparing for the new school year.  The restoring of computers is not hard, just time consuming.  But before I start that process I normally scan the hard drives for important saved documents that may be relevant to a student or staff.  Of course, at the end of every school year I announce that each computer will be cleaned out during the summer and students & staff need to take the responsibility to back up their own files, I still run into this same problem every year.  So I decided to take the time to document & highlight some of the students project work on this blog to give the public an idea of different products that they produce here at Hakipuu Learning Center.  I believe our students produce great work and the more we educate the public in our student's ability the more support we can possibly receive to help our facility situation.  So during this summer I will be periodically.   

Another way to view some of our student project highlights is to check out our HLC Tech Website and click on the Student Project Link.  I try to add final products there when I can.   

For now, here's is a student project found on one of the computers I need to restore.  It was produced by a 9th grade student for her Polynesian Dance Project. 

EVICTION NOTICE

Just got our official EVICTION NOTICE posted today on our doors.  The director of the State of Hawaii Department of Health, Chiyomi Fukino, is insisting we vacate the premises.  We have been told of the different plans she have for the building we presently occupy.  We have been working diligently to accommodate the demands of Chiyomi Fukino, the Director of the State Department of Health (DOH), while still trying to allow our school to function and serve the larger community. We were hoping to come to a workable solution, such as allowing the school to continue to use the building while DOH seeks the funding and permits they will need to construct their new facility. This would allow the school the time necessary to relocate. Unfortunately, Ms. Fukino has refused to speak directly with us.

Fortunately, we have have been offered another location by Windward Community College and we are doing our very best to pursue that opportunity but time is definately needed, which Ms. Fukino refuse to allow.  HLC continues to believe that both of programs – DOH and HLC - provide important services to our surrounding communities and both along with WCC and the Kāne‘ohe Regional Park have significant justification for maintaining a presence on the Kea‘ahala uplands area. For more information on this issue, please read our latest newsletter editions:  June 2010 and May 2010.  I want to encourage everyone to read these newsletter editions and you will see how hard HLC have been working to continue to support our students and program.
 
This is a HUGE issue that need to be solved.  It affects our future generation.  I believe we must stand for what's right "KUPONO" and best for the majority of our community.  Not only for our benefit but the benefit of our future too.

Learning is in the doing

Had a great day today learning more at the conference.  A lot of cultural information was shared today along with other topics.  I really enjoy working in a charter school system that allow staff and students to think outside the box and achieve standard credits by creating projects on topics they like.  At Hakipuu Learning Center students have the option to choose their topic of interest and staff helps to advise and guide them to learn how to find & use many different resources to research information on their topic.  The best part to me about our project base learning system is connecting every project to Hawaii's maoli culture.  It takes creative thinking to find a connection that suits every project but that's the skill that makes this type of learning very special.  Many times we are able to physically interact in our culture activities, values and experiences.  Today, we were able to participate in the unveiling of an underground oven that we Hawaiians call “Imu”.  Nice to be able to return to our roots and perpetuate our way of life and also share the experience with our guest.  Check out this short video of our Imu experience.

EdVisions Conference

Enjoying a week of a personalized conference By EdVisions hosted by Hakipu`u Learning Center and passionate educators sharing, learning, and experiencing new innovative ideas with practical approaches to add to our educational program.  It's really cool to be able to learn lessons through other people's experiences with students and different approaches to different curriculum & ideas.  Learning is fun for not only students but adults to and I for one are enjoying the opportunity of professional developing that this conference offers.  Mahalo EdVisions for offering this opportunity to us and especially for allowing Hakipu`u Learning Center to collaborate with you in hosting this conference.

Class of 2010!!

Graduation day at Paliku Theater on Windward Community College campus in Kaneohe, Hawaii.  This class had 12 graduates.  Congratulations to each of them for their accomplishments and I wish them all the very best in everything they pursue.  Life is full of opportunities and when people set their minds and hearts to what they want to accomplish in life then the world can be theirs for the taking.  So, go out there and reach for the moon because if you miss you will still land upon the stars. CONGRATULATION, Class of 2010!

2nd Semester & End of the Year Award Ceremony

We had our Award Ceremony today.  Very proud of all our students and their accomplishments this 2nd semester and throughout the school year.  Kulia i ka nu'u, strive for the highest!  All students did an awesome job.  Check out the pics taken at the ceremony.

Yvette's Student Project

Here's an exciting and fund student project on Tahitian Dancing.  Staff assisted this student with her primary source who was invited to Hakipuu Learning Center for an interview.  Julie and Kaniala shared a short lesson on Tahitian dancing with the staff and students.  Everyone participated and had so much fun learning a little part of the Tahitian culture.  Here's a short video of Yvette's interview with Julie and everyone's participation in a Tahitian dance lesson.


"Maruru" thank you Julie and Kaniala for sharing with us.

Senior Student Hoike Night

Last night, Tuesday 5/5/10, was the first of three Hoike nights. Four of our senior students presented their year long project to the community. I was very impress with each of them. Of course all of them were very nervous, but very poise, confident and knowledgable of their topic.

Lauren started the night of with his project on "Heavy Equipment Certification and Effects on `Iwi Kupuna".

Kamalu did his project on "Physical Fitness: The Physical Aspect of Staying Fit"

Kendra's project was on "Film & Digital Photography"

Cameron ended the night on "Boat Building"

These senior students worked long and hard all year long on their projects and should be proud of their outcomes.  Kudos to last nights presenters and best wishes to the other senior students expected to present this wednesday and thursday. 

Tech Choice of the Day

Been checking out tech items from Amazon and comparing them with other companies and found the following items as great deals.

Future of the World

Children ask many questions about many things. We adults need to take on the kuleana "responsibility" to not only tell them what is right from wrong, but teach them by example. We adults must do the right thing to set our children up for success in the future. Ma ka hana ka ike "learning is in the doing. Let's do the right thing and have our children do it too. THIS VIDEO TOUCH MY HEART. The famous saying of "Our children is the future of the world" is very close at hand.

Tsunami Warning

Hey everyone, it's about 9:30am here in Hawaii and a lot of excitement statewide due to the tsunami warning. I live on the coast line in Kaaawa on O'ahu and had to evacuate. Mike, myself and our girls (puppies) all left home and hanging out with family in Kaneohe awaiting more information from Tsunami Center. I do believe we are now in a safe area for now, only time will tell.

There has been many reports of craziness on our roads, in our stores, and at our gas stations. Thankfully, we filled our cars recently with gas because when we passed the 7-11 gas station in Kahaluu this morning that line was over 20 cars long and wrapping around the both corners of the property. I did not want to stop at all. On the leeward side of O'ahu from Nanakuli to Makaha there have been reports of gas stations closing due to them running out of gas. Fortunately, there has been no reports of violence which is good. Hopefully, everyone can just support eachother and share the ALOHA spirit during this dangerous time. I wish the best to everyone in Hawaii and other areas of the pacific. Be safe out there. Aloha.

Hello Again

Aloha mai kakou (greetings to all), it has been almost a year since my last posting and much has happen within that time. Many changes in staff and student enrollment. Some have moved on to other adventures and challenges in their lives and some just needed a change. Regardless what it was Hakipuu Learning Center (HLC) is still here working toward our mission of, "Grounding traditions and wisdom of the Hawaiian culture, striving to develop in each child the ability to engage in critical thinking, applying creative problem solving approaches, and demonstrate a mastery of the academic tools by demonstrating a mastery of the academic tools and positive values necessary to fully engage in life-long learning and make informed life choices for a successful future."

Working at HLC can be very fulfilling, beneficial, and challenging. Overall, I enjoy it. It's nice to be appreciated for what I do and look forward to coming to work most of the times. :) My goal for this blog is to post at least 2 entries a week and share more about our operation here at HLC.