Iolani Archives
Fwd: Letter from the Head of School 5_6_18
Timothy Cottrell
May 6, 2018
Dear Parents,
Lifesmarts Nationals – National Runner-up
Lifesmarts focuses on Health andSafety, Technology, Environment, Personal Finance, and Consumer Rights. Kevan Elias ‘18, Sean Callahan ‘18, Bryson Choy ‘18, Norton Kishi ‘18 and Vance Hamada ’18 represented‘Iolani with honor at this year’s national event. This is the third time that our school has represented Hawaii on the final day of competition by competing in the semifinals and the first time that they have made the national finals. After an exciting final round, the team finished second to Pennsylvania.
1 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Congratulations!See their feature on the morning news
History Bowl and Bee at Nationals The eleven students of the 'Iolani History Bowl visited Washington, D.C. and competed against 1,200 students representing all fifty states. On Friday, the team met with Congresswoman Hanabusa and got a tour from her staff member and former captain of our team, Ben Chao '13. Matthew Sohn '19 competed in the U.S. History Bee and finished 17th in the nation.
2 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM On Saturday, all eleven students competed in the Bowl or team competition. Our B team, composed of Bryson Choy '18, William Heyler '19, Brett Hazama Lum '18, and Alec Lazor '18, won the national championship with an undefeated record. Our A team, composed of Claire Shao '18, Brian Wong '18 and Matthew Sohn '19, finished in 14th place nationally. In the individual Bee, Matthew Sohn '19 placed 15th in the nation.
3 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM This was our most successful national competition since 2014.
Learners Across Borders
Last weekend 4 students from Independent Research, Kyra Tan ’19, Yufei Xiao ’19, Bethany Lum ’18, and Sarisa Choy ’18, competed in the Hawaii State competition of Learners Across Borders (LAB) at the Wo Center at Punahou School. They presented their research in front of a panel of judges competing under the theme: Humans: Incorporating Ourselves Into Nature. Bethany and Sarisa will advance to the Global Competition in Hanoi, Vietnam and earned scholarships to present their work and compete against teams from around Southeast Asia and Turkey.
National Japanese Exam Results The National Japanese Exam (NJE) is an online, proficiency-oriented, standards-based and culture-related assessment tool for students who are studying Japanese as a second language. Results of the Spring 2018 exam have arrived and the following students received medal certificates in their respective levels as the National Association of Teachers of Japanese use this tool as a national contest. Japanese 1 Gold: Ally Ah Cook ‘22, Tate Garcia ‘22, Ryan Hirata-Epstein ‘22, Megan Leong ‘22, Erica Matsui ‘22, Lauren Okimoto ‘22, Jake Peacock ‘22, and Kailee Tanaka ‘22. Perfect score gold medalists and thus top in the nation were Elvis Imamura ‘22, Christian Kashiwabara ‘22, Alyssa Kimura ‘22 and Ken Nakatani ‘22. Silver: Noah Agena ‘22, Haley Goto ‘22, Jaron Kawamura ‘22, and Jodi Yamane ’22. Six bronze medalists. Japanese 2 Gold: Sherise Chan ‘21, Maya Chang ‘21, Amy Hamada ‘21, Loui Ikei ‘21, Adrienne Kaneshiro ‘21, Alina Kodama ‘21, Justin Lee ‘21, Ariel Ma ‘21, Kai Meyers ‘21, Misa Muranaka ‘21, Tierra Nakamura ‘21, and Autumn Woolpert ’21. Silver: Liana Chinen ‘21, Jun Gong ‘19, Annie Heinze ‘20, Madeline Heyler ‘21, Tasia Morioka ‘21, Kayla Mukai ‘21, Kelly Mukai ‘21, Rexton Suzuki ‘21, and Kacey Yamane ’21.
4 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Seven bronze medalists Japanese 3 Gold: Jaden Donate ‘19, Shinnosuke Ford ‘20, Aya Margraf ‘20, Trevor Oshiro ‘20, and Shina Penaranda ‘19. Perfect score gold medalist and thus top in the nation was Andrew Taguchi ‘21. Silver: Celine Komiyama ‘19, Ryan Pai ‘20, and Sina Sataraka ’20. Seven bronze medalists
‘Iolani Writes 2018 On April 26, 42 students were honored at the annual ‘Iolani Writes Awards Breakfast for their outstanding work, Congratulations to our 2018 winners:
5 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 7-8 Haiku: Another 3:00 a.m. Haiku, Joey Maeshiro, `22 9-10 Haiku: On the Sunday Morning You Left, Madeline Heyler ‘21 11-12 Haiku: Winter’s Solitude, Kylie Pham ‘19 7-8 Poetry: A Sentence, Allison Eto, `23 9-10 Poetry: Sailor, Emily Tom ‘21 11-12 Poetry: Vegetable, Kylie Pham ‘19 7-8 Essay: Phone Calls of Selflessness, Kyle Ching, `22 9-10 Essay: The Complications of a Clone, Leila Anzalone’20 11-12 Essay: The Omnibus Society, Yufei Xiao ‘19 7-8 Short Story: The Defect, Lauren Okimoto, `22 9-10 Short Story: Something Missing, Brandee Nakamura ‘20 11-12 Short Story: Pursuit of a Greater Future, Jordan Hara ‘18 9-10 Literary Criticism: The Light Within, Serafina Truglio ‘20 11-12 Literary Criticism: Love Poem, Susan Hasegawa ‘18
Award-winning Videos Tell the Stories of 'Iolani 'Iolani School was recognized with two Gold Pele Awards on April 21 at the awards dinner at Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Ballroom. The Awards competition is sponsored by the American Advertising Federation - Hawaii Chapter. Teachers, students and alumni participated in the filming of both videos which captured our school in action and highlighted what makes 'Iolani a special place of academic excellence. The videos were filmed and directed by 'Iolani graduate Johnathan Walk, Class of 2005, in collaboration with the school's communications department. Mahalo to the 'Iolani community for their help and support in the making of these videos.
The school's "Together As One" video (on the banner of our school webpage) received the gold Pele in the category of "Online Film Video and Sound Internet Commercial - Single Spot Any Length." Here is a link to the video.
The video "Educating the Next Generation of Innovators" received the gold Pele Award in the category of "Branded Content for Online Entertainment Film, Video and Sound - Single Entry more than 60 seconds."Here is a link to the video.
Grease On Friday and Saturday night, Musical Theater 2 students performed Grease at Mamiya Theater. Each night featured a different cast of exceptional performers who had everyone leaving the theater singing their favorite tunes.
6 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 7 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Earth Day To celebrate Earth Day weekend, April 21-22, ‘Iolani School joined Kaimuki High School, SEEQS Charter School, Halau Kū Mana, Voyager Public Charter School, and the City and County of Honolulu to organize a watershed wide clean-up.
8 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 9 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Part of Nā Wai ‘Ekolu (the three waters), the community of schools seeking to monitor and restore the health of Mānoa, Palolo, and Makiki streams. More than 700 students, teachers, parents, and community members came together to removed 900 lbs of trash, pulled out invasives, plant native plants, monitored stream biodiversity, painted a mural led by Estria Miyashiro and Mele Murals at Palolo Elementary (generously supported by City Mill, Honu‘apo, and Ritchie and Sunny Mudd), consumed 250 chili-dog and rice (generously provided by Kyo-ya Hotels) and aloha ‘āina!
Class of 2020 Community Service On Sunday, April 29 the Class of 2020 had a community service and ‘Ohana event at Kailua Beach Park. They teamed with Sustainable Coastlines to clean up microplastics along the Windward coast.
10 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM With the use of sifters and good old-fashioned manpower, the students were able to collect a large amount of microplastics.
11 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM It was a beautiful day in Kailua and the students worked up quite the appetite. They were rewarded for their hard work with a delicious lunch provided by the Parents 'Ohana.
7TH Grade Field Trip The entire seventh grade went out in three groups, each with their science teacher. Each group visited the Pali Lookout, Halona Blowhole, and Makapu'u Lookout.
12 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM ‘Iolani Storytellers Ala Wai School Visit On Head of School's Day, forty-three members of the `Iolani Storytellers Club were welcomed into sixteen classrooms at Ala Wai Elementary School by students from grades K - 5. With post-Fair energy and carefully prepared story aprons and props, the `Iolani Storytellers offered their audiences glimpses into the imagined worlds of twenty-six different texts that ranged from the Paris of Madeline and Anatole to the dreamscapes of Altoona Baboona and Where the Wild Things Are.
13 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 14 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM While the generosity of `Iolani alumni allowed storytellers to bring gifts of books to each of the classrooms they visited, the 4-H Club's literacy program provided logistical support as well as bookmarks for every child.
The `Iolani Storytellers Club has maintained the tradition of reading aloud to audiences of all ages for the past 18 years. This event culminated a year of storytelling at `Iolani Lower School, the Ala Wai After School Plus Program, and Maunalani Home. This event marked the final performances of long- time storyteller seniors, Adam O'Leary, Kainoa Scott, Dylan Shiu, and Ryan Van Canfort, who will continue their community services work at universities across the country.
Spring Week Peace Fortnight
15 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Ophthalmologist Dr. John Corboy spoke to students as a guest of the Peace Institute (and the Philosophical Literature elective) for Spring Peace Week Fortnight 2018. He spoke about his non-profit work in Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, South America, the Caribbean, and Africa performing free eye surgery (with his staff of volunteer doctors) to restore sight to blind people who can't afford the surgery. His Hawaiian Eye Foundation does the expeditions in countries that don't have the doctors or equipment to do these surgeries. His staff also trains doctors in many of these countries to continue doing the surgeries after the Foundation staff leaves those countries. He explained all this with a multi-media presentation and then answered student questions, all with the theme making one's life matter by using one's skills to help others. He urged students to do so as a way to lead a truly meaningful life by making the world a better place.
Tennis success at the States The boys varsity tennis team won its second consecutive HHSAA State Championship on Saturday at Central Oahu Regional Park. Our Raiders accumulated a total of 26, far ahead of runner-up Farrington, which finished with eight.
In the boys doubles competition, three of the four semifinal teams were from 'Iolani and the fourth-seeded duo of Sean Yamamoto '18 and Scotty Yamamoto '21 earned the state title with a victory over teammates Robert Chang '20 and Cody Ching '20. In addition, Jordan Azuma '18 and Joey Hu '18 (last year's state doubles champs) won their third-place match. Jordan also won the state doubles championship in 2015, teaming with Phuc Huynh '18, who finished as the state singles runner-up this year and won the championship in 2016.
16 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 17 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Our girls varsity team also did very well, finishing as the state runner-up to Punahou. They were led by the seventh-seeded doubles team Gabby Siaosi '19 and Sabrina Loui '21, which advanced all the way to the state championship final, beating the second and third-seeded teams along the way. Congratulations to all!
18 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Boys Volleyball wrap up a great season Our boys volleyball team opened its second consecutive appearance in the HHSAA State Tournament on Monday by sweeping Kapolei in the first round at home in the Lower Gym. After also sweeping Kamehameha-Maui in the quarterfinals on Thursday, our Raiders advanced to the semifinals to face OIA champion Moanalua on its home court. That heart-stopping match will long be remembered. Moanalua prevailed 25-15, 33-35, 29-27, 26-24.
19 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 20 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Our Raiders bounced back on Saturday afternoon, sweeping BIIF champion Kealakehe at the Blaisdell Arena to claim third-place.
Judo season comes to a close The boys varsity judo team finished seventh at Saturday's HHSAA State Championships at the Stan Sheriff Center, led by Akihiro Iwakiri '19, who was the runner-up in the 198-pound division. Five other Raiders finished among the top-6: Robert Frias (5th, 108 pounds), Phillip Park (6th, 114), Hunter Fujiwara (5th, 121), Travis Kon (6th, 132) and Charles Kam (4th, 285).
On the girls side, 'Iolani finished 12th, led by Alyson Hayashi (3rd, 122) and Kari Tanji (4th, 109).
21 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM Softball finishes and baseball opens in States After winning five of six games, including two in the ILH Tournament, our girls varsity softball team's season ended on Tuesday with a loss to Maryknoll in the ILH Tournament championship final, falling a game short of making it to the State Tournament.
22 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 23 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM In the other ball-n-bat sport, our baseball team did qualify for the HHSAA State Championships and will open the tournament on Tuesday with a first- round game versus Kalani at Les Murakami Stadium, beginning at 4 pm. Go Raiders!Here is a link to baseball state tournament bracket
Raiders for Relief: Big Island & Kauai With the recent flooding on Kauai, and Kilauea’s volcanic eruption on the Big Island, we are reminded that our island home is ever-living, that we should never doubt the power of the 'aina. It weeps and breathes and moves with power.
Neighbor families have been evacuated, and many have lost everything. Homes, schools, and public roads have been destroyed. We are being called again to let love stand supreme in our lives ~ to open our hearts, and reach out to our sisters and brothers on our neighbor islands to remind them that our faith shall not move and our love shall never die.
This week, Monday through Friday, we will support a “Raiders for Relief” disaster response. There will be specially designated containers in the Lower School Main Office and the Chapel where students can donate loose change from home. All monies collected will be divided among the agencies on Kauai and Big Island to whom we have been connected: the American Red Cross Hawai’i Chapter, operating 2 shelters on Big Island for families who have been evacuated, Christ Memorial Episcopal Church on Kauai in their support of Aloha School Early Learning Center, and Malama Kauai. If you would like to make a donation to the American Red Cross Hawai’i Chapter online, clickhere (be sure to choose your local Red Cross).
Bishop Fitzpatrick shared the following prayer with the Diocese yesterday. He wrote, “As we say our prayers for those most impacted and as we do what we can to help, we still marvel at God's creation.” Let us pray
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds and galaxies, and this good earth with winds, waters and fiery ground and with an infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of life and strive to live in harmony with your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose in care of one another and of all of your creation; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Aloha Bernie Ching The 'Iolani community bid aloha to security guard Bernie Ching this past weekend with a Celebration of Life on Saturday and a scatting of ashes off Waikiki on Sunday. He passed away on April 6 at the age of 79 Bernie was a security guard at 'Iolani for 38 years and also made lifelong impacts on generations of alumni during his 48 years of coaching. Hundreds paid their respects at both services with our paddling coaches taking out the canoes as part of the group which helped to scatter his ashes off Waikiki.
24 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM 25 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM The epitome of a kind heart and the One Team persona, Bernie will be deeply missed yet we are grateful because 'Iolani is a better place because of him.
All the best in health and happiness, Tim
-- Timothy R. Cottrell, PhD Head of School 'Iolani School (m) 808-222-2027
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26 of 26 5/7/2018, 12:05 PM