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| Pacific Islanders celebrated the growing number of graduates from Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary on Friday during ceremonies for the Class of 2024. These family members came to congratulate Ceceta Carlend, President of Kaʻū High student government. Photo by Julia Neal |
CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATED FRIDAY EVENING, 48 STRONG at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary. An emerging Pacific Islander population saw seven graduate, surrounded by their extended families and traditions from the Marshalls and other islands south of Hawai'i.
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| Janeea Bonoan gave the commencement speech and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Photo by Julia Neal |
Danny Eder graduated Summa Cum Laude and served in the National Honor Society. Stephen Adler graduated Summa Cum Laude and earned a Real Trojan Award. Keaka McDonnell and Kainaluokalani Wanzer graduated Magna Cum Laude. Lilyana Haina and Kamamalu Kaue graduated Cum Laude and received Real Trojan Awards. Brayden Andrade, Taijah Beck, Alexus Bivings, Nalani Blanco-Louis, Dea'area Dacalio-Camba, Tailiana Medeiros-Auhai and Chazlynn Pua-Queja graduated Cum Laude. Lexi Manila-Louis received a Real Trojan Award. Dakota Seaver served in the Honor Society.
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| Johntika Joanes is draped in money lei and money hat, a modern Pacific Islander tradition. Photo by Julia Neal |
Also graduating were Braysen Andrade, Ralph Robert Aurelia, Jackry Boktok, Tildon Bunglick, Joe Buyuan, Ceceta Carlend, Kiwa Davy, Kailey Grimes, Kaytlin-Makenzie Guerpo-Craft, Jayden Haalilio, Johntika Joanes, Korina Kailiawa Escobar, Zaela Malia Kaino-Hailia-Barwis, Chaz Kajiwara-Ke, Jaestin Karasuda, Melo Keohuloa, Tyson Junior Kuehuia-Faafia, Jinita Langus, Malyann Lokot, Nikolai Makuakane, Precious Mereko-Ke, Rosebella Mote, Rayco Nielsen, Dominic Nural-Dacalio, Kaulana Oliveira Crapser Kanakamaikai, Jonquil Petitt, Manoa Reyes-Dawson, Iverson Salmo, Kyani Vierra and Jayden Young.
The class motto is "We'll keep one foot in the past as we take our next step into the future." Class song is Legacy by High Watah. Class Color is Rose, Gold, Black, White. Class flower is Puakenikeni.
Class Officers were President Lilyana Haina, Treasurer Taijah Beck, secretary Tyson Junior Kuahuia-Faafia.
Real Trojan Awards went to Kamamalu Kauwe for English Language Arts, Stephen Adler for Social Studies, Janeea Bonoan for Mathematics, Lilyana Haina for CTE, Tyra Wong Yuen for Science and Lexi Manila-Louis for Electives.
Salute to the Graduates Award recipients were Janeea Bonoan for Scholastics, Cecedta Carlend for Leadership, Lexi Manila-Louis for Leterary & Artistic Performance, Danny Eder for Information Technology and Tyson Wong Yuen for Athletics.
Kiko Martinez, a Kaʻū High graduate and General Manager of Tony Honda in Kona, gave the Commencement Address. Principal Sharon Beck pointed out the achievements of the members of Class of 2024. Class Advisors were Chayanee Brooks, David Brooks and Dr. Angela Miyashiro.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
WITH 18 TRAFFIC FATALITIES IN 2024, a 100 percent increase from nine fatalities this time last year, Hawai‘i Police Department urges motorists to drive safely and soberly during this Memorial Day holiday weekend with this statement: "Impaired driving continues to be a problem on our island highways. In recent years drug impairment has been a factor in 50 percent of Hawaiʻi Island traffic fatalities with 38 of the 76 traffic deaths in 2021 through 2023 due to drug impairment.
“There is absolutely no excuse to drive impaired on any substance,” said Torey Keltner, Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section Program Manager. “It’s very simple, if you drink, don’t drive. Period.” Hawai‘i Police Department will be out in force and on the lookout for impaired drivers this holiday weekend.
Hawai‘i Island police remind the public of these safety tips.
● Something as simple as cold medication or an over-the-counter sleep aid can impair your driving, which may lead to you being arrested for a DUI. Impaired? Do not drive.
● If you plan on going to a party or event, plan ahead and designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride-sharing service. Someone who’s affected by drugs or alcohol shouldn’t be making decisions about driving; that’s why having a plan is key.
● DUI violations are not just for drunk driving. Remember, any impairment, including drugs, is illegal if you are operating a vehicle. If you are impaired by any substance, do not drive.
HPD also remides the public about The Cost of Impaired Driving
● On average, a DUI could set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more.
● If you’re caught driving under the influence of any impairing substance, you can face jail time. Imagine trying to explain that to your friends and family or your place of employment.
● Drug-impaired driving could cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could stop you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.
HPD reminds the public to Plan Before You Party
● If you have chosen to use an impairing substance, do not drive. Passengers should never ride with an impaired driver. If you think a driver may be impaired, do not get in the car.
● Do you have a friend who is about to drive while impaired by drugs? Take the keys away and arrange to get them home safely. Don’t worry about offending someone — they’ll thank you later.
● If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact the police at (808) 935-3311.
“There is absolutely no excuse to drive impaired on any substance,” said Torey Keltner, Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section Program Manager. “It’s very simple, if you drink, don’t drive. Period.” Hawai‘i Police Department will be out in force and on the lookout for impaired drivers this holiday weekend.
● Something as simple as cold medication or an over-the-counter sleep aid can impair your driving, which may lead to you being arrested for a DUI. Impaired? Do not drive.
● If you plan on going to a party or event, plan ahead and designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride-sharing service. Someone who’s affected by drugs or alcohol shouldn’t be making decisions about driving; that’s why having a plan is key.
● DUI violations are not just for drunk driving. Remember, any impairment, including drugs, is illegal if you are operating a vehicle. If you are impaired by any substance, do not drive.
HPD also remides the public about The Cost of Impaired Driving
● On average, a DUI could set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more.
● If you’re caught driving under the influence of any impairing substance, you can face jail time. Imagine trying to explain that to your friends and family or your place of employment.
● Drug-impaired driving could cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could stop you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.
HPD reminds the public to Plan Before You Party
● If you have chosen to use an impairing substance, do not drive. Passengers should never ride with an impaired driver. If you think a driver may be impaired, do not get in the car.
● Do you have a friend who is about to drive while impaired by drugs? Take the keys away and arrange to get them home safely. Don’t worry about offending someone — they’ll thank you later.
● If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact the police at (808) 935-3311.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
Hawai‘i Island police along with state and local law enforcement agencies across the country announced that officers will issue tickets to drivers who choose not to buckle up. In Hawai’i County, the fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $102 per person. CLICK IT OR TICKET is another Hawai‘i Police Department's campaign running through Memorial Day weekend, in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The goal of the public awareness campaign is to remind drivers that seat belts save lives.
HPD released the following statement: "No matter what type of vehicle you drive, wearing your seat belt is the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Even if your car has airbags, the safest way to ride is properly buckled up. It is simple. Always place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck, and place the lap belt across your hips, not your stomach. You should never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm. When purchasing a new car, be sure to check that its seat belts fit you.
In 2020, more than half of all young adults’ ages 18 to 34 killed in crashes were completely unrestrained. Men make up the majority of those killed in crashes, representing 67% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in 2020. Data show 55% of men killed in crashes were not wearing a seat belt, compared to 43% of women killed in crashes.
HPD says "Remember: every trip, every time, buckle up."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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THE WIZARD OF OZ GOES ON STAGE at Pāhala in the school cafeteria on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m. A statement from teacher and students producing the play says, "Get ready to click your heels together because next Wednesday, May 29th, Kaʻū High School is bringing the magic of The Wizard of Oz to our stage! Don't miss this classic tale come to life here at Ka'u. See you then!" For more, contact chayanee.brooks@k12.hi.us
COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP: KA ʻOHANA O HONUʻAPO LOKO IʻA WORKDAY is Saturday, May 25 from 9 a.m. - noon. Families and individuals welcome. Work day includes introduction, talk story, waiver signing, clean-up, pot-luck style lunch. BYO-lunch, snacks, water bottles, protective clothing. Water and juice provided. RSVP and more information at kaohanaohonuapo@gmail.com.
DIETRICH VAREZ EXHIBITION through Sunday May 26 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
DIETRICH VAREZ EXHIBITION through Sunday May 26 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Malama Kai Foundation's Reef Talk on Friday, May 30 will be live streamed on YouTube channel@malamakai. This is a free event, but donations are always welcome. Contact Kater Hiney, Malama Kai Foundation, Reef Talks Coordinator, for more information at kateralisha@gmail.com, |
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