The Trask Task
Me: The assignment is to create an autobiography of Haunani-Kay Trask.
You: Kumu, don’t you mean a biography?
Me: No. I want an autobiography.
You: So, does that mean I will be writing as Trask herself, from her point of view?
Me: Why yes. Yes you will, O enlightened one. Give yourself a gold star for your brilliance!
Instructions
- You can choose to do either an autobiography of your life as HKT or write about one story of your life in detail with the information you learned in class. (Example of stories – My Big Speech – detailing her now famous speech at ʻIolani Palace in 1993 or The Time I Beat Up Joey.)
- Whether you choose to do an autobiography or the telling of a life story, it must be factual but you are allowed some creative license when it comes to her emotions and thoughts. Think, “Entertaining!” Use actual words she has spoken or written!
- There is one more requirement to make this haʻawina exciting and fun — Drumroll please — Your story must be illustrated. Yay! Use your imagination. Portray yourself (HKT) as whatever you want. Think outside the box. You don’t need to portray her as a Hawaiian pareu wearing wahine. Draw her as a stick of dynamite or a manō. Be creative!***
- Due today: Everything you did today so I can assess how well you spent your 85 minutes. 10 points for sufficient time management/ 0 for insufficient. I’ll be the judge.
- Final due MON. 5/5. Neatness counts. No scratch outs. Can be handwritten, typed or a combination of both. Use unlined paper. Colored pens or black pen okay. NO PENCIL! Please take the time to submit a superior product. (25 points)
- How long does it have to be? As long as it takes you to tell the whole story. How many drawings do I need? Enough to illustrate your point. 5 minimum.
Optional Resources:
***For an idea on creativity and how to get an A++++ on this haʻawina: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/
For one of Trask’s speeches see http://minagahet.blogspot.com/2009/10/does-guam-need-haunani-kay-trask.html
For Joey Carter vs. HKT info see: http://issuu.com/kaleoohawaii/docs/carter-trask_1990-1991
For the 2010 interview with Trask, watch: http://vimeo.com/39644495
The Scenes from the Centennial DVD is still in the machine if you want to hear her speech in its entirety but you’ll have to torture the rest of the students too as it will not play on the laptop.
You may also want to consult her books From A Native Daughterand/or Light in the Crevice Never Seen. Both are on the bookshelf.