Lance Cagasan

Aloha,

It’s been a busy few weeks. I have taken a little hiatus from my personal blog page to see if we could do a better job of showcasing daily life in the high school. With Kaleo O Nā Koa, Sportcenter and our high school paper, information is everywhere. We wanted to capture the little stories and with the help of Mr. Kane, Mrs. Fujihara, and Mrs. Helm, we are trying to highlight”daily campus life” via our high school homepage. Our students do so much through the weeks, months and year, that we wanted to be sure to capture everything.   We hope you are enjoying our postings and we look forward to updating our high school home page more frequently.

Mahalo,

Mr. Cagasan

Aloha,

I’m currently attending a conference in Palm Springs surrounded by experts in the field of Blended Learning. One take away I gathered, is that we are very fortunate here at Kamehameha Schools. Where many of these schools find challenges in the building of infrastructure and garnering resources and tools, we’re blessed to have many of these in already in place. These movers and shakers are making it happen with limited resources. We too can (will) make it happen here!

Me ka ha’aha’a,

Mr. Cagasan

Aloha all,

Wow, where did all the time go? Here we are, a week away from the end of the quarter.  Here are some thoughts to consider:

• How did I do?
• What can I feel good about?
• What are some things I can improve on?
• Did I work as hard as I possibly could?
• How will I improve, how will I know if the things I’m doing differently, is really working?

The good news is that everyone can grow! However, it’s really is up to the individual to affect changes they want to see in themselves.

 The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself  –Plato

Aloha,

Although Isselle (hurricane) may have forced us to modify our first week of school, we plunged ahead and now have completed 2 full weeks of school! As with all things, it’s the “journey” that we glean everlasting memories by which we later “tap” into to further our learning.

Speaking of “journeys”, it’s an opportune time to witness a magnificent event. As stated on their website,

“The crew of the Polynesian Voyaging Society invites you to join us on our Worldwide Voyage to Mālama Honua!  Mālama honua is a Hawaiian concept that means to care for our Island Earth.  Our Hawaiian voyaging canoes, Hōkūle’a and Hikianalia, are beginning their journey around the world to learn, create global relationships, and explore how to care for our oceans and Island Earth.

I invite all of you to please take the time to peruse their website and learn about his wonderful cultural achievement!

http://www.hokulea.com/

A hui hou,

Po`o Kumu Cagasan

Welina!,

Aloha all and welcome back to another exciting school year. This year, our theme is “E Maika`i a Pa`ahana” – Good and Industrious. As we journey through the year, let’s find ways to practice and model exemplary forms of being a good and industrious individual within our school, community, and lāhui.

As always, the year will bring triumphs and temporary setbacks. Celebrate those accomplishments and embrace adversity. Accomplishments allow us to set new and more challenging goals, while adverse situations allow us the opportunity to grow. In the end, they both strengthen our core to become Good and Industrious individuals.

I look forward to seeing all of you. It’s going to be a great year!

A hui hou,

Po`o Kumu Cagasan

Aloha all,

In the beginning of the year, I shared that adversity is a part of life and that we should expect it.  More importantly though, I shared that embracing adversity is critical to overcoming difficult situations.  Often times when faced with adversity, we try to run and hide; trying our best to avoid the discomfort that comes with adverse situations.

Recently, I was pleased to observe students and staff embracing the challenges brought about by adversity and finding a ways to discover success.  2 weeks ago, our journalism staff, a crew of 4 dedicated individuals and one tireless teacher, set out to compete in a nation-wide journalism contest.  Knowing that they were outsized and knowing that the work would be immense, they remained focus. In the end, they were awarded with a first place finish. In another case, our high school cheerleading squad entered the National Cheering Championships in Dallas.  The day prior to competition, one of the “flyers” sustained an injury, taking her out of competition.  The team had only hours to modify their routine. In the end, they were awarded, National Champions in the Co-ed division.

Overcoming adversity is not always the result, but it can be, if we choose to accept it and embrace the challenges that lay ahead.

“Times will come when you will feel you are being pushed into the background. Never allow this to happen-stand always on your own foundation. But you will have to make that foundation. There will come a time when to make this stand will be difficult, especially to you of Hawaiian Birth, but conquer you can-if you will”

  Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop

Aloha,

Well the holiday season is here! Just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday. Please take the time to enjoy the company of family and friends!

Mele Kalikimaka,

Mr. Cagasan

Just wanted to send a quick mahalo nui once again to our various presenters for Pō`alima `Ula`Ula. We were so very fortunate to be graced by their presence and the sharing of their mana`o!

Sam Ako                                                Hōkūao Pellegrino

Shavonn Matsuda                                Kaui Podlewski

Dane Fujiwara                                      Kamakoa Lindsey

Aunty Fea  Alcomindras                     Mark Palakiko

Troy Ritte                                             DeeAnn Kaina

Silla Kaina                                             Aunty Orpha Kaina

Mahalo and a hui hou,

Mr. Lance Cagasan

Aloha all,

 Helen Keller wrote, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”. Recently, during our Pō`alima `Ula`Ula activity, we witnessed the beauty of collaboration. A barren hill side will eventually transform into a symbol of collaboration.

Last year, under the guidance of Kumu Lōkahi, the 9th grade Hawaiian Culture class initiated the work on the hill.  They toiled in the soil, removed boulders and carved terraces. In this process, Kumu Lōkahi reached out to the operations staff and they joined in on the experience. “Grounds” people shared their knowledge of plants and irrigation with the students.  They assisted in helping the students remove boulders from the worksite. Back in the classroom, students prepared presentations on how the Ti plants should be arranged. They discussed possible challenges such as water and the invasive deer population. Students presented their “learnings” and were evaluated by people from administration and operations.

Unfortunately, Kumu Lōkahi was asked to fill a void in Hawaiian Language and the work on the hill stopped.

 A year later, came an opportunity to resurrect this collaborative effort, and without hesitation, the same crew (student, teacher, and “grounds crew”) who initiated the work, completed the task (for now) of planting ti on the first section of the hill. It was truly a culmination (and in some ways, the initiation) of collaboration between student, teacher and staff.  Stay tuned and witness the transformation of the hill, the transformation of people, and the transformation of school!

 Imua,

Mr. Cagasan

Aloha all,

 We are well beyond the half way mark of the first quarter. Have you been challenged? Have you faced adversity? If so, what are you doing to find success; to persevere and accomplish your goals ?  As promised, throughout life, we will continuously face challenges and adverse situations, and it’s how we respond to these situations that defines who we are as individuals and the type of future we can expect to see.  Keep working through these situations and you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish!

……………..conquer you can-if you will    Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop

Mr. Cagasan