A Student Publication of the University of Hawai`i • Honolulu Community College • November 2012

www.thekala.net • Facebook:hcckala • twitter@hcckala

Election Day

There will be no classes on Election Day, so there's no excuse for not voting, is there?

Page 2

Masquerade See all the pictures from this month's masquer-ade dance sponsored by ASUH-HCC.

Page 4

The rooster's tale

HonCC's newest resident is a friend of children of all ages on the campus.

Page 6

The Republik

The new club on Kapi-olani Boulevard aims for top-rated sound, service and musical experiences. Page 8

Ka La has been voted the best college newspaper in the state by

the Hawaii Publishers Association.

Rating our professors Finding right one takes time and study By Ieva BytautaiteKa La Editor

With increasing tuition and a struggling economy, it’s no sur-prise that many students are picky about their professors. But what makes a “good” professor and how can a student know which name to select when browsing through hundreds of names with-out faces?

Many returning HonCC stu-dents are familiar with the eCafe professor evaluations done at the end of every semester, but not many know that the results of

these evaluations are published online. But there is a catch: The results can only be made public if the professor chooses to do so. Which raises a question -- should all professors be required to pub-lish the results?

Jerry Saviano, a HonCC profes-sor, doesn’t think so. “In a perfect world, every student should be able to read the evaluations, and professors should be willing to publish their results. But forcing to publish those who are unwilling … it gets much more complicated,” Saviano said.

Although it might seem like

a tedious task, completing eCafe evaluations honestly can signifi-cantly help professors get better at teaching. Communications Arts professor Leona Schaller values the opinions of her students because it gives her a chance to improve. “I take them very seriously. I especially value the part where students actually write out their opinions,” Schaller said.

“I save them all,” Schaller said about the evaluations. “Through them, I’ve learned how to be a bet-

Facebook posts raise concern

By Mathew UrsuaKa La editor

Anti-gay posts to Honolulu Community College’s Facebook page prompted officials to add additional security on the campus mall for Righteous Rainbow’s National Coming Out Day event Oct. 11.

Liberal arts major and Student Media Board president Jennifer Kakio, who assists the public rela-tions officer with maintaining the Facebook page, explained what happened after the event was first announced.

“The first time I posted it, we got great support,” Kakio said. All that changed on Oct. 7 when she posted it a second time. “We got blasted,” she said.

“Shame on you, keep your weird religion away from a public school,” read the remark by a user whose Facebook page identifies him as a HonCC student.

The college fired back within a minute with a lengthy, 63-word post. A few minutes later, they

added: “Let's also remember this month is Anti-Bullying month as well.”

Later in the day another Face-book user posted this comment: “I do not support deviancy so I will not be attending your festivi-ties, nor will I encourage anyone else to do the same. Homosexu-ality is wrong and it should not be celebrated, especially by an educational facility. HCC you have no shame.”

Billie Lueder, the chancellor’s

executive assistant and the col-lege’s defacto public relations officer, said that the college wants to avoid censoring posts to the of-ficial Facebook page. Lueder, who manages the page, said she would delete posts that are threatening, vulgar, or meant to bully, and that the remarks on Oct. 7 didn’t cross the line. The two Facebook posters who

Security addedafter anti-gay comments

Continued on Page 2

Continued on Page 2

Ka La photo by Mathew Ursua

Righteous Rainbow's National Coming Out Day event went off without a hitch Oct. 11 despite some derogatory comments left on the school's Facebook page.

KaLā - News

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i NOVEMBER 20122

Ka Lā is the campus

newspaper of Honolulu

Community College. Ka Lā

publishes 2,000 copies every

month during the Spring and

Fall Semesters.

Ka Lā and all campus

publications are funded by

student publication fees and

advertising. All materials

published in Ka Lā may not

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permission of the HCC

Student Media Board.

Ka Lā is published under the supervi-

sion of the HCC Student Media Board:

Chairperson

Jennifer Kakio

Publications Director

Matthew Ursua

Editor

Ieva Bytautaite

Faculty Advisers

Emily Kukulies

Mike Leidemann

Staff members

Delia Fabro

Jeffrey Kanemoto

Jacqueline Miszuk

Noahlani Siaosi

Matthew Ursua

November 2012

Contact Information

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Student Media Board

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Phone: (808) 845-9213

Submissions

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Continued from Page 1

So what, then, is the definition of a good professor? ASUH-HCC president Kaleo Gagne said that a good professor is one who “treats students with love, kindness, dig-nity, and respect. And is willing to work with students on any level.”

Roderic Bowie, a first year student, described a good profes-sor as one who is “strict but still emphasizes -nderstanding the students.”

To student and ASUH senator Ryan Yamada a good professor is “one who is willing to help and is accessible.”

RateMyProfessor.com, a website

which lets students rate profes-sors, has become a popular tool among students when it comes to choosing professors. The website lets students rate professors anon-ymously based on easiness, help-fulness, clarity and even gives a chili pepper for good looks.

Student Noahlani Siaosi said that she once picked a professor based only on the website’s re-views. “The teacher had all good reviews, and they were all true when I took her class.” But stu-dents should use the website cau-tiously, Siaosi said. “Some people just have bad experiences.”

“Usually people who write the negative comments are the vin-

dictive minorities,” Schaller said. “It’s human nature: If you have a problem with someone, you are more likely to say it.”

Student David Tauanuu has never used the website but said that he would rather trust his friends than an anonymous on-line review. So what can a student take away from all the resources available when it comes to choosing a professor? Ask your peers first. try to get to know the professor and take the reviews with a grain of salt because that red pepper might turn out to be more bitter than hot.

Rating professors: Students know best

Continued from Page 1 ment Monica Pacleb agrees with ad-ministration’s decision to tighten security. “You know what hap-pens when there’s a lot of hate,” she said. The event attracted fewer people than organizers hoped for. ASUH-HCC president Kaleo

Gagne said that the ongoing con-struction on campus and the date of the event might have been why. Gagne attended the event don-ning a purple shirt and wearing a fake flower lei colored like a rainbow. He said the purple shirt was in honor of gay people who committed suicide.

“The human in me was sad, but that was only for a moment,” he said. “Then the president in me took over.” Gagne asked Lueder not to delete the posts. “Everyone’s entitled to their own belief system,” he said, “I recognize the importance of the First Amendment.”

Security tightened for Coming Out day

Shelby Dell Journalism

"A good professor is organized and is clear when he teaches.."

Ryan DavisLiberal Arts

"A good professor laughs. He can connect to the students, and is truthful. A good professor is

always there to help."

Viane VainaECE

"A good professor is smart, has a sense of humor and is responsible." .

Cameron Triplett Psychology

"A good professor has the ability to not only teach about education

but about life."

Tyler MitsuiLiberal Arts

"A good professor is easy to understand and is considerate of

students."

John KawamuraEIMT

" A good professor knows the content but can teach it in a way

students understand."

KaLā - News

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i November 20123

By Ka La staff

Hoping to spur involvement in the upcoming elections, the Native Hawaiian Center, Po‘i Nā Nalu, and Hui ‘Ōiwi hosted a fo-rum for Office of Hawaiian Affairs candidates on campus in October.

The groups wanted to provide a way for candidates to meet direct-ly with students, said Ka’iulani Akamine, principal investigator of Po'i Nā Nalu, a Native Hawaiian Career and Technical Education Program.

Students were able to learn

more about issues that directly affect our community encourag-ing critical thinking and allowing them to make informed deci-sions,” Akamine said.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 voters will go to the polls across the country to elect a new president. In Hono-lulu, we’ll be electing a U.S. sena-

tor, a U.S. representative, mayor, and dozens of state and county officials.

Voter turn out in Hawai‘i contin-ues to be one of the lowest in the nation with only about 56 percent of registered voters turning out for the general election in 2010. This year’s primary election returns show about 42.3 percent, or 290,653 of the state’s 687,500 registered voters, casted ballots.

OHA recently announced their new voter registration campaign, “Hawaiian Voice, Hawaiian Vote” to include more than 20 registra-

tion drives on college campuses and community events to encour-age Native Hawaiians to exercise their right to vote.

“Twenty-six percent of our student population is comprised of Hawaiians or part Hawaiians. We hope to empower not only our Native Hawaiian students but our entire student and campus com-munity about the candidates and the issues that will directly impact our state’s future,” Akamine said.

There will be no classes on Elec-tion Day, so there's no excuse for not voting.

OHA forum sparks spur interest in elections

By Kim NaheleKa La staff writer

Tattooing is a centuries-old tradition, but it’s experiencing a modern-day boom period. Whether you think of it as an ancient cultural ritual or a post-modern statement, the art is thriv-ing in Honolulu and around the world. Some people are using the old-style tattoo methods to con-nect to their cultural past; others simply find it satisfying to experi-ence creating beautiful art work on their own bodies.

During the 1700s, explorers and missionaries began to take more notice at the marks on Polynesians bodies. The more they traveled throughout the Pacific, the more they noticed how common it was for the people they encountered to have a tattoo, whether they were looking at a man or woman.

Back then, they did not have the tattoo machine we all see around today in every tattoo shop. In-stead, the ancient tattoo artists would use a comb with needles, which were attached to a wooden stick. The needles were either carved from tortoise shell or bone, which were two of the hardest and strongest materials known back then. In order to get the color into the skin, the artist would dip the needles in the color and tap the top of the stick so the needles would stab into the skin until the entire design was filled.

“It was always something I wanted to get done because my ancestors did it, so I should too,”

said Keola Kaaialii, a 20-year-old Kamehameha Schools graduate, explaining why he opted to have his tattoo done the traditional way. “ I love my culture and want my past to be represented by how I look and act presently. So getting my tattoo done tatau was the only way to do this.”

Many people today in Hawaii share the desire to get a Poly-nesian tattoo, but not all would consider using tatau. Most settle for the tattoo gun because the availability is much greater.

Keaka Hew Len, a locally born

artist who practices in Hawaii, uses modern tattoo guns to create amazing pieces of art. Moreover, he is helping to perpetuate the cul-ture of Polynesians by specializing in doing these types of modern tattoos.

“Tattooing is a passion not a practice,” Hew Len said. “I’ve always loved to draw but drawing Polynesian designs interested me more and gave me a better sense of pride.” He himself has nearly five complete tattoos on his body, none done by himself.

Isaiah Fonoti has one of these

modern-type Polynesian tattoos. Although the style it was done in is not how his ancestors once did it, the meaning behind the tattoo is still real. His tattoo has many intri-cate lines, designs, and curves. It falls from his left shoulder down to his mid forearm and stretches just below his collarbone and back left shoulder blade.

For Fonoti, “the pain went away after a while, I just came numb.” It also took two artists to fully complete the tattoo, whose design came from ancestors on his father’s side.

Tattoos keep culture alive

photo by Kim NaheleWhether it's for traditional reasons or to make a post-modern statement, interest in tattoos continues to grow in Hawaii.

KaLā - ASUH news

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i November 20124

Free speechmust come withdignity, respect

Aloha everyone I hope all of you survived

your midterms, and I would like to thank the students, faculty and staff for making the Oct. 19 masquerade mix-er a success. Let’s not wait another 30 years to dance!

October is a huge month for special kinds of aware-nesses. In October we had Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Anti-Bullying Month, as well as National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. Here on our campus at Honolulu Community College we have student organizations that put on functions to promote these awarenesses, and edu-cate our college community.

The Righteous Rainbow (Queer Straight Alliance) put on the National Coming Out Day event. I was concerned, however, about some of the remarks that were made on the HonCC Facebook page, which announced the event.

Yes. I am fully aware that we have freedom of speech, but here at HonCC we also have our Mission Statement which states:

“ As a learning-centered, open-door college, HonCC, is committed to providing the academic and student support to assist students as they progress through their respective courses and pro-grams, and to facilitate the important work of campus faculty and staff. The college will acknowledge, promote, and maintain a multicultural environment where gender, diversity and other aspects of personal identity are appreci-ated and respected.”

With that being said, I understand we need to treat everyone fairly and openly. Both sides of issues need to be heard. The only thing that I ask is that we do it with dignity, respect. We may not all agree on certain issues, but we all must agree to do it with loving kindness.

With Much Respect,Kaleo GagneASUH-HCC President

Honolulu Community College's first school dance in more than 30 years was held Friday, Oct. 19. Nearly 60 people turned out the Masquerade Mixer in the school cafeteria. There was food, drink and dancing, and prizes for the best cos-tumes. The winners were Misty Chiechi, first place; Kalista Fox, second place; and Becca Brown, third place.

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KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i NOVEMBER 2012

KaLā - features

6

Calendar of events

Monday, Oct. 29 Last day to Drop/With-

draw with a "W" grade on Academic Record.

Ghouls and Tools event, 11 a.m. Campus Mall.

Wednesday, Oct. 31 Creepy Crazy Costume Con-

test, 10 a.m. HCC Building 2 Student Lounge.

Thursday, Nov. 1Last Day to Change Major for

Spring 2013 Early Registration.

Monday, Nov. 5 UH-Hilo Transfer Info and

UH-West Oahu Transfer Inf.HCC-Cafeteria

Tuesday, Nov. 6General Election Day (State

Holiday). No classes.

Monday, Nov. 12Veterans’ Day (Federal &

State Holiday). No classes.

Wednesday, Nov. 21Turkey Hunt & Extravaganza,

11 a.m. Student Life & Devel-opment.

Thursday, Nov. 22. Thanksgiving (Federal &

State Holiday). No classes.

Announcements

The Student Media Board's new digital sin-age program is accepting submissions through email: hccsigns@hawaii.edu. Signs should be submitted in 8.5 by 11-inch PDF format with a simple design and message.

Toys For Tots is an event promoted by the Marines to donate new and unwrapped toys to children who are unfortube given to children this Christmas. To bring a smile to a child's face, come to varies areas around campus where there will be boxes t to donate a toy.

Early entries are now avail-able to join HonCC's Great Aloha Run team. Sign up by Nov. 16 and pay $35 and receive an original HonCC shirt to wear on race day. Friends and families are welcome to join the team for the run, which will be held on Feb. 18, 2013. For more information, see the Student Life & Development office in Building 2.

Intramurals open sports up to CC students By Ieva BytautaiteKa La editor

Sports are serious business in college. Stu-dents and non-students bet, cheer, fight, live and breathe for college sports. Whether playing for a team, or cheering for your school at a game, it’s hard to deny the fact that col-lege sports make the col-lege experience what it is.

Usually, that’s some-thing that community college students tend to miss out on. But HonCC intramural sports now give students a chance to represent their schools.

A crowd of about a doz-en cheered on the bleach-ers at UH Klum Gym on a breezy Thursday night recently. As the buzzer sounded ending the game,

a handful of guys in teal jerseys cheered, hugged and tackled each other, celebrating another win.

Co-captain and coach Taumalatou Peko says that he loves the game, but he joined the team because he wants to support the

young players. “Every time we win I treat the whole team to pizza,” Peko said.

“I only knew three of the guys when I first started playing,” said Makena Rothenborg, a player on the team and a

first year student, “but I have become closer with the whole team. And that makes my college experi-ence a lot more special.”

Before playing for the HonCC team Nate Miguel, also a first-year student, played in high school and for outside leagues. He joined the team for “the exercise, to have fun, to win but also to represent the school.”

Determination and good chemistry are what make this team strong, Peko said. With only one loss this season, the team was closing in on first place in the intramural league. But there is more at stake than a trophy. These players are not only representing the school but creating friend-ships and memories for life.

Rooster finds a home at HonCCBy Tracy. Alambatin

Ka La staff writer Chasing a rooster has

become quite a popular pastime for a few HonCC students. The beautiful but mysterious fowl can often be seen lingering around Keiki Hau’oli Children’s Center, frantically trying to run away from its excited students.

He garnered enough interest to put him on our Facebook page, where he ended up being named "Sriracha."

But not so fast. Som, an assistant

teacher for the preschool children, says the rooster may already have a name: Gerald.

It turns out that three baby chicks were hatched at the preschool, then placed in their own spe-cially-made chicken coop built by a teacher.

However, after the weekend, students re-turned to discover the chicks had all but disap-peared.

It wasn’t until the cen-

ter’s summer program that a lone rooster showed up again on campus. Natural-ly, the children think this is one of the baby chicks that they had named Gerald.

It is possible. Chicks tend to mature around 3 to 6 months of age. The real mystery, however, is

where Gerald could have been in the few months since his reappearance on our campus.

Gerald has been re-ported to fight off the stray cats to defend his territory. It seems that this cockerel has been in a few fights in his lifetime before his

“retirement.” We may never find out

what really happened, but if you wander over to the Berlin Freedom Monument between Building 2 and Keiki Hau’oli Children’s Center, you’re bound to be in good company of a feathered friend.

Photo courtesy of Honolulu CCStudents from the Keiki Hau'oli Children's Center watch over the school's newest member, known as Gerald or Sriracha, depending on who you talk to.

Ka La photo by Noahlani SiaosiMembers of the HonCC intramural basketball team cheer their teammates in action at UH-Manoa.

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i November 20127

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KaLā - Features

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i NOVEMBER 20128

New club aims to satisfy all tastes By Delia FabroKa La staff writer

When music transforms you into a rebel, the Republik, Hono-lulu’s newest concert venue, will become your new entertainment headquarters.

From an elevated parking lot on Kapiolani Boulevard you pull up to what’s almost literally a hole in a wall, and your eyes are immedi-ately drawn to a picture of woman in a bathing suit shooting an as-sault rifle near the front door.

“The paintings outside give a soviet-80’s feel,” says Rob Ramsey, general manager for the Repub-lik. He’s set the tone for the club, choosing everything from the drinks to the design and organiz-ing the grand opening Aug. 18.

Republik was started by BAMP Concert and Promotion Company as a way to emphasize live enter-tainment, and to promote local and mainland bands or DJ’s.

The interior design of the Re-publik is similar to a commando-hipster hideout. The entrance con-sists of black walls, black leather couches, and a gigantic spotlight of “Republik” with the venue’s insignia above. All this darkness begins to feel as if you are enter-ing a secret underground orga-nization; just around the corner, however, you’re now in a modern white lounge.

“We are the most unique and versatile mid-sized venue on the island. We have the ability to change from a concert venue into a wedding reception hall, holiday bashes, or even business meet-ings,” Ramsey says.

On the right side of the lounge is a giant yellow curtain. “We don’t reserve seating because the concert hall has no chairs… so it’s first come, first serve. Everyone floods into to the lounge early, waiting near the curtain so they can rush up to the stage once we pull back the curtain.

BAMP sets the prices for differ-ent concerts and the prices for the back-right corner riser seats (the only seats to give a clear view of the stage with chairs), Ramsey said. “We hold 1,000 people here any given night, and there have been no reported incidents. Our security guards do an excellent job in keep-ing the crowd under control yet

allowing them to enjoy the music to its fullest.”

Things do become pretty heated during a concert, but according to Ramsey, that can be taken care of by three air handlers which circu-late the air. In the middle of the big concert recently, the thermostat read 71 degrees. With seven high-definition flat screen TV’s around the lounge, tired concert goers can watch the show from the lounge. The best parts of the concerts are the light shows. The man behind the magic is Bob Harman from Eggshell Lights.

Justin, a bartender for the Re-publik, describes the lights as “just sick! There is nothing like it!” All the credit for the quality of sounds

goes to Chris Wazunes of Hawaii Pro-Sound. The entire sound system is in-house so none of the equipment is rented.

When the Republik is not host-ing a concert in its concert hall, the lounge becomes known as “Safe House.” Safe House is open for 21 and older adults on Mondays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Roxanne, a staff member for the lounge, describes the seating and design as “glamorous luxury.” A beautiful chandelier dazzles in the center of the lounge, illuminat-ing an array of colorful bottles in the bar underneath. Aside from sleep enticing chairs, Safe House offers 15 hand-made cocktails and eight delicious entrees. Justin, the

bartender, was able to list the top three for drinks and food: “The most popular cocktails are the Aranciata (containing vodka, a hint of basil, and tasty citrus), Safe House 75 (containing gin, lemon, Hawaiian fruits, and “il fresco” prosecco), and the La Paloma De Republic (contain-ing tequila, lime, and a tajin rimmed glass). For food, almost everyone orders the Philly Slid-ers (pepper jack cheese, steak, onions, baby arugula, and crack sauce), Reuben Press (2 toasted pitas, pepper jack cheese, pastra-mi, atchara, and balsamic spicy mustard sauce), and last but not least the Wangs (brined, grilled, spicy BBQ glazed wings, and crack sauce.” As my mouth was about to water, Rob explained to me that the crack sauce is actu-ally Tzatziki sauce with Asian seasoning and spices. The man behind all the flavors is Abe Jas-mine, owner of the lunch wagon known as the Tiki Truck, and head chef for the Republik.The Republik is where lounging, enjoying hand-crafted cocktails, eating five-star entrees, and rock-ing to music seems rebellious after a long workday. It’s located at 1349 Kapiolani Blvd.

Ka La photos by Delia Fabro The interior design of the Republik, above, is similar to a commando-hipster hideout. Outside the door, below, there are paintings meant to add a Soviet-80s feel to the club.