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< Back Devaki Murch Accidental Archivist Kristina Meguro Arts and Entertainment March 11, 2026 at 7:37:27 PM “In order to acknowledge a story or experience, you need to understand its boundaries.” Devaki Murch recently said this to a room of Lahainaluna students, admitting that she lacked this knowledge when she started her first project. Murch tours schools and colleges discussing Operation Babylift, a military operation authorized in 1975 to rescue orphans from Vietnam, and her search for details within archives. According to Murch, most of the knowledge she gained about her history found her, rather than the other way around. She claims these accidental discoveries directed her path toward different goals for her first project. Murch described how her first project, which she called “The Secret Ability to Fly,” was about showing gratitude to her caregivers: “I wanted to write letters to all these people that have influenced and supported me.” She did this until she realized that not everyone was as fortunate as she was. “Number one,” she said, “when I started talking to people, [I realized] regarding the letters of gratitude, not everyone is grateful for being over here.” Murch talked a lot about stability and her gratitude for being raised by a supportive, loving family. As she changed her focus, she realized how important it was to have “people that will be there to catch you.” “That, to me, is the huge thing,” she added, “and I'm finding that a lot of the adoptees don't have someone there to catch them and they never have. And I didn't know that.” Her project never caught on. While everyone she talked to shared a connection to the Vietnam War, they did not share the same identity or experience of growing up. Through listening to so many perspectives, Murch realized that “gratitude” was not the right word and shifted to questions about memory and connection. “When I think about it,” she said, “what do we have to pass on and how do we relate to things?” The Details That Are Never Shared Operation Babylift was one of the largest emergency child evacuations in history, leading to the evacuation of over 3,000 children. In April 1975, President Gerald Ford authorized the operation to evacuate orphans by aircraft, sending C-5A Galaxy cargo planes to pick up infants, toddlers, and their caregivers to rescue them from the fall of Saigon. One of 314 passengers, Murch was on the first C-5A Galaxy plane to arrive in April. She and others were put in the plane’s upper level, while older children who could walk were put in the lower level. Twelve minutes into the flight, the rear cargo door blew out due to broken hydraulic locks, causing the plane to make an emergency crash landing near the Saigon River. Pieces of the plane were scattered across nearby rice fields. Only 175 out of the 314 passengers on board survived. After her first moment of good fortune, Murch and the other children were rescued a second time and eventually reached San Francisco, where they met their adoptive families. Murch’s family was from Kauai, where she would spend her fortunate childhood. Growing up on the Garden Island, Murch felt that she fitted in, at least in appearance. “When you walk around, I look like all the other kids. We donʻt have a lot of Vietnamese in Hawaii... people just always thought I was like a Filipino or something just like that." This sense of belonging provided the comfort and stability every child needs. “In order for you to question your history and your origin,” she said, “you have to have a place to stand on. If you don't have a place to stand on, you have no bandwidth for uncertainty.” "Records are Alive" Later in life, Murch used her extra “bandwidth” to reflect on the difference between who we are born to and who raises us. She now prefers the term “First Family” over "birth family" because “it might not be birth. It might be truly this collective larger multi-generational family that you were raised [in]... it's much more encompassing.” As Murch got older, the pieces of her past seemed to be drawn to her. A friend’s dad found an old newspaper article in an attic. A reunion attendee gave her a piece of the metal from the plane crash. “The newspaper article found me. The piece of the plane came and found me… it was not me searching out any of this. But to me, records are alive and they came and found me.” She described that it was kind of weird but it was all those pieces that urged her to tell her story. Murch’s good fortune has not ended, though it’s not always as obvious as something that was handed to her like the newspaper piece. For instance, before interviewing Murch, my research lead me to an interview she had done with Thoa Nguyen on PBS. This led me to wonder if she ever looked back to past interviews or thought about what she would have said differently. Murch said that she does not look back at interviews often, but she does take feedback from her audiences that help tell her story more effectively. “The way that I present, the way that I share the story has completely changed from yesterday to today,” she said. She had spoken at UH Maui College the day before she visited Lahainaluna, and says that she had prepared a completely different slideshow, based on feedback from the students at UHMC, for when she came to Lahainaluna. Yet, to her disappointment, the USB she used contained an outdated presentation, so she wasn’t able to put the advice to good use. And yet, it could be argued that this was another lucky break since, without the new slides, she was caught off-guard and forced to speak from the heart about her unique story. Murch could’ve decided not to present her ideas at all, but her choice to present, even with the wrong slides, may have changed the performance and gave he more to reflect on. To her, these opportunities are always not a one way street at all. She had taken from them "not only what I need to communicate, but the perspectives and the impacts that we have, [...] understanding what we can actually do to make change, [...] the power that all of you have by doing these interviews and making change and recognizing our past, and where we're going with what you're learning and what you are recording.” Previous Article Next Article Copy link Kristina Meguro is a sophomore and a staff writer for Ka Lama Hawaiʻi.

A newspaper written by the students of Lahainaluna High School in the town of Lahaina, Maui. Ka Lama Hawai'i is named after the first newspaper in Hawai'i, which was also published by Lahainaluna students in the nineteenth century. Welcome to Ka Lama Hawai'i! News writing is kind of a tradition here in Lahaina. In fact, the oldest school newspaper west of the Rockies was published right here, by students, on the campus of Lahainaluna in 1834. Our paper, also run by students of Lahainaluna, is our way of sharing breath with that past and the students that came before us. All said, do you have a piece of writing to share with us? If so, please submit your writing in the form below. We will consider all submissions as long as they are student-authored and appropriate. First Name Last Name Email What's your idea OR what are you submitting? Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Send Thanks for submitting!

Campus Life & Academics List Arts and Entertainment Education Politics Science & Technology Student Government Student Life Student Wellness Traditions Devaki Murch March 11, 2026 at 8:30:00 PM Accidental Archivist Kristina Meguro Kristina Meguro spoke to Devaki Murch about identity, stability, and the "living records" of her survival during Operation Babylift. Read More The Tardy Toll March 11, 2026 at 8:30:00 PM How "Starbucks runs" turn into Senior Ball bans. Christopher Apilado Christopher Apilado looks at the campus-wide discussion about tardiness policies and "unexpected" detention hours. Read More Love on a Budget February 13, 2026 at 7:30:00 PM Why $0 Might Be the Magic Number. Brielle Em-E-Li Ramelb ...students are looking at a familiar dilemma: is love a matter of how much you spend, or is it the thought that counts? Read More The Digital Leash February 9, 2026 at 10:00:00 PM Is Location Tracking a Sign of Trust or a Tool for Control? Ashlee Hufalar It’s not unheard of for teen couples to use such apps to share their location. Read More Gift Giving Season December 3, 2025 at 7:45:00 PM What do Students and Staff want? Grayson Guzman Do Lahainaluna students care what they get for Christmas? Read More 54.1 Percent Say "No" December 3, 2025 at 6:30:00 PM Lahainaluna on the Santa Kristina Meguro Do you believe in a jolly old man that eats your cookies with a hearty ol’ laugh? Read More “Quite a Juggling Act” December 3, 2025 at 8:15:00 PM Is a Paycheck Worth the Sacrifice Brielle Em-E-Li Ramelb Work means skills, money, and maturity; it costs freedom, time, and teenage experiences. Worth it? Read More "Smart and Capable" December 3, 2025 at 6:45:00 PM Raising the Academic Bar at Lahainaluna Keyla Jimenez Some students feel like they are not being challenged. Read More Are You on the Nice or Naughty List? December 3, 2025 at 9:45:00 PM On Karma, Consequences, and the Gray Zone of Morality Ashlee Hufalar “No one really wants coal” writes Ashlee Hufalar reporting on Lahainalunaʻs Naughty and Nice levels. Read More Growing Up on Campus November 7, 2025 at 8:15:00 PM Maturity and the Road to Graduation Ashlee Hufalar To reach their goals, students need more than talent. They need a change in mindset, how they approach their goals, and the responsibilities that come with all of this. Read More In the Nation's Spiritual Center November 7, 2025 at 9:15:00 PM Lahainaluna’s Annual Celebration of Lā Kūʻokoʻa Grayson Guzman Coleman Riddell Lā Kūʻokoʻa began on November 28th, 1843, commemorating political recognition of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s sovereignty. Read More Replanting Our Legacy November 7, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM Boarders Replant Liliʻuokalani's Famous Palm Kristina Meguro Keiko Wegner Queen Liliʻuokalani was here for Arbor Day and to witness one of Lahainaluna’s specialties: the throwing of poi. Read More Haunted Halls September 30, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM The Haunted History of Lahainaluna Kristina Meguro Stories of the supernatural are unsurprisingly common among students and staff at Lahainaluna. Read More The Fair is Back September 30, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM Remembering the Past, Facing the Future Grayson Guzman The Maui County fair is back for the first time since 2019. Lunas past and present identify with the fair... Read More In the end, we’re on the same island September 30, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM Spirit, Silence, and Conflict Ashlee Hufalar To many students, school spirit has come to represent more than simple rivalry. Read More The Soul of the School is Spirit October 1, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM Lahainaluna Celebrates a Powerful Return to Normalcy Seilala Samisoni Lahainaluna has just concluded its 2025-2026 homecoming week after students of all grade levels came together. Read More Upcoming Freshman Elections August 26, 2025 at 10:47:00 PM Many are new to the idea but ready to serve. Ashlee Hufalar Grayson Guzman Elections for Student Council are coming up but many students are unsure of what is happening. Read More The Future of Student Voice May 2, 2025 at 9:45:00 PM Will Student Government Survive? Brianne Lagazo "If students don't feel like their voices will actually be heard...they may not be motivated to get involved.” Read More Can we Stall Any Longer? May 1, 2025 at 10:28:00 PM Students Wonder When Our Bathrooms Will Become Usable Gisele Miller “...change the whole restroom so it would be all fixed. Like the toilets, the sinks, clean floors instead of mud and dirt." Read More "Cruelty is the Point" April 29, 2025 at 10:17:00 PM Inside Maui Prep's Anti-Transgender Policy Brianne Lagazo The issue of trans rights closely connects to an important social and spiritual identity in Hawaiian culture. Read More What Can Student Council Do? May 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 AM Between Aspirations and Impact Jersea Borneman "They can't really pass laws and regulations, but they are the representative branch of school governance." Read More Students are Feeling a Chill April 29, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM What Lunas think about the possibility of immigration officers on campus. Trinity Guiza "I would never tell them a single thing about a single student in my classroom.” Read More Everybody’s Special April 28, 2025 at 9:45:00 PM AP and the Path to Valedictorian Lucia Mejia "...the meaning of valedictorian means less with more and more people achieving that status.” Read More Pipe Problems and Fountain Fixes April 28, 2025 at 6:00:00 AM What’s in Your Hydro? Grayson Guzman According to students, not all fountain water comes out the same. Some favorite fountains include H-Building, the Office, and the Gym. Read More Should I Stay or Should I Go? April 22, 2025 at 6:30:00 PM Students Worry About Where They Should Attend College Keyla Jimenez "It's harder to get into schools in the states because of our education system here." Read More Lahainaluna to Implement Strict Phone Usage Policy April 1, 2025 at 10:22:00 PM Students hate the idea Trinity Guiza "Why now, when school is almost over? That’s ridiculous!" Read More 5% Proficient in Math, 100% Concerned March 17, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM Keyla Jimenez Since 2020, educators and officials have accounted for low test scores by blaming the pandemic, but it’s been three years since then, and the problem is only getting worse. Read More You Can't Always Park Where You Want March 15, 2025 at 6:30:00 PM Limited Space, Rising Frustrations, and Calls for Change Jersea Borneman "...he way that students park may be sort of haphazard and that might make it difficult for some kids to get in and out as well." Read More The Fine Line Between Support and Pressure March 14, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM Parental Roles in Student Success Oliana Schur How much parental involvement is too much parental involvement? Read More Valentine's Day February 7, 2025 at 7:30:00 PM High Hopes, Low Expectations Bryson Aquino It's a great day to bake cookies and show love to everyone, not just in romantic relationships. Read More Artificial Intelligence February 7, 2025 at 5:00:00 PM The Future is Here? Trinity Guiza I've used it before, mainly used it for like procrastination. I write down something fast and it writes something for me. Read More It’s Getting Hard to Stay February 6, 2025 at 11:00:00 PM On Our Teacher Shortage Keyla Jimenez The problem gets worse when you consider Lahainaluna’s dwindling student population after the Lahaina fires. Read More Senioritis January 13, 2025 at 7:05:00 PM More than just laziness? Bryson Aquino As freshmen, we have four years ahead of us; as seniors, we face the entirety of our lives. Read More Between School and Extra Curriculars January 13, 2025 at 5:05:00 PM Finding a Balance Jersea Borneman Are students playing or learning too much? Read More Is Procrastination A Good Thing? January 13, 2025 at 5:05:00 PM On the benefits and drawbacks of doing your work on time. Christopher Apilado ...there could be a chance that procrastination could be used in a good way. Read More From the Classroom to the Polls November 1, 2024 at 10:00:00 PM On the Issues, Misinformation, and Parental Influence Keyla Jimenez Lucia Mejia Students discuss the 2024 election Read More Social Emotional Lying October 2, 2024 at 12:30:00 AM Insincere student answers on the Panorama Survey Jersea Borneman “They’re high school students; I do not think they’re gonna answer them truthfully.” Read More School Lunch: Cutting Waste, Cutting Taste September 24, 2024 at 11:45:00 PM Students speak out about school lunch. Bryson Aquino A student looks down at a bright yellow blob of mac and cheese running into a chunky scoop of rice. Read More Do I Have Your Attention? September 4, 2024 at 10:00:00 PM Why students can't put down their phones. Keyla Jimenez Keyla Jimenez investigates one source of student distraction on campus. Read More Homecoming After the Fire May 31, 2024 at 10:00:00 PM At Lahainaluna, It's All About Pride Sequoia Pelletier-Yamasaki The Lahaina Wildfire on August 8th, 2023 delayed the opening of our school for weeks, leaving students with a difficult decision: transfer schools or wait and hope that Lahainaluna would soon open again. Read More Under a Cloud at Lahainaluna May 29, 2024 at 10:15:00 PM Vaping on Campus Trinity Guiza “I don’t feel pressured at all, I’m a good person, not a delinquent like them,” said a Lahainaluna sophomore when asked whether they felt pressured to vape by others. Read More Student Sells Artwork Inspired by the Fire May 27, 2024 at 4:30:00 PM A Symbol of Strength Sequoia Pelletier-Yamasaki Following the Lahaina wildfire, Devyn Gruber, a senior at Lahainaluna High School, decided to “turn that grief into art.” Read More Kids in the Cafe May 13, 2024 at 5:00:00 PM “a relaxing place to be” Jean Martin Alternado Jean Alternado asks if teacher absences impact student learning. Read More Endangered Kāhuli May 13, 2024 at 3:00:00 PM The Chain of Events Trinity Guiza Trinity Guiza describes the huge ecological impact of one of Hawai'i's smallest creatures. Read More Do you have a work of art or a piece of writing to share? April 29, 2024 at 4:00:00 PM Write for Ka Lama Hawai'i Ka Lama Hawai'i Tell your side of things and encourage others to speak up! Read More

On March 5, Lahainaluna boys JV volleyball team made their 2026 season debut against Maui High Sabers, losing both sets:  the first set score was 23-25 and the second, 19-25.  Despite the loss, Coach Sarah Eubank believes the match pointed to new potential for the team in later years.  “When you already have a team with some skills and some talent coming in,” she said, “by the time these experienced freshmen are juniors our varsity team is gonna look really good.” Returning this year from a 4-9-1 season, JV has gained new prospects.This year, more than half of the JV Lunas are part of the class of 2029. This means that our JV team is full of kids who have been in the system, and can already play at a varsity level. Yet, some players think that there are serious obstacles preventing the team from reaching its full potential.  Freshman captain, Jermaya Arzaga, has been playing for four years and notes that the Lunas “can do better as a team.” In the second set, said Arzaga, the team suffered mostly from communication issues. “We had a lot of errors. We really need to work on our communication rotations and where to go on the court.” In his four years, Arzaga says he has faced team chemistry issues before.  An anonymous JV player thought that the issues were more about personal interactions rather than team dynamics. “Past conflicts between me and certain teammates have created some tension when we are together,” he said. He doesnʻt think this should be a problem, however. “When I step on the court I learn to put it behind me and work towards goals we have all set for each other." A former volleyball teammate that used to play with Arzaga offered advice, noting that JV “lost around three or more points due to rotations and substitutions.” Rotations are a required strategic cycle, while substitutions allow coaches to put specialized talent onto the court. If the players arenʻt able to get to where they need to go, and when they need to be there, the teamʻs coordination breaks down.  Rotations and substitutions are vital for strategy, but they cannot be performed without communication.  JV middle Ksyn Kahoaliʻi thinks many of the teamʻs obstacles can be overcome with camaraderie.  “After a while, when you play with them, they’re not just friends,” says Kahoaliʻi. “They're your imua!” Every practice his teammates help him move forward everyday and better himself as a player. “I’ve improved more as I spend more time around this team.” “If we fix these silly mistakes and don’t just kill ourselves, we can win,” said Eubank, referring mostly to the teamʻs communication problems.  ”We are very open with each other and work to build each other up instead of putting each other down,” said Drew Brione. “We are Ohana.”

On a scale of one to ten, sophomore Edgar Ortiz rates the importance of the upcoming PSAT a ten. “I'm going to take it even more seriously,” he states, determined to get a better score than he did last year. The upcoming sophomore PSAT is set to take place on March 5th, with 30 available spots for whoever signs up first. The PSAT 10 is a standardized exam covering math, reading, and writing, designed as a practice test before the official SAT in junior year. Students have the opportunity to take the PSAT once a year up to 11th grade. To sign up, students fill out a short Google form. “In January, an email was sent to sophomores saying the Google form to sign up for the PSAT 10 was open,” explains Ginny Yasutake, College and Career Counselor. “Flyers on our website and in the parent newsletter were available with QR codes” as well. The deadline to sign up was February 6th. The form also provides instructions on where to go and what to bring; this year, students report to the library at 7:50 a.m., and testing lasts for a duration of two hours and 14 minutes. Yasutake noted that “currently, 17 sophomores are signed up to take the PSAT 10 this year and 19 students took the exam last year,” pointing out the similarity in numbers. She urges students to take the PSAT, although it is optional, as "it serves as excellent practice for the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) and the SAT,” opening up “doors to prestigious scholarship opportunities.” Unlike freshman year, some sophomores seem to be taking this PSAT more seriously. “Last year I forgot I was taking it until the day of, so I like barely tried,” explains Murphy Crossman. While he says he’s not necessarily “super focused” on this year's PSAT, he aims to improve his score because “from what I've heard, you can take it as much as you want, and they'll take the higher score from both sections of it.” Most students, similar to Crossman, see the value of the PSAT as preparation for the real SAT. “I really want to know my general knowledge on math and English so I can study for what I don't know when the time comes that I do have to take the real SAT,” says Khimberly Baniqued. In her case, practice is important because good SAT scores are crucial to the college she wants to attend. “I really do need to take it seriously.” Venice Gallegos agrees, pointing out that SAT scores are important for future opportunities with college or scholarships. “Now that COVID is kind of dying down, a lot of better schools are bringing back their SAT requirements,” she explains. Getting a good score can “really open up a lot of opportunities for me.” Even so, she’s not too stressed about the PSAT. In the end, it is meant as a practice test, and to her and many other students, “my score doesn't dictate anything about me because I know I can improve upon it.” Some students remain unaware of the PSAT; one anonymous sophomore questioned, “What is that… it’s like a standardized test that’s like all the main classes?” with uncertainty. Kalea Markulis said, “I wasn’t sure how to sign up,” but even so, she plans to take the PSAT next year because she sees the value of the experience. “If you don't take it, then next year when your score actually counts, you'll just be blindsided by the questions and you won't know how to prepare.” Gisele Miller mentions that not all colleges require SAT scores, and that taking the PSAT is more of an individual preference. “If you want to go to a prestigious school or an Ivy, you have to take it. It really just depends on what colleges you want to go to.” Skye Carroll agrees, though she also thinks it’s just good to take the PSAT and SAT because future plans could always change: “It's good to have regardless of the colleges, if you want to try some reach schools and just have kind of like a backup.” Senior Teiva Gerling advises that whether or not you’re planning to take the SAT, it’s good to take the PSAT to help you familiarize yourself with how the test runs. “It's free as well, so I honestly would just take that chance to just get myself acclimated to the test,” he says. “This is so if the real ones come, and you do decide to take it, you won’t be sitting at your computer and wondering how to do this or how to type in this answer.” For students who are committed to earning a good score, Yasutake emphasizes that there is no magic trick to mastering the SAT or PSAT, but that “success comes from truly understanding the concepts covered on the exam.” She suggests a study plan and practice, saying additional resources such as “SAT prep material is available in my Post-High School Google Classrooms.” She also points out that while students may feel anxious, “it doesn't have to be a barrier to success.” “If you feel anxious due to a lack of preparation, commit to a study plan. If you are nervous because you’re hungry, prioritize a good breakfast. If you need rest to focus, ensure you get a full eight hours of sleep before test day.” Ultimately, what’s most important is to avoid cramming the night before, Yasutake added. “It’s rarely effective. Instead, build your confidence with practice tests before exam day.”

Throughout the first semester, two fights have occurred near the bathroom in J building. Along with these incidents, teachers have also reported issues such as smoking and vaping. Some staff have discussed permanently closing the bathroom to prevent future problems. So far, the upstairs bathroom in J building has been limited to staff only because of these issues. With hundreds of students moving between classes throughout the day, J building is one of the busier areas on campus. Bathrooms are often unsupervised during class time, which can make them gathering spots for students. Fights aren’t as frequent, but smoking is. “We want to have a lot of bathrooms available so that during class kids have a close bathroom to go to so that they don't miss class,” said Vice Principal Nicole Heinlein. Having too many bathrooms closed can cause kids to go searching for another one, affecting their learning time, she explained. Heinlein noted that closing the J building bathroom is just a “bandaid fix,” recommending student education and limited bathroom use as more effective strategies. John Pope, an English teacher in the J-building, explained that student misbehavior is the main reason the bathroom is being discussed. “Misbehavior by students including fighting and smoking” has raised concerns among staff, Pope said. While he believes closing the bathroom could help, he does not think it would fully solve the issue. “This is a big campus and there are always other places where people aren’t looking,” he said. Anne Cook, another teacher in the building, shared additional concerns about property damage. Cook pointed out that custodians are heavily affected by the vandalism and mess students leave behind. She emphasized that most students are respectful and that only “a handful” are causing the problems. Student Sofiya Cartagena noted that closing the bathroom would cause more problems than solutions. She explained that students with classes in the J building may need quick access to a bathroom, especially in emergencies. “Closing just the J building bathroom will not make a difference with fights or any other violence students choose to do,” said Cartagena, who suggests that more adult supervision is key. Student Cami Yasutake agreed, stating that closing the bathroom would not address the root issues. “I don’t think the bathrooms need to be closed because people can go to other places to do those things,” she added. Yasutake suggested that stronger consequences for students involved in fights or vandalism might be more effective. As staff continue to discuss the issue, the school must decide whether closing the bathroom will truly improve safety or if other strategies, such as increased supervision and stricter disciplinary measures, would be more effective.