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< Back Can we Stall Any Longer? Students Wonder When Our Bathrooms Will Become Usable Gisele Miller Student Wellness May 1, 2025 at 10:29:09 PM To students around campus, LHS bathrooms are “dirty,” “gross and unorganized,” “the most disgusting bathrooms that you can think of.” One student in particular remarked on the bathrooms as, “the single most horrific, disgusting thing I’ve ever seen.” Freshman Izaiah Kaleikini calls the bathrooms “disgusting,” and insists “I don't want to use the bathrooms here. And I bet some people actually don’t use the bathrooms here at all.” Other students mention broken locks on the stall doors that prevent privacy, unflushed toilets, trash on the floor and in the sinks—graffiti all over walls, missing toilet paper, and empty soap dispensers. While custodians do clean the bathrooms regularly, constant use by hundreds of students each day makes it hard to keep up. “Students should have clean facilities to use,” says freshman Ashlee Hufalar about bathrooms on campus. “They should feel that they’re not in an unsanitary place--just the reassurance that they won’t get, like, any germs or something.” Students are upset with the bathrooms and looking for change. But a student from 60 years ago says this is not how it used to be. “our bathrooms were clean” Sandra Braun-Ortega graduated from Lahainaluna’s class of 1964. She remembers that “our bathrooms were clean, reasonably clean. And all the stalls weren’t dirty.” But that was 60 years ago. In fact, part of being the oldest high school campus “west of the Rockies” is that many of our facilities are 20-30 years old. According to Vice Principal Christopher Webber, some buildings are even older. “We have older buildings like I-building. That building is probably 40 or 50 years old and the bathrooms haven’t necessarily been updated.” Our facilities are now old, but in the 60s, said Braun-Ortega, it was also easier to keep things clean. “If you had detention,” she said, “one of the things they (the school) would make you do is clean the bathrooms.” Mr. Webber says that this wouldn’t be an option now. “The state has decreed that that’s unfair and we can’t have students working, certainly without pay, but also if they’re underage. It’s seen as draconian if that were to take place.” Despite this, sophomore Alexa Garcia sometimes feels like she should do her part as a student and “clean it up a bit, but like, I can’t really do much either way, but just tell other people as well, like, don’t make a mess--it could just be cleaner.” Another freshman who chose to remain anonymous went so far as to say the school should cut its losses and build new bathrooms. “Burn it down, make sure there is zero existence of it and make a new one, cause you cannot save that bathroom. It’s gone. It’s so, so far gone. The Good, the Bad, and the Smelly “It smells like butt,” said one sophomore while he ranked all the campus bathrooms 1 to 11. His comment was a reference to G building which he ranked a 7. Although it is a new building, the boy’s room apparently already has a weird smell. Despite this, G-building has one of the best bathrooms with clean floors, toilets, sinks and doesn’t lack any necessary toiletries. In the final rankings, G building scored higher than 7. Generally, the scores revealed how both the girls and boys agree that R-building has the worst bathroom while G-building has the best. Girls R-Building X-Building J-Building AA-Building I-Building Construction Stadium Locker Room H-Building Cafe G-Building Boys R-Building J-Building X-Building I-Building Cafe H-Building AA-Building Stadium Locker Room Construction G-Building 1 (Bad) – 11 (Good) R-building, or the AG building, got its ranking because of how the floors are dirty. The sinks have ants crawling out of them. The toilets look too unsanitary to use. “That one is so bad. Oh that one’s terrible. Stuff all over the ground,” said one student completing the survey. “Everybody” Students understand that the causes for the state of campus bathrooms may be split between students and the school. Sophomore Shalom Rios observes that the school “doesn’t really deep clean it.” But also, she feels that “we, like, make it dirty and we don't do anything about it either…sometimes, like there’s people that don’t flush the toilet or they just leave stuff in the sink or they just don’t clean up their trash.” Webber agrees that “everybody” is responsible for the state of the bathrooms. “I think the students and the staff that use them, the custodians, the people that clean them.” Yet, he noted especially that students add significantly to the problem by defacing them with graffiti and writing. A junior, who wanted to be anonymous, agrees that students may be most responsible for the problem. The bathrooms are unsanitary, they said, “mainly because of the students who vandalize the bathrooms and like, destroy them. And also, I don't know. This campus is just not clean.” Junior Jowy Langaman thinks that student vandals are not concerned about how others feel. “The students just don't really care about it,” he said. “An endless box of money” Freshman Ashlee Hufalar thinks that “the school doesn’t have enough maintenance for the bathrooms and it’s not like cleaned as much.” Recently, according to Mr. Webber, there has been a shortage of custodians so some of the bathrooms have had to be closed. There is also the issue of vaping that occurs in the bathrooms. Students go to the bathroom and do all sorts of things from vandalism, to skipping class, to doing illegal activities such as vaping. This creates an uncomfortable environment where students don’t feel safe and clean. Vice Principal Webber explained that “If something’s vandalized then we do fix it. But we don’t have any plans right now to do major bathroom overhaul in terms of getting new facilities like sinks or toilets.” The school’s budget is stretched thin, however. More important expenses such as teacher salaries, textbooks, sports, events like dances and assemblies take priority over renovating the bathrooms. “If I had an endless box of money I found next to the road,” said Webber, “I would want to change some of the sinks in a few bathrooms and some of the tile work in need of attention.” Webber had sympathy for students. “Bathrooms should be clean,” he said. “They should be sanitary because that is not only what the students deserve, but I believe it’s something that has to happen because we don’t want to have students use a restroom that’s not clean or hygienic.” “Is that what they think of you...” If he could fix this, freshman Izaiah Kaleikini said he would “change the whole restroom so it would be all fixed. Like the toilets, the sinks, clean floors instead of mud and dirt—rearrange it and everything.” Rios would “make it cleaner because sometimes there’s people that don’t even wanna go to the bathrooms because they get disgusted.” Fewer students talked about the bathroom locks. One junior, for instance, said she would “change the locks on the bathroom in the stalls because they’re all broken and literally, like in one of the bathrooms, my friend literally has to hold the door close for me. And also, we need toilet paper because there’s no toilet paper in any of the bathrooms right now.” A freshman who wanted to remain anonymous pointed to another problem: vaping. “Everytime I walk in,” they said. “It’s like smoke clouds.” Mr. Webber talked about this, saying “We obviously can’t put restroom cameras in restrooms, that’s illegal.” But he was also “concerned about the amount of vaping that I’m told goes on in some restrooms. I’m trying to get on top of that as well.” Braun-Ortega couldn’t believe that the school was letting students use bathrooms in such a poor state. “If they let you guys use those kinds of dirty bathrooms,” she said, “is that what they think of you, you know? Since you're just high school, you don't matter? That’s what it sounds like to me.” Previous Article Next Article Copy link I am currently a Freshman at Lahainaluna High School. I am interested in a lot of things such as painting, music and surfing. I’m focused on my honors classes. I’m a dedicated student and received the Samuel Kamakau Excellence Award. Although I’m focused on my academics, I still like to have fun with my friends and family. Surfing is one of my favorite hobbies because it allows me to be in the ocean and have fun. Born and raised in Lahaina, I love the ocean and living on Maui. For the future, I want to be a lawyer and go to NYU for college.

< All Candidates Lagazo, Brianne President ⭐ PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES: Do you have ideas regarding how to provide development opportunities to students (i.e. college fairs, scholarships, and campus policies to promote clubs and student involvement)? If so, explain: Some development opportunities I would like to provide are college fairs open to all grade levels. Most college fairs where Lahainaluna offers to take and monitor students, the only students that are allowed to go are typically upperclassmen (juniors and seniors). Opening this opportunity to all grade levels would contribute to a students academic rigor, as well as guide Lahainaluna students towards a college they wish to attend or a program they wish to pursue after high school. Other events could include volunteer opportunities, such as campus beautification projects, beach clean-ups, volunteering at shelters, tutoring, and more. Allowing students to engage in volunteer opportunities will allow them to build their college resumes/work resumes, gain leadership experience, learn work ethic, and collaborate with students and adults outside of school. EVENTS PLANNING: If you were elected to student council what school events do you deem important and why? Some events that I deem important are club fairs, which allow students to explore and learn about clubs they may want to pursue throughout their high school years. It's important for students to explore different clubs to collaborate with students, teachers, and understand what contributions they can make to highlight what they are interested in--which may be appealing to colleges they wish to attend. Other school events I deem important are school/grade level assemblies, spirit weeks, and homecoming. I believe that having fun and allowing students to enjoy school is equally as important as caring for grades and focusing on classes. Providing students with fun events to unwind shows students that we care for them and wish for them to enjoy themselves during school. It also invokes a sense of pride and belonging to see students dress up and have fun with their fellow classmates. PARKING: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what changes would you want to make on the parking and car policy? If elected for my desired position, I would want to increase faculty in the student parking lot. Many accidents have occurred, many students do not feel safe, some students are too fast getting out of the parking lot, and some parents wait too long and hold up the line. Many students who do not possess a parking pass continue to park in student parking. I believe this is incredibly unfair to those who have paid previously to get a spot, and are sometimes robbed of being able to park in student parking. Increasing faculty in the student parking lot would allow students to be and feel more safe, while faculty can keep an eye out for students who are parking where they are not supposed to. ENVIRONMENT: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what changes would you want to make to the appearance, cleanliness, or safety on campus? If elected for my desired position, some changes I would like to make are campus clean-up activities open to students. Many jump at the opportunities to get community service hours in. Planning activities like these would also increase student participation and teach students how to cooperate well with others. Increasing trash cans in areas around campus may also prompt students to feel Safety wise, I would increase faculty in certain areas around campus during certain times. This includes the student parking lot, the cafeteria during lunch, and patrolling campus during class time to ensure students are not skipping/cutting class. Some fun activities would also include campus repainting (murals/revamps) and restoring greenery around campus, like planting native plants/flowers and yard work on areas like Boarders Field. PHONE POLICY: If you were elected to the position you are running for, how would you change our phone policy? If elected as president, if i had the opportunity to change the phone policy, I would continue to leave that decision to teachers whether or not cell phones are allowed to be used in their classroom. As I have stated, it is their classroom and I believe it should be up to teachers to decide that cell phones will assist their lesson and how they teach or if allowing students to use them is harmful to the work environment. However, I strongly believe that cell phone usage in classes can disrupt learning if students are using them ineffectively. While some students may use it for learning and personal reasons, some may use it as their personal excuse to pay no attention to teachers and what they are supposed to be learning or doing with their class time. SCHOOL LUNCH: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what would you do to improve the quality of student lunches? To improve the quality of school lunches, I believe that quantity is a big issue. Our students, many of which are athletes, require food that is substantial enough to keep them going throughout the day and throughout their after school practices. It is important that we maintain health regulations, while also increasing the proportions of the food. Many students also complain about the temperature, stating that food is often too cold and that it makes school lunches unappealing. I feel it is also important to implement local school lunches and local food dishes, as well as working with local farms and businesses. Changes like these would make school lunches more appealing to students. Previous Next

Contact 980 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761 Editorial kalamahawaii.info@gmail.com Story Tips/Ideas First Name Last Name Email Type your story idea or tip here... Submit Thanks for submitting! Upload Story Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Questions for Kaia Choose a Nickname! Use a different name. It can be anything. Try, for instance, a name that describes your problem like "Lonely in Lahaina," or "Larry Late for Class" IN JUST A FEW WORDS: what's your issue?* Spill the tea! Submit questtionsforkaia

< Back "Smart and Capable" Raising the Academic Bar at Lahainaluna Keyla Jimenez Education December 3, 2025 at 6:39:19 PM Academically, Lahainaluna has its opportunities. From our dual credit classes, associates degree program, and AP courses, our students have access to greater academic challenges. Yet, like many schools, the majority is caught between catching up while others are falling behind. Some students feel like they are not being challenged. “I have an A in most of my classes, but sometimes I feel like I still don't understand what is being taught to me,” states one anonymous junior. Others feel differently, as one anonymous sophomore says “I’m failing second quarter because I don’t know what I’m doing in this class.” Summing up her frustrations, she states “If you don’t get it, good luck.” It's not a new problem, but it's taking a toll on Lahainaluna students. How do we maintain an environment for those already ahead to keep learning, while supporting those who need to catch up? The problem here lies in underestimating students. "Soft bigotry..." When we underestimate what students can achieve we prevent potential learning. As chemistry teacher Kaitlyn Scheib explains, we should “think more highly of students, because I think they are smart and capable.” The principal, she says, “has been telling all the teachers that we need to have more rigorous expectations of students this year.” This has proven benefits. As author as A.J. Hill and D.B. Jones found in a 2021 study, higher expectations in instruction were linked to higher test scores. The discussion is often connected to something George W. Bush said in a 2000 speech to the NAACP in which he criticized those who say “it is unfair to hold disadvantaged children to rigorous standards.” Against this, he argued, “it is discrimination to require anything less—the soft bigotry of low expectations.” We can accommodate those having a difficult time, but it must be considered how students, in the long run, will benefit from it. As Scheib and others suggest, these expectations have shown to affect student attitudes towards their education. Junior Corbin Sales says that “when it comes to standards, I feel like at this point, teachers care more about whether or not they actually do it, instead of actually taking the time and looking at each person's work.” One anonymous Junior admits that “when I don't understand topics that I feel are easy, I do feel behind or that I'm not learning enough.” She reflects on how, as high school students, “we're almost adults, and we're almost getting to college.” “I feel like we should be held to higher expectations,” she said. Students have come to seek higher expectations themselves. They’ve found signing up for courses that ask more from them beneficial. Eli Hegrenes explains how it benefitted him, stating that “the only classes that give me a real challenge are my AP and college courses.” He adds how “compared to my normal high school classes they are much more challenging and make me think in ways I haven’t before.” When asked what low expectations do, he noted how “the standard should be higher” and how he supports “the idea of giving credit for effort, but if someone didn’t even try but still did it and is getting the same grade as an academically motivated student, then I think that's unfair.” “I think my classes are challenging,” said another student, but she says she “knew what I signed up for.” It’s easy to explain how a student can benefit from higher expectations, but there are more factors to consider that hit closer to home. “The riddle for any teacher…”: Social studies teacher John Borge believes that “there are flaws within any educational school,” but that “the riddle for any teacher is, how do I support my low students while preventing my high students from getting bored.” While some gain more from a challenge, academics are not always on the top of a student's mind. Coming back to our anonymous sophomore, deciding if you should take challenging classes “depends on like you and your life outside of school.” “They assign a lot of things. And I feel like that shouldn't be a standard,” one anonymous sophomore said. “A lot of us, do have other things to do outside of school.” She emphasizes that “it's good for the teachers to, like, have empathy for their students.” English teacher Brendan Smith feels that "high school students that are really behind, maybe academically, but also mostly like discipline wise” explaining how “If elementary school didn't have homework, you can't expect the high schoolers to want to do homework.” He adds how “it's also a rural area that's low income, so there were a lot of home issues as well.” “If we can better support families, those families will better support their kids,” Borge offered. “Their kids will show up to school knowing its values.” “Can the system of teachers do better? Absolutely,” Borge concluded. “But everything starts in the home.” Students have found it difficult to catch up, but accommodating to them still leaves them behind. Students are struggling now, so increasing expectations will prove to be difficult, although one student found just giving it a try was enough. “I've been in the associates degree program, for almost about four years… it definitely pushes me” describes senior Cailee Marie Cuaresma who reflected on how she “didn't think I'd excel,” at first. But after some effort in her classes, she did “and I passed them with pretty good grades.” Cuaresma recognizes how even though she’s been able to learn a lot at Lahainaluna, “the teachers, and like the staff in general, should be more strict about receiving F's or receiving even D's” She sums up our issue neatly, stating how “It's also kind of a teacher's job to motivate students, but it's also the students’ job to motivate themselves.” Previous Article Next Article Copy link Keyla Jimenez is a former staff writer for Ka Lama Hawai'i. She is ajunior and currently the president of the Lahainaluna Newswriting Club.

< Back Forward > Lunas v. Maui High Sabers If they win, the Lunas have a chance at the state championship. Samantha Shibao Previous Next This week, the Lunas play the Maui High Sabers. After their loss two weeks ago against their rival, the Baldwin Bears, the Lunas need to push through with a victory this game to keep the season going. If they win, the Lunas will face the Bears again in a playoff game leading to the state championship. Team captain and offensive lineman, Kawika Kaili, expressed how important this upcoming game is and offered his predictions about the outcome. “I think that we will be slow in the beginning because of the jitters,” he said. “But as the game continues, we should be able to score a lot and win the game.” Hoken ‘Samurai’ Hironaka, a running back and defensive end, also added, “Even though the stakes are high, I predict we will win.” According to Kaimiloa Kaluawehiokealiiokalani Kaina, the team has been preparing mentally for this high-stakes game throughout the week. Fans of the team say that Kaina is a really fast player who is notably agile. A senior who has been playing since freshman year as a wide receiver and defensive back, Kaina talked about how this win is important and how “We’re probably gonna have a slow first quarter, then destroy Maui High after.” Other than the nerves from such an important game, Kaina says that he's excited for the game--as well as senior night. He added his excitement about OC16 (Spectrum Sports) being there to broadcast the game. The Lunas face off against the Sabers at Sue D. Cooley Stadium in Lahaina tonight at 6 PM. It will be their 9th game of the season and also a closing to the MIL season. They aim to secure that win so be sure to show up wearing red and white to support our boys for their senior night and end of the season game! Heading 6

< All Candidates Grayson Guzman Vice President ⭐ PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES: Do you have ideas regarding how to provide development opportunities to students (i.e. college fairs, scholarships, and campus policies to promote clubs and student involvement)? If so, explain: Yes, I have ideas regarding how to provide development opportunities to students. One idea I have is to spread awareness using social media. I notice that most students don’t use/check their email very often, with students most of the time being on social media. We could post on our instagram story mentioning opportunities available. Another idea I have to create a healthy habit of checking emails. Some teachers do not put the morning broadcast on so students miss out on information given. We can encourage students to check their emails to find out about things to know. EVENTS PLANNING: If you were elected to student council what school events do you deem important and why? School events that I deem important are activities garnering student participation like homecoming and class/school assemblies. I deem these events important as homecoming important because it is an event that increase school spirit and introduce to the freshman what to expect at school. Also, for the assemblies we have, it helps to raise our spirit as well. PARKING: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what changes would you want to make on the parking and car policy? The changes I would want to make on the parking and car policy are to have regular maintenance on the parking with lines being repainted. Also, I heard from students to change where the regular student drop off is, having a separate area for it. Lastly, we should better enforce payed parking to student drivers, finding a way to increase parking and decrease traffic. ENVIRONMENT: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what changes would you want to make to the appearance, cleanliness, or safety on campus? Changes I want to make to the appearance, cleanliness, and safety on campus are for the bathrooms and water fountains on campus. Regarding the bathrooms, they are unsanitary and need a remodel. For the water fountains, I have heard several students and staff alike say they don’t feel safe drinking from the water fountains and would like them cleaned. The pipes are old, which need regular maintenance, changing of filters, and cleaning done to encourage students to feel safe drinking from it. PHONE POLICY: If you were elected to the position you are running for, how would you change our phone policy? I would change our phone policy with letting teachers and their department set their own rules for their classroom. I think this would be the best policy to implement with teachers having their own rules and expectations for their students. SCHOOL LUNCH: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what would you do to improve the quality of student lunches? Things I would do to improve the quality of student lunches are to work with our whole council to improve our school lunches. School lunches are not only a matter for our grade level but everyone on campus. Previous Next

< All Candidates Ashlee Hufalar Secretrary ⭐ PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES: Do you have ideas regarding how to provide development opportunities to students (i.e. college fairs, scholarships, and campus policies to promote clubs and student involvement)? If so, explain: I personally believe that more chances for experimental education would provide students with development opportunities by allowing them to engage in hands on, real world learning experiences. Through experimental education, students are able to learn beyond the traditional classroom lecturing style. This is implemented through lab experiments, school trips, building projects, and even clubs like Robotics. I think that more opportunities like this would enhance the engagement and understanding of certain subjects, and it could also make learning the material more enjoyable because individuals would be actively involved instead of just sitting down and taking notes. Of course, experimental education varies and there are many different ways to integrate it, but in a lot of situations it does help to both practice and improve skills. EVENTS PLANNING: If you were elected to student council what school events do you deem important and why? The school events I consider important are club fairs, spirit week, and social events such as prom and sport tournaments. Starting off, club fairs are typically in the beginning of the year and it is used to promote clubs and provide students with an idea of what each club has to offer. I think that this event is really important, especially for new students who want to get involved in clubs but are unsure on how to get started or which clubs would interest them. There are so many opportunities clubs have to offer, and club fairs allow students to get more informed on those opportunities. Spirit week is another event I deem as important because it brings everyone together and it encourages students to express themselves. Dressing up for spirit week allows individuals to showcase who they are and it also builds bonds through things like similar outfits, dress up idea exchanges, etc. Lastly, sport tournaments and prom are also great events that connect students. With social events such as those, everyone is able to gather, socialize, and connect through shared experiences. PARKING: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what changes would you want to make on the parking and car policy? I am aware that our current parking lot experiences a lot of traffic due to people getting dropped off and picked up while students are simultaneously parking or trying to get out. In order to handle this, I would try to talk with administration to get security that can help manage the flow of traffic and ensure the overall safety of students. Also, if possible, I would like to pave the dirt lot into parking stalls in order to make things more organized, however I do know that project would be pricey. ENVIRONMENT: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what changes would you want to make to the appearance, cleanliness, or safety on campus? I believe that the cleanliness, appearance, and safety of our campus is essential and something to be maintained and monitored. One specific area that needs improvement is the overall sanitation of our school bathrooms. While we are provided with the essentials such as toilet paper and soap, a lot of the bathrooms are generally just not clean. I would like to advocate for some remodels to be done as well as regular cleaning of the bathrooms so that students feel comfortable in a well maintained area. PHONE POLICY: If you were elected to the position you are running for, how would you change our phone policy? Our current phone policy is mainly up to the teachers and staff; some teachers allow you to have your phone during class, while others do not. During class when there is work to be done, I believe that phones should not be used. While some students are able to avoid their phone and complete their work, in most cases phones can become a big distraction. However, there are some special cases where I do think a student should be able to use their phone in class. For example, if there is an emergency and they need to contact someone or if the class is more of a make up day and the student has completed all of their work. Of course though, it really depends on the teacher and the class, and the expectations the teachers have for their students. I for sure do believe though that students should have the freedom to use their phones outside of class, as it is important for communication purposes. SCHOOL LUNCH: If you were elected to the position you are running for, what would you do to improve the quality of student lunches? I know there are a lot of mixed opinions regarding the school lunches. I feel that students should be able to express their thoughts on the servings and food provided. I know that several other council candidates have mentioned a feedback system, and I think that would be great! However, I do think that it is important we all work together--students and staff--to figure out what works best for the benefit of everyone. The school has to ensure there are servings for everyone, and it is important that whatever changes are made are practical for the entire school community. Previous Next

< Back Senioritis More than just laziness? Bryson Aquino Student Wellness January 13, 2025 at 5:44:59 PM The first use of the term “senioritis” appeared in a 1907 article published in the Chicago Alumni Magazine . It offered the first diagnosis of the condition: “When we were freshmen, we looked forward to being sophomores; when we were sophomores we desired to be juniors; when we were juniors we wished to be seniors; and now that we are seniors we long again to be freshmen.” As students step into their final year, many lack motivation and drive. They wish to go back to simpler and less stressful years. Seniors may also fear what is to come: the unknown. As freshmen, we have four years ahead of us; as seniors, we face the entirety of our lives. When senioritis hits, student grades start dropping. Ambitious students start missing deadlines, zoning out in class, and losing interest in loved extracurriculars. People usually chalk it up to laziness, but there could be a deeper reality to senioritis than we usually know. According to students, counselors, and mental health experts, there's more going on than simple slacking. Environmental Causes Some students feel like senioritis stems from mental illness. Yet, as senior counselor Darcie Webber notes, those on the outside looking in may find it “difficult to make that distinction between mental issues and laziness.” Webber suggested that some of the symptoms may be attributed to fatigue as well as connected to things in the environment. “Junior year is what should have been your (seniors’) most academic year,” said Webber. Instead, she continued, “It became your most emotionally learning year. Students were incredibly distracted due to a community torn apart, the fires.” “It's a lot to pile on a kid. It's an awful amount to pile on anyone. A lot of these responsibilities are intended to set up students, but in reality, it can really bring one down.” In the wake of the fire, many students are having to work harder than before to put themselves out there. “I wouldn't call it traditional senioritis,” said Webber. For what it is, it may be fatigue – and it's justified.” Seniors themselves at Lahainaluna are split on the issue. “Senioritis can be a lack of motivation for sure,” said senior Kayla Mabalot. But, she added, “the main factor that causes it, is the mental toll school has on us.” While senioritis lacks a formal medical definition, the symptoms of senioritis are real, says researcher Adenna Young-Jones who characterizes senioritis as the “lack of enthusiasm, fits of irresponsibility, and a generally depressed affect punctuated by occasional outbursts of irritability.” Looking at the effects of environmental senioritis, they note an optimal learning environment is critical to provide “conditions that support students as individuals,” as that will “help them feel in control of their own achievement and more likely to achieve academic success.” Science teacher Jackie Ellis notices that “seniors typically will have more of a sense of urgency.” Acknowledging the variety in students' personalities, she continued: “you have a mix of students that are usually scrabbling to make sure they have enough credits to graduate. Then you have the students who are already set – that tend to think about the minimum effort they can do to get by. That tends to be the laziness.” Senior Tyzo Kaska agrees. He feels like he has what he needs to graduate. “I don't think my lack of motivation is from something deeper than anyone thinks, I'm just lazy.” Kaska explained, “I’m not that pressured, as long as I'm getting decent grades.” “Senioritis is caused by laziness and a lack of motivation,” said senior Dhennico Cabading. “But I think it has to do with fatigue from school for me. I am just tired of constantly doing work.” Causes Senior Vi Nguyen goes back to the fire to explain the seniors’ lack of motivation. “In terms of workload, everything was a little bit postponed because of the fires.” But getting back to normal is a struggle. “Now we’re at a normal pace, …some seniors might be struggling with keeping up because we were so used to slowly getting back into things and now that we are, it’s like we’re still trying to find that normalcy that we used to have.” “I’m still displaced and I am still trying to find a stable living situation, which causes a bit of anxiety and unrest within me,” Nguyen stated. “On top of that, I have to focus on schoolwork and college applications.” “It's definitely laziness and a lack of motivation but it can go deeper than that,” said Senior Alexa Torres Perez, who said that seniors may feel “We aren't given the same opportunities as the class of 2024, which unmotivates people to complete things like senior projects--especially since we were also still suffering the effects of the fire.” Cures? It's important to be able to differentiate between laziness and deeper issues stemming within when it comes to senioritis, as well as understanding why it happens without undermining the consequences. While not a formal diagnosis, the fatigue, anxiety, and motivational struggles are real. With the help of a support system, consisting of counselors, teachers, and peers, students can find strategies to manage stress and maintain focus. Dhennico adds, “I noticed the amount of effort I have put in has decreased over the four years, but being surrounded by friends and making my family proud have kept me going.” Previous Article Next Article Copy link Bryson Aquino is a senior at Lahainaluna. He’s a student reporter interested in shedding light on and writing about problematic issues on campus. He likes to interact with school institutions. A movie that he really resonates with him is called Not Without My Daughter because its main idea is how one person will go so far just for someone they love. A funny fact about him is that high blood pressure is hereditary in his family, so don’t make him mad!

< Back How We Believe The World Sees Us Samantha Monnett Painting The Work In today's society with the growth of social media also comes higher beauty standards. For this sustained investigation, I wanted to show how I could use art to interpret how I think the world perceives me as a person through hallucinations that we all make up in our minds, how we tend to feel all these eyes on us from people judging our looks and every physical change that we make. With all of the artworks, I am investigating how we all tend to be self-critical and create illusions to match what we think others are thinking of their experience of us. During the beginning of the sustained investigation, I wanted to focus on the idea of reflecting our self-perceptions as seen in mirrors, highlighting how we are often our harshest critics. However, while experimenting with various paints and materials to depict these reflections, my investigation shifted towards portraying hallucinations of distorted images that reflect how we believe the world sees us. As I came towards the end of my sustained investigation, the hyper-realism didn't really matter within the projects but rather the message that was portrayed behind it that everyone experiences. About the Creator Samantha Monnett graduated from Lahainaluna in 2024. Previous Next Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Send Email

< Back Panliligaw Lyndsay Sultan Sculpture The Work My theme is about Filipino courtship, called panliligaw . Panliligaw is the process where a man tries to woo a woman into dating, eventually leading to marriage. There are many different customs and disciplines that are part of Filipino tradition. Usually, the man tries to show his commitment by giving gifts, writing letters, and even performing harana. The woman remains disciplined, showing no emotion until the man demonstrates an act of true love. In my theme, I often showcase harana because it is very common, where the man sings to the woman outside her balcony or window. I chose this theme to highlight more of my culture. During an art comic project I created in my sophomore year, I watched a documentary about harana. I learned how older generations still remember the songs they sang to their significant others. However, they mentioned how panliligaw has largely faded because our generation is more reliant on technology. I wanted to illustrate the contrast between the past and present in Filipino courtship. The Harana The Harana project is made out of cardboard, modeling clay, ribbon, colored paper, and acrylic paint pen. I was trying to interpret how harana is shown as (without the balcony). I wanted to interpret how harana is shown. Fun fact, there is an option to have either one or two friends to play an instrument while the man can sing to the girl who he is courting. The harana project is made out of cardboard, modeling clay, ribbon, colored paper, and acrylic paint pen. I was trying to interpret how harana is shown as (without the balcony). I wanted to interpret how harana is shown. Fun fact, there is an option to have either one or two friends to play an instrument while the man can sing to the girl who he is courting. The Bulaklak Shop The Bulaklak shop is made out of cardboard, acrylic paint, air-dry clay, ribbons, and marker. I wanted to make this project to create a small replica of the flower shops in the Philippines. I traveled to the Philippines this summer and saw multiple bouquet shops stuffed with flowers. I decided to look more into the costs and the translation to have it put onto the display. The Bulaklak shop represents a good place to get flowers for the person you are going to court. The Aroma The Aroma is a project I made out of modeling clay, cardboard, ribbon, colored paper, paint, and an acrylic paint pen. I wanted to show a girl receiving a bouquet, which is one of the acts of Filipino courtship. I learned that it is one of the ways, and I wanted to show it in a little showcase box. She is leaning closer to the bouquet to smell the aroma. Maniligaw For this project, I decided to go back to using traditional clay. I used the pinch technique on most of the parts and blended them together. I added more clay to sculpt more of the head. I wanted to show the top part of the man wearing traditional clothing. I also wanted to use traditional clay to emphasize the “traditional” aspect. I aimed to create a head sculpture with the top part featuring the man’s traditional clothing. Online Ligaw I decided to make a present project showcasing how dating is now in the present. I used air-dry clay, watercolor paper, ribbon, cardboard, and acrylic paint. Online ligaw means online dating. I wanted to showcase the connection between two phones connecting across the earth, especially with the two points of view where the girl is talking during the day and the guy is talking at night. I was also trying to interpret what long-distance relationships are like. About the Creator I am a Lahainaluna student who strives to think outside the box. As an artist, I experiment with new mediums such as ceramics, drawing, painting, and more. I enjoy exploring different techniques to create art pieces with meaning, often showcasing that meaning indirectly through my work. My goal is to become an animator and share my culture with the world. Previous Next Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Send Email

< Back Love on a Budget Why $0 Might Be the Magic Number. Brielle Em-E-Li Ramelb Student Life February 13, 2026 at 6:05:50 PM As Valentine’s Day approaches, students are looking at a familiar dilemma: is love a matter of how much you spend, or is it the thought that counts? Recently, some students notice a pattern in their classmates’ approach gift-giving and showing affection. “One of my classmates wants someone with money,” said freshman Brenda Cuando, who worries that the true meaning of love is under attack. “They shouldn’t only focus on the money,” she added. According to junior William Alden Palacio, the right gift isn’t necessarily about the price tag. “I don't really care if I spend money on my partner,” he said. “It’s just picking out the right things for her. The only thing that I care about is putting in enough effort.” While some prioritize effort, others struggle with the reality that sometimes they simply can’t afford to spend. In fact, 36 percent of respondents to a recent Ka Lama Hawai’i poll reported feeling direct pressure to spend money on their partners for the holiday. This pressure is significant since many students may not have the financial means. Moreover, according to Lahainaluna’s Title I data for the 2024-25 school year, more than half of the student body qualifies for low-income programs such as free and reduced lunch and Upward Bound. Title I is a federal program that provides funding to schools with high percentages of low-income students to improve their academic performance. “...sometimes I can’t afford it.” While some students earn an income on their own time, not all students are employed. “It is hard for me to spend money since I don’t have a job,” says Cuando. “I am a big gift giver, but sometimes I can’t afford it.” Like many students in February, Cuando admits to feelings of guilt when she finds herself unable to give her partner the "perfect" gift. "I'd be taking them on dates if I worked a job,” said freshman Harana Peralta, who noted she would be “spoiling my partner if I had money.” Despite these regrets, poll data painted a much more confusing picture. Among respondents, the average suggested amount that a “good partner” would spend was approximately $40. This data was distorted, however, by the fact that many said $0, and one respondent suggested $300. "Struggling with someone by your side.” “Building a relationship around money and gifts isn’t going to work out in the long term since people's feelings will get hurt and expectations won't be met,” said social studies teacher Sarah Eubank. She believes that materialistic values shouldn’t dictate relationships, as focusing strictly on money can have negative consequences. In fact, most respondents saw financial struggle as something that produces closer relationships. As one respondent wrote, "Struggling with someone by your side is better than struggling alone." Other students claimed that a "deep feeling of care," "natural connection," and "choosing someone over and over again” are of greater worth to them than financial output. According to 91 percent of poll respondents, money has nothing to do with showing true affection. “It doesn't have to be about money,” said sophomore Hazzylyn Manuel. “It’s just how much love you put into your gift, and how much effort you put in there.” This shows how the connection between partners is often prioritized, proving affection and love aren't confined to monetary displays. Palacio agrees, noting there’s more value in a connection that survives without money. He feels his girlfriend is “the type of person that would stick next to you, even when times get tough.” “...a lot more meaning…” One of the most common responses in the survey pointed to the value of homemade gifts. “I use things that I have at home to make something for my partner when I don’t have money,” says Cuando. “I like seeing my partner happy,” she added. “Money shouldn’t matter; it should be about the love and connection you have with them.” Other respondents echoed this, noting that “handmade gifts have a lot more meaning” and that “commitment and time to the other person is the least you can do.” As one student put it: “Affection can be shown through handmade gifts, which can be free if you're using materials you have at school or at your house.” “...it's the meaning behind it” “High school relationships should be about fun, I don't think that it should be about gifts and materialistic expectations,” says Eubank, emphasizing that the price of a gift shouldn’t determine who you're with. Sophomore Mei-Lin Aipa agrees. “No matter the price, it's the meaning behind it.” According to most students interviewed, employment status isn't a requirement to be a good gift giver, and, as Aipa notes, “Money doesn’t change how I see someone. It doesn't get to decide who I love.” This Valentine’s Day, Lahainaluna students will be celebrating with the knowledge that love costs nothing—or it costs somewhere around $40. “Love will teach you a lot of things,” said Palacio, “financially and in general.” Previous Article Next Article Copy link Brielle Ramelb is class of 2029’s stuco treasurer. She loves playing music, playing the guitar, and collecting vinyl records.

< Back Forward > Wrestling At King Kekaulike Samantha Shibao Previous Next The wrestling season is coming to a close, and the Lunas are locking in. In their 6th tournament of the season, the Lunas will soon face off against other MIL teams including Baldwin, King K, Maui High, Kulanihako’i, Hana, Maui Preparatory Academy, Seabury, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kamehameha. This will be a tournament that determines who will advance and secure a spot at State. The last couple of tournaments were rough. The Lunas lost multiple practice days, and some wrestlers were sick or injured. Nevertheless, the Lunas toughed it out this past weekend, scoring multiple wins and getting them pins. Kden Pu, in his 7th year of wrestling, competes in the 215 weight class. Pu said that his personal goal for these upcoming tournaments is to beat Baldwin High and earn more team points. He added that these tournaments will show "everyone that our team has something to prove." "The girls are good. I think they’re gonna get some wins hopefully," said Izaac Pacheco, who is in his 3rd year of wrestling and wrestles in the 165 weight class. Pacheco claims that the biggest challenge he and the team are facing is psychological. "There’s the challenge of regret—regretting not giving it your all." Pu also said, "It’s a mindset game, you have to push yourself and do every conditioning but can’t quit." Jackson Hussey offered some general advice for other athletes: "If you have a bad mindset coming into any sport or anything in life, it’s gonna go down, but if you have a good mindset you’ll do good." Jackson Hussey has been a wrestler longer than any other on the team. He offered some insight on how his own season has been and what the team has prepared for these tournaments. "I don’t want to sound cocky but I know my wrestling ability, and over here on Maui the competition isn’t too bad." Pu added, "I predict Jackson is gonna win all of it," and emphasized the importance of their longtime coach, Terry Shibao, for the team's success. To prepare, many of the wrestlers are sticking to a conventional training regimen. "I just run, but also wake up in the morning to lift then see trainer Mike," said Pacheco. Hussey remarked on how the Lunas "condition hard, practice hard, and practice the moves that work the best for us." The stakes for these upcoming tournaments are huge. This will be the tournament right before The State Championship. In order for any of the wrestlers to qualify, they will need to pass through this weekend's tournament. So come to King K’s home gym this Saturday at 10 am to support the Lunas wrestling team as they face off against all MIL teams. Go Big Red! Heading 6