With the fewest number of public school instructional days in the nation, Hawai‘i parents, teachers, students and legislators are working to fight “furlough Fridays.”


“I’m afraid the students on the bottom will fall out of the system,” said Fern Elementary teacher Shannon Ka‘a‘a, who attended an Oct. 23 rally at the Capitol.


The new Hawaii Government Employees Association contract may have repercussions for WCC students, but plans are being made by the college’s administration to minimize possible problems.


Part of the HGEA contract includes 13 furlough days: specifically, the day after Thanksgiving, the week before Christmas, the week before New Year’s and spring break. 


A free event to share information on scholarship opportunities for Native Hawaiian students will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Hale ‘ Ākoakoa. The groups represented include Alu Like, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, Liko A‘e and Manawa Kūpono scholarship programs and others.


The session will cover criteria, the application process and other guidelines. Dinner and child care will be provided.


Tsunami!” The word triggers horrific images of death and destruction such as the December 2004 Indian Ocean disaster and the more recent Samoa tragedy. The human suffering is a grim reminder that Mother Nature has a temper.

The chain of recent earthquakes in the South Pacific has had many in our islands waiting for warning sirens signaling the approach of a destructive wave.

Seven years ago, an unorthodox geography instructor swept onto the WCC campus, looking as if he had just jumped on a boat sailinginto gale-force winds. 


Though Toshi Ikagawa recently turned 55, he exudes an unabashed energy as he races around the classroom. His style is sometimes graceful, but at other times it can be quite startling as he unleashes an inflatable globe to bounce off of a student’s hands (or their heads, should they be asleep). 


It was the happenstance of his stolen wallet and passport that left Puakea Nogelmeier stranded in Hawai’i. 


That was the beginning of a love affair with the islands that would alter the course of his life. 


When some hear the word marijuana, they think of druggies, stoners and chronics. 


But others, like WCC student Jason Kamalu-Grupen, view cannabis as an answer to many of America’s problems.


You could describe Dr. Kaniala Kekaulike’s school years as challenging, to say the least. “I must have applied at UH-Mānoa 10 times before I finally got in!” exclaimed the former WCC student. 


Last month, Kekaulike talked about his years at WCC to ICS 103 and psychology classes.


A free special lecture on “Makahiki in Old Hawai‘i: Astronomical and Cultural Perspectives,” is set for Wednesday Nov. 18 from 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. in Hale ‘Akoakoa Room 105. 


Dr. Paul Coleman an associate astronomer at the University of Hawai‘i and a Native Hawaiian, will talk about the star cluster Makali‘i, which marks the beginning of the Makahiki festival.


WCC’s Haunted Village lured creatures with Imaginarium’s “Nightwalk,” face painting, spooky storytelling, and ASUH’s Haunted Hotel. Watch the video of Haunted Village produced by Tori Langley by clicking here.

Also, WCC faculty and staff put the “mental” back into departmental with their annual costume competition. The Financial Aid department took 1st place (again!) with their rendition of “Carrie.” Check out the photo gallery to see the other winners.

For the past 18 years Paula Akana has been in our homes as well as our community, bringing us stories from all over the Hawaiian Islands. Positioned at the KITV anchor desk, she has been a familiar face to viewerfor the 10 o’clock news.

But although she’s a respected figure in local news, Akana is anything but intimidating. With her down-to-earth nature, she makes people feel as though they’ve known her all their lives.

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre ranch with green, luxurious valleys and rolling hillsides. It is the site of well-known movies, such as “Jurassic Park” and “50 First Dates,” and TV shows like “Lost.”

It’s also a family-owned company, not only because of its cattle ranch operation, but also because it is one of O‘ahu’s largest tourist attractions that employs over 150 people.

Michael Jackson lives on — on screen, in his music — and, in some ways, has become even more the superstar in death.


Indeed, it’s been four months since the passing of the “King of Pop” and yet people around the world continue to celebrate his musical genius.


The Beatles’ influence on popular music is far-reaching and ubiquitous, but it’s not exactly obvious anymore these days. Many people from the emerging generation don’t really appreciate The Beatles. It’s a sad state of affairs when the greatest band in history is reduced to “that one band on ‘Rock Band.’”

Guitar virtuoso and songwriter Richard Thompson will bring his distinctive folk-rock style to Windward Community College’s Palikū Theatre at 8 p.m. on Nov. 21. 


Thompson got his start in 1967 with the band Fairport Convention, whose music coupled acoustic folk with electric rock. This marriage of genres changed Britain’s musical landscape and paved the way for an inspired and influential musical profession. 


It’s not too early to start thinking about . . . yes, you guessed it — Christmas shopping for those special people on your list.


But instead of battling the holiday crowds at the malls, consider something original, handmade and, best of all, reasonably priced.


“A Christmas Fantasy” returns to Gallery ‘Iolani with an array of arts and crafts to get shoppers in the holiday spirit.


The event will run Nov. 28, 29 and Dec. 3, 4, 5 and 6 with sale times 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.


To cut public education in a state with some of the lowest test scores and already abysmal attendance record is criminal, and illustrates exactly where our true interests lie.

An uneducated populous is the most easily intimidated, manipulated, and subjugated. I feel that situations such as a “budget crisis” provides the perfect opportunity to reallocate taxpayers’ money towards the essentials, which is almost always anything that will keep commerce healthy, away from social services, allowing the population to adjust to the new lack of public services and accept the new norm.

However, we shall not fear, for there are always private companies offering the same services so there is no need to go without. If you truly care about your child’s education, simply place him/her in private school. And for those who cannot afford private school, it’s most likely that your opinion doesn’t matter anyway, so it’s probably best that you stay uneducated and marginalized.

– Dominic Billand

It doesn’t bother me that much. I’m a little jealous because I would like more time to go surf in the morning. But it’s a minor situation that doesn’t affect me.

– Davis Giang

If there were a UH athletics dictionary, you’d see a picture of Dave Shoji under the word “great.”


Shoji, 62, went into his 35th season as the Rainbow Wāhine head coach, looking for his 1,000th win. 


It’s safe to say that most students, at one time or another, have blown off one subject to meet the requirements of another. Juggling homework and trying to meet deadlines with a full class schedule can be a bit frustrating.

For you science majors out there, WCC has a solution.

Take a look at other highlights for spring:

T/TH 9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This studio course focuses on acrylic painting, with an introduction to some basic drawing techniques and color theory. It is appropriate for all students, from beginners to advanced artists. It is a fun course to “discover the artist in you.”

On furlough Fridays, WCC students who are parents find themselves between a rock and a hard place. 


They can come to school with their children, make arrangements for daycare or miss class.