STORYLINE

Pu’u: The Home of the Thrivers

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When the veil fractured everything that people counted on to live their lives was gone. Many of the roads were damaged, there was no internet or electricity, phones wouldn’t work, and there wasn’t even clean water to drink. With: earthquakes, deadly diseases spreading across the island faster than they could be treated, and extreme weather stirring up volient storms, more destructive than anything seen before, many were lost in the first few days. Many more gave up, because they hadn’t worked hard enough before the accident, and didn’t have the drive to fight all the bad things stacking up against them. But not my grandfather Pa’ani, he and a handful of others knew how to work hard, and knew that they’d have to work even harder if they were going make new lives for themselves and their families. That’s what they did when they founded Pu’u. From that day on, they were known as the Thrivers, and they made the best home that they could for the people who deserved it.

People tried to make it through that terrible first month in lots of different ways. The Kanaka turned back to many of the old ways, by honoring the land and learning what new treasures it held. The people of Tanager Lane closed their gates and nobody was allowed to come or go. The Lucky Dodge Hotel stayed open for those who were secretive, or wicked enough to get a room. Many went off to create a new world and a new way of life; some believing in the power of dance and destruction, and others focused on the drinks of the past and living a reckless life. None, however, had the determination, drive, and resources that the Thrivers did.

As soon as he made sure my grandma and my dad were ok, Pa’ani knew who he had to find. As Vice Principal of Pu’u high, my grandfather knew that he’d need the talents of everyone in his PTA golfing team. If he was going to help his family make it through this catastrophe, living the life they had grown accustomed to, he’d need the help of “The Hole-In-Nones”.

Grace Luahi had connections at the SSHAM factory and owned a number of warehouses filled with useful items, food, and drink. Chris Treadwell helped run a turbine and geothermal energy company. He had maps of well sites and plenty of equipment. Trip Alunu owned the islands biggest HVAC company and had plenty of spare solar cells too. Lastly, my grandpa had keys to every building on campus, including the vocational buildings with medical supplies, and all the extra tools and equipment they would need.

The surviving members of the golf team pulled together and worked to lessen the great burdens of life after the fracture. They had power and water running again within a week. Soon, others found their way to the school, and asked for shelter, but it was always the same. These people didn’t work hard or prepare before the accident, and they didn’t after. They would steal, and not do their assigned tasks. Even though the team tried to give them a chance, they didn’t share the same values and had nothing to give or contribute. Worse still, they let a number of Kanaka in even though the ube fever was running rampant. They gave the Kanaka water without getting anything in return. The Thrivers knew that it was only a matter of time before these outsiders would ruin everything. They needed to find more people like them.

Then someone said they knew a retired officer from the yacht club, and suggested that they try to find him. It turned out to be a great idea. Colonel Kaua had set up his mobile bunker along the beach and had taken in many influential families, but they were under constant attack by desperate people, and the horrors of the forest. The team explained that the yacht club people would be much safer on top of the hill at Pu’u, and that the mobile bunker would be just the thing to deter people looking for handouts. The colonel agreed, and over the next few days, they moved the bunker to where it still sits today, with his son guarding Pu’u and teaching the ways of war.

Along with other families like: the Pahili’s, the Hoomana’s, and the Palakiko’s, The Hole-In-Nones created a paradise within paradise by sharing values, working hard, and being smart enough to have things before the accident. They didn’t just survive, they thrived. I’m proud of what my grandpa and his friends did, and I hope that nothing like the fracture ever happens again. If we have to count on the hard work of people like my brother, we won’t make it. He can’t even pick up his toys.

Akamai Mahelona
5th Grade
Pu`u School Lahaina

STORYLINE

Manimal Jelly Is the Condiment You Didn’t Know You Needed

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For millions of us, there’s nothing better in the morning than a slice of toast with some quality grape or strawberry jelly spread on top. The sugar and carbs paired with a caffeinated beverage is a trusted combination to start your day, but what if you could skip the coffee and get a caffeine kick on your toast? A new Jelly from Manimal aims to “Shake-Up The Breakfast Table!” Made from the popular energy drink, Manimal Jelly pledges to “zap some energy into the laziest meal of the day.” With energy drink consumption at an all-time high however, some are wondering if the public really needs another way to consume Manimal.

This is not Manimal’s first foray into the world of food. The company’s Manimal infused Turbo Ham changed everyone’s “preconceived notions about lunch meat” a few years ago and has gone on to be one of the most popular products at Big Bites Stores across the island. Nonetheless, health advocates say Manimal Jelly is different. While the ham contains only trace amounts of Manimal, the new jelly contains large quantities of potentially dangerous chemicals and seems to be targeted at children.

Manimal CEO Spencer Kane takes issue with the jelly ingredients being labeled as potentially dangerous but admits that the jelly wasn’t originally created with children in mind. “When I first approached the guys with the idea I had an extreme personal lubricant in mind, but after a little back and forth we decided to keep it super tasteful instead,” he says.

“Manimal Jelly knows no restrictions including age, but we think kids, in particular, will love the flavor and burst of energy it provides. Most cereals are absolutely loaded with sugar. While that does help children ride a sugar rush into class, it’s a short run. Most kids crash before lunch and struggle in the second half of the day. For far too long this was the best that they could hope for but not anymore. Manimal Jelly climbs that mountain of sugar and plants a flag of energy on top. Pound for pound it has all the caffeine and other natural ingredients as Manimal drink, exactly what a kid needs to keep their fire burning. Students fueled with Manimal Jelly instead of a boring bowl breakfast can pay attention well into the afternoon, hours after their peers have crashed. We live in a time that demands better breakfast options and I’ll just say it. It’s stupid to start your day any other way!”

Unfortunately for Mr. Kane Not everyone agrees piling caffeine, guarana, and taurine on top of sugar is the best thing for children. Pa’ani Mahelona, Principal of Lahaina’s Pu’u High School, says that the jelly has become an issue for the school’s no Manimal on campus policy. Mahelona like many critics says that Manimal Jelly creates a new problem rather than fixing one. He adds, “It’s really forced us to divert valuable resources to keep it off campus and we’ve urged our parents to save it for the weekends.”

“Earlier this year we became a Manimal-free campus and the results were amazing. Test scores and attendance are up, and incidents of fighting and climbing the building are dramatically down. While we recognize that it is every parent’s right to choose what is consumed in their house, there is no denying that Manimal is bad for a productive learning environment. In the past, it was relatively easy to spot a container of Manimal and confiscate it. The jelly has presented a much bigger problem. We recently found a student selling packets of jelly to classmates in her economics class. While we appreciated that she recognized an item of value, calculated a price point that maximized her profits, and established a sustainable supply chain, we were forced to confiscate the jelly and suspend her for five days. We take the rules seriously at Pu’u and urge parents to remind their kids to leave the Manimal in every form at home.”

Of course Manimal Jelly isn’t just for kids. Many Manimal fans both young and old are thrilled to have their favorite energy drink available in another form. One such fancier is on the older end of the spectrum, Lahaina icon Malie Kahiko. The 110-year-old star of the hit show Malie’s List says she’s a fan of the jelly but urges moderation.

“We didn’t know what Myrtle had waiting for us when she said she had something special for the shortcake at the next bridge club meeting, but some of us weren’t ready for the jolt we got that morning. I immediately suspected the mystery topping was Manimal jelly because pineapple jam doesn’t make Myrtle shake like that. Even though my doctor doesn’t like it, I have an occasional Manimal when I feel like it. I generally don’t have more than one because it can give me heart palpitations especially if I haven’t taken my medication, but the jelly hit like a ton of bricks.

I’m not sure if it was all the sugar or that we didn’t know what it was at first but it really got us going. It wasn’t long before the cards were down and we were all up and about. Myrtle and Clair were the first to race their scooters down the driveway but soon all of us with wheels were taking runs. A few of the gals tried to get a lindy contest going but it’s hard to dip that low with a walker. I’m used to doing crazy things on my show but a lot of these ladies aren’t. I can’t begin to guess how many tires and hips needed replacing at the end of it all. It was an afternoon to remember that’s for sure, I’d just suggest taking it easy until you know how much jelly is right for you.”

STORYLINE

Lahaina Student Crowned Pacific Fire Knife Champion

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This past weekend, a Lahaina area student was crowned the 2048 Pacific Fire knife Champion. Pu’u sophomore, and dancing prodigy Kaholo Mae beat out competitors from Japan, Tahiti, and a former champion from Samoa to be the youngest person to ever hold the title. This is the first time a Hawaiian has won the top prize in the competition. Mayor Albert Cravalho announced his office will host a celebration and award ceremony at the Pu’u auditorium for the young fire knife dancer Friday evening.

Kaholo says he started practicing fire knife dancing at the tender age of two, and entered his first competition at four-years-old. “My mom tried to stop me at first, but after I saw my first fire knife event on TV I was hooked. To tell you the truth I’m more of a traditional jazz and tap kind of guy at heart. My lindy game is off the chain, and my Bandy Twist is certified flawless, but there was something about twirling fire that got its hooks in me, and never let go. Being the 2048 Pacific Fire Knife Champion is a dream come true, and I want to thank my friends and coaches for all their support, and especially my mom who put up with a lot of singed carpet, and curtains when I was first learning my groove. I feel very lucky and blessed to have come so far in the fire knife community at such a young age.”

A staple of any Polynesian show or luau, Siva Afi, better known as fire knife dancing, has a long and rich history in Polynesian culture. Practitioners originally used a Nifo Oti, a type of Samoan war club. The dancer would demonstration his or her battle prowess through a series of artful throwing, catching, twirling, and dancing moves with the club. Later with the introduction of metal to the islands, dancers used a machete wrapped in towels on both ends. The towels were then set ablaze giving the activity the fire knife moniker.

The flashy demonstrations soon became a favorite amongst visiting European and America Whalers, with huge demonstrations being held for successful expeditions. Records indicate that it was not unusual for hundreds of fire knife dancers to perform on Lahaina beaches after a fruitful hunt. Besides replacing the machetes with aluminum poles, the practice remains little changed today.

“Something happens when I put on the lavalava, and the drummers hit their groove. It’s deafening, but I don’t hear the drums; I feel them. It’s hard to explain, but I feel like the fire, and I are one, and the dance just sort of happens. I feel like I could handle anything thrown at me, like I’m in complete control or everything. Marathon runners call it a runner’s high. I just know it feels great, and I’m thankful that I have this outlet to celebrate my culture and my art,” says Mae.

Despite its deep roots in history, and importance to cultural heritage, some question fire knife dancing’s place in modern society. They point out the practice in its current form represents a troubling time, when Hawaii began turning away from traditional values, foods, dress, and customs, to appeal to the wants and needs of whalers and other outside forces. Some have even simpler complaints about fire knife dancing.

“It’s just stupid,” says Preservation Zone Compliance Liaison and Pu’u PTA member Elizabeth Stonegate. “I know people used to do it a long time ago so we’re supposed to have some sort of reverence or something, but that doesn’t work for me. Let’s be honest, we used to do all kinds of things that are dangerous or stupid. We used to bleed people to make them healthier, we gave people cocaine for toothaches, and before there were videos to watch, people had to watch these dancers spin burning objects at night. Thankfully, now you usually only have to watch the spectacle if your get dragged to one of those terrible tourist luaus. Up until now, I thought that was the sad exclusive domain of this embarrassing entertainment relic. However, like a lot of people I was troubled to learn about this competition over the weekend, and the disappointing truth of the school’s involvement.

I understand that we have to have ridiculous extracurricular activities like Model UN, and band for those children not talented enough to play a sport, but do we really need to support fire knife dancing? Our kids already spend too much of their time involved in classes that are completely useless to them in later life, history and chemistry just to name a few off the top of my head, but twirling a flaming batton or chain has to be the biggest waste of educational dollars I’ve ever heard of. I can’t imagine a situation where being able to play with fire like this would actually serve a purpose. I only hope Mr. Mae has the good sense not to try out his twirling at prom. Some of these parents have paid too much money for prom dresses to see them singed in the name of cultural sensitivity.”

Despite the few naysayers Pu’u Principal Pa’ani Mahelona says that he couldn’t be more proud of Mae’s accomplishment. “I know how hard Kaholo has worked. I’ve watched him grow from a kindergartner swaying back and forth during the Christmas program, to a young man capable of some of the most precise flaming batton work anyone has ever seen. All of Lahaina is in awe of his moves and artistry.” Mahelona says that any concerns about fire knife dancing at this year’s prom are ridiculous, and the product of misplaced jealousy. He adds, “It’s unfortunate that some people feel the need to tear down what they don’t understand, instead of celebrating this young man’s achievement. I find it especially ironic that Ms. Stonegate has concerns about the prom when there remains an active restraining order against her after last year’s debacle, and her own husband is not legally allowed within 100 yards of a school due to his history. This week should be about an amazing young man who is capable of anything, not petty bickering.”

STORYLINE

Pu’u Lava Sled Team Faces Cheating Allegations

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Collegiate sports are a multibillion dollar industry in this country. With all that money at stake, cheating and ineligibility scandals have become all too common place. Many high profile schools have come under investigation, and the problem has begun to spread to other educational institutions. Recruiters are increasingly pressuring high school programs to cut corners and break rules in order to land the biggest and best upcoming prospects. Over the past few years a number of high school programs have come under fire, and now our own Pu’u Blue Wolves have joined that infamous club. The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) is looking into allegations that the Blue Wolve’s lava sledding team has been using its lectrotarp during competitions and not just during training.

Lava sledding, traditionally known as He’e hōlua, is well over 1,000 years old. Seen as both a sport and a religious rite by early Hawaiians, lava sledders race down courses of gravel, sand, and grass on long slender sleds. The sleds themselves are only 6 inches wide but can be as long as 14 feet. Sled riders can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h on courses that stretch for miles. The sport saw a huge resurgence beginning in the early 2000’s and remained pretty much the same since its inception until the introduction of lectrotarps in 2032.

Eectro-active carbon fiber tarps laid under courses promised to change the sport forever. Allowing a sledder to increase their speed by up to 50%, the tarps became a must have item for any serious lava sledding program. Records were being broken almost as fast as books could be printed, but an upwelling of outrage found the sport at a crossroads.

Many lovers of the sport pointed out its spiritual roots and said that the introduction of the tarps went against everything sledding represented. They argued that part of the sledding experience was the bravery shown by the rider testing the dangers of the slope and gravity, without the help of a charged electrical field. Proponents of the technology saw it as the next logical step in the sports evolution. They contended that every sport changes as technology allows: Football helmets are no longer made of leather, most hockey sticks are now made of carbographene instead of wood, and hi-tech shoes have changed the face of track and field. It was inevitable that lava sledding would undergo a technological renaissance as well they said.

In the end, with the help of a number of memorable accidents caused by increased speeds, the traditionalists won a partial victory. Active lectrotarps were banned during competitions but were allowed for training purposes. Virtually all schools with lava sledding programs have tarps under their courses and use them during practice. They argued that riders who are used to piloting faster sleds can more easily maneuver a slower sled during competition, leading to fewer injuries.

Schools are supposed to turn off their tarps during events and provide visiting teams proof that their systems are inactive. According to allegations, Pu’u Athletic director Pa’ani Mahelona not only activated the Blue Wolve’s tarp during runs, but he falsified tarp readings provided to opposing teams. In addition, it is alleged that Rocky “Downhill” Hookeai, the team’s captain, knew and participated in the scandal.

Because the investigation is ongoing, the HHSAA is providing few details. They confirm that they are “evaluating the veracity of claims brought against the Pu’u Blue Wolves lava sledding team regarding the use of active lectrotarps during sanctioned competitions,” but are saying little else. If the allegations are found true, the most dominate lava sledding team for the past 5 years could face serious consequences, including being permanently banned from the league. While this would be a disappointment to many high school athletes, it would be devastating for Hookeai, who is being courted by a number of colleges.

Athletic Director Mahelona released a brief statement regarding the potential scandal which reads, “We hold the integrity of our athletic programs and our young men and women in the highest regard at Pu’u. We categorically deny all of these unfounded allegations. All of our teams strive to represent the best in athletic competition. We hold honesty and fairness as core values. We do not cheat! Many of our students use athletics as a path for their future, and rumors such as these can cause serious harm down the road. I find it disturbing that these allegations have been leaked to the press without any proof to back them up. I’m confident that the HHSAA will clear us of any wrongdoing in a timely manner.”

STORYLINE

Pu’u Whiz Kid Takes Top Honor At Robotics Competition

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A Pu’u Middle School student has won the prestigious HELLP Robotics competition, beating out hundreds of other students from across Hawaii. 11-year-old Rachel Driscol, a 6th grader at Pu’u, took the top honor Sunday, making her the youngest winner in the history of the competition. This year, the robots had to autonomously navigate a simulated office building, that had been damaged by a hurricane, marking the location of injured people, and delivering medical supplies to trapped survivors. Rachel’s creation was able to find all the injured, and completed the task in less than 5 minutes, almost half the time it took the next closest competitor.

Founded by Eric Oeming, the Hawaiian Engineering Lifelong Learning Program (HELLP), is entering its 10th year. Designed to teach kids the importance of technology and science with the assistance of adult mentors, HELLP holds many competitions throughout the year. However, the robotics competition is considered to be the most distinguished, drawing hundreds of competitors, with dozens of business and technology leaders attending the 2 day event. HELLP says that they have awarded millions in scholarships, and connected thousands of talented students with valuable contacts and mentors across the islands.

Rachel’s win wasn’t the first for a Pu’u student, but it does end a 3 year drought for the Blue Wolves. Pu’u Principal Pa’ani Mahelona says everyone is excited about the outcome, but not surprised. “Rachel is one of the brightest young minds I have ever encountered in my time as an educator. Her talents are limitless, and everyone just assumed that she’d win. Nonetheless, we had no idea she’d win so easily. Rachel certainly represents the best of Lahaina. We couldn’t be happier for her, and her family. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank her parents for deciding to move to Maui. It has been a joy to watch this young lady grow over the past few years, and I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the future.”

“I actually had a big head start in this year’s competition,” says Rachel. “A couple years ago, I had built a robot that could bring my dad his beer, and help him find his phone and sandals with a specialized sonar system. This year’s goals weren’t much different from that.” According to Rachel, she’s always been interested in science and technology, and wants to work in Veilcorp’s Research and Development Division, or Vereserum’s Advanced Medicine Lab here in Lahaina one day.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved building things and figuring out ways to do things that nobody else has tried. My grandmother was a professional dancer, and she always tried to pay for ballet and gymnastics classes when I was little, but it just wasn’t for me. I appreciate the physical mastery it takes to be a great dancer, but my feet aren’t wired for grace. A good technical schematic, or an unsolved problem makes me want to dance just as much as any music I’ve ever heard.”

Rachel says that she is too young to make any big decisions about her future, despite the offers that have been coming in since she won the competition. She says she wants to develop her sonar system further, and hopes to make it available to the visually impaired in a few years.

“It must be something in the island air. Her brothers and sisters sure aren’t breaking any records, and their grades aren’t anything to brag about, but they were born on the mainland.” says Rachel’s father John. He credits his hands-off parenting style with allowing his daughter to reach her full potential, but says that having a genius daughter isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be.

“I see so many parents pushing their kids, demanding they operate at peak performance, and giving them grief about their grades all the time. It never made sense to me. Being a parent is hard enough already: always bringing them places, signing permission slips, and making them food when their hungry, which is always. Why would anyone in their right mind add worrying about school work, and their potential to the long list of parenting responsibilities? I stopped being able to help Rachel with her homework 3-years-ago, and it seems like the more I separated myself from that part of her life, the more she achieved. It may not be a popular thing to say, but keeping your kids at arms-length can be a great tool to teach them how to build their own future. I don’t know if I can express how proud I was of her when she built the robot that would bring me my shoes, and find my keys. Most parents of kids her age had to settle for cheap arts and crafts projects, or illegible hand-scribbled cards. My 3rd grader made me a robot butler. I’m sure that whatever it was she built for this competition was amazing, and the scholarship money will help, but you can’t put a price on something like a robot that brings you beer.”