AKA`ULA  SCHOOL  STUDENT  NEWSLETTER  

 September  2,  2016  September  2  –  Bat  monitoring  with  Paul  Hosten  September  7  –  Dual  Swim  Meet  with  Molokai  Dolphins,  4:30  warm-­‐up  September  7  –  Family  Night  at  the  Public  Library,  6:30-­‐7:30pm  September  9  –  Lei  making  class,  Kauhale  preparation  September  10  –  Saturday  Market  September  16  –  Hala  weaving  class,  Kauhale  preparation  

September  19-­‐  22  –  Student  Conferences    

Aka`ula  School  –  Home  of  the  Voyagers!    

Island  News  Preserving  Awa  

By  Kekumu  Helm,  Sophomore  It   is   a   relief   knowing   my   family’s   awa   line   will   be   carried   through   many  generations.  Recently,  my  father,  brother  and  I  planted  awa  in  the  mountains  on  Molokai’s   east   end,   to  preserve   two  varieties   that   are   significant   to   our  family.   The   first   variety   is   called   Isa,   and   it   is   a   Fijian   variety   that   is   very  potent.   The   second   variety   is   a  Hawaiian   variety   called  Mahakea,  which   is  milder   than   Isa,   but   still   very   potent.   We   sent   samples   of   our   awa   to  scientists   in  Australia  to  test   it   for   lactone,  which   is   the  powder   in  the  root  that   causes   the   relaxing  and  sometimes  overwhelming  effects.    They   found  large  amounts  of  lactone  in  both  varieties.  My  family  farms  both  varieties  of  awa  on  our  forty-­‐acre  farm,  but  if  something  ever  happened  to  the  awa  and  it  was  destroyed,  we  would  be  able  to  recover  the  varieties  by  going  to  the  mountains.   For   those  who  may   not   know,   awa   is   a   drink   that   has   calming  and   relaxing   effects.   It   is   made   from   the   awa   plant,   which   grows   for   several   years   before   the   root   can   be  extracted,  cleaned,  and  ground  into  a  liquid  form,  which  is  drunk.  By  planting  our  awa  in  the  mountains,  we  will  always  have  Isa  and  Mahakea  for  us  and  others  to  enjoy.    

Hepatitis  A  Outbreak  By  Dillon  DeCoite,  Junior  

Watch  out!  There  is  a  Hepatitis  A  outbreak  in  Hawaii.  As  of  9/16  almost  300  people  have  been   infected  with  Hepatitis  A.  The   source  of   the  outbreak   is  imported  frozen  scallops  that  were  served  raw  at  Genki  Sushi.  They  closed  one   Genki   Sushi   on   Kauai   and   the   majority   on   Oahu.   Hepatitis   A   can   be  spread   through   contaminated   food,   drinks,   or   close   personal   contact.   The  symptoms   include   yellow   eyes   or   skin,   stomach   pain,   loss   of   appetite,  nausea,   fever,  diarrhea,  and  fatigue.  Once  someone  is   infected  by  Hepatitis  A,  there  is  no  treatment  to  cure  the  disease.  To  prevent  getting  Hepatitis  A,  there  is  a  vaccination.  Be  aware  of  the  Hepatitis  A  outbreak  in  Hawaii.    

 Receiving  Letters  By  Kaniela  Kaupu  

My   brother,   Kepa,   was   recently   sent   to   Hawaii   National   Guard   Youth  Challenge,   and  we   don’t   get   to   see   each   other   physically,   so  my   brother  sends   us   a   letter   every   two  weeks.   Receiving   a   letter   from   him   is  much  appreciated.  I  send  back  letters  to  show  my  appreciation,  and  I  encourage  him   to   do   well   and   get   a   good   education.   I   get   to   see   him   once   in   six  months,  and  I’m  looking  forward  to  that.      

   

Kalua  Pig  -­‐  Food  Review  By  Kalai  Helm,  8th  Grade  

Do  you  love  pork?  Then  you’ll  love  kalua  pig!  It’s  a  pile  of  greasy,  hot,  shredded  pork.     Kalua  means   to   be   cooked   in   a   pit   (imu)  with   hot   stones   and   covered  with  banana   leaves.  There  are   several  ways  you   can  enjoy  kalua  pig.  You   can  cook  it  yourself,  buy  it   from  the  store,  or  go  to  a   luau.  I  usually  get  mine  from  the  store,  but  it’s  not  as  good  as  when  it’s  hot  from  the  imu.  The  kalua  pig  from  the  imu  is  a  whole  pig  that  is  killed,  cleaned,  salted,  and  then  cooked  with  hot  rocks.  After  cooking,  it  is  pulled  out  and  hands  are  used  to  shred  the  meat.    It’s  so  ono   (delicious)   that   it  melts   in  your  mouth.  Every  person  should   try  kalua  

pig  out  of  the  imu  at  least  once.  I  rate  it  a  10.    

Ledge  of  Prawns  By  Kamaehu  Ward,  7th  Grade  

It  was  a  stunningly  beautiful  and  calm  day  on  the  ocean.    We  were  picking  up  and  dropping  people  off  to  clean  Aunty  Joyce’s  yard  since  she  has  passed  away.    At   the   same   time  my  aunty   and  uncle  were   going   camping   in  Pelekunu.    We  picked   people   up   in   Halawa,   and   after   we   dropped   them   off,   we   headed   to  Pelekunu  to  help  Aunty  Lani  and  Uncle  Mark  swim  their  bags  to  shore.    After  the  bags  were  safely  on  shore,  we  anchored  the  boat  and  helped  clear  an  area  for   their   camp.    We   cut  bamboo   to  make   a   structure   to   cover  with   a   tarp   so  they  wouldn’t  get  wet  in  their  tent.    When  we  came  back  from  cutting  bamboo  we   jumped   in   the  river.    Next   to   the  river  was  a  wall   that   I  climbed.   I   looked  down  and  saw  so  many  prawns,  I  couldn’t  see  anything  else.    I  jumped  off  the  wall,  eager  to  get  in  the  water  and  shoot  prawns.    In  the  water,  all  I  could  see  were   large,   medium,   and   small   prawns.     They   were   all   staring   at   me   with   their   beady   little   eyes   and   their  pinchers  waving.    The  water  was  literally  infested  with  prawns!  When  I  looked  underneath  a  ledge,  there  was  a  prawn  nest.     I  shot  thirteen  prawns,  which  wasn’t  even  close  to  half  the  amount  of  prawns.      All   in  all,   I  had  a  great  time  on  the  backside  of  Molokai  helping  my  family  and  shooting  prawns.     I  hope  that  we  get  to  go  back  soon  on  another  stunning  day.    

Kapu’upo’i  By  Mamo  Kapuni,  6th  Grade  

On   May   1,   2016   my   younger,   by   ten   years,   brother   was   born.   My   reaction   to  finding  out  that  my  mom  was  pregnant  wasn’t  as  crazy  as  my  reaction  to  my  mom  actually  having  my  brother.  The  day  Po’i  was  born  I  couldn’t  be  with  my  parents  on  O’ahu,  but  when  I  found  out  that  he  was  here,  I  cried  tears  of  joy.  Po’i  weighed  a  whopping  10.1  pounds,  and  he  looked  a  lot  like  my  dad  and  a  bit  like  my  mom.  We  had  thought  of  probably  a  million  names  before  we  actually  decided  on  what  to   name  him.  The   origin   of   his   first   name,  Kapu’upo’i,   is   from   the  most   eastern  part  of  Moloka’i.  My  dad  said  that  when  my  brother   is  older  we  can  take  him  to  Pu’u  O  Hoku  Ranch  and  go  to  Kapu’upo’i.  His  middle  name,  Kahuluahu’ula,  comes  from   the  hulu   feather   cape   that  was  worn  and  especially  made   for  Kalaniopu’u.  My  Grammy  Kaui   insisted  that  we  name  him  after  the  sacred  artifact.  When  Po’i  was   born,  my   priorities   changed.  Watching   and   taking   care   of   him   are  my   two  main   priorities   now.   Po’i   is   one   of   the   best   things   to   ever   happen   to  me,   and   I  learned  to  be  a  big  sister  quickly.  I  am  very  protective  and  careful,  and  if  anything  or   anyone  harms  him,   I  would   completely   lose   it.   Sometimes   I   can’t   eat  when   I  

want   to   because   I   need   to  watch   him.   I’m   so   glad   that   he’ll   be  more   independent   soon.   Slowly,   a   connection  between  Po’i   and   I   developed.  He  didn’t   know  who   I  was   at   first,   but   he   began   to   trust  me.   Sometimes   I   fall  asleep  with  him,  and  sometimes  Po’i  only  wants  me.  Grandpa  Tony  says  I’ve  become  a  big  softie.  As  Po’i  grows,  his  personality  develops  even  more.  He’s  very  alert  and  observant,  and  he’s  also  really  friendly.  I  always  say  that  he’s  a  nuisance,  but  he’s  pretty  chill.  Po’i  makes  amusing  faces  that  crack  me  up.  My  mom  says  that  he  looks  like  Jalen  and  me  in  a  tiny,  little  body.  The  addition  of  Po`i  to  our  family  changed  the  dynamics  of  our  household,  but  I  believe  that  another  adventure  has  started.    

 The  Mahi  

By  Kamauliola  Pupuhi,  6th  Grade    The  mahi  mahi  is  an  extraordinary  fish.  It  is  both  amazing  and  delicious.  This  pelagic  fish  is  found  at  a  depth  of  up  to  85  meters.  The  color  of  the  fish  is  magnificent  from  greens  to  yellows  with  a  spectacular  blue  dorsal.  Mahi  can  grow  to  over  seven  feet  long.  The  mahi  looks  like  it  has  a  small  mouth,   but   it   can   eat   a   five   pound   fish.   I   have   had   lots   of   experiences  catching  mahi  and  they   fight  hard.  While   it  exhausts  my  arms,   the  best  part  is  eating  it.        

Sea  Salt  By  Peyton  Gillespie,  Grade  8  

I  carefully  licked  the  salt  at  the  tip  of  my  salt  stick,  and  then  quickly  spat  it  out  as  it  began   to   burn   like   acid   on   my   tongue.     “Not   good,”   I   murmured.     “That   salt   is  definitely  not  good.”    A  friend  of  my  mom,  my  mom,  and  I  went  to  Dixie  Beach.    When  we  got  there,  we  realized  Nicole  and  Jaden  were  there,  too.    Jaden  and  I  decided  to  go  out  on  the  rocks  to  explore.    While  we  were  hopping  from  rock  to  rock,  Jaden  found  half  of  a   large  plastic  bucket  and  picked   it  up.     I   found  a  stick  with  a  spoon-­‐like   tip.    After  a  couple  of  minutes,  we  saw  salt  and  without  saying  a  word  knew  exactly  what  to  do.    I  would  scoop  out  the  salt  with  my  salt  stick  and  taste  it.  If  the  salt  was  wet,  it  would  burn  my  mouth  and  if   it  was  dry,   it  would  taste  like  the  freshest  salt  you  can  

get,  which  of  course  is  what   it  was.  There  was  also  muddy,  dirty  salt.  When  I  scraped  off  the  top  layer  of  salt,  underneath  would  be  wet,  dry  or  muddy  salt.  We  found  LOADS  of  salt  and  filled  the  bottom  of  the  plastic  bucket.    We   collected   salt   for   hours   until   our   feet  were   raw   from   the   hot   rocks.     I   really   enjoyed   collecting   salt  with  Jaden.    It  felt  like  a  science  experiment.              

Island  Hopping  By  Malie  Davis-­‐Mendija,  Freshman  

My  trip  back  to  Molokai  from  Kauai,  was  supposed  to  be  easy  and  fast,  but  everything  went  downhill  once  I  got  to  Maui.    When  I  reached  Maui  my  flight  was  canceled.  The  agents  put  me  on  a  flight  going  to  Oahu.  It  was  already  boarded  and  a  full  flight,  and  the  seat  number  they  gave  me  was  taken.    All   the  other  seats  were  taken,   too.   I  had  to  get  off   that  plane  and  get  onto  another  plane.  Once  I  got  to  Oahu  I  had  to  rush  over  to  catch  the  plane  to  Molokai.  My  ticket  said  6:00  P.M.,  and   it  was  already  7:00  P.M.   I   freaked  out  and  asked   the  agent   if   the  plane  had  left,  but  thank  goodness,  it  was  also  delayed.    I  got  to  Molokai  safely,  but  my  bags  were  not  transported  with  me,  and  I  had  to  return  the  next  day  to  pick  them  up.    

 East  End  Fruit  Hunt  

By  Kahuhu  Linker  Meyers  Moss,  8th  Grade  Over   the  weekend   I  went   to   the   east   end  with  my   grandma.   I   picked   poha,   a   small,   but   tart   fruit   in   Halawa  Valley.   As   I   scaled   the   mountain   I   also   picked   a   few   rosie   apples,   a   small   yellow   apple-­‐like   fruit   that  complements  the  next  fruit  I  picked,  mountain  apples.  Mountain  apples  have  a  red  or  white  fruit  that  is  not  very  sweet;  however  when  you  eat  the  rosie  apples  and  mountain  apples  together  they  are  like  cookies  and  milk.  As  I  scrambled  down  the  mountain  I  picked  a  few  lilikoi  hanging  from  a  Java  plum  tree.  Lilikoi  are  a  yellow  fruit  with  a  tough  outer  skin  and  a   lot  of  edible  seeds.  With  fruit   in  tow  my  grandma  and  I  went  down  to  the  river.  As  I  wandered   around   I   saw   and   cut   down   a   bunch   of   bananas.   Putting  my   catch   in   the   car   trunk,   I   noticed   how  exhausted  I  was,  so  my  grandma  and  I  slowly  cruised  home  with  our  fresh  fruit  basket.    

 

On  the  Roof  By  Hina  Chow,  Grade  8th  

Some  people   climb   a   chart   to   be   the   best.   I   climb   a   ladder,   and   then   I’m  on   the   top   of   the  world.  As  I  walk  to  the  top  of  my  roof  I’m  able  to  look  at  the  flying  birds  overhead.  I  pause,  feeling  warmth  of  the  sun  and  the  blowing  wind.  I  stretch  upwards  to  the  sky.    I’m  free.  I’m  free  from  the  chains  that  bind  me  to  the  ground.  My  roof  is  my  getaway.  When  I’m  up  there,  I  feel  like  I  can  fly.  

 Lawnmower  

By  Kamaka  Adams,  8th  Grade  You  might  not  have  thought  a  13  year  old  would  be  excited  about  a  lawnmower,  but  I  am.    It’s  orange  and  grey  and  it’s  a  riding  mower.  It  has  three  buttons  on  the  right  side  and  the  power  button.  You  have  to  enter  a  code  (Sorry,  not  telling  you!)  to  start  it.  One  of  the  buttons  turns  red  when  the  grass  is  low,  while  another  turn  on  the  front  lights.  It  can   go   super   fast   or   super   slow.   Finally,   there   is   a   button   that   raises   or   lowers   the  blades.  “Ooooh~!  I  love  it!!”  I  squealed  the  first  time  I  rode  it.    

Campus  News  U.S  History  

By  Sydni  Pawn,  Senior  I  didn’t  know  U.S  history  could  be  so   interesting.  Aka`ula  students  are   learning  about  U.S  history  from  a  book  called,  We   the  People,   the  Citizens   and   the  Constitution.   The   first   lessons   in   the   book   talked   about   the   three  branches  of  government:  the  legislative,  executive,  and  judicial.  Another  lesson  explained  why  governments  are  needed  and  important.  One  of  my  favorite  lessons  so  far  was  about  power.  The  lesson  was  about  constitutional  governments  and  how  they’re  designed  to  protect  the  people  from  abuse  of  government  power.  George  Mason,  an  American  patriot  who  participated  in  the  American  Revolution,  the  Constitutional  Convention,  and  who  was  influential   in  penning   the  Bill   of  Rights,   said   something   that   stuck  with  me   throughout   the   lesson,   “From   the  nature   of   man,   we   may   be   sure   that   those   who   have   power   in   their   hands…   will   always,   when   they   can…  increase  it.”  That  quote  was  said  years  ago,  and  is  still  true  today.  I’m  glad  we’re  having  this  class  this  year,  and  I  can’t  wait  for  the  next  lesson.          

Choward  Mints  By  Jalen  Kalama,  Freshman  

I  love  Choward’s  Violet  Mints.  Charles  Howard  created  the  Choward’s  Violet  Mints  in  the  early  1930s.  The  violet  mints  were  Howard’s   first  product.  He  wanted   to  create  a  unique  and  different   flavored  candy.  He  created  C.  Howard  Company  Inc.  in  New  York.  He  took  his  product  to  the  streets  of  Manhattan  and  sold  it  on  street  corners           to  build  a  name  for  himself  and  his  brand.  After  the  success  of  the  Violet  Mints,           Howard  created  Choward’s  scented  gum.  That  was  also  a  success.  Howard  had  a           popular     company    on    his     hands.    He     expanded   to   lemon  mints,     spearmints,             peppermints,  and  tropical  guava  over  the  years,  growing  his  company  even  more.           Before   his   death,   Howard   gave   his   company   to   a   valued   employee   named  Elizabeth  Juhase.   Juhase  and  her  nephews  have  been  running  the  business  ever  since.  Choward’s  Mints  hasn’t  slowed  down  in  recent  years.  I’m  probably  the  one  keeping  them  in  business!  Choward’s  Violet  Mints  are  one  of  my  favorite  candies,  and  that  is  what  inspired  me  to  write  this  article.  

Frog  Dissection  By  Mykal  Kahinu,  7th  grade  

Today  I  completed  the  first  stage  of  our  frog  dissection.  Our  job  was  to  skin  a  frog!  This  was  the  first  time  I  skinned  a  frog.  We  left  the  skin  around  the  feet  and  head.  The  frog  we  are  dissecting  is  the  leopard  frog,  also  known  as  Rana  pipiens.   On   Wednesday   we   took   a   look   at   the   inner   organs.   We   cut   the  stomach  and  juices  came  out.  The  frog’s  stomach  had  some  kind  of  white  goo  inside.   The   smell   from   the   frog   was   strong   and   made   me   lightheaded.  Dissecting  the  Rana  Pipens  was  exciting.  

 Swimming  Class  

By  Paije  Pawn,  6th  Grade    I  jump  in  the  water,  take  a  couple  of  strokes  and  breathe  hard.  I  push  back  my  hardest  so  I  can  get   there   in   time,   trying   for   the  big   finish,  hoping   to  be   first.    Looking  at  my  arms  as  they  work,  I  tell  myself,  “Every  stroke  counts.  Never  give  up.”    As  I  get  to  the  finish,  I  have  a  smile  on  my  face.  Feeling  happy  I  did   it.    Even  though  it  was   just  practice,   I   feel   like  I  am  ready   for   our   swim  meet.     I   know   if   I  work   hard   at   practice,   I’ll   do  well.     By   the   end   of  practice  I  was  tired.    

Beyond  Our  Shores  Isla  One  Shoe  

By  Isla  James,  Freshman  “Everybody   get   in   the   car!”   Steve,   our   guide,   shouted   in   his   Setswana   accent.   It   was  12:00   A.M.   and   everyone   stands   straight   up   in   their   sleeping   bags.   I’m   sure  my  mind  wasn’t   the  only  one  racing  with  questions  and  complaints.   I   struggle   to  get  my  second  shoe  on,  but  I  don’t  want  to  be  the  last  one  left  in  the  tent,  so  I  drop  it.  I  can  hear  Miss  Lukonen   and   Aunty   Claire   running   around   outside.   I   hop   on   my   shoed   foot   into   the  Rover.   I’m   the   last  one   in,   and  we’re  off.  About   ten  minutes   into   the  drive,  we  haven’t  seen   or   heard   the   lions   that   were   supposedly   right   near   the   camp.   I   decide   to   tell  everyone,  “I  think  I  only  have  one  shoe  on.”  I  guess  my  new  nickname  isn’t  that  bad.      

Africa  By  Skylar  Kuahuia,  Freshman  

A  place  of  wonder,  Welcoming  of  people,  A  dark  continent  lit  up,  A  proud  roar  of  a  pride  of  lions,  

Thumping  of  incoming  elephants,  

An  awkward  stare  of  honey  badgers,  

Leopards  disguised  by  nature,  

A  wild  baobab,  Beautiful  Africa  

               

NASA  Collecting  Asteroid  

By  Nathan  Leer,  Senior  The   objective   of   the   NASA   OSIRIS-­‐Rex   mission   is   to   launch   a   probe   to   visit   the  asteroid   101955   Bennu   and   collect   rocks.   The   probe  will   launch   on   September   8,  2016   and   travel   1.2   billion   miles.   It   will   arrive   in   2019   and   begin   a   six   month  mapping  and  collecting  operation  before  departing  in  2021  and  returning  to  Earth  in  2023.  The  mission  will  reveal  ingredients  and  organic  molecules,  and  it  might  show  how  life  on  Earth  came  to  be.  It  will  inform  companies  how  to  mine  asteroids  in  the  future.  By  2135  the  asteroid  will  come  closer  to  Earth  than  the  moon.  The  asteroid  has  a  1  in  2700  chance  of  hitting  Earth.    Scientists  don’t  know  if  it  will  hit  Earth,  but  this  mission  should  prove  if  it  would.  

 Earth  Like  Planet  

By  Nathan  Leer,  12th  Grade  NASA’s   Kepler   Space   Telescope   discovered   an   Earth-­‐like   planet   called   Kepler-­‐186f   or   Earth   2.0.   The   planet  seems  to  have  a  habitable  zone  and  is  stable  enough  to  hold  liquid  water.  Kepler-­‐186f  appears  to  have  a  rocky  surface  with  the  same  gravity  as  Earth.  Kepler-­‐186f  is  ten  percent  wider  than  Earth  and  is  five  hundred  light-­‐years  away.  The  planet  circles  a  star  classed  as  an  M  Dwarf  star.  Kepler-­‐186f  has  four  companion  planets.  It  will  take  years  to  understand  the  planet  and  retrieve  more  data,  but  it  will  be  interesting  to  see  what  else  they  learn  about  the  planet.    

   

Asian  Giant  Hornet  By  Geovanni  Kaapuni,  Freshman  

The  Japanese,  or  Asian,  giant  hornet   is  a  killer  that  originates   in   Japan.  One  encounter   with   its   quarter   inch   stinger   can   inject   venom   so   nasty   that   it  dissolves   human   skin   like   sulfuric   acid.   The   adult   working   hornets   can   be  two  inches  long  with  the  queen  growing  up  to  three  inches  long.  They  are  the  largest  hornet  species  in  the  world,  and  they  are  so  large  that  they  are  often  mistaken  for  humming  birds.  They  can  fly  up  to  30  miles  per  hour,  which  is  similar  to  small  birds.  They  like  to  feed  on  pollinators  like  wasps,  butterflies,  but   their   favorite   food   is   honeybee   larva   and   honey.   This   killer   hornet  usually  builds  its  nest  in  the  ground.  They  rarely  build  hives  that  hang  from  tree  limbs  because  the  size  of  the  hive  is  so  large.    These  killer  hornets  have  started  to  migrate  to  other  countries.   It  doesn’t  take  much  to  provoke  them.  Just  step  into  their  territory,  and  you  become  public  enemy  number  one.    

 

Origami  By  Gemini  Carman,  Senior  

Origami  is  the  art  of  folding  paper  into  an  object.    It  was  originally  called  Orikata,  which  means   folded   shape.     Origami  was   invented   in   China   around  105  A.D.,   and   later  was  introduced  to  Japan  by  monks.    Traditionally,  origami  only  used  a  piece  of  square  paper  with  no  necessary  cutting.     Japanese  legend  says  if  you  fold  one  thousand  cranes,  you  will  be  granted  a  wish.    It’s  a  beautiful  art  that  is  practiced  to  this  day.      

 Death  From  Above  David  Onofrio,  Junior  

In   the  country  of  Norway  a  storm  passed   through  on  the   26th   of   August.   When   the   storm   reached   the  southern  part  of  Norway,  it  passed  a  mountain  plateau  that’s  called  Hardangervidda,  where  herds  of  reindeer  were  grazing.    The  storm  discharged  a  huge  amount  of  electricity,   which   killed   more   than   three   hundred  reindeer   instantly.     About   three   hundred   more  reindeer   were   eventually   put   down   due   to   injuries  caused  by  the  storm.    The  reindeer  deaths  most  likely  happened   when   they   huddled   together,   a   survival  technique   used   by   many   species   of   animals   to   keep  warm  or  to  stay  safe.    The  climate  was  another  factor  in  the  deaths  because  the  mountain  plateau  was  wet,  and  lightning  is  able  to  travel  through  water.    This  specific  location  is  a  tourist  attraction  for  hiking  or  sightseeing.    Fortunately  for  humans,  that  day  was  not  the  best  time  for  sightseeing  and  no  people  were  hurt.        

 Grandma’s  Short  Walk  

By  Madison  Trenner,  8th  Grade  A  hoodie   filled  with   giant   Ponderosa   pinecones   bounced   to   the   stride   of  my  walk.  My  parents,  my  brother,  and  I  went  back  to  Oregon  to  visit  family,  and  while  we  were  there  my   grandparents   took   us,   along   with   our   aunty   and   uncle,   to   a   place   called   Camp  Sherman.  My  grandma  Ruth  had  an  idea.    Instead  of  driving  to  the  store,  we  would  go  on  a   short   walk.     On   the   walk   I   picked   up   huge   pinecones   that   we   don’t   usually   find   in  Hawaii.   I  put   them   in   the  hood  of  my   jacket  and  slowly   it   filled  up.     I   saw  a   chipmunk  stuffing   his   mouth,   like   I   was   stuffing   my   jacket   with   ponderosa   pinecones.     The  chipmunk’s   cheeks   where   so   huge   I   thought   they   were   going   to   explode.   I   found  dandelion  seeds  that  where  the  size  of  my  hand.    I  tried  to  blow  them  off,  but  it  was  hard.  Our   feet   were   tired   by   the   time  we  were   “just   about   there”.     Grandma’s   “short”   walk  ended   up   being   seven   or   eight   miles   all   together,   but   we   had   many   memorable  adventures  along  the  way.  

 Seals    

By  Alaijah  Pastrana,  8th  Grade  Pinnipeds   are   fin-­‐footed   or   flippered,   aquatic  mammals,  and  they  are  found  all  over  the  world.  There  are   33   known   species   of   pinnipeds,   and   19   are   seals.    Researchers   believe   that   there   were   many   more  species,  but  they  died  out  in  the  past.  Depending  on  the  species,  seals  can  be  quite  different  in  size.  The  largest  ones   can   be   about   16   feet   long   with   the   smallest   of  them   being   about   four   feet   long.   One   of   the   most  common  types  of  seals  is  the  gray  seal.  In  the  world  of  seals,  males  are  bulls,   females  are  cows,  and  offspring  are   pups.   When   female   seals   give   birth   they   usually  take   care   of   their   pups   until   they’re   ready   to   feed   on  their  own.  There  is  still  a  great  deal  of  field  research  to  be  done  about  these  amazing  animals.