Pacific Buddhist Academy 1

A Life LessonPBA JUNIORS VISIT SHRINERS

HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN.

DEREK KAWATA, PBA JUNIOR

I started volunteering at Shriners

Hospital for Children because of

the encouragement I got from my

former teacher, Mr. Josh Morse, who

suggested that the junior class and I volunteer at an organization

over the summer. I decided to volunteer at Shriners because of

the opportunities they offer to have one-on-one contact with the

patients. I hope to get a job working with kids in the future.

My experience at Shriners is helping me get used to being in an

environment filled with children.

After my contract expired, I decided to continue volunteering at

Shriners Hospital for another six months. They inspire me because

of how strong they are emotionally; they never give up, no matter

what their physical condition. I also enjoy the experiences I have

with the kids; I even got the opportunity to develop close relation-

ships with a few of them. I believe these experiences are ones that

everyone should encounter at some point in their life.

On Thursday, October 20, 2005, the junior class and I went to

Shriners Hospital. We made musubis with the kids, and even played

different games with them, including Connect Four, Jenga, chess,

and pool. The patients had the opportunity to listen to a slack

key guitar performance from Tyler Omura, a junior here at Pacific

Buddhist Academy. I thought that the interaction was a success

because of the enjoyment all parties experienced.

I've learned that children can be very strong emotionally, no mat-

ter what their physical condition. They never give up on what they

are trying to achieve: in this case, getting better physically so they

can return back home. The most important thing that I think that

my classmates gained from visiting Shriners Hospital for Children

was how other children are not as fortunate as we are. At the same

time, they learned how to interact with people who have disabilities.

A Teacher’s ViewKATHI TAKAKUWA, BUDDHIST LIVING TEACHER

“Volunteering at changed my perspective about injured

children,” said Derek Kawata, a Pacific Buddhist Academy junior.

“I realized they're much stronger than me.” On Saturdays, Derek

volunteers at Shriners Hospital for Children, a pediatric care

facility that provides surgical and rehabilitative care to children

in Hawai'i and the Pacific Basin. He'd come to tell me about the

patients he works with in an attempt to convince me that our

Buddhist Living class should visit the hospital. “Buddha was

someone who always went out into the world to help others,”

he argued. “This experience can help us do the same thing.”

Needless to say, Derek's insights and his sincere request that

we “go out into the community and help others” convinced

me that spending time with the Shriners patients would be a

beneficial experience for the entire class. In the weeks that

followed, Derek presented his idea to our Buddhist Living class.

Together, we planned several activities to do with the Shriners'

patients. Derek also gave a presentation about the project to the

PBA families at a school wide parent meeting, single handedly

raising more than $200 from his classmates, their families, and

the faculty and staff, money he donated to the hospital.

In the accompanying essay Derek recounts the class' experience.

He shares his personal reflections on the service project that

benefited all those involved.

Reynold Wong playedConnect Four with a Shriners patient

and remarked,“Once you begin to

talk to them, it didn't really seem like they

had disabilities.”

Candace Tomasu and a Shriners patient play Go Fish.

Lori Kim said, “If I were in a hospital 24/7, I wouldn't have the fun attitude they had. I'd probably be crabby or grouchy.”

2 Pacific Buddhist Academy

Message from theHead of School

The vision of an organization is a kind of touchstone. If it'sgood, it's a short, memorablephrase that employees rely upon as a guideline for whatthey do everyday. The vision of the Pacific BuddhistAcademy is Leadership…Intellect…Spirit…in the Service of Peace. These eight words capture the essence of our institution's meaning and guide ourteachers and staff.

In this issue you will see examples of how students,through engagement in their student councils, clubs,and community activities, are developing leadershipskills and a sense of compassionate purpose that energizes and enhances their academic studies.

Thank you for your continued support of the PBA this past year! Your contributions are making it possible for us to become an institution of educational excellence committed to laying afirm foundation for peace, one student at a time.

In gratitude,Pieper Toyama, Head of School

Authentic ResponsibilitySTUDENTS LEARN LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH PARTICIPATION ON COUNCILS.

When he found food in the sink, backpacks and musical instruments on the floor, and candy wrappers and plasticPepsi bottles in the desks, Head of School Toyama closedthe door of the student lounge and locked it. “I told thestudents that the lounge would remain closed until they resolved the issue of caring for the room,” said Mr. Toyama.

The Discipline Council, one of four student councilsat Pacific Buddhist Academy, immediately took upthe lounge issue. “Our council deals with prevent-ing and taking care of discipline problems,” saidmember Hollande Lawrence. According to Hollande, the council “talked about the main problems and brainstormed ideas to prevent thoseproblems from happening again.” She explainedthat the council also created rules for takingcare of the lounge, including a system ofLounge Monitors responsible for cleaningand supervising use of the room and a listof consequences for misuse of the room.

“It took a really long time because there were somany issues to discuss,” said Discipline Councilchair, Layne Nakada. “We made the rules so thatthey benefited everyone, including the neighbors[who live behind the school]. We made them sothat the teachers would agree to them too.” At the end of the process, Layne reported the council'sdecision to his classmates at an all-school assembly.

PBA students participate in four student councilsdevoted to discipline, academic affairs, extra-curricu-lar activities, and general student concerns respec-tively. “We take an active role in making decisionsin the school,” explained Extra-Curricular Councilmember Chris Date. The councils meet weekly todiscuss issues that impact the daily life of students inthe school and give recommendations to the schoolfaculty and administration. By serving on councils, students practice decision-making procedures, organize activities, develop communication skills, consider otherpoints of view and work collaboratively. They also developa genuine appreciation for the responsibilities of leaders.

Karianne Kauleinamoku, a member of the Extra-curricularActivities Council, recently chaired a program for a groupof students visiting from Japan. “It was stressful, fun and a

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Make a Difference Day

On Make-A-Difference Day in October 2005 PBA students and faculty made tissue pumpkins withKuakini Day Care program participants: (clockwise from left) Daniel Chin, Mr. Pieper Toyama, and Taylor Nagata.

BENEVOLENCE ($1 - 99)24 AnonymousMr. Isao AsadaDr. & Mrs. Alfred & Dorothy BloomMr. & Mrs. Paul & Sinh CassensMs. Karleen ChinenMr. & Mrs. Francis & Gracie FujitaniMr. & Mrs. Yoshio FukumitsuMs. Misako FukumotoMs. Mitsue HanabusaMr. Harold HashiroHawaii Assoc. of International Buddhists, Dr. Poranee Natadecha-SponselMs. Eiko HigaMrs. Gladys M. HigaMr. Haruyoshi IkawaMr. Takeo IkedaMrs. Irene Y. ImadaMr. & Mrs. Howard & Joyce InaoMs. Harriet H. IseriMs. Sumiko IshizuMr. Toshiyuki IwahashiMrs. Yoshie IwahashiMr. George K. KagehiroMr. Chester A. KaitokuMrs. Mildred S. KakudaMrs. Dawn KakuniMr. & Mrs. Robert & Sharyn

KamemotoMr. & Mrs. Kunito KamimuraMr. Donald KanagawaMr. & Mrs. Brian & Esther KanakuriMs. Shimeji KanazawaMr. Maurice M. KaneshiroMr. & Mrs. Paul KaneshiroMs. Kikuyo KarimotoMr. & Mrs. Bruce & Della KawabataMr. & Mrs. Mitsuo KitagawaMr. Larry A. KodamaMr. & Mrs. Harold & Jane KudoMr. & Mrs. Conrad & Jane KuraharaMr. Whitney KurasakiMr. & Mrs. Gary & Lily KuroyamaMrs. Michie M. KuwayeMr. & Mrs. Patrick & Doris MasutomiMrs. Matsuko MatsumotoMr. & Mrs. Hisashi & Emiko MatsuokaMr. & Mrs. Baldwin & Sally MiyakeMrs. Florence MiyasatoMr. Hoyt Zia & Ms. Leigh-Ann

MiyasatoMr. & Mrs. Robert & Sally MiyashiroMr. & Mrs. Morris & Ann MoribeMr. & Mrs. Hisashi & Stella MoritaMr. & Mrs. Stanford MurataMr. Iwao NagataMr. & Mrs. Harry M. NakasoneMs. Sadaye NishimotoMr. & Mrs. Atsuo & Marian NishiokaMr. & Mrs. Michael T. & Kathleen

A. OkadaMrs. Betty OkamotoMr. & Mrs. Albert Y. Oki

Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Joni OnishiMs. Sadano OshiroMr. Shigeru OshitaMrs. Minnie SaikiMs. Ann SaitoMr. & Mrs. Shoji & Mae SakamotoMs. Lily U. SakuraiMr. & Mrs. Edmund Sanehira, for

Sadaichi Kubota Scholarship FundMr. Kurt Sanehira, for Sadaichi Kubota

Scholarship FundMr. & Mrs. Sadao SawaiRev. Yoshiko ShimabukuroMr. & Mrs. Richard M. TadaMs. Shizuo TagawaMr. Richard TakasakiMr. & Mrs. Shigeyoshi TakeuchiMr. Noboru TanoueMr. & Mrs. Shigeo & Toyo TatsunoMr. & Mrs. Shizuo & Alice T. TokudaMr. & Mrs. Douglas & Harriet ToyamaMrs. Betty TsujiMr. & Mrs. Hirotaka Jack & Casendra

Kazue TsujiharaMr. & Mrs. Fred K. & Clara C. UechiMr. Shigeru UeharaMr. & Mrs. Harold & Jane UyenoMr. & Mrs. Asahiko & Lorraine WagaiMr. & Mrs. Shigeru & Doris YamaguchiMs. Annette YodaMr. & Mrs. Yoshiichi YoshidaMr. Byron Yoshina

HARMONY ($100 - 499)23 AnonymousAnonymous gift in memory of

Tsuya ImaiMr. Masaru AkamatsuMr. & Mrs. Seitoku & Shizuko AkamineMr. & Mrs. Roy & Arlene AndoDr. Toshikazu AraiMr. Fujio AsaoMr. & Mrs. Shigo AsatoBig Island Candies, Ms. Sherrie Holi &

Mr. Alan Ikawa, for Sadaichi Kubota Scholarship Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Barry & Barbara BrennanMr. & Mrs. Alvin & Jade ChangMr. & Mrs. Wilbert & Doris ChingMr. Yasunori DeguchiMr. Raymond Y. FujiiMr. Ellsworth Fujimoto & Family, for

Sadaichi Kubota Scholarship FundMr. Kazutoshi FujinoMr. Takeshi FujitaMr. Glenn HamamuraMr. & Mrs. Kazuichi & Grace I.

HamasakiMr. Richard Hamasaki & Ms. Jennifer

Dang Ms. Lynn Hayakawa HaradaMr. & Mrs. John N. & Jean K.

Hashimoto

Mrs. Shigeko HataMrs. Mitsue HayashidaMr. Warren HigaMr. & Mrs. Edward & Harumi HirataMs. Nancy HiuMr. & Mrs. David & Shizuko IkawaMrs. Marjorie Yuriko IkedaMr. & Mrs. Charles & Yoko InatsukaMr. & Mrs. Sadayuki InouyeMr. & Mrs. Herbert IsonagaMr. Terry H. IwanagaMr. & Mrs. Richard & Nancy KadoMr. Kenzo KanemotoRev. & Mrs. Hiromi & Chizuko KawajiMr. & Mrs. Dennis F. KawamotoMr. & Mrs. Jon & Gayle KawataMr. & Mrs. Michael KerrMr. & Mrs. Eric KimMr. & Mrs. Toshio & Yvonne KishiMr. & Mrs. Yukio KitagawaMs. Kathleen E. Kiyuna, in memory

of Patsy SaikiMr. Sidney KobashigawaMr. & Mrs. Takeshi KobayashiMr. George KodaniMs. Sylvia S. KoikeMrs. Fannie KonoMs. Nancy KouzukiMs. Nora C. KoyanagiMrs. Elaine H. KurokawaMr. & Mrs. Allen KusanoMs. Itsuyo KusudaMrs. Rosamond Leong, in memory

of Robert LeongMr. & Mrs. Eric & Jarnell MartinsonRev. & Mrs. Arthur N. & Sumie

MarutaniMr. & Mrs. Dennis & Charlotte MasakiMs. Pauline Y. MasakiMr. Noriyoshi MasumotoMiss Florence M. MatsudaMr. & Mrs. Masanori MatsudaMs. Mitsuko MatsudaMr. & Mrs. Richard H. & Leslie MatsudaMr. & Mrs. Kiyoshi & Matsue MatsuoMr. Shiro MiotaMr. & Mrs. Keith & Tammy MiyashiroMr. & Mrs. Kennard & Miriam

MorimotoMrs. Tsurue MorimotoMr. Joshua Evans MorseMr. & Mrs. Iwao & Sumie MotoyamaRev. & Mrs. Tatsuo & Edna MunetoMr. & Mrs. Mitsuo & Tsukimi

MurashigeMr. & Mrs. Shuichi & Keiko NagaiMr.& Mrs. Patrick & Betty NakagawaMr. & Mrs. Bruce & Vanina NakaokaMr. & Mrs. Michiyo NakayamaMr. Yutaka NiiMr. & Mrs. Ralph & Kay NishiokaMr. & Mrs. Rodney & Edith NishionoMr. & Mrs. Daikichi & Joyce Nishita

Ms. Takako OdaMs. Cynthia OgasawaraMrs. Masako OgataMs. Kikumi OkadaMr. & Mrs. Buzzy & May OkazakiMr. & Mrs. Harold M. OnishiMr. Yoshimori OshiroMr. & Mrs. Elmer & Joy OtaMr.& Mrs. George & Janet OtaniMr. & Mrs. Hirao OyamaMr. & Mrs. Don I. & Carolyn M. SakaiMs. Masako K. SakataMr. & Mrs. Yasumasa SakumaMr. Harold A. SasakiMs. Annie S. ShimabukuroMr. & Mrs. Shinichi & Yaeko ShiotsukaMs. Joan H. ShishidoMs. Alice SugimuraMr. & Mrs. Elwyn SuzukiMr. & Mrs. Richard H. TaiseMr. Fred TakakuwaDr. & Mrs. Jerald TakesonoMr. Roy TakeyamaMr. Yoshikatsu C. TakishitaMr. Kunimitsu TamaiMr. Hiroshi TamayoriMr. George H. TanabeMr. Haruto TanabeMs. Mitsue TanakaMs. Phyllis T. TanakaMr. & Mrs. Wayne & Helen TanakaMs. Toyoko M. TandaMr. & Mrs. Earnest & Lorna TanimotoMr. & Mrs. Isamu & Barbara TatsuguchiMr. & Mrs. Dennis & Brenda TeranishiMs. Molly I. TokunagaMrs. Charlyne M. Tom, in memory

of Tadao MatsudaMr. & Mrs. Glenn & Merle TomoriMrs. Carolyn J. T. Toyama Mr. Jay J. ToyofukuMr. & Mrs. Ronald & Carol TsunezumiMs. Tsugie Tsutsui, for Sadaichi Kubota

Scholarship FundMr. & Mrs. Setsuo UshioMr. Edward T. UyedaMr. & Mrs. Joso & Miyuki UyetakeMr. & Mrs. Ernest & Ruth WakimuraMr. Akira YamamotoMr. & Mrs. Thomas & Carol YamamotoRev. & Mrs. Haruo & Shigeko YamaokaMr. & Mrs. Ronald & Shirley

YanagisawaMrs. Sumi YasuiMr. & Mrs. Eric & Dawn YosemoriMrs. Setsuko YoshidaMr. & Mrs. Tatsuo YoshidaMrs. Teruko YoshidaMr. Kwanichi Yuda, for Sadaichi Kubota

Scholarship FundMr. & Mrs. Claude & Grace ZukeranBishop Kosho Fujikawa, Governor General

of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha

DonationsTHANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

3 Leadership. . . Intellect. . . Spirit. . . in the Service of Peace

Pacific Buddhist Academy 4

Video as a ToolPBA VIDEO CLUB RECEIVES $1,000 GRANT.

A documentary on teen ethics from a Buddhist perspec-tive? According to Pacific Buddhist Academy Video Clubadvisor Paul Cassens, this is one of the project ideas VideoClub members have considered producing to fulfill a$1,000 Hawaii Schools Digital Media grant the club received last October. The grant was authored by Cassens(a PBA math and science teacher) and funded by theHawaii Association of Independent Schools in partnershipwith 'Olelo Community TV and the Hawaii EducationalNetworking Consortium.

The students will produce 10 minutes of video program-ming, to air on 'Olelo Community TV in May 2006.Other project ideas include public service announcementsdirected at teens and an overview of what it means to be a Buddhist high school. “Video is a powerful media tool,”said Cassens. “We would like to see every student at PBA to be able to effectively use video as a means of communicating their ideas.”

If you'd like to support the Video Club by donating apiece of equipment, please call Director of Development,Kathi Takakuwa at (808) 522-7395. Presently, the clubneeds the following items:

Azden wireless microphone system $243 Azden shotgun microphone $297Tripod carrying case $60Vegas editing software $150

Video Club member, Chris Date, learns how to use a new video camera. Club members will design and conduct a course to train

any PBA student or faculty member to use the camera.

Every attempt has been made to provide an accurate and complete listing of donors. We apologize for any inadvertent errors and omissions. Please call (808) 522-7395 or email donations@pbahi.org to report corrections.

SERENITY ($500 - 999)AnonymousMr. Wayne S. FujiokaDr. & Mrs. Ichiro & Jean FukumotoDr. & Mrs. Teruo FukumotoMr. Frank K. HamadaMr. & Mrs. Glenn & Katherine HamaiMr. & Mrs. Edgar & Helen HamasuMr. & Mrs. Masami Hironaka,

Hironaka Enterprises, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. James & Marian IhaRev. Midori O. KondoMr. & Mrs. Keiji & Janet KukinoMrs. Yaeko KunishigeDr. Walter KunitakeMrs. Mary A. MatsudaMr. Peter A. MatsumotoMs. Joy MiyasakiMr. & Mrs. Rikio & Etsuko MoriMr. Tomio Moriguchi

Mr. Hideo Noguchi, Noguchi & Associates, Inc

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick & Nancy Nonaka,for Sadaichi Kubota Scholarship Fund

Dr. Margaret Y. OdaMrs. Alice OmuraMs. Helen S. OtoshiMr. Yoshiharu SatohDr. & Mrs. Myron & Karen ShirasuMr. Neal Yokota, Stryker, Weiner,

& YokotaDr. Bert M. Sumikawa, DDSMr. & Mrs. Pieper ToyamaRev. & Mrs. Chikai YosemoriMr. & Mrs. Grant & JoAnn Yosemori

WISDOM ($1,000 - 4,999)Mr. Ted Chernin, in memory of

Violet Miyano MukaiMr. & Mrs. Joel & Marjorie Determan

Rev. & Mrs. Shigeaki FujitaniDr.s Dan & Jan FullmerHawaii Assoc. of Independent Schools,

Mr. Robert M. Witt Mr. Harry K. IshidaMrs. Amy Kubota, for Sadaichi Kubota

Scholarship FundMrs. Marian Masako Kubota, for

Sadaichi Kubota Scholarship FundMs. Betsy K. MiyamotoDr. & Mrs. Kiyoto & Susan MizubaMr. & Mrs. Seiji & Yaeko O. Muraoka

Mr. & Mrs. Larry & Yasuko NakamotoDr. & Mrs. Roy NiimiMr. Edwin OgasawaraMrs. Betty K. ShimizuDr. & Mrs. Warren & Claire TamamotoMr. & Mrs. Tokio & Ayame TaniguchiMr. Calvin Yamada

COMPASSION ($5,000 - 9,999)Mr. & Mrs. Norman Hirohata Goto,

in memory of Grant Hirohata GotoMr. Barry K. Taniguchi, Pres. KTA

Super StoresWest Kauai Hongwanji Mission

Gift of $50,000 from Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Kyodan

GIFTS IN KINDMr. David M. Hagino & Ms. Ha'aheo

GuansonMs. Janice LeeMs. Rene Tomita, Japanese American

National Museum

PBA in the NewsLORI KIM IS NAMED “ETHICALLY GIFTED TEEN”.

On Sunday, November 20th, 2005, the Honolulu Advertiserpublished an article about the conscience of teens, “What theBrain Tells Us About Teen Choices.” The PBA junior class participated in an ethics survey of nearly 100 teens from four O'ahu high schools that was referenced in the article. PBA junior Lori Kim was interviewed for the article. Go to http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Nov/20/il/FP511200321.html to read the article in its entirety.

Correction

We'd like to apologize for printing this photo in the Fall '04 issue without giving proper credit to photographer and PBA sophomore Devin Ando!

5 Leadership. . . Intellect. . . Spirit. . . in the Service of Peace

really good experience,” she said. “Now we know howother leaders feel.” When asked what it means to be aleader, Academic Affairs Council chair, Justin Tanaka,replied, “I have to be able to get everyone to work together to do their part.” He admitted that this is not always easy. “I just try to get everyone to pay attention to each other,” he said.

According to Mr. Toyama, the councils are achieving the goalhe'd intended: students experience authentic responsibility.“Our students know that what they are doing will directlyaffect their school,” Toyama said. “And for that reason theyparticipate in their councils with utmost seriousness.”

When the students left for winter break, the lounge hadbeen reopened for four months. Layne reported that therules the Discipline Council had prescribed out were working out well. “It's good that students have a voice in how we run things,” he said. “In most schools they don't have a say.”

Layne Nakada facilitatesa discussion about theproblem of gossip at a Discipline Council meeting while Gavin Oki takes notes.

Karianne Kauleinamokureviews a preliminarybudget and schedule

of activities for a student retreat.

Candace Tomasu asks for a clarification during a Student Council discussion about possible electives.

Authentic ResponsibilityCONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDHonolulu, HI

Permit No. 1422

PACIFIC BUDDHIST ACADEMY1710 PALI HIGHWAYHONOLULU, HI 96813

Leadership...Intellect...Spirit...in the Service of Peace

Pacific Buddhist Academy is an independent, college preparatory high

school, and part of a coordinated system of Buddhist education,

pre-kindergarten through grade 12.Guided by the Buddhist principles of interdependence, awareness, and peace,PBA students and faculty engage in rigorous and meaningful academic

learning in a community that treasureseach person. Our primary concern

is that our students fully develop theirintellectual, physical, creative, and spiritualpotential, becoming young adults who

embody wisdom and compassion.

“My late husband Tom was not officiallya Buddhist, but he strongly believed people of different religions should work together. Tom enthusiasticallysupported PBA because he believed inthe school's mission of a college prepprogram where universal human values arenurtured through Buddhist teachings. .”

– Mrs. Betty Higa

Widow of the late Tom Higa and PBA donor

Golf Tournament

Mark your calendars! On Thursday, May 11, 2006, the Pacific

Buddhist Academy will host our second

annual golf tournament at the Klipper

Kaneohe Course. For more information

or if you're interested in golfing and/or

would like to donate prizes or sponsor

a hole, please call Kathi Takakuwa at

(808) 522-7395.

Admissions Announcement

The Pacific Buddhist Academy is presently accepting applications in grades 9 through 12

for the 2006-07 school year! Please call Colleen Kunishige at (808) 532-2649 to

schedule a school tour or to request an application packet.