OUR SCHOOLS • KAHUKU ELEMENTARY
Computer projects let students teach the world

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAHUKU — Education at Kahuku Elementary School isn't limited to schoolchildren, Kahuku or even Hawai'i. The school has been recognized nationally for its level of computer literacy, and some of its lessons are posted on the Internet for others to use.

Fifth-graders Rochelle Russell, 11, left, and Tia Moeai, 9, edit a report for their history class on explorer Francisco Coronado in Kahuku Elementary School's computer room. Students at the school do at least four computer-related projects a year, and learn to work with animation and video. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

The site allows teachers to exchange ideas and offer lesson plans for others to use, said Dorian Langi, Kahuku's technology coordinator. "We can share with others what we do at Kahuku Elementary on the North Shore of O'ahu," Langi said.

Kahuku Elementary students do at least four computer-related projects a year, including a family heritage CD to be made into gifts. Students also work with animation and videos.

Students will travel to the Big Island with money generated by the 'ukulele CD they produce. Afterward, they'll add to existing documents about their trip. They also track flooding in Kahuku — an important community issue — and will expand on work they've begun.

Such widespread, integrated computer work helped the school earn designation as one of the nation's top 100 "wired" schools in 2001 by Family PC magazine.

The creative processes are aimed at giving children an opportunity to use higher-level thinking skills, Langi said.

• What are you most proud of? The students and the campus, said principal Pauline Masaniai. The elementary school split from the high school in 1988. A brand-new school was designed with a plantation motif, but the complex today looks more like a private school, with an inviting entry, tower feature, wide covered walkways, airy rooms and landscaped surroundings.

The school's successes include meeting the yearly progress required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, winning the Windward District Physical Fitness championship 12 times since 1985 and retaining teachers who are loyal to the community and students.

• Best-kept secret: Students who have attended the elementary school and gone on to distinguish themselves. They include Brad Scott, 2003 Pan Am jujitsu gold medalist and 2003 jujitsu world silver medalist; Eric Ho, a musician with local group Kahiau; the Sardinha brothers, who play major league baseball; Ted Scott, owner of Kaena Clothing Co; Leonard Peters, a University of Hawai'i football player; and Natasha and Krisha Kai, outstanding UH soccer players.

"A lot of time, (students) get notoriety through the high school, but before they went there, they came here," Masaniai said. "We take pride in having touched their lives in the early stages. We feel we did something to help them along the way."

• Everybody at our school knows: Sam Izumi, the school's physical education instructor and intramural coordinator. Izumi, who was once a sixth-grade teacher and math resource instructor, organizes games during the school's three lunch periods, giving "order to the playground" and "taming" the active kids, Masaniai said.

"We were having a few incidents on the playground," she said. "Now we hardly have any referral from recess time."

• Our biggest challenge: Not placing limits on what the school can do, for lack of money. Masaniai said the school and children have many successes regardless, and "maybe it's just ourselves. We think it's funding, but if we put our minds together, get creative and take a look at the resources we do have, I'm pretty sure there isn't anything we couldn't do."

• What we need: A bigger facility for assemblies. The cafeteria is so small, the school must schedule three lunch periods. When an honors assembly is held, the school meets on the front steps of the campus, she said.

• Projects: The 'ukulele music CD.

• Special events: A Winter Concert Dec. 17. The school, which added music to the curriculum this year, will host its first music program.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.