By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

Wayne Watanabe has a philosophy about education that runs counter to the recent discussion on public schools.

"It's not about money and it's not about more at the top," he says.

He doesn't even put academics as his No. 1 priority.

"Aloha is the most important thing," Watanabe says. "Without that, nothing else matters. With love, you can reach students' minds. You can reach their hearts. You can teach any kid."

Watanabe knows this firsthand. He's had a 90 percent success rate with kids who were failing in regular high school.

And he knows because he was a troubled kid who made it through high school only because of the aloha of a teacher.

Watanabe heads up the DOE alternative learning program called Ko Apopo Academy. Fifteen at-risk students from Kaiser, Kalani, Kaimuki, Roosevelt and McKinley high schools go to school in a single classroom "borrowed" from the Palolo Elementary campus. There are five teachers plus Watanabe, so students get lots of individual attention.

This week, the students presented their "Problem Based Learning Projects" — detailed research projects — to a gathering of their teachers and their families.

It was an impressive morning of speeches. The students illustrated their findings and conclusions with PowerPoint presentations. They spoke from notes and, at times, extemporaneously about such complex topics as "The Effects of Media on Society," "Watershed Preservation" and "Obesity in America."

"The kids in our program aren't dumb," senior Ashley Celebrado said. "We just weren't being taught in a way that we could learn."

"I've been failing since middle school," Celebrado said. "And if you're failing, you have two choices. Either pick yourself up or give up completely. For a long time, I chose the second one."

Celebrado's parents say their daughter has excelled in the Academy. She will graduate this year and go on to study Hawaiian healing arts.

Julia Rodrigues had all the parents in the room cracking up when she described her son, Shawn Perreira:

"He's a good kid," she said. "He never cut out or anything. He just never went to school."

Shawn had to laugh, too. He served as emcee for the program, and it was clear by his confident delivery that he is proud of his accomplishments.

Watanabe used to be principal at Kapa'a High School on Kaua'i, his alma mater. When he was in high school, beloved educator Gladys Brandt was principal. It was Brandt who "saved" Watanabe and steered him toward college.

"You want to be wanted and loved by someone," Watanabe said. "Without that, it's hard to survive."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com