Posted on: Thursday, March 17, 2005
OUR SCHOOLS | 'AIEA HIGH SCHOOL
Faculty's Na Ali'i pride runs deep
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer
'AIEA — The pride Leisha Wake Bento feels when she stands with students and sings 'Aiea High's alma mater helps make her teaching job special. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser They're all among 28 'Aiea High graduates on the school's staff of 110.
Bento, 'Aiea class of 1983, has taught at her alma mater for 10 years.
"I think kids respond when they find out I'm an 'Aiea graduate," said the social studies department head. "I think it makes them feel proud. I felt the same way when I was a student."
Alum and vice principal Cherly Morita likes what that brings to the school.
"It's wonderful because you know the grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts of some students and the whole 'Aiea history," said Morita, who not only lives in the community she grew up in but also received her elementary, intermediate and high school education there. "The tradition has always been to give something back to the community that has helped us to succeed."
• What are you most proud of? "The students at 'Aiea High School are the most kind, compassionate and caring students you could meet," Principal Michael Tokioka said. "As an example, our senior class president, C.J. Tausaga, was recently recognized for his efforts to raise money for a friend (Ikaika Tan of Kapolei High) who was killed in a Jan. 5 car accident." Tausaga raised $510 and gave it to Tan's family on behalf of 'Aiea High School. • Everybody at our school knows: Blake "Sugu" Moritsugu, described by Tokioka as "our energetic student activities coordinator who is seemingly on campus 24/7." • Our biggest challenge: "Finding the funding to upgrade our electrical power at the school," Tokioka said. "With the increased use of technology and computers, the current system cannot accommodate the needs of our school and students." • Projects: "Thank You 'Aiea Day." Staff, students and community set aside a day annually to do a school beautification project.
Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com. • • •
Where: 98-1276 Ulune St., 'Aiea Phone: 483-7300 Principal: Michael Tokioka, sixth year at school School nickname: Na Ali'i School colors: Green and white Enrollment: 1,237 Testing: Here's how 'Aiea High students fared on the most recent standardized tests. Stanford Achievement Test. Listed is the combined percentage of pupils scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent: 10th-grade reading, 62 percent; math, 63 percent. Hawai'i Content and Performance Standards tests. Listed is the combined percentage of pupils meeting or exceeding state standards, and a comparison with the state average: 10th-grade reading, 42 percent, compared with state average of 40.2 percent; math, 18 percent, compared with 19.4 percent. History: 'Aiea High School was founded in 1961 in a sugar plantation town 12 miles northwest of Honolulu overlooking Pearl Harbor. From a modest beginning of eight buildings that included the cafeteria and library, 'Aiea High has expanded to 15 buildings. Alums on staff: Stephen Adams, Sharon Aldueso, Dawn Aoki, Leisha (Wake) Bento, Kimo Fonoti, Naomi Fuaalau, Mark Gervacio, Alan Higuchi, Wayde Hirata, Chad Itagaki, Charles Kaahanui, Ken Kang, Ryan Kato, Keith Kikiloi, Corina and Danette Lapot, Roy Matsui, Corey Matsuoka, Ollys Mauga-Foi, Roy Miyoga, Cherly Morita, Ronnell Nipp, Daryl Nishizawa, Rylan Okumura, Sandy Ramiscal, Meredith Takara, Bryan Terauchi and Denise Villaflor. Special programs: 'Aiea is one of 22 schools selected by the DOE to pilot Act 51 measures, which include spending based on a student-weighted formula, and formation of a school community council, before all public schools are required to make the change for the 2006-07 school year. Correction: Leisha Wake Bento's name was incorrect in a previous version of this story.
"I'm teaching with some teachers who are also 'Aiea grads that were teaching here when I was a student," said Bento, referring to Denise Villaflor, Roy Miyoga and Wayde Hirata.
There are 28 teachers at 'Aiea High School who once crossed the main lawn as students. Teacher Leisha "Wake" Bento said she thinks her students feel proud when they find out she graduated from 'Aiea.
At a glance
