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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Kalani sex education program blasted

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By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer

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A second school has come under criticism for a sex education presentation, causing a legislator to raise concerns about the material presented to students.

Last week, some Kahuku High & Intermediate School parents expressed outrage over a graphic skit on campus that was supposed to teach lessons about reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Yesterday, Kalani High School parent John Iervolino said he sat in on a similar program in his son's class of about 30 students in September and was shocked at what he called "the most disgusting display of immorality that I have ever witnessed in my life."

Principal Gerald Teramae said Iervolino's complaint was only the second the school had received in the approximately eight years that the program has been presented at the school.

The two-part course was presented by the Life Foundation, which works to stop the spread of HIV and helps people afflicted with it and AIDS, and Kulia Na Mamo, a social justice organization that focuses on transgender equality.

The program was intended to promote mental and emotional health through increased awareness of sexual diversity and promote sexual health and responsibility through increased awareness of HIV, according to a flier sent home, Iervolino said.

But he said he thought the first part about HIV promoted sexual promiscuity and he and his son didn't stay for the second part about transgender lifestyle.

"We sat there for five minutes listening to a young man tell us how he used his finger to have sex with his girlfriend," Iervolino said. A female student had to read off a cue card about how to have hand sex with a person who has HIV and how to get his penis erect, Iervolino said.

"They had a dildo stuck to the board," he said. "There it hung, flaccid."

Iervolino said he had not wanted his son to attend the presentation because the subjects were to be taught by transgender counselors, but he gave in because he wanted to be open-minded when his son expressed interest.

Iervolino said he complained to the school afterward but said the school stood behind its decision to have the class.

Teramae said the programs are screened for content by him and the class teacher before students see them.

"We review for appropriateness, always keeping in mind that it might be appropriate from my perspective but always having that opportunity to allow parents and students to choose not to participate if they feel it may be offensive or it's something they don't want to hear about," Teramae said.

Iervolino said some of the students were embarrassed and squeamish about the presentation. But Teramae said students are asked for their comments after a presentation and if they didn't like it, they would not hold back.

"If they felt it was offensive in any way ... they would say 'We found this to be very offensive.' ... Our kids would," Teramae said.

The portion viewed by Iervolino was presented by the Life Foundation, which did not return a request to comment. Kulia Na Mamo's executive director said the organization would never use graphic material to get its message of tolerance and acceptance across to teenagers.

"We try to be sensitive because they're children," said Ashliana Hawelu. "We don't want to scare them."

The play presented at Kahuku was put on by another group, and about 600 of the 1,750 students on campus in grades seven to 12 attended, said Principal Lisa DeLong.

After reading Saturday's Advertiser story about Kahuku, Iervolino decided to contact state Rep. John Mizuno.

Mizuno, D-30th (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter), said in a press release that the type of content in the Kahuku skit that upset parents and students could be more widespread.

Mizuno said schools need to be aware of what is inappropriate but still provide sex education in a respectful and mature manner.

"This may actually be an excellent opportunity for the students, parents and school teachers to get together and work on appropriate standards and policies not only concerning sex education but other important areas, such as school bullying and domestic violence," Mizuno said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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