The Tenth Annual Kina’ole Awards Dinner was held Thursday
evening, February 27, at the Honolulu Country Club. The event was the PTSA’s only fundraiser for
the year. The dinner honored three
outstanding members of our community: Amy Stone Murai, Senator Glenn Wakai, and
Steven Onoue (MoHS Class of 1976). Their
dedication and service to Moanalua
High School and the
Moanalua community is inspiring and they set an example that all who are
connected to our school should strive to follow. Thanks to our Awardees and to all who
attended the event.
At the dinner, we were able to showcase the talents of many
outstanding Moanalua students. Guests
were greeted by members of the defending State Champion Mock Trial team and the
Moanalua Junior ROTC and Color Guard. A
moving rendition of the National Anthem and dinner music were performed by Con
Passione, a group of outstanding student musicians from the school’s acclaimed
Symphony Orchestra. For the first time
ever, Kina’ole Dinner attendees were treated to a hula performed by members of
the Polynesian Dance Club. Senior Taylor
Tanuvasa wowed the crowd with her wonderful performance of “Hawai’I
Pono’i”. MeneMAC students produced two
video presentations that were of such high quality that some attendees were in
awe that they were produced by students and not by professionals. Senior Drake Fukushima designed and created a
surfboard that was a part of our successful silent auction.
I would like to thank all of the students who participated
in the event. A special thanks goes to
their faculty advisors: Maria Bernard-Reantaso, Master Sergeant Ken Schubert,
Cavin Takesue, Kumu Claire Manutai, and
Austin Zavala. Attendees of the
event clearly came away with a sense of what makes Moanalua the best high
school in the state. Thanks to all of
the student groups and faculty who assisted in getting the word out about the
event during our parking lot blast in January, especially the baseball team led
by Coach Scott Yamada. Thanks to
Principal Robin Martin and the rest of her administrative team. I appreciate all of your support in planning
the event. Thank you to all who donated
items for our silent auction. A big
mahalo goes out to the Kina’ole Commiittee led by Andrea Iwamoto. Your hard work and dedication will allow the
PTSA to assist our school in countless ways. I can’t thank you enough.
As Senate President Donna Mercado Kim said when she
addressed the audience, “Tonight’s event is so very special. No other school does anything like
this.” I urge all parents to support the
next Kina’ole Award Dinner by participating in the planning the event or by attending. It is truly something special to be a part of
such a wonderful event that helps all of our students at Moanalua High School.
Andrew Pak
