Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Kina'ole Awards 2015: A Moonlit Night in Moanalua



The 11th Annual Kina‘ole Awards Banquet and Silent Auction

Thursday, February 26, 2015
Honolulu Country Club
Doors open at 5:30PM
Dinner begins at 7:00PM


Join us for a moonlit night in Moanalua as we honor professional achievement and service giving at the 11th Annual Kina‘ole Awards. Our 2015 honorees are outstanding individuals whose performance exemplifies the attribute of kina‘ole, based on their professional accomplishments and community leadership.

Our annual gala includes a dinner and silent auction, with proceeds providing supplementary funds for equipment, supplies and campus programs. In 2014, the PTSA was able to provide post-high school scholarships, teacher and staff appreciation gifts, student breakfast on the school’s unique ACT Testing day, training for MeneMAC students, sponsorship for the school’s excellent May Day assembly (by the Hawaiian Club), travel assistance for the various student clubs and organizations representing Hawaii in national competition on the mainland and much needed air conditioners for the hot classrooms.

Since opening our doors in 1972, Moanalua High School continues to be recognized nationally as one of the most successful public school programs in Hawai‘i. Our success is built around a committed group of educators, community leaders, parents, students, and volunteers-at-large, whose energy inspires each generation of students to dream big and reach high in the spirit of kina‘ole.

About the Menehune Kina‘ole Award 

Hawaiian lore attributes many great deeds to the legendary menehune, including the building of fishponds, roads, temples and other magnificent structures over the course of a single, miraculous moonlit night. From our first graduating class in 1975, Moanalua High School, like its nickname, has built an impressive tradition of excellence and service to the community in a short period of time.

To celebrate the accomplishments of its graduates, and to express our gratitude to community supporters and friends, Moanalua High School established the “Menehune Kina‘ole Award”. The concept of kina‘ole is best described as “flawlessness” and this award honors one who has done the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason – the first time.



Kina'ole Honorees, 2015

Sharon Mahoe was at Moanalua High School for over twenty years, teaching Spanish, American Studies, Hawaiiana, and Hawaiian language. She was hired in the second year of Moanalua High School's existence and was instrumental in helping to build the solid foundation on which the school now rests. She, along with Ray Fujii, was a co-advisor to the Class of 1978. She also served at the Coordinator of the Central Oahu Teaching Center, as a foreign language resource teacher for the DOE, and as a Legislative Assistant to the late Senator Spark Matsunaga. Ms. Mahoe is best known in the educational community for serving as the HSTA President for 4 years and the Executive Director of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board for 12 years. She retired in 2009 and now spends her days traveling, caring for her four cats, and running NK Promotions, a promotional products firm.

Raymond Fujii is fondly remembered by many as the Moanalua High School Class Advisor for the classes of 1978 and 1982. He taught Science at MoHS for 12 years after a three year stint at Leilehua High School. After MoHS, he went into school administration. He retired in 2011 after almost 40 years of service to the Hawaii DOE. He is best known in the community as the beloved Principal of Makalapa Elementary School, having served there for almost 20 years. He also held administrative positions at Kohala Elementary and High School, Dole Intermediate, Moanalua Elementary, and Moanalua Middle School. He and wife Chiaki are the proud parents of four successful children, all Moanalua High school graduates...Robert ('90), Dennis ('92), Nancy ('93), and Michael ('96).

Brian Kang is a proud graduate of the Moanalua High School class of 1986. He is a partner in the law firm of Watanabe Ing LLP. As a student, he was a member of one of the first mock trial teams at MoHS. Since 2006, he has served as one of the attorney coaches for the MoHS Mock Trial Team that has won the Hawaii State Championship for the last five years. He is especially proud that at last year’s National Championship, the team won the inaugural Larry Bakko Professionalism and Civility Award, which recognizes the team that best exemplifies professionalism, civility, integrity, honesty, fair play and respect for others. In addition to helping his alma mater, he has served on the SCC at Queen Lili’uokalani Elementary School, the SCBM at Moanalua Elementary School, and the DOE Central District Advisory Council. He is currently a member of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board. Brian is a graduate of UH Manoa (B.A. Journalism) and Santa Clara University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude). He and wife Lianne (MoHS class of 1987) are proud parents of two daughters, Melissa and Natalie.

David Suzuki is a 1989 graduate of Moanalua High School. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Burke McPheeters Bordner and Estes. He was on the MoHS Mock Trial team that won the state championship in 1989. He, along with Brian Kang, has served as an attorney coach of the MoHS Mock Trial Team that has won five consecutive state championships. In 2012, he helped guide MoHS students to a first place finish in the prestigious Edison Miyawaki Moot Court Competition sponsored by Loyola Law School. He has also volunteered as the photographer for the MoHS Music Program since 2000, documenting band and orchestra performances and accompanying the groups to Japan and Carnegie Hall. He is a regular presenter at the MoHS Career Fair. David’s two brothers are also proud MoHS graduates, Paul (1978) and Michael (1980).

No comments:

Post a Comment