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Reporting & Writing
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Volume 100: The Stories that Shape Us (Investigative Journalism)
My time at Imua has deepened my appreciation for its rich history. Our adviser frequently shared past articles with the staff, helping us refine our reporting skills by analyzing everything from compelling headlines to engaging hooks. This year, as Imua celebrates its 100th volume, I felt compelled to revisit the archives, tracing the evolution of topics and crafting Imua’s first comprehensive timeline. I dedicated free periods, lunches, and after-school hours in the archives researching, compiling, and analyzing information. This project became a cornerstone of my journalism journey, teaching me that journalism and history are often intertwined. As Editor-in-Chief, I now emphasize our responsibility as journalists to document the present for future generations.
Volume 100: The Voices That Shaped Imua (Feature)
While reviewing archival material, I became fascinated by the evolving culture of Imua and the staff who brought its pages to life. For the second issue of Volume 100, I decided to interview former advisers and editors, eager to uncover how Imua shaped their lives and career aspirations. Tracking them down, however, was no easy feat—many were no longer affiliated with the school. Determined, I reached out to former teachers and the Advancement Office to locate their contact information. Ultimately, I connected with two advisers and three staffers, discussing topics ranging from administrative pushback on controversial articles to how Imua sparked their passion for journalism. I also looked through past yearbooks and archival materials for photos. As someone who loves feature writing, I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with those who came before me and highlighting their contributions.
Period Warriors and Beyond: Addressing Stigma Through Advocacy and Education (Feature)
As a member of the student group that introduced free period products to school bathrooms, I was committed to using Imua as a platform to promote period equity and showcase the work of the Period Warriors. For this article, I chose to take an unconventional approach for our publication, beginning with a personal reflection on my own experiences with period stigma. I also wrote about the expanded health education initiatives in the lower school, interviewing counselors about their efforts to address this stigma early on. Writing this piece was incredibly meaningful to me, as it focused on a topic I care about deeply and advocate for passionately.
2024 HHSJA 3rd place in Nonfiction Storytelling
2024 HHSJA 3rd place in Nonfiction Storytelling
Magic Words: Mr. Bowman and Mr. Suemori Spread a Love for Reading Through Two New Books (Feature)
One of the most inspiring stories at ‘Iolani is that of Mr. Bowman and Mr. Suemori, two teachers who authored children’s books for Hawai‘i’s keiki: "Leilani Blessed and Grateful" and "Kaiona the Kia‘i." Featuring their story felt necessary, given their incredible outreach efforts with the lower school and various organizations dedicated to children’s literacy across the island. My goal was to spotlight their mission for writing and celebrate their remarkable contributions to both the ‘Iolani and broader community. The story also offered a fascinating exploration into the use of AI in art, as they utilized it to illustrate "Kaiona."
Youth for the Planet: Earth Month 'Iolani (Feature)
I was thrilled to write about Earth Month, especially in a year when my school made notable strides in promoting sustainability and service-based learning. To gather information, I explored the websites of each featured organization and even reached out to Malama Maunalua’s Outreach Coordinator for additional insights. I also visited the Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae community to learn more about their mission, and interact directly with the residents. Reflecting on this piece, I would revisit it by incorporating more student quotes, capturing their perspectives on Earth Month and their involvement. This addition would have brought a richer, more student-focused dimension to the article.
Remembering Dr. LaGory (Feature)
In 2023, the unexpected passing of a beloved ‘Iolani teacher deeply saddened our school community. Writing a tribute for Imua was both challenging and deeply rewarding—a piece I dedicated significant time and effort to. Although I was already working on another print article, I took on this project to support another staffer and ensure the tribute was both respectful and thoroughly researched. I interviewed three teachers and two former students, and listened to the ‘Iolani Podcast featuring the teacher to learn more about his life. The heartfelt quotes from interviewees beautifully captured his influence. I’m incredibly proud of this piece, which served as a meaningful and respectful tribute to a teacher who meant so much to our community.
Special Olympics: Wings of Resistance (Feature)
When I discovered that my school hosts Special Olympics practices, I knew I had to write about it. I gathered information from the Special Olympics Hawai‘i website and interviewed an ‘Iolani teacher and swimming coach who volunteer their time by leading practices. However, looking back, I wish I had included direct quotes from participants in a Q&A section, highlighting how Special Olympics has personally impacted their lives.
Bees for Breast Cancer (Feature)
This was the very first piece of my Imua career. At the time, the Bees for Breast Cancer group was incredibly popular among ‘Iolani students, with everyone buying their crochet bees. I chose to feature this student group not only for their creativity but also for their dedication to donating 100% of their profits to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Interviewing seniors at the time took a lot of courage, as I worked to gather enough information for my debut article. Looking back, I’m proud of how I integrated quotes and organized the information, setting a strong foundation for my journalism journey. This inspired my interest in feature writing, as I loved talking with the students about their passions.
Teachers Respond to Emergence of AI in the Classroom (News)
The rise of large language models at my school was both startling and significant, making it a topic Imua needed to address. To explore how AI is being integrated into education, I interviewed our Dean of Studies, three teachers who taught different subjects, and a student who founded the AI Club. I’m particularly proud of this article for its diverse range of perspectives, providing a comprehensive look at the use of AI at ‘Iolani.
An All Boys' Club (Editorial)
At ‘Iolani, I noticed that many of our STEM teachers and students involved in STEM activities were women. Inspired by Mr. Melvin Goo, an ‘Iolani graduate and journalist dedicated to justice, I wrote this article to highlight the importance of women in STEM and to examine the latest research on gender disparities in the field. Through interviews with a female robotics coach and Physics teacher, I emphasized the necessity of women in STEM, arguing that “a world functioning without women only uses half its potential.” I especially loved this piece for its interactive element—I collaborated with lower school teachers to recreate the “Picture a Scientist” activity, asking students to draw a scientist with no further instruction. Many, including female students, drew men, with one of the drawings featured in the article.
The Rooney Rule: Diversity or Distraction? (Sports)
At the time of writing this article, the hiring controversy surrounding NFL coach Brian Flores and the New York Giants was a major news story, leading me to explore the Rooney Rule. This policy requires all 32 NFL teams to interview at least two women and/or candidates from ethnic minorities for head coach, general manager, and coordinator roles. As someone who didn’t typically cover sports topics for Imua, this was new territory for me. However, my interest in diversity and the controversy surrounding the Rooney Rule motivated me to pursue it. I interviewed three teachers who taught subjects like Race and Social Justice Literature and African American Studies, or had a keen interest in sports, gathering their insights on this issue. I’m especially proud of this article for its depth of research and alignment with Imua’s mission to champion diversity and inclusion.
The Great Sports Debate (Sports)
At my school, the criteria for earning PE credit and what qualifies as a sport has always been a topic of debate, brought into focus when Esports began earning PE credit after being recognized as an HHSAA sport. This issue felt particularly significant, given that dance—one of the few year-round physical activities—receives no PE credit. I initially reached out to both Esports and dance coaches for comment, but due to an administrative disagreement, their quotes were excluded from the article. This setback posed challenges, delaying my progress and testing my journalistic integrity. However, I shifted my focus to student perspectives, ultimately creating a piece I was proud of for its balanced representation and thorough research.
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