Imua, Ka Leo O Kalāheo!

For the past several months in anticipation of Kalāheo High School’s 50 th

Anniversary celebrations in 2023-2024, I have researched the school’s history.

There is much more to do, but my intent is to publish a book.

In the process, I was reminded that, although we usually consider a school to

consist of buildings and grounds, in reality, the students are the school, and

student newspapers are the best historical source for information about student

life. Student newspapers give a voice to ALL students—their interests, concerns,

opinions, accomplishments, amusements, and hopes for the present and the

future.

A few months ago, I was happy to hear from librarian Ms. Danielle Fujii that a

newspaper club had been organized. I was subsequently invited to attend a club

meeting held in the school library. I offered to share from the Kalāheo Archives a

selection of Ka Leo O Kalāheo student newspapers dating from the 1970s.

According to archival records, it was last officially published in 2009-2010.

Having worked at Kalāheo Hillside Intermediate and Kalāheo High for 43 years as

an English teacher and then librarian (1966-2010), I was a bit skeptical about the

club because the student newspaper had always been produced by a Newswriting

class for academic credit. The paper even won awards for Best in State.

At the meeting, my concerns were relieved. I was impressed when Club President

Makayla Dilliner shared information about producing school newspapers. She

had done her homework. While perusing the old newspapers, club members

seemed inspired by the possibilities for their new publication, including the wide

variety of articles and topics. We discussed photos, how to write opinion articles,

stories about sports, and a graduating student who was bound for Hollywood.

To members of the Newspaper Club and faculty advisor/editor Ms. Tina Shaffer

who was once a Kalāheo student, I enthusiastically say, “Imua! Move forward

with strength as you promote student interest in issues and events so that, once

again, all aspects of student life can be reported for the present and preserved for

posterity.”