March 29 - April 3

Click on the Session Title to register for that session.

Sessions last for 35-45 minutes.

Unmute Yourself: Finding the Extrovert Within

Monday, March 29 @ 2:00 PM

Wednesday, April 7 @ 2:00 PM

Think back to the days of in-person learning where your teacher said things such as "this is a group assignment" or "turn to your neighbor and discuss this topic." Did an uneasy feeling come over you? Or what about those times when we were allowed to huddle together with friends. Was everyone else eager to talk while you stayed quiet and preferred to just listen? These may be signs that you are an introvert. And although that is not a bad thing, it is good to get in touch with the extrovert within you. Prepare yourself for when things go back to normal and you can no longer mute your mic or hide behind a screen. Here's your chance to be with a friendly group where you can get tips and tricks on how to be more social, talkative, and approachable. Get ready to unmute that mic, jump into the fun, and finally have a chance to make some noise. Mic check!

Presenter: Ms. Joy Yoshida is the Programs Coordinator and Student Leadership Facilitator at the Center for Tomorrow's Leaders, an organization dedicated to developing young leaders for Hawaii. She was born and raised in Kaneohe and is a graduate of Hawaii Baptist Academy. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, she returned home to Hawaii where she taught the 4th grade at Windward Nazarene Academy for 15 years. In her free time, she is spending time with her two sweet nieces, serves on her church's leadership board, and is a member at First Presbyterian Church in Kaneohe.

Freestyle Basics: Let Loose

Monday, March 29 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM

In the dance community, when we say “freestyle”, we usually relate this to Hip-hop or Street style. Some of the movements you see on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are street-style inspired but most of what you see on these social media platforms are choreographed movements, meaning they were already planned, set and rehearsed. Freestyle, however, is the opposite: we will be coming up with movements on the spot. Absolutely free of judgement! We’re just going to vibe with the music, hype each other up and just let loose!

Presenter: Francis Vilar has been dancing and has been part of the McKinley Dance Club since his freshman year. As a McKinley Alumnus, Class of 2014, he has continuously made an effort to come back to the club as a mentor and, eventually, became the head coach for McKinley’s Varsity Division in the Honozulu Beast Dance Competition (an annual high school dance competition held in Hawai‘i). From there, he realized and acknowledged his passion for dance as an educator. Currently enrolled at UH Mānoa, he now aims to be a secondary school teacher focusing on dance. He believes that dance has already proven itself to be one of the most beneficial art-forms for the youths. One of his lifelong goals is to bring importance in dance to secondary education and, specifically, encourage high schools in Hawai‘i to include dance as part of their curriculum.

Defense! Defense! When You Need to Have Your Own Back

Tuesday, March 30 @ 2:00 PM

Watching the events of the news these days can make you feel like your everyday routines of walking to the bus stop, going for a run, or loading up the car can make you a potential target to people looking to harm others. Do you know what you would do if you had to defend yourself? Get equipped with basic skills and techniques to protect yourself in threatening situations and hope that you never have to use them. You will also learn about what signs to look for and how vigilance and awareness can help you to avoid dangerous situations.

Presenter: Scott Ishihara has over 20 years of martial arts experience. He is a Full Instructor under Burton Richardson in his JKD Unlimited MMA for the street programs, a Battlefield Kali instructor (Stick and Knife), Silat for the street instructor and a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the street. He is also a personal training/ sparring partner with Burton and has appeared in several of his books, DVD, and a feature film. Scott has taught seminars throughout the state, all along the west coast and as far as London, England!

In 2010 he opened his gym, Get Home Safe, in Kaimuki where he also lives with his wife and two daughters. The goal of Get Home Safe is to teach people how to defend themselves and feel more confident in their everyday lives. "Everything I teach has been tested under pressure through sparring, to ensure that the concepts will work for my students when they need it."

HPD: Behind the Badge

Wednesday, March 31 @ 2:00 PM

It seems like everyone has their opinions (good or bad) about law enforcement. Put those opinions aside and spend some time listening to firsthand experiences from someone who wears the uniform. Learn about the demands, challenges, and rewards of being a police officer. Gaining this unique perspective will give you a whole new respect of what is involved.

Presenter: Officer Elvin Bumanglag, or “Officer Booms” has been assigned to the District 1 area since 2014. He started with the Misdemeanor Follow Up Detail and recently moved to the Community Policing Team in August 2018. He is BID (Basic Instructor Development) certified with the Honolulu Police Dept. He has been doing the safety and active threat presentations since August of 2018. Officer Bumanglag has been with the department since February 2003.

Officer Edmund Ho has been assigned to the District 1 area and has been an established presenter/speaker, as well as BIDS certified through the HPD and ALERRT Train the Trainer CRASE certified through Texas State University. Officer Ho has been employed with HPD since September 2012, and has been a member with the District 1 Community Policing Team since July 2014. Officer Ho is a 2013 City and County of Honolulu/HPD Warrior Bronze Medal of Valor Recipient.

Embroidery 101: Oh Sew Beautiful

Wednesday, March 31 @ 5:00 PM

Looking to revitalize your favorite jacket that has become a little boring? Or maybe you found the perfect blouse that just doesn't have enough color. Whether you're looking to modernize old clothing and accessories or glam up new ones, you will love the possibilities of embroidery. The best part is you can binge on Netflix while on a video conference call with your friends and you won't have to drop a stitch! (If you attended the first session in February you can still attend this one and learn something different!).

Supplies needed to actively participate: Embroidery needle, embroidery floss and any clothing item to stitch on. These can be purchased at Walmart, Ben Franklin and Fiddlestickstoo (Hart Street in Kalihi).

You do not need to actively participate with the supplies in order to attend the session.

Presenter: Ms. Hailey Tanaka is a clerk in the Main Office at McKinley High School. She started this hobby by purchasing kits on Amazon. This new passion evolved into making personalized gifts for her friends. This has been a great way for her to spend her time during the pandemic.

Speak Up: Shake Off the Shakiness in Your Voice

Thursday, April 1 @ 3:00 PM

Thursday, April 8 @ 3:00 PM

Thursday, April 15 @ 3:00 PM

Our daily routine is to get out of bed, turn on the computer, and mute ourselves. Distance learning has made speaking up in front of others even more awkward and intimidating. Learn to find your voice again and the confidence in yourself to speak in a public setting, whether it be to a few people or an audience of hundreds. Although it does not feel like it right now, you can be certain that face-to-face interactions will return!

Presenter: Maiola Vivas is a Youth Pastor at One Love ministries. He has been public speaking and working with youth for the past 5 years.

Dog Care 101: They'll Love You Fur-ever

Saturday, April 3 @ 1:00 PM

The power of pet love is overwhelming and so therapeutic at times like these. Whether you already have a furbaby at home or are looking to adopt one, this course will prepare you for proper canine care. Learn about the health and maintenance of dogs from nutrition, to grooming to training. You'll see the rewarding results in that extra-happy tail wag!

Your dog is also invited to this session!

Presenter: Ms. Jackie Sumida is a science teacher at McKinley High School. She has been showing and breeding dogs for over 40 years, competing in Conformation (Best In Show), Obedience and Rally. She has put titles on dogs in all three categories and has been honored to have some of the top winners here in Hawaii. The most recent being at the Royal Canin Shows in Florida this past December where "Pistol" Ch Lynroc Amor Lady Boss completed her championship and defeated some of the top Havanese in the nation. The dogs she has been involved with are show dogs yes, but family pets first and foremost.

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