Summer Recap

By Kealiʻi Rapozo | Photos provided by interviewees

As a time for relaxation, rejuvenation and anything but expectations, we all look forward to summer. Taking trips, being with loved ones, and everything in between, a well deserved break before we kick it back into the new school year: that’s what summer offers. Ke Kalahea interviewed a few students to get a look on how they enjoyed their time this past summer.

Shaylee Kanuha

Shaylee Kanuha, a sophomore from Kona said the highlight of her summer was her trip to Tahiti with her hula hālau Kaulana Nā Pua, Inc.

“We went to Papeete, took a ferry to Huahine, spent a week there and returned to Papeete and spent another week there,” she said.

She expressed that she was fortunate to be able to partake in cultural expeditions.

“One of my favorites was in Papeete, where we did cultural exchange by sharing a hula about Peleʻs journey from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi” Kanuha shared.

Through everything, she said the number one thing she was proud that she accomplished this summer was the actual trip itself.

“Expenses, housing, transportation, practice after practice to ensure that we were all set with everything and all goals achieved was rewarding to say the least.”

Although she is thankful for the experience, one thing she wishes she got to do more this summer was to work more.

“Don’t get me wrong I know hard work pays off but I would have had more money to support myself now,” says Kanuha.

When asked how her experience was of transitioning back into school mode, she shared that it was a little bit of a shock. “Accepting that summer is gone, you need to focus and realign yourself again so it's definitely humbling.”

Kahaku Poepoe

The next student is Kahaku Poepoe, a freshman from ʻUalapuʻe, Molokaʻi. The highlight of his summer was going to the valley of Wailau, on the Koʻolau side of Molokaʻi. He expressed that while winter is generally a better season for boating because of the weather and currents, he was still grateful to spend that time with his family. He was looking forward to summer as a time to rest.

He shared that, “I was glad I was able to celebrate my accomplishments of graduating this past school year from Molokaʻi high school with an associate's degree as well as visiting each part of my island before I moved away for college.”

Something he wishes he had more time to do this past summer was spend more time with his grandparents.

“A lot of responsibilities this summer made it difficult, but I wish I was able to make more time for them and cherish it with them because they have so much knowledge and wisdom to offer,” Poepoe expresses.

Making this transition into school mode as a first year student has been more comfortable for him.

“In college, everything is more serious whereas high school classes felt more immature,” he said. “It's a reality we are paying for our major and are conducted in a more mature environment. I am also thankful for the amazing Hawaiian studies department offered here at UH Hilo for me to pursue my major.”

Stacy Watkins

The last and final student was Stacy Watkins, a senior from Hilo, Hawai’i and graphic designer at Ke Kalahea. The highlight of her summer was going to Italy with her sister.

“Rome, Florence, Venice, and so many more [destinations], it was pretty cool going to these iconic places and I was glad to be able to actually be able to witness their beauty first hand,” Watkins shared.

One thing she does wish she had done more during the summer was prepare more education wise. “I didn’t prepare enough before I came back and I definitely wish I studied some more just so I was at least a little prepared,” Watkins shares. With this in mind she says that the transition back to school has definitely been a challenge for her.

“My brain has definitely been on vacation mode, I came back from Italy two weeks right before we came back to school so I was certainly not prepared,” Watkins expresses. However, looking back at it she says, “everyone should be traveling, we’re young go do it while you can. I wish I had also taken advantage of the study abroad program because by the time I wanted to do it was too late.”

View of the town of Vernazza The town of Vernazza where Stacy visited while traveling in Italy