Spring 2017: May 1st Issue 8
Letter from the Editor In Chief
Aloha Mai Kakou
The end of Spring 2017 is almost upon us – and we are ready to go out with a bang! This is the last issue of Ke Kalahea until the beginning of Fall 2017, so we truly hope you’ll enjoy what we have in store for you today.
First, a huge “thank you” to everyone who came to this year’s Media Symposium on Saturday! We at Ke Kalahea were happy to receive support from the community – including BOSP, BOMB, and the Big Island Press Club – in putting on this event.
It was a thrill to host such high-profile guests like our state legislators, county councilmembers, top island journalists, and even one of our UH regents. We were likewise touched by the generosity of one of our last-minute speakers, anchor Keahi Tucker of Hawaii News Now. I’ve included a recap on some of the highlights from the symposium; they include some inspirational words of wisdom, from our speakers, to be shared with the student body.
Meanwhile, the end of the year seems to bring with it some buzz about what changes students should anticipate for next year – including the makeup of UH Hilo itself. Some of this involves the players themselves: administrators, faculty, other staff, and students.
Change, however, is not limited to personnel. The people working at a university are no doubt important, but the framework of how professors and administrators are expected to operate is equally crucial. For example, what kind of programs and departments are needed to ensure the best interests of the students are taken to heart?
As our news editor Nick reports, a plan to split the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) into separate colleges, as well as another proposal to eliminate certain administrative positions (like division chairs) may very well be implemented in the near future. As someone whose own major lies within CAS, I am glad Nick was able to shed light on this topic, which affects so many students.
Aside from academics, another priority for students concerns tuition financing. Our writer Tenika recently interviewed the director of UH Hilo’s financial aid office, Sherrie Padilla, to discuss the potential fallout from proposed federal cuts to education programs, like Pell Grants.
Other topics, of course, continue to animate our readers; some of these exchanges can be quite polarizing. This was certainly the case with our last issue’s cover story, which highlighted the cats on our campus. On such an emotionally-charged matter, we welcome feedback from all those concerned. This includes members of the scientific community at large, like the Hawaiʻi Island Pre-Veterinary Club. We have published a letter from their advisor, who voices his perspective regarding the work his organization does in relation to the cats living on campus.
The writer of last issue’s cats story, Alyssa, likewise wishes to share some behind-the-scenes details of her work – and how it was perceived by readers. Ultimately, Ke Kalahea looks forward to continuing these discussions in a civil, open-minded way that benefits all.
Lastly, I feel it is only proper that I say to our readers: it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to be entrusted with this awesome responsibility, to help deliver the news to you. Alas, this will be the last issue of Ke Kalahea I shall edit; I shall be graduating in less than two weeks.
Though I regret not being in Ke Kalahea next year, I am even more excited about the future of this publication. I can only hope that I have done right by those who preceded me, and that my successor will be sufficiently prepared to take on this special task. But most of all, I hope I was able to do right by you, the readers. Your support has been so very much appreciated.
Now, Class of 2017, who’s ready to celebrate? You are!
Mahalo Nui,
Brian Wild
Editor-in-Chief
In this issue
- Letter to the Editor
- Regrets and Reflections
- Those who help the sea
- Editorial: Confessions of a Burned out Student
- Summing up Spring
- Pell Grant Cuts
- Rethinking UH Hilo Academics
- Malama Ola: TB or not TB?
- Kama'aina Observatory Experience
- "Some Things... Are Just Meant to Be"
- What Happened to the Riso Funds?
- Recap: 2017 Media Symposium
- Human Trafficking: Slavery in 21st Century?
- Editorial: My Farewell to UH Hilo
- Nah Brah!
- Ask Aunty