Have Blog; Will Fly

Hey gang. Take a gander at this student blogging rubric. The categories include "critical reading, critical thinking, quality of entries," and the like. Elements of this rubric could be tailored to assessing reflection as well.

Day 4 He Wahī Pa'akai

My apologies for the inconsistencies in audio. Not bad for a simple digital camera.

Mahalo everyone for a wonderful summer institute.
A hui hou.

Looking Onward

This summer institute marked the beginning of our journey together. It was very heartwarming to get to know all of you better and to discover what you believe in. Thank you for sharing your aloha with all of us.

As we begin to build, define, and shape the academy for our students, our stories and values will help to strengthen its foundation. May all the good feelings and thoughts we’ve given to each other be preserved in our hearts and planted in this new learning community.

Until we meet again, Malama Pono.

Summer 2009 Hui

Planting our ti leaf in the rich soil

The process of planting ti leaf moved my spirit today. Something happened inside as I listened to folks share their unedited thoughts while placing the ti plant into the ground. My eyes swelled up with tears after about the fifth or sixth person spoke. I sensed that they were truly speaking from their na'au.

My connection to this place is strong and all I could think about was how grateful I am to live and work in this beautiful environment made of rich, nourishing, healthy soil. Planting the ti leaf felt good. It felt good to connect the ti leaf from my home in Manoa to my work place, Kapiolani Community College. At the same time, I think I also felt guilty about taking so much from the land and not showing enough appreciation and respect for all that it has given me and my family.

Mahalo for helping me to reconnect.

Are You Worth Your Salt?

Did you know that Roman Legions were paid in salt? This payment was called "salarium." This is where the word salary came from.

Thank you Kawika, Lisa, Kelli and others for the salt you have given us and for the opportunity to give back to the earth for all that it has given to us. Planting the tea leaves today was a real spiritual experience, connecting us back to the roots from which we all came.

As I felt the salt in my hands, Matthew 5:13 came to mind, "Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose it taste, how can it be made salty again? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled on by people."

By calling us salt, God is telling us that we have the responsibility and the opportunity to be a positive influence in the world. In our case, our focus is our students and it is our responsibility to let them see and be touched by the standards we set for ourselves. Like salt we can be:

1. A Preserving Agent---preserving what is good in our students

2. A Penetrating Agent---being active forces to encourage our students to reach for the highest

3. A Pleasing agent---living our lives that we bring out the best in our students

So SALT, keep your taste and continue to increase your influence on your students, your community, and your world.

Aloha and Mahalo to all of you for sharing your stories and delicious treats!

At last....I'm finally able to post!

Mahalo to all of you for such an eye-opening week!

I especially wanted to thank Lisa for her patience in helping me gain access to our group's blog this morning. There was a glitch in receiving the email which invited us all to join the blog, so guess what--I ended up creating my own blog. I now have a greater sense of empathy for students who have many questions about logging into Laulima or uploading files and photos to their e-portfolio.

There were so many "aha!" moments for me this week, and I can't wait to see how these "aha" moments can be applied to our students. I have a notepad full of ideas which stemmed from things you've shared this week.

Thank you for sharing so much of who you are, where you are from, and where you want to go.

I know it's only Thursday, but have a wonderful weekend!

mahalo

Kelli, Kawika, Kanai, Kauka, Kristine, Lavache and all of you who attended these workshops, mahalo.

I began to realize yesterday and today that the great lesson that I'm learning these days is the value of sharing. A word I used to hate, because it seemed that those who shared the most took responsibility afterward for the least when it came to actually getting something done themselves. However, I have seen those folks listed above share and also take responsibility. Not in a compulsive manner, but in a Hawaiian manner that actually got things done. We are more "together" than we were when we started, and start we have, on the road to defining these academies. I have a lot to learn about this style of process, but your examples both help and inspire me .... mahalo to you all...

Kawika, our provider of nutrition and goodness - such a hardworking, wonderful person who has depths as yet unplumbed.... waxing poetic, but for real... thank you for your generosity of spirit and sweat, your sharing so much with us. You do inspire. I want to get in shape so I donʻt have to miss out on the outside stuff again... Thank you to all for your sharing, your compassion and your friendship!
aloha nui loa! Regina

Eureka, I have found it!!! Just the place I want to plant my tea leaf. It seems that a plant is missing here, so I can add mine right in that space. A few steps to the left is the stone pathway to the mountain, the taro patch and the sweet potato patch on the hill.

A'oloko--inspiration for my students....prepare yourselves for your cherished goals. Get all the skills, knowledge, training and education that you need but always remember to look for the "unexpected" that may fall right at your feet. In career theory it is called

"Planned Happenstance."

Stimulating the Mind Through Mo`olelo

Today's hike around Diamond Head allowed us to "talk story" with colleagues we were just getting to know, others who we knew but never had a chance to chat in depth with, and to catch up with old friends. Through Mo`olelo, or stories, tales, or legends, Kawika taught us to chant, and also used repetition to teach us to memorize the chant. Hopefully we'll still remember the chant tomorrow!

Upon first learning of this assignment, I was a bit apprehensive as I never posted a blog before. As I complete this assignment, I see that this assignment has value to me, as it will allow me to relate to my students who complain about the time spent on writing daily reflections and downloading photos to the reflections.

Students often comment how much time they spend writing daily reflections in the fundamental cookery class. They advise fellow students not to take a heavy course load when taking this course because of the reflection writing assignment. One student reported staying up until 2am the first few days of class, due to having to learn to post reflections and download photos.

I'll try to remember to bring my camera tomorrow, to take photos and try to post them.

Until tomorrow.....

He Wahī Pa'akai

He Wahī Pa'akai

Vital Functions of Salt in the Body

1. Salt is most effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, Contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure, it is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure - in conjunction with water. Naturally the proportions are critical. 

2. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells in the body, particularly the brain cells.



3. Salt is vital for balancing the sugar levels in the blood; a needed element in diabetics.



4. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in the body. It is used for local power generation at the sites of energy need by the cells.



5. Salt is vital to the nerve cells' communication and information processing all the time that the brain cells work, from the moment of conception to death.



6. Salt is vital for absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.



7. Salt is vital for the clearance of the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis.



8. Salt is vital for clearing up catarrh and congestion of the sinuses.



9. Salt is a strong natural antihistamine.



10. Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.



11. Salt is vital to prevent excess saliva production to the point that it flows out of the mouth during sleep. Needing to constantly mop up excess saliva indicates salt shortage.



12. Salt is absolutely vital to making the structure of bones firm. Osteoporosis, in a major way, is a result of salt and water shortage in the body.



13. Salt is vital for sleep regulation. It is a natural hypnotic. 



14. Salt is a vitally needed element in the treatment of diabetics.



15. Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs.



16. Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis.



17. Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido.



18. Salt is vital for preventing varicose veins and spider veins on the legs and thighs.



19. Salt is vital to the communication and information processing nerve cells the entire time that the brain cells work - from the moment of conception to death.



20. Salt is vital for reducing a double chin. When the body is short of salt, it means the body really is short of water. The salivary glands sense the salt shortage and are obliged to produce more saliva to lubricate the act of chewing and swallowing and also to supply the stomach with water that it needs for breaking down foods. Circulation to the salivary glands increases and the blood vessels become "leaky" in order to supply the glands with water to manufacture saliva. The "leakiness" spills beyond the area of the glands themselves, causing increased bulk under the skin of the chin, the cheeks and into the neck.



21. Sea salt contains about 80 mineral elements that the body needs. Some of these elements are needed in trace amounts. Unrefined sea salt is a better choice of salt than other types of salt on the market. Ordinary table salt that is bought in the super markets has been stripped of its companion elements and contains additive elements such as aluminum silicate to keep it powdery and porous. Aluminum is a very toxic element in our nervous system. It is implicated as one of the primary causes of Alzheimer's disease.



22. Twenty-seven percent of the body's salt is in the bones. Osteoporosis results when the body needs more salt and takes it from the body. Bones are twenty-two percent water. Is it not obvious what happens to the bones when we're deficient in salt or water or both.



* The information on salt intake is taken from Dr. Batmanghelidj's book, "Water: Rx for a Healthier Pain-Free Life".

Lauaki

Holy crap! Are they kidding me? How can they expect us to paddle for such a long period of time without any training or exercise? My shoulders are burning. Burning. It's like needles of fire in my muscles. No, not just needles - knitting needles. Jumbo-size. No, not even that - scalding metal wedges, prying apart the fiber of my muscles. God. No one else is whimpering. Or begging for mercy. Gotta stick with the pace. Can't let down the team. Ungh!

Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. No one else is saying a word. Maybe they've all keeled over and plopped quietly into the sea, one by one, overcome with exertion. Oooh. Falling into the sea. That would feel so good. So coooooool on my aching muscles. I sneak a peek behind me. Huh. They're still all there. How are they DOING this? Maybe they all go to to gym. And lift weights. A lot. Christ, if they had warned me about this, I could have gone too, gotten ready for this marathon.

Trying not to hate Lisa. Trying not to hate Lisa. She has a strong stroke. No dainty slow strokes for this canoe. She really leans forward and digs her paddle into the water. Oooh, ooh. Can't do that. I pulled a muscles in my back trying to change into my swimsuit in the bathroom at work. How stupid is that? Can't lean forward or my back twinges, although not as bad as my shoulders. I think those muscles are actually liquifying and melting out the sleeves of my t-shirt. Or perhaps that's sweat. I dunno. All I know is that I gotta paddle, paddle, paddle. Can't let down the team.

Ungh! Trying not to hate Kawika. What do you mean, we can stop after we've passed the blue catamaran? Whoooooa, that's so far away! Ungh, ungh, ungh. Gotta keep the beat. Gotta paddle, paddle, paddle - HUT! Ok, gotta change sides, make sure I don't bump into Reid. Ungh. What's that trick again? Oh yeah, pull back stronger with the lower arm, let the upper arm do the guiding. Ngh. A little better. Was I splashing Sheryl?

Oh god. Finally we get to rest. I tentatively release the paddle and uncurl my fingers. The water looks cool, clear, and wonderful, but with my shoulder muscles burned out, there's no way I could haul myself back in the boat. I'd flounder and flap in the water like a jellyfish. I risk a poke. Huh. Shoulders still there. How can that be?

Ok, can't go all the way in, but can at least stick my feet in the water. Ah, ah. Feels so good! I lean back and let my eyes unfocus. Some of my teammates slip into the water, frolic alongside the boat. People laugh, talk story. Kawika points out the three streams that feed into the beach, helps us spot Leahi Hospital (we imagine KCC behind it), and makes us laugh. Eh, maybe I don't hate Kawika. I love the rocking of the boat. It's so peaceful. I'm so glad we're out here on the water.

Too soon, we have to head for home. Lisa, cheerful as ever, gives the call to start paddling. She's such a strong paddler. We're lucky to have her setting an even pace. Can't let down the team by missing her beat. I'm grateful for her guidance, and for Kawika's. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have had this gift of time in the ocean. My shoulders still burn, but not, I think as much. Anyway, doesn't matter if they do; I still have to keep the beat, not let down the team, help do my part to get us safely home. I am so grateful for everyone in the canoe, working in unison for the same goal.

Lauaki. Working together as a team. Without the team, I would not have driven myself as far. If I were kayaking by myself, I would have paddled off the shore and come straight back. The feeling that I needed to support the team kept me going way, way after I would have stopped of my own accord. Is this a concept that will work for our students? Is this a concept that will work for us?

Pondering this will have to wait until after I take some ibuprofen.

One paddle, two paddle.....

I am sitting here a shade darker from the sun, completely relaxed and feeling content and peaceful. My spirits have settled in and I feel at one with what is within me and around me. I am experiencing the bliss from the ocean today….the spirit of lauaki from paddling with my colleagues as we sliced through the waters with perfectly orchestrated arm strokes, laughing, talking story, and forgetting to breathe. I longed for the snacks (nay!)

Toward the end of the ride, I finally learned to shift my foot after each ‘hut’ and found different ways to dip my paddle into the water. My right paddle was so much easier than my left paddle, which seemed to go out of control. I was thrown off each time I attempted to take my eyes off the paddle and look at the view, losing momentum and precision. So I learned to focus on the task, and didn’t bother much with ”sight seeing” until the canoe was at rest. However, seeing a honu along the way on my right side, who peeked its head up to witness our passing, was so special.

Paddling is work. It takes form, effort, discipline, power, direction, precision, intention, and team. Question is: do I paddle the way I do work? Do I make meaningful contributions to my team? Do I do with aloha? Do I give my all? Am I a leaner or lifter? How will I do "paddle" with my students? How do I do paddle with life? Much to reflect upon...

Mahalo nui loa, Kawika and Lisa, for this spectacular experience! The memories and feelings are gifts that I will always cherish. And it was a great honor to meet “Papa Napoleon”, who helped to make this all possible.

I started karate when I was 5, and I never really did stop practicing. I enjoy it so much that I now teach it after a long day of ..well ...teaching. Paddling shares many similarities to traditional karate training(I have to make that distinction).

In Japan, there is very little explanation about techniques. In American dojo, the instructors tend to talk A LOT. In Japan, you find out when you're doing it wrong because you either get hit by the Sensei, or you bump someone next to you. The proximity or closeness to someone else is very important, much like paddling. You can hear and feel your mistakes; you'll just know you're off. And like I said in my previous post, you have to just do it and try. After you make the mistake, you learn. You don't learn it in the process of listening.

The training is never spiritual until you feel like dying. In karate training, I always tell my kids, "Don't pace yourself. The training starts only after you're tired." When you're fresh, it's easy to move fast and have good timing, but it's really hard when you're tired, and your true technique comes out when you're pooped. You have to give it all and be sore; then at that point, the real training starts. I really felt like I got better at paddling once I felt like my arm was going to fall off. I think one reason was because I knew the burn couldnt get any worse. But I also think that I started to use the right muscles and got the technique a bit better.

Even though we train in unison, and we want the dojo to be strong, we need to compete against each other. You have to move together during basic training, but you have to strive to be the fastest always. By competing against each other, you raise the level of everyone. If you slack, someone else will slack. I see this happen all the time in my classes. You need only one person to skip class once, and then the lemmings will follow. You have to consistenly pick a target and say "I'm going to be better and faster."

The Perfect Afternoon

Thank you so much to Kawika and Lisa for taking us out for an awesome day!  It felt good being out there and getting in tune with my mind and body.  I got lost in the rhythm of the strokes, the color of the water, the smell of the salt until Lisa called out "hut!' and brought my mind back to focusing on the next change.  Not mindless work, but very mindful.  My senses were heightened to all that was going around me.  Felt good when we were all in sinc and moved the canoe through the water.  Everyone working together, enjoying each other's company, enjoying the moment.  Lauaki.  A nice complement to a morning of brain workouts fleshing out SLOs.  

There were times when I started to feel a little tired, or a little out of sinc, or took a second to wipe the salt water from my eyes.  It was at those times when I felt the power and energy from the group still carrying us forward.  Malama.  The group took care of me.  It was also those times that made me dig in even harder to do my part for the team and give back to everyone.  Thanks for the ride!  Mojitos, anyone?

Day One - Mountain View

On Monday, intrepid walkers braved heat and noon-day sun to walk and talk Diamond Head's story - I drove and enjoyed, but greatly missed Kawika's interesting stories and company of colleagues - did not mind missing the sweat or aching joints though... Our shared mountain view continues to draw me and remind me of this deep connection to the aina. With you all in spirit...

Regina...

Day 3 - Hoe Wa‘a

I wonʻt romanticize the world of outrigger canoe paddling. Paddling takes strength, focus and humility. Lots of humility. Thick skin. And team work. Everyone has to contribute. You depend on the other paddlers to get you somewhere just as much as they depend on you. Canʻt be a scrub. Canʻt be "Iʻll just push as little as I have to so I can go for the ride." Everyone should give as much as they can if not more. And then there is the ocean. Pay attention to her moods, learn what she has to teach you and respect her power - both physical and spiritual. And you have to learn to trust your steersman. You have to learn to trust the leader.
But today, paddling simply means fun. Oh sure, this is about bonding. About making meaning of experience. So while you are paddling out on the water on this beautiful Day 3, take it all in -- the wind, the sun, the water, the coastline, the smiles -- and then reflect on one of the values weʻve been talking about for the past two days. No focused writing prompt here. Just go where the canoe and the ocean take you.
And if you arenʻt paddling with Kāwika today, think about a similar concept -- travel, sports, clubs, whatever connections you make and reflect away.

Patterns - Something to Think About If You Have the Energy

New Growth in the Manele Garden

This is how I see myself, like the taro, growing all the time. I also get the feeling that I will always be in this state, a state of constant improvement. In some way, I think I'd hope to be this way even when I'm 105. There is always something I can improve upon. If I feel that I've reached my goal, there is always a new goal for me. I think that's what makes life interesting.

I certainly hope for my students that when they receive their degree, it's never the end. It's always a constant state of change and growth they'd have to face and deal with. It would be junk if we ran out of goals, wouldn't it? I guess it depends on some people.

Just wanted to throw in a picture of my daughter. I miss her. She constantly challenges me and she's forcing me to change and grow. I hope that she, too, will grow and never think that there's nothing to improve upon. There's always something we can choose to change or improve upon. I hope she will be a lifelong learner because I think life's more interesting that way.

Mary Ann