Semester Portfolio

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KC3 Final Essay

     Canoeing is one of the many, few sports, that is well known in Hawaii, but people don't really understand the true meaning behind canoeing, history and culture.Hawaii's beaches and sights are a joy to see. To watch, hula under the moonlight,to smell the salty ocean breeze rushing through your face. Hearing the peaceful medleys of the Hawaiian chants and seeing all the canoe races. Sitting and watching the all competitions in Hawaii, the surfing contest, Merrie Monarch Hula, Kamehameha song contest, and the canoeing racing. 

       The sport of canoeing just didn't appear 20 years ago, it started from the early Hawaiians. This creative versatile invention was created .Two thousand years ago an ingenious way to get food and such for their families. Catching fish, was one of many things that were caught by the using the canoe. The Ka 'Ele (hull) which stored the sea creatures that were caught. The Ka 'Ele was in a shape of a banana, so the Hawaiians could sit in the canoe and also keep fishing gear close to the hand. Thinking of using the banana like shape to form the base of the canoe was very smart. Knowing that they wanted but not knowing how to build it was the tricky part in the early Hawaiians process to build the canoe.The canoe had to be designed around the ocean conditions. The waves would be about three- four feet at the most. The least would be one- two feet. Not knowing the wave patterns on the island, is tricky to build a canoe around. The Hawaiians were smart because they used whatever resources they had to figure out the wave patterns.  Knowing the Hawaiians they wanted to caught fish and they 

created an invention to caught in a easier way than swimming out. 

       Making many different parts became a big part of making the canoe work. The weight and size of the canoe played a impacted on the canoe. Weighting about 400 pounds and over 39 feet long. The design played a major role in how the canoe moves and travels. The extra banana like shaped or the "ama"  was for  balance. The two ends of the canoe was used as a compass to see were they heading to. North, south, east, or west. The canoe size depends on how many men are in the canoe. One men, two men, four men, and six men are some of the groups.  Most canoes that were made were 6 men because 6 is better than one right? The paddle that came along with the canoe was also important. The paddle was used for pushing the water back so the canoe can move easily through the ocean. 

Knowing the design and how the canoe it's made helps you realize that the canoe was made with a purpose.

        Canoeing back then is completely different form today. Still keeping the tradition alive but working with the ocean conditions.
 Ohau Hawaiian Canoeing Racing Association (OHCRA) is keeping the Hawaiian tradition alive by having 3,000 paddlers racing in big competitions. Hui Wa'a consist of 2,000 paddlers. 
Both paddling teams involves training, commitment and determination.

 In toady's society some canoe clubs like Hui Wa'a use the old  traditionally one which is the Koa wood. Others clubs such as OHCRA fiber glass which is used in kayaking.
 The thing that makes fiberglass not look traditional is the glossy coat it has. It makes the canoe look fake.  The fiber glass canoe was invented in 1954. More people use Koa wood in Hawaii because there is a abundant here. In the mainland people tend to use fiber glass because of the lack of Koa wood there. 


    Back, two thousand years ago when the early Hawaiians started to build and create the canoe. They took into consideration the ocean conditions and what materials they had. The canoe represents more than just the Hawaiian history, culture, and people. It shows what the Hawaiians had to do the survive. 
Seeing all the big canoe races being held in Hawaii but not knowing the history and culture behind the sport. Just remember when coming to Hawaii, there's more to it than just the beaches and wonderful views. There are competitions that mean everything to the people of Hawaii and hopefully it means something to you. 


KC3 Rough Draft Essay

Hawaii's beaches and sights are a joy to see. To watch, hula under the moonlight. To smell the salty ocean breeze rushing through your face. Hearing the peaceful medleys of the Hawaiian chants. Seeing all the canoe races, song contest, hula dances, and surfing contest makes you feel apart of Hawaii. But really know the true meaning behind these competitions. Canoe races has been around since the early Hawaiians. From the early days canoe racing has been a big part of the Hawaiian history and culture. Canoeing is one of the many, few sports, that is well known in Hawaii, but people don't really understand the true meaning behind canoeing, history and culture.The sport of canoeing just didn't appear 20 years ago, it started from the early Hawaiians. Two thousand years ago, the early Hawaiians created this very versatile invention, the canoe. Exploring the ocean and what's out there in the big world was a way that the canoe was used for. Catching fish and other sea creatures to find there families was another way the canoe was used. Canoeing was used for traveling to the outer islands and for survival. Depending on ocean and weather conditions the canoe was very handy. Two thousand years ago an ingenious way to get food and such and to explore and travel was created. The canoe was a simple invention but is used in so many ways. Once created it was spread  through the Pacific Rim Region. Having a little knowledge about the history of the canoe, helps you understand the how the canoe was designed and created to be used for many purposes. The canoe was designed to the ocean conditions surrounding the islands. The weight and size of the canoe played a impacted on the canoe. Weighting about 400 pounds and over 39 feet long. The canoe size depends on how many men are in the canoe. One men, two men, four men, and six men are some of the groups. The design played a major role in how the canoe moves and travels. The banana shaped like canoe makes it easy to maneuverable through the ruff sea water. The extra banana like shaped or the "ama"  was for  balance while paddling through the ocean. The Ka'Ale or the hull of the canoe was for storage. Even though the canoe doesn't have many parts to it, it's very useful. Knowing the design and how the canoe it's made helps you realize that the canoe was made with a purpose. Canoeing back then is completely different form today. Still keeping the tradition alive but working with the ocean conditions. Ohau Hawaiian Canoeing Racing Association (OHCRA) is keeping the Hawaiian tradition alive by having 3,000 paddlers racing in big competitions. Hui Wa'a consist of 2,000 paddlers. Both paddling teams involves training, commitment and determination. In toady's society some canoe clubs use the old  traditionally one which is the Koa wood. Others use fiber glass which is used in canoes in the mainland. The fiber glass canoe was invented in 1954. More people use Koa wood in Hawaii because there is a abundant here. In the mainland people tend to use fiber glass because of the lack of Koa wood there. In today's 21st century world we don't really see the true meaning behind canoeing and the history and culture that comes with it. Back, two thousand years ago when the early Hawaiians started to build and create the canoe. They took into consideration the ocean conditions and what materials they had. The canoe represents more than just the Hawaiian history, culture, and people. It shows what the Hawaiians had to do the survive. Seeing all the big canoe races being held in Hawaii but not knowing the history and culture behind the sport. Just remember when coming to Hawaii, there's more to it than just the beaches and wonderful views. There are competitions that mean everything to the people of Hawaii and hopefully it means something to you. 

Oceans of Nothing: Mini Essay

Oceans of Nothing

         Over time fish has become a popular to many people of different cultures around the world. But now, the amount of fish in the ocean makes it harder to get the certain type of fish you would like to eat at the price you would want. Back in the day the fishermen only had to worry about the unexpected storms that would happen while they’re fishing. But, with the present day fishermen, they would have to worry about if the amount of fish they catch would be as much as they expected. Most favorite fishes haven’t been around because about 90% of the oceans big predators like cod and tuna have been fishes out of existence. Up to half the marine life caught by fishers is discarded, and often found dead. Over fishing has become a problem, which has affected many people. Companies have turning more to sustainable harvest seafood, in other words fake fish. Since 1999 the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program has been giving out information alternative seafood. The Marine Stewardship Council has partnered with corporations to similarly certify wild and farm raise seafood. Big name brands such as Walmart and Red Lobster, among others, have made the choice to sell sustainable harvest seafood. Seafood is a good alternative to satisfy many people but is not the healthiest compared to the fish caught in the ocean. Over the past 3 decades the fish export trade has grown to produce 30 million tons of fish. The fish value has increased to $71 billion.  As far as the amount of too much fish caught, wasting it has also become an issue.  As much as people love their fresh fish we have to start transitioning into sustainable harvest seafood to help. The amount of fish around the world has been decreasing due to overfishing and the amount of fish people waste. Overfishing has been a problem for many years and if we want to start conserving now we might start saving the population of fish in the ocean.

Graphic Card: The Heart of a Samurai

Querencia Final Draft

As I slipped on my shin guards and pulled up my black socks I was ready to start my Saturday morning. Hopping into the apple caramel scented van I ready to head out. Once at the soccer field I saw the other team warming up, racing to my team I felt the drops of dew hitting my socks making them wet as a sponge. Once I step foot on the soccer field nothing can control me, all the homework and projects gone, straight out of mind. Being on the soccer field makes my feel, that all the stress is off my shoulders. All that's in my mind is playing the game. When the referee blows the whistle my team mates and I are ready to kick butt. Looking at the filed I see my escape, from school life. It's my chance to let loose and not be a perfect school girl.  When the game started my head was in the game, tuning out the yelling from my parents, telling me what to do. As my team mates passed me the ball I let my self decide, not my coaches but my heart. My heart tells me to shoot, so I do. Pulling back my leg planting my foot next to the ball swinging with all my might. Looking at my target, then releasing my leg and following through the ball goes flying in the air like it's defying gravity landing right in the back of the net. Jumping for joy I knew listening to my heart was the right decision. Finally the whistle blows it was time to head home. Leaving the soccer field covered in slimy sweat is a good thing. The soccer field was more than just a grassy field with two nets it's a place I go besides from the real world and letting me be my young, wild, free self. Having the chance to make my own decision never regretting them and using the soccer ball as a stress reliever. Most of all soccer is the only thing that can keep me clam when no one else can, that's my soccer is my Querencia and so much more. 

Querencia Draft

        As I slipped on my shin guards and pulled up my black socks I was ready to start my Saturday Morning. Hopping into the apple caramel scented van I was ready to go to my special place. Once at the field I saw the other team warming up, racing to my team I felt the drops of dew hitting my socks making them wet as a sponge. Once I touch the soccer field nothing can control me, all the homework and projects gone, straight out of mind. Being on the soccer field makes my feel free as if I was flying alone. All that's in my mind is soccer. When the referee blows the whistle my team mates and I are ready to kick butt. Looking at the filed I see my escape. when the game started my head was in the game. Tuning out the yelling from my parents, telling me what to do. As my team mates passed me the ball I let my self decide, not my coaches but my heart. My heart tells me to shoot, so I do. Pulling back my leg planting my foot next to the ball swinging with all my might. Looking at my target, then releasing my leg and following through the ball goes flying in the air like it's defying gravity landing right in the back of the net. Jumping for joy I knew my heart was right. Finally the whistle blows it was time to head home. Leaving the soccer field covered in slimy sweat is a good thing. The soccer field was more than just a grassy field with two nets it's my Querencia and so much more.

Word Tags

Roots and Recipe Final Draft

            Knowing that news year day is just around the corner I couldn’t wait for it to start. Once the clock hit twelve I was jumping for joy because I knew my grandmother’s ozoni soup was coming soon. Waiting in my room just listening to the silence until I heard the door creek open and footsteps tip toeing to the kitchen. I instantly unwrapped myself from all the blankets trying not to make a sound. Once I got untangled from all the blankets I saw my sister twisting and turning left and right. I thought I woke her up with my yawning and footsteps but she was just trying to get comfy. Once I opened the door I got trampled by my dog. Getting licked and scratch by his paws. I tried to close the door as delicately as possible but still trying to keep the pace going.

            Once I finally got the door closed I raced down the hall trying not to wake my mom or sister up. Suddenly my dog thinks we are having a race so he runs with me. Making straddling noises. I finally got to the kitchen I saw my grandmother straining the Kastuobushi (dried thin fish) in the sliver sink. The smoke started to rise from the sink making light puffy clouds that look like bunnies.  She took a green bowl and started to throw in the dried shiitake mushrooms. I hovered over the bowl as the mushrooms soak up more and more water until it was about to explode. The mushrooms look like big bouncy balls.

            I ask my grandmother “Why is ozoni soup important to our family”? “So the next generation of our family understands Japanese traditions,” she replied while taking out the big juicy shiitake mushrooms from the green bowl. As my grandmother took the broth from the Kastuobushi and the broth from the shiitake mushrooms it smelt like heaven. Mixing the two broths together make perfect harmony. Once the broth was on the stove top the smell of Kastubushi and shiitake mushrooms filled the house. Every inch of our house was filled with the smell of love.

            Once the broth the boiling my grandmother started to cook the pork I wondered, “Why use pork”? My grandmother told me “Since shes from Okinawa, Okinawa’s like to use pork instead or chicken, plus its pork is more commonly found than chicken”.  Finally when the ozoni soup was done my grandmother took a shiny sliver ladle spoon and severed us each a big spoonful of mochi, shiitake mushrooms, pork, kamaboko and mizuna. All the ingredients were put together and they fit like pieces to a puzzle. I look at the ozoni  reflecting about this past year and the ups and down that my family and I went through. 

               I asked my grandmother “What memories do you with ozoni soup”. She told me she remembers “Sitting down with her mother, father, three brothers, and two sisters eating ozoni soup on news years day”. My uncles and aunties finally arrived we sat around the clear circle dinning table enjoying the ozoni. Before I took a bit of the ozoni I admired all the ingredients that went into making this dish, the grilled chewy mochi, the tender moist pork, the julienne mizuna, and the juicy crispy shiitake mushrooms. 

              As I took my first bit I immediately wanted to take a second.  I finally understood the true meaning of ozoni soup and what it means to my grandmother and myself. Now I can’t wait to make the ozoni soup for my family and the future to come. 

Roots and Recipe Rough Draft

When I woke up, I instantly smelled the Katsuobushi being boiled. I popped out of bed like a firecracker raced down the hallway to the kitchen.  I knew my news year’s day has just begun. I saw my grandmother straining the Kastuobushi in the sliver shining sink. The smoke started to rise from the sink making light puffy clouds. I stared and my grandmother with big bug eyes watching her every move like a hawk. She took a green bowl and started to throw in the dried shiitake mushrooms. I hovered over the bowl as the mushrooms soak up more and more water until it was about the explode. I ask my grandmother “Why is ozoni soup important to our family”? “So the next generation of our family understands Japanese traditions,” she replied while taking out the big juicy shiitake mushrooms from the yellow bowl. As my grandmother took the giant knife out of the drawer she started to cut the mizuna with detail. As my grandmother continue to cut the mizuna with precision, I started to wash the dishes before the dishes star to look like Mount Fuji. To my left I saw the wet slimy greasy piece of pork in a bright yellow bowl. The pork look so slimy that it could fall out any moment. I walked over to the greasy piece of pork I wondered, “Why use pork”? My grandmother told me “Since I from Okinawa, Okinawa’s like to use pork instead or chicken, plus its pork is more commonly found than chicken”. Finally when the ozoni soup was done my grandmother took a shiny sliver ladle spoon and severed us each a big spoonful of mochi, shiitake mushrooms, pork, kamaboko and mizuna.  I look at the ozoni glazing and glowing in the sunrise I reflect about this past year and the ups and down that my family and I went through.  I asked my grandmother “What memories do you with ozoni soup”. She told me she remembers “Sitting down with her mother, father, three brothers, and two sisters eating ozoni soup on news years day”. Once the sun finally peeked up the rest of my family started to come over. My uncles and aunties finally arrived. We sat around the clear circle dinning table enjoying the ozoni. Before I took a bit of the ozoni I admired all the ingredients that went into making this dish, the grilled chewy mochi, the tender moist pork, the julienne mizuna, and the juicy crispy shiitake mushrooms. As I took my first bit I immediately wanted to take a second. I finally understood the true meaning of ozoni soup and what it means to my grandmother and myself. Now I can’t wait to make the ozoni soup myself. 

Roots and Recipe Brainstorm Part 1

The food that I will be describing is Ozoni (Zoni) Soup. A special memory that I have with this food is, when one news year day my grandmother was cooking the soup and realized that she had not bought enough ingredients to feed five. She bought enough ingredients to feed three. So what grandmother decided to do is make one big bowl of soup that everybody ate out of. We sat at the dinning table passing the big bowl of soup around. Some details that I will use in my essay to bring the food "to life" is the moist and tender chicken, soft glowing chewy mochi, and the thin crunchy julienne carrots. The person that I will be interviewing is my grandmother.