Latest news with #FarringtonHighSchool
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi to host international gaming tournament on March 25
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Farrington High School will set the scene for an international esports tournament on March 29, with competitive gamers from Asia and the mainland looking to engage in Hawaiʻi's emerging esports scene. 'Hawaiʻi is proud to welcome some the world's top esports talent to the Honolulu International Esports Tournament,' said Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. 'As Hawaiʻi's first international esports tournament, this event showcases the power of esports to inspire students, create career pathways in technology and connect players from diverse backgrounds… We look forward to welcoming more teams from across the country and around the world as Hawaiʻi continues to grow as a global esports hub.' Kīlauea begins episode 15 of eruption Nine students from University of Utah, including their Asia campus, will compete in non-violent computer games against gamers from Farrington High School, as well as other Oʻahu schools. According to officials, this event highlights esports as a gateway to tech careers. The University of Utah's partnership with Farrington High has helped the school's esports program flourish, opening up opportunities for students to gain priceless experiences that prepare them for careers in game development, animation and interactive media careers.'As our esports-friendly competition continues to grow with participants from middle school, high school and post-high school organizations, partnerships like this go a long way to promoting our long-term goal of global education and workforce development into various high tech industries,' said Farrington Esports Program Director Josh Dimaya. Even Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is excited for the tournament, saying that esports helps bridge connections across cultures and sets students up for bright futures. Nuuanu fire claims life 'The Honolulu International Esports Tournament is an exciting opportunity to showcase the incredible talent of our local students while strengthening global connections through gaming and technology,' Blangiardi said. 'Esports is more than just competition–it's a pathway to careers in tech, digital media and innovation. We are proud to welcome these elite gamers from South Korea and the University of Utah, and we look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our youth, our schools and our city's future.' The Honolulu International Esports Tournament will take place on March 29 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrington High School's computer lab and library. The tournament will also be streamed live on KHII and Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bullying of teachers persists; DOE lacks resolution
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ A campus security officer sits in a golf cart on the Farrington High School campus as teens hang out by the entrance. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @ A campus security officer sits in a golf cart on the Farrington High School campus as teens hang out by the entrance. Lawmakers for the third time have introduced a bill aimed at strengthening workplace safety for educational workers following concerns from advocates about the state Department of Education's handling of harassment issues. Currently, no standardized procedure exists to handle harassment in schools, and some teachers argue they need a safe space to foster a safe learning environment for students. House Bill 616 establishes formal protocols, requiring the DOE and charter schools to intervene, notify law enforcement within 48 hours of threats and implement harassment policies. It also provides paid leave for court protection, reimbursement for filing costs, legal assistance, annual harassment training and emergency safety plans. During a House Education Committee hearing on Jan. 30, DOE representative Elizabeth Higashi admitted uncertainty about next steps in a case involving a parent with 30 temporary restraining orders from teachers, despite the case being widespread within the DOE. Higashi highlighted the DOE's visitor's code of conduct, which sends violation notices for harassment, but teachers argue it's insufficient, likening it to anti-bullying posters that raise awareness but don't stop harmful behavior. Aimee Takaki of Myron B. Thompson Academy testified that despite the code of conduct, she filed a harassment complaint due to persistent harassment, noting other educators had to file TROs, with some leaving their positions for safer environments. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. 'Harassment can and does interfere directly with the day-to-day operations of school. There have been multiple incidents of parents interrupting classes with outbursts. There have been multiple incidents of parents berating and swearing at staff on campus, ' Takaki wrote. 'All of these have occurred with a Code of Conduct in place. The Code of Conduct is not enough to protect us from harassment and certainly not enough to help us feel safe and secure at work. It is not enough to ensure our students will be safe at school.' Inger Stonehill, a former Farrington High School teacher and co-author of HB 616, said she experienced prolonged harassment from a parent, which led to her transfer to another school due to inadequate support. According to Stonehill, the parent objected to her teaching civil rights, made racist remarks and left 20 voicemails filled with racial slurs targeting her and her family. She said she recognizes that parents might have legitimate concerns, but emphasized that it is unacceptable for teachers to be attacked. The purpose of the bill, she emphasized, is not to silence concerned parents, but to protect educators from threats and harassment. While educators are open to engaging with parents, they should not be subjected to intimidation or threats directed at them or their families. She also stressed that supervisors should be there to support victims of harassment, ensuring educators are not left to face such challenges alone. Stonehill said responses to harassment vary by school—some principals take the right steps, while others, despite good intentions, fail to involve victims in decision-making. She stressed the need for a consistent, statewide safety plan to ensure all schools follow clear procedures and no one is left uncertain about the next steps. The DOE, in its testimony, expressed support for protecting employees from harassment but raised legal, financial and procedural concerns over HB 616. The bill mandates paid leave for employees seeking judicial protection, but the DOE argues it lacks clear timelines and funding, which could strain resources. A provision allowing employees to determine unsafe conditions based on personal judgment also raises concerns about potential misuse and staffing disruptions. Additionally, the DOE cautions that funding legal actions, such as restraining orders and private attorneys, could violate constitutional restrictions on using public funds for private matters. The department also argues that employees should report harassment directly, as third-party reporting could be legally problematic and inadmissible in court. Lindsay Chambers, a former DOE communications specialist who said she ultimately left the system due to a lack of support from her workplace, argued the department should be held accountable when it fails to protect employees from har assment. She noted that she would not have encountered her perpetrator—who she claims repeatedly harassed her and her team—if not for her role at the DOE. While Chambers is grateful for the help of her husband, an attorney, she emphasized that most teachers don't have that advantage. Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, and teachers like Stonehill—who also experienced harassment from the same alleged perpetrator—often have to manage it alone. 'It was scary to do that on my own, especially, and stressful to have to deal with it by myself, on top of taking care of other responsibilities like teaching my students, maintaining professionalism and worrying about my own safety, ' Stonehill said. Stonehill said the harassment caused her significant trauma, leading to anxiety and panic attacks on campus. She sought therapy, took anti-anxiety medication and faced financial burdens while managing the legal process independently. After transferring schools, Stonehill found stronger support, though her new school lacked a formal safety plan. She advocates for a standardized procedure to simplify the process for teachers facing similar challenges. MBTA faculty, including Jacey Waterhouse and Noelle Tavares-Sumiye, testified that as a hybrid school, MBTA must address safety concerns both in person and virtually. Unscheduled parent interruptions, outbursts and harassment during Zoom classes pose risks to the safety of students, staff and others. Supporting students who witness harassment and addressing the impact on children of harassing parents are also key priorities. Failure to protect educators undermines the integrity of the Department of Education and Public Charter School Commission, sending the wrong message about acceptable behavior. Some workers, like Chambers, have left the DOE due to a lack of support, which she calls 'institutional abuse.' Others, like Stonehill, have undergone difficult transfers to avoid harassment, while some others seriously consider leaving the DOE. Advocates warn that without formal safety plans, more educators might leave the profession. Advocates urge the Legislature to pass HB 616 to better protect educational workers from harassment and create a safer learning environment for all.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Four-time Super Bowl champion paves way for Polynesian players
HONOLULU (KHON2) — From Samoa to Farrington High School to the University of Hawaii to one of the greatest dynasties in sports history, Jesse Sapolu is one of only 37 players in NFL history to win four Super third came 35 years ago when his 49ers trounced the Broncos 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV in New Orleans, the site of this year's game. 'It's still the most points scored in the Super Bowl. You know, when you start leaving records behind to be broken, we did that when the rules were a little different,' said Sapolu. Preparing for retirement in 2025 The glory comes with a toll as Sapoly played in arguably the toughest era of football when training and nutrition were strong and rules to protect players were not. 'Despite the fact that I played 15 years, the amount of games that I actually played because of the extra playoff games that I played every year, came up to 17 and a half years.' Since retiring, Sapolu has kept his body and mind strong by staying actively involved in his life passion, founding the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in the islands and the Polynesian Bowl High School All-Star Game. 'It keeps me young, keeps my mind going that I'm so busy. And at the same time, I'm proud of the fact that I get to play a little bit of a role in keeping this thing alive, you know, until the next generation comes and take it over.' His role paid off with Polynesian players gaining in prominence on football rosters, including positions like quarterback. 'When I came through, there were five of us that went down to four. Now, we got five Polynesian players on some teams, you know. So we've come a long way, but we need to keep encouraging players to push the envelope,' Sapolu added. He has mentored two players in this year's Super Bowl. For the Chiefs, Juju Smith-Schuster and for the Eagles, Jordan Mailata, who are helping him grow the game internationally. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'Last year, I took Juju Smith-Shuster with me, and we were in five countries in 10 days. My wife and I just opened a middle school with the intention of bringing kids from New Zealand. You know, the left tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles never once played a down until he came here as a 22-year-old, and yet he's a second-team all-pro left tackle in the National Football League. Think about that.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
