[intro music] HIKI NO, Hawai‘i's## New Wave of Storytellers.

Aloha.

Welcome to HIKI NO on# PBS Hawai‘i.

My name is Maya## Villanueva and I’m a sophomore# at Kalani High School on O‘ahu.

And I’m Caleb Croswell, a freshman at Kalani High.## Thanks for joining us to watch the work# of Hawai‘i’s New Wave of Storytellers.

You might recognize us from last week's show.# We're excited to be back to share another great## episode with you.

In this episode, you'll meet# a young inline hockey player who is not only## sharing his skills locally but has earned# a spot on Team USA’s 18 and under team.

You'll catch a touching reflection from# Mid-Pacific Institute where a student## reveals how her mom has shaped her life, both as# a parent and as a soccer coach.

You'll also meet## a local police officer giving us an inside look# at the exciting work with his canine partner.

We'll see how a student from H.P.

Baldwin High# School on Maui has turned a personal interest## into a remarkable collection.

And we'll explore# the world of a social media influencer with a## profile story from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle# School featuring a young man making waves online.

Our first story takes us to Honouliuli# Intermediate School on O‘ahu where## students have created a profile of an# inspiring young inline hockey player.## This talented athlete isn't just making waves# locally; he's been selected to join Team USA’s## 18-and-under team and will be competing at# the World Championships in Italy this Fall.

You at the only roller hockey rink in O‘ahu, a young man hopes to lead the next# generation through his example.

My name is Jordan Nahoi-Baricar.

I am a part# of, like, the coaching staff, and then also## like running, running most of the practices,# basically like the, probably the higher end group.

Jordan is a hockey player who plays for Team USA.# He got there through the lessons he's learned.

When someone sets a bar, you can always pass# it.

Say, for example, like I had someone that I## aspired to, and he made it to Team USA, and he set# that bar.

Years later, I come up around, and then## I get Team USA as well, kind of passing his bar.# And then I'm still passing it as of right now.

[cheering] When he is not playing, he# helps teach youn.. the game through the hockey courses and practices.

I coach younger players to show them how I# experienced my younger hockey experience,## and then to also help them# be better at hockey as well.

And while all this is happening,## he is still able to show others aloha# in the rink, on and off the rink.

On and off the rink, so say on the rink, I# like to talk to everybody as much as I can,## just make friends.

And on the# rink, I always try to, like,## watch my surroundings and watch their# surroundings.

Like, say, for example,## if someone's like, skating towards# me, but then their back is turned,## then I try to, like, give them a little heads# up.

Just be like, a little helpful out there.

Jordan went to the train camp for the men's# Junior National ATU hockey team for Team USA, and## we found out this week that Jordan made the team.

[cheering] I think Jordan's a good coach because he# is funny and he make.. have hustler awards for the best worker.# He's a good sportsmanship and he's fun.

He's always gone easy on us, and his shots# are super fast, super hard.

I think one## time we recorded how fast the slap shot was.

I# think it got to like 60, 70 miles an hour.

So,## but he's also just super fun to play with.

He# always makes sure that everyone's having fun.

Coach Jordan is a really good coach.

He's a# really good player when he's playing someone## that matches his level.

Oh, and he's a very# good coach at practice, when we do drills,## he knows, yeah, he knows a lot of drills, and# he's very good at a lot of things and hockey.

Jordan continues to inspire the next generation.# Through his teaching, he will ensure that these## kids will grow up with valuable lessons that# will help them for the rest of their lives.## This Jameson Novotny reporting from Honouliuli# Middle School for HIKI NO, on PBS Hawai‘i.

Our next piece is a heartfelt HIKI NO reflection# from a student at Mid-Pacific Institute on O‘ahu.## She shares how her mom has influenced her life,# not just as a parent, but also as a coach, in## their shared passion for soccer.

It's a touching# look at their special bond on and off the field.

For many, soccer coaches come and go,# but my soccer coach is forever with me.## She's my mom.

My mom, Marissa Jerves, has# played soccer all her life, in elementary,## middle, high school and in college.

She still# plays now at the age of 52.

Because of her,## I grew up with the game.

I started# playing at the age of three with## Leahi Soccer Club at Kapi‘olani Park.# Leahi is still one of my teams now.

Ever since I was a kid, every weekend I’d go# to Waipio soccer peninsula to play a game or## watch my mom play.

My mom's nickname# is Mouse because she's very tiny and## very fast.

I love watching my mom and# her team play because they're so good.## They win all the time.

My mom always# watches my club games.

She's taught me## everything I need to know.

She's taught me# how to pass, shoot, and how to play smart.

Her training helped me get to Mid-Pacific’s soccer# team, which won the Division Two ILH championship## last year.

Because my mom has been a soccer# player all her life, and because she's my mom,## she has high standards.

She gives me# tips and advice when I don't do my best,## but whenever I feel I played well, we# talk about it on the car ride home,## and she tells me she's proud of me, which means a# lot.

Soccer has always been a big part of my life,## and it has shaped me into the person I am today.# I've created lots of relationships with many## people of different ages from this sport, but none# more special than the bond I have with my mom.

It's pretty cool when our parents also take on# the role of coaches.

Our next story hails from## one of our earliest episodes, and it was produced# by students at Wai‘anae High School on O‘ahu,## They feature another remarkable coach mama,# who's making a big difference in her community.

Coach Dawny Kamaka - Oh, nice, nice.

Loves to kick it.

Oh, my bad.

Even on a tennis court.

It's Saturday# night, a.. Whoever lose jogs until the game# is over, until there's a winner.

It was something she knew she would always do.

I'm gonna get it.

I was born to play soccer.

Yes, she was for 24 years, Dawny’s been# playing soccer, field and shoes optional.

Coach Mama.

Talk to any one of her current varsity soccer# .. She's like a mom to us because she really# pushes us, and whenever we needed anything,## she was there for us.

Like# just, she was just a call away.

I just like how she is always there and# telling us, “You guys gotta do you guys school,## you guys gotta do this, do this so# you guys can come out and play.” It really is about doing this# and this, because a while back,## she had that.

In 2008, Dawny was# diagnosed with cervical cancer.

I was literally dying already.

There's a lot of unknowns, but it's thought# to be due to the human papilloma virus, HPV,## and it turns into cancer.

That's not the# only way, but it's one of the main ways.

It is that unknown about cervical# cancer that leaves only one in every## three diagnosed women surviving.

For# Dawny, surviving was her only option.

I was already starting to take my chemotherapy,# and they actually gave me the wrong chemo.

Six different procedures, 31 treatments total.

I thought that I was gonna lose the battle.

That's when Coach Mama found being just a## call away has more impact than# she could have ever realized.

We got a call that Coach Dawny wasn't doing well,## and so Coach Brandt and I took three# cars full of girls down to Coach Dawny.

She is like, very weak, and I never did see# her weak.

She was very, a very strong woman.

When the girls came to visit# me, it helped me fight stronger,## because I needed, you know, to see# that I meant something to them.

And oh, boy, did she mean# something to them.

In her honor,## the team went on to a perfect season# and won two consecutive championships.

Okay, I challenge you.

It's been a challenge for Dawny.

Inside, inside.

But now she's back coaching.## No matter what happens, she will always have# her girls, and her girls will always hav..

I know for a fact that Coach Dawny# will be here until the day she dies,## and that should be about another 100 years.

Yeah, we should be juggling.

So she'll be here forever.

She breathes,# sleeps and e.. [shouts] This is Samantha## Brooks at Searider Productions for HIKI NO.

This next story comes from Raphael Stark,# a home-schooled student on O‘ahu.

It's an## impressive profile of a local police officer# working in the canine unit.

Raphael, gives us## an inside look at his role and the special bond he# has with his family and his amazing dog, Hunter.

Most people, when they first meet Pete,# find him to be kind of standoffish,## a little intimidating, but once you# get to know him, he is super warm,## super friendly, quite funny.

You know, he# is definitely the fun parent in our home.

Meet Pete Jones, a husband, father of two, a# Honolulu police officer for 27 years, and a canine## handler for the specialized services division# within the department.

He's also a person.

Police officers are truly people.# We're no better or no different.## We have the same bills.

We have the# same ups and downs.

We have issues## like a normal person.

I always want# to be an answer to someone's problem.

And that I can use the skills# and knowledge that I have.## That's probably the most happiest I am,# and I feel like I've fulfilled my job.

But this job comes with risks.

The dangerous part about my dad's# job is that he can be called out## at any moment.

I always make sure# to say I love you before he leaves,## because there is a chance that my dad# could like, potentially not come back.

There was a time when I actually got seriously# hurt.

I got seriously injured at an incident## where someone was refusing to comply, and it# ended up with a shootout.

I was hit and as## well as my dog.

When I was in the hospital and# I was recovering after a few days after surgery,## my partners brought my dog into the hospital# after he had surgery, and I think that was## the first time that he and I got together# after about a week or so after our shooting.

Despite surgery and a long recovery# in 2018, quitting was never an option.

No, no.

Once I made the decision that I needed# to provide for my family, that was the goal.## So, everything else that that I have# to deal with on a daily basis at work## has to be understood by me that# it's just a requirement in order## for me to attain a bigger goal,# which is to provide for my family.

Well, for one I would like to address, I do have a## cool dad.

I think he's awesome.# I think what he does is awesome.

Certain jobs come with unique challenges, but - If you do your job well and you respect# the responsibility that you have,## you can truly feel that you've made a difference.

This is Raphael Stark, a homeschooled# senior for HIKI NO on PBS Hawai‘i.

Are you thinking about a future career?# At some point you might need to nail a## job interview.

Luckily, students at Hilo# High School on the Big Island are here to## help you with a how-to guide full of# tips for acing your next interview.

Are you looking for a job or in need of money?

A# lot of students will seek a part time job to earn## money for their wants or needs.

To get a job,# you'll need to go through an interview.

Here## are six tips to ensure a successful interview.# Tip one, bring the proper documents.

Remember to## bring your resume and your cover letter.

The# interviewer will need to know how to contact## you after the interview.

Tip two, clothing for an# interview, you will need to dress appropriately.## That means no baggy clothes, nothing suggestive,# sweats, shorts, and no ripped clothing.

Tip three, make a good first impression.

Be# polite, wait patiently, and only sit when## asked.

Posture.

Sit up straight, don't# slouch, and be professional.

Tip five,## language.

Watch what you say.

Don't# swear, and use proper English.

Finally, tip six, be yourself.# Be confident.

Tell them what## they need to know.

Don't be afraid to# flaunt yourself.

Now you are ready to## face your first interview.

This is MacKenzie# Koho'onei from Hilo High School for HIKI NO.

[ocean wave] Hey, Caleb, are you into Legos?

I always have and I always will.

Well, in this next HIKI NO reflection,## you're about to see some incredible Lego# sculptures.

Let's listen to Kason Uedoi,## a student at H.P.

Baldwin High School on Maui# who shares his lifelong love of building with us.

Legos.

Ever since I was a child, my fascination# with Legos has been a defining aspect of my life.## From the moment I clumped together my first few# bricks, I was hooked.

As I grew so did my love## for these colorful, interlocking blocks.

Countless# hours are spent carefully constructing towering## skyscrapers, intricate spaceships, and sprawling# landscapes.

Each creation was a labor of love,## a tangible manifestation of my imagination,# brought to life.

But it wasn't just about## building.

It was about the process, the joy of# problem solving, the satisfaction of seeing my## vision materialize, and a sense of accomplishment# with each completed masterpiece.

And of course,## seeing the final product displayed somewhere in# my house.

Even now, as a girl older, my passion## for Legos remains undiminished, serving as both# a nostalgic reminder of carefree days gone by,## and a creative outlet that continues to inspire me# every day.

My love for Legos will never go away.

If you're thinking about your future career,# this next story might inspire.

Produced by## students at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle# School on Kauai, this profile features a## young man who's turned his passion into# a career as a social media influencer.

JohnnyTsunami is one of the most popular# influencers currently living in Kaua‘i.

He's on## most social media apps sharing his funny videos.# Now, let's take a look at his path to success.

What inspired me to start my channel is,# actually I had this one friend.

She had## TikTok for a while, and I refused to get# TikTok.

I had Instagram, I had Facebook,## I almost even still had a MySpace, I think.# And she told me, you know, “You should get## TikTok.

It's awesome.

I scroll all the time.”# I'm like, “Why should I get it?” She was like,## “So you can make content.” I'm like,# “What?” She's like, “Well, you're funny.” I was like, “I know.” So, I ended up getting a TikTok.

And# that's kind of whe.. just somebody telling me, you know# what, you should do it.

You've got## something.

How I became famous was my viral# videos really.

I mean, the first ones that## really went viral were my voiceovers, and# then after that, it was a lot of coconuts.

People just love watching me climb coconut# trees, do all that kind of stuff, and then## it was that 'perfect’ girl.

Those are the ones# that went crazy on YouTube.

I think my biggest## video on there is like 98 million.

I think it's# at probably 100 million views right now.

So,## that's basically where everything# come came from, was me and her.

Getting to this level of# fame was by no means easy,## says Benitez, who says he has faced some# obstacles like receiving rude comments.

I think one of the biggest challenges that I# faced was honestly having people heckle me,## make fun of me, you know.

Like, when# I was making my videos at first,## I did this one where it's like, you# ever played Super Mario or anything?

You know, where it's like, choose your# character.

I did that with the Hawai‘i## version, so like the fisherman, the hunter,# the guy with the Tacoma, you know what I## mean?

And people would be like, “Oh, that's# so dumb.

This is stupid.

You should stop.” Those are the things that kind of discouraged me.# But I looked around at everybody's videos and I## saw there's always those people.

So, I would say,# keep going.

I think the biggest thing I've had so## many people tell me, “I want to be a YouTuber.

I# want to make these videos.

I want to do this and## that,” and it's usually all talk, but if they're# already starting, a lot of people get discouraged.

And I think that's the biggest thing I# would tell somebody is don't stop.

There's## been multiple times in my whole like, I guess,# career in this that I've been wanting to stop,## and I take a break, and I get back at it,# and I'm super glad I didn't.

I think a lot## of people just fall off.

It's too much# pressure.

But through that pressure,## you find a grind.

You find your way, and# just got to keep on going, make it big.

This is Blake Hashimoto from Chiefess Kamakahelei# Middle School for HIKI NO on PBS Hawai‘i.

Before you go, stick around for a fun bonus# video featuring our HIKI NO teacher at Waiakea## High School on Hawai‘i Island,# and Waiakea senior, Mari Iwata,## in a delightful taste test challenge# that's all about local Hawai‘i flavors.

Hi, my name is Mari Iwata.

I'm# a senior at Waiakea High School.

I am Donn Yamamoto.

I'm a senior# citizen at Waiakea High School.

No dietary restrictions.

Luckily,## no food allergies.

I guess the only# dietary restriction for me is my belt.

It’s pitch black.

I can’t see a thing.

I think it’s paper.

Is it what’s in the paper?

I think I know what this is.

Turkey Tail.

This is the best part of the turkey, turkey Tail.

Please say he was wrong.

Portuguese sausage.

Oh, I just disrespected my whole family.

[laughs] I know.

I think I know too.

Tako poke.

[ding] Icy cold.

Dragon fruit.

Pineapple.

What’d you say?

Cantaloupe?

No, I said pineapple.

[buzzer] This is my first time trying starfruit.

Ew.

[laughs] Wasabi peas.

Spice balls.

Can I spit it out.

It's worse when you can't see colors.

It's worse when I can't see period.

Pineapple.

[ding] This is good pineapple.

Goat milk.

Coconut water.

[ding] I feel like I'm getting smoked.

Kulolo.

[ding] Oh, what is that?

It's like Hawaiian mochi.

I don't know what it is, but that’s good.

Smoked fish.

Sausage jerky.

That’s pipikaula?

Cherries.

Longan.

[ding] You know what the longan is?

No.

Dragon Eye.

No.

It's funny.

I'.. Mango juice.

[ding] Yes!

Sorry the mic probably peaked.

That one# goes o.. Arare.

Kakimochi.

[ding] Oh, arare.

It’s kakimochi.

You# .. Spam.

Beef.

[ding] [laughs] Oh, it’s Spam.

Kimchi.

[ding] Passion Orange.

[ding] Ahi poke.

[ding] Alicia's Market.

[buzzer] Foodland.

[ding ding] I just know em.

I just.. Mochi.

Butter mochi.

[ding] You know how but.. Poi.

[ding] I don't really care for poi.

You don't eat poi?

Shredded ika.

[ding] Crawfish is like the little lobster thing.

I have no idea what this is.

I thought you better than that.

Lomi salmon.

[ding] Oh.

Pumpkin?

What?

Hey, hear me out.

Macadamia nut.

[ding] Oh, that's why I don't like it.

I'll let you have this one.

Wonton chip.

[ding] Lemon peel.

Oh.

You're correct, actually.

[ding] What?

Locked in.

I'm not.

Iso peanut.

[ding] What?

[laughs] You don't even k.. Yay!

I’m only like, 10 points behind.

Yeah.

It's so bright.

[ding ding] Just by a landslide.

No mercy, sweep the leg.

[laughs] That was fun.

That was a humbling experience.

Well, that's it for our show.

Thank you for# watching the work of Hawai‘i's New Wave of## Storytellers.

Don't forget to follow HIKI NO on# PBS Hawai‘i on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

You can find this HIKI NO episode# and more at pbshawaii.org.

Tune## in next week for more proof that# Hawai‘i students HIKI NO, can do.

[outro music]