[intro music] HIKI NŌ, Hawai‘i's New Wave of Storytellers.

Aloha, and welcome to this episode of HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i.

My name is Izaya Edmonds and I'm a junior at West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy on the Big Island.

We have an inspiring show for you tonight.

I get to reveal the winning entries of HIKI NŌ's 2026 Winter Challenge competition.

Each season during the school year, HIKI NŌ challenges student reporters to produce stories in the span of a few days.

These contests are called Challenges.

For this Challenge, the call was for videos based on the prompt, “Living Through Change.” For the first time, HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i created the first ever elementary school division due to the impressive submissions from some of HIKI NŌ's youngest contributors.

Usually, students have weeks to work on projects for HIKI NŌ and lots of help from our teachers and industry mentors.

So, what they're able to produce in such a short amount of time is truly admirable.

All right, let's see what they produced.

Let's start with an honorable mention in our high school division.

In the high school division of the 2026 HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i Winter Challenge, receiving honorable mention is… Hawai‘i Technology Academy on O‘ahu.

Congratulations.

who shares his reflections on surviving cancer at a young age.

not knowing if you were going to live tomorrow, not knowing if you were going to be able to do the things that you love, you know, get the job that you want to do in the future, help the people you want to help support the family that you love so much.

when most kids are thinking about school sports in the future, Xavier Ortiz was forced to confront a question no children should ever have to ask, would there even be a tomorrow?

The type of cancer was T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or TALL for short.

Of all the cancers, it's a more common one seen in children.

I was on the older side of that.

At the age of 13, a cancer diagnosis doesn't just change the body, it strips away certainty, replaces plans with fear and turns the future into a question mark.

For Xavier, the hardest part wasn't just the treatment.

It was the silence that followed when everything he once imagined felt suddenly out of reach.

Our situation was much worse, too.

And my dad was and still is in the U.S.

Navy, and at the time, he was deployed on a U.S.

warship in Egypt, on the opposite side of the world from us.

And, you know, my mom had three young children to take care of, and so it was just this frantic, unbelievable experience where my parents were trying to figure out how to come together again, how to arrange things, not just for my health, but for my siblings.

Xyandri walked this path with him.

And I was scared to go to sleep, thinking, what if I wake up and he's not there anymore?

slowly became resilient, and against the odds, Xavier survived.

Carrying the weight of that journey and the strength it gave him, allowing him to speak at graduation about his battle with cancer.

As I rang the big bell at the hospital to mark the end of treatment, I reminisced on the memories, lessons and experiences I had over the past four years.

The bell resonated with the moments of struggle and pain, but it also resonated with how I overcame that struggle and pain, and it reminded me of how strong I really am.

From that moment on, life became about possibility.

Graduation wasn't just an achievement, it was proof on the future he fought for.

After surviving cancer, the future no longer feels guaranteed, and that changed everything.

He now lives with intention, gratitude and purpose, focused on making the most of every day and giving back in the ways he once only imagined.

I always tell people I didn't survive cancer to return to who I was; I survived cancer to become who I was meant to be.

from Hawai‘i Technology Academy for HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i.

In the first ever elementary school division, receiving second place is Honoawai Elementary School on O‘ahu.

Congratulations.

For their first time entering a challenge, these students really impressed the judges with this profile story on their Hawaiian Studies kumu.

Honowai Elementary School's Hawaiian Studies teacher, Kupuna Paishon has taught for 25 years.

Kupuna Paishon’s contagious energy makes students feel loved and welcome.

Her positive words and actions make students at Honowai feel safe and happy.

Sadly, two years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer of her uterus.

I was bleeding a lot, you know, bleeding a lot where I couldn't control it.

It was a lot of blood that I was losing, so it was making me weak.

So, I decided go doctor to find out what was going on with me.

And that's when the doctor took a bunch of tests and found out that I had cancer of my uterus in this area here.

My cancer was a 50/50, chance of getting worse, or it could just stay like that.

I spoke to my family, and they supported me to get treatment.

She went through six rounds of chemotherapy and experienced some side effects like neuropathy of her hand and hair loss.

And because my cancer was in my uterus, my doctor suggested that I have a hysterectomy and take it out, take the cancer out with it too, while he was at it.

So, we decided to do that, and when he did that, it stopped the bleeding.

I was supposed to stay home, but I didn’t.

I came to work because I felt okay.

It helped me to feel better by coming to work instead of staying home.

I think if I would have stayed home, I would have gotten depressed, and that's not good.

It doesn't help you to heal.

You have to have positive thoughts, positive actions in order for things to happen good to you.

I never said, oh my god, I have cancer.

No, it's okay, even when they come at me and say, ʻOh, I'm so sorry, kupuna.ʻ It's okay.

We're good, I'm good, we're good.

We can do this together.

That's the only way I was able to do it, with everybody.

I couldn't have done this alone.

I wasn't able to get through these last two years if it wasn't for you kids too.

Otherwise, I'd be calling in sick all the time.

But because of your health and you guys were patient with kupuna and helped me when I needed, I was able to get through these two years and still feel great.

I still have a little cancer in me, but it's not doing anything.

This is Raylen Grace Ganir… Teilani Velasco… From Honowai Elementary for HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i.

In the high school division of the 2026 HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i Winter Challenge, receiving third place from the island of Maui is H.P.

Baldwin High School.

Congratulations.

In their story, they spotlight a grandmother who is navigating the biggest challenge of her life - life after the loss of her husband.

In my retirement, a typical day is really not having to look or set an alarm or get up when I think I need to.

I just relax and just do what I feel like I should do.

Nitta's current routine is shaped by what she endured after her husband passed away about two years ago.

just about two years ago, it was making adjustments as we went through a whirlwind of being sent over to O‘ahu.

And then all of a sudden, everything fell on my lap.

You have to prove that they're gone.

That took a lot of energy, just making sure that paperwork got done.

And I had to do everything.

But you get through it, because you know you have to do it.

You can't just let it go.

responsibilities, there were smaller everyday moments when the absence felt the most real.

I didn't have to make breakfast for two.

I could just eat what I wanted to and buy what I wanted to eat.

So, those are the times when I would feel his lack of presence around, you know.

Instead of setting for six, it's, you know, five people.

Making those little adjustments.

They always think about what I have to do and making sure I'm safe.

So, my daughters found an apartment that was handicap-accessible, and my daughters felt that I should stay there because it was safer.

Having only myself to care for, to look after, that was the difference.

As Mrs.

Nitta adjusted to these everyday changes, she also came to understand how important outside support was during that time.

They help you through the end of life; you, as well as the patient.

They help you to understand that there is support out there in the community.

And that helped me a lot, because there was always somebody available to speak with me or to help me through anything that I had questions about.

All the things that have happened, the wonderful things, the challenges, but knowing that there are wonderful things that happened.

It was where, again, we accepted things, and you just don't know when the time will come.

That's the only thing.

You don't know when.

You just take it with a grain of salt and say been there, done that, enjoyed it and sorry it had to be like this, but that's how it ends.

Tokuoka from Baldwin High School for HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i.

Taking second place in the middle school division of the 2026 HIKI NŌ Winter Challenge is Highlands Intermediate School on O‘ahu.

Congratulations.

HIKI NŌ judges were impressed by this thoughtfully produced portrait of grief and life after loss.

Oh, this past year has a has been a real bummer.

My husband passed suddenly a year and a half ago.

is something everyone experiences, but for Rosie, change came all at once.

My whole legal name is Rosietta Yaeko Ramiro, and I was married to Eddie for 50 years.

We met a long time ago when I was 13, and he was 16 at the time, and he waited, very patient guy.

He waited for me until I graduated, and then we got married.

After we married, we lived in our family home in Mānoa and had two kids.

But about 15 years ago, we moved out to Pearl City and purchased our own home.

And those kids have their families, so I've got tons of grandchildren.

But we had a really wonderful relationship.

You know, he was good to me.

So, it was really hard going from we to me.

that was pretty traumatic.

That was probably the worst day of my life.

We didn't think it was going to happen, so we weren't really prepared for that.

That's when you feel the loneliness the most.

that you love go through something so sad and tragic, but she's the strongest person that I know.

deeply affected her, Rosie didn't let grief stop her from living.

Instead, she found ways to move forward by staying busy and surrounding herself with things and people she loves.

I found myself immersing myself in more activities that made me happy.

I tried to do more fun things to kind of cope with the loss and the sadness.

My mom keeps very busy.

She goes to the Senior Center.

She does crafting there.

She teaches a couple classes like ‘ukulele, she plays ping pong, she's in a chorus.

She goes on trips with her friends.

I hope she continues to do the things that bring her joy and continues to heal and live a happy life.

Change is inevitable, whether it's good change or bad change.

But the neat thing about changes is you can decide whether that change will be for the better or not.

Yeah.

So, you've got to go through the process with the mindset that things are going to be better, you know, I'm going to make it.

I mean, I'm a strong person.

You got to tell yourself, I'm strong person.

Yeah, I'm independent.

I can do this.

it's possible to live through change no matter what.

This is Maila Muraoka reporting for HIKI NŌ, on PBS Hawai‘i.

And now in the high school division of the 2026 HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i Winter Challenge, receiving second place is Hilo High School on Hawai‘i Island.

Congratulations.

These students decided to take a different style of storytelling that was personal and raw, and the final result was really powerful.

Oh, hi.

How are you doing?

I’m good.

See you after class.

Hi, I'm Van Anh Nguyen, a senior at Hilo High School, reporting on February 1, 2026, and let me tell you something, I was not always like that.

I used to live in Vietnam and was happy, carefree and confident.

I also had many friends and family that I was surrounded with.

Then one day, my parents told me we were going to move.

Vietnamese] This felt suddenly and devastating.

I would be away from all my friends that I once had, having to be in this entirely new environment.

Making friends was hard because I didn't know English well enough to communicate, I lost my confidence and became shy, so I wasn't able to reach out to others for help.

But then, over time, I learned English, joined new clubs, and slowly exited my comfort zone.

One of the clubs I joined was the Environmental Agents of Change.

I was starting to regain the confidence that I once had in my own home.

This introduced me to many new people, made new connections, and learned new skills.

Though my English has gotten better, I'm still improving on it.

And I'm slowly becoming more comfortable in my new home here in Hawai‘i.

This is Van Anh Nguyen from Hilo High School for HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i.

[ocean wave] And now coming in first place of the elementary school division of the 2026 HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i Winter Challenge is Alvah Scott Elementary School on O‘ahu.

Congratulations.

This was the first ever challenge entry from students at Alvah Scott Elementary.

They decided to explore the new basketball club on campus, and the judges applauded the production.

teacher, new basketball team.

Alvah Scott Elementary's new physical education teacher is making positive changes in our school's environment by starting an exciting new club.

Although we have other after school clubs at our school, this is the first time a specific sport is being offered.

This after school basketball club is providing an opportunity to fifth and sixth grade students who want to advance their basketball skills.

Let's talk to a player.

I decided to join basketball because I wanted to try something new, and so far, it's fun.

Recently, our team went to a basketball tournament, and we left undefeated.

Madela, how he feels about his new role.

It never crossed my mind that I'll be a P.E.

teacher, but now that I'm doing it, I'm really enjoying it and having a lot of fun.

I'm Mrs.

Miyagi, a sixth-grade teacher, and I think that the big change of having our intramural basketball team is so awesome.

Our students are really learning how to manage their behaviors, their academics, and really learning how to be a successful student athlete.

And I look forward to having this opportun Everyone seems like they're enjoying the new basketball team, and it's making a big difference in our school.

Students are encouraged to keep up with their schoolwork to stay in the basketball club.

They also had the chance to play other schools in a tournament and did a great job.

Thanks to Mr.

Madela for making a difference in our school and environment.

This is Nicholas Castro from Alvah Scott Elementary for HIKI NŌ, on PBS Hawai‘i.

And now, coming in first place in the middle school division of the 2026 HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i Winter Challenge is Maui Waena Intermediate School on Maui.

Congratulations.

A hula hālau on Maui is in full focus as they take time to honor those affected by the 2023 fires in Lahaina and use their practice to heal.

we are here to remember this place that has gone through tragic times.

2023, fires ran rampant through Lahaina, leaving the people of Maui devastated.

Now, three years later, members of the Ka Pā o Kalama are here at Waiola Church to give a ho‘okupu ceremony to the caretakers of these lands to honor those that passed in the fires.

Pasqua lost her home to the fires in 2023.

To help him through this tragedy, he turned towards hula.

difficult times by giving me peace.

When I dance hula, I feel like I am at peace.

I'm not worrying about anything that's happening throughout my life.

Hula brings me a lot of joy.

Like, I would say, out of all the things I do, hula is one of the main things.

is a healing hand for many others in the community.

In these tragic times, hula has been an uplifting force, and it was very difficult for me to see, to even drive here today and to still see dry and barren areas.

And so, we're still living through this, and that's the purpose we're here today, is just we haven't forgotten.

My hope and dream is that we rebuild this place so that we can bring life and we can honor our ali‘i and all that we have to do in our kuleana, I just would like to bring glory back to Moku‘ula.

the caretakers of this land, it means everything to be here today.

yes, the physical aspect of Lahaina is gone, but the spirit of Lahaina is still here.

The people are strong, and they're rebuilding.

The community of Maui will keep working towards recovery from the tragedy, holding on to their traditions and helping them step into the future.

This is Keely Cabreros for HIKI NŌ, on PBS Hawai‘i.

Receiving first place in the high school division of the 2026 HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i Winter Challenge is Waiākea High School.

Congratulations.

Teachers take a look back on how their approach to education has transformed over the past several years.

Alright guys, grab your Chromebook from the cart.

Class is about to begin.

due to a worldwide pandemic.

Uncertainty spread, and not only among students, but teachers as well.

2026 Teacher of the Year, Elise Hannigan, experienced firsthand how COVID-19 has reshaped the education system.

have to figure out how to get these kids and teach these kids online.’ It was a pretty dramatic change in a pretty short amount of time.

interaction had to be completely reimagined through technology.

Donn Yamamoto, a teacher with Hawai‘i Creative Media, shares how they helped educators navigate the sudden and challenging transition.

We were given the directive that all of our classes had to go virtual.

Many teachers didn't know what that meant.

Hawai‘i Creative Media, which is a group of media teachers from across the state, we got together, and we realized that there was a need for instructions for a lot of these teachers, so we created an online class, and we had teachers from across the state join us through Google Meets, and we showed them how to use those applications to convert their in-person classes to online learning.

But now, teachers are worried not just about grades, but students who stopped logging in altogether.

I was teaching to a bunch of boxes on a screen with their initial, their first initial on it, and it was really hard to check in with them authentically.

that learning isn't defined by classrooms or technology alone, but it's built on connection.

like, “Is this content engaging enough to get them onto the computer?” Does this really teach them what they need to know?

When you have to change your entire teaching style, it's learning something brand new.

You're back at the beginning and you're just doing your best.

I'd been teaching for almost a decade when COVID hit and it was relearning everything.

Pre-COVID, we were just hanging on to teaching content and worksheets and things like that.

We started to see that education really needs to change.

We need to really look at what is the purpose of school?

Just trying to bring kids in to learn facts and pure content is not going to help them anymore.

The things that we need are genuine human connection.

We need opportunities for collaboration, so that that learning, you can be getting feedback immediately.

And I think that's really where school is headed and needs to continue to head.

I think the core of teaching is that we want to educate students, and I don't think that's ever going to change.

I just think how we educate students has been changing and is going to continue to change.

is now a constant in education.

No matter the circumstances, educators and students must remain open minded, because the impact of education lasts far beyond the classroom.

This is Madelyn Awaya from Waiākea High School for HIKI NŌ, on PBS Hawai‘i.

Congratulations to all the student teams who worked so hard under the pressure of our professional deadline.

They really stepped up to the challenge.

We hope you've enjoyed the work of Hawai‘i's New Wave of Storytellers.

Don't forget to subscribe to PBS Hawai‘i on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

You can find this HIKI NŌ episode and more at pbshawaii.org.

Tune in next week for more proof that Hawai‘i students HIKI NŌ, can do.

[outro music] Broadcasts of Hiki No on PBS Hawai'i are made possible by the support of viewers like you.

Mahalo.

And by Bank of Hawai'i Foundation.

Investing in Hawai'i's future by promoting collaboration, critical thinking and other 21st century skills through Hiki No.

The Kosasa Foundation, helping to transform education and develop Hawaii's workforce through bold learning initiatives like Hiki No.