HIKI NŌ #1210 Original airdate: Thurs., February 18, 2020  7:30 pm

Student Reflections Winter 2021, Part Three / HIKI NŌ

During the winter quarter of the 2020/2021 school year, HIKI NŌ students reflect on the impact COVID-19 restrictions have had on their home and school lives, as well as the lives of those close to them.

Daniela Tafolla, an eighth grader at Kealakehe Intermediate School on Hawaiʻi Island, tells the poignant story of how her grandfather, who was battling pulmonary fibrosis, died in isolation due to the COVID-19 visitation restrictions at his hospital.

Kaci Amaral, an eighth-grader at Maui Waena Intermediate School on Maui, outlines the challenges she faces as an older sibling who has to supervise her brother and sister as they undergo distance learning together at home.

Zoe Slaughter, a junior at Moanalua High School on Oʻahu, reflects on her friend Kaiya’s isolation from her grandmother—a stroke patient whose visitations by relatives are restricted due to COVID-19.

Kiari Uchida, a sophomore at Roosevelt High School on Oʻahu, explains how the amount of school work required by virtual learning makes life-balance feel impossible for her.

Faith Soliven, a junior at Maui High School on Maui, talks about how the pandemic has taught her to place more value on her personal, face-to-face relationships.

PLUS

As the 10th anniversary of HIKI NŌ’s February 28, 2011 debut approaches, we are presenting a series of stories on outstanding HIKI NŌ alumni from the program’s first decade. The alumni profile in this episode spotlights Maui High School graduate Yasha Ronquillo, whose experience as a HIKI NŌ student inspired her to become a HIKI NŌ teacher at her alma mater.