Air Date: Fri, Sep 1, 2017 7:30 PM
This episode is the fifth in a series of six shows in which each episode focuses on a specific Hawaiian value. The Hawaiian value for this show is ‘ike pono, which means to know what is right. Each of the following stories reflects this theme:
The top story comes from the students at Maui Waena Intermediate School who feature Christopher Malik Cousins, owner of the Farmacy Health Bar in Wailuku, Maui. Cousins had been a troubled youth, often in trouble with the law and even living on the streets. Being fed at Saint Theresa’s Church in Kihei eventually inspired him to do the right thing and open his own health food restaurant. His motivation for opening the business was not to make money, but to provide his family and community with healthy snacks, to employ people who need a helping hand (like he did), and to encourage his customers to “pay-it-forward” by contributing to a program that helps to feed the hungry with healthy foods. “I went from someone who wasn’t doing Maui any good to someone who is making a difference,” says Cousins.
Also featured are student-created stories from the following schools:
Waianae Intermediate School (Oahu): Sosefina Matautia, once a self-professed bully at Waianae Intermediate School, decided to do the right thing and change her ways. While becoming a kinder, better person benefitted those around her, Sosefina was motivated to change because of her own dreams of someday becoming a doctor.
Seabury Hall Middle School (Maui): Led by math teacher Debi Davis, Seabury Hall Middle School students do the right thing for the less fortunate by weaving colorful yarn hats that are distributed around the world to help brighten the lives of underprivileged children.
Kealakehe High School (Hawaii Island): Students and other community members in Kona do the right thing by banding together to build Habitat for Humanity homes for families on the Hawaiian Homes wait list.
Waianae High School (Oahu): Sometimes doing what you know is right requires great sacrifice. Sometimes doing what is right means doing less for yourself. Such is the case with Waianae High School student Daisy Agae, whose grades suffer because she has to take care of her two younger brothers, one of whom is a special needs child born with debilitating medical conditions.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Hawaii Island): Hawaii Island resident William ”Black” Abraham was headed down the wrong path as a young adult, until he decided to do the right thing and dedicate his life to saving lives. He did so by becoming an Ocean Safety Officer at Hapuna Beach and is now inspiring the next generation of lifesavers through his Junior Lifeguard training program.
Kamehameha Schools Maui High (Maui): An East Maui couple do the right thing by taking in and caring for animals with debilitating and life-threatening illnesses. As a result, their home has become the East Maui Animal Refuge, more affectionately known as the Boo-Boo Zoo. This episode is hosted by Waiakea Intermediate School in Hilo, Hawaii.
This program encores Saturday, Sept. 3 at 12:00 pm and Sunday, Sept. 4 at 3:00 pm. You can also view HIKI NŌ episodes on our website, www.pbshawaii.org/hikino.
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The article centers around an episode that aired on September 1, 2017, as part of a series focusing on specific Hawaiian values. The highlighted value in this particular episode is 'ike pono,' translating to "know what is right." Each story presented in the episode reflects this overarching theme, showcasing individuals and communities embodying this value in different ways.
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Maui Waena Intermediate School - Christopher Malik Cousins:
- Christopher Malik Cousins, owner of the Farmacy Health Bar in Wailuku, Maui, is featured. His transformative journey from a troubled youth to a successful entrepreneur is highlighted.
- Motivated by personal growth and a desire to contribute positively to his community, Cousins opened a health food restaurant with the aim of providing healthy snacks, offering employment opportunities to those in need, and fostering a "pay-it-forward" mentality among customers.
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Waianae Intermediate School (Oahu) - Sosefina Matautia:
- Sosefina Matautia, once a self-professed bully, decides to change her ways and pursue kindness. Her motivation stems from her dream of becoming a doctor, illustrating the connection between personal aspirations and doing what is right for oneself and others.
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Seabury Hall Middle School (Maui) - Debi Davis's Math Class:
- Students led by math teacher Debi Davis engage in charitable efforts by weaving colorful yarn hats. These hats are distributed globally to brighten the lives of underprivileged children, showcasing how a collective effort can make a positive impact.
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Kealakehe High School (Hawaii Island) - Habitat for Humanity:
- Students and community members in Kona come together to build Habitat for Humanity homes for families on the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. This story emphasizes the importance of community collaboration and the impact of collective action on addressing societal needs.
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Waianae High School (Oahu) - Daisy Agae:
- Daisy Agae, a student at Waianae High School, faces personal sacrifices in doing what she knows is right. Her commitment to taking care of her two younger brothers, one with special needs, showcases the challenges individuals may encounter when prioritizing the well-being of others over personal interests.
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Hawaii Preparatory Academy (Hawaii Island) - William "Black" Abraham:
- William "Black" Abraham's story highlights a personal transformation from a potentially negative path to becoming an Ocean Safety Officer. His dedication to saving lives and inspiring the next generation through a Junior Lifeguard training program reflects the impact of individual choices on community well-being.
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Kamehameha Schools Maui High (Maui) - East Maui Animal Refuge:
- An East Maui couple demonstrates the value of 'ike pono' by caring for animals with debilitating and life-threatening illnesses. Their home, known as the Boo-Boo Zoo, becomes a refuge for these animals, showcasing the selfless act of doing what is right for the well-being of others.
In summary, the episode weaves together diverse narratives to illustrate the Hawaiian value of 'ike pono'—knowing what is right—and how individuals and communities embody this value through personal growth, community service, and selfless acts for the greater good.
