http://www.hawaiitokai.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=42

HTIC’s Fall 2008 and Winter 2009 Commencement Ceremony was held on Saturday, December 6, 2008. After a brief introduction by HTIC Board of Trustee member, Mr. Gerald Burris, Chancellor Yoshikawa gave his Charge to the Graduates. This was followed by the Commencement address by guest speaker, Dr. Gail Awakuni, principal at James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach. James Campbell High School has made a name for itself as one of only two high schools in the state of Hawaii to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, an elite college preparatory curriculum focusing on internationalism.

In 2004, Dr. Awakuni was selected as Hawaii High School Principal of the Year, and in 2005, she was selected as the National High School Principal of the Year. HTIC graduates were honored and inspired by Dr. Awakuni's address:

Good Evening and ALOHA! To you, our honored graduates, I congratulate you on your commencement tonight. ... To the college staff and faculty, officials and dignitaries, thank you for being a part of this evening’s ceremony and part of these graduates’ success.

At James Campbell High School, we envisioned change. We envisioned being the center of the community and changing lives and lifestyles. From our dreams, we developed a plan of action and began to implement these plans with an emphasis on monitoring students, ourselves, and our plans. More changes were made along the way to continuously improve.

Proof of our success in terms of money is in four years of my tenure of principal of a school in one of the most deprived areas of Oahu is the value of college-scholarship offers to students from $650,000 to $4.8 million. Eight years later, our students have offers up to $7.5 million.

But that seven plus increase represents much more. It represents change.

We changed the culture of our school…
• From simply lip-synching that cliché… “all children can learn” to visioning and working on that belief – as a team…and eventually to witnessing and reaping the benefits of that belief.
• Today, we are the only and first public school in Hawaii to be recognized into the International Baccalaureate Organization.

One famous daimyo who has inspired me is Mori Motonari of Hagi and Hiroshima. He took over the Ouchi domain, holding most of western Japan and part of Kyushu. He believed in alliance, in unity. The Mori crest shows three circles under a single bar. Although he lost most of his domain by fighting against Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Mori clan was avenged two-and-a-half centuries later, when they played a major role in the Meiji Restoration.

I visited Mori Motonari’s statue in Hagi. Carved on his statue is:

One day,
One strength,
One heart.

One million people united as one.
One million must work together as one.
- Mori Motonari (1580)

In 1580, this great leader was striving for Teamwork and unity. Today, Thomas Friedman describes the world as flat, the global competitive playing field has leveled. Therefore, it is vital to our existence to work together peacefully. It is now possible to collaborate and compete in real time with other people from different parts of the world and on equal footing than ever before in the history of the world. Technology – using email, networks, teleconferencing, new software – we are connecting knowledge centers into a global network. Globalization has changed the world.

As change is inevitable, let us not forget the fundamental principles that we live by remains the same. It starts from each of us, through citizenship.

1) As with all great things, you have the obligation to give back to our community. Whether you are an engineer, nurse, doctor, contractor, businessman or woman, you have the responsibility to give back to your community. Don’t ever forget your roots and your integrity. By your actions and behavior, go out and obtain trust and credibility.

2) Continue to work hard. Your teachers, administrators, and staff are here tonight to celebrate your transition into the world of work. They have worked hard for your successes. Be grateful. Show your appreciation. Be humble. Your success is their success. Continue to make them proud.

3) Persevere. Don’t give up. But know when to quit. You will be challenged. Take U-turns, detours, pick up yourself and move forward. Take responsibility and be accountable for yourself. Everyone has problems, it’s about how we work through these problems and turn them into opportunities. In doing so, you must preserve your integrity and character. Be true to yourself as it is difficult to regain what you’ve lost.

4) Dream. The world is out there. Go forth and go after your dreams. You must have a vision and a road map of where and how you will get to your destination. Plan how you could be in the right seat at the right time. As you already know, there are lots of temptations out there. Don’t let anyone destroy your dreams. It took lots of integrity, strong will, and consistent work to get here.

5) Go forth and spread beauty and light. Spread the spirit of aloha. It can transform lives. Your teachers and mentors will be watching you, because you give them HOPE and INSPIRATION. Follow your dreams.

Now and always, have
Teamwork and unity
Integrity
Service before none
Excellence in all that you do.
VISION

One World for World Peace.

CONGRATULATIONS, and ALOHA!

As a part of each graduation, graduating students choose student representatives to share their thoughts on graduation. For this ceremony, the students chose Mr. David Oshima to represent the Fall 2008 class and Mr. Tatsuya Yoda, a Double Degree recipient, to represent the Winter 2009 class.

In his speech, David asked us to consider the very famous phrase, “Knowledge is Power.” He reminded us that the knowledge given to us by teachers, in turn gives us the “power to succeed, and the power to achieve our dreams in the future.” Concluding his speech, David commented that, though it was their last day at HTIC, it was only the beginning of their lives. He encouraged his fellow classmates with this parting remark: “now let’s go out there and show this world what we can do, because I know all of us are capable of great things!”

Yoda (as he asked to be called by classmates and teachers) was a member of the FEST program when he first attended HTIC from F’06 to W’07. In Spr’07 he entered Tokai University in Japan as a freshman, but decided to return to HTIC last summer and enroll in the Double Degree Program (DDP) in order to earn his A.A. degree before returning to complete his baccalaureate at Tokai University. In Yoda’s speech he recognized HTIC’s faculty and staff, as well as his friends, for helping him get through the difficulties of college life abroad. Yoda reflected that his college life at HTIC was challenging. “In this study abroad, I decided to challenge myself with a lot of things to enhance my knowledge, learn from experience, and realize my potential.” Yoda concluded his speech with another famous quote, “Where there is a will, there is a way!”

With family and friends watching, the ceremony ended as proud graduates walked down the aisle to receive their Associates Degree in Liberal Arts.

The HTIC administration, faculty, and staff wish to congratulate all of the Fall 2008 and Winter 2009 graduates. We would also like to congratulate Winter 2009 graduate, Steffie Tuan. Though she was unable to attend the ceremony with the rest of her graduating classmates, we would like to recognize Steffie as an important part of the Winter 2009 class. We wish all of the graduating students great success as they begin new chapters in their lives.