http://www.hawaiitokai.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=65

After completing his Associate in Arts degree at HTIC in Winter 2002, alumnus Eisaku Kondo returned to Japan to complete his studies at Tokai University’s Shonan campus. A student of HTIC Chancellor Naoto Yoshikawa, Eisaku majored in International Relations, studying the subject at HTIC and then at Shonan when Dr. Yoshikawa left HTIC to join the faculty there in Spring 2002.

Since graduating from Tokai University, Eisaku has successfully worked as a sales representative for Bayer Health Care, selling pharmaceuticals to hospitals in Japan.

He credits his time at HTIC with helping him develop the interpersonal communication skills and confidence that have made him successful at his job as a salesperson. He hopes, in time, to run for political office. Eisaku is certain that the knowledge and skills gained here as an international student and from the political science classes on government taken from Chancellor Yoshikawa will serve him well as he pursues that dream.

To relax Eisaku likes to ride his motorbike and travel – coming to Hawaii yearly and stopping by at HTIC to say hello.

http://www.hawaiitokai.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=64

The Second Annual HTIC Talent Show was held on Friday, August 14. Although the number of intrepid student contestants was small, the talent demonstrated was huge. College Prep student Koki Murakami from Japan impressed everyone with his skillful rapping, nimbly done in perfectly pronounced English. Next, the HTIC community was enthralled by a graceful, exotic, and mesmerizing belly dance by Tessy (Zhang Kaipei), a Chinese student from Shenzhen University participating in a course of study organized by HTIC’s International Programs. Demonstrating an interest in his ancestral roots, Liberal Arts student Travis Harada offered his rendition of “Shima Uta” on the shamisen, a traditional Japanese/Okinawan instrument he began studying a short time ago. The final offering was a fierce but fun New Zealand Haka performed by Liberal Arts student Nicholas Medeiros, a student of Hawaiian martial arts, who got the cafeteria rocking.

Special thanks to the very excellent emcee, Natsuka Koizumi, and to faculty members Seleena Harkness, vocalist, and Danilo Marrone, guitarist, who closed the program by sharing their musical talents in a beautiful rendition of Gershwin’s “Summertime,” from the opera Porgy and Bess.

http://www.hawaiitokai.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=66

On Wednesday August 19th, the Level 2/Core 2 class of HTIC’s College Preparatory program visited the traditional Hawaiian fishpond, Paepae O He’eia, which is located in Kaneohe on the windward side of Oahu. Paepae O He’eia is 600 to 800 years old and was utilized to feed the Hawaiian Ali’i (royalty) of old. It continues to be utilized as a food source today.

The Core 2 students were first given a tour of the pond where they learned about its history and function. They were then given the chance to put their hands and feet in the ancient pond as a part of a service learning project.

Finally, the students were tasked with a scavenger hunt as a part of their College Preparatory study. The College Prep Program is the College’s academic English program that prepares international students for entry into HTIC’s Associate of Arts degree program.

All in all, the field trip was a very educational experience for the students; it provided a wonderful opportunity for them to gain a true appreciation for Hawaiian culture.