Writing Portfolio

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Graffiti Problem in Hawaii

            There is a common controversy of Hawaii being the perfect paradise, but is it really how it seems. Over the years there were many cases of graffiti. This is a loss for both the taggers, and the government because it cost money to paint over, too. There really is no point in trying to stop them. Out of Hawaii’s imperfections, graffiti is an issue that make the islands no the “perfect place” everyone thinks it is.

           

            Graffiti is very unappealing to everyone, especially the tourists that come to Hawaii. According to The Honolulu Star Advertiser, “Spray-painted scrawl is ever present on walls, utility boxes, signs, etc.” When tourists come to Hawaii, they expect to see the beautiful beaches, and nice towns, not graffiti on buildings. It also looks very rundown.  If they wanted to see that, they could just stay in the mainland. Then, it wouldn’t make Hawaii any more special than another place. Graffiti is a persistent problem to government and private property owners. These property owners are the ones that pay for the damage. If the building belongs to a business, then it could lower the amount of consumers due to the visual garbage. For all the hard work they have to put in to get rid of the graffiti, they could lose money, and people lose their job. This visual garbage in very unpleasant to the eye, and can repel people, like uninformed tourists.

            These people that vandalize are reckless and love to graffiti. In the star advertiser, it says that the police arrests taggers, but are still encouraged. This is what they do, and this is their hobby. They aren’t going to stop because they just love to graffiti. This is the way they express themselves through art. Plus, they probably enjoy how angry the police get. They are the rascal type of people who enjoy making trouble. Star advertiser quotes, “Several groups are fighting paint with paint.” Not only does this affect the groups, but it also affects our environment. The groups don’t realize that if they paint over it, then the taggers are going to paint over that, too. Then more paint fumes will be in the air, constantly hurting our environment.  These taggers are enjoying the anger that groups have because they paint on their property five hours after they just painted over it. They don’t care about what people think because they are just doing their thing.

            Through all these graffiti problems, the government and police must be enraged by this madness. There were 1111 graffiti cases and 227 arrests in 2005. This doesn’t make Hawaii look like a better place. If mainlanders knew this, then they wouldn’t want to tour here, which could drop our economy. The tourists are the ones that we get money from, and we need Hawaii to look clean. Little kids think that graffiti is cool because it’s very colorful, but if they are influenced to vandalize, then there will be more problems. It costs $5211 for replacing signs on the H-1 freeway. There should be a special place where taggers could put their art so that it doesn’t affect any other people. Otherwise, they would just keep spray-painting on the signs, and causing more trouble. The angered government should do something about this.

            Graffiti is unappealing to the eye, cost lost of money, and taggers just won’t quit. Tourists should rethink their idea of Hawaii being the perfect paradise. It’s not just beautiful beaches, but nasty graffiti. The government should do something and stop this madness. As for the tourists, they shouldn’t move here either, due to the fact that Hawaii isn’t so perfect. And if they move here, it would cause even more trouble.

Oceans of Nothing By: Kaz and Malina

Soon you may no longer be able to eat many of your favorite seafood due to overfishing and ocean disasters. Overfishing, climate change and pollution caused the reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds to devastate where fish hatch. 90% of the oceans big predators such as cod and tuna have been fished out of existence. The government should make laws stricter so the people can be more sustainable about our fish.

If you take fish for granted, soon there will be fish expenses and many will no longer be able to afford seafood. Each fisher should be aware of the depletion of fish, and limit himself or her to a certain amount. 29% of fished species have already become extinct. If the fishers do not consider overfishing, then the economy around fishing will be corrupted. The fish export trade had risen to 30 million tons. The value has also increased to $71 billion. The cost of fish will eventually rise, and anger people. This product is healthy and pescatarians commonly eat this to get protein. Everyone should be more sustainable about our fish. If we didn’t care about running out of fish, then there would be no more to eat. That would be terrible for the world and there would be no fish to eat. We should not waste our fish because it would also mess up our food chain. Overall, we should care about our fish and do things to sustain the organism.

Over the years, the amount of fish has been decreasing due to overfishing and rampant coastal development. This devastating fact could put fishermen out of their jobs. The government should make laws, and limit the fish we catch to sustain it’s life. The world would be drastically changed without fish. What would happen to aquariums? Soon, the fish could become extinct, and mess up this whole world because of us.

Graffiti Problem in Hawaii

            There is a common controversy of Hawaii being the perfect paradise, but is it really how it seems. Over the years there were many cases of graffiti. This is a loss for both the taggers, and the government because it cost money to paint over, too. There really is no point in trying to stop them. Out of Hawaii’s imperfections, graffiti is an issue that make the islands no the “perfect place” everyone thinks it is.

           

            Graffiti is very unappealing to everyone, especially the tourists that come to Hawaii. According to The Honolulu Star Advertiser, “Spray-painted scrawl is ever present on walls, utility boxes, signs, etc.” When tourists come to Hawaii, they expect to see the beautiful beaches, and nice towns, not graffiti on buildings. It also looks very rundown, which makes them realize that we are just like them. Graffiti is a persistent problem to government and private property owners. These property owners are the ones that pay for the damage. If the building belongs to a business, then it could lower the amount of consumers due to the visual garbage. For all the hard work they have to put in to get rid of the graffiti, they could lose money, and people lose their job. This visual garbage in very unpleasant to the eye, and can repel people.

            These people that vandalize are reckless and love to graffiti. In the star advertiser, it says that the police arrests taggers, but are still encouraged. This is what they do, and this is their hobby. They aren’t going to stop because they just love to graffiti. This is the way they express themselves through art. Plus, they probably enjoy how angry the police get. Star advertiser quotes, “Several groups are fighting paint with paint.” Not only does this affect the groups, but it also affects our environment. The groups don’t realize that if they paint over it, then the taggers are going to paint over that, too. Then more paint fumes will be in the air, constantly hurting our environment.  These taggers are enjoying the anger that groups have because they paint on their property five hours after they just painted over it. They don’t care about what people think, they are just doing their thing.

            Through all these graffiti problems, the government and police must be enraged by this madness. There were 1111 graffiti cases and 227 arrests in 2005. This doesn’t make Hawaii look like a better place. If mainlanders knew this, then they wouldn’t want to tour here, which could drop our economy. The tourists are the ones that we get money from, and we need Hawaii to look clean. Little kids think that graffiti is cool because it’s very colorful, but if they are influenced to vandalize, then there will be more problems. It costs $5211 for replacing signs on the H-1 freeway. There should be a special place where taggers could put their art so that it doesn’t affect any other people. Otherwise, they would just keep spray-painting on the signs, and causing more trouble. The angered government should do something about this.

            Graffiti is unappealing to the eye, cost lost of money, and taggers just won’t quit. Tourists should rethink their idea of Hawaii being the perfect paradise. It’s not just beautiful beaches, but nasty graffiti. The government should do something and stop this madness. As for the tourists, they shouldn’t move here either, due to the fact that Hawaii isn’t so perfect. And if they move here, it would cause even more trouble.

Special Place Final Draft

New Team, new school, new dream, and a whole new way of baseball. The first day of Moanalua High school baseball was very frightening. All the players seem nervous because this is there fist time, too. The coaches were more strict, and everyone is fighting for a spot. Some might say that this is nerve-racking, but for me it was always a great way to clear my mind. The relaxing thoughts of making a nice play, and hearing the umpire say, "You're Out!" had put a smile on my face and calm my body down. Even though the way of baseball in high school is different from little league where everyone plays, I promised that I would try my best no matter what. I wasn't the most skilled person on the team, so I knew I had to work 200% everyday. I needed to show that I wanted to play. Ever since the first day I started to play baseball, I knew I had a passion for it, and I knew that this was the sport for me.

The invitational rural baseball league was starting the next day. There I was in my bed nervous for our first game. It was at Hans L'Orange, one of the nicest fields in Hawaii. There was always a lot of people watching, because the bleachers were grassy green, and shaded with a nice cool and breezy roof. Often times during the mid-day, all the people were crammed on one side because the sun was burning the other bleachers. The funny thoughts of them squeezing into one spot had slowed down the pressuring world. This game was different, though. It was a night game, so the crowd would be split into two sides, and cheering for their own children. Just the thought of having a night time game at a dreamy field, made me want to run around the whole house to the excitement. Everyone would be watching.

It was a short car ride from Aiea to Waipahu. I was looking out the window, staring at nothing, but imagining the great things that I could do to help my team. My hand was trembling to the thought of messing up, but that's what was baseball was all about. I knew it would be different when I get to the field. I could see myself making contact with that ball, and seeing it fly right over the infield. Then, smiling at the third base coach to the happiness of getting my first hit of the season. Also, a picture of myself diving in the dirt to catch a ball, made me excited to play even more. The thought of dusting off my pants and shirt and hearing the crowd roar. Teammates would smile and say, "Nice play," wishing that they could get a ball just like that one. The joyful thought filled my head and I just hoped that they come true. I could taste the last bit of my granola bar, my ritual snack. The chocolate mixing with the granola, and having to chew it well. It slid down my throat, like a base runner, as I grabbed my bag and rushing to the field. Everything connected to my special place, and that's how I know that this was my second home. 

I could see it already. The marvelous green grass, cut even throughout the whole field. The dirt looking soft from the hose that would keep it in place. The smell of wet grass and dirt were all around me. I was finally here, my happy and special place. I stopped a moment to close my eyes and take a deep breath. My heart was pounding like a taiko drum, I needed to play good, but all that was not bothering me because I was gonna play with all my heart. I walked into our nasty and dirty dugout that was as narrow as a bottleneck. The other team had a better side. Oh well. Our team was still confident, even though we were ants compared to them. They were a bunch of seniors picking on freshmen, and sophomores. Although that thought was frightful, I was relaxed and calm. I just couldn't stress out right now. The scenery was too beautiful, and calming. No homework, or schoolwork, or tests bothered me, nothing. Every crack of the bat reminded me of homework being ripped in half. Every time the ball had hit the glove, it sounded like textbooks being thrown on the floor. It was just a place I needed, a place to just forget about all that homework. I had a smirk on my face when the umpire said, "Play Ball!" and I was ready for my first high school game. Scary, but it was calming my mind. The coaches somewhat put pressure on you, but just the advice they give is relaxing because you know what to fix. All the yelling from the crowd made me excited instead of nervous. This was the place where I never needed to tell myself to calm down. It was a habit already. I have been playing for 9 years already, so nothing is new. Just a game made for failure, and a game to have fun and relax.

Graphic Reading Card- Eyes of the Emperor

Special Place

New Team, new school, new dream, and a whole new way of baseball. The first day of Moanalua High school baseball was very frightening. All the players seem nervous because this is there fist time, too. The coaches were more strict, and everyone is fighting for a spot. Some might say that this is nerve-racking, but for me it was always a great way to clear my mind. The relaxing thoughts of making a nice play, and hearing the umpire say, "You're Out!" had put a smile on my face and calm my body down. Even though the way of baseball in high school is different from little league where everyone plays, I promised that I would try my best no matter what. I wasn't the most skilled person on the team, so I knew I had to work 200% everyday. I needed to show that I wanted to play.

The invitational rural baseball league was starting the next day. There I was in my bed nervous for our first game. It was at Hans L'Orange, one of the nicest fields in Hawaii. There was always a lot of people watching, because the bleachers were grassy green, and shaded with a nice cool and breezy roof. Often times during the mid-day, all the people were crammed on one side because the sun was burning the other bleachers. This game was different, though. It was a night game, so the crowd would be split into two sides, and cheering for their own children. Just the thought of having a night time game at a dreamy field, made me want to run around the whole house to the excitement. Everyone would be watching.

It was a short car ride from Aiea to Waipahu. I was looking out the window, staring at nothing, but imagining the great things that I could do to help my team. I could see myself making contact with that ball, and seeing it fly right over the infield. Then, smiling at the third base coach to the happiness of getting my first hit of the season. Also, a picture of myself diving in the dirt to catch a ball, made me excited to play even more. The thought of dusting off my pants and shirt and hearing the crowd roar. Teammates would smile and say, "Nice play," wishing that they could get a ball just like that one. The joyful thought filled my head and I just hoped that they come true. I could taste the last bit of my granola bar, my ritual snack. The chocolate mixing with the granola, and having to chew it well. It slid down my throat as I grabbed my bag and rushing to the field.

I could see it already. The marvelous green grass, cut even throughout the whole field. The dirt looking soft from the hose that would keep it in place. The smell of wet grass and dirt were all around me. I was finally here, my happy and special place. I stopped a moment to close my eyes and take a deep breath. My heart was pounding like a taiko drum, I needed to play good, but all that was not bothering me because I was gonna play with all my heart. I walked into our nasty and dirty dugout that was as narrow as a bottleneck. The other team had a better side. Oh well. Our team was still confident, even though we were ants compared to them. They were a bunch of seniors picking on freshmen, and sophomores. Although that thought was frightful, I was relaxed and calm. I just couldn't stress out right now. The scenery was too beautiful, and calming. No homework, or schoolwork, or tests bothered me, nothing. I had a smirk on my face when the umpire said, "Play Ball!" and I was ready for my first high school game. Scary, but it was calming my mind.

English words homework

Roots and Recipe Final Draft

 The arousing aroma of the sweet-smelling butter mochi, filled the air. A light bulb popped over my head to remind myself that it was Christmas. As my legs raced to the kitchen, there was a quick glance of my mother, who I knew for sure was the one causing this delight. The dish was golden brown, and looked very crunchy. But actually, it was very soft and chewy on the inside. Just looking at the snack, you can just taste the butter. The texture of the Mochi was rough on the outside, but chewy on the inside. There were curious questions dancing through my head just wondering, what makes this "special dish" so "special." The question always occurred to me, but I thought it was no big deal. But my curiosity took over my body and I said, "Mom, what is so special about butter mochi?" She politely answered with, "well, we have been making this dish for a pretty long time, and it takes a long time to make, about 1 or more hours. Not to mention how much it costs." I silently replied with "ok," because I was going to tell her to make it more, but that wasn't going to happen. One question still bugged me, though. So I asked my mom, "What happened the 1st time you tried to cook it?" She replied with, "I was super worried that it was going to be junk, but the family liked it, and I felt relieved."

Every bite of butter mochi I take, it makes me reminisce of those wonderful Christmas days. My three brothers and I wake up to the stench of the desserts that my mom makes for the Christmas parties. Only one word could describe them, ono. The smell would cruise in our house, which was fine with us, while we rip open our gifts. Of course our parents would yell at us to write down what each person gave us.

As the last presents are being opened, and our astonishing faces turn into smiles, I still wondered the secrets behind that sweet, buttery mochi. I then asked my mom, "is there history behind this dish?" Surprisingly, she said, "yes, we only make it for very special occasions, like today. We would also make it for new years. We also pound mochi for the different types, not for butter mochi." At that moment, I was very dumbfounded because I should have known that already. There was another question that popped in my head, "is there any other way to cook this?" She said, "No, only by baking it, so not that much people know about this recipe." That made my heart burst because it made me glad that much people did not know our special dish.

The time was here, time to party! Whenever I take a delicious bite of butter mochi, memories of our interesting Christmas parties give me flashbacks. You have never experienced a party like ours. Everyone are comedians, and very crazy. We play many games, and probably make the neighbors mad, but those are the great memories. After dinner, we eat all the delicious desserts, including my mom's delightful butter mochi. Everyone loves it, but there was one more question that's just wandering in my head. "Mom, what makes this tasty treat so good?" There was a lump in my throat after she said, "There is coconut in it, and it's funny because our family doesn't like coconut." I felt a little sick after that, but I realized that it is too delicious to be sick of, as I finished my last bite. The chewy mochi melted in my mouth, and the "coconutty" taste dancing on my tongue. This was the best cultural dish in the world, and I am lucky to enjoy it. I want to pass down this tradition, and make my mother proud.

Roots and Recipe First Draft

The arousing aroma of the sweet-smelling butter mochi, filled the air. A lightbulb popped over my head to remind myself that it was christmas. As my head raced to the kitchen, there was a quick glance of my mother, who I knew for sure was the one causing this sweet delight. There were curious questions dancing through my head just wondering, what makes this "special dish" so "special." The question always occurred to me, but I thought it was no big deal. But my curiosity took over my body and I said, "Mom, what is so special about butter mochi?" She politely answered with, "well, we have been making this dish for a pretty long time, and it takes a long time to make, about 1 or more hours. Not to mention how much it costs." I silently replied with "ok," because I was going to tell her to make it more, but that wasn't going to happen. One question still bugged me, though. So i asked my mom, "what happened the 1st time you tried to cook it?" She replied with, "I was super worried that it was going to be junk, but the family liked it, and I felt relieved."

Every bite of butter mochi I take, it makes me reminisce of those wonderful christmas days. My three brothers and I wake up to the stench of the desserts that my mom makes for the christmas parties. Only one word could describe them, ono. The smell would cruise in our house, which was fine with us, while we vigorously rip open our gifts. Of course our parents would yell at us to write down what each person gave us.

As the last presents are being opened, and our astonishing faces turn into smiles, I still wondered the secrets behind that sweet, buttery mochi. I then asked my mom, "is there history behind this dish?" Surprisingly, she said, "yes, we only make it for very special occasions, like today." At that moment, I was very dumbfounded because I should've known that already. There was another question that popped in my head, "is there any other way to cook this?" She said, "No, only by baking it, so not that much people know about this recipe." That made my heart burst because it made me glad that our special dish was not known by much people.

The time was here, time to party! Whenever I take a delicious bite of butter mochi, memories of our interesting christmas parties give me flashbacks. You have never experienced a party like ours. Everyone are comedians, and very crazy. We play many games, and probably make the neighbors mad, but those are the great memories. After dinner, we eat all the delicious desserts, including my mom's delightful butter mochi. Everyone loves it, but there was one more question that's just wandering in my head. "Mom, what makes this tasty treat so good?" There was a lump in my throat after she said, "There is coconut in it, and it's funny because our family doesn't like coconut." I felt a little sick after that, but I realized that it is too delicious to be sick of, as I finish my last bite. The chewy mochi melting in my mouth, and the "coconutty" taste dancing on my tongue.

Brainstorming

The food that I will be describing for my culture is Butter Mochi. One special memory I have for this food is begging my mom to make it for my birthday party. This snack is super delicious, and I could eat it for every meal. I can remember the chewiness of the treat being munched inside of my mouth. I can just taste the butter and sweetness. Some sensory details I can use are the aroma of the butter. Tasting the deliciousness, and hearing my mouth chew the snack. I will be interviewing my mom for this because she is the only one that makes this for my family.