Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 7, 1 Iulai 1985 — Trip was Once in a Lifetime Chance [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Trip was Once in a Lifetime Chance

Two of the students who made the trip submitted reports of their experiences and some of their observations follow. Virginia Hikalea writes: "Before when you ta!ked to me about politics, I !ooked at you kind of funny because I didn't know what you were talking about. But ever since I went on this trip, it really opened my eyes to what was really going on in the world that I never knew about. It was different, but at least I ean say 1 learned something. "When I used to hear about the deficit, I used to think, "What is that?' When I went up to Washington, D.C., I got a clear view of what deficit is. "I think the trip was worth everything I went through. Just to be able to leam what I learned was more than 1 could get out of a book because a book doesn't talk and give good answers like the people who were giving the seminars." Loretta Tofaeno wrote: "In Washington, D.C., there's so mueh to leam and see. Every statue and memorial has a fascinating history behind it. I learned more about our government and how Congress and the senators work. I learned how they make our government work and how they govem our country. "I also made a lot of friends from Kentucky and the only two who eame from Arizona. I really got close to one of the counselors and one of the teachers from another school. "I liked having luneh with our representatives and senators and just being able to be in one room with them. I liked going to Ford Theatre. The play was really good. It was fascinating and very educational. "We also went to the Vietnam Memonal and it was very spooky . It sent chills up my spine. My heart cried out for those poor men who died in a war that wasn't our war to begin with. "I don't know how to tell you what it was like. You just had to be there to see it for yourself." Both girls were high in their praise for Principal Melvin Seo for allowing them "to feel and see Washington, D.C." They concurred it was a onee in a lifetime opportunity for many people and that they would not hesitate going again if the ehanee presented itself onee more.

Virginia Hikalea happily poses in front of the nation's capitol.

William Meyer, Ieft, and Roy Nihoa pause for the camera on a Washington street. Permission to use photos and names were granted by parents, according to Principal Mel Seo.