Sacred Hearts Academy | Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo
Senior Jenica Wong wears the blood drop costume to invite students to participate in the raffle. The raffle was a fun trivia to test how much students knew about the blood donation process and its outcomes. Photo by Kaiulani Ferrer.
The Academy’s blood drive gives a second chance at life
April 15, 2024
What time is it? Participants enjoy “It’s Slime Time” by getting their hands messy. The recipe used to make the slimes included glue, contact lens solution, food coloring and shaving cream. Photo by Jenica Wong.
Symposium inspires next generation of women in STEAM
March 20, 2024
Ssebayiteko takes a selfie after school. While she may not be doing it here, the senior participated in a growing trend called sadfishing. She posted pictures of herself crying due to the stress of college applications. Photo by Anna Casupang.
Sadfishing: Teens caught up in rising trend
December 22, 2023
Scholastic judge Sara Satro congratulates senior Madison Iwashita (right) on winning the Distinguished Young Women’s Award. Iwashita is the first Academy student to win this award since 1994. Photo courtesy of Kelsey Kojihara.
Seniors win big at Distinguished Young Women Program
October 17, 2023
(Left to right) Academy students Tiarelei Keanu and Kaila Teves folding donated clothes for Maui fire victims. They volunteered at today’s donation drive, which collected enough items to fill three vans and a truck. Photo by Keira Wheeler.
Lancer community helps Maui fire victims
August 11, 2023
(Right) Teacher Monika Kelly throws to a teammate from the class of 2026. Lancers walked to a nearby park and played games, as part of the LIFE Day activities. The games encouraged class bonding and team work in a non-academic setting.
LIFE Day comes back to life for good
March 13, 2024
The day begins in the campus gym, where pairs of LIFE Team members (photo left) Jetaime-Tihani Tajiri and Reagan Beissel and (photo right) Jayna Amasol and Keira Iwamoto lead the school in the gospel song, “Gloryland.” The liturgy brings together the Lower and Upper School students for Catholic Schools Week. The LIFE Team, or worship team, has a reputation of lighting up every mass or religious event with much enthusiasm for God. LIFE Day is at the forefront of these events, as the student members plan the day’s activities.
Living the Lancer LIFE Day experience
March 6, 2024
Sacred Heart Academy seniors hold their paddles tight in the waters of Magic Island. (From Left to Right) Senior Veda Gang, Anna Pinkerton, Madison Iwashita, and Charli Omura. Photo courtesy to Mahina Monsarrat Ohelo.
Senior paddlers navigate their final season
February 20, 2024
Seniors Amber Wolfe, Kana Barlag and Daphne Ibrao celebrate National Letter of Intent (NLI) Day at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki. They committed to sports programs at their colleges of choice. Photo courtesy of the Ibrao Family.
Ready, set, go
February 20, 2024
Infographic by Zaneya Caires.
INFOGRAPHIC – Females in flight
February 10, 2024
Tarot Time: Elemental Exploration (Fire and Earth)
Tarot Time: Elemental Exploration (Fire and Earth)
May 13, 2023
Music is present in our everyday lives. Photo courtesy of Flickr.
Music and how it affects us
April 12, 2023
KA LEO KONVOS: Draft Day
KA LEO KONVOS: Draft Day
January 24, 2023
Ka Leo created its own mental health playlist on Spotify. This playlist contains the five best songs/types included in the article. Check out the playlist, by Abigail Walker, here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Np43AHc33E2KCEbBIPx99)
5 best songs/types to include in a mental health playlist and why
January 23, 2023
Fall in love with this list of songs, from Daniel Caesar to Bruno Major. They will be sure to warm your heart. Photo courtesy of PXHere.
Playlist to warm your heart
November 10, 2022
Sacred Hearts Academy’s Lower School basketball team remains undefeated, winning 10 games this division II Catholic Schools League (CSL) season.
Lower School’s basketball team remains undefeated
April 3, 2024
This year, senior Jenica Wong became the first student from Sacred Hearts Academy to play football. She represents the all-girls Catholic school on PAC-5s football team. Her coaches say she is treated the same as the boys and that her dedication and hard work earned her playing time. The first actual game I played…we were versing Saint Louis School (SLS) and up by 10 points,” she said. “Toward the end of the game, the special team’s coach grabbed me by the collar and told me, ‘hit somebody,’ and I went with that in mind.” While she didn’t make any plays that day, PAC-5 won the game against SLS, with a score of 10-0. “This was not only a win for PAC-5 but for the stigma that ‘girls dont belong’ or ‘girls cant play,’” the 17-year-old said about the October game.
Wong makes history as first Lancer football athlete
March 14, 2024
PAC-5 varsity Division II soccer team smiling through the blood, sweat and tears of their hard work. They boast a trophy as state champions for the third year in a row. Photo courtesy of Dowda-Gates.
Wolfpack soccer completes a three-peat
March 7, 2024
Sacred Heart Academy seniors hold their paddles tight in the waters of Magic Island. (From Left to Right) Senior Veda Gang, Anna Pinkerton, Madison Iwashita, and Charli Omura. Photo courtesy to Mahina Monsarrat Ohelo.
Senior paddlers navigate their final season
February 20, 2024
Seniors Amber Wolfe, Kana Barlag and Daphne Ibrao celebrate National Letter of Intent (NLI) Day at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki. They committed to sports programs at their colleges of choice. Photo courtesy of the Ibrao Family.
Ready, set, go
February 20, 2024
In this article, I will be sharing my top 5 books and why you should read them. Photo courtesy of Pexels.
My top five books and why you should read them
January 26, 2024
My tortoise and rabbit getting to know each other. Who would win the race? Photo by Gennellea Amasol.
Aspiring Veterinarian: Rabbit care
January 25, 2024
Sadfishing is a growing social media trend, in which people post emotional content of themselves to gain sympathy from followers. A recent study by BMC Psychology states, “Emotional posts are often shared online during or shortly after an emotional experience with the intent of evoking supportive feedback from others.” This editorial cartoon depicts sadfishing by showing a young girl fishing in a metaphorical lake. Her big catch is a smartphone, which shows a post she made on social media. The girl is upset and crying in her post. The fish circling the phone symbolize her social media followers, most of whom are friends who know her. They reach out through direct message to find out if she is okay. Then at the bottom of the lake lies the deeper meaning beneath her post. Experts might say that sadfishing, or fishing for attention, is a call for help. Loneliness, depression and low self-esteem are a few reasons as to why someone might sadfish, according to experts.
ILLUSTRATION – Sadfishing
January 4, 2024
According to a study by the Sleep Foundation, 72% of high school students get less than the recommended amount of sleep. It has become so bad that experts call it an epidemic. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Teens face sleepless nights
December 14, 2023
Photo courtesy of Quinn Lum.
Why you shouldn’t pass on UH Manoa
November 3, 2023
Academy seniors Ann Claire Walker (left), Chelstine Tavares (middle), and Malaika Ssebayitekko chat in the gazebo. Photo by Zaneya Caires.
Senioritis: A high school senior’s affliction
February 6, 2024
My tortoise and rabbit getting to know each other. Who would win the race? Photo by Gennellea Amasol.
Aspiring Veterinarian: Rabbit care
January 25, 2024
Olivia Bruce 19 represents her alma mater and HBCU school, Spelman College. An HBCU is a historically black college/university that promotes black excellence. Bruce is a product of black excellence, as she continues to further her studies at Notre Dame to receive her Ph.D. in physics.
Black Girl Here: Is an HBCU for you?
January 23, 2024
A comparison of Christmas photos during the COVID-19 pandemic and after it in 2023.
Robbed by the pandemic
December 5, 2023
(From left to right) A before and after of my first time getting braids. Since then, I’ve learned how to prepare my hair for braids and maintain them. Photo courtesy of Marian Redd.
Black Girl Here: Braids for Days
October 19, 2023
Sacred Hearts Academy | Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo
Sacred Hearts Academy | Honolulu, Hawaii

Ka Leo

‘The Blemished’ captivates dystopian readers

Kelcie Ching, Reporter • September 12, 2013
The+Blemished+captivates+dystopian+readers

“The Blemished” by Sarah Dalton is about a community which is genetically modified. If a person’s genes are perfect, then she is a GEM. If genes are imperfect, she is a Blemished. Mina is part of the Blemished.

Being blemished means that Mina can’t get a good education and will serve the GEMs until she is no longer able to work. The Blemished are not allowed to have children or live normal lives. They live in areas that are not as well off as GEMs.

Mina, though, has a secret power that she hides from others. She can move objects using her mind, telekinesis.

At school Mina meets Angela who becomes her best friend and Angela’s older brother Daniel with whom Mina forms a connection.

When Mina finds out that Daniel can see the future, they train to control their abilities to defend themselves.

Mina, Angela and Daniel are forced to leave Area 14 because enforcers are now after them.

“The Blemished” will have readers wanting more. The thrills and adventures last throughout the whole book.

This book is recommended for teenagers who like adventure, science fiction and cheer for the underdog.

About the Contributor
Kelcie Ching
Kelcie Ching, Reporter
Kelcie Ching is a senior and a third-year member of Ka Leo. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching Korean dramas, and dancing the hula. Kelcie is planning on pursuing a career in business.  
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Sacred Hearts Academy’s Lower School basketball team remains undefeated, winning 10 games this division II Catholic Schools League (CSL) season.
Lower School’s basketball team remains undefeated
This is part of a series.
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LAYOUT & DESIGN - B.I.O.N.I.C. Lancers show they care
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This is Levi Dakota. Dakota began sailing in his youth through Hawaii Yacht Club. He sailed with the junior sailing program and raced with the Sacred Hearts Academy team. His high school did not offer sailing as a sport, so he found his own team through the Academy. Dakota raced with the young female sailors for practice and experience. He absolutely fell in love with sailing and the ocean and decided to make it his lifestyle. He went to school for boat handling and repair but soon realized that this mundane lifestyle wasn’t for him. He wanted to create his own normal, while also contributing a small carbon footprint. He soon left on a 100-ft. catamaran to an island left of Australia. There, he boarded various other small boats and worked as a delivery man for eight months. He lived off the land, eating coconuts and fish for his meals. He enjoyed all the ocean had to offer, including spearfishing and diving with sharks. Dakota then bought a 23-ft. catamaran, with which he used to drift on the Great Barrier Reef, just off of Queensland in Australia. Dakota states that: “Sailing is everything, and everything is great.” Photo by Jillian Simpson.
PORTRAIT PHOTO - Levi Dakota, Sailor
Before the coronavirus pandemic, student-lead businesses were popular on the Sacred Hearts Academy campus. In-person transactions made these small mobile shops widely accessible to their classmate clientele. However, with the pandemic came many obstacles for these young business owners, whose profits went toward athletic expenses and college tuition. This comic illustrates the issue and how todays youth contributes to a phenomenon coined hustle culture. This is the belief that one must work harder and longer in order to be successful. Instead of giving up, these entrepreneurs crafted and created products, like face masks, from home. They taught themselves how to run a digital storefront and once again, returned to business, as usual. Comic by Jillian Simpson.
COMIC - Student shop owners embrace 'hustle culture'

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‘The Blemished’ captivates dystopian readers