What a culture shock. People do the star trek thing here, except with the thumb and pinky which they shake around and say "shaka" whenever something happens. There's also "Da Kine" which to me, sounds like a shepherd referring to his cattle. And I crossed the street in a wide-eyed panic, after walking behind some Sveltish stick-figure wearing a bikini right in the city -- but at least it wasn't a thong.

"Why would anyone want to wear geisha shoes on their jewelry?"
"Those are flip-flops. Wow. You're really out of your element, aren't you?" my Honolulu-fluent mentor informed me the other day.

Yes, yes I am. It's WILD. Absolutely wild, and I am loving every minute of it.

I'm working late tonight so that I can hopefully climb the Upper Waimano Trail tomorrow - a 14-mile hike around Pearl City. It's a pipe dream, but my radio segment on the Diamond Head hike keeps me hoping. The 11 of us went to the AAJA Awards Ceremony this afternoon where everyone got to hear our slideshow. The response was really great, and the whole convention laughed at David's teaser. Can't wait for it to air!

-Jen Chang

It’s hard to work when paradise surrounds you. But what’s even harder is to not go around Hawaii and explore all that AAJA’s student radio project offers – to complete my first radio story.

Here was today’s check list:
§ Turn in focus statement to Traci, the editor
§ Research Korean dramas online
§ Conduct first interview at International Marketplace
§ Log and track session

Today I also had lunch outside the “Pink Palace” with my mentors Wilma Consul and Reena Advani. Wilma told me to take full advantage of this project and more importantly, of my internship at National Public Radio. It is essential, she says, to impress not only your supervisor but the people who give you the smaller assignments. They will be the ones who have something meaningful to say when your application is on the table as a temporary after your internship.

Temporary?!

I just officially started reporting for the radio this June… it’s amazing to dream in my lounge chair about where I’ll be working in a couple years – temporary or not. I hope that wherever I end up in the world will be like Hawaii, as the AAJA convention describes – “where diversity lives.”

I look forward to the rest of the week.

-- Ko Woon Im