Horizons, Volume 01

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/76602

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Front and Back Cover
(2016-10-21)
Editor's Foreword
(2016-10-21) Beaule, Christine
To Come Out is to Uphold and Liberate: The Hegemony and Queerness of Christian Closets
(2016-10-21) Omuro, Jon H.
In dominant LGBTQ+ U.S. discourse, the term “closet” refers to a space from which a covert sexual identification and/or orientation emerges. Yet, this definition becomes increasingly complicated when set in the context of evangelical Christianity. Indeed, within the U.S., dominant evangelical discourse is primarily viewed as antagonistic to LGBTQ+ peoples, due to its homophobic stances and denials of LGBTQ+ identities and rights. This opposition raises a key question: what do closet constructions situated at the intersection of gay/Christian identity look like? In this article, I explore and queer several Christian closets as structured by both gay and straight Christian writers. For these writers, faith and gayness play different roles of hiding, reinforcing, and liberating gay and Christian identities within and out of Christian closets. By scrutinizing these Christian closets within a queer framework provided by Eve Sedgwick and Judith Butler, I argue that these closets can be—often simultaneously—representative of the hegemonic demands of evangelical Christianity while espousing queer reimaginings of survival within this demanding ideology itself. Ultimately, I propose that Christian closets provide a unique venue through which overlaps, dissonances, and similarities between LGBTQ+/Christian ideologies and discourses can be affirmed, blurred, and queered. Such work is vital in the context of the present U.S., where these two ostensibly antithetical ideologies are continually thrown in the spotlight—both in expected quarrels or unusual displays of collaboration.
Fjords and Firearms: Military Spending, Economic Growth, and Technological Innovation in Post war Norway
(2016-10-21) Litzelman, Eli
Both economists and policy makers disagree on the effects of significant military spending on the economy during peacetime. By looking at Norway, a small but advanced nation with a complex economy and a mixed history of military spending, a case study can be made on the positive and negative influences of military spending. In order to understand this connection, two key national indicators should be analyzed in Norway during the Cold War: military spending and economic growth, as represented by the change in both real gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capita over time, while paying particular attention to research and development (R&D). The Norwegian military establishment took a significant turn after the Second World War as military spending increased dramatically and Norway began receiving significant investments by Western nations, specifically the United States. As Norway reached the end of the twentieth century, however, relative military spending began to decrease and the military’s role in technology and innovation shifted to the civilian sector. Arguably, one of the most significant contributions of the Norwegian military sector in the twentieth century has been the slow conversion of military R&D to civilian R&D within the public sector; this conversion has provided firms with a constant flow of human resources and enabled the success of Norway’s technology-driven industries.
Conceptual Design of Kewalo Basin and Kupu Hawai‘i’s Youth Facility
(2016-10-21) Jugueta, Kristoffer
Situated along the coastline of the urban development of Kaka’ako, Kewalo Basin is destined to become an attractive urban space for community interaction. While more housing is currently under development, the need for community and public space is needed. Operating the site is a nonprofit organization that gives opportunities to under resourced youth, preparing them for the future. In this final project, the student was challenged to design an urban landscape that faces the problems of climate change and future sea level rise. The design process involved site visits with clients and architects, conducting site analysis and extensive research. With the data collected, schematic phases of design was operated through a series of sketches and study models. Within a two-month timeline, the student was able to design an architectural vision with the assistance of local architect firms, Group 70 and PBR Hawai`i. The project resulted in an urban space fit for multi-generational uses where people can interact together. The site was strategically designed to take advantage of Hawai`i’s natural resources while also emphasizing on concepts shared from Hawaiian culture. A two-story facility was also designed to provide room for a variety of public spaces and private classrooms, giving Hawai`i’s youth a future to live by.
Chronic
(2016-10-21) Galarita, Brandon
My short story provides glimpses into a family that is tarnished by the influence of ice, or crystal methamphetamine. I employ the modular style—a form that breaks expectations of time and place as seen in a linear narrative—to reduce the work to its essential moments, allowing both what is said and unsaid to be amplified. I created this work with the intention of highlighting the issue of meth use across the state of Hawaiʻi, which brings danger to families, tears them apart, and impacts the fragile minds of children. I embrace the use of Pidgin—Hawaiian Creole English—as a staple of my work to plant a reader, including those who may be unfamiliar with this language, in the culture I have been raised in. I have seen the effects of this drug firsthand and in creating this piece I wanted to reveal one aspect of an issue that is not simply black-and-white.
Quantifying Atmospheric Fallout of Fukushima-Derived Radioactive Isotopes in Mushrooms in the Hawaiian Islands
(2016-10-21) McKenzie, Trista
In March of 2011, the radioisotopes cesium-134 and cesium-137 were released into the atmosphere from the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. This study estimated the magnitude of atmospheric fallout of these isotopes on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi, and examined the patterns of cesium wet deposition with precipitation in mushroom samples. This study found that Fukushima-derived cesium was present in mushrooms collected in the Hawaiian islands and that Fukushima-derived cesium inventories in mushrooms were somewhat correlated with precipitation gradients. The activities detected were several orders of magnitude lower than fallout associated with the nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific.
5 Centimeters per Second: A Close Analysis of Two Forms of Media
(2016-10-21) Miwa, Chanelle
Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters Per Second is a manga (comic) and anime (animation) that takes place in Japan during the 1990s up until 2008. The manga version of this story was serialized in Afternoon, a manga magazine targeted to adult men. Tono Takaki and the new transfer student, Shinohara Akari quickly become good friends because of their similar interests and personalities. However, upon their elementary graduation Akari moves due to her parents’ jobs. The story takes place during a time when cell phones were uncommon and email was not utilized. Shinkai portrays several realistic themes of the struggles some people face such as space, time, and love. Both the anime and manga are broken down into three connected stories; “Cherry Blossom,” “Cosmonaut,” and “5 Centimeters Per Second.” However, the anime and manga are different in the way that the story is structured as well as the visual representations of certain scenes. Visual representation of the same story has different effects in the two different medias; anime and manga. Through both mediums there are different messages that are relayed through the way that the story is presented. The anime presentation of 5 Centimeters Per Second implies an unhappy outcome for the story whereas the manga version implies more optimism. The different representational choices in both mediums create very different receptions of the same story.
Autism-Spectrum Disorder: Testing Perceptions of Reality through the Monty Hall Problem
(2016-10-21) Auelua-Toomey, Sakaria
Visual perception of reality has evolved for fitness and not for perceiving an accurate reality, indicating that typical humans perceive an inaccurate perception of reality. Previous research indicates that other information processing systems may also interact with reality the same way: using heuristics. Heuristics are mental-shortcuts that are used to facilitate cognitively effortless interaction with the environment, but they often affect accuracy. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have demonstrated to be less susceptible to certain heuristics. The lack of heuristic use may attribute to perceiving an objective reality. The Monty Hall problem (MHP) is a probability reasoning question that elicits heuristics that typically leads to incorrect conclusions in the MHP. The objective of this study is to measure the heuristic use between ASD and non-ASD individuals using the MHP. Results indicate that ASD participants were significantly more likely to solve the MHP correctly and understand the reasoning behind the MHP than non-ASD participants. Results could indicate a need to revisit leading ASD theories and theories of perception. Implications of the results could also be used to help diagnose individuals with ASD at an early age. Future research should use imaging techniques to determine brain structures responsible for heuristic use.
Music-Induced Emotions and the Inexplicability Thereof
(2016-10-21) Di Martino, Michael
Music affects the emotions and outlooks of its listeners. Sad music can induce despondence, indifference, and depression, whereas lively music can encourage jubilance, excitement, and happiness. Music changes how listeners interpret their environment, from the people around them the thoughts inside their heads. However, the mechanism by which this works is shrouded in mystery. Music’s psychological, mechanical, and physiological influences are such a complicated, intertwined mess that if you asked someone to explain why you get the feelings you get when you listen to your favorite song, odds are they’ll respond with “I can’t explain it.” This slam poem, originally entitled “I Can’t Explain It,” seeks to capture and illustrate the inexplicable effect that different types of music have on one’s emotions, as well as one’s self- and local perception. This piece follows variations in the thoughts of a student sitting at the Campus Center of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa – one of the central hubs for student and faculty activity – as he peruses his iPod touch, scrolling and searching to find the perfect song at the perfect volume and, once it is found, basking in the wave of emotions it brings about.
Transformation: Challenges Faced by an ESL Student
(2016-10-21) Lo, Fiona
As more international students study abroad, they probably have been through the stage where they struggle from learning a second language. In “Transformation: Challenges faced by an ESL student”, I presented my English learning experience as an ESL student to the audience, as well as the struggles I have faced throughout my language learning process. The intended audience for this piece of creative writing would be all international students or anyone that is currently learning a second language. And the main purpose of this piece is not only to inform my audience the struggles or difficulties while learning a new language, but also to encourage them to challenge themselves and overcome their fears and doubts. I chose to write about my English learning experience in a creative narrative form because it would be easier for the audience to link their personal experiences with mine. Learning a second language is not easy, and I hope my audience will become more confident with them and eventually “transform” and become successful.
Psychotic-Like Symptoms and Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help in Asian-American College Students
(2016-10-21) Chen, Xuefang
Studies have found that Asian Americans have more negative attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help compared to other ethnic groups. Cultural-related barriers, demographic, and personal factors are correlated with Asian American mental health and underutilization of treatment services. Additionally, Asian Americans have been shown to have higher scores on both disorganization and interpersonal schizotypal subscales of a commonly used schizotypal personality disorder measure compared to White Americans. The current study recruited 241 Asian-American college students including 70 males and 171 females from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The age range of participants was from 16 years old to 62 years old with a mean of 19.82. Asian-American students’ collective self-esteem had a positive correlation with certain psychotic symptoms of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). First generation Asian-American students were more likely to endorse Magical Ideation symptom of the schizotypal personality disorder than second generation. However, the current study did not find Asian Americans’ attitude toward seeking professional psychological help to be significantly correlated with generational status, multi-ethnic identity, or collective self-esteem. These results suggest that cultural factors may influence the manifestation of schizotypal personality symptoms in Asian Americans.
Comparison of Species Identification Methods: DNA Barcoding versus Morphological Taxonomy
(2016-10-21) Friedheim, Sophie
In the field of biological sciences, there are several methods of species identification that are commonly used today. The purpose of this paper is to analyze two of the most popular methods, morphological taxonomy and DNA species barcoding, and to determine which is the most accurate method. DNA Barcoding uses molecular information to classify species, whereas morphological taxonomy uses morphology, and phenotypic characteristics to distinguish between one species and another. It is of great concern to traditional morphological taxonomists that DNA species identification is taking the place of morphological taxonomy, and that this genomic method is not adequate enough to properly do so. To help the spread information regarding species identification, and to reduce the discrepancies within the evolutionary biology community, it is essential that there is a globally accepted method of species identification. Throughout this paper, we address to positives and negatives of both methods, and find that where one method lacks, the other makes up for it. In the conclusion, we suggests that both methods should be used in unison to provide the most efficient, effective, and accurate species identification.
The Number of Segments on a Culsia rosea Seed Capsule
(2016-10-21) Kuwaye, Daren
Culsia rosea (C. rosea) is a tree native to the Caribbean [1]. It produces apple-sized fruits which, after ripening, become eye-catching seed capsules with multiple segments. By examining the seed capsules, we see a direct correlation between the number of seed capsule segments and the amount of seeds that each seed capsule contains. C. rosea is invasive to Hawai‘i and work on its management is unknown [1]. Intuitively, a possible way to combat the spread of C. rosea is to reduce the number of seeds that each tree produces. This process will require knowing the mean number of segments per seed capsule, however this has not yet been determined. In this paper, we counted the number of segments from a random sample of fallen seed capsules collected from three locations. We assumed that for each location the number of segments per seed capsule follows a normal distribution. Hence, we used an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's range test to assess the null hypothesis that the mean is the same for each location. After performing these tests, we rejected the null hypothesis and we recommend further research into what may have caused the means to be different.
Time-Dependent Morphological Transformation of Penicillium marneffei by the Expression of YeastPhase Antigen in Liquid Culture and in THP-1 Cell Line
(2016-10-21) Ching, McMillan
Penicillium marneffei is a thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen associated with HIV infection. It causes penicilliosis, the third most common AIDS-defining illness in northern Thailand. Due to the considerable interest on the dimorphism of P. marneffei, it is hypothesized that the time required for P. marneffei to transition from its mold form to its yeast-like form affects the virulence of the organism inside the mammalian host. This study investigated the expression of a yeast-specific antigen in phase transition of P. marneffei by using the yeast-specific monoclonal antibody(MAb) 4D1. The conidia of P. marneffei were inoculated in 1% Proteose followed by harvest at 12-hour time intervals from 24 to 144 hours. Cells were then incubated with MAb 4D1 followed by fluorescently labeled secondary antibody. The percentage of P. marneffei positive yeast cells, detected by flow cytometry, increased gradually after longer incubation, in the range of 2.5-51.8 % of cells. In addition, THP-1 cells, were infected with P. marneffei at MOI=2 from 12 to 60 hours. Cells were harvested at 12-hour time intervals followed by staining using Mab 4D1 as described above. It was observed that 23.8% of the infected cells were positive at 24 hours of incubation, increasing to 61.85% after 36 hours. The dimorphism of P. marneffei in THP-1 was more rapid than found in liquid culture of 1% Proteose. The faster transformation of yeast cells in mammalian host cells than in liquid cell culture may suggest it being linked to better survival and increased virulence inside human and other mammalian hosts.
In the Wake of Fukushima: Cesium Inventories of Selected North Pacific Fish
(2016-10-21) Azouz, Hannah
To this day there are global efforts evaluating the effects in wake of the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster. The estimated 500 tons of contaminated wastewater that entered the nearby marine ecosystem (Watabe 2013) was dispersed into the Pacific Ocean. Due to biological uptake in migratory fish species (Madigan 2012) Fukushima radioactivity was detected in the water as well as in fish as far as the West coast of the US. The FDA accepted intervention limit for cesium isotope intake is 300 Bq/kg annually for fish. The question we are left with is how much cesium is in the fish we consume, a thought the community of Hawai’i should consider since our fish products are caught in the Pacific Ocean. Thirteen most commonly consumed types of locally bought fish samples were analyzed using gamma spectroscopy to measure Fukushima-derived 134Cs and 137Cs isotopes. All fish samples had detectable cesium-137 and nine out of the thirteen samples had detectable cesium-134, an isotope indicative of Fukushima releases. The highest 134Cs and 137Cs concentration in the examined species was the Ahi tuna carrying 0.098 Bq/kg and 0.62 Bq/kg respectively. The highest concentrations occurred in high trophic level species with migratory patterns from Japan to Hawai’i or residing in the most northern Pacific Ocean. Nine out of the thirteen samples showed traces of 134Cs, with only five of those activities outside the range of uncertainty. All activities are significantly below intervention limits but are informative to the community on what is being consumed. Results should also provide a basis for future work on cesium bioaccumulation in fish.
Kalusugan at Kayamanan: (Health and Wealth) of Filipinos in Kalihi
(2016-10-21) Cacal, Stephanie
Filipinos in Hawaii have high rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and the worst measures of behavioral risk factors like tobacco use and poor diet. To address these health issues and create a healthier community, culturally competent programs must be implemented. However, a healthier community cannot be achieved until health is defined. Each community owns different capitals, therefore they all have their own definition of health. The objective of this study is to define health and wealth of Filipinos in Kalihi. This study is working with a local community health center, Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV), under the Community Education - Civic Engagement (CECE) program. We will conduct cultures circles where Filipinos residents of Kalihi answer questions about health, wealth, and their community. With the community’s responses, we hope to find the root causes of unhealthiness and assess the barriers to a healthy Filipino community in Kalihi. This study aims to empower the Filipino residents of Kalihi to find ways to make themselves healthier on their own terms. Through successful intervention, a greater understanding of the health and health issues of Filipinos in Kalihi can be obtained and used to develop better programs to improve the community’s overall health.
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Public School Students Striving for Occupational Mobility through Voluntary College Preparation Program
(2016-10-21) Gauer, James
It is clear to many families that education and career success in life go hand-in-hand, like cause and effect, and one college preparatory program may play a critical role in this relationship. This work identifies and explores intermediate school participants’ responses and reactions towards a college-preparatory program, named Advancement via Individual Determination, on their campus. The program presents all students opportunities to excel academically and plan how they want to “climb up” their careers in a complex world. Readers will explore subjective observations, promotional materials, and peer testimonies of my experience as a weekly tutor for the program at Washington Middle School, located in Honolulu, Hawai’i from October to December of 2015. These findings can be further utilized to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Characteristics of student population represent ethnic minorities and socioeconomically underserved, a product of recent migrations to Hawaii from surrounding Pacific countries. The significance of people moving raises questions as who they are, what are they doing, and where are they going, which is partly answered by state-funded public institutions assigned to guide children and their families in becoming responsible American citizens, and fulfilling the general learner outcomes. Outreach and communication between the parties is essential to overcoming gender, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers to education.
The Omniscient 21st Century: Femme Fatale Genre and Gender Under Surveillance in Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars
(2016-10-21) Brown, Krystian
The television shows Gossip Girl (2007-2012) and Pretty Little Liars (2010 – present) explore worlds with characters that know everything about everyone, Gossip Girl and A, respectively. Gossip Girl and A’s gender, relationship with the show’s characters, and genres of each show work to support how Gossip Girl portrays social media surveillance in a positive light, while Pretty Little Liars, in contrast, remains aligned with the dangers of it. Gossip Girl and A are manipulative in nature, and they both obtain privacy-invading amounts of information on the shows’ characters; however, the feminization of Gossip Girl entices audiences, thus making her more likeable. On the other hand, A is a classic villain who serves the show’s thriller genre, thus critiquing the lack of boundaries when under surveillance. Gossip Girl’s role as a modern, technologically built femme fatale, the role of gender, the relationship between “she” and the other characters, as well as the glamorized genre/tone/style of the television series work to indicate that Gossip Girl advocates for a surveillance society (or at least makes it look appealing). In contrast, the implications of the gender(s) of A from Pretty Little Liars, abusive relationship between A and the girls, and the thriller genre of the show serve to illustrate the television series’ critique on a surveillance society. The two shows offer contrasting views on the ethics of surveillance, which ultimately opens up a discussion regarding what surveillance means for individuals’ right to privacy.
Old Wine, New Skins: Models of Roman Leadership in the Court of Charlemagne
(2016-10-21) Brewbaker, Katarina
Modern western society looks back on the Roman Empire as a model for politics, economics, and social relations. The use of the Roman Empire as a foundation for political organization began in the Early Middle Ages with the development of the idea of Christian kingship. However, in early medieval Francia these Roman principles were adapted selectively and Constantine as the first Christian Emperor was not necessarily the model used. During his rule of the Frankish Empire, Charlemagne (747-814 C.E.) consciously choose and incorporated elements from the model for Roman leadership based on the first Emperor Augustus. In the following two chapters from my thesis, I explain the history behind Charlemagne’s coronation and compare ancient and Frankish historical, biographical, literary, and chronicle sources. I explain how Frankish courtiers amended Roman imperial ideas to establish Charlemagne’s Christian rule. Set against the backdrop of an emerging Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, Charlemagne’s court helped establish the legacy of Christian kingship usually attributed to Constantine.

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