LAHAINA — Lahainaluna High School’s Industrial Engineering Technology Core Pathway classes recently took top honors at the Hawaii State CTSO Conference at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel on Oahu.

LHS students swept divisions in the CTE Showcase, a state competition that involves projects in graphic and industrial arts (woods, drafting). High schools from around the state competed for awards and recognition.

The Drafting Technology program at LHS focuses on residential architecture and mechanical drawings (engineering design of mechanical parts). The program gives students opportunities to experience conventional (hand drawn) drafting and Computer Aided Drafting (CAD). Students learn basic knowledge and skills necessary to produce product designs that meet industry standards.

Drafting Technology teacher Mike Sado explained, “The Drafting Technology courses here at LHS provide real world learning experiences for students. It provides opportunities for students to learn more about the building industry as they complete project design plans that meet industry standards. It motivates students to think outside the box, meet customer demands and produce quality products. This course also teaches students values and prepares students for post secondary education.”

Sado’s students also apply and incorporate math, science and economics as they complete a variety of design projects.

Sophomore John Bui, first place winner in the Advanced Mechanical Drawing contest, feels that the drafting program will prepare him for college, because the program teaches valuable skills in the Engineering and Architectural field.

The following Lahainaluna students placed in each architectural division: Division AD2A (Architectural, Working, Drawing) — Jing Hua (first), Micah Franz (second), Kayla Martinez (third); Division AD2B (Advanced Architectural) — Kamalei Cabrera (first), Keoni Hill (second), Marie Ganoot (third); AD-4 (CADD Working Drawing) — Abigail Tamayo (first), Jacob Boteilho (second), Yvette Celiz (third); MD-2B (Mechanical Drawing) Advanced — John Bui (first), Lauren Davis (second); MD-4 (CADD Mechanical Drawing) — Austin Takemoto “Valve Cover” (first), Jonathan Charkas “Vex Robot” (second).

The Lahainaluna wood working program is designed to introduce students to project-based wood working. It helps them to problem solve, communicate and develop social and wood working skills.

The wood working program is an outlet for the hands-on style of learning (sense of accomplishment). This is a class where students are welcome to create something that they can take home and show what they have accomplished, rather than say that they did something.

Class advisor Jeremy Delos Reyes, Wood Working, Graphics and Carpentry teacher at Lahainaluna, explained, “The wood working program has won best in show for 43 years. It shows off the excellence that Lahainaluna’s wood working program has to offer.”

Delos Reyes’ students learn lifelong skills, as well as the ability to use machines safely and create wood working materials needed around the house.

Junior Mikey Casicas, first place winner in the Research and Develop Category, said, “I was glad that I was able to experience having the opportunity to look at the other schools’ work and compare it to our program,” explained Casicas.

The following LHS students placed in each wood working division: WD-1 (General Wood Working, Group C) — Jared Panlasigui (first), Ben Mora (second), Forrest Lembke (third); WD-2 (Furniture Making, Group C) — Ben Mora (first); WD-3 (Wood Turning) — Cole Loewen (first); WD-5 (Table Making) — Cole Loewen (first); RD-1 (Research and Development) — Jared Panlasigui (first).

Sado and Delos Reyes want to thank all the students for their hard work this year.