Teacher of Year helps students build their future

Congratulations to 2014 Teacher of the Year Matthew Lawrence and the six other district finalists for the award, which shines a welcome spotlight on excellent instruction going on throughout Hawaii’s public schools.

Lawrence, who teaches math and science at Waikiki Elementary School, engages students in hands-on projects that make learning come alive for his students. They build solar-powered go-karts, model homes and bicycle generators, using pedal power to generate electricity. It’s said that teachers touch the future. Thanks to educators like Lawrence, Hawaii’s future shines bright.

To read more about him and the other finalists, see www.hawaiipublicschools.org.

I really hope you can hear me now

It’s true that Swedish hiker Jan Vankat, 26, was quite unlucky, apparently falling some 100 yards off a Koolau Mountain trail and going missing for four days.

But ultimately, he was extremely lucky to be found on Sunday, thanks to his cellphone, which helped police pinpoint his location even amid vegetation-blocking terrain.

A tree had stopped Vankat’s fall or slide down a steep drop — and though he was "not totally alert" possibly due to exposure and dehydration, the "very experienced hiker" sustained no obvious injuries.

Hikers, take heed before setting out: In addition to enough water, trail mix and clothing, in today’s modern age of tracking, remember to also pack that cellphone.