Google’s self driven cars use video cameras, radar sensors, lasers, and a database of information collected from manually driven vehicles to control navigation.  The DMV of Nevada licensed a Toyota Prius that Google modified with self-driving technologies developed by Stanford professor and Google’s Vice President Sebastian Thrun.  Senior Andrew Carmody said “All this technology seems cool but if there are so many cameras and sensors wont regular car drivers be more likely to get pulled over?”  Despite worries about less freedom on the road, it looks more likely that self-driven cars will be the common vehicle in the near future.

The self-driven cars recently legalized in Nevada have passed the tests of crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, according to Google.  California State Senator Alex Padilla said, “The vast majority of vehicle accidents are due to human error.”  The use of self-driven cars could greatly reduce the risk of death from car accidents around the country and many other states are pushing for self-driven cars to be legalized in their own cities.  Senior Sam Spengler said, “I think these cars are pretty cool. You might have to follow the laws without choice but at least you won’t be dead the next day.”  Self-driven cars have yet to be spread across the world, but we will most likely be seeing this trend quite soon.  Overall it’s a safe and effective way to transport passengers without a large worry for accidents or death.

Our nation was stunned on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Florida when a 17 year old boy was killed. Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.  At the crime scene Martin, was found with no fire arms and only a pack of skittles and an iced tea. Witnesses all have different stories as to what had happened, some say they heard a fight breakout, followed by a gunshot while another witness said Zimmerman was following him, after a brief phone call with Martin.

Zimmerman told police officials that Martin looked suspicious because he was wearing a hood and appeared dangerous. Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’ Mara is requesting for the judge to dismiss charges under the Florida stand your ground law. The law states that that a person may use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of a threat. O’ Mara will argue that Zimmerman is a good community resident and should be let out on a bond. O’ Mara is planning to hire investigators and interview witnesses to find out the full story. Many individuals at Le Jardin Academy believe that the killing was wrong and that Zimmerman should be put in jail. “He killed a kid. He should be in jail,” said senior Sean McWhinnie. Another senior student, Christian Riggs agrees with McWhinnie, “The guy that was shot didn’t have any fire arms on him. There was no reason to shoot him,” said Riggs.

Some at LJA feel that until police find enough evidence to prove Zimmerman guilty he should not be convicted. “Considering that I do not know all the details of the case, I cannot conclude if the guy should go to jail or not.  However, I do support our constitutional right to bear arms to protect ourselves,” said assistant technology director Ryan Rimsinth.

Numerous people including the Martin family are protesting by wearing hoods themselves as well as taking part in moments of silence.  Miami Heat, a National Basketball team put up pictures of them all wearing black hoods in support of Martin. George Zimmerman has be arrested and charged with 2^nd- degree murder. The final court case is scheduled to be held on May 29.

Disneyland first opened on July 18, 1955, and has been bringing happiness to people for over 50 years. What started as a simple dream
in Walt Disney’s mind, turned into one of the world’s biggest moneymakers on earth. With different rides and “worlds” that take park goers to different time periods and different places around the world, Disneyland offers every type of interest for every age. “I have always loved Disneyland! I can stay there for hours and ride rides all day and just eat and shop until the park closes,” said senior at Kamehameha, Nicole Davis. Just by looking around, one will see smiles from children and adults.

While Disneyland induces many smiles, there are also moments of frustration and confusion from parents’. “I’m kind of happy we didn’t get to visit Disneyland because my mom would have gone haywire. It is always so packed and the lines are way too long,” said seventh grader, Lia Masouloff. Disneyland may offer fun and excitement, but that is only after you spend up to 60 minutes in a line for a two minute ride. Depending on the time you actually enter, the park may be crowded, making it nearly impossible for any family or any group to make their way to their favorite “land”. “We had decided before we even left on our trip that we were not going to go to Disneyland. It is expensive and the lines are always too long and we just don’t have time for it on this trip,” says mother of two, Joy Heirajuki.

Disneyland offers some good and bad experiences, but since its opening in 1955, it has been an enormous money maker. People can spend hours in line, shopping in themed stores, or just relaxing and eating things specific to certain cultures. There are so many things to do, and even though a day at Disneyland is sure to cause stress and confusion, the memories and laughs are well worth it. The downsides and chaos seem worth it to see all the smiles on the little kid’s faces. The reason it is called “the happiest place on earth” is because of its ability to take people back to a time when things
were much simpler, or to a futuristic era where things are all fun and games. It is something all ages can enjoy, and will continue to bring happiness in
generations to come.

A planet with a habitable zone is defined by an area in a star system where liquid water can exist without being frozen or depleted through heat.  The planets that have astronomers so intrigued are called super-Earths; this means they can have up to 10 times more mass than our own planet.  This is important because some scientists believe super-Earths have a better chance of being habitable than planets the size of Earth.  Junior Makani Nelson said “That’s insane, after we destroy this planet we just might be able to survive.”  Scientists have previously concluded that every star in the Milky Way has at least one planet orbiting around it, but this is the first time they’ve been able to get a good count of just how many super-Earths might exist.

Because about 80% of stars in the Milky Way are red dwarfs, this leads scientists to the conclusion that tens of billions of rocky planets exist in habitable zones in our galaxy which could possibly hold water and crops for human survival.  Many of these planets are relatively nearby earth.  Estimates suggest that there are 100 super-Earths in habitable zones around 30 light years or less from our planet.  Sophomore Alex Tatum said, “With the spaceships N.A.S.A is using now, it shouldn’t be too long before we can explore these planets.”  The next step for the ESO is to identify more super-Earths and begin the study of their atmospheres and search for life.

It’s truly amazing what the future holds for rapidly advancing humans including new homes on different planets.  If scientists are able to find away to begin life on a new planet it would be one of the greatest turning points in all of history.  As exciting as this sounds there is much more research to be done.  Scientists next steps will take the time to explore the details of the planets and what humans will need to inhabit these super-Earths.

The couple had been friends for four years, but their relationship turned into a long-distance love while Sgt. Morgan was on duty.  This was their first kiss.  “We didn’t do this to get famous, or something like that we did this cause after three deployments and four years knowing each other, we finally told each other how we felt,” said Sgt. Morgan.

Before the couple went to sleep, they were shocked to see 50 comments on the photo.  However, when they woke up, their picture had over 15,000 comments.  “It’s about time,” said English teacher Kristin Trout.  It’s about time that a gay marine’s kiss was given the same attention as the most famous kiss between a Navy sailor and a nurse in New York’s Time Square on August 14, 1945 in celebration of V-J Day.  The goal of the LGBT is to create equality amongst all, and this photo helped take another step towards that goal.

But, not all comments were supportive, some even felt that the picture was inappropriate or disapproved with the end of the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”.   Steve commented “A tasteful (Tongue in Cheek Here) kiss.  Would not have caused the flap. Which makes it seem as if it was All Known and Planned, for the picture, well before.  For the Flap! What is wrong with giving everyone more time to get accustomed to the New Military Policy?”  Steve’s comment received 3 thumbs down, a clear unpopular opinion.

Sgt. Morgan and Wells are happy to be together and did not mean to cause such a commotion.  They were just two lovers who were caught in the middle of their reunion sharing a kiss.

On Feb. 15, 2012 in Kapolei, the Honolulu City Council approved a bill that restricts commercial activity in Lanikai and Kailua beaches.  Residents of Kailua have had enough of all the tour buses and other commercial activities taking over their beaches. A local Lanikai resident from Le Jardin Academy, senior Luke Shimmon is very pleased that the bill was approved. “This is a good thing for Kailua. Now when we go to the beach on the weekends it won’t be packed with tourist,” said Shimmon.

Many residents took the long drive to Kapolei to speak about this issue.  The Kailua residents came in disturbed and annoyed with the commercial ventures, pleading for the bill to be passed. “I was in Lanikai last weekend and there is so much traffic from so many tourist buses,” said senior Christian Riggs. Another Lanikai resident agreed with Riggs, “I can’t wait until the bill is finalized there are tour buses and huge crowds of people everywhere,” said senior Spencer Phillipson. The vote ended up with 9-0 banning the commercial ventures from Saturdays at 1 p.m. until Monday at 6 a.m.  Buses, kayak rentals, and parties are no longer allowed to set up in the beach parks after 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The ban applies to Kailua Beach Park, Kalama Beach Park, and all city owned right ways from Lanikai to Aikahi.

The bill will go into full effect on Jul. 1, 2012. Mayor Peter Carlisle is working on finalizing the rules and regulations of the bill until then. The rules will allow the two highest bidders to compete and to set up rental concessions at Kailua Beach while all other companies will be prohibited.  Kailua residents will have to put up with the congestion of people for six more months then their beaches will be free of commercial activities on the weekends.

McDonald’s Golden Arches is a widely known symbol for fast food restaurants worldwide. When entering a drive thru at McDonalds, one can place an order and be given the meal within minutes. Customers rarely think of what is being put in their food, and the real contents of the food remain unknown. Senior Ian White said, “I never actually thought of the food I eat. I just eat it because it’s good. I love good food!”

The U.S.D.A has proven that McDonald’s meals contain five different types of deadly additives, including Propylene glycols, Ammonium sulfate, Calcium silicate, Azodicarbonamide, Sodium acid pyrophosphate. People are starting to “boycott” McDonalds and its food because of the information they have acquired about this so called new ingredient.  Junior Kanani Souza said, “I never eat McDonalds anymore. That food is just disgusting and nasty. They don’t even properly cook their food.”

As customers in this world, people need to be aware of what harmful substances they could be consuming.  Not only can these chemicals have short-term affects but also long-term such as cancer, liver disease, and a rise in cholesterol. With all the resources the world has to offer, taking a few seconds out of the day to cook a home-meal could save a life.

Senior Lauren Barina does not yet know what she is going to be majoring  in, but still feels added pressure to know what to study in college because, “You don’t want to be the only one lost without a job, going nowhere in life.”  In every senior there is a fear of failure once they reach out into the “real world.”  College is the first time Barina will be living by herself.  Deciding on a major that determines Barina’s life career is a big step and added pressure.  For now, Barina is currently searching for colleges to apply to.

College Counselor Scott Liedtke said that knowing your major is important when the student is specific with their major.  Liedtke said “For those students who have a specific interest like engineering or architecture, it is good to know, but if you don’t know, then that’s what college is for. “  Going in to talk about this topic with Liedtke can help decide whether or not knowing the major is a priority when applying to college.

Senior Dessie Bowerman said, “I’m going to major in Marketing.  It’s something I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to do.”  Bowerman never felt any added pressure from colleges because she is confident in what she is going to study.  This helped her enormously for deciding which colleges to apply to.  Bowerman is now waiting for responses from colleges.

As a senior in high school there are responsibilities like setting an example for the school, exams, AP classes and the routine question, “What are you thinking about studying in college?” .  Liedtke assures that there is no rush in knowing exactly what to study in college.