Recent Events

Dole Plantation Robotics Luau: One of our largest contributing sponsors, Castle & Cooke/ Dole Plantation, held the first annual Waialua Robotics Benefit Luau. It was definitely a night to remember and we would like to thank Castle & Cooke/ Dole Plantation and all of our sponsors for all their love and support. Without their tremendous generosity OVERDRIVE would have really hit the brakes!

Championships: This season was a successful one for Waialua; besides the numerous awards, Team 359 strengthened their bond as a team as well as collaborations with other teams throughout the world. Though the competition season may be over until next year, Team 359 has various activities, projects, and outreach events to work on during the off season. ALOHA!

Hawaii Regional: From March 27th to the 29th Team 359 participated in Hawaii's inaugural FIRST Regional Robotics Competition.  It was a momentous occasion for all teams involved, which included dozens of rookie teams from Hawaii, many of whom we had mentored, and some outstanding veteran teams from the Continental U.S., such as our original mentor, Team 254 the Cheesy Poofs.

Chesapeake Regional: The day after the VCU competition started out with a long, tiresome drive from Richmond, Virginia to Washington D.C. When we got the hotel, we unpacked our luggage. Then we caught the metro to the Smithsonian Museum. Since we were behind schedule, the museum had already closed, so we went sight seeing. We went to the Washington Monument, The World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

VCU Regional:The first regional day was on Thursday, March 6th, at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). We arrived at 7:00 a.m. and were allowed three team members into the pit to unload the crate. The rest of the team waited outside until 8:30 am. To pass the time, we talked with the other teams such as Team 1086, Blue Cheese.

Robot Specs/Regional Flyer: Want to know what the Poi Pounder VIII is capable of? Click to see this year's regional flyer and robot specifications. This flyer was handed out at each regional we attended to show how our robot functions and looks. For the scouters out there, we already did the job for you! See you at the regionals!

	Crunch Time: Only a couple more days before our robot gets shipped off! Taking inventory, packing the crate and having final driving sessions, will all have to be done by Tuesday. Before we pack the robot’s crate, we still have to fix some defaults of our robot. Tick tock, time is running out! Hurry to see how efficient this Robotics team has to work.
	Construction Week Six: It is the last week of this Robotics season! Open house is this Saturday and we are working on preparations for the big event. The documentation team is very close to their deadlines and is finishing up all of their projects. Since our robot is finally up and running, aren't you curious about what it looks like?

Construction Week Five: It's already week five and there is still so much to be done! With Mr. Lee gone, our team is put to the real test. Today we end week 5 and have exactly more one week left! The Chairman's crew uploaded the Chairman's Award, Woodie Flowers, and all the pictures on the web site. Click to see the real definition of teamwork!

Construction Week Four: Guess what? We're already on week four! Only two more weeks of hard work, stress, blood, sweat and tears. To check out what is going on during our fourth week, click the thumbnail to the left.

	Construction Week Three: We are already into week 3, which means we’re almost halfway through. Today, members of the documentation team writing the chairman’s had a meeting to discuss their final documents and planned presentation.
	Construction Week Two: The team is back to school but once the bell rings at the end of the day, robotics is back on. The construction team started off the afternoon by making a trip to nearby Ace Hardware store where they purchased materials necessary to complete the playing field.
	Construction Week One: The six weeks leading up to regional competitions officially began today with the FIRST robotics competition kick-off! Low on sleep but high in spirits, Team 359 made their way to McKinley High School at 3:30 a.m. to attend the first kick-off ever to take place in Hawaii.
	Visit from Senator Sakamoto: On December 11th, 2007, our school and team were graced with the presence of Senator Norman Sakamoto. Team captain Cody Smith and the documentation team members Brianna Acosta and Leia Lendio represented the team 359 by escorting Senator Sakamoto and his assistant while explaining and answering questions about our impressive robotics program.
	Dole's Christmas Tree Decorating: On Monday December 2nd, 2007, the Waialua robotics team 359 took part in another event with one of our most generous sponsors: Castle & Cooke/ Dole Plantation.  With Christmas soon on its way, the team was given the opportunity to decorate a Christmas tree
	Lacy Veach Day/Team Bonding Camp: Lacey Veach was a Hawaii-born astronaut and Punahou graduate who was onboard the Columbia space shuttle, which disintegrated during a routine re-entry in 2003. ...Turned pitch-black and it was time for our night hike. Some team members had gone ahead earlier and hidden themselves so they could scare the rest of the team as we hiked through. The trail was spooky, but it was the tree roots...
	Weed Circle Cleanup: Giving back to one of our most generous sponsors, Castle & Cooke through performing a community service is an important part in strengthening our partnership. Armed with gloves, rakes, and picks, we got down and dirty. With positive attitudes and definitely some hard work, we helped beautify our community in just a few hours.
	Hickam AFB Field Trip: We were invited to attend Hickam Airfield Base Career Day, which helped us explore new career paths in the Air Force. We learned that they apply math, science, technology and especially engineering in the Air force and that education plays an important role later in life.