Community

General news which affects the Molokai community in one way or another.

Keiki with Culture

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Keiki with Culture

An annual celebration of Hawaiian culture and language drew hundreds of attendees last Saturday. Punana Leo O Molokai Hawaiian language preschool held its fundraiser Ho`omau event at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho`olehua, which also serves as the school’s campus. In addition to entertainment and musical performances by Molokai’s immersion programs from preschool to high school, crowds of supporters also browsed a variety of booths. Local food vendors, crafters and organizations showcased a wealth of community diversity.

But they day was really about `Olelo Hawaii and supporting the youth who speak it. Uilani Ramos, Punana Leo site coordinator, said it’s important to learn the language young.…

CFL Bulb Recycling Protocol

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

CFL Bulb Recycling Protocol

Blue Planet & Sust `aina ble Molokai News Release

Over the past two years, Molokai residents who have participated in the “Go Green and Carbon Clean” program organized by Blue Planet Foundation and Sust `aina ble Molokai have been benefiting from the energy savings of highly efficient compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs, which use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

The nearly 40,000 bulbs installed in Molokai homes today represent an important first step in moving the island toward energy self-sufficiency. The project’s success was made possible by the collaborative efforts of students, teachers, businesses, and community leaders.

Blue Planet Foundation and Sust `aina ble Molokai want to ensure that the community is aware of the proper usage and disposal recommendations for CFLs.…

Young Woman of Promise

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Young Woman of Promise

Molokai High freshman Momi Afelin already has a resume full of science and engineering accomplishments, and can now add another feather to her cap. She was recently awarded the Young Woman of Promise award by the Maui County Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) as part of the group’s celebration of Women’s History Month.

In keeping with this year’s national theme for the month, “Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM],” the committee received more than 20 nominations throughout the county for several awards. The Young Woman of Promise category recognized the accomplishments of girls in STEM ages 14 to 21.…

Sunshine in a Bag

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Sunshine in a Bag

Initiative addresses child hunger

While most children on Molokai fall asleep every night with a full stomach and go to school well-nourished, there are some who don’t. To help combat child hunger, the St. Damien Catholic Parish is spearheading an effort to provide food to elementary students in need, as well as assist families in creating a sustainable backyard garden.

Starting last Friday, the Sunshine Backpack and Ohana Garden project, or Kukunaokala, will distribute backpacks of food twice a month to selected students at Kilohana, Kaunakakai and Kualapu`u schools. Students are chosen for participation based on referrals from school staff, and parents must give permission for their children to receive a backpack.…

Walk for Dental Implants

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Walk for Dental Implants

Community Contributed

By Boki Chung, DDS

Want to win a teeth whitening kit or electrical toothbrush? Join the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (Maui HLA) Charity walk on Saturday, May 4 at 7 a.m. and you will be eligible to enter the raffle. More importantly, walking will raise money for MCHC and its dental services. This year, we hope to be able to provide dental implants. The more walkers we have representing MCHC, the more funds we can bring in, and the better the chances of us obtaining funding towards our community that ends up benefiting you.…

Molokai Middle Takes Second for STEM

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Molokai Middle Takes Second for STEM

Community Contributed

By MMS STEM Program Students

Molokai Middle School’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs took second place in the state at the Second Annual State of Hawaii STEM Week Awards Banquet held at the Hawaii Convention Center on April 9. Molokai Middle School (MMS) was represented at the ceremony by eighth grade STEM alumni students.

Under the umbrella of STEM, the award recognizes the accomplishments of MMS across all STEM-related efforts and programs including Robotics, Science Fair, Bridge Building, Math Counts, and STEM Conference.

The STEM institutional awards ceremony recognizes outstanding students, educators, and participating schools from Hawaii’s various STEM organizations.…

Mo Music MoBettah

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

Mo Music MoBettah

Ten years ago, six Molokai musicians assembled to showcase the island on Maui at an event at the Queen Ka`ahumanu Center. The group, which stayed together afterwards and became MoBettah the Band, celebrated a decade of entertainment, music and friendship with an anniversary concert at Paddlers Inn last Friday.

“We played for 13 hours that weekend on Maui,” remembered Tania Manaba-Will, lead vocalist and ukulele, timbale and tambourine player. Since then, the band has become a way to give back and share music and “encouraging messages” with the community, Manaba-Will said.

“We all have full time jobs on Molokai but our passion is our music,” said guitarist Rick Schonely, another of the four original band members still in the group.…

Molokai Math Day

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

MHS News Release

Molokai High School’s Math Department, in partnership with Aka`ula School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, announces the Fourth Annual Molokai Math Day, to be held this Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lanikeha Center. This year’s Molokai Math Day will showcase more than 25 interactive, hands-on stations for students of all ages, from 3 to 103 years old. Participants will explore a variety of Common Core standards-based activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

These range from solving numeric and geometric puzzles to predicting, observing, measuring and collecting data. Stations will be manned by a mix of Molokai High and Aka`ula School students who are partnered with graduate students from the UH Manoa Math Department.…

County Offers Molokai Counseling Sessions

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

Maui County News Release

In light of the recent tragedies faced by Molokai families, the County of Maui wants to offer support. Counselor Mark Nowicki and county staff will be available on Friday, April 12 at the Mitchell Pauole Center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to talk with groups or individuals about how these events have affected them. This opportunity is open to everyone from elementary school students to families and friends of county employees.

“We’ve been getting feedback from county employees who are deeply affected and are concerned for others, and we would like to help” said Karin Phaneuf, administrative officer for the Department of Public Works.…

Kupuna Take a Stand Against Drugs

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

 

Molokai residents concerned with methamphetamine use on the island are working to bring change to the way officials address the issue.

“We’re advocating for a full-time vice officer on Molokai to concentrate strictly on our drug problems now,” states a petition created by a group of kupuna that has garnered signatures and support across the island. Molokai kupuna Judy Caparida said she will present it at the upcoming Maui County Molokai budget meeting on April 15.

“If they were doing their job, we wouldn’t have this cycle,” she said of how police address the widespread use of drugs on Molokai.…