By The Molokai Dispatch Staff
A life-sized inflatable humpback whale named Kamakai visited Molokai last weekend through NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The kohola, or humpback whale, offered keiki the opportunity to explore the species’ biology, along with participating in educational activities, marine arts and crafts and movie showings of “Humpback Whale.”…
By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter
The email starts as something benign: an inquiry from a distant family member, a reminder to pay for your Amazon Prime subscription, a promo for a credit card. You click the link and it’s all over from there – you’ve been hacked.
Kaunakakai School fifth grade teacher Kawika Gonzales is helping students across Molokai navigate this complicated digital landscape with a recent summer camp called the GenCyber Program. As the lead instructor for the state-wide program, Gonzales led 10 Molokai students ranging from fifth to 12th grade in a weeklong investigation into the strange, marvelous, dangerous, complicated world of the internet. …
Community Contributed
By Mahina Segario
Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (CTOM) is proud to announce our new Senior Division for those 13 to 18 years of age who would like hands on performing art opportunities in all performing art genres beyond just acting. I am working as an intern at CTOM under the AluLike work program as a community youth coordinator. I am tasked with producing a youth empowerment performance and recruiting youth wanting to develop talent in all areas of performing arts.
Is comedy, singing, dancing or becoming a writer your passion? Would you like to be a make-up artist?…
By Jack Kiyonaga, reporter
Two Molokai youth were named state champions at the Hawaii High School State Rodeo. Cousins Kahiwa Augustiro, age 18, and Bailey Sproat, age 16, put on impressive displays of horsemanship and athleticism at the June 9 and 10 rodeo at the New Town and Country stables in Waimanalo, Oahu.
Along with individual victories, the Molokai duo took home first place together in the team roping event.
“It was like nothing else,” said Augustiro reflecting on the weekend’s accomplishments. In addition to the team roping title, Augustiro came away with victories in bareback bronco riding, steer wrestling, and bull riding.…
By Catherine Cluett Pactol, Editor
When she was a freshman at Molokai High School in 2017, Mallory Go set her sights on the stars and proposed astronomy research that would become groundbreaking. She captured the first look at magnetic fields within the iconic and beautiful Horsehead Nebula. Six years later, a paper she co-authored has been published in an astronomy journal.
“[A nebula is] a big cloud of dust and the Horsehead Nebula is a very cold cloud of dust,” explained Go.
At the time, not much research existed on the Horsehead Nebula, which has a district and identifiable shape as its name describes.…
By The Molokai Dispatch Staff
Throughout the month of May, schools across Molokai celebrated Lei Day. Students participated in the royal court, draped in lei representative of each island’s colors. Each grade performed special songs or hula for their families and schools, as the community celebrated this cultural tradition and the aloha spirit.…
Fieldhouse Volleyball News Release
Molokai raised and alumni of Molokai High School, Annette Luafalemana travels home to host a free volleyball clinic on June 3-4 at the Molokai High School Gym. Ike Loa Volleyball Camp is open to ages 8 to 17 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for under 12, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 13 and older.
Passionate about volleyball, she currently manages the Fieldhouse Volleyball Club in Texas that helps all ages to follow their dreams and become proud athletes. This is her way of giving back to her community that helped raise her to be who she is now. …
By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor
On Saturday, May 20, the Molokai community gathered at the Molokai High School (MHS) gym to honor the graduating class of 2023.
The fact that this was the first graduation held inside the gym since 2019 spoke to the unusual high school experiences of the class.
COVID “hit us all and caused confusion, frustration,” said MHS Principal Katina Soares in her address.
“[The class of 2023] kept going,” said Soares, explaining that “I saw them develop grit.”
This grit, which Soares defined as a “passionate perseverance towards long-term goals,” was evident in the many recognitions awarded to the class.…
By The Molokai Dispatch Staff
Residents enjoyed an evening concert on the lawn of the Molokai Public Library as musicians of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME) shared their learning from the year. Taught by Bob Underwood, the program is offered free to elementary students during the school year, with instruments provided, as well as adult learners. The program is sponsored by the Molokai Arts Center and the performance featured students from Kualapu’u and Kaunakakai schools.…
Community Contributed
By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher
In teaching first grade at Kilohana School, I choose a guiding these for my class each year, based on my intentions for the year and reflection on the first few weeks with my new students. This year, our guiding theme was “KU.” KU is to be proud, to stand tall. Throughout the year, we referred to this theme almost daily reflecting on our daily practices. Win or lose, right or wrong, classwork or social behavior — are we proud? Proud of our achievements, proud of our efforts, proud of our words and actions. Whatever we do or did, do it standing tall. …
Add your comment