Education

Molokai Cousins Victorious at State Rodeo

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

Molokai Cousins Victorious at State Rodeo

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.…

Kupu Seeks Conservation Leaders

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

Kupu News Release 

Applications are open for the Conservation Leadership Development Program (CLDP) through Kupu, Hawaii’s leading conservation and environmental education nonprofit.  The organization also announced monthly living stipend will be raised to $2,560 for Hawaii residents and $2,320 for US Pacific residents for the 11-month term. Conservation programs on Molokai are among the host sites. 

Recent high school graduates, college graduates and young professionals looking to establish a career in conservation are strongly encouraged to apply. The application deadline is June 30.

The raise in living stipend, in addition to health insurance and education and career benefits, means CLDP participants will earn a compensation package valued up to $36,000 while addressing urgent conservation needs and jump-starting a career path.…

Machado Memorial Scholarship

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

CNHA News Release

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) has launched a scholarship opportunity to support students from Molokai who are the first in their family to pursue higher education. The Colette Pi‘ipi‘i Machado Scholarship honors the legacy of the late Colette Machado, a Molokai native, respected community leader, and former chair and longtime trustee for the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). 

The $2,500 scholarship is open to qualifying applicants now until June 24.

“Colette was a true mana wahine who fought passionately and tirelessly to uplift the lāhui, and in particular, the community of her beloved Molokai,” said Kūhiō Lewis, chief executive officer of CNHA.…

MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

Thursday, June 8th, 2023

MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

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.…

May Day Memories

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

May Day Memories

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.…

Free Volleyball Camp

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

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.  …

College Outreach Events

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

UHMCM News Release

We’re coming to you! If you’re interested in learning more about college and career opportunities, come talk story with UH Maui College, Molokai in your neighborhood.  

We will be at Manae Goods and Grinds on Monday, June 19; Kualapu’u Store on Thursday, June 22; Maunaloa Store on Monday, June 26; and Friendly Market on Friday, June 30 – all from 9 to 11 a.m.

Ask about our free course offerings and career opportunities. Any questions, call (808) 553-4490. Hope to see you in your neighborhood, mahalo!…

Molokai Celebrates the Class of 2023

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Molokai Celebrates the Class of 2023

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.…

Music on the Lawn

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Music on the Lawn

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.…

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

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.  …