Education Celebration

By Melissa Kelsey

Tahitian dance students from Kaunakakai School danced their way onto stage as the community came out in record numbers to Ho’olaule’a 2009, the bustling event hosted by Maui Community College, Molokai last Friday. In an effort to promote higher education on Molokai, event organizers Kelley Dudoit and Tanya Davis pulled off a festive occasion that included an elevated model runway to perform local talent and tables with representatives from the University of Hawaii system, as well as local vendors.

Event-goers enjoyed ono food, music and hula performances and entertainment for the entire ohana. Activities ranged from trivia raffle prizes to paintball target shooting. One of the longest lines held people eagerly waiting to have their nails, hair, and make-up done by cosmetology students at the Honolulu Community College Cosmetology Department booth.

“I hope they do this every year,” said event participant Edwina Greenleaf, as her hair was being styled. “If more people on Molokai can go to college and come back, the services on the island will improve.”