Author Archives: Bianca Moragne

Early Childhood: Career & Tech Ed

Wednesday, June 18th, 2014

UHMCM News Release

The Early Childhood Education program at University of Hawaii Maui College, Molokai (UHMCM) is designed to prepare students to work with young children from birth to age 5 and their families.  The curriculum is organized around a core of courses that provide skills and knowledge needed by early childhood educators.

Students can earn an Associate in Science (AS) degree in Early Childhood Education that articulates into the UH West Oahu’s Bachelor in Social Science degree, Early Childhood Education concentration.  Come to the college for full details or call us at (808) 553-4490 option 5.…

Veterans Corner

Wednesday, June 18th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans’ news and upcoming events. The U.S. Marines stand sentry outside the White House, which is considered the “highest post in the land,” according to the Marine Corps website. Four Marines guard outside the West Wing lobby whenever the President is inside working or when he arrives or departs. The post is reserved for Marines in the infantry because they symbolize “what every Marine stands for, honorable service in defense of our nation and its interests,” according to Marines.com. Marines are also responsible for guarding more than 100 U.S.…

Pre-K Program Offered

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Kaunakakai School News Release

Starting this school year, nearly 20 public elementary schools around the state will be offering a prekindergarten program. As part of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s vision to prepare as many four-year olds as possible for kindergarten, the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) has been charged with developing this prekindergarten program in collaboration with the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE). On Molokai, the selected site is Kaunakakai Elementary School.

The enrollment criteria:

1. Completion of students’ application packet in full and submissio nto the Kaunakakai School office;

2. Eligibility for the federal free-and reduced-price meal program;

3.…

Blast from the Past

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Blast from the Past

The unearthing of time capsules at the 75th anniversary of Molokai High School, held last month, brought back many memories. Pictured here are staff and faculty in 1989 from a photo buried at the 50th anniversary.

A letter dated May 26, 1989 from then-principal Clifford Horita expressed wishes from the past.

“When this message is read in the year 2014, we want to wish all of you greetings from 1989,” he wrote. “I hope that Molokai’s ‘friendliest spirit” still exist in 2014 as it is existing today. We wish all of you a successful 75th celebration.”

The letter was carefully wrapped in plastic, along with many other memorabilia, including the May 1989 Anniversary and Senior Special Edition of Ke Kukui `O Molokai, the student newspaper of the high and intermediate schools.…

Quakes Shake Up Molokai

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Quakes Shake Up Molokai

Molokai residents experienced a shake-down last Friday, when a 4.1 magnitude earthquake originating about eight miles west-southwest of Kualapu`u was felt around the island at 4:42 p.m.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program rates the perceived shaking of earthquakes on a “ShakeMap” system, and on a scale of 1 to 10, this earthquake was listed as a six, or “strong.”

“The ceiling track lights broke and fell on me and the kids,” Molokai Dispatch Facebook fan Nichol Helm Kahale of Kualapu`u wrote on the page.

Around the island, residents shared their reactions, noting the quake’s intensity.

Renee Beihl of Kawela wrote, “[It] rattled my windows and my little computer desk wobbled for four to five seconds,” while Ilima Davis in Kalae reported that her house shook.…

PALS Offers Free Meals

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announces that free meals for children will be available at all County PALS sites on Maui and Molokai through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Children do not have to be enrolled in the PALS program to take advantage of the free and nutritious meals this summer.

Free meals for children will be available at all county PALS sites on Maui and Molokai. The program, offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service, is made available to eligible areas to ensure that children receive nutritious meals.…

Molokai Fitness: Set Goals

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Do you know that if you make a plan then it’s much easier to achieve your goals? Think, for example, if you want to go to your friend’s house but you don’t know where it is, and you don’t write down the directions, you most likely won’t find it. But if you have the address, and maybe a small map, then it’s much easier to find your way.

What’s your most important health and fitness goal right now? Write it down. And most importantly, give yourself a deadline to achieve it. Then, break it down into small pieces to see how you can reach it.…

Molokai Trains for Hurricane Preparedness

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Molokai Trains for Hurricane Preparedness

Imagine this: A destructive hurricane is spotted in the Central Pacific Ocean south of Molokai with wind speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Once it hits land, the hurricane delivers a storm surge of destructive winds that leave many residents without electricity, shelter, food or water — and wipes out the island’s communication systems.

On Molokai last week, participants in statewide hurricane preparedness exercises run by the Hawaii State Civil Defense (HSCD), engaged in communication systems training and practiced emergency procedures in case this scenario becomes reality.

The annual HSCD training, called Makani Pahili, consists of drill tests that improve disaster readiness for first responders on each island.…

Summer Salads

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

Lettuce is one of the oldest garden plants and is always the essence of a summer salad, but finding high quality lettuce during our hot Molokai summers can be a challenge due to less than ideal growing conditions. There are between 50 and 75 lettuce species, and was first cultivated by the Egyptians for oil from its seeds.  There are several lettuce types, but the three most common include leaf, crisphead and romaine. These can be crossed with each other to create an array of leaf types, shapes, and textures.…

Island’s First (Temporary) Stoplight

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Island’s First (Temporary) Stoplight

Molokai’s first stoplight installed at the Kawela Stream Bridge construction site was only directing traffic for two weeks. As of Friday before going to press, Goodfellow Bros. Project Engineer Clayton Morrell said the traffic light is scheduled to be removed on Monday.

“It was only there so we could pave the west-bound lane and shoulder,” said Morrell. “[During that time] we had to shift to one-lane traffic.”

Contractor Goodfellow Bros. is putting the final touches on the state Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge project before scheduled completion at the end of July.

The next big change drivers will notice is a shift in traffic from the curved, detour route to traveling over the new bridge, said Morrell.…