Author Archives: Bianca Moragne

Softball Closes With Optimism

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

Even after two losses at the state softball tournament last week, the Lady Farmers don’t exactly feel like underdogs.

“The girls really played well and I’m really proud of them,” said head coach Coco Augustiro. “Despite losing at state we still feel like winners.”

The team rallied hard at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association softball tournament on Oahu, but could not overcome a tough first inning against the Konawaena Wildcats last Thursday in the fifth place semifinals.

With cleats sinking in mud and pouring rain splashing the field, the Lady Farmers lost against the Wildcats 5-2 in the Division II games at Central Oahu Regional Park.…

Empowering Teachers for Student Achievement

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

Empowering Teachers for Student Achievement

Celebrating student success and showcasing school achievement were hot topics at the first-ever Canoe Complex Summit last Monday.

Dozens of teachers and administrators in the complex area for Molokai, Lanai, Lahaina and Hana schools, the so-called “Canoe District” of Maui County, shared their journey and challenges faced during the academic year with other educators.

Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) from Molokai and Lanai schools met to discuss approaches on readying students for college and thriving careers. Each ILT — a team of educators that collaborate to target academic areas of weakness within their school — shared their trials and successes with teams from other schools at the Molokai Community Health Center.…

Helping Out at Koheo Wetlands

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

Helping Out at Koheo Wetlands

Community Contributed

By Kumu Loke Han, Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu`u

Students from Kumu Loke Han¢s fourth grade Hawaiian Language Immersion class at Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu`u are learning valuable lessons in kokua and laulima.

Back in November, the students visited Koheo wetlands in Kaunakakai as part of their studies on the `ahupua`a land system. They learned that wetlands are a vital component to the healthy ecosystem of our island. They learned about native plants and animals that help to sustain our native bird population. They also learned about invasive plants and animals and how destructive these introduced species can really be.…

Taking a Stand Against Bullying

Monday, May 12th, 2014

Taking a Stand Against Bullying

When people think about bullying, it usually involves playground spaces and high school hallways. But the conversation shouldn’t stop there, say advocates of Molokai’s Families Against Bullying (FAB).

It’s a problem that affects communities, families and schools nationwide. Tackling the issue takes a commitment from parents, teachers and children themselves. That was the message delivered last Friday when FAB members and supporters took to the streets to generate a conversation on bullying in Molokai schools.

The statistics are staggering: 28 percent of U.S. school children in grades six through 12 say they’ve been a target of bullies at one time or another and 70.6 percent of young people say they have witnessed some type of bullying at school, according to StopBullying.gov.…

Veterans Corner

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha my beloved veterans and fellow residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. When you go to the doctor, you’re always hoping for a clean bill of health. But why do we use that expression? The term has its roots in the Navy. A bill of health is a document a ship provides to port cities, according to Naval history and heritage command. It is proof that sailors are not suffering any epidemic or infection. The document is often unnecessary when travelling between domestic ports, according to the manual for the Medical Department of the U.S.…

Molokai Fitness: Weighing Yourself

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

When was the last time you weighed yourself? Don’t be scared! It’s your own body; you need to know everything about it. Check your weight once a week – make sure it’s always at the same time of day (for example, always first thing in the morning), and wear the same clothes every time. Then write it down.

You need to keep track of your weight. If you need to lose some weight, then think about it this way: imagine you are holding a glass of water for five minutes. That’s no problem, right? Let’s say 10 minutes – now maybe your arm starts getting tired.…

Ask-A-Lawyer Free Clinic

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Hawaii State Bar Association News Release

As a community service project in conjunction with Law Week in Hawaii, attorneys from the Senior Counsel Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association will be holding a free legal clinic to provide legal information to the people of Molokai.

Come to Kaunakakai Elementary School Cafeteria on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is open to the Molokai community, with no income screening or eligibility qualifications.

Receive free legal information  on a variety of topics including Estate Planning/Probate, criminal law, consumer credit/collections, no-fault insurance law, environmental or historic preservation law, Hawaiian Homes, state water code, employment or family law, and landlord-tenant.…

World-Renowned Biology Prof to Speak on Pesticides

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Hawaii SEED News Release

A state-wide speaking tour of world-renowned University of California Berkeley Professor of Integrative Biology Dr. Tyrone Hayes will include Molokai on May 16. Paul Towers from Pesticide Action Network will be speaking as well, presenting an overview of pesticide use nationally and internationally and the significant role that Hawaii plays as ground zero for open-air pesticide experimentation.

The Molokai event will be held on Friday, May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Molokai Community Health Center. Other special guests will include Lorrin Pang, M.D. of the Hawaii Department of Health and Jeri Di Pietro, president of Hawaii SEED.…

Plant a Tree of Life, Grow Ulu

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Community Contributed 

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

In commemoration of Love a Tree Day, May 16, we will hold a special workshop entitled Plant a Tree of Life, Grow Ulu. It will be held on Friday, May 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. at University of Hawaii Maui College – Molokai Farm in the Molokai Agricultural Park.

There will be three presentations on Breadfruit:

“All About Breadfruit” by Dr. Diane Ragone, Director of the Breadfruit Institute at the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) at Kalaheo, Kauai “Caring for Your Tree,” Harvest & Post Harvest by Ian Cole, Breadfruit Institute Collection Manager, NTBG, Kahanu Gardens, Hana, Maui “Some Like It Sweet – Cooking Demonstration” by John Cadman, Pono Pies, Maui

This workshop is also in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Cooperative Extension Service this year.…

Be Hurricane Ready

Thursday, May 8th, 2014

Be Hurricane Ready

Based on statistics, this year’s hurricane season beginning in June brings extra cause to be well-prepared for the worst, according to weather experts. 2014 is an El Nino year, said Mike Cantin of the National Weather Service, Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. El Nino conditions are caused by abnormally warm water near the equator, where hurricanes typically form, and that — statistically speaking — brings a greater likelihood of tropical cyclones, according to Cantin.

“You have a whole generation of people who grew up on Molokai who have never experienced a hurricane and have no idea what it is,” explained Cantin on a trip to Molokai last month.…