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Students’ Whirlwind Tour of the East Coast

Thursday, June 14th, 2007

Mother’s Day was a very special this year for 29 fifth and sixth graders from Kualapu’u Elementary School, and 11 chaperones including myself. It was the day we embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC via the school’s East Coast Enrichment Trip.

Eager faces and anxious parents said goodbye at the Ho’olehua Airport as we set our sights on a 9 day fun-filled adventure. A long 10 hour flight led us into the Logan National Airport in Boston on Monday. Yes, the chaperones were exhausted, but the students were ready to see the world. Jumping in the hotel pool and playing with the buttons on the elevators was all the excitement they needed that day.

To the community of Molokai

Tuesday, June 12th, 2007

For the last three years I have been part of a wonderful student exchange program between Molokai High School and Takayama Nishi High School in Japan. I have been teaching in Japan for over seven years now and the highlight of my seven years has been the creation of this program.

Along with the help of Lisa Kim (Japanese instructor at MHS) this program has provided students with valuable exposure to the ever growing international world. Molokai and Takayama have a lot in common, besides both places being an island, be it Takayama’s population is vastly larger than Molokai’s, Takayama is located in the center of Japan at the foot of the Japan Alps. For Japan, it is considered a very traditional and old style city, where families still value the old ways and grandparents are respected and taken care of. Most homes still have three generations living in them.

In the past, heavy snowfall during the winter months and the secluded location of Takayama sheltered our city and the Western explosion that hit Japan in the last century and has been slow to reach us. Takayama is an isolated small city, compared to most cities in Japan and many are trying to keep it that way. But as you all know, it’s hard to stop the world from progressing and changing for the sake of change. So as this small city opens up and changes more and more everyday, I as a teacher must prepare my students in the best way I can.

Being able to bring my students to Molokai to see a new world, in a safe and beautiful setting has helped tremendously in their awakening to the outside world. I can only teach so much “Real English” in the class room. Bringing my students to Molokai gave them a much better “Real English” experience. As I told me students, “Your Molokai host families are real. MTV (Yes we get that in Japan) is not!” Your students were very real and something my students cannot experience in Takayama.

Many of the graduates from this exchange program have gone on to universities and are now studying English because of what this exchange gave them; a drive to better them selves and be able to communicate in an English speaking environment. This exchange has made a difference to so many and all who partook in it will continue to better both of our islands.

Upon our return to Takayama I have an exit interview with the all the students. We talk abut the adventures they had and that they must make sure to write thank you letters, but before I can say anything else I have to address the common theme among all my students, “Yes, I know you want to move to Molokai and go to school, but you mustn’t forget where your from and the need to share your adventure with your family and friends. Continue your studies, fill yourself with information. This will make you a better person and that in turn will make Japan a better place to learn and your friends in Molokai will do the same.”

As a teacher, this exchange program is what one dreams of. Hands on, real life learning with instant results. It doesn’t get much better than that. This makes my leaving this program and my school very difficult. At the end this school year, March 2008 My wife, two girls, and I will move to my wife’s home town and begin our new life. We will miss Takayama very much but at this time in life we need to be closer to our family and now the timing is right.

As for my position at my school I have been transferred out of the international division and much to my dismay, the exchange program has been taken over by a travel agent. I do have concerns about this, if a more commercial type of travel should be in the works that would so defeat the true nature of the Molokai island lifestyle and the foundations of the personal and intimate cultural exchanges that has been set. I have voiced my displeasure and concerns and can only hope they take what I’ve said into consideration. 

I do ask you all to support the teachers and students who will be coming to Takayama this October. I will be here to great them one last time and do as much as possible to repay the same kindness that we received for the last three years.

The reason this I have written this letter is because I owe it to all on Molokai who supported the exchange from the beginning and let 45 of my students and countless number of yours build a bond that will make the world a better place. Simple as that, no other alternatives just a pure, personal cultural exchange between our future leaders. 

MHS Principal Linda Puleloa, Staff members, Lisa Kim, Lloyd & Linda Yonemura, Karen Harada, and the entire student body and staff at Molokai High School are all wonderful representatives of Molokai Island who I can not thank enough. This letter would quadruple in size if I were to add the names of all the wonderful host families, the students and staff at Molokai Middle School with special thanks to Sensei Matt and his Ukulele Class, all the students and staff at Kualapuu Elementary School who welcomed us into their classrooms and with a special thanks to Sensei Diane whose class has started a pen-pal relationship with one of my classes, and all the businesses that were so warm to my students as they explored your downtown. Please know that I appreciate the entire community for making this a life time memory for all involved. 

One special thank you to Jay-R Ka’awa and family, without their friendship and introduction to Molokai none of this would have ever happened. I miss you all and along with my family hope to visit Molokai sometime in the near future.

I am starting a new chapter in my life and have no set plans just that I am leaving my present job in March of 2008. If I can do anything to help anyone interested in visiting Japan or regarding Japan in anyway, please do not think twice about sending me a message, its the least I can do.  

Best regards,

Richard A. Bartoldus

rickosan@yahoo.com

Hundreds of MHIS Alumni Gather

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

The 41^st Annual MHIS Alumni Association Senior Luau and Class Reunion was held at the high school gym Saturday night. About 100 graduates from the class of 2007 were present as well as classmates of the Class of 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997. The Albert and Evan Inaba scholarship and other awards were awarded to graduating seniors. There was fun-filled entertainment presented by each reunion class, with singing, dancing, and even a little exercising.  Laughter and cheers filled the gym of approximately 450 students, parents, friends, and families, the largest attendance ever. 

Each year, the Albert and Evan Inaba Scholarship awards four graduates with scholarships; two $500 vocational and two $1000 academic scholarships. The Albert Inaba Scholarship began in 1967 in honor of the late Albert Inaba. Albert Inaba was the Principal of MHIS from 1941 to 1966. From 1967 to 2007, the Albert Inaba Scholarship has given approximately $75,000 to 80 recipients. The scholarship is funded by donations by MHIS alumni. The purpose of this scholarship is to give students the opportunity to further their education. The first recipient was Donna Tamanaha, who became a lawyer. Over the first 20 years, one $500 academic scholarship was awarded annually. Later, an additional $300 vocational scholarship was added. When MHIS celebrated their 50^th anniversary in 1989, the annual awards were increased to two $500 vocational scholarships and two $1000 academic scholarships. This year’s recipients were as follows: 

Molokai Public Library Turns 70

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Most of us have grown up with the Molokai Public Library. For many of us it is permanent landmark and an institution of empowerment. For all of these reasons, we celebrate the Molokai Pubic Library’s 70^th Anniversary.

Ka Hula Piko

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

Each year, Kumu John Ka'imikaua would provide insight, share history and paint pictures of days gone past with his vivid details, chants and hula.

He was always able to bring forth different topics, conduct different excursions, and take us to different points in history. He would help us to understand more fully our ancestors, this island and our place in the world.  

One of the alaka'i or leaders of Kumu John's halau on Molokai is Keoki Pescaia. He shares, "Kumu truly loved this island. The gifts that he had, the things that were passed to him, he shared them, even though he knew people would ridicule him or maybe not take him seriously. But he stuck to his beliefs, and today we're able to share with others, the same light he passed to us. The light of hula, the light of stories, history, traditions…he planted the seeds in plenty people, and today, we can continue that legacy." 

Widely known for reviving and perpetuating many of Molokai’s chants, hula and legends, Kumu John is considered by many as being among the greatest kumu hula of our time.  

In 1991, John Ka’imikaua founded Ka Hula Piko, a three-day festival celebrating the birthplace of hula here on Molokai. Since its inception, Kumu John had remained committed to the event acting as its guiding force and providing spiritual grounding. 

Kumu John passed away this past last June at his home in Makakilo.

Keeping Kids, Kids

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

As the day progressed, the students were treated to laughs by local comedian Rodney Villanueva and, eventually, an all-out jammin’ performance by local boy, Sashamon.