Author Archives: Jessica Ahles

Girls Volleyball

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Strong Athletes, Strong Students

The Molokai High School (MHS) girls volleyball season came to an end after this year’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championships on Oct. 16. Looking back, the Farmers consider it a hard-fought season of determination and improvement on and off the court.

“From pre-season to post-season we’ve definitely improved,” said head coach Mahea Rawlins. “We tried as hard as we could…we stuck together as a team and we fought to the end.”

The girls finished the season with a 9-4 record after competing against Hana and coming up short in the semi-finals of the MILS, according to MHS Athletic Director Hoku Haliniak.…

Costume Contest Brings Big Crowd

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Costume Contest Brings Big Crowd

Zombies, clowns, giant sweets and superheroes of all ages put on a show and strutted their stuff Thursday at this year’s Lions Club Halloween Costume Contest.

Over 140 costumed contestants presented their scariest, cutest and most original Halloween-wear to Lions Club members on the Kaunakakai Public Library’s front lawn with cash prizes of $10 for first place, $5 for second and an ICEE coupon for third.

“This year, more kids are making their own costumes and it’s fun seeing how creative they can get,” said Lion Linda Mina.

This year’s results are still a little fuzzy as Lion member judges viewed a monster mash of costumes, however the recorded winners are as follows:

For the baby to preschool category, Liliu McGuire won cutest costume as a lamb; Kileona Kanawaliwali won scariest as a witch; and Lehue Rawlins-Elalins won most original as an aloha float.…

Lessons on the Pacific Ocean

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Molokai elementary students got a chance to dive into learning about the Pacific Ocean when a giant traveling map from the National Geographic came to visit. Measuring 26 by 35 feet, it’s one of the world’s largest maps of the world’s largest ocean. The map is printed on smooth vinyl with bright colors that can be spread on the floor, giving students the opportunity to learn about geography in a fun, interactive way. The map was on loan to Hawaii schools from Oct. 15 through Dec. 20, and visited Molokai last week.

Teachers were provided with a curriculum and activities for the map.…

Farmers Take Aim at States

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Farmers Take Aim at States

Two Molokai shooters represented the Farmers at the state championships for air riflery two weeks ago. Senior Pono Chow on the boys side and sophomore Pomai Gomes from the girls team gave it their best shot after the Farmers came in third in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championship Oct. 19.

“They’re already champions,” said Molokai girls coach Eddie Gorospe. [They’re two of the] 42 best shooters in Hawaii — just going [to states] is an accomplishment.”

Chow came in 24th place out of 42 male shooters in the state competition with 495 points out of a possible 600. Gomes finished in 27th place with 490 points out of the 42 girls competing.…

Breaking the Cycle

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Preventing Sexual Abuse

An estimated one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before they turn 18, according to child abuse experts. In a statewide study conducted in 2011 by the University of Hawaii’s School of Social Work that examined community children and family conditions , it revealed that “Molokai needed to be worked on” in terms of protecting children from sexual abuse.

“Sexual abuse on this island is rampant. It’s the last big secret. Almost every single family has somebody who has been molested.” said one anonymous Molokai participant in the study.

In response, former Molokai police detective Gene Santiago joined with concerned community members in 2012 to create a project that prevents child sexual abuse on Molokai through the Consuelo Foundation, an organization working to prevent child neglect.…

When Plants Sweat

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Understanding the concept of irrigation

We all do it. In mammals, the loss of fluid from the pores of the skin is called perspiration. In plants, it’s known as transpiration. Even the land circulates and loses moisture — a process called evaporation. Most people don’t think twice about how much plants sweat — but for farmers, especially those on Molokai where water is scarce — understanding plant transpiration can make all the difference.

Molokai has the highest recorded rate of evaporation in the state at 118 inches per year, according to Alton Arakaki, a University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Humans Resources (CTAHR) Molokai extension agent.…

Longevity Spinach

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Longevity Spinach

Community Contributed

By Paul Fischer

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about growing Okinawan spinach in buckets.  I have also been growing another perennial salad herb that grows well on Molokai.  Its scientific name is gynura procumbens, but it is also known as “longevity spinach” or “cholesterol spinach.” The plant is native to southeast Asia, and is widely known for its nutritional and medicinal values.  Proponents claim it fights a variety of ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even cancer.  However, I feel it is worth growing just to eat.   This plant is quite hardy and prolific. …

Molokai Opens Collection Site for Global Christmas Project

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Operation Christmas Child News Release

With holiday supplies already covering the store shelves, Molokai individuals, families, churches and groups are working to make Christmas a reality for needy kids around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement. Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, is ramping up as Hoolehua residents prepare to collect gift-filled shoeboxes during National Collection Week Nov. 18–25.

At this local collection site in the Molokai area, anyone can drop off a gift-filled shoebox to send to a child overseas. Then using whatever means necessary—trucks, trains, boats, bikes and even elephants—the shoebox gifts will be delivered to children worldwide.…

Construction Career Day

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Construction Career Day

MECO News Release

Geared with pole climbers and lineman’s belt Dallas Arce, 15, of Molokai, pictured at left, receives instructions from Grant Barker, a lineman from Maui Electric Company. This was part of the Hawaii Construction Career Day 2013 at the University of Hawaii Maui College on Oct. 18. More than 600 high school and college students from Maui County attended the event, where numerous local companies volunteered to provide hands-on activities that showcased the various career options in the state’s growing construction industry.…

Arts Show

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) will present its Second Annual Art Show from Nov. 13 through Dec. 2 at the Molokai Public Library.  Featuring works in ceramics and other media by members of the Arts Center, the exhibit will be curated by local resident Roshani Nash.  The show will also include works from University of Hawaii Maui students currently enrolled in Art 105 and Art 244.

The public is invited to join the artists at the library for the exhibit’s opening on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  Refreshments will be served.  Many pieces in the show will be for sale, with 10 percent of the sale price benefiting the Friends of the Molokai Public Library.…