Island Youth

Kualapuʻu School’s Sixth Graders Visit the Dispatch

Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

The Molokai Dispatch staff got quite busy last week, when a dozen schoolchildren filled up the newspaper’s headquarters during a trip to Kaunakakai.  

Kualapuʻu Charter School’s sixth graders stopped by The Molokai Dispatch office for about 45 minutes in the afternoon of Jan. 15. Travelling under the guidance of teacher Jamie Kalama, the students had a lot of questions about the different stages of crafting a newspaper. 

The students learned about news gathering, news sources, design and layout, sales, distribution, advertising and printing. They saw the newspaper’s first issue — dated April 24, 1985 — on display on the wall. …

Summit Reveals What Youth Wants

Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

By Léo Azambuja

The results are in. Now, Molokai teachers may have a better idea about what their students want. The 4th Annual Youth Summit at Kaunakakai Elementary School Jan. 17 revealed the results of a large survey taken by students from all grades in all public schools on the island.

“Four years ago, we were the only island that did this. And then three years ago, (Hawaii State Teachers Association) asked us to show it to other islands,” Molokai High School teacher Ric Ornellas said, adding Hilo now organizes the same summit. “So, our small rural community is able to really influence other communities and other schools.”…

Creepin’ It Real on Halloween

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

By Léo Azambuja

Oh, the irony! On the scariest day of the year, the children had absolutely no fear. It was them who walked around Kaunakakai spreading terror. Grownup witches better have their candy. Or something wicked may come their way. 

Perhaps in a foolish attempt to stave off panic and chaos, or maybe just to offer the kids a free event that was a skele-ton of fun, the Friends of Molokai Public Library revived the popular Halloween Costume Contest on the lawn in front of the library Oct 31.

“The Lions Club used to have the costume contest every year, but once we had COVID, they stopped,” FOL president Joan Howard said.…

Kualapuʻu ʻOhana Fun Fair

Thursday, October 23rd, 2025

By Léo Azambuja
Pristine blue skies begging for a trip to the beach, plus a handful of simultaneous events happening across Molokai, did not deter hundreds of people from coming to the 12th Annual ʻOhana Fun Fair at Kualapuʻu School Saturday morning.
“We wanted to have a community event that was specifically here, and have everybody come around from across the island to enjoy free activities like the horseback rides, the water slides, the photo booth, pumpkin patch,” event organizer Kui Adolpho said.
The school campus was crowded all morning. Adolpho said she estimated between 700 and 900 people coming and going during the event.…

Planting Pilina: Maunaloa Students Connect to Culture through Kalo

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Communiy contributed
By ʻIolani Kuoha, Maunaloa Elementary School Temporary Vice Principal

At Maunaloa Elementary School, the foundation of learning is rooted not only in books and lessons, but also in ʻāina. On a recent morning filled with mana and mud, every student had the opportunity to plant their own kalo, participating in a powerful cultural and educational experience made possible through the generosity of our community.
Thanks to the support of local kalo farmer Josh Pastrana, students were introduced to a variety of kalo; moi, ʻeleʻele naioea and kapaʻaloa. Students also learned about the deeper meaning of Haloa — the first child of Wākea and Hoʻohōkūkalani in the Kumulipo — and the spiritual elder sibling to kanaka.…

Junior Youth Group Honors Firefighters

Thursday, August 28th, 2025

By Paul Hanley

Members of a Junior Youth Empowerment Program, ages 11-14, wanted to find ways to serve the community. They started with a trash pick-up at the wharf a few weeks ago and then decided they wanted to thank firefighters on Molokai for their service.

On Friday, Aug. 15, the kids had a holiday from school, so they met to bake cookies and then packed them up to take them to each of the fire departments on the island at Hoʻolehua, Kaunakakai and Pukoʻo. At each station, they met some of the firefighters, learned how they do their work and how they live while on duty.…