Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Hawaii schools follow the Na Hopena A’O/HA framework.  This framework provides a system of expectations for all in Hawaii to aspire to.   HA means breath and the components of the framework are an acrostic of the letters in breath; belonging, responsibility, excellence, aloha, total wellbeing, and Hawaii.  With Makahiki season upon us, the talk of champions and excellence is constant.  In first grade at Kilohana School, I wanted to make time to enhance our total well being as well as our sense of excellence.  A warrior is someone who is as mentally strong and prepared as well as physically strong and prepared. …

Victory for Robotics Team

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

Victory for Robotics Team

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

On Jan. 28, the Kaunakakai School Robotics Team achieved a unique feat for Molokai. 

The team, coached by Andrea Yuen and Joe Howe, won the highest prize, the Excellence Award, at the 2023 Vex IQ Elementary State Championship. 

The Excellence Award is “given to a team who exemplifies overall excellence in creating a high- quality robotics program,” said Edwin Mendija, a robotics coach and supporter of the team. The criteria for such an award includes not just doing well in the competition itself, but also having proper documentation and explaining the robot to the judges. 

“As their coach, they competed strongly,” especially in the engineering notebook and judges’ interview, said Yuen. …

Children’s Theatre Launched on Molokai

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (Hokulani CTOM) is here to enrich and inspire the young people of Molokai through theater and the performing arts experience. Officially launched in January 2023, Hokulani CTOM is a grassroots effort created by Vicki Boswell built on community effort. Twenty youth from the ages six to 18 have started to participate and bring their talents to the theater’s first production, The Legend of Mulan. 

“My husband and [my] goal was to go on a mission for 10 years and serve other places,” said Boswell. “I kept having these feelings that we were needed at home, so we came home, and the thought was if I’m here, what do you need me to do?…

Computer Science Innovation at Kaunakakai School

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

Computer Science Innovation at Kaunakakai School

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

The students in Kawika Gonzales’ fifth grade class at Kaunakakai School are excited about learning two subjects that aren’t often studied together: computer science and Hawaiian culture.  Thanks to a three-year grant from the University of Hawaii, Gonzales is teaching a program he believes has led to substantial progress in computer science education. 

The grant focuses on the role of culturally relevant computing by combining aspects of computer science with Hawaiian history and traditions. 

Dan Hoffman, one of the University of Hawaii faculty members directing the grant, explained that “the grant is designed around the idea that ‘curriculum is not enough’”. …

Kupu Internships Open

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

Kupu News Release 

Kupu, Hawaii’s leading conservation and youth education nonprofit, is hosting the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps Summer Program (HYCC-Summer), which offers an intensive hands-on experience into the world of conservation. The deadline is quickly approaching and Kupu is inviting applicants to apply on Molokai, Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. Application deadline is Feb. 17. 

The program runs for seven weeks from June 5 to July 23. If selected, participants are partnered within a team of like-minded individuals and each week they will get to explore and serve within a different partner site, which holds new adventures, challenges, teachings and opportunities for personal growth.…

Making a Difference with the Climate Crew

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

From September to December 2022, three of Molokai’s young women strived to make an impact and create awareness for Hawaii’s climate policy and clean energy. Kirakai Yamazaki-Gray, Kayla Holm and myself, Sage Yamashita, were picked to join Blue Planet’s Cohort called Climate Crew with eight other Maui County high school students. Through the cohort, the students completed multiple climate actions, meetings, and workshops, helping the Climate Crew’s work to reach more than 1500 people. 

“I was really impressed with the Molokai girls that joined the Maui County Climate Crew,” said Griff Jurgens, Blue Planet’s education director.…

Sports Roundup

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

The Barn had a double header last week for Farmers Basketball, with the boy’s team competing against Maui Preparatory Academy and the girl’s team taking on Seabury Hall. On Maui, Farmer paddling, swimming and wrestling teams competed. 

Molokai High’s basketball teams showed great sportsmanship during their games this week. The games were back to back starting with the boy’s first game Friday evening which closed with a score of Molokai 62, Maui Prep 39. Following the boy’s victory, the girls won Seabury with a score of Molokai 40, Seabury 11. The next morning, each of the four teams faced on in rematches.…

Imua Family Services Opens at New Molokai Location

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023

Imua Family Services News Release 

Imua Family Services invites you to join them in celebrating their newly relocated office location in Kaunakakai! In celebration of this new move, Imua Family Services has planned two free programs on Saturday, Jan. 28. The first is a special activity called Play Imua for preschool-age children and their families at the Molokai Public Library starting at 11:30 a.m. The parent-child program will include an interactive arts activity and story time.

That same day, Imua Family Services will also be offering free developmental screenings and evaluations for keiki between 2 months old and 5 ½ years of age at their new office location at 130 Kamehameha V Hwy in Kaunakakai.…

Weekend in Sports

Wednesday, January 11th, 2023

Weekend in Sports

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

It was a busy weekend for Molokai High athletes, with many teams kicking off the new year with competition. Boys Basketball had two home games last weekend against Waldorf. The final score on Friday came out to Waldorf 45, Molokai 41. The rematch on Saturday took the score to Waldorf 41, Molokai 33. 

On Maui, Farmers paddling, swimming and soccer competed. For paddling, the girls took fourth, the boys took fourth and the mixed team also placed fourth. Six swimmers swam great times, and Mauli Pupuhi came in first overall in the 100 and 50 freestyle.…

Kilohana School Finalist in STEM Competition

Wednesday, January 11th, 2023

Samsung News Release 

Molokai’s Kilohana School is among 300 public schools across America have been named State Finalists in the 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national competition, announced Samsung Electronics America. Representing the cream of more than 1000 competition entrants, each state finalist has won a package of $2,500 in technology and school supplies. Kilohana was one of five schools in Hawaii that became finalists. These finalists advance to additional stages of the competition that will culminate in three schools being selected in May as national winners, and receive $100,000 prize packages. 

The annual Solve for Tomorrow competition challenges public school students in grades 6-12 to explore the role science, technology, engineering, and math (the core STEM subjects) can play in addressing some of the biggest issues in their local communities.…