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Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Lessons from the Land

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Lessons from the Land

First quarter our main focus was about the different types of limu that grow in Makakupa’ia in Ali’I Fishpond. Second quarter our main focus was about invertebrates (crabs). This quarter, the third, we’re focusing on vertebrates like fishes and anything that has a backbone. At the end of the quarter we create a section of our field guide. Our field guide is made up of four sections, each quarter we submit a section. Now that were at the ending of third quarter we start to wrap up our book including all data from our research.

To me I think this is the best type of learning offered at Molokai High School. The Hawaiian Immersion program is ideal for this place-based learning due to the cultural education.  To me I think out of all my four years in high school my senior year was the one that made it count learning wise. I feel that I have learned a lot through this type of learning, Mahalo to Kumu Mahina Hou and Kumu Manuwai for making this possible for our program. Although I’m graduating this summer I think Kumu Mahina Hou should continue place-based science inquiry for the next upcoming school year.                   

Mahalo no ka heluhelu ana I ka’u mo’olelo a me na mana’o e piliana ka papahana ‘olelo Hawai’i. He papahana maika’I loa! Paipai au ia ‘oukou na haumana ‘o Moloka’I nei e komo a hoa’o I ka ho’ona’auao a me ka ho’oulu Hawai’i.

Makemake au e mahalo nui ia ‘Anakala Mervin Dudoit no ke Kalaiwa ana ia makou I na huaka’I like ‘ole, ‘Anake Noe Yamashita, Na kumu & haumana o HLIP a me Tutu Lei no ka Hiki no o keia makahiki!!

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A Young Hawaiian Surfer with an Old Spiritual Soul

Friday, April 9th, 2010

A Young Hawaiian Surfer with an Old Spiritual Soul

By Jodi Wilmott, Hawaii Surfing Association – Hard Rock Café Surf Series

With one foot in Hawaii's past and the other in surfing's future, 14-year-old Kaoli Kahokuloa has an opportunity to carry the ancient sport of he'e nalu forward in its true spirit and culture. Kaoli and his family embrace the blessing of his talents, but understand it is a privilege not to be taken for granted.

"We want to do it the old style way," says his soft-spoken father, Pulani. "Always stay humble, no matter what the result, and always come out smiling."

Kaoli has plenty of reasons to smile. He is turning heads around the world with his futuristic moves and a style that's as fluid as the ocean itself. At 14 he's doing well in state and national competition, and his gravity-defying aerials are gaining international recognition. He recently secured a grant from the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation to support his surfing progress.

This is a kid who killed his pet pig Houston, turning it into pork lau lau, to sell for the money to enter his first surfing competition. He was seven then, living on Molokai, and determined to enter an HSA (Hawaii Surfing Association) contest on Oahu. Seven years on, Kaoli is now a regular finalist in HSA's Hard Rock Cafe Surf Series. This weekend past he won his division at Sandy Beach.

Just a few weeks shy of his 15th birthday, Kaoli is about to hit the critical age of every young aspiring athlete. It's make it or break it time and the quiet boy with the old-world Hawaiian style and firm faith is going for it.

Kaoli is the oldest of eight children who range in age from nine months to 14 years. His father is from the "Forbidden Island" of Ni`ihau, a place where the English language is rarely, if ever spoken. His mother is from Molokai, still a world away from city lights and fast-paced living. The Kahokuloas reside on Oahu now, but have retained the simple life that they say is focused on God first, and family second.

The whole family supports Kaoli's budding career, but Kaoli has responsibilities to the family in turn.

"He's lucky if he gets to surf four hours a week and a lot of times the place we end up at isn't really great for him, it's great for them," says his mother Elea, nodding towards the little ones.

While he waits to compete in his HSA heat, Kaoli plays around with the rest of the kids under the shade of their pop-up tent. Three of them are Kaoli's full-blood siblings and four of them have been hanai-ed, or taken in by his parents as their own. There is no distinction. His parents ask nothing of the kids, yet they respond automatically to the needs of each other. It's a marvelous illustration of the Polynesian family tradition: respect, heart-felt responsibility, and love. 

In preparation for his next heat, Kaoli and his father discuss his approach, all in Hawaiian. Somehow it seems much more than a language. The words sound poetic, almost haunting, and bring a sense of ancient story to the situation. It's as if his father is giving him all the mana he needs to go and ride the waves. It feels like he has the edge on his rivals already.

Kaoli goes on to win the final then returns to life as usual with his family. For these Hawaiians, life isn't about surfing so much as surfing is an outlet to express and share their Hawaiian, spiritual and family values.

Like guiding lights through the generations, Hawaiians such as Duke Kahanamoku and Eddie Aikau have respectfully carried forth the sport of surfing with a reverence for its roots and a desire to share their culture with people around the world. It wasn't titles or fame that led the world to embrace Eddie and Duke, it was their spirit of humility and aloha, and their willingness to share it one-on-one with all whose paths they crossed.

The hope that the Kahokuloas hold for Kaoli's surfing career is that it provide him an opportunity to share his spirit and bring respect and understanding to his culture and values. If worldly success comes with that, too, it will simply be a bonus.

Ask Kaoli what he aspires to in surfing and you get a simple, satisfying answer:
"To enjoy surfing, everywhere around the world."

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Defeated Farmers Look Forward

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Defeated Farmers Look Forward

The Molokai High School boys’ volleyball team opened its season with three aggressive sets but fell short as a tough Seabury Hall took triple wins – 25-8, 25-13, 25-12 – in Friday night’s game.

Although the Farmers played their first game at home with a heap of cheering fans, Seabury’s relentless efforts showed no mercy on Molokai.

“Tonight showed our inexperience,” said Molokai coach Bill Dudoit. “We have a lot of youth on our team.”

Dudoit said Seabury was a polished team – the one to beat – but that the Farmers still hold promise for this season.

“It was out first game and a definite eye-opener,” Dudoit said. “We got to work on our overall game, serving and transitions, and know the importance of offense and defense.”

Dudoit expects a better game next week when the boys face off with Lanai on April 9 and 10 at The Barn.

walked for their win.”

During Thursday’s second game at Hana Ball Park, Molokai’s second basemen sprained her ankle, forcing the Lady Farmers to finish the game with only eight players.

Hana High School came out fierce again on Friday limiting Molokai to only three points. Dudoit-English and Larriley Rawlins each doubled for the Farmers. Rawlins finished 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Augustiro is expecting some good competition when Seabury comes to town April 16 and 17, and says the girls just need to do a little homework.

“They just need to play hard, play their best,” she said.

Tennis
The girls’ and boys’ tennis team played two teams this weekend in Maui, which yielded some mixed results.

On Friday, the boys were defeated by Lahainaluna 3-1 at the War Memorial Courts, while the girls also lost against Lahainaluna, 5-0, at the Lahaina Civic Center courts. Mason Horner fought hard for the boys (and earned them one point) but came up short to Wasseem Bel at No. 2 singles. Horner was defeated 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

On Saturday, the St. Anthony High School girls’ tennis team swept the Lady Farmers, 5-0, at the War Memorial Courts, while the Molokai boys succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.

St. Anthony’s Scott Dahlquist and Myles Gregory defeated Molokai’s Herbert Antolin and Kaipoi Kondo 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles, and later St. Anthony’s Aaron Hirayama and Chris Redeker won by default at No. 2 doubles.

Although Coach Stacey Horner did not travel with the team this weekend, he said they still did fairly well.

“There were some challenging matches,” Horner said. “Mason Horner won his first match and said it was the longest one he ever played. He fought hard.”

Horner said his players felt the heat not only on the court, but in the air.

“It was really humid over there,” he said. “It was tough on them, very grueling.”

The tennis team will be competing in the East-West playoffs and team final on April 16 and 17.

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Egg-cellent Hunt

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Egg-cellent Hunt

Bailey Sproat, 3 (pictured below), won second place – and $15 – for her adorable Easter bonnet at the Annual Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt. She helped her mother put it together with plastic eggs and candy. A hundred or so families gathered last Saturday morning to collect colorfully-dyed eggs in baskets, and many also participated in contests of best-decorated Easter egg, Easter bonnet, Easter basket, and the Golden Egg.

 

 

 

 

The Winners of the Lions Club Easter Contests
First place won $20 cash, second $15 and third $5. Congratulations to all the winners and participants!
Easter Egg
Ages 1-6
(1) Ku Chow, (2) Kailian Chong, (3) Kailani Bicoy
Ages 7-12
(1) Cendall Manley, (2) Keeya Bicoy, (3) Brenden Keanini
Easter Bonnet
Ages 1-12
(1) Kona Habon, (2) Bailey Sproat
Adult
(1) Pono Chow, (2) Oeenis Keanini, (3) Daquel Cabaiar
Easter Basket
Ages 1-6
(1) Kamalani Kanawaliwali, (2) Kalawaia Kanawaliwali, (3) Ku Chow
Ages 7-12
(1) Kelsey Bicoy, Shyllea Villa, Meleano Pakala
Golden Eggs
Ages 1-3 Kendra Kaulili
Ages 4-7 Haley Alfante
Ages 8-12 Mackenzie Nerveza

 

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Lions Roar

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

The Molokai Lions Club has concluded their yearly school vision screening. All elementary children present on the day of screening with parental/guardian permission were screened by one of the three visiting doctors from Maui Optics along with their technician. Molokai Lion volunteers helped make the process run smoothly as well as participate in the chart screening phase. Many thanks from coordinator Lion Jackie Cushman to the following participating schools: Aka'ula-Dara Lukonen, Kaunakakai- Yvonne Friel, Kilohana- Shona Pineda, Kualapuu- Penny Duvauchelle, Maunaloa- Janna Linkee-Espaniola and Molokai Middle- Amber Nakihei.

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Big Keiki Turnout

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

Big Keiki Turnout


What a great day was had at our 6th Annual Moloka’i Keiki Expo, held on Saturday, February 7 at the Mitchell Pauole Center.  A set of four books were gladly given to each family surrounding our theme, “Keeping Our Keiki Healthy”.  The titles of the books were “Wash ‘um”, “Brush ‘um”, “Eat ‘um”, and “Move ‘um”.  These books included beautifully illustrated pictures with a local twist, featuring island keiki and a true gift for each family that attended.

Oodles of educational prizes and books were given out and tons of fun activities were made as the crowd rolled in through out the morning.  It was enlightening to watch the little one’s enjoy the hands on activities as well as take on the challenge of the obstacle course while their parents gathered information about the different services/programs they were interested in. 

Congratulations to Azaelah Lavoie-Kahalewai, daughter to Malia & Marlin Lavoie, who was our Diaper Dash winner, taking home a keiki push buggy.  Thank you to all the contestants who participated.

It is our hope that through our efforts we can continue to showcase all of our on island services (early childhood/health/family support/parenting support), to promote literacy, to bring awareness on the importance of early childhood education & services, and to provide a venue for our families to access the many services and programs we have here on our island all at this “one stop shop” annual event.

On behalf of The Moloka’i Keiki Group, we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude and extend our warmest Mahalo to all those who made our event a huge success.  Big Mahalo to our very generous sponsors who made this event possible: Punana Leo o Moloka’i, The County of Maui-Parks & Rec and staff, Kamehameha Schools, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center and Rawlins Chevron Service. A Special Mahalo to The Moloka’i Health Foundation who sponsored the set of four books (valued at $16 each set), which every single family who attended received.  It was a huge hit and if you missed the event and wish to order this awesome health book series set at $4 each book, please contact Dana Gorecki at Oahu Head Start www.oahuheadstart.org or you may call 808-847-2400 for more information.

Mahalo to Matthew Helm (our great MC), to our entertainers: Halau Hula o Kilohana, Punana Leo o Moloka’i Preschool, and Becky Takashima & Debs Mapel for the skits, Lohea Audio/Sherman Napoleon, Kawika Crivello, Kanoho Helm, Ron Kimball, Claire Iveson, Kai Sawyer, Kathy Bennett, Miki’ala/Poema/Keoki Pescaia, Michelle/Francis Nae’ole & ‘Ohana (Keiki Jumper), Moloka’i High School Leo Club, Moloka’i High School Teens Who Read Book Club, Kamehameha Schools ATP, Kime Kala Girls Volleyball Club, Sarah Kawa’a and Students, Edrian Apo, Melani Rawlins, Lynn Decoite, Hula Halau o Kilohana, and Punana Leo o Moloka’i for all your kokua.

To all of the services who participated, Mahalo nui!!  Punana Leo o Moloka’i preschool, MEO Headstart, Na Kamali’i Hoaloha preschool, All God’s Children preschool, Keiki Steps, Tutu & Me Traveling preschool, Kamehameha School’s, Kualapu’u School, Maunaloa School, Kaunakakai School, State DOH-Moloka’i Public Health Nurse, Na Pu’uwai: Asthma / WIC, Moloka’i Dental Health Coalition, Moloka’i Community Health Center, Chevron Hawai’i-Keiki ID’s, Moloka’i Early Headstart, IKAIKA Program (MCHC), PATCH, Moloka’i Fathering Initiatives, Na Lei Mamo, Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center, Alu Like-Native Hawaiian Library, Read to me, and MHS Business Class. 

If we had missed anyone, e kala mai…and Mahalo nui!!

Mahalo nui once again and see you all at next year’s event!
Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello & Becky Takashima

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Full Throttle Basketball

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Full Throttle Basketball

The 2010 molokai menehune basketball champs, ‘we goin full throttle,” went to Maui on March 4-7 to play in the menehune tournament and played four awesome games.
Coach Ron Rapanot Sr. and assistant coach Scot Rapanot Sr. took only seven players: David Rapanot, Noah Caparida, Kilo Gonzales, Rayden McCutcheon, Likehe Shonley, Jarvin Namauu and Kamekona Pelekani. Several comments were made in Maui that they would call themselves the Super 7 Kids, because of the way they played.

We were the only team that had seven players while the rest of the teams that they played against had 12-15 players. Their first game played against Kahului Bays, and lost 29-31, because the referees called 18 fouls to Molokai and Kahului only had four. Our boys left robbed and really disappointed, but they lifted their spirits and surly did not let those officials keep them down for like their team shirts says, “we goin’ full throttle” and believe me, they did exactly that.

The second game was played against Kihei I, and again they played hard with seven of our boys against 12. This time we came on top with 41 points and Kihei 38. David had 22 points, Noah 13, Kalei two, Keke had two and Brayden had two points.

Even at this point, our boys had more speed and condition, out ran and surely out smarted a lot of plays with determination to win and show them what Molokai is made of.
The third game was played against Kihei II, and Molokai came on top with 35 points and Kihei 31. The final fourth game against Pukalani, molokai won 36 to Pukalani 27.

Special clinics should be set up for referee training, especially for the younger and 13-14 year group tournaments. It should be fun and exciting for the teenagers to participate and not have to wonder if the referees are going to call the games again. All in all, the team enjoyed themselves, took the consolation bracket and represented Molokai proudly.

So the Maui County, Molokai district superiors Mike Salas, recreation technician Gerard Starkey, and Ryoko Victorino thank you for making it possible for us to participate in Maui. To the county of Maui – a special thanks to Aunty Jackie for seeing that we were comfortable and allowing us to stay in the wrestling room and using the facilities.
Mahalo! Last but not least, we would like to send a special thanks to Catlin Kaahanui for helping us with transportation and lunch.

Gladys Rapanot

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Mo`omomi Meandering

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Mo`omomi Meandering

By Maluhia Mendes-Medeiros, with Kealakai Alcon
From a series by O Hina I Ka Malama (Molokai High School Hawaiian immersion students) which focuses on place-based scientific inquiry.

Welina mai me ke aloha e na makamaka ‘o Molokai nei. ‘O Maluhia Mendes-Medeiros ko’u inoa. A ‘o Kealakai Alcon ko’u hoa pakana. I keia makahiki pili ko maua pahana ‘epekema I ka ‘aina ‘o Mo`omomi.

Aloha, my name is Maluhia Mendes-Medeiros. With my partner Kealakai Alcon, we focused our project this year on Mo`omomi.

First quarter we did a project, based upon the limu of Mo`omomi. We were required to create a booklet, model, and power point. We had the privilege of taking a field trip to Mo’omomi to gather specimens for our research.

On our field trip we learned that there are many different species of limu all over our island. We observed how we are losing some native limu and gaining invasives.

We have to keep in mind that we should only take what we need, and preserve for our future generations. The removal of invasive limu is an advantage, because it creates a less stressful environment allowing native limu to re-generate and re-populate.

Limu is one of the main food sources for our native fish. Without limu the life cycle of the oceans ecosystem diminish, and native species as well as many others would die off. It is very important to preserve our limu of Hawaii.

Our second quarter project focused on invertebrates of Mo`omomi. On a return visit we observed invertebrates found along the shoreline and collected specimens such as Sea Cucumbers, Wana, and ‘Opihi. In school we dissected them to observe and study their body parts. Overall this quarter we learned about invertebrate diets, habitats, purposes, and uses.

On a third trip to Mo`omomi we studied fish, so we went diving and saw them in their own habitat. We also observed tide pool fish and gathered some of them to bring back to our classroom aquarium.

We enjoy place-based learning because it allows us to be better involved and engaged in the task at hand. Place based learning allows for hands-on activities providing a more fun learning environment for students, and we learn about our culture and develop Hawaiian skills that our kupuna use. Throughout these trips we learned skills that can help us in our future.

We would like to say mahalo to Mac Poepoe, Mervin Dudoit, and The Hui Malama O Mo’omomi for the transportation and access to the facilities.

Mahalo nui loa no ka ho’olohe ana mai. I na he ninau kau, mai hilahila e noe aku. Mai na Haumana ame na Kumu ‘o ‘O Hina I Ka Malama.

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Eco-Students Ignite Action

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Eco-Students Ignite Action

Nothing breaks up a monotonous school year better than a field trip. In the name of science and sustainability, Aka`ula School makes it their business to provide students with three such trips. Their PRISM program provides “real life application” to environmental issues, inspiring kids to tackle a range of issues from illegal hunting to carrying on Hawaiian sailing traditions.

“Kids this age are always told they can’t – can’t drive, can’t vote,” said Dara Lukonen, coordinator for PRISM. “They have a strong sense of social justice that we need to capitalize [on].”



Another part of the symposium is a keynote speaker – a community member who has done their own work in an environmental field for Molokai. This year Penny Martin spoke about her experience sailing in the Hokule`a, a full-scale replica of a Polynesian voyaging canoe, in 1976. She said she discovered how much the ancient Polynesians and Hawaiians knew about nature – stars, tides, botany – and how it helped them sail from Oceanic islands to the Hawaiian islands over a thousand years ago.

“Everything you need is here,” she explained. “If you take care of the land, it takes care of you.”

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Adult Daycare Moves Forward

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Adult Daycare Moves Forward

After resolving a four-year parking lot issue, the adult daycare program at Home Pumehana has been granted a step forward. The Molokai Planning Commission (MPC) voted unanimously to extend the county special use permit to Hale Mahaolu. Hale Mahaolu is landlord of the Home Pumehana retirement center in Kaunakakai - the facility which would house the program.

Vice-chair Steven Chaikin said the planned facility is a valuable service to the community.

“Obviously [Molokai’s] adult daycare needs are going to continue,” he said.

The application was filed in 2006, but halted when off-site parking could not be appropriately consolidated into the area. The County of Maui resolved the issue, but due to the length of time, the permit was set to expire in July 2016.

Commissioner John Sprinzel suggested extending the permit, starting from this year, to give the permit a full 10 years. MPC agreed and voted to extend the special use permit to July 2020.

Extending Home Pumehana into a daycare requires an additional license, which Judy Mikami of Na Pu`uwai said is still pending. Na Pu`uwai, a community-based health organization, will be staffing the new center.

Students Visit Commission

The seven-student class of Ho`omana Hou School made a visit to the last MPC meeting as a part of their political science curriculum. Each stood before the commission and voiced a concern they had about the community, such as the closing of Maunaloa Elementary and

“It’s great to see you engaged and involved in the process,” Chaikin said. “You are the future of this island.” He also encouraged them to voice their thoughts at the next Molokai Community Plan, a public event every 10 to 20 years.

As one commissioner who became active in Molokai affairs at the same age as these students, Mikiala Pescaia was proud to see them get involved as well.

“I look forward to seeing you one day sitting in this seat,” she said.

Commissioner Resigns

Chaikin also announced that commissioner Teri Waros, owner of Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions, offered her resignation. Waros stated that scheduling conflicts were the reason for her resignation.

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