Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Murals Memorialize Teacher Retirement

Wednesday, June 29th, 2022

Murals Memorialize Teacher Retirement

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Perry Buchalter started teaching art at Molokai High School 25 years ago and entered into a blank classroom. One of his first projects with his students was to paint a mural. 

“When I began teaching, I walked into my first classroom in B-104 which had tables and chairs and absolutely no art supplies,” Buchalter recalled. “It was such a small classroom and as I hustled to get supplies, I took my class out to paint a mural between S and T wings.”

He wrote grants for art supplies so his students could access quality supplies without paying a fee.…

Cadets Graduate from First-Ever Program

Wednesday, June 29th, 2022

Cadets Graduate from First-Ever Program

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The first ever Molokai Youth Cadets Program graduated 12 cadets last Saturday, after they spent three weeks exploring law enforcement careers, training and learning skills that will serve them the rest of their lives. 

“It was inspiring to hear about discipline, endurance, and fortitude exhibited by the cadets throughout the rigors of the program,” said Molokai Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez.

“Pushing themselves through those challenges strengthened them physically and mentally, and with that, strengthens our community.”

The Maui Police Department says the program, provided at no cost to the students aged 14 to 18, is designed to broaden their understanding of a career in law enforcement.…

‘Ohana Garden and Grindz is Growing

Wednesday, June 29th, 2022

UH CTAHR Molokai Extension News Release

‘Ohana Garden and Grindz is a virtual garden to table program designed for Molokai families by CTAHR-Extension Agents Jennifer Hawkins and Heather Greenwood-Junkermeier. The project has been funded in recent years by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development. Jennifer, Heather and a team of Extension Agents from across the state were just awarded a $350,000 grant from USDA to continue the project on Molokai and expand to Kauai and Hawaii counties! 

‘Ohana Garden and Grindz offers youth and their families a chance to work together to develop their skills in the kitchen and the garden.…

Youth Cadet Leadership Program

Wednesday, June 29th, 2022

It was with great pleasure and a privilege to meet the 12 cadets of this newly developed summer program: the first of its kind on Molokai and in the state of Hawaii. Kudos to Officers Lani Caparida (originator) and Kauanoe Mossman.

The 12 high school cadets were made up of five young women and seven young men between the ages of 14 to 18 who were selected through an application process. The three-week summer program consisted of a well-designed curriculum exposing these young cadets to a para-military style training focusing on law enforcement and first responder professions. When asked what the highlight of their three-week experience, the cadets replied: giving back via community services, inspired me to be a police officer, different types of professions like being a lawyer or a park ranger, the fitness training, exposure to the fire fighters training, being CPR certified.…

Football Camp Brings Talent and Excitement

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022

Football Camp Brings Talent and Excitement

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Touchdown! Molokai youth interested in football have an amazing opportunity to up their game next week. The second Football Skills Camp, brought to the island by Molokai High alum Ry Akana and his Washington State-based company Akana Athletics, is bringing a lineup of top coaches and athletes to kickstart skills and excitement for the sport. 

“The camp is an amazing opportunity for our youth to get feedback from great coaches and former NFL athletes,” said Molokai High Head Football Coach Mike Kahale. “It also will give our high school coaching staff a chance to rub elbows with these coaches and improve our skill set. …

MHS Wins Kaimana Award

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022

HMSA News Release 

For the first time in three years, the Hawaii Medical Service Association celebrated winners of the 17th annual HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program in person at the Hawaii Convention Center. Nine local high schools and 15 exemplary college-bound students were recognized for their achievements and excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship. Molokai High School won a Kaimana Award for the first time.

“Every year, I’m amazed by the wonderful talent we have in our high school communities and, to me, this is one of the most meaningful awards out there because it celebrates the best and most well-rounded kids,” said HMSA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark M.…

PALS Program Gives Free Keiki Meals

Wednesday, June 15th, 2022

Maui County News Release

The County of Maui’s Summer PALS program is providing free meals at sites on Maui and Molokai to make sure that no children in the County of Maui go hungry while school is closed for summer break.
The Summer Food Service Program is a federal program made available to eligible areas to ensure that children receive nutritious meals. All youth 18 years old or younger are eligible to receive a free meal any weekday.

Many children in the County of Maui receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but many of these children do not get enough to eat when school is out.…

MHS Principal’s Honors List

Wednesday, June 15th, 2022

Principal’s Honors List

The Principal’s Honors List are students who have earned Mark Point Averages of 4.000* or above while enrolled in four or more courses, two or more of which are solid courses. For the fourth quarter or the 2021-22 school year, they are:

Grade: 12 Hanaoka-Soares Shaianahlynn 4.50Grade: 11 Akutagawa Tenley 4.50Grade: 12 Grik-Lani Malia Regina 4.33Grade: 11 Kanealii Mele 4.33Grade: 11 Bright Wilhelm Mahealani 4.25Grade: 11 Duvauchelle Olapaholunape 4.25Grade: 11 Kikukawa-Teriong Solomon 4.25Grade: 11 Pereira Kailani 4.25Grade: 11 Yamashita Sage-Marie 4.25Grade: 11 Yamazaki-Gray Kira Kai 4.25Grade: 12 Macalalad Xavier Bayani 4.00Grade: 12 Movick Alyssa 4.00Grade: 12 Ross Namakaokaainaokeauhou 4.00Grade: 12 Solatorio-Kamai Sean-Khol 4.00Grade: 11 Burrows Daisci 4.00Grade: 11 Duvauchelle Emmalee 4.00Grade: 11 Go Meredith 4.00Grade: 11 Poepoe Kahakuhailoa 4.00Grade: 11 Puaa Makaniku’uleopono 4.00Grade: 10 Agcaoili Sheniah Halle 4.00Grade: 10 Alavazo-Quiniones Tiffany 4.00Grade: 10 Busby Li’ula 4.00Grade: 10 Davis Miliopuna 4.00Grade: 10 Duvauchelle Kauahekiliohu 4.00Grade: 10 Han Sonni 4.00Grade: 10 Kanemitsu Aiko 4.00Grade: 10 Ramos Ivan Nestor 4.00Grade: 10 Rogers Jayden 4.00Grade: 10 Satele-Tangonan Zaylynn 4.00Grade: 09 Cockett Rose Marie 4.00Grade: 09 Dizon Yolanda-Ann 4.00Grade: 09 Dunaevskaya Elizaveta 4.00Grade: 09 Hoffman Crystal 4.00Grade: 09 Manaba Chloe 4.00Grade: 09 Pua’a Ara Meiliah 4.00Grade: 09 Raguindin Reyn 4.00

*Note:  Students with a 4.0 enrolled in less than four or more courses, and less than two solid courses are not eligible for principal’s honor roll.…

Maunaloa School Garden Blooms

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

Maunaloa School Garden Blooms

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Since dreaming of a Maunaloa School garden for years and digging their shovels in the ground for the first time in a blessing of the space just over a year ago, the Maunaloa Mala – the school’s garden — is now flourishing. Each class spends time in the garden twice a week, incorporating lessons into hands on learning under the outdoor hale. At a fourth quarter Ho’ike to celebrate their progress in the garden last week, the school community enjoyed lu’au stew made with kalo grown by students, while keiki presented their recent work to ‘ohana and friends. …

Memorial Scholarships Awarded

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

FMHMSF News Release

Two Molokai High School graduates have been awarded $2,000 each and a Da Kine backpack by the Kukui Malamalama Scholarship program in memory of Kekuhaupio Likua.  The scholarship award is administered by the Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools Foundation (FMHMSF).  The Kukui Malamalama Scholarships are funded by local residents that are interested in seeing more of our students continue their education after high school.

This year’s recipients are Steven Arce and Dianthe Kaili.

 Steven plans to attend Hawaii Community College and major in national resource management of our forests ecosystems and agroforestry.

Dianthe Kaili will be attending college to pursue a degree in art.…