Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Inspiring Eco-Champions

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021

Inspiring Eco-Champions

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Over the last year, students from Kualapu’u and Kaunakakai schools in grades four through six showcased coastal ecosystems, climate change, stewardship suggestions and a strong sense of place through digital storytelling. Participating in a program called Champions of Coastal Resilience (CCR), the students learned virtually about Molokai’s coastline areas, creating short video snapshots of a place that’s important to them and their ‘ohana. CCR was funded as part of the 21st Century afterschool program and since COVID, students worked independently to produce their educational videos. Last week, families, students and supporters of the program gathered for the first in-person CCR Film Festival held at Lanikeha to view the students’ work, which was also livestreamed on Zoom. …

Volleyball Competes at States

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

Volleyball Competes at States

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The girls of the Molokai High Volleyball team are walking away from the season with their heads held high. They made it to the state level and won two games, bringing them the title of Consolation Champs and seventh in the state. 

“We worked hard day in and day out in hopes of making a name for ourselves,” said senior player Lia-Chae Meyer. “Our hard work paid off and we made it to states, now it was time for us to step up our game and give it all we had. As a senior, this is an unexplainable feeling, being a kid from a small island making it to the big dance was amazing.…

Girls Soccer Makes a Goal

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

Girls Soccer Makes a Goal

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

After 10 years, Girls Soccer is back as an official sport at Molokai High School, and the team has their first and only games of the season against Seabury Hall on Maui Dec. 17-18. Head Coach Matt Yamashita said bringing back the program has been a goal years in the making. 

This year’s team has 18 players who will be competing at the junior varsity level, with the plan to play as varsity next year, according to Yamashita. 

“It took many years of building up the program from AYSO [American Youth Soccer Organization], to Molokai Middle School after school programs, to hybrid MHS programs and summer workshops,” said Yamashita.…

Girls Volleyball Heads to States

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

After playing four matches in four days on Maui last weekend at the Maui Interscholastic League Division II Championships, the Molokai High Girls Volleyball team earned their place at the State Championships this week. 

The third-seeded Lady Farmers started the MIL tournament with a three-set win over number six St. Anthony, winning 25-20, 25-7 and 25-6. They then had to face the number two seed Hana Dragons in the semi-finals and won in four sets 25-15, 25-21, 20-25 and 25-7. That set up a chance to win the tournament on Friday night against MIL DII GVB powerhouse and number one seed, Seabury Hall.…

MMS Honor Roll

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

1st Quarter Principal‘s List

7th Grade

Jazlyn Boswell, Ayden-Chevy Dudoit, Puakea’laha’ole Gamiao, William-Wyeth Len-Wai, Hokuanokamalama Lima-Maioho, Riley Nakayama, Jessa Marie Ramos, Jhaeziree Rillon, Eshen Jayze Rosqueta

8th Grade

Cheyah-Raylia Joao, Logan Oshiro, Mark Angelo Ragonton

 

1st Quarter Honor Roll

7th Grade

Kayson-Blaine Bettencourt-Borden, Luka Emhof, Kaizen Len Wai-McGuire, Hine Naki, Leila Pereira, Braeden Cabael-Kaahanui, Liliana Cuello, Brennan DeMello, Laule’a Kalima-Ledesma, Yesmine Kiroloss, Keawaiki Madela, Kai Padilla Silva, Kindy Sproat, Tiale Tancayo

8th Grade

Tyra Coelho-Kelekolio, Reilly Fukuoka, Maya Ignacio, Kendra Kaulili, La’ikū Landford, Timika McLaurin, Tamara Kai Yamazaki-Gray, Kally Adachi, Hiram Kahele III, Dream Kekoa, Papulo LaVoie, Kilohana Meyer, Kaleiola Paleka, Lyric Sumang, SyLee Rose Traxler…

Running in the Rain at States

Wednesday, December 8th, 2021

Running in the Rain at States

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

The Molokai Cross Country team traveled to Waimea, Hawaii last Saturday for the HHSAA Cross Country State Championships. All five Molokai runners qualified for states this year and were excited to represent their island. Head coaches Kabbie Bicoy-Juario and Mahina Hou Ross had their runners in top shape and ready to run but did not expect the weather to be a major factor this year. Non-stop rain greeted all the runners and made for a unique cross-country race to say the least. Considering the impact of weather conditions on the track, it might be worthwhile to explore options for running track resurfacing near me to ensure optimal conditions for future events.…

All Runners, One Shooter Qualify for States

Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

All Runners, One Shooter Qualify for States

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

All Molokai runners of the MHS Cross Country team will advance to States after top results in last weekend’s Maui Interscholastic Championships at Baldwin High. Namakaokaaina Ross brought home third place at the championship run with a time of 18:52.7, while on the women’s side, Kailani Bicoy placed sixth with 24:20.1. Jericho Adolpho came in 13th followed by Johnson Harris in 32nd place, and Tenley Akutagawa came in 38th in the women’s race. 

“Wow, what a race, season just not over yet for the Girls XC team,” said Girls Cross Country Coach Kabbie Bicoy-Juario, adding sophomores Bicoy and Akutagawa both ran their fastest times of the season.…

Seumalo Makes MHS Football History

Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

Seumalo Makes MHS Football History

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter 

Molokai High School graduate Vaai “Uso” Seumalo is on a mission. Last week Seumalo verbally committed to Kansas State University, accepting a football scholarship to the school, where he plans to finish his associate degree in the spring. Since graduating from MHS in 2020, he’s been at Garden City Community College in Kansas. However, the 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive lineman has been on the radar for Kansas State since he arrived in the state. 

He’ll be the first ever NCAA Division I scholarship football player from Molokai High’s football program.

Seumalo is very humbled by his trail-blazing journey and the road is just getting better and better. …

Girls Volleyball Gets Home Wins

Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

Girls Volleyball Gets Home Wins

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter 

The Molokai Lady Farmers Girls Volleyball team hosted the Lanai Pine Lasses last Friday and Saturday at The Barn. Spectators were allowed in for the first time in almost 22 months and The Barn was rocking again!

Molokai got the sweep to finish the season at 7-3 and will be the third seed in next week’s Maui Interscholastic League Division II Girls Volleyball Championships. Friday was senior night for Molokai’s two seniors Lia-Chae Meyer and Jordyn McCutcheon and the Lady Farmers got the win in three sets, 25-11, 25-13 and 25-21.

On Saturday the Lady Farmers again won in three sets 25-8, 25-14 and 25-16.…

Teams Prep for Season Finals

Wednesday, November 24th, 2021

Teams Prep for Season Finals

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Molokai athletes had the weekend off last week but this weekend is going to be exciting.

The Lady Farmers Girls Volleyball team (5-3) will host Lanai (4-4) on Nov. 26-27 at The Barn to finish the Maui Interscholastic League  regular season. Friday night’s game will be aired live on Akaku Molokai at 7p.m. and will also be senior night for Molokai’s two seniors, Lia-Chae Meyer and Jordyn McCutcheon. Head Coach Mahea Rawlins has her team ready for a big weekend against the Pine Lasses with the MIL Division II Girls Volleyball tournament starting on Dec. 1 at Maui Prep.…