Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Pursuing Careers in Healthcare

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

By Daylen Casino, former HOSA club president and student recruiter

“Through HOSA, I got connected with and trained by health professionals at the Molokai General Hospital, gained hours of health-related community service, met fellow health-pursuing students, and most surprisingly had fun while achieving all of this,” said Misty Parker, who graduated from Molokai High School in 2016 and spoke as a former member of the MHS HOSA – Future Health Professionals Club.

Established in 2005, the MHS HOSA has created opportunities for students who are interested in the health field, and for those who want to explore their career options. Students who are interested in health field can also look into  LAC Healthcare Solutions, a leading healthcare business solution firm.…

Schools Back in Session, Amid Last Minute Changes

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Schools Back in Session, Amid Last Minute Changes

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Monday brought a return to school for some campuses on Molokai under various blended learning models, while two schools, Kaunakakai Elementary and Molokai High, announced over the weekend they will implement 100 percent virtual learning for the first several weeks.

Two weeks ago, the Dept. of Education announced Oahu schools would start the year with four weeks of distance learning, due to continued a rise in COVID-19 cases. Last week, a second announcement extended distance learning to all schools in the state, except those on Molokai and Hana.

“The decision to move ahead with Molokai’s reopening plans was community-driven,” said Nanea Kalani, a spokesperson for the DOE, explaining why Molokai schools were among the only in the state to return to campus on Aug.…

MHS HOSA Club Seeks New Members

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

MHS HOSA Club Seeks New Members

By Daylen Casino, former HOSA club president and recruiter

Established in 2005, the Molokai High School HOSA — Future Health Professionals Club — has created opportunities for students who are interested in the health field, and for those who want to explore their career options.

Last year, the club consisted of 14 members, the majority being seniors. With school just around the corner, the recruiters of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) hope to encourage more students to join, even if they’re unsure or sure of what career they plan to pursue. We believe that every student deserves to have opportunities, even through times like these, where they’re limited.…

WiFi, Services for Molokai Undergrads

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020

Maui Media Lab News Release

We will be making Maui Media Lab’s East End production facilities just down the road from Keawanui fishpond available for one cohort of undergrads on the East End of Molokai that won’t be able to travel to colleges and universities on the mainland this upcoming semester.

All classes and workshops will be held outside on our deck and in our gardens, picnic style, and with socially distanced cohorts. Our wireless network will be made available to undergrads that need network access to connect to their remote classes. We will also provide access to our laser and inkjet printers as well as our mobile multi-track audio recording and digital video production facilities as requested, all properly socially distanced.…

More Restrictions to Come If Cases Keep Rising

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

With COVID-19 cases soaring in the triple digits statewide, school opening has been delayed, tight restrictions are again being placed on gatherings, and officials warn if case numbers don’t get under control soon, further drastic steps may need to be taken again to curb the virus’ spread.

Last Friday, July 31, marked the third day in a row of more than 100 cases in the state. Last weekend saw lower numbers but health officials say those lags likely represented delays in lab reporting resulting in incomplete data. July 30’s 124 cases included 32 pediatric cases in children ages 18 and under, while 18 of the 123 new cases reported for July 31 were children (individual ages not reported).…

Molokai Summer Mobile Learning Hub

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020

Molokai Summer Mobile Learning Hub

By Ric Ornellas

The Molokai Summer Learning Hub, a novel way to educate Molokai youth in Kindergarten through grade 12, completed its island-wide cycle in mid-July. The Learning Hub, a pilot for possible future distance learning in rural communities, was funded directly from the Hawaii Board of Education (BOE), created by the Department of Education (DOE) and Molokai public school principals, and managed overall by Alison Place, Complex Specialist. The Hub traveled weekly, in a DOE-provided van, to four school sites, Kilohana Elementary, Kaunakakai Elementary, Molokai High School, and Maunaloa Elementary meeting with principal- or teacher-recommended elementary-, middle-, and high-school students to provide opportunities for learning that the current COVID-19 pandemic might have prevented.…

Flourish Where You’re Planted

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020

By Desirae Mendija

Flourish Where You’re Planted is a new initiative I established through my reign as Mrs. Friendly Isle 2020. The goal of this initiative is to encourage Molokai youth to make the most of their unique talents and chase their dreams no matter how far-fetched it may seem. What better way to do so than to feature past and present community members on the island of Molokai who overcame adversity or defied all odds and made a difference.

Can you think of someone who inspires you or whose story deserves recognition? Nominate a community member today! We will be working with middle through high-school aged students throughout the island to conduct community member spotlight interviews.…

First-Ever Online Robotics Class on Molokai

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

First-Ever Online Robotics Class on Molokai

By Edwin Mendija

During this challenging time of distance/online learning, a group of 10 Molokai students completed the first-ever online robotics class hosted on Molokai. The pilot program took place over the course of six weeks, where students attended class via Zoom and did assignments emailed to them. In the class, students learned about STEM, robotics, how those two subjects are related, and basic coding/programming of a virtual robot. The class directly ties into and prepares students for VEX IQ Robotics Competition — which every elementary and middle school on-island participates in.

The next offering of this course is set to take place in the months of June and July.…

Pastrana Will Play College Softball

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

Pastrana Will Play College Softball

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

On Molokai, many grow up living the baseball life and Felicity “Wehi” Pastrana has excelled at softball and baseball since she can remember.
“I cannot remember a time, where I was not at a baseball park. I practically grew up or lived at the Little League Park,” she said. “My brother started playing Little League at the age of 5, the year I turned 1, and ever since then I was always at the park.”

With the current COVID-19 times, spring sports were cancelled, and the Lady Farmers Softball season was not to be but Pastrana will continue her softball career at the college level at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Oregon in the fall.…

Middle School Wins Big at State Level

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

Middle School Wins Big at State Level

MMS Media News Release

Congratulations to Molokai Middle School Media and Leadership and eighth grade English Language Arts (ELA) students. Students won first place and were the top three finalists for five categories among 900 entries at the 17th Annual Olelo Youth Xchange Video Contest. The contest is the only Statewide Video Competition and showcases Student Voice from K-12 public and private schools. Congratulations to the following students:

1. Documentary: Kailana Guerrero-McGuire & Carly Dudoit – “Grief”
2. Short Film: Kuulei Simon, Leilei Starkey-Ahyee & Keahi DeCosta – “Eo Molokai”
3. Sponsor: Kalawaia Puaa-Kanawalewale, Heath Lopez & Kahekili Cuello – “808 No Vape”
4.…