Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

MHS Team Competes in Esports

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

By Ric Ornellas

Along with math and literacy, Molokai High School (MHS) is developing 21st century competitive skills. Esports!

MHS research shows engaging students in esports and pikakasinotsuomi games can help them build critical thinking skills, encourage teamwork, foster innovation, and promote self-directed learning, all elements of Hawaii DOE’s six general learning objectives (GLOs).

With learning objectives as a focus to bolster core math and literacy skills, DimensionU, a leading educational program used in over 40 U.S. states, was acquired January 2020, through the efforts of MHS Principal, Dr. Katina Soares, and Librarian and Curriculum Coordinator, Diane Mokuau. Math and english language arts (ELA) teachers earlier tested and endorsed the program objectives.…

Youth Affected by Closures

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

While school closures continue, academics aren’t the only aspect of COVID-19 precautions affecting Molokai’s youth.

The Molokai Youth Center, an organization that provides an after-school foundation and school break programs for hundreds of keiki ages 8 to 17, had to close its doors due to its location in a County building — which is closed for 30 days along with other county facilities — and the mandates for no gatherings larger than 10 people.

“When I received the email confirming our building is closed for 30 days, I’ve had quite a few parents contact me,” said Andrea Dudoit, director of the Youth Center.…

Farm-to-School Coordinator for Molokai Sought

Thursday, March 19th, 2020

CTAHR News Release

Through a partnership between the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and the Hawaii State Department of Health, a new position has been created for the island of Molokai. The purpose of this new position will be to provide educational support for farm-to-school activities in Molokai schools.

One of the key responsibilities will be to conduct a community needs assessment and community inventory of farm-to-school programs and activities. Responsibilities may include support for school gardens and agriculture programs, education and youth leadership, and local procurement of food for school cafeterias. Developing relationships and networking locally among educational institutions and food producers, and other food system stakeholders will be an important focus.…

Lantern Ceremony Brings Grieving Families Together

Thursday, November 7th, 2019

Lantern Ceremony Brings Grieving Families Together

The Molokai community gathered last Saturday evening to remember the 20 lives lost 30 years ago when Aloha Island Air flight 1712 crashed in the mountains of east Molokai on Oct. 28, 1989. Family members and friends of the victims released glowing lanterns onto the water at twilight, joining other residents in remembering loved ones they’ve lost at the sixth annual Floating Lantern Ceremony.

“Sometimes in grief, you feel that if you push it away, it will make it easier, but in reality we need to remember their names, remember their faces, remember their lives and the ways that they impacted our lives,” said Barbara Helm of Hospice Hawaii Molokai, one of the event sponsors, along with Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission.…

GET Local Youth Cooking Contest

Sunday, September 9th, 2018

UHCES News Release

The University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service (UHCES) is launching a campaign to promote local growers in the community and encourage healthy eating by holding a GET Local Video Cooking Competition. GET local stands for Grow, Eat, Think Local. All students who are 12 to 18 years old are invited to submit a cooking video that highlights their cooking abilities, uses a local ingredient for their recipe, and includes information on the local farmer.

Prizes for winners include the chance for one recipe to be added to the menu of a top restaurant on Maui, an opportunity to film a live cooking show with a celebrity chef for a local television station, and $100 gift cards for video recording equipment.…

Funds for Student-Led Environmental Solutions

Sunday, September 9th, 2018

Kupu News Release

Molokai students who want to help their schools or communities go green now have a chance to earn funding to back their big ideas. Conservation and education nonprofit Kupu, in partnership with Kokua Hawaii Foundation, is launching its third annual Hawaii Youth Sustainability Challenge mini-grant program, which supports student-led environmental initiatives.

Applications are now open and due Oct. 19. Students in grades 6-12 from public, private, and charter schools statewide are encouraged to apply.

“We are so excited to host another Hawaii Youth Sustainability Challenge mini-grant opportunity,” says Kupu CEO John Leong. “Not only is this a great experience for Hawaii’s next generation of eco-preneurs and eco-engineers, but it’s also a win for the community at large.…

MHS Robotics Takes Lead as Champs

Sunday, September 9th, 2018

MHS Robotics Takes Lead as Champs

Community Contributed

By Coach Edwin Mendija

Molokai High School Robotics competed at and won the 2018 East Oahu VEX Robotics Tournament on Aug. 18. The tournament was hosted by Sacred Hearts Academy and featured the top robotics teams in the State of Hawaii, including this past season’s State Champions.

Team 1037A (Randall Cabreros and Maria Angst) went undefeated throughout the qualification rounds and ended up also sweeping the quarter, semi, and finals rounds with their partners from Pearl City High School to take the first State and National Championship qualifying tournament of the 2018-2019 VEX Robotics season. With their strong performance, they were also given the “Amaze Award,” an award given to a team with an amazing, well-rounded and top-performing robot.…

Pine Lads Football Beat Farmers for 1st Time

Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

Pine Lads Football Beat Farmers for 1st Time

 

The Molokai High School 8-Man Football team had won 15 straight MIL league games and the last three MIL championships going into last Saturday’s game against Lanai at Lanai City. The Pine Lads stopped that streak with a 44-16 win over the Farmers, showing that they will be competitive this year again. Lanai was in the championship game against Molokai last year and this was the first time they have beat Molokai’s football team.

Molokai Head Coach Mike Kahale knew it would be a competitive game.

“We knew going in that Lanai would be a tough match up,” he said.…

Football Opens Season with Win

Thursday, August 16th, 2018

The Molokai Eight-Man football team traveled to Hawaii Island last weekend and got a hard fought 14-8 win over the Pahoa Daggers. The Farmers (1-0) held the Daggers (0-1) to just one TD under the lights at Keeau High School field.

Head Coach Mike Kahale was pleased with his teams play.

“It was a hard fought defensive battle and when Pahoa scored first we needed to keep our composure and stick to the game plan,” he said. “We made some adjustments at half time, but more than anything we just needed the boys to settle in, play their assignments and execute.”…

Little League Honors ‘The Professor’

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

Little League Honors ‘The Professor’

The Molokai Little League is hosting the District III 9-10 Minors tournament at Kaunakakai Ballpark. At the opening ceremonies last Saturday, a Molokai resident was honored for his 59 years of involvement in Little League as coach, umpire, scorekeeper and PA announcer at the local, district and state levels.

Filemon “David” Nanod was given the Little League’s Volunteer Award for his years of dedication. Known as “The Professor” of Molokai Little League Baseball, the 92-year-old is  also a Molokai National Guard veteran.

Many special people were on hand to celebrate and talk about Nanod, including Senator Kalani English, Representative Lynn DeCoite and Councilwoman Stacy Helm Crivello.…