Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Three Molokai legends came to life last Wednesday, Feb. 28, performed by students from the Kualapuu School’s Hawaiian immersion program. The memorable performance of Hana Keaka theater was held at the Molokai Community Health Center.

The kindergarten through sixth graders tested their drama skills in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 300 Molokai community members. The keiki actors performed the stories of the giant Ha’eha’eku, the wise Kuapakaa, and the famous Kaohele.

Kalae Tangonan, a parent volunteer who created the costumes and set design for the performance, explained that Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu`u has been performing Hana Keaka annually for more than 10 years.…

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

This past weekend, the Molokai High School (MHS) Wrestling Team and Coach Randy Manley headed over to Lahainaluna High School for the MIL championship tournament. The Farmers secured multiple podium finishes, with Kayce Dudoit and Angel Kealoha taking first place in their weight classes. Ultimately, eight girls and two boys from MHS qualified for the state tournament. For the girls, Kayce Dudoit, Angel Kealoha, Masin Borden-Phillips, Tiale Tancayo, Skye Caparida, Kendra Kaulili, Kindy Sproat and Stephanie Gandeza earned state tournament berths. For the boys, Jona Dudoit and Reyn Raguidin will be heading to states as well. The state tournament will be held Feb.…

Aka’ula’s Big Night

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Aka’ula’s Big Night

On a windy Saturday night in Kaunakakai, Aka’ula School hosted their Ku Ka Lau Lama fundraiser for the first time since 2019 at the Molokai Community Health Center. Well-dressed students transformed into waiters and entertainers for the night for their families and community supporters as artwork, coolers, crossbows and more were auctioned off to the crowd.

Proceeds from the event went to support the financial aid program for the fifth through 12th grade private school, according to Victoria Newberry, an administrator at the school.

In addition to the general fundraiser, attendees could contribute specific “giving tree” gifts to students. These included art supplies, school materials, ceramics classes, water polo clinics and more.…

Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

With their first season in over 20 years coming to a close, the Molokai High School (MHS) Boys Soccer team took on Kihei Charter. The re-match also coincided with senior day for the boys.

In Friday’s game, Matthew McGuire found the back of the net early, notching a 1-0 lead for Molokai, which they would hold through the second half, securing the first win of the season. The victory was the first for the MHS Boys Soccer team since 1999, according to reports on social media.

In Saturday’s game. Molokai emerged victorious with a final score of 4-1. The game’s scoring action began in the first half with Braeden Cabael-Kaahanui finding the net, giving Molokai an early lead of 1-0.…

Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

For the Scherlings, music is foremost a family affair.

Alena, 19, and Mattayus Scherling, 15, were introduced to violin and cello back in 2017 after their mom saw an ad for free music classes in The Molokai Dispatch.

Now, Alena and Mattayus are the first Molokai kids to be invited to play with the Hawaii Youth Symphony. They will be performing with the youth symphony’s top orchestra, Youth Symphony I, on Feb. 19 at Maui’s Castle Theater.

The Scherlings started their music careers on borrowed instruments at Kaunakakai Elementary School under the tutelage of Bob Underwood. Now, they’ve continued to learn with the Molokai Community Strings Class, and from each other.…

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki festivals for 2024 kicked off on Jan. 24 with the shouldering of the lei-draped Lonomakua banner in Halawa. The Ka’ahele A Lono procession began their four-day journey on foot across Molokai, stopping for community ho’okupu along the way, ending on Sunday at Kaiaka.

The theme of this year’s Makahiki was “Aia i Molokai ku’u aloha,” or “there upon Molokai is my love, my lineage, my connection, my ‘ohana.”

“May we be reminded of the unwavering aloha we have for our island and our ‘ohana, anchoring our aspirations in a steadfast commitment to love and uplift all that is around us,” wrote Ka Molokai Makahiki committee on their Facebook page.…

Basketball Continues Dominance

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Basketball Continues Dominance

Molokai Boys Basketball continued its dominant season with wins against the Lanai Pine Lads. The Farmers defeated Lanai 72-39 on Friday, and 60-40 on Saturday. Top performances came from Jericho Adolpho who dropped 20 points in Friday’s game, and Heath Lopez and Kaizen Umi-Torres-Napolean who put up 18 and 17 points respectively. These victories propelled the Molokai boys to a league best 8-0 record, with convincing wins against Kihei the previous weekend at the Barn.

 

Girls Basketball came into the weekend 6-0 before falling to the Lanai Pine Lasses on Friday. Leila Hooper-Phifer and Kaia Yamashita led the scoring for the Farmers in the 31-42 loss.…

MHS Football Transitions to 11-Player

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

MHS Football Transitions to 11-Player

Molokai High School’s football team is making a historic shift from the eight-player to the 11-player level in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) for the 2024 season. The announcement came during an MIL athletic directors meeting, where Coach Mike Kahale and Athletic Director Lee DeRouin shared their excitement with The Maui News.

DeRouin expressed their enthusiasm, saying, “today is a special day for Molokai; we’re thrilled to play 11-man football in 2024.”

With Molokai joining Kamehameha Maui and King Kekaulike in MIL Division II 11-player ranks, the league now has a total of six teams. Coach Kahale emphasized their long-term goal, stating, “we’re super excited for this opportunity.…

Youth in Aviation

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

Youth in Aviation

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Twelve Molokai youth recently had a chance to begin their journey towards a career in aviation. Molokai’s own Hikili’i Chow, a commercial pilot, led the charge leading a Youth in Aviation program last weekend through the Aloft nonprofit.

“The main goal is to introduce kids to many different aviation jobs,” said Chow. During the three-day camp, kids had flight lessons, met air traffic controllers, firefighters, mechanics, pilots and more.

“When you look at these aviation jobs, not many of them are filled by Molokai people,” explained Chow.

Chow, a 2017 graduate from Molokai High School (MHS), has flown for Lanai Air for four years after a year and a half with Mokulele.…

Robotics on the Rise

Wednesday, November 8th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor

Buoyed by a new, permanent home, the Molokai High School (MHS) robotics team is ready to compete at the highest levels. 

The robotics team had shuffled around locations in recent years before landing at the Vocational Shop and Agriculture Building, Building H. Last year, the club was located in the cafeteria but suffered break-ins and vandalism of equipment. Now, the club has access to work benches, computer stations, and a permanent practice field for robotics competitions. 

“I think with our new space we can do a lot more now. We can leave equipment out and leave our power tools out,” explained Robotics Coach Edwin Mendija. …