Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Scholarships for Senior Art Students

Thursday, March 12th, 2015

Lahaina Arts Association News Release

Lahaina Arts Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is proud to announce its 37th Annual High School Senior Art Competition, Exhibition and Scholarship Awards Program.  Graduating High School seniors from Maui County, including the island of Molokai, are welcome to submit their art for exhibition and consideration in the scholarship competition.  Entries must be postmarked by April 4 or can be dropped off in person Saturday, April 4 or Sunday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Old Jail Gallery (Below the Old Courthouse) in Lahaina under the Banyan Tree.

Each participating High School Senior may submit one entry for each of the five categories — Painting, Drawing, Three-Dimension, Photography, and Mixed Media. …

Six State Medals for Wrestling

Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

Six State Medals for Wrestling

At Hawaii’s state wrestling championships last weekend, 432 wrestlers from nearly 50 schools competed in 780 bouts over the course of two days.

Molokai athletes refused to get lost in the crowd.

Despite the staggering load of state-level competition, six of the 11 Farmer wrestlers who hit the mats emerged with medals, which are earned by finishing in the top six in a weight class. Molokai’s top finisher was runner-up Alexandria Simon, who challenged a world title-winning wrestler in the 132-pound championship final.

“It’s crazy and you know that you’re one of the best in the state just making it there, because you know all the people around you are dedicated to the sport,” said Molokai junior Cendall Manley.…

New Middle School Principal

Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

New Middle School Principal

Dawn Mains assumed the position of new principal of Molokai Middle School at the beginning of this year, and having settled into her new role, gives “thanks every day that Molokai chose me.”

The former vice principal at Lahaina’s King Kamehameha III Elementary School said she first visited Molokai three years ago during a leadership development camp for school administrators and felt a special connection to the island.

“I just put it on my heart that I think I’d like to live there one day,” she said. “I prayed about it, put it out to the universe.”

When former MMS Principal Gary Davidson decided to take a job with an educational support business at the end of last year, Mains jumped at the opportunity to fill the opening.…

Wrestlers Pin Down 13 MIL Medals

Thursday, March 5th, 2015

Wrestlers Pin Down 13 MIL Medals

One of the smaller schools in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) grabbed a big part of the spotlight at last weekend’s MIL championships. Molokai High School wrestlers snapped up 13 medals for finishing within the top three in their weight classes. Of those, 10 finished within the top two and will be going to the state championships this Friday.

Molokai’s girls’ team took second and the boys came in third. The Farmers produced three champions: Kailaoe Cabanting (119), Saydee Makaiwi (129) and Alexandria Simon (134).

“Our conditioning is really good,” said freshman Caele Manley (115), who came in second and qualified for states.…

Rejuvenating Hawaiian Reading

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

Rejuvenating Hawaiian Reading

Two new Hawaiian language books written by Molokai’s Kumu `Opu`ulani Albino were celebrated at a book signing last Wednesday at the Molokai Public Library. The books fill what Hawaiian immersion teachers at Kualapu`u School identified as a gap in reading material for their students, and are quickly gaining popularity with teachers of `Olelo Hawaii around the state.

“This little school in the middle of the boonies is beginning to put something out there that there’s a need for,” said Kamalu Poepoe, who edited the books.

“Ka Wena”, illustrated by Molokai artist Brandon Hirashima, is filled with little vignettes of Hawaiian culture in the present-day, as seen through the eyes of a lively group of keiki characters.…

Students Set Sights on International Fair

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Students Set Sights on International Fair

At Molokai High, young scientists are doing groundbreaking studies to solve problems in their own backyards.

One group of students is turning invasive seaweed on the island into a profitable resource. Another is researching the destructive effect mangroves will have on Molokai’s coastline, finding that the trees have invaded over 60 percent of the island’s fishponds. These two projects won top honors at the Maui County Science Fair, and were chosen to represent Molokai and Maui County at the international level competition this spring.

“March of the Mangroves,” by Lily and Sarah Jenkins and “Investigating Agar Extraction” by MHS classmates Alexandria Simon, Amber Afelin and Kea`aokahonua Davis earned first and second place respectively at the county event on Feb.…

Return to Youth in Kalaupapa

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

They were waiting for me in the clearing at the foot of the Kalaupapa trail when I drove up in my Paddy Wagon. It had taken these young people and their adult adviser a casual hour and a half to hike from topside Molokai to Kalaupapa. It was obvious that this quintet of teens and their adviser, Mr. Edgar Alvarez, from St. Damien Parish in Kaunakakai were excited about their visit to our unique settlement, the land of Saints Damien and Marianne.

Shortly thereafter back at the parish house, I learned that a couple of the girls were members of the Farmers’ Basketball team who represented Molokai High School so honorably on the court in recent weeks.…

Stand Up World Tour at Turtle Bay

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Clare Seeger Mawae

The opening of the Stand Up World Tour for 2015 was the Turtle Bay Women’s Pro along with the Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge leading to the main event, the Sunset Pro at Sunset Beach. Alex Mawae from Molokai had the experience of his young life with challenging conditions, big surf and being around kids who just ripped in the surf. The World Tour has always had the Na Kama Kai events added in for young and upcoming paddlers to attend. This year at Turtle Bay, the youth outnumbered the women with 20 youth competitors.…

Preventing Child Sex Abuse

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Consuelo Foundation Molokai News Release

One out of four girls, and one out of five boys are sexually abused.  Research suggests primary prevention education can increase your child’s ability to self-protect, report, and seek help..

In partnership with the Hawaii Sexual Abuse Treatment Center (SATC), Consuelo Foundation’s Molokai Child Abuse Prevention Pathway (MCAPP) currently offers a series of lessons at a few Molokai schools on personal safety, respecting boundaries, recognizing unsafe situations and getting help.

Call us at 660-2619 for more information about primary prevention education for your child.…

Tournament Brings MIL’s Best to The Barn

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

Tournament Brings MIL’s Best to The Barn

For the first time in school history, Molokai hosted the boys’ Division II basketball Maui Interscholastic League Championships from Feb. 18-20, and with it, came the Farmers’ final shot at the state championships. Five teams competed in The Barn, with Seabury Hall claiming the league title and a berth at states.

In the opening game on Feb. 18, Molokai kicked off the tournament with a resounding 58-48 win over Hana.

After being down for most of the first quarter against the Dragons, Molokai pulled ahead on sophomore guard Michael Sterner’s three three-pointers. All of the Farmers were shooting well, and Molokai led 28-21 at the half.…