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.…