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Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Molokai’s Miss Congeniality

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

Molokai’s Miss Congeniality

This year’s Miss Hawaii Rodeo, Cheyanne Keliihoomalu, made history as the first contestant from Molokai to compete in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant earlier this month. She came home with what she called “an amazingly fun experience” and an award – being named Miss Congeniality, bringing with it a $1000 scholarship.

“It was a very tough week and so far out of my comfort zone,” wrote Keliihoomalu in a letter to the Dispatch. “However, it was an amazingly fun experience and I got to experience it with a phenomenal group of women from all over the country, who I can now call my friends.”…

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Ingenuity on Display in Holiday Expo

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

Ingenuity on Display in Holiday Expo

Trix cereal treats, ceramic fish and studies on legumes in soil—all of it came from the minds and hands of Molokai High students at the school’s Holiday Exhibition last Wednesday. A collaboration between the Fine Arts department and Career and Technical Education (CTE), the exhibition gave the public a glimpse of the projects students are creating to meet needs and solve real-life problems on Molokai.

As part of hypothetical businesses created in class, students offered samples of food, haircut services, jewelry and other products to potential customers passing through the exhibition in the school’s cafeteria. Aliana Eustaquio and Ida Pongmulee invented a business called Molokai Upcycling, taking used clothes and transforming them into newly designed jean shorts, skirts and bow ties.…

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Winter Sports Preview, Part 2

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

Winter Sports Preview, Part 2

Although the weather is turning colder, the Molokai winter sport athletes are just getting warmed up. With the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) winter season approaching, Molokai High’s teams are training to compete in basketball, paddling, swimming and wrestling. In the second of a two-part series, the Dispatch takes a look at these teams as they prepare to make their mark in the MIL.

Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball

The spotlight will be on Molokai basketball within the league this season. In February, the school will host the MIL Division II boys’ basketball tournament. Meanwhile, the girls will seek their third league title in a row and a place at the state championships.…

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Winter Sports Preview, Part 1

Wednesday, December 10th, 2014

Although the weather is turning colder, the Molokai winter sport athletes are just getting warmed up. With the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) winter season approaching, Molokai High’s teams are training to compete in basketball, paddling, swimming and wrestling. In a two-part series, the Dispatch takes a look at these teams as they prepare to make their mark in the MIL.

Wrestling

This season, the boys’ and girls’ teams have 19 wrestlers apiece. The girls’ roster is rife with experience, with 11 returning wrestlers, while the boys’ team welcomes a relatively young squad that includes seven returning wrestlers and six freshmen.

“The number of returning girls makes us strong ‘cause we’ve got some experience to work with,” said Coach Randy Manley, who added that this year’s squad is the biggest girls’ team he’s ever seen from the school.…

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Running the Rainbow

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

Running the Rainbow

Covered in powdery colors of the rainbow, more than 300 participants of all ages laughed their way through the five-kilometer Turkey Rainbow Run/Walk at Kualapu`u School last Saturday morning. Participants of the first-ever Rainbow Run let out a cheer and filled the air with a palette of powders as the event kicked off, while a natural bow arched fittingly overhead.

“I’ve never seen this many people run a 5K race and be happy about it!” said Marshall Joy, a Kualapu`u School teacher. “It’s great to see all the smiles.”

Ty McComas, Registered Nurse at Na Pu`uwai, helped spearhead the event with the assistance of fellow Na Pu`uwai staff member Komela Horner.…

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Ho`olaule`a Keeps it Cool

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

Ho`olaule`a Keeps it Cool

Parents, faculty and community members of Kaunakakai Elementary worked hard last Saturday to raise money to keep students cool in their classrooms. Proceeds from the event will go toward school-related needs, including air conditioning, according to Jenn Whitted, the school’s Parent Community Network Center Facilitator. The hvac’s main line may also need to be inspected and repaired by hvac repair main line experts. For those seeking reliable assistance, a helpful site like https://bmheatingandcooling.com/ can provide trusted HVAC services. To maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home, contact New Furnace Gloversville New York, for assistance.

If you’re considering an HVAC upgrade, professionals at RC Air Conditioning provide precise installation and lasting performance.…

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School Ho`olaulea

Thursday, November 20th, 2014

Kaunakakai School News Release

Kaunakakai Elementary School invites the community to its 2014 Ho`olaulea on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 4 to 10 p.m. on the school’s front lawn. Support Kaunakakai Elementary by purchasing some ono grindz, plants/produce, student work, participating in the game booths, or making a bid on one of the more than 50 silent auction items!

Enjoy some of your favorite local entertainers such as Moana’s Hula Halau, Mo Bettah Band, Bob Underwood and Friends, Tutu and Me Keiki, and many more. Lucky number drawings will be taking place all night long so stop by and make a donation for your chance to get in on the fun!…

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Students Learn Hands-on at Future Fest

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

Students Learn Hands-on at Future Fest

Normally, high school students operating backhoes on the school’s front lawn would be cause for alarm. However, last Wednesday it was all part of Molokai High School’s Future Fest, a day-long sampling of potential colleges and careers for MHS students.

According to Lisa Takata, representatives from over 12 colleges and universities from both Hawaii and the mainland attended the Fest, answering students’ questions on everything from possible majors to athletic scholarships.

“Most of them talked about what they need to do to come to school,” said Tammy Fonoimoana, a financial aid counselor at Brigham Young University-Hawaii.  “… A lot of questions about sports.…

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Two days in Manhattan, with Molokai

Friday, November 14th, 2014

Two days in Manhattan, with Molokai

Community Contributed

By Simon Mendes

Sunday, Oct. 5 was a day that had been on my mind since returning to the Big Apple after living on Molokai for a year. It was the day I would get to reunite with Molokai, when a group of 10th and 11th grade students and four wonderful chaperons visited New York City. When I first laid eyes on the students, I was shocked at how well they fit in, they had so flawlessly adapted to urban fashion—tight jeans, fancy shoes—they looked like New Yorkers yet! While walking around with the students, I started asking them if they noticed any similarities between Molokai and Manhattan.…

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Strong Start for MMS Robotics  

Friday, November 14th, 2014

Strong Start for MMS Robotics  

MMS Robotics News Release

The 2014-2015 VEX IQ Robotics season has begun successfully with two regular season tournaments for Molokai Middle School (MMS) Robotics.

The first tournament was the 2014 VIV aio Maui Fair VEX IQ Tournament held on Oct. 4 at Baldwin High.  Ten teams from Maui County competed in the VEX IQ division, including both 434M and 434K teams from Molokai.  Team 434M Menehune Farmers won the Team Excellence Award and Trophy and qualified for states.  Team 434M members were Kaitlin DeRouin, Kodie Place, and Makani Davis.

The second tournament was the 2014 aio Hawaii VEX IQ Qualifying Tournament on Nov.…

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