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Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Betting on Butterflies

Friday, February 14th, 2014

Betting on Butterflies

Urban development in Hawaii has left native butterflies with dwindling habitat, but on Molokai, butterflies will soon enjoy a buffet in downtown Kaunakakai. A specially-designed garden in front of the Molokai Public Library, created last week through volunteer community efforts, offers butterfly flower favorites, beauty for passersby and an agriculture education for keiki.

“Just like bees, butterflies are important for agriculture because they’re pollinators and a lot of people don’t know that,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture Molokai inspector Chevy Levasa, who spearheaded the project in her free time. “There is a real problem on Oahu and… Maui because humans are building condos and taking over [butterflies’] habitat.…

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Kick-starting Scholarships

Thursday, February 13th, 2014

Kick-starting Scholarships

The Financial Aid Kick-Off event last Friday brought “one-stop shopping” to connect Molokai high school and college students with resources to assist them in pursuing their education. More than 30 different organizations from on- and off-island were represented under one tent at University of Hawaii Maui College, Molokai, according to event organizer Nahiwa Naki, an educational specialist at the campus’ Educational Opportunity Center

“There are a lot of resources out there, and students just need to know where to look,” said Naki. “No matter what school you want to go to, it’s about the path to get there… and we want to get the most resources for our students.”…

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Students Raise Funds for College Tour

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Nineteen of Molokai High School’s (MHS) students have made lofty goals, setting their sights on some the country’s top universities. In a collaborative effort with their parents and educators to form the Molokai College Career Tour Club (MCCTC), they are working to raise $65,000 for a week-long college tour this year and prepare for post-graduation success.

“Our commitment is to our students throughout their high school career,” said Ric Ornellas, co-advisor of MCCTC. “We are committed that by the time they graduate, they are on their way to achieving their career goals, and part of that is preparing them to enter one of the most competitive education institutions in the world.”…

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Playing, Fundraising and Homecoming for MHS Athletics

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Playing, Fundraising and Homecoming for MHS Athletics

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai High boys basketball won the last game of their regular season over St. Anthony, as well as celebrated Farmer Homecoming last Friday. Closing the night at the Barn with a 44-40 score, the team also honored their two seniors, David Rapanot, and Likeke Schonely. The boys will play in the MIL championship this weekend.

In an effort to boost homecoming attendance and raise money for the cash-short Molokai athletics department, stakes were raised for one lucky game attendee to win $10,000 by making a half-court shot. Shirley Rawlins of Rawlins Chevron and David Mikami of Molokai Drugs donated the money, and tickets for the drawing sold for $5.…

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Kualapu`u School 5K Race Series

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Kualapu`u School 5K Race Series

Kualapu`u School News Release

Kualapu`u Charter School announces the first of six 5K fun-raising races to be held this Saturday, Feb. 8.  All interested runners, joggers and walkers are invited to come to Coffees of Hawaii this Saturday to race.  Registration begins at 8 a.m.  Event start time is 8:30 a.m. The $10 adult registration fee will be used to send a team of Kualapu`u School runners to Oahu for the Honolulu 5K for Kids, slated for April 27.  There is no entry fee for students.

The six races in the series will be used as qualifying races for Kualapu`u School’s six member team that competes on Oahu.…

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ArtAloha! Opportunities

Thursday, January 30th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Heather Williams

This February is the start of a new creative year with ArtAloha! in Maunaloa.  I am offering a variety of workshops, classes and art events for adults and children. The first workshop starts on Saturday Feb. 1, Intro to Printmaking using Lino-Cut. You will design, cut, print and create your own original Valentine Cards.

The next workshop Intro to Bookmaking is on Feb. 22, the last Saturday of the month. You will learn how to construct a simple design book. This book may be used for a journal, photo album, sketchbook, appointment keeper, the sky is the limit.…

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I Mua Makahiki

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

I Mua Makahiki

Thousands gathered from Molokai and around the state to perpetuate the traditional season of peace and harvest and test their strength and athletic prowess in Ka Molokai Makahiki. In its 33rd year of revival after observation of the ancient season had dwindled around Hawaii, the three-day event drew record numbers to celebrate both the meaning behind the event and its friendly competition.

“People say, ‘if you want to see the original, go to Molokai,’” said Walter Ritte, one of the event’s organizers. “We’ve kept it low key so it has the cultural essence to it… the feel and spirit of Makahiki is strongest here.”…

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Wrestling Round Robin

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Wrestling Round Robin

Molokai wrestlers rallied up schools for a round robin match last weekend. With home advantage and halfway into their season, the Farmers played other Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) schools including Maui, Lahainaluna, Kamehameha School-Maui, claiming six individual victories over the weekend.

“I think the weekend went well,” said coach Randy Manley. “We had most of the major schools from MILs…and our kids did fairly well.”

Varsity boys wrestlers Michael Corpuz, Kairos Torres-Umi and Iokepa Albino earned first place in their weight class, while Esther Torres-Umi, Barbara Ludgate and Poliahuawaiau Ranis won first for the girls. Second place wrestlers included Alika Kaahanui, Karley Kaulili, Sierra Pico, Rizpah Torres-Umi, and Jasmyn Davis.…

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Girls Basketball MIL Champs

Monday, January 27th, 2014

The Lady Farmers had only one loss under their belt against Lanai when they entering the Maui Interscholastic League Division II Basketball Championship this year. But that didn’t phase them last weekend as they came away with the championship title, sweeping Lanai 65-37. Top scorers were Tiara English with 20 points, Illana Meyer with 17, and Lehiwa Pedro and Hepuakea Falealii both scoring 8.

“I thought the girls made a huge leap during practice and prepared well for the MILs,” said coach Lee DeRouin. “We put a great deal of pressure with our guards did a great job defensively.”

DeRouin said the girls basketball program has had a history of talented athletes.…

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Documentary Featuring Challenges of Molokai High Athletics Airs This Weekend

Friday, January 24th, 2014

Downtown Athletic Club Hawaii News Release

“Going the Distance: The Journey of Molokai and Lanai High Sports,” a new documentary chronicling the unique, harsh challenges faced by students representing Molokai High School or Lanai High School in interscholastic athletics, airs on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. on KGMB and Sunday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. on KHNL. “Going the Distance” was filmed and produced by aio Hawaii and the Downtown Athletic Club Hawaii (DACH) with the broadcast support of Hawaii News Now.

Unlike other high school teams nationwide that simply board buses, every away game or tournament for Molokai and Lanai student-athletes means a bumpy ferry or small plane ride, often departing in the early morning, twelve hours or more before game time.…

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