Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

First Book-Molokai Shares Magic of Books

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

First Book-Molokai Shares Magic of Books

First Book-Molokai News Release

First Book-Molokai has awarded book grants to All God’s Children Preschool, Maunaloa Elementary School, Kaunakakai Elementary School Fourth and Fifth Grade Classes, and Aka`ula School.  First Book-Molokai provides new, high quality books to children to start their own home libraries.  They also receive bookplates on which to place their names celebrating the importance of book ownership.

The $5,000 book grant we received from the Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc. has enabled our program to give thousands of enticing new books to the children we serve on an ongoing basis.  The Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc. provides needed funding for Hawaii’s nonprofit organizations that benefit women, children, youth, and needy programs. …

Grassroots Benefit Keiki Design Contest

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

2014 Grassroots Benefit Committee News Release

A Second Annual Grassroots Benefit event will be held on Saturday, July 5 at the Kaunakakai Ballpark. This family oriented, educational, community event raises funds for the Ho`ola Hou Community-Based scholarship  — 100 percent of ticket proceeds are donated to the fund. The event also promotes local, organic farmers, and emphasizes healthy environment, lifestyle, food, and families – from keiki to kupuna.  This year’s theme is Aloha `Aina.

The purpose of the 2014 Grassroots Benefit – Keiki Design Contest is to inspire keiki to express and demonstrate an understanding of the Hawaiian concept “Aloha `Aina” through art, and to establish a theme design for the 2014 Grassroots Benefit event.…

Student Leaders Take Senator on Campus Tour

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Student Leaders Take Senator on Campus Tour

Molokai Middle School Press Release

Molokai Middle School (MMS) students showcased their school with pride to an unlikely visitor last month. Sen. Mazie Hirono took a one-hour tour led by the MMS Student Council. Hirono’s initial interest in the school’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and Garden Bed programs got her attention and prompted her visit.

Noteworthy programs offered by teachers and partnerships with the Molokai community all played an important role.  Highlights of Hirono’s visit included a tour of the school’s Vegetable Garden Beds, Activities and Assemblies Program (a clothes drive to aide the victims of the Philippines), O’ Hina I Ka Malama Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (Mo`omomi Project), STEM (VEX Robotics), The Girl’s Bridge Team, History Club, Media Broadcast Wheel, Restored Greenhouse, and the newly constructed Halau that sits mauka of the school.…

Monsanto’s Science Education Fund

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Monsanto Fund News Release

Molokai High School was among 14 Hawaii public schools and educational organizations recently awarded more than $12,000 in grants from the Monsanto Hawaii Science Education Fund. The program was established by The Monsanto Fund to support science education in Hawaii’s public schools.

Funds went to support a variety of programs at the schools including robotics, renewable energy projects, a watershed service learning fieldtrip, composting project, and equipment and supplies for chemistry and science classes.

Monsanto’s grant program is available on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai where Monsanto employees live and work. Public schools serving students in intermediate grades through college for educational purposes related to science are encouraged to apply for Monsanto Hawaii Science Education Fund grants.…

Excused or Unexcused is Not the Issue

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Laura Peterson, Molokai Resource Teacher

You may be hearing more about the importance of consistent attendance in school these days.  Attendance in school is critical for keeping up with academics that are increasingly rigorous.

Many schools are taking research-proven steps to reach out to students who are absent.  An example of this would be a short face-to-face conference with a student upon return.  Another would be an offer to help students catch up on missed work, or a peer-to-peer tutoring program where a buddy is assigned to help the student catch up.  A home visit by school personnel or the school social worker is important if the concern needs to be personally delivered to the home.…

Girls Basketball Enjoy Undefeated Season

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Girls Basketball Enjoy Undefeated Season

With an undefeated Maui interscholastic League (MIL)Division II record this season, the Lady Farmers took to their home court last weekend, looking to add another win under their belts against Hana. Today, they sit at a record of 8-0 after their final scores of 46-11 Friday night and 37-22 on Saturday.

“They are the only [Division II] team in the MILs [this year] with that record,” said Hoku Haliniak, Molokai High School (MHS) Athletic Director.

Girls basketball coach Lee DeRouin said Molokai has a history of strong athletes and a good basketball program and praised the team’s defensive skill—getting turnovers, transition points and easy baskets.…

Boys Basketball: Molokai vs. Seabury

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Boys Basketball: Molokai vs. Seabury

Molokai High School Sophomore Kaimana Kahale moves the ball down the court during the season opener of boys basketball last Friday night against Seabury. The Barn shook as the crowd roared and stamped with excitement during their first game of two last weekend.

The Farmers came close to take to take the lead, however Seabury pulled ahead at the final buzzer with a score of 59 to 51. High scorers of the night were sophomore Jordan Boswell making 8 points and senior David Rapanot sinking 23.

“We did well, but there are a lot of things we need to improve on…[like] passing,” said Molokai coach Carl Adolpho Jr.…

Keeping the Lead

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Keeping the Lead

MHS Girls Paddle First in MIL Race

The Molokai girls varsity paddlers took their first Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) victory of the season last month. The crew  — consisted of Kelsie Tanabe-Espiritu, Heather Place, Oli’i Hernandez, Waipuna Paleka, Chelsea Pua’a and Hi’ilani Kanuha –who crossed the half-mile finish line at 4 minutes, 44.25 seconds. King Kekaulike placed a close second at 4:45.79 and Seabury third at 4:50.38.

“We’re standing a hair ahead everyone [in the league],” said coach Tania Kaholoa`a. “These girls have been together for a few years…now is their time.”

Molokai placed second in their first race of the season earlier in December at Ka Lae Pohaku.…

Gift of Dictionaries

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Gift of Dictionaries

Community Contributed

By Alison Place

Rotary Clubs and other civic groups throughout the nation donate the funds to provide dictionaries to third graders in their respective cities. Aptly called The Dictionary Project, the goal of the program is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary, according to the project’s website.

More than 130 Molokai third graders were the recipients of this gift from the Kihei Rotary Club. You can check here for the best Personalized Gifts For Him and get custom gift ideas to make the recipients feel special.On…

Students Learn Computer Code

Monday, December 16th, 2013

MEDB News Release

STEMworks™ students across the state are learning to write computer code as part of a nationwide campaign embraced by President Obama and featuring free tutorials designed to get students interested in computer science. Molokai Middle and High schools are two of 13 schools participating statewide.

The Hour of Code is an initiative developed by Code.org to spark interest among young people across the U.S. and help address the increasing demand for computer programmers in many fields.

According to Code.org, the number of computer programming jobs is growing at a rate twice the national average of computer science students.…