Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Schools Harvest for Health

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013

Schools Harvest for Health

A national program is planting seeds for growing healthier youth and nutritional cafeteria lunches on Molokai one school at a time.

FoodCorps, a nonprofit program newly introduced to the island last month, works to address childhood obesity in underserved areas. FoodCorps partners with the AmeriCorps service network and currently operates in 15 states, According to a Kohala Center press release, an academic institute for environmental science research and education as well as the and host site for Hawaii’s FoodCorps Program. Hawaii, California and New Jersey were added to their 2013-2014 service plan.

Out of 1,000 applicants from around the country, eight youths were selected to serve Hawaii’s public and charter schools, according to Nancy Redfeather, program director of the Hawaii Island School Garden Network (HISGN) and host site supervisor of FoodCorps Hawaii.…

Aka`ula Art Show

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013

Aka`ula Art Show

Friends, family, community, students and staff of Aka`ula School gathered last Friday evening to celebrate art as the sun set over Kalae`s cool hills. The annual event, held for the past seven years at the home of Bronwyn and Rikki Cooke, featured a lively display of student work as well as pieces donated by Aka`ula staff and board members and local artists — all on sale to support the school.

Dara Lukonen, teacher and head of school, said the show represents the work of about two dozen of the school’s 35 students in grades five through 12. This year’s theme was sand art, guided by art teacher Paul Riel.…

Molokai Youth Take a Stand on Suicide Prevention

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013

Molokai Youth Take a Stand on Suicide Prevention

HCCI and MCHC News Release

Hawaii’s Caring Communities Initiative (HCCI) is a statewide program focused on engaging youth leaders in suicide prevention awareness activities. HCCI is working with youth in six communities across the state of Hawaii and has also partnered with Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) and Molokai General Hospital (MGH).

The goal of this project is to empower the youth with knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in their community. We are proud to say we have a substantial number of Molokai youth that has been recruited to become advocates for suicide prevention. They are Momi Afelin, Noah Archulcto, Xrystina Bicoy, Hanalei Dudoit-Enos, Ekolu Greenleaf, Pauole Kaulia-Delacruz, Cody Kawano, Conan Kawano, Jayden Liu, Giesha Nunez, Misty Parker, Paul Parker, Genesis Querubin, Lace Reyes, Alexandria Simon and Michaella Tancayo.…

Fire Demo Teaches Safety

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

Fire Demo Teaches Safety

Sirens rang, cars were cut apart in a simulated rescue, a helicopter circled and landed, and flames lept from the Kaunakakai Ball Park last Saturday. The Maui County Fire Department held a live demonstration to teach Molokai families how to prevent and react if fires were to occur in their homes.

Seventeen of Molokai’s firefighters put on their first fire prevention demonstration since 2007 as part of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Prevention Week celebrated in October. The week commemorates the 1871 Chicago fire, which killed hundreds and destroyed thousands of buildings.

Since then, national fire prevention has been a primary health concern, and after being observed for more than 80 years, Fire Prevention Week is considered to be the longest running public safety program on record, according to NFPA.…

MHS vs Hana 42-0

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

MHS vs Hana 42-0

Molokai High School (MHS) senior David Rapanot (left) carries the ball at the end of the second quarter against Hana High School Saturday, Sept. 21 on Molokai. The game was the MHS football team’s first of the season with a sweeping final score of 42-0. The next game is scheduled to take place Saturday, Sept. 28 against Seabury at the War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Jessica Ahles

 …

Green & White Carnival, College & Career Fair

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

OHA News Release

Don’t miss out on an unforgettable weekend of fun and games Oct. 4-5 as everyone celebrates the things that make Molokai High School and its alumni so special.  Hosted by Friends of Molokai High and Middle Schools Foundation and sponsored by Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), this will be a two day event that brings classmates of all ages together for some friendly competition to vie for the most spirited Molokai High School class.  The current champions are none other than the Class of 1982, and they are challenging everyone to “bring it” as they defend their title.…

Maunaloa Receives $75,000 for Achievement

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Maunaloa Elementary School was one of 14 schools recognized last week by the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE). They were rewarded $75,000 for their high performance as part of the Strive HI standard implemented this year.

The Strive HI Performance strategy  is a new school accountability standard measuring student growth and success through math and reading assessment scores, science test scores, chronic absent rates, and the school’s effectiveness at narrowing achievement gaps. The DOE dispersed $1 million between schools placing in the top five percentile — with awards ranging from $20,000 to $90,000 — based on progress and performance. Maunaloa was the only school in Maui County to receive recognition.…

MHS Athletics Struggle for Funding

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Molokai High School Athletics Department is struggling to keep afloat this year, lacking thousands of dollars needed for 196 students in the school’s 12 sports to participate in off-island games. Yet with a $40,000 budget shortfall for travel expenses, Athletic Director Hoku Haliniak is determined to keep Farmers sports programs intact.

“I refuse to cut away games,” said Haliniak. “There has to be a way — where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

To help raise money to save the program, Haliniak said Farmer faithful will be asked to pay an admissions fee to home games this year. Previously, admissions were charged to volleyball and basketball events, but baseball, softball and football will be added to the list this year.…

Fall Sports Gear Up Continued

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

Fall Sports Gear Up Continued

Steep hills and stiff competition is the theme for Molokai High School’s (MHS) cross country and air riflery teams, yet as another fall season arrives, they are keeping their eyes are on the prize.

Boys Cross Country

The boys cross country team was in the middle of the pack last year. According to 15-year head coach Gandharva “Mahina Hou” Ross, the farmers placed third in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships and 44th out of 160 schools in the state championships.

This fall, the eight-man team is coming back with six returning runners and welcoming two freshmen.

“The returning group is all pretty much at the same level [as each other],” said Ross.…

MHS Recognizes Student Success

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

Celebrating success is now a trend at Molokai High School (MHS). The students and staff filled the gym Thursday morning for the first recognition assembly of the 2013-14 school year. Recognition ceremonies were previously held occasionally throughout the year. Now, a monthly assembly will highlight student and faculty accomplishments to provide encouragement for academic and athletic excellence.

“It’s all about the support,” said MHS student activities coordinator Lisa Taka. “Each student should be recognized because it helps with their self-esteem and confidence and [the assemblies] show the school that’s it’s possible to attain and achieve goals.”

Maui County council member and MHS alumni Stacy Crivello presented awards to more than 40 students for excelling in statewide science and engineering competitions as well as last year’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) champions and all-star athletes.…