Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Scholars Showcase Skills

Thursday, May 30th, 2013

Scholars Showcase Skills

Molokai’s intellectual all-stars claimed the spotlight as they competed in the trivia show “It’s Academic Hawaii.” With a director, live audience and a hair and makeup crew, the Molokai High School (MHS) team got in front of the camera to show the state their brain power.

MHS teacher Lisa Takata took students Alex Gilliand, Michael Kikukawa, Cara Connoly and Robert Onofrio to Oahu April 19, where KFVE Hawaii News Now crews filmed their competition against Mililani High School and Sacred Hearts Academy at Dave and Busters. Their episode will air on KFVE June 24 at 7 p.m.  Until then, it’s under wraps if the MHS team will make it to the semifinals.…

Thanks for the Memory 2

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

Thanks for the Memory 2

Community Contributed

By Dara Lukonen, Aka`ula School

For six decades, Bob Hope brought the USO’s famous “touch of home” and a string of smiles to millions of GIs. Bob Hope is remembered from generation to generation for the wonderful memories he and his Hollywood “band of gypsies” gave to U.S. troops through the years.

Aka`ula School continued this tradition last week with its econd USO-tribute show, “Thanks for the Memory 2,” performed entirely by Aka`ula students. One singer felt “the performances lacked energy during Tuesday’s dress rehearsal, but performers were pumped up and ready to go for Wednesday’s dinner theater.”

Joining Bob Hope on stage were comedians Abbott and Costello with a new take on “Who’s on First?”…

Big Week for Youth Paddler

Monday, May 27th, 2013

Big Week for Youth Paddler

Community Contributed

By Clare Seeger Mawae

The first part of May has been quite the week for the 10-year-old paddler Alex Mawae. He found out just days prior to the Maui to Molokai race in April that the ruling majority would not let him race due to his age. One week later he was given the green light to paddle Ka`iwi channel in the OC2 relay division on May 5. Ka`iwi was not the typical downwind run for 2013 and it was the worst conditions in the history of the race with 20 mph southwest winds. Due to conditions, his team was among 20 boats that were told to paddle to Hawaii Kai and not to the finish at Magic Island.…

Hale Connects People to Land and Sea

Monday, May 27th, 2013

Hale Connects People to Land and Sea

At Ka Honua Momona (KHM) Ali`i fishpond, workers take breaks in the shade of a large traditional thatched hale, where it is cool even on the hottest days. Office workers can look out at the hale and 30-acre pond from the windows of the sustainable office building where administrative work supports KHM’s mission of sustainability.

KHM hasn’t always had these amenities. The office and hale are the newest addition to the Ali`i fishpond, which nine years ago was overgrown with mangrove and knee-deep in mud. Today, because of the efforts of staff and volunteers eager to preserve the site’s ancient heritage, the Ali`i and Kalakoeli fishponds serve as a place for learning, sharing and restoring.…

Whale Tales

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Whale Tales

A new, life-sized replica of a humpback whale tail at Molokai Fish and Dive is making a splash with local elementary school students. Last Tuesday, the ocean tour and gas business hosted a much younger crowd than usual at their shop. Preschoolers from Kaunakakai Elementary School stopped by to admire the work of art and learn more about the majestic creatures that live just off shore.

Making its appearance about a month ago, the tail has quickly become a landmark — and with good reason. A whale’s tail is composed of two lobes, each of which is called a fluke. Constructed by a local artist to accurately represent the size, texture and color of the real thing, the tail in front of Fish and Dive measures 14 feet across its flukes, with whale tails in the wild spanning up to 16 feet.…

May Days 2013

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Each year, schools around the island celebrate May Day, known as Lei Day in Hawaii. Students at each school are selected for the royal court to represent every island, and perform songs and dances for family and friends. Here are some photos from May Day at  Molokai Middle, Kualapu`u, Molokai High, Kaunakakai, Kilohana and Maunaloa schools.…

Students Share Culture and Innovation

Monday, May 20th, 2013

Students Share Culture and Innovation

The Molokai Golden Eyes, a group of six Molokai Middle School students, shared both their culture and their innovation in robotics at the First Lego League national competition in California Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The team represented Hawaii among 74 championship teams from across the country as well as Korea and Canada.

The Golden Eyes — Noah Keanini, Erik Svetin, Caele Manley, Kaitlin DeRouin, Lily Jenkins, and Katy Domingo, with coaches Kawika Gonzales and Jennifer Whitted — achieved a personal best in robot performance. They also won a trophy from the competition’s primary sponsor, ViaSat Satellite Company, which is a leading satellite company in North America.…

The Golden Team

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

The Golden Team

Molokai robotics goes to nationals

Right now, six Molokai Middle School students are representing Molokai and the State of Hawaii in a national competition of brains, technology and teamwork. Noah Keanini, Erik Svetin, Caele Manley, Kaitlin DeRouin, Lily Jenkins, and Katy Domingo form a robotics team known as the Molokai Golden Eyes — the first team not from Oahu to ever win the Hawaii First Lego League championship.

They beat 52 teams from around the state to accomplish that feat in December. Now, they’re in California showcasing an innovative invention they designed and competing for the title of national champions.

“If people were to predict where the state robotics champions would come from, Molokai probably wouldn’t be on the list,” said Molokai Middle School (MMS) Principal Gary Davidson.…

Students Face Driving Dangers

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Students Face Driving Dangers

Molokai High School (MHS) students  rallied together May 2 to stay safe during the upcoming graduation weekend, especially when getting behind the wheel. Seniors pledged to not drink and drive, while the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club awarded students who made the same pledge for prom and banquet nights.

MHS junior Brayden Willing-McCutcheon revived SADD in preparation for his senior project next year with the help of Driver Education program coordinator Malia Lee.

“Voices make a difference,” he said to his classmates during the rally. “Pledge to be safe the night of graduation. Pledge to be safe and sober.”

Willing-McCutcheon said he wanted to bring awareness to teenagers about the effects of their driving decisions and how unsafe driving affects the entire community.…

Big Funds for Organizations Making a Big Difference

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Big Funds for Organizations Making a Big Difference

 

Two Molokai nonprofit organizations have support to “pay it forward” in the community using awards from the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA). Ka Honua Momona (KHM) and Kukui Ahi Patient Program at Molokai General Hospital each received $10,000 from HMSA as part of the health care coverage provider’s 75th anniversary celebration.

HMSA employees chose 10 organizations statewide to receive $10,000 each to make a difference in their communities, according to a press release about the HMSA Pays It Forward campaign.

“Our employees wanted to find a way to really stretch this gift and I’m confident this concept of paying it forward will accomplish that,” said HMSA CEO Michael Gold.…