Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Duo Takes Tennis Title

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

Duo Takes Tennis Title

Molokai High School tennis players Pono Chow and Kamanu Pascua went into their final game of the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championship match last Saturday against King Kekaulike. With one win for each team and 300 spectators surrounding the court, this final game could put Chow and Pascua in the Molokai history books as the island’s first MIL tennis champions.

“I just kept telling myself and my partner that we have to win – we just have to,” said Chow. “We played hard to the end and we won.”

Boys’ tennis coach Pono Asano said when he met with Chow and Pascua before the final game, the first thing out of the players’ mouths was “I won’t quit.”…

March in March: What We Love, We Will Protect

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

March in March: What We Love, We Will Protect

Community Contributed

By Mercy Ritte

The statewide “March in March” event was inspired by professional surfer and MMA fighter Dustin Barca, in partnership with the Hawaii GMO Justice Coalition. Barca’s intention was to bring awareness to GMOs and chemical testing conducted by Monsanto and other biotech companies throughout Hawaii, pointing out that “everything we love is in serious danger — our children, our land and our ocean.”

Thousands gathered to voice their concerns; the five-island demonstration opened on Oahu, continued on Kauai, Hawaii Island, Maui, and concluded here on Molokai.

“I felt a sense of togetherness like nothing I have ever been a part of before,” said Molokai father Jay Duquette.…

MHS Students Qualify for National Competition

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Sue Forbes

Two Molokai High students, Paul Parker and Luke Kikukawa, have qualified for the national Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competition that will be held in Nashville, Tenn. from June 25-30 this summer.  The teammates advanced to nationals after placing fourth in the recent HOSA state competition that was held at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu on Feb. 20-21.  Their competition category at the national HOSA event will be CPR and First Aid.

Molokai High mentor and health careers teacher, John Van Ornum, credited the two young men with their hard work and effort in this their second year of competition. …

Meth Project Hosts Community Forum

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

 

Former meth users stood before community members last Thursday night and shared how the drug affected them, what led them to recovery and how they are working to reduce the drug’s presence on Molokai.

Georgianna Decosta of The Hawaii Meth Project said she used meth until Honolulu police arrested her in the mid-1990s. Now she goes to schools across Hawaii, educating youth about the dangers of using meth, even just once.

“We’re all about the kids and saving the next generation from this horrible drug,” Decosta said about The Hawaii Meth Project. “When you do this drug, people are left to die.”…

Keiki with Culture

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Keiki with Culture

An annual celebration of Hawaiian culture and language drew hundreds of attendees last Saturday. Punana Leo O Molokai Hawaiian language preschool held its fundraiser Ho`omau event at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho`olehua, which also serves as the school’s campus. In addition to entertainment and musical performances by Molokai’s immersion programs from preschool to high school, crowds of supporters also browsed a variety of booths. Local food vendors, crafters and organizations showcased a wealth of community diversity.

But they day was really about `Olelo Hawaii and supporting the youth who speak it. Uilani Ramos, Punana Leo site coordinator, said it’s important to learn the language young.…

CFL Bulb Recycling Protocol

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

CFL Bulb Recycling Protocol

Blue Planet & Sust `aina ble Molokai News Release

Over the past two years, Molokai residents who have participated in the “Go Green and Carbon Clean” program organized by Blue Planet Foundation and Sust `aina ble Molokai have been benefiting from the energy savings of highly efficient compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs, which use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

The nearly 40,000 bulbs installed in Molokai homes today represent an important first step in moving the island toward energy self-sufficiency. The project’s success was made possible by the collaborative efforts of students, teachers, businesses, and community leaders.

Blue Planet Foundation and Sust `aina ble Molokai want to ensure that the community is aware of the proper usage and disposal recommendations for CFLs.…

Young Woman of Promise

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Young Woman of Promise

Molokai High freshman Momi Afelin already has a resume full of science and engineering accomplishments, and can now add another feather to her cap. She was recently awarded the Young Woman of Promise award by the Maui County Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) as part of the group’s celebration of Women’s History Month.

In keeping with this year’s national theme for the month, “Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM],” the committee received more than 20 nominations throughout the county for several awards. The Young Woman of Promise category recognized the accomplishments of girls in STEM ages 14 to 21.…

Sunshine in a Bag

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Sunshine in a Bag

Initiative addresses child hunger

While most children on Molokai fall asleep every night with a full stomach and go to school well-nourished, there are some who don’t. To help combat child hunger, the St. Damien Catholic Parish is spearheading an effort to provide food to elementary students in need, as well as assist families in creating a sustainable backyard garden.

Starting last Friday, the Sunshine Backpack and Ohana Garden project, or Kukunaokala, will distribute backpacks of food twice a month to selected students at Kilohana, Kaunakakai and Kualapu`u schools. Students are chosen for participation based on referrals from school staff, and parents must give permission for their children to receive a backpack.…

Molokai Middle Takes Second for STEM

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Molokai Middle Takes Second for STEM

Community Contributed

By MMS STEM Program Students

Molokai Middle School’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs took second place in the state at the Second Annual State of Hawaii STEM Week Awards Banquet held at the Hawaii Convention Center on April 9. Molokai Middle School (MMS) was represented at the ceremony by eighth grade STEM alumni students.

Under the umbrella of STEM, the award recognizes the accomplishments of MMS across all STEM-related efforts and programs including Robotics, Science Fair, Bridge Building, Math Counts, and STEM Conference.

The STEM institutional awards ceremony recognizes outstanding students, educators, and participating schools from Hawaii’s various STEM organizations.…

Molokai Math Day

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

MHS News Release

Molokai High School’s Math Department, in partnership with Aka`ula School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, announces the Fourth Annual Molokai Math Day, to be held this Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lanikeha Center. This year’s Molokai Math Day will showcase more than 25 interactive, hands-on stations for students of all ages, from 3 to 103 years old. Participants will explore a variety of Common Core standards-based activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

These range from solving numeric and geometric puzzles to predicting, observing, measuring and collecting data. Stations will be manned by a mix of Molokai High and Aka`ula School students who are partnered with graduate students from the UH Manoa Math Department.…