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Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

Scoring Green Hair

Sunday, December 2nd, 2012

Scoring Green Hair

Molokai High School (MHS) Principal Stan Hao may have looked like his usual self when he showed up for school last Thursday morning, but by lunchtime, he was sporting a flashy new look –spiky, green hair. At the start of last school year, Hao promised MHS students that if they reached Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards, he would dye his hair green for the day in front of the entire school. Though MHS did not technically meet AYP standards due to a shortfall in graduation rates, their double digit gains in both the math and reading portions of the Hawaii State Assessment (HSA) last year were noteworthy.…

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Middle School Most Improved in the State

Sunday, December 2nd, 2012

Middle School Most Improved in the State

With great achievement comes great reward, and Molokai Middle School (MMS) students have certainly earned both. They were recently recognized by the Department of Education (DOE) as the most improved school in the state. Not only did they make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards for the first time since they separated from the high school eight years ago, but they made significant, double-digit improvements in both reading and math.

“It is my privilege to come here because you are the best performing school in the entire state of Hawaii,” said the Board of Education Chairman Don Horner at an academic achievement celebration assembly held at the school last Thursday.…

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OHA Sponsors Scholarship Fairs

Friday, November 30th, 2012

OHA Sponsors Scholarship Fairs

OHA News Release

A series of scholarship fairs will be held around the state, sponsored in part by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Their intent is in part to provide Native Hawaiians with greater financial aid. The Molokai fair will be held on Dec. 13 at Kulana Oiwi from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Known as the 2012-2013 Native Hawaiian Scholarship ‘Aha, these fairs are part of a partnership with the University of Hawaii, GEAR Up Hawaii, and the Native Hawaiian Education Association. Last year, OHA awarded $718,000 in scholarship money to an estimated 300 Native Hawaiian students, who received between $1,000 and $4,500 to assist with expenses for about 80 colleges, including Cornell University in New York and Stanford University in California.…

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Kickin It With the NFL

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

Kickin It With the NFL

Four Molokai youth whose football skills show exceptional promise are getting an exceptional opportunity. Alika Balbas, Cassidy Victorino, Erik Svetin and Chelsen “Ena” Victorino have all advanced in the National Football League (NFL)’s Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) program and will be representing Hawaii on Dec. 2 in San Diego as part of the team competition level. They are four of 10 youth from the state who will get to show off their skills in the San Diego Chargers stadium before the game.

“I am proud to be representing Molokai and Hawaii at the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition,” said 13-year-old Erik.…

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Teachers Speak Out for a Fair Contract

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Teachers Speak Out for a Fair Contract

Molokai teachers are joining public school educators around Hawaii to raise awareness for their efforts of negotiating a fair contract with the state. Since July 2011, teachers have been working under a contract imposed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, which included wage cuts and higher healthcare premiums. The Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) union has been unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a contract with the state for the past year and a half, and teachers are frustrated with the lack of movement on a new labor agreement.

“We are trying to go through the proper protocols but the governor would prefer to mandate rather than negotiate,” said Tania Manaba-Will, the Kaunakakai Elementary School HSTA representative.…

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Molokai Volleyball Player Earns Honors

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Molokai Volleyball Player Earns Honors

Linfield College News Release

Linfield Volleyball’s top offensive weapon Kailana Ritte-Camara, a sophomore from Molokai, has been named to the 2012 All-Northwest Conference Volleyball Second Team. The honor was announced last week following a vote of the league’s coaches.

The sophomore outside hitter led the Wildcats with 2.73 kills per set, totaling 259 for the year. She ranked 11th in the conference in that category, while also adding 27 assists, 27 service aces, 298 digs and 27 total blocks.

Ritte-Camara registered double-digit kills 15 times during the 2012 season, including a season high of 17 against Willamette. Starting all 24 matches, she ranked third on the club in digs per set (3.65) and second in service aces (27).…

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Molokai Robotics Bring Home the Gold

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

Molokai Robotics Bring Home the Gold

Molokai robotics students were rewarded for their hard work with a first place finish at the First Lego League district tournament on Maui, Nov. 10. The Molokai Middle School team, the Molokai Golden Eyes — Noah Keanini, Erik Svetin, Caele Manley, Kaitlin DeRouin, Lily Jenkins, and Katy Domingo — were named the Maui County Grand Champions in the competition, pictured here. This year’s theme for competitors was

“Senior Solutions,” and students were challenged to invent technological innovations to improve the quality of life for the elderly. The Molokai Golden Eyes, coached by Kawika Gonzales and Jenn Whitted, will compete in the state championship on Dec.…

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New Athletic Trainer on Molokai

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

For nearly the past two years, Molokai High School (MHS) athletes have been competing at a disadvantage –they’ve been without an athletic trainer. However, the Farmers got a new athletic trainer this month who will tend to their injuries and ensure they are able to play at their physical best.

Deborah Thompson, a California native, moved to Molokai and officially began work as MHS’ athletic trainer on Nov. 1. She brings 30 years of experience as an athletic trainer, working at both the high school and college level. She has also worked as an orthopedic technician and assistant surgeon in California for 12 years.…

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Pathways for Youth Training

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

Mental Health America of Hawaii News Release

In 2011, Hawaii’s youth ranked second highest in the nation for high school students who have made a suicide plan, and highest in the nation for middle school students who have made a suicide plan.  Native Hawaiians are at higher risk than other students. As a community, what can we do to better understand the risks facing these youth? And, more importantly, what are our resources?

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., training on Molokai for service providers for parents and community members who care about the youth of Molokai is being hosted by the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC).…

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A Halloween Treat

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

A Halloween Treat

Annual costume contest draws zombies, pirates and princesses

Last Wednesday, the library buzzed with excitement as Spiderman, Dorothy, and even Michael Jackson made surprise appearances, adding a thrilling twist to the Halloween Costume Contest. Keiki and adults alike showcased their creative outfits during the parade, vying for prizes in categories like the most original, scary, and cutest. Meanwhile, amid the festivities, whispers circulated about the delicious delights awaiting them, including the prospect of a special Halloween cookies delivery to sweeten the celebration.

There was a mix of both store-bought and home-made costumes, ranging from cowboys to Indians, princesses to pirates, and scary monsters to cuddly critters and even some quality venetian masks which you can get online for costumes.…

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