Island Youth

The keiki and `opio of Molokai

A Not-So-Little League

Sunday, October 21st, 2012

A Not-So-Little League

More than 70 young T-ballers aged 4 to 8 gathered at Kaunakakai ball field early Saturday morning to officially bat off the start of this year’s Little League season. Before any games commenced, all five teams stood for the opening ceremony, which featured the national and Hawaiian anthem, guest speakers and a pule.

“There’s not too much on Molokai for little ones,” said Minky Young, president of Molokai Little League. “Little League offers not only baseball, but unity, community involvement, health and wellness.”

Little League has been present on Molokai for over 35 years, and many parents and coaches remember playing in the league themselves as keiki.…

How to Say E Komo Mai

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

How to Say E Komo Mai

 

 

While it is pau hana time for most teachers, Kumu Manuwai Peters and a few of his students are at Ho`olehua Airport getting ready for a busy afternoon. Holding an ukulele in one hand, Peters straightens a student’s kukui lei, all the while reminding the four student-volunteers to be professional, smile and engage visitors coming off the plane. By the time the next plane touches down, Peters and his band of students are already at the arrival gate, instruments, lei and smiles ready. As soon as the door opens, the group breaks into a traditional Hawaiian mele, or song, welcoming visitors and residents to Molokai.…

Aiming High

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

Aiming High

MHS’ first Air Riflery home meet a success

The clicks of pellet bullets bouncing off metal target stands echoed through the Barn, Molokai High School (MHS)’s gym, early Saturday morning. Schools from across the state traveled to Molokai as MHS’ Air Riflery team hosted its first ever Maui Interscholastic League (MIL)-sanctioned meet at home.

The meet started around 8 a.m. on Saturday, with MHS and St. Anthony shooting first while other schools were still arriving. Each shooter fires three rounds –one in a standing position, one kneeling and one prone, or lying down. The scores for each round is out of 100 points, totaling a possible score of 300 points for each individual shooter.…

The Perfect Pick

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

The Perfect Pick

Micah Friel, 5, scoured the pumpkin patch for a few minutes before running over to the biggest one he saw, bending down to wrap his arms around his large selection, and lift it with all his might.  The pumpkin was almost as big as he was, and when his grandmother asked if he was sure he wanted to take home such a big one, he nodded with a smile.

Micah was one of many keiki who picked their perfect pumpkin Saturday morning at Heart of Aloha Church’s third annual Pick-A-Pumpkin Day.  The event, hosted at the church’s 4.2-acre parcel of land along Kalae Highway in Kualapu`u, featured hundreds of orange, white and green pumpkins to choose from, which they had started planting in June.…

MHS Athletes Clean Up the Wharf

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

MHS Athletes Clean Up the Wharf

While other students relaxed their fall intersession break, Molokai High School (MHS) student athletes were hard at work –and not just at practice. Last Wednesday morning, nearly 80 MHS athletes from the girls’ volleyball, 8-man football, track and field and air riflery teams gathered at the wharf with rakes, shovels and garbage bins in hand. They participated in the wharf clean-up, a community service program started three years ago by former athletic director Camie Kimball. There are three wharf clean-ups scheduled each year, with one for every season –fall, winter and spring.

“It’s important to give back to the community because the community is their number one support[er], especially on this island,” said current athletic director Hoku Haliniak.…

Sharp Shooters

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

Sharp Shooters

MHS Air Riflery hosts first home meet in 22-year history

Crouched on one knee, rifle pressed firmly into her right shoulder, Molokai High School (MHS) senior Mariah Kalipi remembers to breathe as she focuses in on a paper target 33 feet in front of her. Her left arm rests on her left knee, the fingers of her right hand pressed gently on the trigger, ready. Her eyes never stray from the target as she takes a deep but steady breath and fires. Those interested in the same sport may want to consider purchasing gunstocks for sale and AR-15 Rifles for Sale Online or at your local gun store.…

The Food and Wine Festival

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

The Food and Wine Festival

Community Contributed

By Dillon DeCoite

Editor’s note: The second annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival took place Sept. 6 to 9, with Molokai’s L&R Farms’ Lynn and Russell DeCoite participated. The DeCoite’s son, Dillon, a middle school student at Aka`ula School, wrote a story about his parents’ success in the Aka`ula monthly newsletter, reprinted here.

The Food and Wine Festival, in Kaanapali, Maui is located on the golf course. Twelve farmers and 12 chefs partner up to cook produce raised by island farmers. My mom and dad partnered with two chefs from the Westin Kaanapali Hotel. The dish they made was wild boar bacon with Molokai sweet potato gnocchi.…

Art at Aka`ula

Sunday, September 30th, 2012

Art at Aka`ula

As the sun set slowly over the hills of Kalae on Friday, students, teachers, families and friends gathered to enjoy Aka`ula School’s “Celebrating the Arts” exhibit. The annual exhibit, which first started in 2006, features the works of Aka`ula students and some family members who donate their art to raise funds for the school.

“It really is about getting [the students’] artwork out into the community,” said Dara Lukonen, one of the school’s founding teachers. “New students have been very surprised and awed when they see their work displayed –sometimes it is as simple as putting a mat on it and lighting.”…

Molokai Swim Club a Reality

Friday, September 28th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Robby Coleman

Rumors of a year-round swim club forming on Molokai have been circulating around the island for many months. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Malcolm Cooper, head coach of the Maui Dolphins Swim Club (MDSC), who obtained a permit from the county and the support of Zachary Helm and Michael Manga, from the local Parks and Recreation, the swim club is now reality.

Beginning 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, the Molokai Chapter of the Maui Dolphins will hold its first practice at Cooke Memorial Pool. Regular practices will be held Monday through Thursday (except holidays) every week of the year after regular pool hours.…

Home Field Advantage

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Home Field Advantage

Farmers Football beats Hana 42-0

The Farmers football team dominated their home field against Hana High Dragons on Saturday, winning 42-0. This was the first home game of the season, and the win brings their record to 1-1, having been defeated by Seabury Hall last week on Maui.
The Farmers’ offensive line scored five touchdowns in the first half and one in the second. Their solid defense kept Hana from scoring any points the entire game.

“The best thing [about this game] was that everybody had an opportunity to play,” said Molokai High School’s (MHS) head coach Mike Kahale after the game.…