Island Youth

Long Legacy of Service

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

Mr. Nip moving from Molokai

Over 50 years ago, Kenneth Nip, known to many as Mr. Nip, came to Molokai to teach at the Mission School, which used to be held outside Kaunakakai. Since then, he has become not only an integral part of the community, but an example of service and volunteerism. This month, Mr. Nip is moving to Oahu to be closer to his family and medical services.

Mr. Nip grew up in Honolulu, where the site of his childhood home is now a freeway, he said. As a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Mr. Nip started teaching at mission schools on Maui and Kauai after he graduated from La Sierra University in California.…

Mikayla Pico Receives Leadership Award from Mufi Hannemann

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

The future is looking bright for recent Molokai High School graduate and Maui Interscholastic League Wrestler of the Year Mikayla Pico. She will attend Southwestern Oregon Community College this fall, where she plans to major in education. In addition to a wrestling scholarship from the school, she received the Faiaso Soliai Hannemann Leadership Award, presented by Mufi Hannemann last week.

The $500 award and plaque is given to one female student annually in the state, who is of Samoan ancestry and demonstrates academic promise and leadership potential. The award is in honor of Hannemann’s mother, while the Gustav Hannemann Leadership award, in honor of his father, is given to a male student of Samoan ancestry.…

A Day at the Park

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Mayor Alan Arakawa and Council Chair Danny Mateo brought new meaning to the phrase “young at heart” when they became the first to slide down the new playground at One Ali`i Park last Wednesday morning. Keiki quickly followed suit after the blessing ceremony.

The project, which started back in 2008, replaces the old jungle gym set which had deteriorated and was removed two years ago, according to Zachary Helm, District Supervisor for Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation.

“What makes this project so special are the volunteers who helped with it,” Helm said at the blessing.…

A Test of Success

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Though this is the first time ever that Molokai Middle School (MMS) has met Hawaii State’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards, Principal Gary Davidson said it is the amount of improvement the school’s students have shown this year that is its biggest achievement.

AYP standards, implemented by the national No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, measure participation, proficiency and progress in math and reading. In previous years, MMS has made either the reading or the math section, but never both, which are needed to make AYP. Last year, the students were at 38 percent proficiency in math.…