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.…
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.…
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.…
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.…
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.…
Nearly 75 third and fourth graders at Kaunakakai Elementary School took a break from regular classes last week for three days. But far from slacking off, they were engaged in the learning experience of a lifetime — building their own ukulele.
“This is the coolest thing in the world,” said Lydia Clemens, mother of fourth grader Kayla. “We’re blessed to have this opportunity. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Kayla, engrossed in using sand paper to smooth the unfinished wooden surface of her instrument, said she’s looking forward to playing it.
“I can say I made it on my own,” said fellow fourth grader, Marcus, proudly.…
Molokai High School tennis duo Pono Chow and Kamaunu Pascua joined the ranks of Hawaii’s top athletes as they competed in the Hawaii High School Athletics Association state tournament last weekend.
The MIL doubles champions drew first-seeded Punahou School players, who dominated the May 2 match 6-0, 6-0. Though Chow and Pascua didn’t return home with a win, they were able to represent Molokai at a state tennis match for the first time in Molokai High’s history and experienced competition at that level.
“The tournament was awesome,” Pascua said. “Even though we lost the first game, it’s good to see how much higher the caliber is at the state level compared to the MIL.”…
For the past 22 years, Ka Hula Piko has brought the Molokai community and ohana together, along with visitors from around the world, to celebrate Hawaii’s cultural traditions and identity through hula.
“It’s a gathering of ohana — that’s what it’s all about,” said Molokai kupuna Julia Hoe. “[Hula] is who you are and where you come from. You’re dancing your genealogy.”
Halau and Hawaiian music groups from around the state and as far as Japan shared their talents and traditions with hundreds of attendees at Saturday’s ho`olaulea event, held for the first time this year at Lanikeha in Ho`olehua.
“Remember, hula was here before Zumba,” Hoe laughed.…
Community Contributed
By Sue Forbes
Molokai 5K team members from Molokai Middle and Kualapu`u Charter Schools placed first through nineth in their respective age group categories at the third annual Honolulu 5K for Kids on Sunday, April 28. Rafael Adolpho led the charge for the Molokai team, claiming first place in the boy’s 11-12 age division. Adolpho ran a personal record of 21:49 on the flat and fast downtown course.
Taking second and third for Molokai in the girl’s 9-10 category, Keahe Ross and Kapili`ula Naehu whipped through the course in 26:10 and 26:48, respectively. Fourth for Molokai in the boy’s 9-10 category, CJ Adolpho ran another P.R.…
Community Contributed
By Kainoa Pali
This year’s National History Day involved over 8000 students ranging from grades 4 through 12, from Oahu, Hawaii, Molokai, Kauai, and Maui. Throughout the year, these students work tirelessly to develop research essays, interpretive exhibits, performances, documentaries, and websites that ties into the annual theme: “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events.” A few Molokai High students and their teachers attended a state competition on April 20 at the Windward Community College in Kaneohe, Oahu, and two received top honors.
The Hawaii Council of Humanities (HCH) wishes to acknowledge the Molokai students who participated at the 2013 National History Day State Competition.…
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