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Community Contributed by Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss
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Education
1 CommentsTutu’s Corner
Community Contributed
Column by Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool
Molokai Teaches with Heart
Community Contributed
Submitted by Diane Abraham
Each month, kumu from a different school island-wide are featured in articles written completely by the keiki to share their experiences with their most beloved teachers. Below are submissions from Mr. Bear’s sixth grade class from Kaunakakai Elementary School.
Mrs. Yuen
Computer Skills, a Must-Have
Community Contributed
By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss
Does the thought of creating a spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation on the computer fill you with dread? Does just the thought of turning a computer on make you want to run in the opposite direction? Why not attend the 21st Century Grant computer class at Kaunakakai Elementary and say goodbye to those fears? If you have no computer skills or your computer skills are a little rusty and you need a refresher, the computer classes offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. are just right for you. In this day and age, you will likely need to have some computer skills, whether it is for your job or to help your kids with their school projects.
Learning All Summer Long
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Community Contributed by Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss
This past June, school may have ended for the summer but classes were still being held through the 21st Century Grant program. Kaunakakai, Kilohana and Maunaloa Elementary Schools all held programs over the summer to help keep our children engaged and learning while school was out.
Kaunakakai Elementary School held classes that included violin with teacher Lauren Fischer, Nutrition and P.E. with teacher Ui Kalani and Space Camp with teacher Kawika Gonzales, who actually attended NASA space training. Through collaboration with Officer Sonnie Ka`ai with the Molokai Police Department, first through sixth grade students were given the opportunity to not only continue learning what they were being taught in school, but also participate in a leadership class. One day a week, the students were taught by one of four different members/organizations of the community. Dan Emhoff representing Akaku taught the student how to create public service announcements; Chris Chow and Roselle Kamaile representing Alu Like spoke on drug prevention; Vicki Boswell and Liz Price from Napu`uwai did a heart guardianship program on nutrition and wellness; and Penny Martin representing Papahana Kuaola spoke on being a good steward of our land by being environmental conservationists. At the end of the summer programs a Ho`oike was held for students to share with their parents and families the work they had accomplished.
Kaunakakai School also held a special week-long drama class that was open to all island students. Through the direction of artists from the Maui Arts and Culture Center, the drama students acted, sang and even rapped in a play “Aloha Aina,” which showed the importance of taking care of the land through recycling and going “green.”
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Through a partnership with the Summer P.A.L.S program and the 21st Century Grant, Maunaloa School offered classes for students as well. Students learned how to cook healthy snacks with Janna Espaniola and hula instruction with Kahana Deknees. They also had math and reading classes with Lana Freeman, who taught pre-K through third grade and Wendy Espaniola, who taught fourth through sixth grade.
The 21st Century Grant programs are offered year-round at various schools island-wide and strive to offer classes to our students and community members that will assist them with their future endeavors. Thank you to all those who participated in the summer programs this past year. If you or your children are interested in participating in the 21st Century Grant program please contact Joshua Adachi at Kaunakakai School at 553-1730 or Sandra Czajkowski at 658-0609 for more information.
Kenpo – A Frame of Mind
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Community Contributed by By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss
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Kenpo in Hawaii was developed in the 1940s and incorporates different martial art styles such as Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo and Kung Fu. Kenpo, which means “law of the fist,” does not focus on one-on-one confrontations, but was developed to defend oneself from multiple attackers. Students are not taught with the intent to hurt others but to develop a frame of mind to resolve situations without using violence. Kenpo helps its students develop self-confidence and trains them to keep their composure and overcome their fears. Sifu Randy Foley not only teaches the students martial art skills but also teaches Kenpo’s four rules to live by: humility, self-control, integrity and courtesy.
The Kenpo class held at Kilohana is funded by the 21st Century Grant program and is open to students of any age as well as adults. Students are taught structure, balance and focus and many of the students say it is just plain fun. One adult Kenpo student, Jay Duquette, explained that he started taking the class when his eight- year-old son, Malu, took an interest in it. Jay further explained that it gives him and his son a chance to bond and a common interest they can talk about at home. The class is comprised of a range of students from first timers to a student that has been taking Kenpo for nine years. Kenpo will challenge you both physically and mentally, and it is a great workout. If you or your children are interested in participating in Kenpo at Kilohana School on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m., please call Mapuana Dudoit at 558-2200 or Sandra Czajkowski at 658-0609. Look for upcoming articles highlighting more of the exciting classes the 21st Century Grant program has to offer.
Eating Spears
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Community Contributed by Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR
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Asparagus thrives in our Molokai climate preferring 75 to 85 F days and 60 to 70 F nights. The winter and spring months are ideal for “flushing spears.” Nutritionally, asparagus is a good source of Vitamin C and Folate, a B vitamin vital in maintaining and producing new cells, and also contains vitamin A, potassium, phosphorus and iron. It’s great for low sodium diets.
There are many varieties of asparagus. New Jersey’s Rutgers University has developed many varieties with “Jersey” in its name, but they appear to be more adapted to colder climates. The appeal of Jersey hybrids are that they’re all-male. Male plants are more productive and produce three times more than female plants since they don’t spend energy producing seeds. However, the California-developed cultivars have performed better in Hawaii, according to Milton Agader of Twin Bridges Farm, asparagus farmers in Waialua, Oahu. California varieties include Apollo, Atlas, Grande, Purple Passion and the standard, UC 157.
Although asparagus can be grown from year-old roots, few if any seed companies will ship roots to Hawaii, and there’s always the chance of bringing in diseases with the roots. Growing seeds in 4-inch pots for three months, fertilizing regularly with dilute balanced fertilizer, will produce healthy plants. Select only the strongest plants for field planting. California-developed asparagus seed are both male and female. Females will produce skinnier spears, but some gourmet markets prefer these because of the perception that the large ones are tougher.
Asparagus prefers sunny conditions with well drained soil. This is critical. The also prefer alkaline soil in the pH range of 6.7 to 7.5. This means adding lots of sand or lime, which is why they grow well in sand. They don’t require lots of water once established. Asparagus can withstand saline water and even salt spray occasionally. Asparagus is fairly disease and insect free if you follow proper cultural management techniques, understanding their likes and dislikes.
In growing asparagus, patience is a virtue and you will be greatly rewarded in the end if you’re patient. A healthy asparagus plant can remain productive for 20 years or more if well cared for. It’s better to forego the first year harvest, setting the plants up for robust root and vegetative growth. Forcing spears is an art, and you can have many flushes each year especially in the cooler months if you ‘know your plants’, the seasons, and when to force them. Weeds can be a big problem, but cutting ferns back and burning the surface is a good sustainable strategy for weed control.
To find out more about growing asparagus and forcing spears, you can download this publication from the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website: ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/HGV-9.pdf
Tutu’s Corner
Column by Tutu and me Traveling Preschool
On and Off Field, Football Excels
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Without the opportunity to join the Molokai High School (MHS) club football team, many players would have spent the last three months “staying home,” said senior quarterback Keola DeMello. Others could be “getting in trouble, most likely,” added free safety Kaloko Akina, another senior.
Instead, the 30-man squad spent that time on the field, running through hours of practice, drill after drill, day after day.
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The team’s 13 seniors were honored in a ceremony after the game, with many saying they can’t wait to come back and cheer next year’s squad.
“It’s exciting,” said senior Enoka Kalilikane. “They better step up – they gotta step up.”
Kahale thanked the Molokai community for their immense support throughout the season, the players for their hard work and time in making the season a success, and his wife, Nicole, who he called “the motor behind the scenes.”
Middle School Students Excited to Get Spooky
Community contributed by Kui Adolpho, Molokai Middle School
Halloween has evolved from our childhood days of dressing up as our favorite cartoon or movie character and going from home to home in our neighborhood to collect sweets. Although still a great part of the Halloween tradition, trick-or-treating has evolved to include an elaborate presentation of one’s home. There are intricate outdoor decorations, the do-it-yourself-ers who spend months planning ghoulish surprises and a multitude of choices in the delivery of candy to children. Haunted houses are becoming ever popular, and for the Halloween super-fans, a must.
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