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Education

Checkmate

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Checkmate

Cody Bocoboc, 13, was one of several participants Saturday who also represented Molokai earlier this year at the state chess tournament in Honolulu, where the middle school team placed second. Bocoboc said his dad taught him how to play when he was younger, but he picked it up again through his school’s chess program.

“I like chess because it’s fun and I like strategy games,” he said.

QLCC Direct Service Specialist Ebra Silva, who helped organize Saturday’s tournament, said playing chess teaches students and adults “critical thinking, planning, evaluation and analysis of their moves.”

“I think it just helps them to grow more as an individual, and in doing community events like this, it helps to bring the community together,” she said.

Local businesses donated prizes for the adult winners, with first place receiving about $250 to $300 of goods. Organizers purchased backpacks from Molokai Surf and filled them with school supplies for the keiki winners. All contestants received small prizes for participating.

Winners

Adult Division (age 18+)

1.    Julian Torres, 5 points
2.    Cheesung Stone, 4 points
3.    Sam Kealoha , 2.5 points

Middle/High School Division (Grades 7-12)

1.    Three-way tie: Ken Brito, Jayven Paleka-Wright and Cody Bocoboc; 4 points each
2.    Two-way tie: Hanalei Dudoit-Enos and Logan Kamali`I; 3 points each
3.    Two-way tie: Kelson Cabalar and Ray-Jay English; 2 points each

Elementary Division:

1.    Clancey Wright, 4.5 points
2.    Tehya Almazan, 0.5 points

Donors

Molokai Gifts & Things
Moana’s Florist
Upcountry Market
Hometown
Hotel Molokai
Maka’s Korner
Shop 2 Beauty Salon
Molokai Burger
Kat’s Beauty Salon
Hayaku’s
Kamakana Country Store
Kualapu`u Market
Misaki’s
Molokai Mule Ride
Coffees of Hawaii
Ironwoods Golf Course
Friendly Market Center
Kumu Farms
Rawlins’ Chevron Service
Molokai Drug Store
Mana`e Goods & Grindz
Molokai Surf
Denise’s Furniture
Paddler’s Inn
P & S Refrigeration, LLC.
Imports Gift Shop
Pancho Alcon/Hawaii’s Finest
Molokai Pizza Café
Kualapu`u Cookhouse
Simon & Friends Pet Shoppe
Atlas Hardware

Organizers would like to thank volunteers who donated their time, including Ted Takamiya, Cindy Brito, Anthony Fukuoka and Honey Girl English. Planners included Silva, Tubz Kalipi, Nyree Kang, Lani Ozaki, Barbara Kalipi, Kekama Helm and the support staff of QLCC.

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4-H Farmers Boast Their Best

Monday, July 11th, 2011

4-H Farmers Boast Their Best

Lights flooded the Kaunakakai Ball Park last Friday night, with fans filling stadium seats ready to cheer the keiki on the field. But there were no strikes or homeruns during this performance – only “moos” and “oinks.”

 More than 30 youth involved in the Molokai 4-H Livestock Club showed off the animals they’ve raised within the last six months at the annual Livestock Expo last weekend  – a Molokai tradition participants say has been carried on for generations.

“The kids learn a lot… It teaches them all about being sustainable through backyard-raising animals,” said rancher Jimmy Duvauchelle, who served as emcee and whose children, grand-children and great-grandchildren have participated. “Molokai, we don’t got much, but we got plenty backyards.”

Junior and senior participants, ages 9 through 19, were judged with their steers and hogs Friday night. Participants scored in two categories: market, which judged the livestock’s marketability, and showmanship, which was based on keiki’s ability to display animals to the judge.

Six contestants showed hogs, herding them around a circular pen on the field’s diamond. 4-H volunteers followed with spray bottles, squirting the swine to keep them cool. Giggles erupted from young audience members when a hog snorted or made a dash across the dirt.

Jill Eguires, a former 4-H member from Oahu, judged the competition, awarding Rex Kamakana Jr. first place in the market competition for his swine, named Pork Chop. Acey Reyes placed first for her showmanship of Fat Pig.

learn that if you put up so much money, you make a profit. And if you don’t, don’t do it that way again,” Helm laughed.

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Keiki Shine at Maui Rodeo

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Keiki Shine at Maui Rodeo

Noel Tancayo may be only 9 years old, but she’s no stranger to rodeos. The youngster won her ninth buckle at the 56th annual Makawao Rodeo during the July 4th weekend, placing first in the junior keiki barrel event and fourth in open wahine division.

“It’s actually pretty fun ‘cause you just experience riding a horse, and you feel like you’re falling off but you’re not,” she said.

Noel Tancayo, who has been riding since she was 2 years old, agreed that the sport is all about fun, even though she thrives on competition.

“When it’s more challenging, it’s more fun,” she said, adding that one of her favorite parts is her relationship with her horse Sugar, an orphaned horse given to her by her uncle when she was a baby and who she rode during Makawao.

“I like Sugar the way she is,” she said, “and she likes me.”

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Creating a Space for Creativity

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Creating a Space for Creativity

Pottery classes. Keiki learning how to sculpt or paint. Dance lessons. Workshops to teach local artists marketability, and for visiting artists to share the secrets of their craft. That’s what Molokai Arts Center (MAC) organizers envision as a vibrant workspace for community members to learn, teach and engage in art.

The vacant building behind Coffees of Hawaii might look sparse now, but it is already undergoing a transformation into what could become an artistic hub for Molokai.

having huge budget cuts.”

MAC is currently looking for building material donations, including shelving, and art equipment, including kilns. For more information, call Markham at 349-6270 or visit http://molokaiarts.yolasite.com/. Tax deductible donations may be sent as checks to the Molokai Arts Center at HC1 Box 370, Kaunakakai, HI 96748.

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Budget Cuts Hit Education Again

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

While school furlough days ended last year, education budget woes are not over. The Department of Education (DOE) is facing a $32.8 million budget reduction over the next two fiscal years. As part of the cuts, the DOE made adjustments to the weighted student formula, or per-pupil funding, as well as redefined the student enrollment required to be considered a small school. Sixty-four campuses around the state, including all schools on Molokai, will lose money as a result of the small school redefinition, according to DOE Budget Specialist Brian Hallett.

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Education Fund Benefits Molokai Students

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Community Contributed

By Barbara Haliniak

As a board member of the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), I would like to spotlight the significance of the Ke Alahele Education Fund to Molokai. To date, MEDB has awarded over $90,000 to our schools and educational projects to help educators, students and special programs expand skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.

This is an excellent avenue to fund Molokai schools and student projects, especially during this time with the DOE budget cuts.

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The Summer Chess Challenge

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

The Summer Chess Challenge

Did you know that the history of chess spans 1,500 years and that the earliest form of the game originated in India?  Did you know that chess is called the game of kings, because for many centuries it was played primarily by nobility and the upper classes?  Did you know that the longest game theoretically possible is 5,949 moves? 

If these chess facts inspire you or make you curious about the game, then come and join in on the fun at the Molokai Chess Tournament on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the Kalanianaole Hall in Kalamaula, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The day starts at 7:30 a.m. with registration, and at 8 a.m. the challenge begins!  There will be three divisions: Elementary (grades fourth – sixth), Middle School/High School (seventh – twelfth), and Open Division (adults 18 and over).  Each player will challenge five different opponent s in five rounds of chess play, and each round will last a maximum of one hour.  Winners in each division will be determined by the players’ accumulation of points. 

Seating is limited to 30 players per division, so hurry and sign up by calling the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center at 553-5369 by the deadline of July 1, 2011.  First come, first served!  Prizes will be awarded in each division.  This tournament is co-sponsored by QLCC and Grace Episcopal Church through its Youth Drop In Center.

The public is welcome to come and observe the games (quietly!) and lend moral support to your favorite player or players.  For those who would like to learn the game of chess, volunteers will available and equipped with chess boards and pieces – ready to teach students, parents, or kupuna.  A concession will be available for players and supporters alike to purchase drinks and something to eat.  If successful, this could be the first of more tournaments to come. We want you!

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Keiki Surf Kicks Off Summer

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Keiki Surf Kicks Off Summer

Community Contributed

By Peter Angelsea
       
E komo mai! The first surf meet of the Summer Surf Series had 28 keiki surfers ages two to 13. They surfed their way through the day with a nice rising tide which brought perfect little knee-high sets. The weather was light trade winds, with the sun shining and the rain to cool us all off in between sets. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of this event brought to you by Ko Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai and Friendly Isle United Fund.
Great surfing tricks were displayed by the youngsters: switch-foot, the coffin and even a standing-lotus. Many of the rides went all the way to the beach. Friends and parents enjoyed longboarding with the kids at the end of the meet.
This all couldn’t have happened without the help of the community at-large. Every year the ohana of Waialua opens up their neighborhood for the pure enjoyment of the keiki surfers and their ohana. And every year keiki surfers, friends, family and volunteers enjoy the nice beach, grassy area and fun-sized surf to practice on. We all want to thank everyone involved for the continued support of Ko Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai Surf Meet!
The next surf meet will be on June 25 and it’s not too late to join the fun. Children who were age 12 or younger as of January 1, 2011 can participate (if you turned 13 after Jan. 1, 2011 you can still join). The last meet, with potluck pa`ina and awards ceremony afterwards, will be held July 9. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and the meets begin at 10 a.m. Call 558-8110 for more info. We hope to see all you keiki surfers there!


Below are the first meet’s point standings:
       
6 & Under               
Kailani Bicoy         1000   
Kristen Oswald           860
Khloe Bicoy          200   
Waiikaika                200   
Matthew McGuire     200
Donovan Bicoy          200           
       
7&8       
Keeya Bicoy           1000   
Slater Oswald          860
Kamalani Adolpho    730
Alex Mawae          670   
Jonny Lopez-Agliam    610       
Tylea Cuello           610   
Beverly Ludgate          555       
       
9&10
Kelsey-Lee Bicoy            1000
Kanalu Lopez-Agliam      860   
Waiohinu Cuello            730
Kaeo Waits                   670   
Rafael Adolpho             610   
Elkan Bishaw             583
Kaydence-Lee Oswald      555   
Marlina Pupuhi-Kamai  555
Ioana Ludgate            555   
Josie Mawae            488   
Michelle McGuire      488   
   
11&12       
Decker Bicoy          1000
Noah Archuleta    860   
Lelia Cuello         730   
Barbara Ludgate      670   

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Education Fund Benefits Molokai Students

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Community Contributed

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Molokai Athletes Make All-Stars

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Molokai Athletes Make All-Stars

The Molokai High School (MHS) softball team finished last season with its first win at a state tournament in 10 years, a consolation semifinal victory over Kohala May 4. Now the team has another accolade to add to its list of accomplishments: Four of its players were placed on the Maui News All-Star team.

The Maui News puts together a list of the best players in each sport throughout Maui County, and recently named four Lady Farmers to its division II softball first team: pitcher Jasmine Borden, a senior; third baseman Tyra Reyes-Garces and outfielder Natalia Levi, both juniors; and second baseman Amanda Venegas Makaiwi, a sophomore.

Their male counterparts were also awarded places on the baseball All-Star first team. Seven baseball players were added to the list, including D-II Player of the Year, senior pitcher Kaoli Place. He was joined by third baseman Jubilee Tabilangan, catcher Kamakana Duvauchelle-Andrade , and utility/designated hitter Ryan Rapanot, all seniors; second baseman Ehukai Rawlins and outfielder Maverick Dela Cruz, both juniors; and shortstop David Rapanot, a freshman.

Meyer’s job a lot easier.”

The Farmers won a dramatic 9-inning victory over fourth-seeded Radford in the state quarterfinals, with Place receiving a no-decision.

David Rapanot led the Farmers’ offense in that game with two doubles and three runs, while Ehukai Rawlins went 3-for-5 with three runs and Ryan Rapanot went 2-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Maverick Kaulia Dela Cruz added a pair of RBI, as well.

McCutcheon, a former Farmer who was also voted D-II Coach of the Year by his peers, said the long list of Molokai students on the All-Star list was a good sign for the program.

“It just shows that we have a great group of guys,” he said. “It shows that Molokai’s here to stay…. It’s kinda good to see that coming back to Molokai, getting the recognition that they deserve.”

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