Strategic Plan for Kualapu`u School
Community Contrubuted by David Lichtenstein
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Add your commentGrand Finale of the SUPAM Season
Community Contributed by Clare Seeger Mawae
Star Poets Celebrates Molokai Winners
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Community Contributed
By Diane Abraham
Molokai is an island full of talented young people. On May 15, 2011, Star Poets, which is a project of Windward Community College, the Hawaii Council for the Humanities, and the Hawaii Writing Project, had its 11th annual awards ceremony. Molokai, for the first time involving elementary students, produced two winning poets.
Alia-Marie Gomes Madela, a fourth grader at Kualapu`u School, along with Kahawai Tancayo, a fifth-grader in Kula Kaiapuni O Kualapu`u, wrote winning poems. Winning students received cash prizes and shared their poems at the ceremony at the beautiful Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College. The poems are judged anonymously; that is, the students’ names and schools are removed prior to being judged, so the officials have no idea whether they are reading a poem from a student at Iolani, Punahou or a school on Molokai. With over 2,100 entries, congratulations are due to these two young ladies on their writing skills and the depth of the content of their poems.
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Equally exciting for Alia-Marie and Kahawai is that they will be able to share their poems when the Honolulu Theater for Youth brings its annual production to Molokai. This year’s season is “Poetry Fever” and will highlight student poetry in a theatrical format. Stay tuned for a date!
Halawa: A Special and Sacred Place
by Alia-Marie Gomes Madela (fourth grade)
Halawa is on the eastern shore of Molokai.
It is a hard place to get to, you must really want to be there.
On the windy steep roads with many sharp curves,
You may be lucky to see Hawaii’s endangered nene goose.
To the sparkle of the year-long waterfall,
To the beach where the crabs crawl,
This is Halawa.
From the dark sand to the tall cliffs and
The circle bay,
This is Halawa.
It is a place for swimming and reflection,
It is a place that once was home to many ancient people.
This is Halawa.
The Baby `Ali`i
By Kahawai Tancayo (fifth grade)
He was born and supposed to die
Nae`ole saved him that night
The water is shining
The moon is hiding
As Nae`ole runs into the mountain
The baby, Kamehameha, doesn’t cry
As he looks at the night sky
Can they survive?
Molokai’s Own Graduates as Medical Student
UH Manoa News Release
The next stop is the White Coat Ceremony for six graduates of the Imi Ho`ola (“those who seek to heal”) Post-Baccalaureate Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). One of this year’s graduates is Molokai’s Kaimana Chow of Kaunakakai.
Imi Ho`ola, a program within the medical school’s Department of Native Hawaiian Health, seeks out promising college graduates from under-served communities, offering them a year of intensive preparation for medical school. By completing the training, they earn a place in the next class of MD students.
A Little Play, A Little Work
UPDATE -- CORRECTION
Summer days don’t have to be boring for the keiki of Molokai. Both parents and students can benefit from a variety of fun and educational programs on the island, such as 21st Century, Alu Like, and PALS.
Whether you’re a teenager looking to make a few bucks, or a five-year-old learning dance, summer programs are available now.
“Even though it is a small island, there is so much to do,” said Karen Deguilmo, recreation specialist for Maui County.
PALS
Deaf Education Workshop
Hawaii Centers for Independent Living News Release
In conjunction with UH Maui College, Molokai and Hawaii Centers for Independent Living (Molokai), we are offering a once-in-a-lifetime free workshop to learn basic American Sign Language.
Two sessions are available: Aug. 29-Sept. 2 at UH Maui College, Molokai, 10 a.m. – 12 noon; and Sept. 5-9 at Home Pumehana rec center, 6-8 p.m.
Alex Young will be conducting the workshop, and we encourage government, nonprofit agencies and private sector representatives to attend these workshops in order to better serve our deaf community. Register at 553-3340 or kealohal@pacificil.org.
Ho`omana Hou Graduates Four
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Through tears and smiles, hugs and warm words, four students proudly graduated from Ho`omana Hou High School last Friday. The graduation ceremony – planned, organized and led by the students themselves – focused on ohana to demonstrate understanding of who they are and where they come from.
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While Ho'omana Hou is not an immersion language school, `olelo Hawaii plays an important in the curriculum for students to learn about protocol, history, and the Molokai environment, according to Karen Holt, school principal.
Their kumu tied a kihei around the shoulders of the four students that they had each hand-painted, symbolizing status and maturity, according to Ho`omana Hou teacher Loretta Ritte. Students’ parents bestowed a kukui lei around their necks in recognition of the knowledge they gained, and their grandparents placed lei po`o (head garlands) upon them. The lei po`o were gathered and woven by the students themselves from native rainforest plants, symbolizing patience, planning and spirituality.
Speaker Rapanot-McGuire reflected on all his class has been through and the good times they shared – “We will cherish the memories and laughs,” he said.
Two of the four graduates are already enrolled in college, while the other two plan to apprentice in the electrician and mechanic trades, according to Holt.
The school’s curriculum is based on Molokai’s resources, focusing on the island's environmental and cultural heritage. It provides hands-on opportunities to learn academic skills in outdoor settings.
Ho`omana Hou is licensed and its credits are accepted by colleges and vocational schools in Hawaii and on the mainland. The school is now accepting applications for new students in grades 9-12; to apply, contact the Molokai Community Service Council at 553-3244 or mcsc@molokai.org.
Molokai Wrestlers Strong in States
Community Contributed
By Randy Manley
On Saturday May 14, 58 wrestlers from the Molokai Wrestling Club participated in the Kid’s State Wrestling Championships at the Lahaina Civic Center on Maui. In all, 520 wrestlers representing 22 wrestling clubs from Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Hawaii Island and Lanai competed throughout the day.
Wrestlers from age four through adult were grouped in seven divisions and a variety of weight classes.
At the end of the day, 34 Molokai wrestlers finished in the top three in their respected divisions. As a team the Molokai Club finished the day in fourth place with 76 total team points, just behind third place Maui Central (77 pts.), second Napili Surf Riders (80 pts.), and first place Maui Razorbacks (89 pts.).
Drug Free Is the Way to Be
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Celebrating the completion of their eight-week D.A.R.E. class, third and fifth graders of Kaunakakai Elementary, Kilohana Elementary and Kualapu`u School professed their commitment to stay drug free – yelling at the top of their lungs at Molokai Police Department D.A.R.E. Officer Sonny Kaai last Wednesday.
“My work is not really work, I just have fun in the classroom with the kids as we talk about the severity of drugs and how to build good relationships,” Kaai said. “They’ve learned a lot I’m proud of them.”
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Kaunakakai third grader Kaimana Nakayama was appreciative of the advice he learned during his D.A.R.E. lessons.
“The songs told me not to fight and be violent when I grow up. I think it will make me a good person.”
Hollywood Winners
Community Contributed by Catherine Aki
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