Education

Aalona Makes All-Star Swim Team

Monday, April 4th, 2011

After becoming the first Molokai High School swimmer to qualify for states in nearly a decade, junior Lawaia Aalona was named to the Maui News Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) All-Star number two swim team.

The Maui News compiled a number one and two team for its All-Stars list, and an honorable mention list for MIL swimmers this year.

“I feel pretty good,” Aalona said of his recent honor. “I’m aiming for team one next year.”

Ford is planning on resurrecting a USA swimming program for Molokai’s swimmers that would bring year-round training back to the island.

“I had fun this year, me and my teammates got to bond more,” Aalona said. “The longer we stick together, the stronger our team will be.”

Posted in Island Youth, Sports

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Penny Martin Given Friend of Youth Award

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Community Contributed

By Ric Ornellas

The Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) recognized Penny Martin’s 25-plus years of volunteer teaching to Molokai students by awarding her with the Friend of Youth Award 2011 at their yearly convention on April 2 at the Sheraton Waikiki. This prestigious award, given annually since the 1980s from teachers state-wide, acknowledges a non-teacher who demonstrates excellence to teaching and learning within their local community. In her acceptance speech before 411 teacher delegates, Penny said, “I am surrounded by wonderful teachers on Molokai and I receive so much support from our community. If your teachers here are a reflection of our teachers on Molokai, then the children of Hawaii are very lucky.” She is the first Molokai community leader to receive this award.

Jenifer Tsugi, Award Committee chairwoman, presented Penny with a kamani bowl and engraved plaque. Prior to Penny’s award, she gave Gov. Abercrombie a lei on behalf of Molokai before his keynote speech to HSTA delegates. Penny’s two sons, Kealiiaukai “Magic” and Conrad Martin also attended the award ceremony honoring their mother.

Penny’s efforts to help youth are familiar to Molokai residents who see her trucking from school to school, east end to west end, sharing her mana`o with young leaders of the future. While Penny’s primary work is for the AIDS Foundation, her volunteer work is without compensation and is grant funded through Papahana Kuaola. She visits all four public elementary schools, along with private Aka`ula School, providing keiki with engaging lessons and activities on Native Hawaiian culture. She coordinates with myriad teachers trying to infuse students’ lives with an awareness of Hawaiian values and traditional care for the environment. Penny sees the youth as Molokai’s future caretakers.

She attends class field trips voluntarily assisting students and teachers in their work with Hookuleana O Molokai, the Maui Digital Bus, the Alaka`ina Foundation and the Aloha Aina curriculum. Penny was a founding member of the Earth Day committee on Molokai and for years has spent countless hours in planning, organizing, and setting up booths.

Penny has assisted with science fairs at Kilohana Elementary School, and was the keynote speaker there (again without pay) when the then-fourth grade teacher was awarded Teacher of the Year, in large part, because of the science-based environmental projects they developed together. One of those students has followed directly in Penny’s footsteps, and now, as a young adult, works with teachers implementing their curriculum.

Last year, Penny Martin volunteered at Aka`ula School for their annual PRISM (Proving Resolutions with Integrity for a Sustainable Molokai) conference. As keynote speaker, she urged students and parents to take care of the aina, suggested ways for families to focus on environmental issues and promoted sustainable practices with youth.

Posted in Community, Education, Island Youth

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Molokai Educator Gets High Honors

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Rose Yamada not only brings her educational experience to Molokai, but she also brings her love for Hawaiian values and culture. These passions helped earn Yamada the Educator of the Year award from the Native Hawaiian Education Association (NHEA) after an accomplished thirty years in the Hawaii education system.

Yamada was presented with the award alongside two other recipients, Calvin and Charlene Hoe, on March 17 at Windward Community College on Oahu.

“She deserves a round of applause [and] a thank you from all of us,” said Janice Espiritu, principal of Kaunakakai Elementary. “She’s really deserving of the award.”

were great farming scientists. They were able to develop 300 varieties of taro. I think that’s how the people survived.”

And at 69 years old, Yamada’s ultimate success story has yet to begin. She was asked by a panel at the NHEA award ceremony, “What has been your greatest accomplishment?”

“I don’t have any. I’m not done, yet,” Yamada responded.

Calvin and Charlene Hoe did not return calls for comment.

Posted in Community, Culture & Art, Education, Hawaiian Culture 1 Comments

Aka`ula Students Talk Japan

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Community Contributed
Submitted by Vicki Newberry

About a dozen Aka`ula School students visited Japan March 4-12, staying an extra two days when the country was struck by the March 10 earthquake. We want to thank our families and friends for their thoughts and prayers while we were in Japan, especially after the earthquake. While we were not in any danger, we appreciate the outpouring of love and support.

Flea Market at Toji Temple
By Alex Gilliland
“Wow!” I thought, glancing around the temple grounds, which were full of people, merchandise, and food. It was our first day in Japan and we had already been thrown into their culture. We were completely immersed in a language and culture we didn’t understand. It was so exciting! I was in Japan on the grounds of a temple! It was also overwhelming because of so many beautiful items from which to choose. It was like a giant yard sale, but better because what they were selling was exotic and foreign to us. It was amazing. I didn’t purchase any items from the flea market, but some of the boys bought replica samurai swords, or katana. I had a great time at the flea market. Maybe one day I can go again.

Kiyomizu Temple
By Kalehiwa Dudoit
On our last day in Japan we visited Kiyomizu Temple in the eastern part of Kyoto. This Buddhist temple was built in the late 700s, and has been designated a National Treasure. There are no nails in the entire structure, and considering the size of it, that’s impressive. The name Kiyomizu means clear or pure water. The name comes from the stream/waterfall that runs through the complex of buildings. There are three streams of water from the Otawa River that fall into a small pool. We drank from the waterfall, and some were greedy and drank from all three of them. Each stream of water is said to have special qualities. Drinking from them you will gain wisdom, health, or longevity.
As we entered the temple area there were metal poles that Japanese students were trying to lift. They looked really heavy and the students were really struggling to lift them, but the boys from our group lifted them with no problems.
There is a popular Japanese expression “to jump off Kiyomizu,” which means “to take the plunge.” In the Edo period it was believed that if you survived the 13-meter jump from the stage, your wish would be granted. There were 234 jumps recorded during the period and 85 percent survived the leap. People are no longer allowed to jump at Kiyomizu.
There were many shrines within Kiyomizu’s grounds. One of our favorites was Jishu-jinja, where the “love stones” are. There were two stones about twenty feet apart, and it is said that if you walk from one stone to the other with both eyes closed, safely, and without any problems, you will find your true love. If someone helps you to get from one stone to the other, it is said that you will need someone act as a go-between in love.

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Boys’ Volleyball Bounces Back

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

The Farmers’ volleyball team pulled wins against the Lanai Pine Lads last Friday and Saturday in Lanai City. The two wins put the Farmers at 2-2 on the season.

Senior David Gomes had ten kills on Friday night, and had help from his teammate, Paka Adolpho, who racked up 12 kills against the Pine Lads. The Farmers won 25-13, 23-25, 25-10, 20-25, 15-13.
“To me, it went good,” Gomes said. “I think we played more as a team and we were more aware of our mistakes.”

“They are looking good. They just have to work on their chemistry,” said coach Bill Dudoit.

Gomes had 12 kills on Saturday afternoon; Adolpho had 9 kills and 2 blocks, as well as one ace. Anu Maliu-Calairo gave the team an extra push by coming off the bench on Saturday and had seven kills on eight attempts. The Farmers won 25-10, 25-27, 22-25, 25-20, 15-6.

“I think it went pretty well. The coaches did really well training us and preparing us for Lanai,” Maliu-Calairo said.

Their next and first home game will be against defending Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) champs, Baldwin High, April 8-9.

“We would like people to come out and support our team,” Dudoit said.