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Education

Keeping It Classy

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Keeping It Classy

Molokai elementary students enjoyed a relaxing start to their four-day weekend last Thursday afternoon when they were treated to a classical music performance.

The Galliard String Quartet, an ensemble of Chamber Music Hawaii, travelled across the island, stopping at each elementary school and the Molokai Public Library as part of an educational outreach program through the Honolulu Symphony.

The violinists, a violist and a cellist demonstrated the versatility of the classical genre by playing a variety of musical selections, including arrangements from World War II and modern folklore.

 “Classical music is a treasure of national history,” said quartet violinist Hung Wu. “There is much more to be learned in addition to the notes and arrangements.”

Students enthusiastically asked questions about the origins of the pieces played, how long the musicians have been playing and the materials used to craft the instruments.

“I like the low sound of the bass and would like to try play sometime,” said Kaunakakai third grader Beverly Ludgate.

Kualapu`u School Principal Lydia Trinidad said the kids benefited from the participatory aspect of the show and “got a rise out of watching their teachers get on stage and play with the ensemble”

“It’s great the quartet can come and expose the kids to new world culture at an expert level of performance,” said Kaunakakai teacher Bob Underwood, who also teaches violin and brass instruments through the 21st Century program. Classes are offered at Kaunakakai Elementary, Kualapu`u School and Maunaloa Elementary.

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Akaku, Drivers Ed Effort to Save Lives

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Beginning as a student project, Molokai showed its strength by mobilizing the community to create a heartfelt 18-minute video on the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. Students, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, the coroner, teachers, family members of victims of drunk driving and Akaku’s Dan Emhof combined forces last spring to shoot “The Last Pa`ina.”

“The Hawaii State Judiciary recognized the impact that this video will have on their comprehensive traffic safety education program and asked us if they may use it,” said Linda Puppolo, administrative director of Akaku. “We were honored to be part of this Molokai community project and pleased that the Hawaii State Judiciary has begun showing the video.”

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Tennis Kicks Off the Season

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Tennis Kicks Off the Season

The Farmers’ tennis team took on Lahainaluna last weekend on our home court – losing all matches, but for many, gaining their first experiences.

“These guys are tougher than the first guys we were supposed to play,” said volunteer coach, Kanahele Montizor. The combined girls’ and boys’ tennis team had two previous match-ups postponed – one due to rain, on March 4-5, and the other due to the March 11 tsunami.

No Molokai player won a match, but many held their own with set points. Denichell Ruiz and Brittanie-Rae Nerveza, playing doubles, lost both matches on Friday, first earning three points to Lahainaluna’s six (3-6), followed by 0-6. The girls improved on Saturday, with a 2-6, 2-6.

In tennis, each match is divided into sets, where a player must win two of three sets to win the match. Each set is played until one player (or doubles team) reaches six points. Each player participated in two matches against Lahainaluna.

showed them where their strengths were and where their weakness were,” she said.

Brind said she was especially impressed by doubles team Keoki Kaulia-Pelland and Micah Matson, who lost Friday’s matches 0-6, 5-7, but lost by a closer margin on Saturday, 3-6, 4-6.

“Now they’re getting the feel of competition…the slight pressure you have in a game,” Brind said. “But I tell them, just play each point, and do your personal best.”

The team plays St. Anthony at home next weekend, 3 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, at the high school courts.

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4-H Kentucky Bound

Monday, March 21st, 2011

4-H Kentucky Bound

Community Contributed By Viola Wichman

Yes, Molokai your very own 4-H Clover Lopers have been invited by a former resident of Molokai, the Demmers, to the “horse capital of the world” – Kentucky.  If you haven’t noticed lately, the Lopers have been having several fundraisers in an effort to help pay for our transportation costs.  Mahalo to our wonderful community who continue to be supportive of our club.  There will be several more opportunities for you to help us reach our goal.  Monsanto has graciously chosen the 4-H Clover Lopers as a recipient of one of their community grant programs by donating 400 sweet corn to the Lopers – a complete profit making endeavor for us. Mahalo Monsanto.  We will pre-sell tickets in town on March 19 and Prince Kuhio Day (March 26) for pick-up in town on around April 15.  Let’s help gallop the Lopers to Kentucky!


Our itinerary is packed with fun and educational activities.  We’re saddling up with several 4-H clubs who will be hosting a District 3 Horse Show (all breeds and disciplines) along with the University Of Kentucky - College Of Agriculture.  Your very own 4-H’ers will be introduced and interact with the participants and their mounts and share our culture and paniolo heritage with the Kentuckians!

Exciting – you bet!  It doesn’t stop there – we’ll be attending a hands on tour of the jockey training center at the university with Chris McCarron, twice Kentucky Derby winner; attending the Thoroughbred Training Center and watching a morning workout; touring palatial horse farms where barns cost more than homes; attending Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and viewing a $100,000 stake race; a private session with a local vet and natural horsemanship trainer; and the famous Kentucky Horse Park where everything about horses can be found.  The best yet, the Back Country Horse Club is taking your 4-H’ers on a trail ride.

Whoa, Molokai let’s help make this dream come true. Continue supporting our efforts and if you would like to sponsor a member (airline fares are running $850-plus), we are a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and your donations will be tax deductible. For info about our club or to sponsor a member, contact Viola Wichman at 560-6204. Mahalo!


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Generous Givers for Fifth Graders

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

The fifth grade class of Kaunakakai Elementary would like to send their great appreciation and thanks to those who supported them in their second fundraiser of the year. Our kids are our everything, and it shows how much we really care when we pull through together. To many who donated, we deeply appreciate it. Without these donations their bento sale would not have been a success. To the parents who donated, the Queen Lili`uokalani Center, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Uncle Bootie Poepoe and ohana, Uncle Keli`i Kaholoaa, Aunty Holly, Aunty Tiara, Tasha Mahiai, Kaunakakai School staff and administration, and Uncle P.J. at Friendly Market Center for putting our order together. To all of you, mahalo!

Andrea Yuen

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Services Alive at the Library

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Services Alive at the Library

Community Contributed by Sri TenCate, Branch Manager

The Molokai Public Library building has been closed since Feb. 14 for a new carpeting project. The staff has been providing limited library services at the carport behind the library Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The building will reopen to the public on Monday, March 21 as scheduled.

Library friends and patrons who have visited the interim site so far say they are pleased with the temporary outdoor location. New books, current magazines and newspapers are available for reading, browsing, and borrowing. We are grateful we can keep the library open during the duration of the project.

After the library re-opens, we will be able to host the Galliard String Quartet/Chamber Music Hawaii on March 23 at 3 p.m. The performance will include romantic interludes, light classics, Hawaiian and popular music and more. The program is sponsored by the University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College's SCEP, and partially funded by the Friends of Molokai Public Library.

We want to extend our gratitude to the Maui Friends of the Library for the grant to purchase new furniture, audio books and DVDs. We thank you for your patience and look forward to returning to our regular public service hours.

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Softball Starts Strong

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Softball Starts Strong

The Lady Farmers softball team went up against the Lanai Pine Lasses this past weekend on home turf, and started the season 2-0. Molokai came out full-force on Friday afternoon at Duke Regional Park – by the third inning, Molokai was on top 11-2 and by the end, the Lady Farmers bested Lanai 17-2.

The mercy-rule came into play after three innings.


Dirt was flying everywhere infield, with multiple stolen bases from Molokai, including one home steal to make it 11-2 in the third inning.

 “Everybody worked really well together. But we will have to work on our communication as a team,” said Tootie Rawlins.

Coach Coco Augustiro said she believes her team is ready for next game against a tough Seabury Hall next weekend on Maui.
“We should work on our batting, but I’m really proud of all of them and how they played,” she said.

Saturday afternoon’s match was played a little “slower,” according to Augustiro.

After six innings of play, the mercy-rule went into effect again with a final score of 23-7. The Pine Lasses went through three different pitchers.

Tyre Garcias Reyes hit a three-run homerun and Rawlins had two-run triple.

The Farmers will head to Maui this weekend to play Seabury Hall.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m really curious about Seabury, because we haven’t really seen what they have to offer yet,” Augustiro said.

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MHS Utilizes New Technology

Monday, March 14th, 2011

MHS Utilizes New Technology

Some students at Molokai High School (MHS) are getting their hands dirty these days, as part of the school’s Natural Resources Academy. Their new farm has been growing a plethora of vegetables and students are learning what it takes to be self-sustainable.

It has been nearly five years since the last student farm on MHS property. Science teacher Malia Lee said funding for the program had run out. But the high school’s new administration finds that a school with the mascot of a farmer should provide an agriculture program.

“We are “The Farmers” after all,” Lee said.

She has been working with seven students since last October at the school’s small farm, teaching the students how to grow various vegetables organically.

The vegetables, such as tomatoes, lettuce, onions, eggplant and corn, are being grown through hydroponics. A hydroponics system grows vegetables organically using piping, fish, and water – all without using any soil. The main fertilizer in the process is the manure that comes from the fish pond.

The water from the pond is circulated through a series of tubes and used to give nutrients to the pla

vision  to get more Hawaii kids involved in finance, so we can keep more finances in Hawaii instead of being controlled from abroad,” said Paula Freal, an economics teacher at MHS.

The Bloomberg station is a sophisticated computer that teaches students how to evaluate stocks and invest money. It is one of eight in the entire state and one of 200 in the country.

“We are bringing the world to them,” said Stan Hao, MHS principal.

Freal runs the station with seven students, ranging from eighth to 12th grade. The station is made up of six LCD monitors that teaches the students how to read investment and stock charts and practice finance activities.

The program utilizes real-world situations. The students start with $1 million to invest in the stocks of their choice. 

Freal said having experience with the Bloomberg station is great for any student to have on their resume when applying to colleges, and especially those who want to go into a financial field.

The new technology has gotten more popular at the school since it was introduced last spring.
“I only had three students when I started this program,” Freal said.

Hao also recently purchased 30 iPads for student use with the 21st Century grant program.

“I want to push the envelope,” Hao said. “I think we have wasted money on projects in the past on equipment.”

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Tutu’s Corner

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Tutu’s Corner

Community Contributed
Column by Tutu and Me

Children develop social competence in three main ways: initiating interactions, solving conflicts with others (children and adults), and maintaining ongoing friendships. Children are joining social situations, and spending more time with peers at earlier stages in their lives. Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool is a good example.

Recent studies show that the importance of forming friendships ranks second to the forming of family relationships. Friends come in all ages, shapes, colors, nationalities and religions.


Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool offers many opportunities for young children and their caregivers to cultivate friendships. Through friendships, social experiences occur that encourage children to express opinions and ideas, as well as to practice negotiations and compromises.

Try This at Home:
•    Give your child skills for being a good friend such as knowing how to greet other children, taking turns at games, sharing toys, and using kind words with friends.
•    Model good friendship by being a good friend to your child. Engage your child in conversation every day, just as you would a good friend.
•    Make sure that your child knows the names of your friends. Let your child see you and your friends being friends.
•    Acknowledge your child’s imaginary friends. Believe it or not, these “friends” serve an important purpose in some young children’s lives.
•    Teach your child how to choose friends wisely. Discuss with your child how a good friend acts.

Remember, friends, just as family members, are people we care for and who care for us.

Contributions from Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool, a program of Partners in Development Foundation.  Tutu and Me is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

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Online Classes Gaining in Grade Schools

Monday, March 14th, 2011

In a time where state education budgets are slashed and administrators cannot hire teachers, some schools and even parents are enrolling in full-time virtual schools.

Molokai High School (MHS) takes advantage of newly available online course to offer classes they couldn’t otherwise. MHS does not offer foreign language or advanced placement classes, said Principal Stan Hao.

Through the Department of Education’s virtual learning network, the high school offers French, Spanish, Japanese, AP World History and U.S. History, according to registrar Julia DeGeorge. The classes are provided by Myron B. Thompson Academy, the state’s “e-charter” school.

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