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Education

Swimming Pool Re-opens

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Swimming Pool Re-opens

Amid jokes by county officials throwing each other in the pool, community members, lifeguards and administrators gathered last week to bless the re-opening of Cooke Memorial Pool. Molokai’s only pool underwent six months of renovations to its facility – revamping the roof, adding handicap accessibility ramps, and gutting the bathrooms.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding,” said Zach Helm, district supervisor for the county Department of Parks and Recreation. “The public of Molokai depend on this…if it shut down, everyone would be impacted.”

Residents who often use the pool were at last week’s blessing, including Aka`ula School’s swimming students.

“I’m excited to start training, to work on my strokes,” said seventh grader Kori-Lee DeRouin, adding that her favorite stroke is butterfly. “We’ve waited a while.”

Aka`ula School will be hosting a swim meet for all interested island youth in May. Parents or students should contact Vicki Newberry at 567-6981.

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Hokule`a Youth Crew Voyage to Christchurch for Earthquake Relief

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Hokule`a Youth Crew Voyage to Christchurch for Earthquake Relief

Polynesian Voyaging Society News Release

A small group of culturally conscious Hawaii youth are headed to Christchurch, New Zealand to provide much-needed assistance to those coping with the effects of the tragic Feb. 22 earthquake.  The natural disaster claimed 161 lives with hundreds still unaccounted for. Thousands are still struggling without water, electricity, proper sewage, or access to government services and aid.

Six members of Polynesian Voyaging Society’s Kapu Na Keiki program, Moani Hemuli, Haunani Kane, Waimea McKeague and Jason Patterson of Oahu; Cliff Kapono of Hawaii island; and Niegel Rozet of Maui, are planning to deploy to the disaster area within the week. The team is comprised of voyaging navigators and apprentices, trained first responders, and a journalist.  Working with their hosts, Ngai Tahu people, they will offer person-to-person relief in the city center and more isolated rural areas surrounding Christchurch.

Maori (native) communities within the region have rallied to support those devastated by the earthquake.  They have opened their marae (meeting houses) as temporary shelters and are helping to administer much needed medical assistance and provide food and water to displaced families.  The Ngai Tahu iwi (tribe) is the principal Maori iwi (tribe) in New Zealand’s South Island; their tribal offices, located in Christchurch were badly damaged in the quake. Nevertheless, tribal members have been working tirelessly to assist those left homeless by the natural disaster.


“We are so grateful that our Hawaiian cousins wish to come and assist with this tragedy,” said Patsy Perenara-O’Connell, an official with Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu  (the tribal governance organization of the Ngai Tahu people) headquartered in Christchurch.

“We believe this is the best way to express solidarity with our Polynesian `ohana during this painful time,” said Haunani Kane, spokesperson for Kapu Na Keiki. “While this particular voyage will substitute jet transportation for a sailing canoe, it requires the same level of planning and preparation. We will be self-sufficient upon arrival and throughout our stay to ensure we lighten the burden of our hosts.”

With limited time for planning and preparation, Kapu Na Keiki finds itself with an abundance of goodwill and a scarcity of funding. The group is appealing to the generosity of Hawaii?s people and businesses to help fund this humanitarian voyage. “We estimate our expenses will be about $20,000,” said Kane. “If 200 people are inspired to give $100, our expenses will be completely covered. All money raised beyond that will go directly toward disaster relief in New Zealand.”

Contributions to Kapu Na Keiki?s Voyage to Christchurch can be made through Polynesian Voyaging Society where a special account has been designated. Send donations to Polynesian Voyaging Society, Attn: Voyage to Christchurch, 10 Sand Island Parkway, Honolulu, HI 96819. Checks, cash or credit cards (American Express, Visa and Mastercard) are welcomed, call with a credit card by phone (808) 842-1101 or fax (808) 842-1112. Contributors may also call the PVS office at 536-8405 to make donations.

ABOUT KAPU NA KEIKI
Kapu Na Keiki ("Hold Sacred the Children") embodies a dream envisioned by navigator and educator Nainoa Thompson to expose youth to Hawai‘i’s ancestral tradition of deep-sea voyaging and non-instrument navigation. Students develop an appreciation for Hawai‘i, its people and its cultural and ecological beauty, learn the importance of caring for our environment and natural resources, enjoy the gift of physical activity, challenge themselves, be inspired to explore, exercise leadership and service, and experience the values of compassion and giving.
 

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Beyond the Classroom, Math Conquers

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Beyond the Classroom, Math Conquers

Alexandria Simon has her sights set on becoming a special effects designer for motion pictures, Kamalani Bicoy is a whiz at constructing robots, and Ehiku Arnold has mastered the ultimate brainteaser by solving the Rubik’s Cube in less than two minutes. Proving that math is more than just another school day lecture, mathletes and science geeks participated in all-things-math at the second annual Molokai Math Day, held last Saturday at the Mitchell Pauole Center.

 “Math sometimes gets bad rep for being difficult and challenging, but when you get down to it, the subject is a lot of fun,” said Aka`ula School Principal Dara Lukonen. “Today the kids have a chance to see math outside the classroom and enjoy it.”

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Tutu’s Corner

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Tutu’s Corner

Community Contributed

Column by Tutu and Me

Po`okela means excellence, to exceed, to excel. In the Hawaiian culture, everyone has not only their kuleana, responsibility, but also an understanding that we should do more than what is expected whenever possible.  It’s a feeling in your na`au (literally: guts; figuratively: of the heart or mind) that you should do not only what is asked, but to perform beyond what is expected. In school, it means doing assignments not only thoroughly, neatly, and turning it in on time but putting a cover on the report, adding illustrations and doing extra research. The same is true in the workplace – not only performing up to expectations but taking the initiative to do more than you are asked. This is po`okela.


Getting keiki out of the house in the morning is a challenging task. Getting to Tutu and Me consistently is good. Getting to Tutu and Me and being on time for the morning circle is superb. Attending consistently and arriving on time with both caregiver and keiki smiling and ready to go is po`okela.

All of the wonderful toys and equipment at the Tutu and Me site are fabulous. All of the “homemade” activities – the cardboard box canoe, refrigerator, puppet theater, etc. are awesome. The extra effort the staff gives in creating these things is from their hearts, and with aloha is po`okela.

Try This at Home:
•    In daily activities with your keiki, po`okela should be recognized and praised.
•    Po`okela is learned through observation and modeling.  When a task has been completed well, describe and explain this to your keiki. For example: “Look! Daddy washed the car. Not only the outside but the inside too. He did a really good job, didn’t he?”
•    Recognize and praise keiki when they do something well. For example: “You not only put away your toys but your sister’s as well! That’s an excellent job!”

Remember: Kulia i ka nu`u – Strive to reach the highest. Motto of Queen Kapi`olani.

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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Springing into Play

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Springing into Play

Heading out of winter and into the hot summer months, student athletes at Molokai High School are preparing to end the current school year proudly, representing tennis, track and field, and baseball.

Tennis
With a first year coach and a team mainly comprised of new players, the boys and girls tennis team are ready to break new ground.

“They’re all fresh, [and] that’s the best kind,” said coach Katie Brind. “I can show them the correct form.”

Brind, who has been playing tennis since she was six, joined the team this year after watching her niece play last year.

She is joined by returning volunteer assistant coach, Renee Montizor, who said the team did very well learning the fundamentals over the past few weeks. Montizor said Brind has just finished ranking the players, which matches players based on their skill sets, to determine how they will play in their matches. Also because the team is novice, they will mostly play in double sets.

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Kikukawa is joined by eight other athletes, including those training for the ‘field’ part of track and field. Assistant coach Rodney Nelson will be training freshman Rendy Jacobs in the shot-put, and senior Kalei Adolpho will be training again for her state-qualifying high jump. Adolpho, who recently signed an athletic scholarship to play volleyball next year at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, qualified for the state championships in the high jump after just one meet – the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships.

The track and field team will head to Maui on March 11 for their first meet at War Memorial stadium.

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Raising the Bar

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Public schools around the state are sometimes the first ones to feel budget cuts. Schools on Molokai are doing the best they can with what they have.

The island’s school principals met for a talk story last week and all of them agreed that they need to focus on preparing kids for the real world and foster parental support.

Get Ready For College
Kaunakakai Elementary School Principal Janice Espiritu announced that the school would not have any combined classes next year. Espiritu is confident that the school is preparing their students for the not only for middle school, but beyond.

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High School Rodeo Results

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

High School Rodeo Results

In order of first to third place, below are results of last weekend's Hawaii High School Rodeo Association (HHSRA) first shows of the 2011 season.

HHSRA MOLOKAI DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL SHOW #1
Barrel Racing: Chelsea Sakamoto; Moani Rawlins; Taylor Keliihoomalu
Pole Bending: Moani Rawlins; Liloa Akoi; Chelsea Sakamoto
Tie-Down Roping: Jake Sakamoto
Breakaway Roping: Chelsea Sakamoto
Goat Tying: Liloa Akoi; Chelsea Sakamoto; Taylor Keliihoomalu
Dally Team Roping: Kainoa Kamakana/Liloa Akoi; Jake Sakamoto/Chelsea Sakamoto
Double Mugging: Dylan Godsey/Moani Rawlins
Steer Wrestling: Dylan Godsey


Junior Wrangler (6th-8th grade) SHOW #3
Barrel Racing: Brooke Keliihoomalu; Kapua Lee
Pole Bending: Brooke Keliihoomalu; Kapua Lee
Boys Goat Tying: Jayden Tabilangan
Girls Goat Tying: Brooke Keliihoomalu; Kapua Lee
Girls Breakaway Roping: Kapua Lee
Ribbon Roping: Jayden Tabilangan/Kapua Lee

Junior Wrangler (6th-8th grade) SHOW #4
Barrel Racing: Kapua Lee; Brooke Keliihoomalu
Pole Bending: Kapua Lee; Brooke Keliihoomalu
Boys Goat Tying: Jayden Tabilangan
Girls Goat Tying: Kapua Lee; Brooke Keliihoomalu
Girls Breakaway Roping: Brooke Keliihoomalu
Ribbon Roping: Jayden Tabilangan/Kapua Lee


HHSRA MOLOKAI DISTRICT KEIKI (3rd-5th grade) SHOW #1
Barrel Racing: Meleana Pa-Kala; Nicole Kamakana/Noel Tancayo; Alyssa Dudoit
Pole Bending: Nicole Kamakana; Kodie Place/Noel Tancayo; Rex Kamakana
Boys Goat Tying: Rex Kamakana
Girls Goat Tying: Noel Tancayo; Meleana Pa-Kala; Alyssa Dudoit
Breakaway Roping: Rex Kamakana; Meleana Pa-Kala; Alyssa Dudoit
Reach Roping: Rex Kamakana; Meleana Pa-Kala; Alyssa Dudoit
Calf Mugging: None
Calf Riding: Noel Tancayo; Peter Keliihoomalu Jr; Ikaia Felsinger
Heel-o-matic: 18 points Rex Kamakana/Nicole Kamakana; 18 points Alyssa Dudoit/Noel Tancayo; 17.5 points Ikaia Felsinger/Meleana Pa-Kala

HHSRA MOLOKAI DISTRICT KEIKI (3rd-5th grade) SHOW #2
Barrel Racing: Noel Tancayo; Alyssa Dudoit; Nicole Kamakana/Rex Kamakana;
Pole Bending: Nicole Kamakana; Noel Tancayo; Rex Kamakana
Boys Goat Tying: Rex Kamakana
Girls Goat Tying: Nicole Kamakana; Noel Tancayo; Alyssa Dudoit
Breakaway Roping: Rex Kamakana
Reach Roping: Rex Kamakana/Noel Tancayo; Ikaia Felsinger; Alyssa Dudoit/Nicole Kamakana
Calf Mugging: Ikaia Felsinger/Noel Tancayo’; Rex Kamakana/Peter Keliihoomalu Jr
Calf Riding: Peter Keliihoomalu Jr; Ikaia Felsinger; Alyssa Dudoit
Heel-o-matic: 18 points - Ikaia Felsinger/Meleana Pa-Kala; 17.5 points - Alyssa Dudoit/Noel Tancayo; 10 points - Rex Kamakana/Nicole Kamakana


HHSRA MOLOKAI DISTRICT KEIKI (K-2nd grade) SHOW #1
Barrel Racing: Lane Kamakana; Ciana Place; Keilana Duvauchelle
Pole Bending: Lane Kamakana; Ciana Place; Keilana Duvauchelle
Goat Undectorating: Lane Kamakana; Ciana Place; Keilana Duvauchelle
Reach Roping: Lane Kamakana; Keilana Duvauchelle

HHSRA MOLOKAI DISTRICT KEIKI (K-2nd grade) SHOW #2
Barrel Racing: Lane Kamakana; Ciana Place; Keilana Duvauchelle
Pole Bending: Lane Kamakana; Ciana Place; Keilana Duvauchelle
Goat Undectorating: Lane Kamakana; Ciana Place/Keilana Duvauchelle
Reach Roping: Lane Kamakana; Keilana Duvauchelle

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Winter Sports Wrap Up Successes

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Community Contributed

By Ke`van Dudoit

A big mahalo goes out to all our Molokai High School winter athletes for another great season. Molokai was able to claim two Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championships, in girls basketball and girls canoe paddling. Mikayla Pico, Rizpah Torres-Umi and Charisse Manley were also MIL champions in girls wrestling.

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Get Your Skate On

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Get Your Skate On

For three minutes, Noah Archuleta, age 11, pushed himself to get as many tricks in as possible. He pulled aerials and attempted board tricks, and in the end, won second place for division one (11 and under) in the third annual Freedom Skate Contest.

“Butterflies, I got the butterflies,” Archuleta said after finishing his round. “I like the moment when you complete the trick, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Last Saturday, Surfing the Nations hosted their third annual skate contest at Molokai’s skate park. 50 contestants turned out, nearly double that of last year’s contest. According to organizers, the annual contest is held to promote safe and healthy activities among the island’s youth.

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Beach Clean Up

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Beach Clean Up

My class participated on Feb. 1, 2011 in a worldwide beach clean-up. There were schools from Molokai, Big Island, Oahu, California, Oregon, the east coast, and even from distant places such as Japan, Spain, Italy and Kosovo.

Our Special Field Trip
By Stasia Kaahanui

Ms. Abraham’s class went on a field trip on Feb. 1, 2011 for a beach clean-up. When we got there, we started picking up rubbish. We found nets, glass, cigarette butts, metal frames and a big tall bamboo pole. We kept track of what we found. We searched everywhere. We even saw a turtle.

We did some research on what we found. A cigarette butt will last from one to five years, but some experts say they won’t denigrate ever. A glass beer bottle that we found can last up to one million years. The fishing nets we found can last up to 600 years. They can kill poor sea creatures, including the turtle we saw.

We did this beach clean-up because all the things we found on the beach can go into the ocean, which affects the ocean and pollutes it. All the animals can die and get tangled up. We are helping the beach to be clean. Our ocean is important because some animals provide food and medicine, like the coral reef. In ancient times, Hawaiians of old took great care of their ocean and aina. People from all over the world can give their best effort to make a difference.


I Live In the Ocean
By Chevy Augustiro

I am naturally curious and like to play with unusual things. My natural predators are sharks and killer whales.

But some of my worst predators are nets and fishing lines. Once, I got stuck in a net and almost died. My friend actually did: he choked to death. He saw some silver things floating in the water and thought it was food.

I like to eat fish and lobster, and I learned to avoid shiny silver things. Sometimes I play with aliens – at times called people – that can swim in the ocean too. But they run if I come toward them. Unfortunately, these aliens left a six pack soda ring and it got stuck around my mouth. I starved to death and can no longer swim or sunbathe on the beach.

Can you guess what I am?

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