Education

Cutting a Rug at Kualapu`u

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

After reciting an ode to anuenue – rainbows – and breaking out some sweet hip-hop moves, sixth-grader Poliahu Ranis declared she deserves two-thumbs up. 

In fact, all of the third through sixth grade dancers, actors, poets and comedians who stole the spotlight at Kualapu`u School last Thursday beamed with excitement after their performing arts show.

“Dance makes me happy and that’s why I like to be in this class and performance,” said fourth-grader Jaide Kiaha, member of the Sugarhill Gang hip-hop routine.

During their weekly art classes, a new edition to this year’s school curriculum, students crafted a mix of visual and performing art pieces to learn the importance of confidence when sharing their work to parents, family and community members.

“The biggest takeaway for the kids is to learn how to emote and share expression to an audience,” said Kualapu`u teacher and performance director Alestra Menendez.

As the kids break-danced to Taio Cruz, mimicked monsters from Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" and recited stanzas from Tupac Shakur, it was unnoticeable that this was the first performance onstage for many of the students.

“I only practiced in front of my small class group so when I got onstage I was like ‘woah!’” said sixth-grader Tristan Hooper. “There were a lot of people but I learned don’t be afraid and don’t be shame.”

But as the show took off, so did the nerves and anxious looks. The students stepped up and supported one another with each act.

 “The performance showed me that people can have dreams to become a rockstar or superstar,” said fifth-grader Josephine Mawae. “Today I was a superstar and I want to do it again!”

Molokai Middle School Honor Roll

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

MMS Perfect Attendance

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

This year, in Molokai Middle School’s first quarter, 70 out of 160 students had perfect attendance. Students were rewarded with gift certificates for a free ice cream cone with sprinkles from Kamo`i Snack-n-Go. All students had their names entered into a drawing for two iPods and winners were Griffen Tuisamatatele, eighth grade and Kawika Martin-Galam, seventh grade. 

Mahalo to Kim Svetin, Kamo`i Snack-n-Go, and Molokai Drugs Store for the donation of the gift certificates and iPods. Keep up the good work students, and mahalo parents for getting your child to school everyday!

Kelly Ka`awa-Richardson

A Time to Celebrate

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

The scene at the Maunaloa Recreation Center last Wednesday gave little hint of the years-long struggle to secure the future of Maunaloa Elementary School.

Music drifted out the door and down the block, where kids escaped to laugh and play in the last few minutes of sunlight.

The only cues of the community’s campaign were the hand-made protest signs that lined the hall’s walls – “Keiki Our Future,” “Save Maunaloa School.”

Despite improving tests scores and its meeting federal benchmarks under No Child Left Behind, the state targeted the school for consolidation, looking to save at least $270,000 a year, according to official estimates.

In September, after two years of back-and-forth between the BOE, state officials and Maunaloa residents, the board voted unanimously to keep the school open with its full staff intact, swayed largely by the outpouring of community support for the school.

“It was really overwhelming throughout the whole process,” said Elly Abafo, an educational assistant at the school. She was also a student at Maunaloa, as were her mother, children and now grandchildren.

Many at last week’s banquet likened the school to a second home for its 71 students, who all know their classmates, teachers and principal.

“It makes learning fun up here cause there’s only little bit kids,” said student Keola Sotelo-Mellokeanini.

Nearby, Leilani Kaina, whose daughter Johalei Kaina-Kahoalii, 5, is in kindergarten at the school, said she feels more comfortable sending her to a school closer to home.

“Everybody is one big ohana so parents don’t have to worry about the kids being safe,” Kaina said. Avoiding the drive to Kaunakakai every morning is also a relief, she laughed.

The school’s closure would not just have hurt its students and parents. Jonathan Espaniola, who works in the school cafeteria, said the staff was “very nervous” throughout the process.

With a limited business base, finding new jobs in Maunaloa would have been difficult. The town is still hurting over two years after Molokai Ranch shed 120 jobs in a single day, primarily in Maunoloa and on the west end. The school closing would have meant yet another blow to employment there.

But for now, workers like Espaniola are safe – and couldn’t be happier.

“I still have a job!” he said excitedly.