Education

Olelo Special on KP2

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Airing tonight March 4, 2010 on Olelo channel 53 will be the Olelo production, "Hoailona and the Coming of the Seals." It is the story of Molokai’s monk seal "KP2, and was initiated by Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte and Monk Seal Advocate Loretta Ritte. It is moderated by Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD, and the Reverend David Kaupu. The goal of the show is to present the problem, clear up false rumor and create momentum needed in the Hawaiian community to save the Hawaiian Monk Seal.

Airing March 4 and 11 at 7 p.m., channel 53.
"Hoailona and the coming of the seals"
Reverend David Kaupu
Walter Ritte - Hawaiian Activists
Loretta Ritte - Monk Seal Advocate
Lono Hirakawa - Musician and Composer
Moderator: Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD

Posted in Announcements, Education, Environment

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Kaunakakai Recognizes ‘Gifted’ Kids

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Kaunakakai Elementary School had a vision for its "gifted and talented" keiki, and is finally progressing into reality.

The school is re-initiating a Gifted and Talented Program for children who qualify under state and federal guidelines.

In Hawaii, the average for identified gifted and talented students is seven percent. Sandra Czajkowksi, complex resource teacher, said studies have shown these kids are often distracted, unchallenged and bored in the classroom, and therefore need alternative class work and programs to suit their specific needs.

"Many of times these students don’t have an outlet,” she said. “We want to meet and exceed state standards with opportunities to pursue areas of interest beyond the regular curriculum.”

school year.”

Kaunakakai Improves NCLB Scores

Since 2007, Kaunakakai Elementary School’s scores for the Hawaii State Assessment have significantly improved year after year.

In 2009, Kaunakakai’s scores were above the No Child Left Behind Act’s (NCLB) standard with reading at 62 percent compared to 58 percent, and math at 56 percent compared to NCLB’s 46 percent.

Espiritu contributes the improved scores to both the hard work of teachers and students. And with the help of a newly-implemented study that helps teachers create and modify lesson plans to better educate students, Espiritu hopes to see a continued growth in scores.

Called “Lesson Study,” the experiment consisted of teachers teaming up with a specific goal in mind, and then constructing lesson plans that would be taught and observed by other teachers. The lessons were then tweaked, taught once more, and reactions of the students were later discussed.

Espiritu said the study – which was conducted for two months beginning in January – was extremely positive for the teachers, and helped established new teaching techniques.

Currently, Kaunakakai is still a school in “restructuring” under NCLB guidelines, and in order to progress needs to make its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in two consecutive years.

“We have one year down,” Espiritu said. “We just need to make it this year to get out.”

Posted in Education

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Road Closure: Mock-car crash

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Friday, March 05, 2010, Farrington Ave and Lihi Pali Ave will be closed from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Molokai High School gym).

A mock-car crash will be staged and filmed. SRO, Michael McCutcheon, Driver Education Instructor, Malia Lee, and MHS Senior, Kaili Levi have been collaborating this year to create a film (similiar to Shattered Dreams) for awareness of teens and (distracted and alcohol induced) driving.

Kaili Levi's senior project is to establish beliefs and behaviors among teen drivers and passengers that promot safe drivng habits by informing them of the high driving risks and consequences associated with distracted driving.

Posted in Announcements, Education

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With a Song to Share

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Diane Abraham

We are indeed blessed on Molokai. The natural beauty all around us is only sweetened by the people who call this `aina their home. Lono, with his musical talent and mana`o, is one such person.

Recently, the fourth graders of Kualapu`u School have been graced by his generosity. Crowding 62 nine and ten-year old haumanu into Ms. Abraham’s classroom, the keiki have learned a mele about our favorite monk seal, KP2. KP2, which stands for Kauai Pup Two (Pup one from the same mother was likewise abandoned at birth and died shortly thereafter), has properly been given a Hawaiian name: Ho’ailona.

Lono’s song about this punahele pup has filled our hearts, our ears, our voices and our class.

Mahalo to this awesome man who shows that one person can make a difference: in this case, in not just one life but in the lives of 62 young people, and no doubt, their three teachers!

There’s even a sweet touch: at a presentation in Honolulu of Ho’ailona, Lono played the recording he made of the children singing the chorus (hui) while he sang the verses. The audience and moderators were brought to tears by the sweet singing of the Kualapu`u haumanu. The recording has been aired on the radio (FM 102.3)…keep listening! How wonderful that Lono has opened this opportunity for the young people of Molokai to express themselves in song. One never knows what the future holds; we can only do what Lono has done: seize the moment and let Akua chart the course.

Posted in Education, Letters, Music

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Molokai LEOs Recognized for Commitment of Service

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The Molokai High LEO Club has won first place in the state in the Small LEO Club category for 2009-2010. This is the first time the MHS LEO club has received this recognition. LEO Club stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity, and is a youth division of the International Lion’s Club. The criteria the board considered was amount of community services done, the quality of the projects, and the amount of participation in state LEO committees. This year the MHS LEO Club’s theme was “LEOs standing not behind you or in front of you but by your side.” The MHS LEO club focused on starting a recycling program at the high school. Congratulations to the following members:

Abigail Adachi, Akona Adolpho, Abbigale Adolpho, Isreal Adolpho, Chenoa Ahuna-Kaai, Petrisha Alvarez, Herbert Antolin, Crystalene Antonio, Dohna Bicoy, Camille Borden, Rebecca Carpenter, Christina Carpenter, Jamie Duvachelle, Lesley Escobar, Francine Feig, David Gomes, Durand Jones, Katherine Kendall, Michael Kikukawa, Charisse Manley, Healani Mawae Mollena, Kerianne Mokuau, Melody Ocampo, Mike Onofrio, Candice Pauole, Crystal Puaoi-Kawai, Kawena Puhi, Cristina Rabino, Mahailia Rapanot-McGuire, Kesha Reyes, Denichel Ruiz, Darianne Ruiz, Susan Smith, Michal Torres-Umi, Louisa Torres-Umi, Kalani Wainwright, Tarren Wakuta, Aloha Will, Joe Yamamoto.

Julie De George and Malia Lee, Club Advisors.

Posted in Education, Letters

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Me ke aloha pumehana

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The Hui Makua o Punana Leo o Molokai would like to thank the following families for their treless support of our program in assisting with our annual Hulihuli Chicken Sale: `Ohana Jerry Mina, `Ohana Dennis Kamakana, `Ohana Roger Apuna, `Ohana Brian Naeole, Hotel Molokai – General Manager Mike Drew, `Ohana Bob Alcon, `Ohana Na`ehu/Simms, `Ohana Kaleo Bishaw, `Ohana Pa-Kala, `Ohana Irene Tancayo, Kualapuu School Kitchen Krew; and of course our own Hui: `Ohana Kamalu Purdy, `Ohana Na`iwa Pescaia, `Ohana Nai`a Nae`ole-Starkey, `Ohana Bodhi Auchenbach, `Ohana Makakoa Lu`uloa, `Ohana Hokuao Arce, `Ohana Miliopuna Davis, `Ohana `Aina Galam, `Ohana Teaho Peopeo, `Ohana `Ohi`aku Ritte-Camara-Tangonan, `Ohana Kamalua Arce, `Ohana Laiku Davis, `Ohana Kalamaku Han, `Ohana Kekai Simms, `Ohana Ka`oli

Posted in Education, Letters

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Weekend Sports Yield Mixed Results

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Saturday’s Maui Interscholatic League (MIL) wrestling tournament at Lahainaluna High School saw Molokai finish second overall with 14 wrestlers – nine boys and five girls – advancing to the state championship meet.

While Lahainaluna High finished first overall with a total of 250 points for their boys’ team and 137 points for their girls’ team, Molokai didn’t trail too far behind.

Molokai’s Kevin Dudoit took first in his 135-pound class, while second-seeded Mikayla Pico took first for the girls at 98 pounds.

Other Molokai girls to take first in their weight class were third-seeded Kaulanarose Akaka at 125 pounds and Chelsie Davids at 220 pounds.

from 12 to eight. Unfortunately, they only send the championship team.”

Girls’ Basketball

Although a second consecutive state championship title was not far from reach for the Molokai High girls’ basketball team, Kaimuki High’s 41-32 victory over the Lady Farmers denied them the crown.

Friday night’s Division II championship game at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu saw the second-seeded Bulldogs sweep the title, leaving the top-seeded Lady Farmers to finish their season at 11-1.

With a fierce defense, the Bulldogs limited Molokai’s lead scorers Kalei Adolpho and Danna-Lynn Hooper-Juario. While Adolpho scored 12 of the Farmers 32 points, Hooper-Juario was confined to four.

The game also saw the final high school performance of four Molokai seniors including Hooper-Juario, Jamie and Jolenta Duvauchelle, Puna Kawamae – all of whom started in Friday’s game.

Coaches were not available for comment.

Posted in Education, Sports

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Lady Farmers Clinch MIL Tournament, Advance to Semifinals

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Wednesday at Kalani High, the Molokai High girls’ basketball team won its quarterfinal game against Kaiser, 67-56, advancing them into today’s semifinals of the state championships.

Seeded No. 1, the Lady Farmers (11-0) gained a 15-8 edge in the first eight minutes of Wednesday’s game against the Cougars, which increased to 38-24 at halftime. After a third-quarter tie, Kaiser outscored Molokai by three points, only to lose it shortly thereafter, when the Lady Farmers came back to win it.

The Farmers are going on to play Kahuku Thursday at 7 p.m. at Kalani in their semi-final game.

Last weekend, the Lady Farmers left the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) tournament the same way they arrived: undefeated. In a two-game tournament at Hana, the Molokai High girls’ basketball team snagged the overall league title by an average of 49 points.

The girls took a 54-18 victory their first game, and then had a blowout second game with a score of 72-8.

“It was a team effort,” assistant coach Kevan Dudoit said. “All of our players gained post-season experience. Not many teams can say that.”

Dudoit said the girls go into every season with one goal – to be state champions.

“This year, they want to come back to Molokai with a second state title,” he said.

Boy’s Basketball

Although Molokai High’s boys’ basketball team was defeated by Lanai Friday, the boys retaliated and stole a win Saturday, 58-40 over the Pine Lads.

Molokai coach Lee DeRouin said during Friday’s game the boys came out with too much energy that resulted in some foul trouble and an “over-extended defense.”

“They came out Friday playing too hard,” DeRouin said, “and Lanai took advantage of our misses.”

The boys came out Saturday more relaxed, and with more patience, DeRouin said – ultimately giving them the victory.

Molokai senior Alvin Ringor scored the game’s high of 16 points, Kamakana Duvauchelle-Andrade followed shortly behind with 15, and Julien Bumatay had 10 to lead the Farmers into a split win against Lanai.

“It had been three to four years since Lanai had lost,” DeRouin said. “It was a big win in a hostile environment.”

DeRouin contributed the comeback to a “great” collaborative effort by the team and said the win will help fire up motivation when the boys face off with Lanai again next week for the MIL tournament.

“They need to rest physically and mentally,” DeRouin said.

The boys’ team finished its regular Division II season at 5-3, and will meet at the War Memorial Gym in Maui on Thursday for the MIL tournament.

Posted in Education, Sports

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Keiki Rhythm

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Alison Place

The rhythmic sound of Tahitian drums echo throughout the cafeteria at Kaunakakai School on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Upon closer inspection one can see several adults and children smiling, perspiring, and laughing while they dance to the beat of the drums. Welcome to the Tahitian Dance Exercise class, which is taught by Tere Neuhart.

Neuhart has danced most her life, including professionally on Oahu at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hawaiian Hut and Paradise Cove. Upon returning home to Molokai to raise her family, she joined Moana’s Hula Halau where she has danced for the past 16 years.

Neuhart’s passion for dance and the rhythmic music combined with the drum beats inspired her to teach an exercise class in that venue. Judging by the popularity of the class many share this passion. “I think many of the girls and ladies enjoy dancing to music from another culture while learning basic Tahitian movements. They also get a really good cardio workout from dancing and moving to the music.”

The class is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program and is therefore free to participants. If you are interested in joining in the fun, register with Joshua Adachi (553-1730). There are two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Posted in Education, Hawaiian Culture

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Skating to Freedom

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Nick Keoho, 19, began skating a year ago, “to stay out of trouble.” And that’s exactly why Surfing the Nations comes to Molokai and hosts their Freedom Skate Contest, held last Saturday.

The organization promotes skateboarding and surfing activities for Hawaii’s youth, to keep them free from drugs and alcohol. Surfing the Nations originally built Molokai’s skate park a few years ago, and was asked to come back. So they created the skateboarding contest, now in its second year.

“It’s what we can do to excited the youth…give them a variety of things to do,” said director Charis Bauer. Her organization also does service projects while on Molokai, such as yard clean-ups and working at the mental health drop-in center.

This year’s number of participants doubled, from 16 to 34 this year. Nicole…, a Surfing the Nation volunteer, said she recognized some kids from last year and saw their improvements.

“They’re just charging it,” she said.

The contestants varied from ages three to over 50, broken down into three age groups: under 11, 11-18, and 18-plus – this was the first year the older age group was included.

Although Keoho only competed against two others in his age group, after only skating a year won first place.

Kainalu Dudoit, a seventh-grader at MMS, has also only been skateboarding for a short time – two years – while his parents weren’t even sure he’d be able to walk. Dudoit was born with spinal dysraphism, causing bilateral club feet. Even with surgery, his parents weren’t sure if he’d be able to walk – but at Saturday’s contest, Dudoit won fifth place for his fast feet skills.

Posted in Education, Sports

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Education

Olelo Special on KP2

Kaunakakai Recognizes ‘Gifted’ Kids

Road Closure: Mock-car crash

With a Song to Share

Molokai LEOs Recognized for Commitment of Service

Me ke aloha pumehana

Weekend Sports Yield Mixed Results

Lady Farmers Clinch MIL Tournament, Advance to Semifinals

Keiki Rhythm

Skating to Freedom

Submission Deadlines

Advertising

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Education

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