Education

Higher Education

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

MEC gets funds for land acquisition.

A depiction of Phase 1 and 2 of the MEC campus shows the current buildings to the left of the dashed diagonal line in the picture’s left half. The portion to the right of the line shows Phase 2 on the three acres of land to be acquired.

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai boasts many successful college graduates, and now, thanks to $500,000 recently allocated by the state legislature to expand the Molokai Education Center (MEC), students will have more opportunities to complete their education right here on Molokai.

The three-acre land acquisition project was at the top of Senator Kalani English and Representative Mele Carroll’s legislative priority lists this year, according to Donna Haytko-Paoa, MEC’s Coordinator and Professor. She said the development project is phase two of the campus’ original plan, expanding the current two-acre campus to five acres.

“I’m just thrilled that it came through,” said Haytko-Paoa.

A Bigger Spread
The land earmarked for acquisition extends to the border of the adjacent Duke Maliu Park. It is currently owned by Molokai Ranch and leased by Monsanto. Phase one, which is the current 10,000 square-foot building, opened its doors in 1999.

Haytko-Paoa said the phase two facilities could include a science classroom and lab, more offices, another computer classroom and a large lecture hall. She added she also hopes plans will include a theatre or auditorium which could serve as the center of performing arts and culture on Molokai. But classroom space is currently spread thin, and Haytko-Paoa said additional classrooms will be the priority of the project.

“What makes it all worth while is the students and the results,” said Haytko-Paoa.

Growing Student Body
Haytko-Paoa said the Molokai campus’ average enrollment is 225-250 community college students per semester, not including the 25-30 students in Bachelor and Masters programs. She said enrollment is already way ahead of what it was this time last year.

“When the economy is bad, people go to school. When it’s good, people go to work,” said Haytko-Paoa.

The value of the land is not yet established. MEC, the Maui Community College’s Molokai campus, is a branch of the University of Hawaii (UH) and Haytko-Paoa said UH will assess and negotiate the property’s fair market value with Molokai Ranch. She said leftover funds from the $500,000 allocated for the acquisition will go back to the legislature.

There is currently no time frame set for construction. But once phase two is built, Haytko-Paoa said she expects enrollment to increase immediately by 50 percent. The more you can offer, she explained, the more you can get. Haytko-Paoa said the college’s current limited resources restrict the opportunities it can afford its students.

A History of Hard Work
In 2007, money for the land acquisition was on the wish list of both Senator English and Representative Carroll, but went no further, according to Haytko-Paoa. Finally, the funding went through legislature at the end of last month, and Haytko-Paoa credits Molokai’s “dire straits” as well as support showed by the University of Hawaii system.

The 1992 Molokai Community Plan set aside 15 acres for Maui Community College Molokai campus, and Haytko-Paoa has not lost sight of the big picture.

“We’re still holding out for 15 acres,” she said. “If you don’t have dreams, what do you have?”

Haytko-Paoa said the college’s long term vision is for a full-service campus that includes marine research, visual arts, culinary arts, and nursing training facilities, as well as a cafeteria and students’ gathering place.

“Just because we’re from Molokai, doesn’t mean we don’t have the faculty and students to excel,” she said.

Before Us Are Dreams

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

By Melissa Kelsey

Showered with lei and balloons, graduating Ho`omana Hou High School senior Shae Pedro was one of ninety Molokai students to graduate from the island’s two high schools last weekend. Nine students received diplomas from Ho`omana Hou High School and 81 students were awarded diplomas from Molokai High School.  

“Always remember where you come from and who you are,” said Molokai High School principal Linda Puleloa in her Principal’s Address at the MHS commencement ceremony. John Rosales, one of four class valedictorians, echoed her words as he encouraged students to find success by keeping in mind their Molokai roots.      

MHS Commencement Address speaker Wescott Lee received a round of applause from the audience when he reminded families to make sure their graduates made it home safely after the festivities.    

“This is the first test of your adulthood and maturity,” he said, urging students to drive safely.   

As they received their diplomas one by one, the graduates posed for photographs, broke into tears, and one even did a cartwheel.

“Behind us are memories, beside us are friends, before us are dreams,” read a painted stone outside the school. “The class of 2009 that never ends.”

Don’t Miss the Poetry

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Kaunakakai students showcase their talents

Payton, grade 2, shows off one of her pieces of art and poetry.

By Catherine Cluett

Still clad in his baseball uniform, Kaunakakai School fourth grader Erik ran into the cafeteria after practice. It was the second annual Poetry Explosion, an event that showcases student works of art and poetry. A few minutes later, Erik strode to the microphone to read one of his poems, entitled “Ode to Baseball.”

He was one of many elementary students to take the mic and share their talents last Friday afternoon. Cafeteria walls and tables were covered in a vibrant display of student work.

One of the pieces made by budding poet and artist, second grade student Payton, is a colorful depiction of butterflies, accompanied by a poem that describes the life of a butterfly: “Butterflies fly in the grassy green meadows and search for sweet nectar.”

“The best part was the painting,” she said. “I did the painting before the poem.”

Third and fourth grade teacher Heidi Jenkins said the art and writing processes are very similar, and the development of a piece varies with each student. She encourages students to let their work sit and come back later to add the finishing touches.

Kanani, grade 4, explained her process of writing poetry. “I just think really hard and write it down, then I think about formatting it.”

One wall of the Kaunakakai School cafeteria was covered with glowing drawings of ukuleles with accompanying “Ode to Ukulele” poems. Teacher Alestra Menendez said this year, third graders made their own ukuleles, and the art, writing, and woodworking all tied together.

“I told them odes are an exaggeration of how you adore something,” she said.

The results are often breathtaking.

“Ukulele, ‘ukulele / Oh, your body looks like a hula dancer / dancing the night away,” wrote one student, Kyra, about her instrument.

Family, faculty and students of Kaunakakai School also enjoyed live music from the Anahaki Blend band and a chance to view student-produced award-winning Public Service Announcements that were also shown at this year’s Earth Day celebration.

Mission School’s Last Year

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Molokai’s only Christian school closing

By Melissa Kelsey       

On an island as religious as Molokai, parents hoping to send their children to a Christian school are losing their only option.

Molokai Mission School in Kaunakakai, affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, will close at the end of this school year, according to Krista Hightower, the school’s principal and only teacher. Hightower said Molokai Mission School is the island’s only private religious school above the preschool level. Six students in grades four through eight are currently enrolled, and three of them are graduating eighth-graders.

“All the kids that have come through here have been amazing,” said Hightower. “This school is my sweat, blood and tears. It is very disheartening to have to say goodbye.”

Hightower said the school is closing as a result of losing its $40,000 annual subsidy from the Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which is based in Honolulu. Molokai Mission School charges $175 per month for tuition and relies on the Conference’s financial contribution for nearly two-thirds of its operating expenses. The Conference downsized its education budget as a result of reduced tithing at Seventh-day Adventist churches statewide -- possibly as a result of the economy, according to Hightower. Molokai Mission School was affected by the budget cuts due to its small enrollment. The Conference’s Honolulu office could not be reached for comments.

Molokai Mission School teaches a Biblical, Creationist worldview to students that Hightower said emphasizes community service. She cited the individual attention each student receives as one of the school’s secrets to success.   

“This school is like a big family,” said graduating eighth grader Joanna Ragonton. “We get more individual attention and it is easier to communicate with each other and help each other solve problems.”

Pastor William K. Uni, III of Calvary Door of Faith Church in Kawela has one daughter currently enrolled at Molokai Mission School. Uni understands the Conference’s decision from a business standpoint. However, he said he strongly believes in Christian education and is disappointed that Molokai parents no longer have the option to send their children to a religious school.

“When I walk into this classroom, I breathe fresh air,” he said. “Education should be well-rounded with a spiritual focus.”  

Uni said his experience with Molokai Mission School has been that it holds students to the highest standards.

“Because of the zero-tolerance, the guidelines and the structure the kids have, they do not get into any major trouble,” said Uni.

Hightower said Molokai Mission School has been open for more than 50 years.

A private daycare or preschool may inherit the school’s space, which could be a feeder for the school to re-organize itself in the future, according to Hightower, but the possibility has not yet been confirmed by any daycare or preschool on Molokai.    

Hard Work Pays Off

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Elementary School principal receives $25, 000 and prestigious award.

By Melissa Kelsey

Some of the state’s most innovative advances in education are happening right on Molokai. Janice Espiritu, Principal of Kaunakakai Elementary School, received the esteemed Island Insurance Foundation Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award, presented two weeks ago at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu.

“When you look at a school, everyone plays a vital part: custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and crosswalk guards,” said Espiritu. “The most important element is the ties between the families and the school.”  

The award is given annually to a Hawaii school principal who is visionary, community-minded and has an entrepreneurial spirit. The winner receives a $25,000 check.

“I was very thrilled and honored,” said Espiritu. “When they called my name, I was so happy to represent Molokai.”

The award is divided into two parts: a $10,000 personal cash award and a $15,000 award toward a school project of the principal’s choice.

Espiritu said she plans to use the $10,000 to help finance a college education for her daughter, who is currently a junior at Molokai High School. The $15,000 will be used toward turning Kaunakakai Elementary School into a model for green education by installing photovoltaic panels on the school’s roofs. School personnel hope to use the solar technology not only to educate students and make the school more energy efficient, but to generate extra electricity to sell to energy companies. Espiritu said the project is one way the school can generate some of its own income, as an alternative to always relying on the state for money.  

Winning the award, according to Espiritu, was a result of the dedication and hard work of many school employees and community members who wrote letters of recommendation, offered guidance and worked to bring Kaunakakai Elementary School to its level of excellence. In particular, she said past principals Ed Kashiwamura and Joyce Bellino, and former Department of Education consultant Rose Yamada have been valuable mentors. Sixth grader Katalina Santiago, the school’s Student Council President, wrote one of the letters of recommendation.

Barn Party

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Among the honors and recognitions given out that night were the 2009 winners of the Albert and Evan Inaba Scholarships. Receiving the $2000 Academic Scholarships were graduating seniors Colton Manley, Jerome Clemente, and Estrella Madani. Justes Davis and Leya-Justina Luafalemana were awarded the $500 Albert and Evan Inaba Vocational Scholarship.

MHS Principal Linda Puleloa and Vice Principal Earl Nakamura, both retiring on June 30 of this year, were among the staff and faculty honored.

The Reunion committee would like to thank following people and organizations for their contributions to the reunion meal: Patrick and Denise Kawano, Kevin Misaki of Misaki’s, Jeff Egusa of Friendly Market Center, Sonya Yuen of Kualapu`u Market and Blossom Poepoe of Kanemitsu Bakery.