Education

My Sustainable Molokai Youth Contest

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

Aloha, welcome to the My Sustainable Molokai Youth Contest. Use this resource page to download contest forms and to research sustainability concepts and technologies. Then express your own creative vision for a sustainable Molokai through art, poetry and/or essay.

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Raising Your Voice

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

UH program brings music-making to Molokai youth

Moloka'i High students Kandis and Shaye Santiago in recording studio

Press Release

Self-expression and cultural preservation are both important to members of the Molokai community, and three artist educators have brought those values to life for students on Lana‘i and Moloka‘i. For the past several years, Musician Bailey Matsuda, storyteller Nyla Fujii-Babb, and dancer/choreographer Yukie Shiroma, as part of UH Manoa Outreach College’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program (SCEP), have worked with Molokai students to develop songs and stories from oral histories and the youth’s own contemporary experiences. The narratives span local history to romantic heartbreaks, and make a powerful case for preserving the rural lifestyle of these islands. A concert in Honolulu on April 25 of these young singer/songwriters and storytellers is a showcase of their dedicated efforts, new confidence, and a gift to all. Joining them on stage will be their teachers and some special guests, artistic role models from O‘ahu, Lana‘i and Moloka‘i: Nalani Olds with an opening and closing oli, musician Po‘okela Napoleon, and Lehua Matsuoka, Kumu Hula with ties to the late Kumu from Lana‘i, Aunty Elaine Kaopuiki.

The Moloka‘i performers are Joshua Adachi, Abigail Adachi, Kandis Santiago, and Shaye Santiago.

I like going fishing
Casting out the line
I like diving down
Morris Point get fish
I like going hunting
In the gulches on the west side
I like going swimming
At the wharf when hot

(Chorus)
We get the best beaches
Kaluakoi, Sandys, Dixies
We get the best people
Loving and nice

– from “I Like Moloka‘i” by Young Voices participants from the Moloka‘i Youth Center

Concert, open to the public: Saturday Saturday, April 25, 7:30 pm, Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College
Limited number of free tickets available to high school students and teacher. Please call 956-8246.
Tickets also available at www.etickethawaii.com/orc.html, by calling 944-BOWS, or at any UH ticket outlet. For more information, call 956-8246 or visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/community

Posted in Education, News Releases

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Rainy Day Fund

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Event raises money for Hawaiian immersion preschool.
By Melissa Kelsey

With rainwater running over the roof and pouring out of the gutters, Ho`omau 2009 participants feasted on fried ice cream, shave ice, and ono plate lunches under Lanikeha’s awning last Saturday. Inside the building, attendees of the fundraiser for the Hawaiian immersion preschool Punana Leo O Molokai browsed student artwork, purchased hand-printed Punana Leo t-shirts, enjoyed hula and Hawaiian music performances by local artists, and bid on silent auction items.

Saturday’s weather forced event organizers to move the festivities inside Ho`olehua’s Lanikeha Center. A strong community foundation and a worthy cause kept spirits high despite less than favorable conditions.

“This event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the school,” said Lauren Teriong, a parent of one of the preschool’s students.

There were more obstacles than just the weather, according to Rosie Davis of Kamalei by the Sea, a vendor at the event selling jewelry made from shells. As a result of the faltering economy, Punana Leo O Molokai waived entrance fees for venders this year and made all school contributions by vendors voluntary instead of mandatory, according to Davis.

“It was a nice approach for all of us, not having to pay that fee,” said Davis. “If we were going to do this, it had to be a voluntary donation. Times are hard right now.”

Punana Leo O Molokai is a preschool in Ho`olehua committed to re-establishing Hawaiian as a first language spoken at home. Other island Hawaiian language programs from preschool through high school also participated in the event.

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Molokai High School Basketball – A Season to Remember.

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Posted in Education, Sports, Video & Slideshows

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Education Celebration

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

By Melissa Kelsey

Tahitian dance students from Kaunakakai School danced their way onto stage as the community came out in record numbers to Ho’olaule’a 2009, the bustling event hosted by Maui Community College, Molokai last Friday. In an effort to promote higher education on Molokai, event organizers Kelley Dudoit and Tanya Davis pulled off a festive occasion that included an elevated model runway to perform local talent and tables with representatives from the University of Hawaii system, as well as local vendors.

Event-goers enjoyed ono food, music and hula performances and entertainment for the entire ohana. Activities ranged from trivia raffle prizes to paintball target shooting. One of the longest lines held people eagerly waiting to have their nails, hair, and make-up done by cosmetology students at the Honolulu Community College Cosmetology Department booth.

“I hope they do this every year,” said event participant Edwina Greenleaf, as her hair was being styled. “If more people on Molokai can go to college and come back, the services on the island will improve.”

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A Class Act

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Molokai boys finish fourth at Hawaii’s state basketball tournament.
By Sean Aronson

It may not have ended with arms raised and a trophy hoisted, but 2009 was a successful season any way you slice it for the Molokai boys basketball team.

“This was a great night for basketball and a greater night for Molokai,” said Head Coach Lee DeRouin following his team’s defeat in the semifinals of the state tournament.

It was the first time Molokai boys finished in the top four since 1988, when teams competed in one big tournament. In 2007 the state tournament was divided into two divisions, with the Farmers playing in the smaller of the two.

Molokai was one of 12 teams selected for the Div II state championships. They earned a first round bye, which means they were automatically into a quarterfinal matchup with Pahoa High School from Hawaii Island. They won that game, setting up a semifinal contest with Castle High School from Kaneohe, Oahu.

Semifinals
After a great comeback in their previous game, Molokai could not perform another miracle in Honolulu – but they came pretty darn close. The Farmers, the number four seed, challenged the number one seed, Castle, and put up a great fight last week, losing 57-44.

“We left everything on the court,” said Kinohi Kelly-Paleka, a senior who had four points in the loss.

After a ferocious first half by Castle, which saw them hit eight three-pointers, the Farmers were down 15, 35-20. But they stormed out of the second half, holding the Castle Knights to just four points in the third quarter while cutting the lead to seven.

But in the fourth quarter, Molokai seemed to lose a little of their luster as close shots did not fall and balls bounced off their hands. Turnovers were also a problem, as several key possessions were squandered with errant passes and sloppy dribbling.

With a little more than three minutes to go and trailing by eight, the Farmers forced an offensive foul on Castle and it appeared a comeback was in the making. Senior Scottie Rapanot hit a short jumper and Molokai had cut the lead to six. After a foul on a Castle player and a missed three pointer by Micah Ritte-Managan, the deficit was back to nine with fewer than two minutes to play.

Molokai was forced to foul on the ensuing possessions and Castle hit their foul shots. When several Molokai three-pointers clanked off the rim, the reality of defeat settled on the faces of the players and coaches and DeRouin called a timeout to gather his team.

“I told them to go out their and finish the game with class,” said DeRouin.

Despite their trademark defense, the hot-shooting Knights kept Molokai guessing with good inside-out penetration and constant motion on the perimeter. Castle also had an outstanding point guard in Michael Santos, an all tournament selection.

Santos had great ball control and was adept at slowing the pace of the game down, just when the Farmers were looking to cut into the deficit. Several times it was Santos’ guard play that prevented a total collapse for Castle. And it was his foul shooting down the stretch that sealed the victory.

The one place Molokai did have an advantage was in the rebounding category, combining for 21 offensive boards and an overall advantage of 15 (48-33). Despite Castle having a taller and larger center, the Farmers were dominant in the front-court, with senior Joseph Akaka scoring at will under the basket.

Akaka, one of the most consistent players in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) this year, was the only Farmer to be included on the all-tournament team. He averaged 16.3 points and 12 rebounds in the Farmers' three games in Oahu.

Quarterfinal Game
The previous night, the Farmers defeated a tough team from Hawaii Island. Pahoa was the Big Island League runner-up and featured a player, Jonathan Viernes, who had scored 33 points the night before.

Molokai did a great job of containing Viernes, but still found themselves down 30-26 at halftime.

After Kinohi Kelly-Paleka hit a jumper in the lane, and a Pahoa turnover, Joseph Akaka had a layup to bring them within three. At that point the determination of the Farmers was evident and their defensive intensity was too much for Pahoa. They held the Pahoa Daggers scoreless for the next six minutes, combining a full-court press and tenacious in-your-face-defense.

With good guard play and slowed down offense, the Farmers held their small lead in the fourth quarter to secure their victory and advance to the semi-finals for the first time in twenty years.

Third-Place Game
After their semifinal defeat, the Farmers were understandably less than enthusiastic about their next game. But the chance to play at the Blaisdell Arena held enough excitement to get the Farmers amped for the third place game against the Kohala Cowboys, of Oahu.

After a slow start, the Farmers found their rhythm in the second quarter, but still found themselves down 12 at half. Kohala came out blazing in the third and ran the lead to 26. Molokai had a tremendous comeback in the fourth, outscoring the Cowboys 23-12, but still lost by a score of 70-55.

The big bright spot for the Farmers was the play of senior Micah Ritte-Managan. An all-MIL selection in 2008, Ritte-Managan had been injured nearly the entire season and struggled to find his shooting touch in the first two games of the playoffs. After shooting a dismal one for 11 in the Castle game, he converted on five of eight field goals to score 15 in the loss.

Next Year
Molokai loses five players to graduation – Scottie Rapanot, Joseph Akaka, Kinohi Kelly-Paleka, Micah Ritte-Manangan and Daniel Espaniola. All five saw significant time for the Farmers, with Rapanot and Akaka forming the nucleus of the team. Ritte-Manangan was hurt for much of the season, but saw playing time at states.

Kelly-Paleka was arguably the MVP for the Farmers in their defeat over Pahoa, sparking their comeback and scoring several key baskets down the stretch. And while Espaniola did not see as much playing time as the others, he was vocal on the bench and often gave the team a much-needed emotional spark.

Junior starters returning will be guards Herbert Antolin and Kawaiola Kalipi. Coming off the bench, returnees include Alvin Ringor, Julien Bumatay and Keoni Kahoalii. Sophomore sensation Kamakana Duvachelle-Andrade and Ryan Rapanot rounded out the crew.

DeRouin said the loss of the seniors will be tough, but he is confident the team can return to the state tournament with a strong squad next year.

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A Second Family

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Boy’s basketball team is close-knit in victory and defeat.
By Sean Aronson

The next night brought an even bigger Molokai fan base and this time, the fans taped two ‘Go Molokai’ signs to the wall. But their opponent, Castle High School, is a local favorite and they too had a crowd to match that of the Farmers.

After a first half that saw the opposing team hit eight three pointers and Molokai miss a half dozen easy shots, the Farmers were down fifteen. The crowd looked sullen, but knew their boys wouldn’t give up without a fight. They were proven right when the team stormed out of the locker room and brought the crowd to their feet with a spirited third quarter comeback.

Things got heated as the Farmers climbed all the way back to within six points. After a mad scramble for the ball, a Castle player rose to his feet looking to taunt a Molokai player, Scottie Rapanot. Rapanot, bigger and certainly stronger than the skinny guard, just walked away without a word or so much as a dirty look.

It was the perfect image for a team that never allows it to get involved in the taunting and mind games so often found in basketball. And this resistance is made even more admirable when you consider the hard-nosed intensity Molokai plays with.

Their on-court tenacity is something to behold. Every loose ball, every rebound sees a Farmer or two or three darting to the floor or boards to secure the ball. More times than I can remember, I overheard fans comment about the ferocious focus with which Molokai plays. It can be seen in the eyes of every player, on every possession.

That kind of passion can not be taught, but it can be fostered, and Coach Lee DeRouin has done just that in his short time with the program. He and Assistant Coach Lester Delos Reyes (a stand-out player in his own MHS days), have brought discipline and drive to this team.

This is epitomized by their chant of ‘1, 2, 3, hard work’ every time they leave a huddle.

I’d like to thank the entire team and coaching staff for letting me witness their passion on and off the court, and for a short time, feeling like a member of their family.

Mahalo Nui Loa,
Sean

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Sweet Rewards

Monday, March 9th, 2009

By Melissa Kelsey

Dressed in matching red t-shirts under the sprinkling rain, Aka’ula School students eagerly served platters of cake as a sweet finale for attendees of the school’s fundraiser at Hotel Molokai last Saturday evening.

The lavish event, attended by over one hundred guests, featured dinner, a silent auction, and a live auction. Luxury auction items up for bid included a skydiving trip and a resort vacation to Aruba or Mexico.

According to Aka’ula School teacher Dara Lukonen, the purpose of the fundraiser was to raise money for student scholarships.

“We want any child who wants to go to our school to be able to do so,” said Lukonen.

Aka’ula School is an independent school in Kualapu’u for grades five to eight.

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Sign of the Times

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Students get a glimpse of new radiology machine at Molokai General Hospital.

Bobbi-Li Morris, Tirzah Pactol, Mahailia Rapanot-McGuire, and Mariah Rapanot-McGuire from the Health Occupations Class at Molokai High School get an introduction to the new machine at Molokai General Hospital’s Radiology Department.

By Melissa Kelsey

Molokai General Hospital isn’t the only thing getting advances in technology – so are the island’s students. Four Molokai High School students walked the halls of the hospital’s Radiology Department last Friday with Head Radiology Technician Carl Langley to learn about what it takes to be a radiology professional.

Enrolled in the Health Occupations Class at Molokai High School, all four students are pursuing healthcare careers. They regularly visit the hospital to learn about healthcare procedures.

The students were some of the first to see a new machine the Radiology Department obtained last December. A source of pride for the hospital, the machine scans bones to measure bone density so doctors can help prevent and treat bone diseases such as osteoporosis. According to Langley, only seventeen other hospitals in the United States carry the machine, which offers the safest and most reliable technology for the test.

“Postmenopausal women should routinely take the test every two years, and patients diagnosed with osteoporosis should take the test annually,” Langley explained to the students. He says the test is also valuable for men to check their overall bone health and learn how diet relates to test results.

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