Education

Wahine Farmers Score Big At States

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Molokai’s girl’s volleyball repeats last year’s achievement.

By Sean Aronson

Following on the heels of their first Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championship in nearly a decade, the Molokai High School girl’s volleyball team finished fourth at the State Tournament in Honolulu.

It was the second year in a row their season ended with a fourth place. This impressive feat was accomplished without a single senior on the team - all of the players will be back for next year.

“We were shooting for third place to better last years finish, but we just couldn’t get there,” said Head Coach Matt Helm.

The Farmers were a #2 seed going into the tournament based on the strength of the MIL and their success in last year’s tournament.

Helm credits the team’s visualization exercises prior to the State tournament with preparing his girls. He said they spent the week and a half after the MIL practicing lightly and focusing on not being intimidated in Honolulu.

Despite their preparation, Helm said the team came out a little ‘shaky’ in their first game against University High, dropping the first set before recovering and winning in five sets. The next day, the Farmers faced Word of Life and battled hard in each set, but lost in three sets to the eventual State runner-ups.

On the last day of the tournament, the girls played Kailua for third place in U of H’s Stan Sherriff Center. On the big court, the Farmers just barely lost the first set and ultimately succumbed in the second.

But the season was still a major success according to Helm.

As for next year, Helm said, “I want the girls to think about being competitive not only in the MIL, but in the state as well.”

Helm also stressed that the entire team, from coaches to players, grew both on and off the court. “We overcame a number of challenges and are better people, not just athletes,” said Helm.

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State Board of Education Community Meeting

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

When: Monday, 5 to 7 p.m
Where: Kaunakakai Elementary School Cafeteria

The meeting will address the recent consolidation discussion involving Mauanaloa Elementary and public input is encouraged.
Board of Education members Mary Cochran, Herbert Watanabe and Maggie Cox will be in attendance.

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Maunaloa Could Lose Its School

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

State says the elementary school is safe for now.

Maunaloa students Kekoa and Taylor wait for their parents after school last week. Like teachers and parents, the children hope their school is not on a consolidation list come December. That would mean long bus rides and another major loss to this already hard hit community.

By Sean Aronson

On the heels of Molokai Ranch closing its operations, the community of Maunaloa is preparing for what could be yet another hardship. If the Hawaii state Board of Education (BOE) approves plans making it easier to consolidate small schools in Hawaii, it could lead to the closure of Maunaloa Elementary School.

The potential change comes as the state faces a projected $1.1 billion deficit by the end of 2011. Lawmakers are turning to the BOE to cut as much as $69 million from its 2009 budget. The Hawaii public school system is already $24 million short this fiscal year.

But community members say they will not go down without a fight.

“We’re just not gonna stand by,” said long time resident and parent John Yates. “We’ll do anything we can to fight this.”

Parents and concerned community members planned a sign-waiving event this past Tuesday to drum up awareness and support.

Maunaloa Elementary School surfaced in an Associated Press article last week as one of a handful of schools the state is considering consolidating to save money.

The state Department of Education (DOE) insists that no such consolidation ‘list’ exists, and that the plan merely gives the state superintendent more control over the decision making process.

The new law would erase some of the bureaucratic obstacles in the consolidation process. Specifically, it would eliminate the mandate of selecting and overseeing a task force to determine the feasibility of closing or consolidating a school in a particular community.

No school in Hawaii has been closed in more than 20 years, in part because of this cumbersome process, according to the Department of Education.

But with large budget shortfalls expected, officials are desperate to find new ways to cut costs, according to DOE spokesperson Sandy Goya.

The prospect of consolidation comes despite Maunaloa students improving dramatically on state tests, having now complied with all targets on the Adequately Yearly Progress for the No Child Left Behind report.

“This is not rewarding the kids for achievement,” said Maunaloa Principal Joe Yamamoto.

Yamamoto took over the once failing elementary school 10 years ago and credits the staff and community for the improvements.

“The personnel should be proud,” he said.

Upon hearing of the possible consolidation, Yamamoto called a staff meeting to inform them of the news. He will be creating a task force to address the issue. Topics to discuss include where the Maunaloa kids would be transferred to and what would happen to his staff.

The next closest school is Kualapu’u Elementary School, but it is a public conversion charter school and does not fall under the state system. Yamamoto said the children would have to be bused 16 miles to Kaunakakai Elementary School.

That would most likely mean less parental involvement and higher transportation costs to teachers and staff, according to Yamamoto.

He said the lack of control is what bothers him most. They have to prepare a budget by December and have doubts about the money actually being allocated.

“It’s frustrating,” said Yamamoto. “It takes away from our priorities, which is the kids.”

According to the measure, which will be voted on December 4 by the BOE, the amendment would streamline the consolidation process while still allowing for public opposition.

It states, “The opportunity for the public to provide input is preserved by the requirement that the Board direct the superintendent to … conduct a public hearing in the affected school community and to provide the Board a summary of the testimony offered at the public hearing.”

Manualoa residents have heard those promises before and are not easily convinced.

In the meantime, teachers and parents are left to ponder the possibilities.

“It worries me a lot,” said Kalani Garces, a 21 year resident of Maunaloa with two kids at the elementary school, “I just got a new house.”

Community members are urged to sign petitions of support for the Maunaloa School at local businesses.

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Towards A Greener Future

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Molokai High students celebrate Arbor Day.

By Catherine Cluett

While some might say that high school students aren’t motivated, MEPO students are busy proving them wrong. Over a dozen members of Molokai Environmental Preservation Organization (MEPO), a student group at Molokai High School, gathered last Thursday to plant a variety of native species at the Kalaupapa trail head.

With busy shovels and beaming faces, students planted a whopping hundred plants in under half an hour. Hala pepe, a small tree with long leaves, and a wikiwiki, a climbing legume, are just a couple of the native species students helped propagate.

Membership in the student organization is voluntary, but it now attracts over two dozen students a year, says Dan Bennett, the first advisor to the club in its infancy in 1992. “Kids love to feel accomplished, and there’s no better way to get that feeling than doing hands-on activities,” he says.

There is no volunteer requirement at Molokai High, but it’s a great thing for students to put on their resumes, says current MEPO advisor Robert Bento, a ceramics teacher at the school.

“There are three climate zones along the Kalaupapa trail,” explains Bill Garnett, an employee of University of Hawaii who oversees the planting of rare and endangered plants in Kalawao County as well as along the steep pali trail. He says he works closely with such organizations as the Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service in his effort. Because Garnett uses plants grown from nurseries near sea level in Kalaupapa as well as topside Molokai, the plants are already acclimated to their specific climate zone.

“We plant during the rainy season,” he explains, “and cross our fingers it rains soon.” If it doesn’t rain a minimum of one inch per week, Garnett waters each plant 16 ounces per week until nature takes over or the plants are well enough established to survive on their own.

In addition to supervising the growing of the plants, Garnett is the volunteer coordinator for the project. Volunteers meet the last weekend of every month to do what they can to promote native species around Molokai.

For the MEPO students involved in the project, it’s a great way to get outside and do their part for the environment. It’s also an opportunity for them to experience places of historic, cultural, and environmental value they might not otherwise get to see. The group also plans a yearly volunteer trip off-island.

“We get to see places like Kalaupapa and Ko`olawe!” explains one excited MEPO student. For these kids, getting their hands dirty and their shoes caked with mule mud is more than just another day’s work.

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Farmers Take League Championship

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Molokai’s volleyball girls defeat Seabury Hall.

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai High School Wahine Farmers took home the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championship win this season conquering the Seabury Hall Spartans 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 at King Kekaulike gym in the league's tournament final.

Considering Molokai has no seniors on the team this year and that the Spartans were undefeated last year, Friday’s win was a big deal for the Farmers. “These young ladies deserve every bit of recognition… they have been working hard and are very excited,” said Head Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach Matthew Helm.

Molokai dominated scoring six of the first seven points in the second set, and led 10-1 in the third. Marissa Sterner ended the game with two kills.

The Farmers (11-2), received 15 kills from Danna-Lynn Hooper-Juario, nine each from Kailana Ritte-Camara and Kalei Adolpho. Adolpho also put up four blocks, and Kawena Puhi had 35 assists.

“On behalf of the Molokai High School Girls Volleyball Program I would like to thank all the people of Molokai for their continued support of our program. We are very proud to represent the island of Molokai and the MIL in the state volleyball tournament on Nov. 5 through the 8,” Helm said.

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Uniformity through Uniforms

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

iPods and uniforms discussed at Molokai High.

By Catherine Cluett

To have uniforms or not to have uniforms? That is the question. The Molokai High School Community Council heard a presentation by parent Michelle Tancayo at their monthly meeting last Tuesday about why Tancayo and other parents are in favor of a uniform dress code policy for the High School.

The uniforms would be only tops, and would apply Monday through Thursday, Tancayo explains. Friday would be “Aloha Friday,” or a free choice of clothing for students within dress code guidelines. “This would be an opportunity for students to express themselves through their dress, something they have expressed concern about losing,” she said. Student input would be taken into consideration when designing several shirt options.

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Me, My Mind, My Mana’o

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Molokai Schools to receive $1.6 million in grant funding.

By Marie Nowell

While the Hawaii Board of Education is busy trying to figure out how to deal with the State’s dwindling budget, Molokai schools are getting a huge financial boost from a grant, totaling $1.6 million for after-school activities. The program is being coordinated by the principals of the island schools, Molokai High, Molokai Middle, Kaunakakai, Kilohana, Maunaloa, and Kualapu`u Charter, offering a variety of opportunities for students and their families.

Rose Yamada authored the grant, called “Connecting M’s; Me, My Mind, My Mana’o” which is meant to enrich the lives of school children through after-school programs. The grant was approved by the Hawaii DOE for federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program funding administered by Solomom Kaulukukui. Molokai principals of the complex schools will administer the program.

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Kiaha Wins 2008 Falsetto Title

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Kamakani Kiaha celebrates top honors with falsetto legend Richard Ho`opi`i.

Submitted by Manuwai Peters.

Eighteen year old Ho'olehua resident Kamakani Kiaha was the first place winner at the 2008 Richard Ho'opi'i Leo Ki'eki'e Contest on Friday, September 12 at the Maui Arts and Culural Center. The event, now in its 7th year is a part of the new Festival Aloha Maui Nui Style! celebrations.

Kamakani competed with nine other contestants for the coveted title that comes with a recording contract with Hula Records. His winning number, Puna Ku'u Aloha, was written by Katherine Maunakea and made famous by the late falsetto legend Dennis Pavao.

Kamakani is the child of Ada and Kirk Kiaha of Mo'omomi Avenue, Ho'olehua and is a 2007 graduate of Molokai High School. Contestants in the competition must be male and at least 18 years old by the time of the competition. Kamakani will be performing at Festivals of Aloha Molokai Ho'olehua on Saturday, October 4 at Mitchell Pau'ole Center.

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Hele on with Ka`ohele

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Ke ho’ao nei ke kula kaiapuni ‘o ‘O Hina i ka Malama e hele i kina. Ho’okahi o ko makou ho’ulu’ulu kala ‘o ia no ka himeni ‘ana ma na po’a’ono a pau a pau keia makahiki ma mua o ka hale waihona puke ma ke kaona.
‘A’ole wale no makou e mele ‘ana ‘aka e loa’a ‘ana makou i na hana no’eau e like me ka hana lei, ka a’o pu pehea e pa’ani i na pila hawai’i. A e ku’ai aku ‘ana makou i na mea like ‘ole e like me na Hae Aloha. E hele mai i na po’a’ono a pau a kako’o ia makou.
He mea nui keia no ka makou huaka’i ‘ana i Kina a pono makou i ke kokua a pau i hiki ke loa’a. He wa keia i hiki ia ‘oukou ke nanea i na leo u’i o makou.

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