By Ka`ohele Ritte-Camara
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Students of the Molokai High School Hawaiian immersion program perform a hula to commemorate the 170th birthday of Queen Lili`uokalani on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Every year, the Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center joins with the community to celebrate the Queen. Present were students from Molokai’s immersion programs, from preschool through high school.
Girls of the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble enthrall their Molokai audience with a flourish of color and grace.
By Catherine Cluett
Saturday night, 7 p.m., Kulana O`iwi: a crowd sits on the edges of their chairs, cameras posed, enthralled by the beat of bass, the swish of full, bright skirts, and the rattle of ‘uli ‘uli. It’s the grand finale of an evening of good food, music, hula, and education hosted by Kamehameha Schools. Voices of the Hawaiian Ensemble are raised in singing traditional chants, their feet moving in time, tracing the steps of their ancestors.
The Hawaiian Ensemble is a group comprised of 50 Kamehameha Schools students whose purpose is “community and school service through Hawaiian culture,” says group director Kaleo Trinidad. The ensemble includes Molokai students Kupono Kawa`a and Koal Apuna, both from Ho’olehua.
The Hawaiian Ensemble was not the only entertainment enjoyed by celebration-goers. The evening’s event, E Kui A Lima Molokai, highlighted local educational and cultural resources, along with many Molokai musicians, dancers, and keiki. Other performances included music by the Kamakani Trio, a group featuring Kamakani Kiaha on guitar, Manuwai Peters on ukulele, and Curtis Crabbe on upright bass.
Dinner for the event was provided by Leonahe’s Ono Grindz, a catering company recently started in the Kaunakakai area. Community members honored kupuna by serving them first before standing in line for their own food.
The purpose of hosting E Kui A Lima Molokai, explains Kamehameha Schools Vice President of Community Relations and Communications Ann Botticelli, is to provide the community an opportunity to see what resources are available. This is the first time Kamehameha has hosted such an event on Molokai.
“We visit all of the communities we serve,” says Dee Jay Mailer, CEO of Kamehameha Schools. “We want to thank the communities and highlight the programs and organizations that exist there.”
A large part of the Kamehameha Schools’ program involves collaborating with community educational organizations for both adults and children and providing them with funding and support. Last year, $70 million of the $250 million budget of the school went toward their community strategic education plan.
Booths surrounded the courtyard of Kulana O`iwi, showing off a variety of organizations, from early childhood education such as the Tutu and Me program, to groups aimed at adult cultural and environmental awareness such as The Nature Conservancy. Some, but not all, represented members of Kamehameha Schools’ collaborative community programs.
Captain Clayton Ching, a Molokai resident and 1965 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, says a lot of who he is today is because of Kamehameha. He adds that some of the best students at the school are from Molokai because of the values and cultural education Molokai keiki receive.
Kamehameha Schools is a statewide private education opportunity supported by a trust endowed by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Its mission, explains Vice President for Campus Strategies Rodney Chamberlain, is to improve the capability and wellbeing of native Hawaiians through education. Kamehameha Schools has three campuses -- Hawai’i, Kapalama, and Maui -- which provide kindergarten through 12th grade education to students of Hawaiian decent. The Kapalama campus offers a boarding option for students from seventh through 12th grade from other islands. Over 5,000 students are enrolled statewide. For more information about Kamehameha Schools, visit www.ksbe.edu or call (808) 523-6200.
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Sixth annual event raised over $1,000 for isle youth groups.
From left to right Elle Cochran,Claire Seeger Mawae, Zane Schweitzer and Shawneen Schweitzer pose with mock-check of funds raised during 2008 Molokai Challenge.
By Albert Lanier
“Quality not quantity” was the phrase chanted- as if a mantra- on Saturday, August 30th by Clare Seeger Mawae, organizer of the Molokai Challenge which was held that day.
A handful of participants took their places in the 2008 edition of this now six year old event. The Challenge essentially consists of a crossing of the Pailolo Channel which commenced from DT Flemings Beach on Maui and concluded at Kamalo on Molokai.
There were four registered divisions: Stand-up Paddle Board, Windsurfing, Tandem Windsurfing and Kiteboarding.
Most of the participants took the stand-up paddle board route. Entrants Elle Cochran, Shawneen Schweitzer and her son 14 year old Zach Kekoa Schweitzer worked as a team.
A participant in the Challenge for four years, Zach Schweitzer said that he opted to eschew the windsurfing he did in past events and try stand up paddling (SUP) this year “’cause it’s the new thing.”
Lifeguard Archie Kalepa also SUP’d in this year’s Molokai Challenge and cross the channel with the fastest time of 3 hours and 10 seconds.
Though skies were clear and sunny, gusty winds were largely non-existent until participants headed toward Kamalo where they began to pick up considerably.
“Right when we got here, the wind blew” Kalepa said at Kamalo after the race.
“You need good wind, good swell-good swell conditions” said Kalepa about what makes for effective paddleboarding.
“Normally, you get these conditions on a daily basis” Kalepa observed about the lack of Windsurfers Jace Panebianco and Doug Miller also surfed the crossing in tandem.
While surfers and paddle boarders might find the course and the conditions of interest, the point of the event is not running a race but raising funds.
This year’s Molokai Challenge raised $1,800 for youth groups on the islands through the auspices of the Youth in Motion organization.
The 2008 event stood out from its predecessors because it marked the first time the Molokai Challenge had been held as a stand alone event.
According to Mawae, the Challenge had previously been part of a youth festival called “A Celebration of Youth Opportunities” which featured activities and events such as a sports clinic.
However, the Challenge had failed to forward much money to youth groups in the past because the costs of the festival had to be covered. The number of participants in the event has gone down of late. The first Molokai Challenge in 2002 featured 84 people and averaged 80 entrants for a couple of years.
But a lack of grant money and corporate funding help produce a downturn in participation since Mawae couldn’t pay for escort boats to shadow surfers, entrants had to produce their own boats as they did for this year’s Challenge.
Thus, while there were 15 registered entrants, only a few participants actually took part in the event.
However, Mawae’s spirits were buoyed by the fact that $1,800 was raised for distribution to youth groups and by the fact she was able to observe and keep tabs on the event from an observer boat. “Although (the turnout) was very small, I worked out a few of the kinks” noted Mawae.
The 2008 Molokai Challenge did have some sponsors including the Molokai Business Association and Young Brothers. Positive attitudes from participants like Schweitzer and Kalepa also contributed the good feeling experienced after the event.
“It was a good workout” Kalepa observed about this year’s Challenge “It was still awesome, still great.”
Mawae hopes to have larger field of participants for next year’s Challenge. Her future goals include reaching a point when the event can raise $50 to $100,000 each year for youth groups throughout Molokai.
By Catherine Cluett
The Molokai High School Community Council meeting revealed adaptations and additions that are changing school policies. Students are enrolling in online courses to supplement the curriculum, and uniforms may become a school requirement in the future. Principal Linda Puleloa, in her report, noted that the year had a “rough and shaky start” with a shortage of teachers, particularly in math and Japanese.
Two new math teachers have since been hired, although administrators were not able to find a Japanese teacher to fill the position. As a result, Japanese students have been enrolled in online courses allowing them to continue their studies. With Spanish students also learning online, students are being encouraged to pursue courses not offered at the school through online options.
School uniforms may also be in the cards for Molokai High, though no decision will be made until more information is available. Students, parents and staff will all be polled before any decision is made to establish a uniform code at the school. Currently, three other high schools in the state have instated uniforms. The dress code as it exists now at Molokai High School is enforced by faculty.
The recent change in the school schedule statewide was also noted. This schedule will shorten both the winter and spring breaks by a week, allowing students to end classes in May.
School complex officer Melanie Coates conducted a School Community Council training session, educating members in such topics as the purpose of the group and its ground rules, academic and financial planning, and student support.
The Molokai School Community Council is looking for more parent and community involvement in their meetings. Guests are also welcome to attend at any time and add input to meetings. The council also currently needs a community member. This member cannot be associated with the school as a teacher of staff member, and cannot be a parent of a student at the school. Call Molokai High School (808) 567-6950 for more information.
Superintendent to make decision on results of Adequate Yearly Progress testing by end of August.
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Mosaic wall is the newest addition to school’s art installations.
From left to right, Kualapu’u School art teacher Koki Foster and students Nainoa Kahale, 3rd grade, Kaimana Kahale, 4th grade, and Tabby Fernandez, 3rd grade, admire their newest art project.
By Catherine Cluett
Art flourishes at Kualapu’u School as children proudly show off their newest project, a mosaic wall completed earlier last week. Students, parents, teachers, and staff at the school collaborated to create the project.
“One thing I love about the installation is watching the children interact with the mural -- by touching the tiles and discussing with each other their favorite pieces,” says Kualapu`u art resource person Koki Foster.
Inspiration
Besides acting as resource, Foster is also the inspiration for the project. Begun about a year ago, she says the mural was created partially in the classrooms, and partially during “Family Art Nights,” where parents and keiki had the opportunity to engage in the creative process together.
The permanent installation consists of about 250 ceramic pieces, individually created and glazed, and joined together on the wall by grout. The wall doubles as the back of a bench, creating a piece of both beauty and utility for all to enjoy.
Ninety tiles were made by teachers and staff at Kualapu'u, and `ohana and students made 160 tiles. The theme of the mural was left open, and artists were given the freedom to create whatever they wanted with the materials. The result is a colorful medley of themes and images, drawn both from reality and the imaginations of its creators.
The mural is one of several permanent, large-scale projects around Kualapu’u. The most recent work in progress is a painted mural entitled “Birds of the Forest,” which involves for the keiki both research of bird species and their artistic portrayal on a building wall.
Generous Benefactors
The project was made possible by a donation of $1,500 by Randy Antonio. The money was used to purchase clay and glaze for the tiles. In addition, each teacher received $150 of clay for students to use in the classroom throughout the year.
Kualapu’u School recently received a $6,000 grant from the Hawaii State Foundation of Arts and Culture for Foster’s latest collaborative community art project. Keep an eye out for “Math Discovery Islands” – benches around the school soon to be remodeled into creative unions of math, art, and utility.
The program that began last January targets children 0-5 years old, with two short classes each day. Each day groups of children in the same age participate in enrichment activities.
The different learning opportunities provide a guided activity that enhances different developmental domains. Keiki then come together in a group time to sing, read books, and explore various concepts.
The parents have a group discussion time during each session to learn about child development, different stages, how to enhance learning at home, and to bring up any issues they would like to know more about. Topics include issues such as discipline, promoting fitness, supporting reading and writing, nutrition, and dealing with siblings.
R.E.A.L. is now taking registrations for fall 2008. This year there will be two sessions: Aug. 25 to Dec. 5, 2008, and Jan. 19 to May 22, 2009. Classes will be kept small with about 6-8 children allowed.
For more information call Becky Takashima at Kaunakakai School, 553-1730.
Monday classes serve hapai women and infants from birth to 12 months. Tuesday classes serve children from 12-24 months, Thursdays are 24-36 months, and Fridays serve children 3-5 years old. Wednesdays are for those parents unable to come during the day, serving all ages 0-5 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Parents can choose to bring their child at either 8-9:30 a.m. or 10-11:30 a.m.
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