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Education

Molokai Students Receive ‘Coach H’ Scholarship

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

Molokai Students Receive ‘Coach H’ Scholarship

By Léo Azambuja
The Lo‘i Collective Foundation presented the Coach H Scholarship to two Molokai High School graduates. Each student received a $500 award, given to one male and one female athlete, intended to go toward their college or career training goals.
Class of 2025 graduates Chloe Tancayo and Reyn Raguindin, with a grade point average of 3.75 and 3.67 respectively, were awarded the scholarships during a ceremony at MHS gym, The Barn, last Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
“I want to thank the Lo‘i Foundation for the Coach H scholarship because it will help me buy the supplies and equipment I need for my first year of college,” Raguindin said.…

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4-H Teaches Leadership, Responsibilities to Children

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

4-H Teaches Leadership, Responsibilities to Children

By Léo Azambuja
Several children of all ages showcased their animals during the annual 4-H Club Expo in Kualapu‘u earlier this month.
“It’s a youth development program,” club leader Lane Kamakana said. “We try to develop leadership, responsibility and life skills; and that’s the biggest point of our whole program.”
The 4-H season begun in November, when the kids started showing up for monthly meetings, according to Kamakana, a 4-H program alumni.
“Our steer project started in December, our swine project started in March, and our Clover Bud project started in April,” he said.
Thirty three kids showcased their animals at Lanikeha Community Center on June 7, in an event that started at 9 a.m.…

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Waialua Keiki Surf Contest Kicks Off Season

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

Waialua Keiki Surf Contest Kicks Off Season

By Léo Azambuja
A handful of children competed in the Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai surfing contest in Waialua Beach last Saturday. The contest was the first in a series of four, which will ultimately qualify the overall top scorers to compete on Oahu next spring.
“At the end of the season, after the spring season closes, there is a state championship on Oahu, and our children are guaranteed slots in the semifinals,” event coordinator Malia Waits said.
She said six families showed up for the contest. About 10 kids got in the water, but only five decided to compete in the season’s opener.…

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‘Farmers of Land and Sea,’ Molokai High School Class of 2025 Graduate

Thursday, June 12th, 2025

‘Farmers of Land and Sea,’ Molokai High School Class of 2025 Graduate

By Léo Azambuja
It was the last time Molokai High School’s Class of 2025 walked into The Barn as students. They are now Farmers for life.
“No matter where you are in life, even if you fall off the rails, put your trust in God and he will guide you. Class of 2025, I hope you take this advice with you in all your future endeavors. With that being said, congratulations, we made it,” Senior Class President Chloe Tancayo told her fellow seniors at the beginning of their graduation ceremony a couple weeks ago.
Family and friends of the school’s Class of 2025, themed Farmers of Land and Sea, packed the The Barn to celebrate 74 senior students graduating May 23.…

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A Gathering to Celebrate Success

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

A Gathering to Celebrate Success

Community Contributed
By Dara Lukonen

Whistles and cheers from proud family members and friends rang out on Aka ‘ula School’s campus throughout the school award and promotion ceremony and high school commencement.
It was evident that students, staff, and families had formed strong bonds this year. This close-knit ‘ohana celebrated the awards ceremony where students were recognized for their academic achievement and growth, their citizenship, and their commitment to learning and community.
Following the awards ceremony, parents of eighth-grade students were called on stage to present a school kihei to their new high-school students. Donning the school kihei symbolizes the community leaders that students are anticipated to be.…

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May Day Across the Island

Thursday, June 5th, 2025

May Day Across the Island

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai students celebrated May Day at schools across the island last month. Keiki draped in colorful lei represented each island in their school’s May Day courts, while each class performed a hula or mele for their ‘ohana and friends.
According to Kamehameha Schools, Reverend Samuel Kapu of Maui wrote a mele called “Na Lei o Hawaii” which mentioned the flower symbol for each island. The first May Day celebration was held in 1928, and the floral symbolism continues today: Hawaii Island is represented by red ‘oh‘ia blossoms, pink lokelani for Maui, yellow ilima for Oahu, Molokai is the green kukui leaf, Lanai represented by light orange strands of kauna‘oa, gray hinahina is for Kahoolawe, Kauai is the purple berries of mokihana, and Niihau is symbolized by white pupu shell.…

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Molokai Students Receive Bayer Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship

Monday, June 2nd, 2025

Bayer Hawaii News Release

A total of ten Hawaii students, including Halena Peterson and Chloe Tancayo from Molokai, have received the 2025 Bayer Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship. Peterson will be attending Montana State University to study Pre-Veterinary Medicine, and Tancayo will be attending University of Hawaii at Hilo where she will study Chemistry.

Recipients statewide were Leah Bautista, Leilehua High School, Keira Brown, Leilehua High School, Ciana Cooper, Maui High School, Sophia Kato, Maui High School, Halena Peterson, Molokai High School, Faith Shimabukuro, Mililani High School, Rylee Stout, Seabury Hall, Chloe Tancayo, Molokai High School, Jyliann Teocson, Waipahu High School, and Joshua Yasuda, Mid-Pacific Institute.…

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Scholarships Support Molokai Students

Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

Scholarships Support Molokai Students

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Every year, a conglomeration of Molokai businesses, nonprofits, alumni and more present the graduating class from Molokai High School (MHS) with scholarships to encourage their post-high school aspirations.

“This support empowers these deserving students to pursue their dreams without financial barriers,” explained MHS Principal Katina Soares to family and friends gathered at the MHS library on May 8. “These exceptional recipients excel academically, but also embody the spirit of determination and service.”

This year, 19 different awards were given out to 24 MHS seniors, totally over $88,000 in scholarship money. Awards were given out for a range of skills and future plans from nursing to early childhood education to workforce trades.…

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Preschool Educators Hold Unique Retreat

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Preschool Educators Hold Unique Retreat

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Last weekend, early childhood educators on Molokai took to Pu’u O Hoku Ranch for two days of professional development and networking amongst activities like hiking and coconut basket weaving. Organized by Na Kamali’i Hoaloha preschool, the retreat fulfilled licensure requirements as well as offered a much needed end-of-year respite for educators – especially as worries around federal funding for some programs have mounted in the past weeks.

Sarah Ching, director of Na Kamali’i, explained that the retreat was an exceptional experience for Molokai’s early childhood educators.

“This is the first time something like this has happened for our island,” she said.…

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Queen’s Gala Celebrates Student Chefs

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Queen’s Gala Celebrates Student Chefs

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

For the third year, the Queen’s Gala brought the Molokai community together to celebrate the work of young, aspiring chefs. The evening featured a five-course meal with specialty dishes and drinks designed and executed by members of the Culinary Club. From kalo chowder to maki sushi rolls, to meringue pavlova, the student chefs did not disappoint.

The requirements for this year’s menu were that the dishes contain at least one locally sourced ingredient along with the added challenge of being gluten-free, explained Tiare Hubbard, program director of the Culinary Club.

The young chefs spend months preparing for the end of the year gala.…

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