Education

Victory for Youth Soccer

Friday, April 5th, 2024

Victory for Youth Soccer

Molokai keiki athletes can now compete off-island in soccer thanks to the establishment of travel teams for both girls and boys.

On March 23-24, Molokai girls competed in the 12 and under Kirk Banks Tournament on Oahu. The team, coached by Kathy Puhi and Naomi Bicoy, dominated their opposition, winning 7-0, 6-0, 6-0 in tournament play against West Oahu and Pearl City. They went on to win the championship game by a score of 4-1. Kaiolohia Puhi, Qarah Torres Umi Napoleon and Zoey Place led the offensive charge for the girls with multiple goals over the four games.

The other Molokai travel team, a new 12 and under team made up of boys and girls coached by Sam Westcoat, Andrew Valyo and Ryan Link, also had a chance to show their talents off-island.…

Celebrating the 8th Graders

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024

Celebrating the 8th Graders

As Molokai’s eighth graders walked into the cafeteria, they couldn’t help but smile. Their parents had been hard at work, transforming the space into a dramatic night sky for the annual Eighth Grade Banquet.

Kui Adolpho, a parent as well as member of the parent planning committee, explained that the parents wanted the night “to feel a little more special.”

“We’re celebrating that they are getting older,” said Adolpho. “Getting the opportunity to dress up, it’s different for Molokai kids. They don’t really get that opportunity that much.”

The banquet, on Saturday March 16, started with a dinner, followed by ice breaker games and then a DJ.…

Future Fest 2024

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Future Fest 2024

Molokai High School recently hosted an inspiring event, Future Fest 2024, aimed at guiding students towards their collegiate and career aspirations. Taking place on Friday, Feb. 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event provided an immersive experience for students to explore various pathways to success.

This year’s Future Fest featured a diverse range of workshops, from Homeland Security and the Secret Service to Ho’ahu Energy and Puu O Hoku Ranch, with workshops alongside the traditional college and career fair. These workshops were carefully curated to offer students hands-on opportunities to delve into their areas of interest and craft actionable plans for their post-high school endeavors.…

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Hana Keaka: Hawaiian Theater

Three Molokai legends came to life last Wednesday, Feb. 28, performed by students from the Kualapuu School’s Hawaiian immersion program. The memorable performance of Hana Keaka theater was held at the Molokai Community Health Center.

The kindergarten through sixth graders tested their drama skills in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 300 Molokai community members. The keiki actors performed the stories of the giant Ha’eha’eku, the wise Kuapakaa, and the famous Kaohele.

Kalae Tangonan, a parent volunteer who created the costumes and set design for the performance, explained that Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu`u has been performing Hana Keaka annually for more than 10 years.…

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

This past weekend, the Molokai High School (MHS) Wrestling Team and Coach Randy Manley headed over to Lahainaluna High School for the MIL championship tournament. The Farmers secured multiple podium finishes, with Kayce Dudoit and Angel Kealoha taking first place in their weight classes. Ultimately, eight girls and two boys from MHS qualified for the state tournament. For the girls, Kayce Dudoit, Angel Kealoha, Masin Borden-Phillips, Tiale Tancayo, Skye Caparida, Kendra Kaulili, Kindy Sproat and Stephanie Gandeza earned state tournament berths. For the boys, Jona Dudoit and Reyn Raguidin will be heading to states as well. The state tournament will be held Feb.…

Aka’ula’s Big Night

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Aka’ula’s Big Night

On a windy Saturday night in Kaunakakai, Aka’ula School hosted their Ku Ka Lau Lama fundraiser for the first time since 2019 at the Molokai Community Health Center. Well-dressed students transformed into waiters and entertainers for the night for their families and community supporters as artwork, coolers, crossbows and more were auctioned off to the crowd.

Proceeds from the event went to support the financial aid program for the fifth through 12th grade private school, according to Victoria Newberry, an administrator at the school.

In addition to the general fundraiser, attendees could contribute specific “giving tree” gifts to students. These included art supplies, school materials, ceramics classes, water polo clinics and more.…

Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

With their first season in over 20 years coming to a close, the Molokai High School (MHS) Boys Soccer team took on Kihei Charter. The re-match also coincided with senior day for the boys.

In Friday’s game, Matthew McGuire found the back of the net early, notching a 1-0 lead for Molokai, which they would hold through the second half, securing the first win of the season. The victory was the first for the MHS Boys Soccer team since 1999, according to reports on social media.

In Saturday’s game. Molokai emerged victorious with a final score of 4-1. The game’s scoring action began in the first half with Braeden Cabael-Kaahanui finding the net, giving Molokai an early lead of 1-0.…

Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Molokai Teens to Play in HI Youth Symphony

For the Scherlings, music is foremost a family affair.

Alena, 19, and Mattayus Scherling, 15, were introduced to violin and cello back in 2017 after their mom saw an ad for free music classes in The Molokai Dispatch.

Now, Alena and Mattayus are the first Molokai kids to be invited to play with the Hawaii Youth Symphony. They will be performing with the youth symphony’s top orchestra, Youth Symphony I, on Feb. 19 at Maui’s Castle Theater.

The Scherlings started their music careers on borrowed instruments at Kaunakakai Elementary School under the tutelage of Bob Underwood. Now, they’ve continued to learn with the Molokai Community Strings Class, and from each other.…

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2024

Ka Molokai Makahiki festivals for 2024 kicked off on Jan. 24 with the shouldering of the lei-draped Lonomakua banner in Halawa. The Ka’ahele A Lono procession began their four-day journey on foot across Molokai, stopping for community ho’okupu along the way, ending on Sunday at Kaiaka.

The theme of this year’s Makahiki was “Aia i Molokai ku’u aloha,” or “there upon Molokai is my love, my lineage, my connection, my ‘ohana.”

“May we be reminded of the unwavering aloha we have for our island and our ‘ohana, anchoring our aspirations in a steadfast commitment to love and uplift all that is around us,” wrote Ka Molokai Makahiki committee on their Facebook page.…

Basketball Continues Dominance

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Basketball Continues Dominance

Molokai Boys Basketball continued its dominant season with wins against the Lanai Pine Lads. The Farmers defeated Lanai 72-39 on Friday, and 60-40 on Saturday. Top performances came from Jericho Adolpho who dropped 20 points in Friday’s game, and Heath Lopez and Kaizen Umi-Torres-Napolean who put up 18 and 17 points respectively. These victories propelled the Molokai boys to a league best 8-0 record, with convincing wins against Kihei the previous weekend at the Barn.

 

Girls Basketball came into the weekend 6-0 before falling to the Lanai Pine Lasses on Friday. Leila Hooper-Phifer and Kaia Yamashita led the scoring for the Farmers in the 31-42 loss.…