Correction:
Contrary to the date printed in an ad in the May 27 issue of the Dispatch, Kamehameha Schools drive thru graduation celebration on Molokai will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 12 noon.…
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Education
Add your commentTeacher Kudos
Being a wife, mother, parent and teacher, ‘Iolani Kuoha goes beyond the call of duty during educating her students and their parents during this crisis. Amazingly, she has enriched and empowered her learners with meaningful virtual lessons and experiences in preparation for the future. Much appreciation for your continual service to our community and Middle School.
Me Ke Aloha,
Ms. FK Makahanaloa…
Pastrana Will Play College Softball
By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter
On Molokai, many grow up living the baseball life and Felicity “Wehi” Pastrana has excelled at softball and baseball since she can remember.
“I cannot remember a time, where I was not at a baseball park. I practically grew up or lived at the Little League Park,” she said. “My brother started playing Little League at the age of 5, the year I turned 1, and ever since then I was always at the park.”
With the current COVID-19 times, spring sports were cancelled, and the Lady Farmers Softball season was not to be but Pastrana will continue her softball career at the college level at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Oregon in the fall.…
Middle School Wins Big at State Level
MMS Media News Release
Congratulations to Molokai Middle School Media and Leadership and eighth grade English Language Arts (ELA) students. Students won first place and were the top three finalists for five categories among 900 entries at the 17th Annual Olelo Youth Xchange Video Contest. The contest is the only Statewide Video Competition and showcases Student Voice from K-12 public and private schools. Congratulations to the following students:
1. Documentary: Kailana Guerrero-McGuire & Carly Dudoit – “Grief”
2. Short Film: Kuulei Simon, Leilei Starkey-Ahyee & Keahi DeCosta – “Eo Molokai”
3. Sponsor: Kalawaia Puaa-Kanawalewale, Heath Lopez & Kahekili Cuello – “808 No Vape”
4.…
Senior Reflection
By Ayla-Rose Naehu-Ramos
Closure is a luxury we, as seniors in the class of 2020, couldn’t indulge in. We spent 13 years, some of us more than that, waiting for the day we graduate, dreaming of the magical wonders of senior year: when you’re the top dog and nothing can touch you and you are infinitely young and free. A golden year.
We never got to finish it.
Many of us underestimated the sheer weight that COVID-19 would incur as it developed. I, myself, hadn’t foreseen the amount of changes our lives would undergo in such a short amount of time.…
Class of 2020 Celebrates Unconventional Graduation
By Catherine Cluett Pactol
When this year’s Molokai High School senior class left for spring break, they had no idea they’d never have a class on the Molokai High campus again, get to have a traditional graduation ceremony in the Barn, or even hug each other after receiving their diplomas. But after the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, they became the first class to ever be handed their diplomas at arm’s length in front of the school steps as their families looked on from their vehicles.
“As a class we won’t be able to experience what it would be like to have a traditional graduation in the Barn,” said class president and salutatorian Kayla DeRouin in her speech.…
Two Residents Earn Degrees Online
WGU News Release
Two Molokai residents have earned a degree from Western Governors University (WGU). The online, nonprofit university has graduated over 178,000 students from across the country since its inception in 1997.
Lian Chong Kalima of Kaunakakai has earned a Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree. Rachel Abshire of Kaunakakai has earned a Bachelor of Science, Business – Healthcare Management degree.
Since January 2, 2020, WGU has awarded 6,313 undergraduate and 4,975 graduate degrees. Graduates’ areas of study include business, K-12 education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. The average time to graduation for those earning a bachelor’s degree was two years, three months, while the average time for graduate programs was one year, six months.…
Molokai Middle Winner in Video Contest
‘Olelo Community Media News Release
Schools from across the state were named winners in the 17th Annual ‘Olelo Youth Xchange Student Video Competition last week. Top prizes went to Maui High, Wai‘anae Intermediate and Moanalua High, and Molokai Middle School students won the Free Speech Middle School category.
The competition is the state’s oldest and largest contest of its type. Over 900 video submissions this year were created by elementary, middle and high-school students who attend 71 public, charter and private schools statewide. Winning videos were from across Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai and Molokai.
The 54 award winners will receive high-definition Sony digital video cameras as prizes.…
One Educator’s Experience with Virtual Teaching
By Catherine Cluett Pactol
Teachers, along with parents and students, have had to work through a lot more challenges than anyone bargained for this year. School closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have meant learning has had to take place virtually — and for Molokai Middle School immersion teacher ‘Iolani Kuoha, it’s been an experience that’s required her to “get creative.”
She converted her garage into a virtual classroom and for several hours each day, she uses the video chat program Zoom to engage her students — and their families. She shares language and cultural lessons, guest speakers, lei making, ukulele lessons, cooking classes, career readiness, learning contests, and even physical education.…
MHS Alum Named BYU-HI President
By Catherine Cluett Pactol
“I learned that people are what matter,” said Dr. John “Keoni” Kauwe of his time at Molokai High School, where he graduated in 1996. Kauwe, an internationally recognized researcher specializing in Alzheimer’s disease, was just named the new president of Brigham Young University–Hawaii.
Kauwe has deep roots in Hawaii and spent several years of his childhood on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai. He currently lives in Utah with his wife and five kids, where he joined the biology department, in the College of Life Sciences at Brigham Young University in 2009 and later served as chair of the biology department.…
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