Education

Life Sciences Scholarship Deadline Extended

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

Bayer News Release

In response to hurdles posed by the difficult coronavirus situation, the application deadline for the Bayer Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship has been extended to May 15. The previous deadline was April 1. Molokai students have previously been awarded this scholarship.

According Alan Takemoto, community affairs manager for Bayer Hawaii: “Over the past few days, we’ve heard from students and counselors that school closures related to COVID-19 have created challenges to completing scholarship applications. Our hope in extending this year’s deadline is that more students statewide will be able to apply for scholarship funds to help further their education.”…

Make Your Own Face Mask

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

SOL News Release

If you want to make your own face mask, Seed of Love (SOL) WAHINE will help. We will provide cut fabric and/or pattern, sewing notions and instructions. A sewing machine is not necessary, we’ll teach you how to stitch the mask by hand if you want. Great out-of-classroom and community project! All folks on island should have at least one mask. Contact us if interested at seedoflovehawaii@gmail.com.…

Library Offers Free Film Streaming

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

HSPLS News Release

Even though the Molokai Public Library is currently closed, you can still enjoy the benefits. The popular on-demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available for free until April 30 to all Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) library card holders. Library card holders can sign up to start streaming films by visiting ibrarieshawaii.kanopy.com. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android or Roku.

Offering what the New York Times calls “a garden of cinematic delights,” Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films.…

Molokai Student Finalist for $10K Scholarship

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Molokai Student Finalist for $10K Scholarship

HRYF News Release

Molokai High School student Maria Angst is one of two students being considered for a $10,000 Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation Scholarship (HRYF). Ten HRYF recipients, 10 representatives on an interview panel from 10 Maui Rotary Clubs, and 10 individual virtual interviews demonstrated the “Power of 10” this year.

The HRYF Scholarship program offers every Rotary club in the state of Hawaii a $5000 scholarship to award to a deserving high school senior planning on attending college. Each of the 10 Maui County Rotary Clubs held in-person interviews to determine their club’s respective scholarship recipient. Angst was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lahaina.…

Efforts Continue to Keep Molokai Virus-Free

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

“It’s like a movie that we’re all in,” described resident and Misaki’s Grocery owner Kevin Misaki of the current coronavirus pandemic. “As long as it’s not someone you know, it’s OK. But as soon as it’s your neighbor, your family, people [on Molokai] will start panick-ing.”

So far as of Sunday, Molokai continues to have no confirmed COVID-19 cases, as the rest of the state rose to 175 cases out of nearly 8,000 tests conducted. Nationwide, the U.S. case count has climbed to about 140,000 as of Sunday — the most of any country in the world — of which about 2,500 patients have died.…

MHS Team Competes in Esports

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

By Ric Ornellas

Along with math and literacy, Molokai High School (MHS) is developing 21st century competitive skills. Esports!

MHS research shows engaging students in esports and pikakasinotsuomi games can help them build critical thinking skills, encourage teamwork, foster innovation, and promote self-directed learning, all elements of Hawaii DOE’s six general learning objectives (GLOs).

With learning objectives as a focus to bolster core math and literacy skills, DimensionU, a leading educational program used in over 40 U.S. states, was acquired January 2020, through the efforts of MHS Principal, Dr. Katina Soares, and Librarian and Curriculum Coordinator, Diane Mokuau. Math and english language arts (ELA) teachers earlier tested and endorsed the program objectives.…

Youth Affected by Closures

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

While school closures continue, academics aren’t the only aspect of COVID-19 precautions affecting Molokai’s youth.

The Molokai Youth Center, an organization that provides an after-school foundation and school break programs for hundreds of keiki ages 8 to 17, had to close its doors due to its location in a County building — which is closed for 30 days along with other county facilities — and the mandates for no gatherings larger than 10 people.

“When I received the email confirming our building is closed for 30 days, I’ve had quite a few parents contact me,” said Andrea Dudoit, director of the Youth Center.…

Molokai Gets $14M in State Funding

Thursday, March 19th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

More than $204 million in Captial Improvement Funds have been released by the state for District 7 which covers Molokai, Lanai, Hana, East and Upcountry Maui and Kaho’olawe, and Molokai will be getting more than $14 million of that for projects island-wide. They include improvements to the Molokai Irrigation System, airport facilities and projects at several schools.

The Molokai Irrigation System has been earmarked with $9.3 million in funds for plans, design and construction of improvements and equipment. Design for improvements of various facilities and other related improvements at the Molokai Airport has been allo-cated with $3.5 million.…

Keep School Grounds Clean

Thursday, March 19th, 2020

We need your help. Please malama our school, Kaunakakai Elementary. We realize that there are many sport events close to our school and that there is no other playground in town. However, Kaunakakai School is actually not a public park and you are loitering if you are on our campus. If you do find yourself on our school grounds after school hours, please remember that children and teachers may still be working on campus, even on the weekends. The parking lots are part of the Department of Education property and therefore, there is no smoking or drinking alcohol permitted anywhere on the property at any time.…

Farm-to-School Coordinator for Molokai Sought

Thursday, March 19th, 2020

CTAHR News Release

Through a partnership between the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and the Hawaii State Department of Health, a new position has been created for the island of Molokai. The purpose of this new position will be to provide educational support for farm-to-school activities in Molokai schools.

One of the key responsibilities will be to conduct a community needs assessment and community inventory of farm-to-school programs and activities. Responsibilities may include support for school gardens and agriculture programs, education and youth leadership, and local procurement of food for school cafeterias. Developing relationships and networking locally among educational institutions and food producers, and other food system stakeholders will be an important focus.…