Education

MHS Robot Takes the Spotlight

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

MHS Robot Takes the Spotlight

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The Molokai High School robotics team has built a masterpiece over the past several months – and they’re gearing up to compete with it this week at 2023 FIRST Robotics Hawaii Regional on Oahu, where they will be facing off against other teams from Hawaii, the continental U.S. as well as China, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia. Between March 23-25, the team will be showcasing their robot’s abilities to complete tasks like moving and placing cones and cubes, as well as the months of work they’ve put into designing, building, programming, practicing and overcoming obstacles with creativity and limited resources.…

Wins For Baseball and Softball

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

Wins For Baseball and Softball

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

The Molokai Farmers took on rivals Lanai Pinelads in a baseball double-header last weekend in Kaunakakai. 

Friday afternoon’s game saw the Farmers post a 14-4 victory, which ended in the fourth inning due to Maui Interscholastic League’s 10-run rule. 

Led by a strong pitching performance from Solomon Kikukawa-Teriong, which included three scoreless innings, the Farmers took a six-run lead in the first inning and never let up. While the Lanai Pinelads closed the gap to four runs, Molokai was able to put up an additional six runs, securing the win. 

Molokai’s offense was bolstered by strong performances from Hokuau Arce and Miken Loo, both of whom hit triples.…

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Kilohana School first graders discussed ‘Auamo Kuleana. “I can carry a burden/responsibilities and still move forward to a goal.” It is a privilege to have this responsibility. It is important to remember that just because a person ‘auamo kuleana well, with a smile, it doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy. Here is what the class shared. 

Leah-Marie Makekau: “I will use what I know how to do.”

Kalea Ellis: “I will try hard things.”

Keaka Naki: “I will think about my friends and who I live. That will help me go on. 

Dallas Bicoy: “If it gets harder and harder, I will keep pushing and listen to the people helping me. …

Living History

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

Living History

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

Student artwork and writing filled “The Barn” at Molokai High School on Feb. 25. The event was

the seventh annual ‘Aha Opio O Molokai, dedicated to celebrating Hawaiian culture and education. 

Student projects ranged from artwork based on Hawaiian myths, to wood working, to live action poi pounding. 

The student projects were intended to “celebrate innovation” and align with “one or more of the HA [Hawaii Dept. of Education framework] outcomes: Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total Well Being, and Hawaii,” according to the event’s website. 

The day was an opportunity for students to fully engage with Hawaiian culture and be reminded of the hard-won history by which this education came about.  …

Molokai Robotics Earn Statewide Awards

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

Molokai Robotics Earn Statewide Awards

Hawaii Space Grant Consortium News Release 

Molokai High School was one of 50 Hawaii VEX robotics teams that competed at the Hawaii VEX Robotics Middle and High School State Championships, held on February 19-20 at Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama, sponsored by Hawaiian Electric. Eight of the 50 teams will advance to the 2023 VEX Robotics World Championships.

Though Molokai did not qualify for worlds, a Molokai team captured the Robot Skills second Place Award and Energy Award at the Middle School Championship, and a second Molokai High team took the Sportsmanship Award at the High School Championship. 

Hawaii middle and high school robotics teams will showcase their game strategy, design and teamwork skills for an opportunity to be crowned world champions at the global event to be held April 25 to May 4 in Dallas, Texas.…

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Hawaii schools follow the Na Hopena A’O/HA framework.  This framework provides a system of expectations for all in Hawaii to aspire to.   HA means breath and the components of the framework are an acrostic of the letters in breath; belonging, responsibility, excellence, aloha, total wellbeing, and Hawaii.  With Makahiki season upon us, the talk of champions and excellence is constant.  In first grade at Kilohana School, I wanted to make time to enhance our total well being as well as our sense of excellence.  A warrior is someone who is as mentally strong and prepared as well as physically strong and prepared. …

Raising Funds to Open Doors

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

Raising Funds to Open Doors

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Thirteen promising Molokai High School Students are one step closer to their goal of traveling to visit East Coast colleges and career sites. The Molokai community came out to help them get there at a fundraiser last Saturday. 

Molokai College and Career Club (CCC) has been taking MHS students to the mainland for college visits for the past nine years. 

The trips are largely the brainchild of MHS teacher Ric Ornellas. Ornellas, a Molokai native, spent years of his life living in New York City following a college education at Middlebury College.  It has been his goal to expose Molokai students to broader education potentials and possibilities. …

Intergenerational Learning at Soto Mission

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

Intergenerational Learning at Soto Mission

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Kupuna are learning to navigate technology in classes taught by Molokai High students at Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission. The Buddhist temple in Kaunakakai has opened a new space dedicated to kupuna and community that includes an internet hotspot. The project is funded by a $11,500 Community Challenge Grant from AARP Hawaii. 

The Guzeiji Soto Mission, partnered with the Krause Family Foundation ‘Alana Ke Aloha, used the grant to purchase necessary equipment including a Wi-Fi hotspot, tables and benches, according to a press release from the AARP. 

The goal of the new program is for Molokai High School students to teach kupuna to use their devices and gain easier access to technology.…

Molokai Complex Seeks Grant for Afterschool Program

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

DOE News Release 

The 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) grant funds an afterschool enrichment program on Molokai. The Department of Education is applying to continue the 21CCLC funding for Molokai students and families.

If approved, the 21CCLC program will help youth and their ‘ohana – particularly those who attend schools needing improvement – with academic enrichment opportunities and support services to help meet state and local standards in core content areas.

Our proposed academic activities will include homework help, targeted grade level and subject tutoring, and credit/course recovery. Our personal enrichment activities include STEM activities, cultural activities, Molokai conservation activities, gardening, visual, music, dance, drama art activities, and physical education activities.…

Learning with the Children’s Theatre

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

Learning with the Children’s Theatre

Community Contributed

My name is Wailana Purdy-Avelino, an intern for Hōkūlani Childrenʻs Theatre of Molokai under Mrs. Vicki Boswell. As an intern, my responsibilities include creating a web page for Hokulani CTOM and updating our Facebook page weekly, I am currently developing a puppet theater script to go in the play and help to arrange a day camp for the kids during spring break to create props and shadow puppets while doing fun activities to build stronger relationships with our young actors.

Personally, I always enjoyed theater and acting. While in elementary school I participated in several school plays including one under the direction of Mrs.…