Education

A Whale of an Opportunity

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

A Whale of an Opportunity

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

A life-sized inflatable humpback whale named Kamakai visited Molokai last weekend through NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The kohola, or humpback whale, offered keiki the opportunity to explore the species’ biology, along with participating in educational activities, marine arts and crafts and movie showings of “Humpback Whale.”…

School Science Education Grants Available

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Bayer Fund News Release

Applications for the 2023 Bayer Fund – Hawaii Science Education Grant are now available to eligible public schools interested in obtaining a grant to support their science curricula.

Since 2005, this Bayer Fund grant program has awarded over $357,000 to public schools in Hawaii for programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance their students’ science education. All public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai are eligible to apply.

To be considered for the next grant period, completed applications plus supporting documentation must be received by Friday, Sept.…

Molokai Students Learn Cybersecurity

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

Molokai Students Learn Cybersecurity

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

The email starts as something benign: an inquiry from a distant family member, a reminder to pay for your Amazon Prime subscription, a promo for a credit card. You click the link and it’s all over from there – you’ve been hacked. 

Kaunakakai School fifth grade teacher Kawika Gonzales is helping students across Molokai navigate this complicated digital landscape with a recent summer camp called the GenCyber Program. As the lead instructor for the state-wide program, Gonzales led 10 Molokai students ranging from fifth to 12th grade in a weeklong investigation into the strange, marvelous, dangerous, complicated world of the internet. …

Youth Theatre Program for Teenagers

Wednesday, June 28th, 2023

Youth Theatre Program for Teenagers

Community Contributed

By Mahina Segario

Hokulani Children’s Theatre of Molokai (CTOM) is proud to announce our new Senior Division for those 13 to 18 years of age who would like hands on performing art opportunities in all performing art genres beyond just acting. I am working as an intern at CTOM under the AluLike work program as a community youth coordinator. I am tasked with producing a youth empowerment performance and recruiting youth wanting to develop talent in all areas of performing arts.

Is comedy, singing, dancing or becoming a writer your passion? Would you like to be a make-up artist?…

Molokai Cousins Victorious at State Rodeo

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

Molokai Cousins Victorious at State Rodeo

By Jack Kiyonaga, reporter 

Two Molokai youth were named state champions at the Hawaii High School State Rodeo. Cousins Kahiwa Augustiro, age 18, and Bailey Sproat, age 16, put on impressive displays of horsemanship and athleticism at the June 9 and 10 rodeo at the New Town and Country stables in Waimanalo, Oahu. 

Along with individual victories, the Molokai duo took home first place together in the team roping event. 

“It was like nothing else,” said Augustiro reflecting on the weekend’s accomplishments. In addition to the team roping title, Augustiro came away with victories in bareback bronco riding, steer wrestling, and bull riding.…

Kupu Seeks Conservation Leaders

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

Kupu News Release 

Applications are open for the Conservation Leadership Development Program (CLDP) through Kupu, Hawaii’s leading conservation and environmental education nonprofit.  The organization also announced monthly living stipend will be raised to $2,560 for Hawaii residents and $2,320 for US Pacific residents for the 11-month term. Conservation programs on Molokai are among the host sites. 

Recent high school graduates, college graduates and young professionals looking to establish a career in conservation are strongly encouraged to apply. The application deadline is June 30.

The raise in living stipend, in addition to health insurance and education and career benefits, means CLDP participants will earn a compensation package valued up to $36,000 while addressing urgent conservation needs and jump-starting a career path.…

Machado Memorial Scholarship

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

CNHA News Release

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) has launched a scholarship opportunity to support students from Molokai who are the first in their family to pursue higher education. The Colette Pi‘ipi‘i Machado Scholarship honors the legacy of the late Colette Machado, a Molokai native, respected community leader, and former chair and longtime trustee for the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). 

The $2,500 scholarship is open to qualifying applicants now until June 24.

“Colette was a true mana wahine who fought passionately and tirelessly to uplift the lāhui, and in particular, the community of her beloved Molokai,” said Kūhiō Lewis, chief executive officer of CNHA.…

MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

Thursday, June 8th, 2023

MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

By Catherine Cluett Pactol, Editor

When she was a freshman at Molokai High School in 2017, Mallory Go set her sights on the stars and proposed astronomy research that would become groundbreaking. She captured the first look at magnetic fields within the iconic and beautiful Horsehead Nebula. Six years later, a paper she co-authored has been published in an astronomy journal.

“[A nebula is] a big cloud of dust and the Horsehead Nebula is a very cold cloud of dust,” explained Go.

At the time, not much research existed on the Horsehead Nebula, which has a district and identifiable shape as its name describes.…

May Day Memories

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

May Day Memories

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Throughout the month of May, schools across Molokai celebrated Lei Day. Students participated in the royal court, draped in lei representative of each island’s colors. Each grade performed special songs or hula for their families and schools, as the community celebrated this cultural tradition and the aloha spirit.…

Free Volleyball Camp

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

Fieldhouse Volleyball News Release

Molokai raised and alumni of Molokai High School, Annette Luafalemana travels home to host a free volleyball clinic on June 3-4 at the Molokai High School Gym. Ike Loa Volleyball Camp is open to ages 8 to 17 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for under 12, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 13 and older. 

Passionate about volleyball, she currently manages the Fieldhouse Volleyball Club in Texas that helps all ages to follow their dreams and become proud athletes.  This is her way of giving back to her community that helped raise her to be who she is now.  …