Education

Molokai Celebrates the Class of 2023

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor

On Saturday, May 20, the Molokai community gathered at the Molokai High School (MHS) gym to honor the graduating class of 2023. 

The fact that this was the first graduation held inside the gym since 2019 spoke to the unusual high school experiences of the class. 

COVID “hit us all and caused confusion, frustration,” said MHS Principal Katina Soares in her address. 

“[The class of 2023] kept going,” said Soares, explaining that “I saw them develop grit.” 

This grit, which Soares defined as a “passionate perseverance towards long-term goals,” was evident in the many recognitions awarded to the class.…

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

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

In teaching first grade at Kilohana School, I choose a guiding these for my class each year, based on my intentions for the year and reflection on the first few weeks with my new students. This year, our guiding theme was “KU.” KU is to be proud, to stand tall. Throughout the year, we referred to this theme almost daily reflecting on our daily practices.  Win or lose, right or wrong, classwork or social behavior — are we proud?  Proud of our achievements, proud of our efforts, proud of our words and actions. Whatever we do or did, do it standing tall.  …

MHS Scholarship Award Ceremony

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

By Dr. Caryl Hitchcock, Project Ho’oku’i and Associate Professor, UH Manoa

It was a beautiful sunny day in Ho‘olehua when students and families gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the MHS scholarship awardees from the graduating class of 2023. It was the first in-person meeting for a while and everyone was happy to see students, family and community members together again in the high school library. Ms. Sonni Han and Ms. Ku’ulei Simon (Mistresses of Ceremonies) skillfully facilitated the list of presenters for 2023’s scholarships from generous donors. The love and support from the community for the students was evident in the mana (spirit) in the room.…

MHS Senior Earns Questbridge Scholarship

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter

Of the many scholarships awarded to Molokai High School (MHS) students this year, one MHS senior, Mele Kaneali’i, was uniquely honored with a Questbridge Scholarship, which will fully fund her college education.

Questbridge Scholarships are intended to connect “the nation’s brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education and further opportunities,” according to the Questbridge website.

This is only the third Questbridge Scholarship to be awarded to an MHS student, according to Marge Bento of the MHS counseling department.

The scholarship will fully pay for four years of college education. For Kaneali’i, that means the scholarship will cover her expenses at Hamilton College, a value of about $315,000.…

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

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

First graders at Kilohana School used the prompt, “This is not a day you have already had. It is a day that you dream to have. My very best day starts with…” to write about their best day. …