Malama Your Mam

Photo by PF Bentley

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Mother’s Day this year featured a special “Malama Your Mama” fundraiser for Molokai’s Aka’ula School students. Held annually, the fundraiser goes to support financial aid for student tuition. Aka’ula is the only private school on Molokai, serving 25 students from 5th to 12th grade.

This year’s event, held at the Molokai Community Health Center, played host to more than 200 residents. With good food, live and silent auctions, a lei stand and music by Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Malama Your Mama was a big hit.

“It was one of those times when everything comes together,” said Aka’ula School Head of School Dara Lukonen.

According to Lukonen, the official program for the day ended at 2 p.m., however people continued to hang out and enjoy the day together well into the afternoon.

“The whole ambiance…was such an incredible experience,” she said.

The fundraiser was also an opportunity to recognize this year’s Lifetime Education Achievement award winner for Aka’ula School, Mikiala Pescaia. And above all, it was a chance to celebrate the students who call Aka’ula home.

“The students,” said Lukonen, “they’re our best ambassadors.”