MHS WIN Writers Start to Rock and Roll

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Ric Ornellas 

At Molokai High School (MHS) the new WIN periods are pushing students beyond their comfort zones. WIN means What I Need and take place only Thursdays for 70 minutes and last one academic quarter, or 10 weeks. Throughout the year, each student will have four quarters, 4 WIN periods, to explore, question, research, and decide which skills they will need for their future. The idea for the new WIN periods came from Ka’u Elementary and High School on Hawaii Island when a group of MHS teachers visited last year. They saw how the WIN periods at Ka’u helped students focus on the daunting task of planning for post-high school life.…

What is the Science of Reading and How Does it Help Students?

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Alestra Menéndez

Molokai teachers, please join us on Monday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. at the Molokai Education Center for a discussion about the science of reading and how you can leverage it in your classroom. 

Please join us as we dive into the latest educational and neuroscience research on how students learn to read in any alphabetic language, including Hawaiian and English. We will explore how to support all students to build meaningful background knowledge as they develop essential literacy skills. 

In this interactive session, we will explore classroom practices based on science. As a community of learners, we will reflect on how to implement science-based practices at your school to support your students’ learning and growth. …

Author’s Visit Ignites Conversation

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Author’s Visit Ignites Conversation

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

As the new school year swings into action, award winning author Ryan La Sala visited Molokai High School (MHS). La Sala was welcomed by many; however, his talk also evoked a strong response from some members of the Molokai community, who believed La Sala’s identity as LBGTQ+ and focus on LGBTQ+ stories sent messages to their children that they weren’t comfortable with.  

MHS librarian Diane Mokuau used her 2021 School Librarian of the Year Award, sponsored by Scholastic, to invite La Sala to speak at MHS.

Mokuau believed La Sala’s visit contributed to MHS’s focus on college and career pathways through the newly established academy model.…

MHS Sports Roundup

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

MHS Sports Roundup

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

On Sept. 2, Molokai High School (MHS) Football opened the season with a home game vs. Seabury.

In the first quarter of the game, Seabury took an early lead with a score of 8-0, thanks to Elima Dagan’s impressive 50-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 2-point conversion. Molokai quickly responded, tying the game at 8-8 with Christian Nip’s 11-yard touchdown run, also followed by a successful 2-point conversion. 

Molokai then took the lead with David Kalilikane’s 10-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 16-8. Another Molokai touchdown increased the lead to 22-8. 

In the second quarter, Molokai continued their strong performance with Kalilikane scoring two more touchdowns, first with an 8-yard run and then with a 42-yard run, bringing the score to 37-8 in favor of Molokai. …

Country Fair

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

St. Damien Catholic Parish News Release

As we gear up for this year’s Country Fair taking place at the Mitchell Pauole Center on Saturday Oct. 21 from 8 am to 1 pm, the St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Parish would like to thank God, our many friends and benefactors, and our community islandwide that have given their time, treasure and talent to make our annual fundraising event a success. The four parish churches from east to west are Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church in Kalua’aha, St. Joseph Church in Kamalo, St. Damien of Molokai Church in Kaunakakai, and St. Vincent Ferrer in Maunaloa.…

Grants Available for Forest Projects

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

DLNR News Release 

Molokai organizations are encouraged to apply for grants to protect and enhance our urban and community trees and forests. The funding source is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and grants are made available from the US Forest Service through Kaulunani, the state’s Urban and Community Forestry Program which is part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). Eligible applicants include community groups, schools, and municipal and state government agencies. For-profit organizations and federal entities are not eligible. Examples of eligible projects could include tree planting and tree care projects, developing technological tools for urban and community forestry or supporting professional development, education, and public outreach for urban and community forestry.…

A’o ‘Aina Professional Development Program

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Kupu News Release 

Intermediate and high school educators on Molokai are eligible to apply for a paid professional development opportunity. Kupu, Hawaii’s leading conservation and environmental education nonprofit, recently announced that applications are open for the Aʻo ʻAina Professional Development Program. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 29. Visit www.kupuhawaii.org/aoaina/  to apply. 

In partnership with the Malama Learning Center, this paid professional development opportunity for educators within the Department of Education on Oahu, Molokai, and Hawaii Island is designed to expose participants to careers and topics in natural resources and grow connections between educators and community organizations.…

Suette Kaoru Tollefsen

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Suette Kaoru Tollefsen

Suette Kaoru Tollefsen, age 73 of Waialua, Molokai, died on Aug. 29. Suette passed away in the comfort of her home with her family by her side, under the care of Hospice Maui. Suette was born to the late Harry and Aiko Panui on Sept. 19, 1949 in Lihue, Kauai. Preceding her death was her sister Jayde Nakihei and brother Tyson Panui. She is survived by husband Stephen Tollefsen, son Harry Tollefsen (Rietta), daughters Elizabeth “Liz” Coleman (Mike), Michelle Hiro (Raymond), Sybil Kapahulehua (Russell) and Stephanie “Panui” Tollefsen, brother Lambert Panui, sisters Elgie Spears (Dave), Adele and Fern Panui, as well as nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  …

Jonelle “Sweetie” Huelani Kaaihue

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Jonelle “Sweetie” Huelani Kaaihue

Jonelle “Sweetie” Huelani Kaaihue, 61, of Honolulu and formerly of Ho’olehua, Molokai died on Aug. 23, at her residence in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu and was a certified substance abuse counselor. 

She is survived by her brother Joseph P. Kaaihue Jr. and sister Jolene L. Apostol, both of Ho’olehua, Molokai, nieces Laila K. Siaris of Ewa Beach, Oahu and Amber L. Apostol of Honolulu.  

Friends may pay their respects on Thursday, Sept. 28 at Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary-East Chapel in Honolulu at 10:30 a.m. with service at 11 a.m. Services pending on the island of Molokai.…

Mental Health in Disasters

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

When the World Trade Center was attacked, people were glued to their TVs.  When Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana or the LA riots of 92’, we were cemented to the TV.  Now it is the ongoing recovery from the Lahaina fires.  But it’s different now, this is right across the water from Molokai.  This involves our home, our ‘ohana, our coworkers, and our friends.  It’s all over the news, social media, and it’s in the hearts and minds of our community, every day.  I set out to fish the shores of Molokai and I find myself staring at the charred remains of Lahaina.…