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Building Mental Health

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Many people may not realize they must care for their mental health. Aaron Mitchell, a mental health counselor, wants to ensure Molokai’s community has his services to care for theirs.

“Many don’t get help until their circumstances become dire,” said Mitchell. “Since the beginning of time, youth have been going to their elders with their problems. They didn’t wait. Why do we wait today? Seeking support, such as through Mental Health Counseling in Sarasota, can provide guidance early and help prevent challenges from escalating.” For those looking to explore additional professional resources and education around relationship and mental well-being, a helpful site like https://msrcc.com.au/…

Posted in Community, Health

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Molokai Robotics Earn Statewide Awards

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

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.…

Posted in Community, Education, Island Youth, News Releases

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

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

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. …

Posted in Community, Education, Island Youth

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Program Brings Local Food to Kupuna

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A new program allows community members to purchase fresh, locally grown food boxes and donate them for delivery to local kupuna in need. The Kupuna ʻAi Box program, launched by Sust’ainable Molokai in collaboration with the Molokai Rural Health Community Association, will provide kupuna who sign up with a weekly assortment of Molokai-produced food items such as kalo, ʻulu, poi, frozen beef, ʻuala, eggs and fresh fruits and vegetables. The boxes are available for purchase for $25 each through Sust’ainable Molokai’s weekly Mobile Market, an online marketplace that connects local farmers with Molokai consumers, and facilitates the sales, packaging and quality of locally grown produce.…

Posted in Agriculture, Community, Environment

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Molokai Flight Subsidy Proposed

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A proposed flight subsidy program for Molokai that’s currently moving through Hawaii legislature seeks to bring relief to Molokai residents who struggle with the high cost of air travel. Molokai’s Senator Lynn DeCoite proposed the bill to “assist with the cost of airfare for Molokai residents traveling inter island for essential services.”

Senate Bill 784 would require the state Dept. of Transportation to establish a one-year pilot program to provide subsidies for airlines providing service to Molokai. Since January 2021, only Mokulele Airlines flies into Molokai, and the bill seeks to not only lower ticket prices for residents but also incentivize other airlines to serve the island. …

Posted in Community, Government, Transportation

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Raising Funds to Open Doors

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

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. …

Posted in Community, Education, Island Youth

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Intergenerational Learning at Soto Mission

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

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.…

Posted in Community, Education

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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.…

Posted in Community, Education, Island Youth, News Releases

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Learning with the Children’s Theatre

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

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.…

Posted in Art, Community, Island Youth

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