NOVEMBER 5, 2014 - VOLUME 30, ISSUE 44
The
Molokai Dispatch T H E I S L A N D ’S N E W S S O U R C E S I N C E 1985
‘Lightning Strikes Twice’
By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
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wo Molokai High seniors got a quite a surprise two weeks ago. Little did Sarah Jenkins and Luke Kikukawa know that as they were sitting in their respective classes, a top secret mission was underway. Sneaking through the halls of Molokai High with two giant, fourfoot $10,000 checks, MHS Principal Stan Hao, Nordstrom Ala Moana Store Manager Brian Tatsumura, and other representatives and faculty stopped in front of two classrooms. They were preparing to make a big announcement: Jenkins and Kikukawa had each won a hefty check from the Nordstrom Scholarship Program. “It's sort of like a SWAT Team conducting maneuvers to take their opponent by stratagem in secret,” said Hao of the surprise operation. Across the country, more than 45,000 students applied for a $10,000 scholarship from Nordstrom. Only 80 of those applicants receive the award, and only a handful are from the western region, which includes the West Coast, Las Vegas and Hawaii. Until last year, none had been from Hawaii as long as Tatsumura – who’s been working for the company for 40 years – could recall, he said. That changed when Molokai High’s Kilo Gonzales was honored with the scholarship last year. Tatsumura said when he learned that Jenkins and Kikukawa received the award – not only from Hawaii, but from tiny Molokai for the second year in a row – he thought, “It’s unbelievable.” “Just meeting them, we couldn’t have picked two greater people,” Tatsumura said of this year’s Molokai awardees. “What are the odds of two students from Molokai winning? They are both really deserving and it felt really good to give it to them.” Hao said he notified staff by email, writing, "Lightning strikes twice and twice as hard!" referring to Gonzales winning last year, and both Jenkins and Kikukawa this year. He said both students have been recognized in national competitions and worked hard over summer breaks to pursue higher learning, which reflects well for the school as a whole. “I think what it says about the school is that we have extremely hard working students and advisors who are directing them to scholarships and activities that make a difference,” Hao said. “We are also fortunate to have supportive parents and community who nurture them toward success.” The initial application last year involved writing a personal statement. Jenkins said Molokai’s nurturing community is what inspired her essay in which she shared a Hawaiian proverb about how knowledge is absorbed by a child. “I thought it was important to share where I’m from and who I am,”
Scholarship Continued pg. 4
Dressing the Part S By Molokai Dispatch Staff
uperheroes, lions, vampires and ghosts took over the Molokai Library Lawn on Halloween afternoon. They came not to fight crime or scare the town but to participate in the Lions Club’s Annual Costume Contest. Age categories ranged from toddlers to adults, with prizes for Most Original, Scariest and Cutest. Some costumes, contestants said, took weeks to prepare, including one family’s entourage of Mario Kart
characters and local wood carver Victor Lopez’s 35-pound wooden Ninja Turtle shell. Later in the evening, more than 1,000 community members young and old flocked to the Kaunakakai Ball Park for the annual HallowHim celebration. Intended as a safe and family friendly Halloween event, it is put on as a collaboration between island churches, according to one of the event organizers,
Cameron Hiro. With games, food, musical entertainment and even a dunk tank, HallowHim has grown in recent years. “It’s an almost carnival-like atmosphere… with the spirit of unity and ohana,” said Hiro. “We need these kids of events on Molokai.” King’s Chapel Molokai also celebrated the occasion with their annual Glow Show black-light production and Candy Lane Carnival on Halloween evening.
Top left, Brayden Nartatez, (1 year old). Bottom left, Kyden (9) and Jaden (7) Sasada Middle, Eben Napoleon and Trinity Torres-UmiNapoleon with their keiki Kaizen (6), Qarah (2), Tobias (3 months). Right, Noa, Marie, and Alika (2) Kalanihuia. Photos by Colleen Uechi and Catherine Cluett
Students Get a Glimpse of the Future
THIS WEEK’S
Dispatch
Football Next Stop: MIL Title Game
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Having a Blast
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MHS Students at Columbia University Library. Photo from MHS MCCTC Blog
By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
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housands of miles away from the quiet streets of The Friendly Isle, Molokai High students braved crowded subways and the fast-paced lifestyle of New York City. The students experienced both the East Coast and
post-high school life during a six-day tour of colleges and workplaces last month. “It’s so exciting,” said junior Misty Parker at an Oct. 30 community presentation of the students’ trip. “You al-
New York Continued pg. 2
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Robert Mokuau Molokai Born & Raised