FEBRUARY 1,, 2017 - V OLUME 32, I SSUE 5
The
Molokai Dispatch TH E I S LAND’ S NEW S SOU RCE S I NCE 1 9 8 5
Girls Paddling Heads to States
By Rick Schonely | Sports Reporter
T
he Molokai Girls and Mixed Canoe Paddling teams paddled in Kihei last Saturday for the MIL Championships. The girls finished in second place (4:14:45) behind Seabury (4:10:25) to qualify for the State Championships this Saturday at Keehi Lagoon on Oahu. The Mixed crew came in fifth with a time of 4:21:48. Head Coach Stefani Hubbard is very happy with her team's progress this season. “Three months ago, I never would've thought that we would be second place in MILs and heading back to states," she said. "After losing five seniors last year, I really looked at this year as a 'rebuilding' year.” By Catherine Cluett Pactol and But after working to put together Natasha McIntosh Westhoff a team, the girls have showed strong " onoikamakahiki! Lonoikamakaresults throughout the season. hiki!" chanted hundreds of youth “We had to find new girls, talents on the Kaunakakai Ball Field at and skills, and restructure a new crew and it took some time for these girls to the opening of the 35th annual Ka Molofind their footing and really learn how kai Makahiki. The celebration marks to work together and trust each other, the end of the season of Makahiki, a but I think that's come through at the traditional Hawaiian period during October through January to observe peace perfect time for them,” said Hubbard. The Molokai Girls Canoe Pad- and harvest in honor of the god Lono. dling team is Tashady Florendo, Hu- Anticipation grew last Saturday mornlilau Albino, Kaydence Oswald, Talia ing as keiki eagerly waited the start of Nakayama, Shai Rawlins, Sherie Kaili the games, an opportunity to test their and Marion Powell.
Photos by Catherine Cluett Pactol
35 YEARS OF MAKAHIKI L
skill in competitions like haka moa (one legged chicken fighting), uma (arm wrestling), ulu maika (Hawaiian bowling) and konane (Hawaiian checkers). "Elementary students, are you ready?" Walter Ritte. one of the event's organizers, asked the kids lined up across the field. "Yeah!" roared the crowd. "Let the games begin!" announced Glenn Teves, one of the event organizers. The morning had started early with opening ceremonies and protocol. Each
New Science Facility Unveiled
Makahiki pg. 2
THIS WEEK IN
By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor
The
Molokai Dispatch
A
new, $4.7 million state-of-the-art science building at Molokai High School will afford its students the use of lab facilities for the first time since 2004. The 4,500 square foot structure with two classrooms will also allow MHS students -- some of whom have already won international recognition for their work in science -- to further their research. "Our kids deserve the best and they've put out nothing but the best," said Molokai county councilmember Stacy Crivello at the building's blessing last Wednesday. "We're resilient and always make due and our students have more than made due. They have brought so much honor to our island." Last week's dedication ceremony marked the completion of construction that began in the summer of 2015. The school has not had the use of science labs since the middle and high schools split campuses more than a decade ago. MHS Principal Stan Hao said the new facility has been discussed for about 25 years, when he first came to the school as a teacher.
district of Molokai entered the field led by a kupuna and offered ho`okupu from the region to be placed on the stone ahu. One of the event organizers, Loretta Ritte, honored those who helped revive the event 35 years ago. "Our kupuna have been the reason for the success of Ka Molokai Makahiki," she said. "Ka Molokai Makahiki was started in January 1981 with its major goal being the preservation of Hawaiian culture," wrote Walter Ritte in a booklet from the
Girls Close Basketball Season
Pg. 2
MHS Students Visit Bishop Museum
Pg. 7
Photo by Catherine Cluett Pactol
In 2010, when Hao returned as principal, he reinitiated the conversation. But the economic downturn in 2012 brought bad news. "[The state] told us they only had money to renovate... our dreams were shot," recalled Hao. "In lieu of having a science facility, they gave us a rolling science cart, with some technology and tools on it."
Hope returned in 2013, when the governor announced the released of funding for science education upgrades, and Hao said the school applied immediately. Funding was appropriated for planning the building, but when architects showed him the plans, he was disappointed in the materials and design. "There was something inside of me
Facility pg. 3
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