The Native Hawaiian Education Council (NHEC) is seeking individuals interested in developing and perpetuating excellence in Native Hawaiian education to serve on the NHEC.

NHEC was established by the Native Hawaiian Education Act to assess the extent to which education programs meet the needs of Native Hawaiians; to coordinate educational services to Native Hawaiians; and to report and recommend to federal, state and local agencies about resources to address Native Hawaiian educational needs.

Currently there are four vacancies on the 21-member council of volunteers. NHEC is interested in applicants from all islands, representing young adults to kupuna. If interested, please email nhec@nhec.org for an application form. Completed applications are due by June 20.

If schoolchildren brought home the grades given to Molokai’s six public schools, parents would probably start handing out groundings. Grades ranged from a “C+” to an “F” with Molokai High School receiving an “F” while Kaunakakai Elementary School was sent home with a “C+.”

Molokai High School did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress and received an ‘F’ on the state’s annual report card of its schools.

In grading schools, Honolulu Magazine states that they take into account two “main factors:” how much students are learning, and how happy everyone involved is at the way that learning is being accomplished.

Student performance is measured by results from the Hawaii State Assessment test that looks at the percentage of students performing at or above grade level in math and reading. To gauge happiness, the magazine looked at responses to the annually administered School Quality Survey to see how many of each of them report being satisfied, overall, with their school. Average these five factors together (surveys of teachers, parents and students combined with math and reading scores) and you get one total score.

Kaunakakai, earning a “C+,” gained more than 10 points over 2012 and ranked 77th in the state. One hundred percent of teachers surveyed were satisfied with the school. Student satisfaction measured 94.1 percent while parent satisfaction was 84.6 percent of those surveyed. The school is in good standing under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and met the Adequate Yearly Progress performance benchmarks. In reading, 68 percent of students tested proficient while 64 percent were proficient in math.

Kualapu‘u Elementary, Molokai’s only public charter school, earned a “C” grade, ranking it 114th in the state. While it showed a five-point improvement over last year, it did not meet NCLB or AYP benchmarks. It was also the only Molokai school to have a higher percentage of students proficient in math compared to reading. Overall, 54 percent of students were proficient in reading while 59 percent were proficient in math.

The failure of many Kualapu’u students in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program to pass the HSA test pulled down the school’s overall scores. Many parents of HLIP students opted out of the test because of flaws in the makeup and administration of the test. Teachers at Kualapu’u were satisfied at a rate of 94.2 percent. Among parents surveyed, 97.5 were satisfied while 91.6 percent of students expressed satisfaction.

Placing 117th in the state was Maunaloa Elementary. The West End school received a “C” grade after showing a 15-point improvement this year. The school met its AYP and NCLB benchmarks with 73 percent showing proficiency in reading and 55 percent in math. Both teachers and parents were satisfied with the school at a rate of 91.7 percent. Students surveyed showed an 84.5 percent satisfaction.

Kilohana Elementary (rank 158) also earned a “C” grade after meeting its AYP and NCLB benchmarks. Teachers were 100 percent satisfied compared to only 57 percent of parents surveyed who were satisfied. Students were 83 percent satisfied. In reading and math, an identical 66.7 percent of students tested proficient.

Molokai Middle School, despite raising its 2012 ranking score by 19 points — the most of any Molokai school — still only earned a “D” grade, ranking it 183rd in the state. The school barely missed hitting the NCLB benchmark and did make its AYP goal. In reading, 62 percent of students were proficient; 61 percent in math. For satisfaction, teachers responded at an 81 percent rate, parents 76 percent and students 87 percent.

Molokai High School did not meet its NCLB or AYP benchmarks, hence its grade of “F.” It ranked 241st out of 255 schools. On the positive side, the overall score did improve more than nine points over last year. Satisfaction ratings were 85 percent for teachers, 80 percent for parents and 75 among students. In reading, 53.5 percent of high school students were proficient in reading while 28.7 were proficient in math.

The MOM Hui on Molokai has organized a Grassroots Benefit Concert set for July 5. The event hopes to raise funds for a Molokai Community Scholarship Fund.

The MOM Hui on Molokai has organized its first Grassroots Benefit Concert to help raise money for a Molokai Community Scholarship Fund. The concert on July 5, 6 p.m. at Kaunakakai Ball Park, is planned as an annual event.

As a result of this event, The Mom Hui on Molokai hopes to award scholarships to several eligible 2014 Molokai High School senior students who aspire to attend college and earn a degree in the field of health (holistic and traditional), environmental studies, or organic farming.

The MOM Hui, a grassroots group of moms on a mission, was formed to educate the community, raise awareness, and address concerns surrounding issues that harmfully affect the health and well-being of our children, families, and environment. Since the inception of The MOM Hui on Molokai, there are now MOM Hui chapters on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii island.

“We are very committed to our children and desire to see Molokai grow and flourish in a positive way,” said Mercy Ritte of The Mom Hui.

The MOM Hui also focuses on celebrating, empowering and inspiring mothers, women, and youth to make health and wellness a priority and to be actively involved in the challenges faced on our island, some of which may hinder our ability to live safe and healthy lives, according to The Mom Hui.

The MOM Hui is also supported by Hawai‘i SEED, a nonprofit organization and coalition of grassroots groups, farmers, activists, parents, teachers, and communities from five islands, who are working to educate the public about the risks posed by genetically engineered organisms (GMO) and to promote diverse, local, healthy, and ecological food and farming.

The MOM Hui has been involved with learning about and educating our community on the risks of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), including experimental seeds grown on Molokai by the Monsanto Corporation and additives found in our food supply. The group has accomplished this by hosting several informative community events (movie and a dinner nights) and peaceful, public demonstrations.

In addition to raising scholarship money, emphasis will also be placed on healthy living and organic food. If enough money is raised we hope to serve free samples of simple, healthy and organic dishes. The “cook” or “presenter” in each booth would offer their samples, display the ingredients used, provide recipe cards for convenience, and be available to share more about the dish and other pertinent health information.

The guest speakers and entertainers who will be participating and are supportive of this event include strong, inspirational mothers and women throughout Hawaii. The Mom Hui is also inviting representatives from local hospital and health clinics and traditional Hawaiian healing practitioners to join the event. They will share information relative to health and wellness and are encouraged to provide a learning activity for the children.

Above all, The MOM Hui strongly advocates for prioritizing and investing in the health of our children and encourages our community to be involved in protecting their future as a collective group. We feel this event will stimulate solidarity among our people and will greatly strengthen our community!

A goal of $5,000 was set to help cover expenses required to put this community event together. The bulk of the expenses will come from airfare and food ingredients costs. Any remaining funds will go directly toward the Molokai Community Scholarship Fund.

As of May 31, the Facebook page for the Grassroots Benefit Concert reported that it had raised $5,220, exceeding its $5,000 goal.

For those who contributed $100 or more to this fundraiser campaign, the “The MOM Hui” T-shirts may not be completed yet. Send your mailing address to: mercy@molokaimom.com.

Estimated expenses are as follows: venue rental fee, $100; venue deposit fee, $300; four stage platform cost, $15/stage and $15 deposit, $75; PA system, $350; temporary food permit fee, $25; guest speakers (from Oahu and Maui) airfare, $140 & $120 = $260; entertainers (from Hawaii, Oahu and Kauai) airfare, $330; $140×5, and $280×2 = $1,590; guest cooks (from Oahu) airfare, $280; food ingredients for the healthy sample dishes, $1,500+; portable toilet rental, $75/day x 6 = $450. Grand total for all expenses: $4,930.

The 2013 Ka Ipu Kukui graduating Fellows include Alix Buchter, Ashley Lindsey, Audrey Chihara, Cheryl King, Christopher Lovvorn, Hanna Mounce, Malia Cahill, Mark Leuffgen, Maxim Tornai, Megan Haertling, Michael Quisenberry, Peter Neiss, Pomaika‘i Kaniaupio-Crozier, Samuel Young, V. Pualani Enos and Sarah Ruppenthal.

A Decisions Maui and Focus Maui Nui initiative, the program is a yearlong endeavor designed to promote and train community-identified future leaders of Maui County.

Since it began six years ago, 74 fellows have completed the program, including 16 graduates who were honored during a commencement ceremony held May 7 at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui.

“Ka ipu kukui” means “crucible of light; a test and a furnace for seeking and taking the best path ahead.” In response to concerns first expressed by Decisions Maui in the 1980s and reinforced by the 2003 Focus Maui Nui visioning process, the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows program was conceived to develop leaders through a community-based curriculum specifically designed to address all aspects of planning for Maui Nui’s future.

Ka Ipu Kukui Steering Committee member Scott Nunokawa looks on as Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto congratulates Max Tornai, a newly graduated Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow.

“The County of Maui has supported the program with funding to assist fellows from Molokai and Lanai, and it will no doubt have a profound impact,” said Marc Antosch, a Fellow himself who now promotes the program.

Topics such as water, energy, tourism, food sustainability and governance represent just a few of the issues in which participants will be actively engaged. Fellows will be required to participate in activities scheduled for two to three days each month, including overnight trips to neighbor islands. Between 12 and 16 fellows will be selected through a competitive process conducted by the Ka Ipu Kukui Steering Committee.

“We all know that Maui Nui is a very special place,” said Scott Nunokawa, a steering committee member. “But we also know there are a number of challenges that threaten the unique splendor of these islands, which is why this is such a vital program.”

Steering committee members include Nunokawa, Clyde Sakamoto, Jeanne Skog, Roselle Bailey, Scott Fisher, Jordan Hart, Lori Teragawachi, Stanley Okamoto, Ken Ota, Lianne Yoshida, Kalani Ho-Nikaido, Yarrow Flower, Rhiannon Chandler, Troy Hashimoto and Sarah McLane.

The deadline to apply for the upcoming year is Friday, June 14. For more information or to nominate a candidate, contact Dr. Lori Teragawachi at (808) 984-3406 or visit www.maui.hawaii.edu/kaipukukui.

Makani Air Charters will begin flying its Cessna Grand Caravans daily to topside Molokai from Honolulu. It currently is the only airline serving Kalaupapa with scheduled flights.

The airline currently offers twice daily service between Honolulu and Kalaupapa six days a week and one round trip on Sundays. It began Kalaupapa service in January of 2012 after the Federal Department of Transportation awarded Makani Kai the Essential Air Service contract for Kalaupapa in December of 2011.

Pacific Wings lost the federal contract to serve the Kalaupapa settlement after complaints about unfair and exorbitant pricing and inconsistent service. Using federal subsidies, Makani Air offers flights to Kalaupapa at less than half the price of the almost $500 round-trip fares Pacific Wings used to charge.

“We are encouraged by the response from the Molokai community,” said Richard Schuman, president of Makani Kai Air. “Since we began our service to Kalaupapa two years ago, there has been a tremendous amount of support for Makani Kai. Our passengers enjoy the convenience and reliability we offer. Time was, people used to enjoy air travel. We want to bring that back.”

Makani Kai Air Charters was established by Schuman Aviation Company, Ltd. in 2009. The parent company also operates Makani Kai Helicopters.

The aviation company uses two Cessna Grand Caravan turbine aircraft, two Piper Chieftain twin-engine airplanes, two Eurocopter AS-350 A-Stars, and an MD500.

Schuman Aviation Company, Ltd. is the only company of its type in the U.S. accredited by the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations. Makani Kai is also an FAA certified 145 Repair Station.

Bento Rakugo performers, from left, Yasu Ishida, Josephine Calvo, Serina Dunham, and Benjamin Sota will be coming to Molokai on June 17. Photo courtesy of UH-SCEP.

Bento Rakugo will be featured performers for “Dig into Reading,” the 2013 HSPLS Children’s Summer Reading Program, at 11 selected public libraries on the Big Island, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu from June 5 to July 17. Admission is free.

The performance comes to the Molokai Public Library in Kaunakakai on June 17 at 10 a.m. Call the library at 553-1765 if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations are needed.

Bento Rakugo, a dynamic group led by artistic director Yasu Ishida, will perform in the traditional Rakugo (Japanese translation: “fallen words”) storytelling style with a modern twist to the Japanese comedy.

Rakugo is one of the most popular forms of Japanese theatre, with a tradition spanning more than 300 years. In Rakugo, the performer presents a comic story while sitting on a Japanese cushion throughout the entire performance, speaking all of the voices in both the first person and third person. All stories will be spoken in English.

On Lanai, the Bento Rakugo performance will be June 27, 2 p.m. at the Lanai Public & School Library. Phone 565-7920 for more information.

Summer reading program “Dig into Reading”

“Dig into Reading” is this year’s program theme which will encourage young readers to explore all things underground including dinosaurs, construction vehicles, animals that live underground, Ancient Egypt, caves, and rocks.

The 2013 summer reading programs are sponsored through a generous grant from the Friends of the Library of Hawaii (FLH), Atherton Family Foundation, Kraft Foods Group in Hawaii, Longs Drugs/CVS Caremark, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union, HEI Charitable Foundation, Newman’s Own Foundation, Meadow Gold Dairies, HMS Host, Hansen Distribution Group, Armstrong Produce, DFS Hawaii, Roberts Hawaii, Toshiba Business Solutions, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, National Football League Charities, Aloha United Way, and local Friends Chapters.

Corporate sponsors include McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii, Hawaii Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay of Hawaii, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, The Islander Group, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Vacations Hawaii, Fukuda Seed Store, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Conservation Council for Hawaii, State Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, DuPont Pioneer, the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region, Price Busters and GBC Boxes & Packaging. USB Drives were provided by Hawaii’s Access for All Grant through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and leveraged with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online funds; matching funds were provided by the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, the Omidyar Ohana Fund through the Hawaii Community Foundation, and Alexander & Baldwin Foundation.

Performances featuring artists from the Statewide Cultural Extension Program are co-sponsored by the University of Hawaii’s Outreach College, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the Bento Rakugo program, call the hosting library. For further information about the 2013 HSPLS Summer Reading Programs, visit the HSPLS website: www.librarieshawaii.org, like us at www.facebook.com/HSPLSHIgov, follow us on www.twitter.com/HSPLSHIgov, or call your local library.

HSPLS consolidates patron database

The Hawaii State Public Library System’s (HSPLS) patron database underwent a purge of inactive accounts on Monday, June 3. Removing these accounts provides an updated, more accurate database for our business and management uses.

Inactive accounts are accounts with expired library cards and:
* No borrowed library material in the past five years and
* No outstanding items, charges or fees; and/or
* Whose cardholders are former residents who have relocated from Hawaii.

The record of a patron who has not borrowed library material in the past five years or more may be purged. Patrons who visit their local library, present their library card, and discover that their record has been purged can reactivate their card, free-of-charge, by completing a new library card application form and presenting it with their card and valid identification. The database clean-up procedure will not affect currently active library patrons.

Internet computer users who do not borrow materials and only use their library card to access the library system’s Internet stations or subscription databases remotely, may notice that their accounts have been purged. These patrons can reactivate their accounts, free-of-charge, by completing a new application form and presenting it with their card and valid identification at any HSPLS library.

Saturday’s fundraiser for the veterans’ center at Paddlers’ Inn was a big success! Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans earned over $20,000 that night. Big thank you to Michael Helm for spearheading the event. Unfortunately, Larry Helm was not able to attend but he was there via video chat line to see the festivities and to thank all the participants. Uncle Larry also received a flag and certificate for his support of the Special Operation Forces Team that paddled the Kaiwi Channel in the 2012 Molokai Hoe race to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

Money raised from the pavers was a big success and will help with the finishing touches for the kitchen and sewer system. Please continue to donate. The MVCV needs to raise close to $100,000 to complete the parking lot. Mahalo! Please send donations to – Molokai Veterans Caring For Veterans, Building Fund c/o Alice Kono, Treasurer, P.O. Box 1633, Kaunakakai, HI 96748. Please make checks out to ‘Molokai Veterans Caring For Veterans.’ The organization is a 501c3 Non-Profit. All donations are tax-deductible. Contact email: MolokaiVeteransCaringForVeterans@yahoo.com.

***
Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans, and their commander Larry Helm, need your help on Saturday at a special event at Paddlers’ Inn to help raise funds for the new Molokai Veterans Center building.

Both the MVCV and the entire Helm ‘ohana are going through a transition right now. The veterans are fighting for the last few thousand dollars needed to complete the center and receive a certificate of occupancy while Larry is fighting for his life as he battles terminal liver cancer.




Larry Helm, commander of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans, urges everyone to help with a vet center fundraiser June 8. Helm is now battling terminal liver cancer and is uncertain if he will be at the opening of the center he fought so hard for.


“Many veterans will not have the chance to be able to see the Veterans Center,” said Larry recently. “It is sad that it has taken this long, just going through the bureaucratic red tape. So many Molokai veterans are not alive to be able to see its completion and use it, including me. It has been very stressful.”

While the veterans did hold a Veterans’ Day ceremony at the new location on Wharf Road back in November, the building still has not received its finishing touches. Fixtures need to be put in place and the parking lot needs paving. Meanwhile, Maui County is withholding the last $46,000 still owed to the Molokai veterans group (more on that later).

“Now, it is an opportunity for everyone to work together to get it done,” Larry implored. “The Molokai Veterans Center is for the veterans of the past, those returning from war, future veterans and their families. They will be able to have a place of refuge and receive services, which they so very much deserve. The center is also for the Molokai community when the veterans are not using it as it will have a commercial kitchen.”

The 3,000 square-foot center has been in the works for over five years. The “bureaucratic red tape” Larry refers to held up construction for years as county officials fumbled the zoning and permitting issues. The numerous mistakes made by Maui County officials have been well-documented and resulted in lost jobs and a civil lawsuit against those officials, including former Mayor Charmaine Tavares. The real tragedy of these delays is that 55 Molokai veterans died during this time and were not able to see or benefit from the new center.

As a community we can all support the new veterans center at Saturday’s fundraiser, organized by Paddlers’ Inn owner Jerry Johnson and bartender (and Larry’s son) Mike Helm. It will feature live entertainment with four bands, a special guest and prime rib and mahimahi specials. A portion of each special sold will be donated to the building fund.

For those wishing to do something extra, there will be an opportunity to donate and receive a paver with an engraved name that will line the walkway of the new Veterans’ Center. By donating $500 (black) or $250 (grey) to the building fund, anyone can receive a paver with the name of your choice engraved on it. Get together with your ‘ohana to pitch in for one to commemorate a loved one or with your co-workers for a business!

Before he fell ill, Larry was fighting the county to release the final $46,000 promised in a grant. According to Larry, county rules regarding “prevailing wages” require the veterans to hire $60 an hour contractors when using county money. The veterans, however, have found local licensed contractors who are willing to do the same work for $20 an hour or less.

If enough money can be raised, the kitchen can be finished soon along with other final details.

The fundraiser begins Saturday, June 8, at 3 p.m. at Paddlers’ Inn, 10 N. Mohala St., in Kaunakakai.

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Molokai businesses have the opportunity to display their products for free at this year’s “Made in Hawaii” show Aug. 16-18 at the Neil Blaisdell Arena.


Mayor’s Office of Economic Development News Release

The County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and INNOVATE Hawaii today announced the availability of funding for locally-made product companies in Maui, Molokai and Lanai to exhibit at the Made in Hawaii Festival. The festival will be held Aug. 16-18 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall & Arena on Oahu.

The festival is a three-day showcase of “Made in Hawaii” products including food, books, art, gifts, fashions, plants, crafts, produce and more. The festival provides high visibility to producers of local products, and regularly attracts over 30,000 attendees each year. This year marks the 19th annual festival and is expected to be another record year for attendance.

This year the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and INNOVATE Hawaii are offering assistance for all Maui County-made product companies to exhibit at the festival. Packages include free booth space plus a minimum stipend of $1,000 for companies that meet the festival qualifications.

All interested companies must qualify under the Made in Hawaii Festival rules (www.MadeInHawaiiFestival.com) and fill out the application packet available at the Maui County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) at the Maui Mall and the Kuha’o Business Center on Molokai. The application packet is also available online at www.mauicounty.gov/MCBRC.

An informational meeting regarding the assistance packages will be held at the Maui County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) at the Maui Mall this Wednesday at 3 p.m. Application packets will be available at the meeting, or can be picked up at the MCBRC or at the Kuha’o Business Center on Molokai, from May 28 through June 19. The deadline for applications is June 19, 2013 at 4:30 PM. For more information about the meeting, call the MCBRC at 873-8247.

“We are pleased to partner with INNOVATE Hawaii to encourage our local companies to participate in this lucrative show,” said Teena Rasmussen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. “Approximately 38,000 people attend the show and are ready to buy. In addition, there are many buyers and distributors who come to find new products. Our Neighbor Island companies deserve to be represented in this show, which can be very expensive. This program will help make it affordable for them to participate.”

Mark Ausbeck, of INNOVATE Hawaii, noted that the Made In Hawaii Festival is a great way for companies to gain market exposure and test new products with much lower risk and expense than trying to reach individual customers directly. “Exhibitors often make long-term customer relationships at these events and secure recurring orders,” he said. “We are excited to partner with Maui County to help companies showcase their products at this great event.”

INNOVATE Hawaii is a program of the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), an agency of the State of Hawaii. For more information, visit www.htdc.org/innovatehawaii.

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Project Vision Hawaii, the non-profit arm of The Retina Institute of Hawaii, provided the Molokai Lions Club with the use of the big van to do the retina screenings.


Molokai Lions Club News Release

An event took place that quietly swept through Molokai during the first week of February with little fanfare and no media coverage!




Solomon, a local keiki, with Ron Davis. Solomon was one of 408 Molokai keiki who received a free eye screening.


A total of 633 children and adults were affected when the Molokai Lions Club did their yearly school vision screening and operated the Retina Vision Van (Project Vision Hawaii) in conjunction with a Wellness Screening presented by Ohana Health Plan. For the keiki, 408 pre-school through third graders were seen in the four elementary schools plus four registered preschools.

Many thanks for the cooperation of these school principals, Janice Espritu, Lydia Trinidad, Richard Stevens, Joe Yamamoto and their staff. The Molokai Lions partnered with Maui Optics and their three optometrists. Drs. Carlys Higuchi, Karsten Lee, and Michael Leong are no strangers to the keiki of Molokai. They have been donating their time and effort for the past seven years. This year they brought their technician, Lara Ramos, with them.

Out of 408 children seen by the doctors there were only nine referrals. The referrals went to the parents for further follow-up with an eye-care specialist of their choice.

Project Vision Hawaii is the non-profit arm of The Retina Institute of Hawaii. They provided the Molokai Lions Club with the use of the big VAN to do the retina screening for adults on Molokai. This screening is not available here on island and was free to the community. Our Maui doctors provided the expertise in operating the retina camera as well as an explanation to each individual.




Dr. Karsten Lee performs an eye exam during the free screening.


Retina screening is recommended for anyone diagnosed with diabetes. This screening also detects high blood pressure, macular degeneration, cataracts and many other ailments within the eye and body as a whole!

Many thanks to Young Brothers for providing the transportation to and from Oahu through their community service/outreach program. Makoa was gracious to provide secured storage of the VAN for its entire stay on island … thank you Chris!

Thanks also to CDL drivers Rod Wong and Lyndon Dela Cruz for driving the VAN to its various locations. Many thanks to Liz at the Maui County Parks and Recreation office for helping to organize the permit process for the use of the county recreation facilities and fee waiver for the VAN.

Kaunakakai School Principal Janice Espiritu provided the Molokai Lions Club as well as the WE an excellent venue with the use of the front parking lot for the van and the cafeteria for the Wellness Screening.




Dr. Carlys Higuchi provides one of the free keiki eye exams.


WE — a hui for health, is a consortium of not-for-profit health advocacy groups, government agencies, native Hawaiian health organizations, the state’s premier hospitals, `Ohana Health Plan and Lions Clubs throughout Hawaii working together to take the wellness screening caravan on the road. WE’s purpose is to give each individual actionable information about their personal health situation right now with the goal of motivating each person to take responsibility for her or his own health. WE believes that good health is most accessible when it is based on relationship, respect and participation. WE, which was originally an acronym for “Wellness Event,” now means “all of us who choose to stand together.” It provides the screenings, information, explanations, and support in as much time and depth as requested, in a number of languages, with local style.

The Molokai Lions Club thanks all its members who volunteered, as well as many friends. Special thanks also to Annie Hiller, Executive Director of the Project Vision Van and Anne Chipchase, Community Outreach.

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Sixth grade Hawaiian Language Immersion Program prepare to go through promotion today at Kualapu’u Elementary School.


By Geneva Castro’Lichtenstein, M.Ed

Is the summer slide the new ride at the playground at One Ali`i? Is it the water slide at a keiki’s birthday party? Nope. The summer slide is what happens to our keiki’s reading skills over summer break.

With today, May 30, the last day of school at Kualapu’u Elementary School (the other public schools released students last week) summer plans begin. Families are now thinking about vacations, trips to the pool, camp, how to keep keikis involved in activities at home and who is going to watch them during the day. An important issue families may not be considering is how much knowledge and reading skills a keiki loses over the break.

Keikis can improve reading skills over the summer. And the opposite is true too, if a keiki does not read over the break skills can easily slide down. In the fall, teachers often use the first month of school re-teaching the skills students lose over a long break like summer.

Summer slide does not have to affect the keikis reading skills on Molokai this summer.

Families have the absolute largest part in motivating their keikis to read during the summer. How? Below is a short list of ideas all families can do. Please, let’s keep our keikis off the summer slide this break.

How to keep keiki off the summer slide:

• Include reading with activities. This summer when going to the park or going to the beach why not also encourage them to read a book about the activity?

• Go to the public library. Summer Is a great time to get your keiki a library card. The public library is air-conditioned and there are comfortable chairs. What a great place to spend time.

• Lead by example. Let your keiki see you read: baking directions, magazines, newspaper and online, they will see reading is everywhere.

• Talk about it. Talk with your keiki about what you have read. Let them know reading is important to you. What do like about it? What easy, difficult?

• Help find a place and time to read.

• It is not school. During the school year, our keikis follow schedules all day. Make sure they pick up books for fun and help find ways for them to choose to read on their own.

• Have plenty reading material around.

• Use books to break boredom.

• Read aloud.

Geneva Castro’Lichtenstein, a longtime high school and middle school language arts teacher, has been school counselor at Kualapu’u Public Conversion Charter School the past six years.

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