Molokaʻi Kids Celebrate Success at VEX Robotics World Competition

A robotics team from Molokaʻi is celebrating success at the 2019 VEX Robotics World Competition, which just concluded in Kentucky on Tuesday.

The Kaunakakai School Robotics Team 11516D, comprised of students Maesilyn Yuen, Kalauihi Kaai and Kailen Poepoe Johnson, placed fourth in the Hubble Division of the competition, according to the school’s Parent Community Networking Center facilitator.  The team was coached by Joe Howe and Andrea Yuen.

The VEX Robotics World Championship brought together over 1,200 of the top, student-led teams around the world to compete in Louisville, Kentucky over the course of eight days from April 24 to 30, 2019.

Other teams from Hawaiʻi also did well. Howe provided us with the following updates:

• Hubble Division: 11516D Molokai Masters (Kaunakakai) – 4th;
• Cassini Division: 10142Y Green Tigers (Mānoa) – 3rd;
• Apollo Division: 2436B Lancer Robotics (Sacred Hearts) – 6th;
• Apollo Division: 10143X Green Tigers Team X (Mānoa) – 6th;
• Viking Division: 2436A Lancer Robotics (Sacred Hearts) – 3rd; and
• Viking Division: 10142A Green Tigers Team A (Mānoa) – 9th

“We are all excited and proud,” said Hāmau Uahinui Howe, PCNC facilitator.  “They ran their victory run in the arena holding the Hawaiʻi flag representing our state.”

For those wishing to welcome the Molokaʻi team home, the students are scheduled to arrive on Oʻahu on Thursday, May 2 at 5:44 p.m. on Delta flight #1559. They will be staying in Honolulu overnight and returning to Molokaʻi at 6:55 a.m. on Friday, May 3, 2019.

“They’ve worked hard and Molokaʻi is so proud of them,” said Howe.

(L to R) Maesilyn Yuen, Kalauihi Kaai and Kailen Poepoe Johnson

Hawaiʻi Robotics teams in Kentucky. PC: Joe Howe

Kaunakakai School Robotics Team 11516D (L to R) Kalauihi Kaai, Maesilyn Yuen and Kailen Poepoe Johnson. PC: Joe Howe

Kaunakakai School Robotics Team 11516D (L to R) Kailen Poepoe Johnson, Maesilyn Yuen and Kalauihi Kaai. PC: Joe Howe

Kaunakakai School Robotics Team 11516D (L to R) Maesilyn Yuen, Kalauihi Kaai and Kailen Poepoe Johnson. PC: Joe Howe

Kaunakakai School Robotics Team 11516D (L to R) Kailen Poepoe Johnson, Kalauihi Kaai and Maesilyn Yuen. PC: Joe Howe

Kaunakakai School Robotics Team 11516D: (L to R) Maesilyn Yuen, Kailen Poepoe Johnson and Kalauihi Kaai. PC: Joe Howe

Kaunakakai School Robotics Team 11516D (L to R) Kalauihi Kaai, Maesilyn Yuen and Kailen Poepoe Johnson. PC: Joe Howe

Hawaiʻi Robotics teams in Kentucky. PC: Kim Kaai via Hāmau Uahinui Howe