Author Archives: Sean Aronson

Go Farmers!

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Go Farmers!Winter season filled with success for Molokai High School Athletics.
By Sean Aronson


The paddling team had a very competitive season after not fielding a team last year.  Coach Tania Kaholowaa has been working with many Molokai girls during their summer season and was excited to enter the M.I.L. fray.

Initially it was difficult as many of her summer girls competed in other winter sports, leaving the two most important positions in the canoe, seats 1 and 6, to newcomers. Nine girls participated.

The end of the season saw increased ability and performance, says Kaholowaa, and she is   expecting good things next year. At the final race of the year, Molokai placed third, but was disqualified for wearing “Save La’au” shirts, instead of a uniform. And we got dq’d.

The team had to compete in Maui for each of its races, but next year expects to bring a regatta to Molokai.

Coach Kaholowaa would like to say how proud she is of her young team and also to thank team mom and assistant coach Tammi Levi.  

Boat Ramp Closed Next Week

Friday, February 20th, 2009

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will begin demolition and removal of the collapsed cement catwalk adjoining the boat ramp at Kaunakakai Harbor on Wednesday, February 24.

During the demolition the Kaunakakai boat ramp will be closed for public safety due to the heavy equipment and trucks that will be working in the area.

This closure will last until the work is completed, which is expected to take approximately 3 days, but may be extended as necessary to complete the work.  

Signs will be posted at the boat ramp to advise the public when the ramp is reopened.  

The contractor for the demolition work is TRI-L Construction.

DLNR HOLDS PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ON PROPOSED “RECREATIONAL RENAISSANCE” PLAN

Friday, February 20th, 2009

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is inviting the public to attend a series of statewide public information meetings this month to present its new “Recreational Renaissance” plan, especially projects planned for specific island or local areas and to seek community input on the various proposals.

When - Wednesday, March 4 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Where -Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room.

The proposed “Recreational Renaissance” plan focuses on restoring and preserving Hawai‘i’s state parks, various popular trails and ocean recreation facilities, and represents a new and innovative approach to developing and maintaining outdoor recreational properties in the State.  

“We are encouraging state park users and boaters, hunters and fishers, campers and hikers and anyone who wants to see improvements to these important recreational areas, to come and listen to our plan and give their input. Timely public support is critical to being able to make these needed changes that will benefit our communities statewide,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR Chairperson.

The Molokai Minute Returns

Friday, February 20th, 2009

A Bright Idea?

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Proposed amendment would allow solar energy on agricultural land.
By Sean Aronson

On the surface, increasing the number of solar panels on Molokai would seem to be a no-brainer – nearly everyone is on board to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuels --but things are rarely as simple as they appear.

Placing solar panels on agricultural land presents complex and possibly dangerous situations, at least according to several concerned Molokai residents.

“Even issues that appear black and white are not,” says Molokai kupuna Judy Caparita. “Everything is much trickier than we are led to believe.”

The Resolution
Caparita gave public testimony last week before the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC).

Running Out of Gas

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Kalaupapa faces fuel shortage, imposes rationing for entire community.
By Sean Aronson

Residents of Kalaupapa may not have far to go when it comes to driving in this small area, yet they are facing a gas crisis.

That’s because they are using gas at a faster rate than their fuel storage can support.  At their current usage, they will run out by June – more than a month before the annual barge is set to bring more.

Kalaupapa, a peninsula of just a dozen square miles or so with less than 10 miles of road, is home to about a hundred people.  For such a small population, though, there does seem to be a lot of vehicles.  And residents think nothing of getting in their car to visit neighbors just a short distance away.

“We’ve got to change our habits,” says acting administrator Tim Richmond.

Family Practice

Monday, February 16th, 2009

The Neuter Scooter roared into town last week. 



Molokai’s Humane Society brought the clinic here. The clinic is staffed by an Indiana family and they love coming to Hawaii.
Dr. Peavy is the veterinarian and mom. They attended to more than one hundred cats, all of which they spay and neutered as well as gave shots.
It was the first time they had worked on Molokai.  The scooter will be back on Molokai in three months and expect to stay two days.

Contact Molokai’s Humane Society at 558-0000.

Hawaiian Blossom

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Singer Raiatea Helm and her boyfriend, Guy Sibilla, met Barack and Michelle Obama at a fundraiser at the Kahala Mandarin back in August.

Here’s what she had to say about the encounter: “Meeting Obama was quite an honor.  Just being in his presence had to have been one of the most powerful feelings ever.  He is a very charismatic and articulate man”

She recounted one particularly funny moment from the evening:
 “We all thought about singing a song for Obama…We decided to sing "Hawaii Aloha,” not even less than a minute in to the song, we hear him coming from the back of the room saying, "Hey, I know that song."  Then he started to sing a long with us and took some photos.  It was really fun.”

Raiatea Helm also performed at the Hawaii State Ball for Obama’s inauguration.  Don’t forget to catch her performance on Molokai on March 13 at the Hotel Molokai.

Room to Grow

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Momentum building for MCC-Molokai to acquire more land.
By Sean Aronson

Demand for higher education on Molokai is large, but as things are now, not everyone can be accommodated.  While money is the main limiting factor, there is cause for optimism. Just as Obama inspired hope in the country, so, too, is there hope for the future of Molokai’s higher education.  

That’s because a college education on Molokai could be getting a boost if a couple of budget proposals fall into place.  A Senate and House bill recently introduced would allocate $500,000 for the purchase of expanding acreage of the Molokai Education Center (MEC). The money would allow the current infrastructure to more than double in land – from two to five acres.

Hawaii in Legal Spotlight

Monday, February 9th, 2009

Ceded lands case headed to US Supreme Court at the end of the month.
By Sean Aronson

The United States Supreme Court in Washington, DC may be far away, but it will soon tackle an issue close to home for Molokai residents – ceded lands.  The highest court in the land will address whether the State of Hawaii has the jurisdiction to sell lands that remain in dispute.

And the timing could not be more interesting.  2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Hawaii statehood.  All this less than a month after Hawaii saw its first son elected president.  This year is shaping up to be one for records, when it comes to Hawaii in the national conversation.

Molokai residents received a briefing on the ceded lands issue this past weekend.