Letters

Mahalo, Wrestling Club

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

The Naeole ‘ohana would like to thank the wrestlers, coaches and parents  of the Aina Pa’a Wrestling Club for taking a weekend off from their busy training schedule to clear kiawe trees off of our fence line homestead lot. Big mahalos to Butah and Atoa for operating Porter’s machinery. To coaches Justin and Benny in keeping the team focused on the mission and not wrestling with my animals. To MoIokai Mini Mart owners, Ikaika and Dezi, for donations to the club for traveling expenses and wrestling supplies.

Mahalo plenty Aina Pa’a (land solid), may God Bless all of you to prosper as wrestlers and disciplined young adults in your future!…

Retirement Mahalo

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

I would like to direct this heartfelt message to my family and friends who made my retirement a very memorable journey. Much endearment to those who made every effort to make this special day and also those who were able to celebrate with my family and me. The showering of gifts, love, laughs and new memories were very much appreciated. 

Sincerely, 

Tony Ledesma…

God’s Grub Flourishing

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

A very special mahalo to those who have come forward to make God’s Grub even better! Mahalo to regulars Jim and Cindy, Cici and Dan, Wendy, and Julie and Willy for your hearts, your cooking skills and the love. Mahalo to Hearts of Aloha and Bishaw ‘ohana (music is always welcome), Liko and the Canoe Shack. 

God’s Grub began as a small way to help by feeding the hungry and homeless and has grown into a fellowship and dinner, helping to fulfill the needs of our Molokai family. 

All are welcome to come, eat and fellowship every Sunday at 4 p.m.…

Vandalism at the Library

Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

Our historic Molokai Public Library, built in 1937, is a wahi pana and pu’uhonua for our island. It is truly a hale, hosting guests and making people feel at home. We have all come to enjoy the cool comfort of its interior, an escape from the fierce Kaunakakai heat, the free WiFi provided both inside and out, the helpful staff who go above and beyond for our community members, and the plethora of information, community programming and valuable resources housed within. 

The Library’s lawn has hosted many special events and is home to the distinct “Pule Oʻo” copper sculpture by Bumpei Akaji, Nisei Veteran, installed in 1973.…

Mahalo, Misaki’s

Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

Thank God for Kevin Misaki and all of the wonderful people that work at Misaki’s to bring the people of Molokai food to nourish their bodies and minds. The very trying times that COVID has had on the people of Molokai have deepened our appreciation of those working at Misaki’s who have given so very much, often putting others above their own safety. Through endless weeks, months and years, Kevin and his employees persevered and gave endless hours of their time, energy, kindness, politeness and helpfulness to the people of Molokai. Upon entering Misaki’s grocery store from now on, I plan on shouting, “Thank God for Kevin Masaki.” …

March 19, 2003

Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

March nineteenth two thousand and three, 

-twenty years ago today- 

the world looked on in utter dismay 

as America displayed shock and awe 

and awe and shock 

and the stock market climbed as high 

as the bombs before they fell 

from the Iraqi sky 

but too few did what we would have others do 

if we were attacked out of the blue 

too few demanded to know why 

as an oil man told lie after lie 

after lie after lie after lie 

and do you cry for all the dead 

the known and the unknown 

and the known unknown 

and the unknown known 

killed by a bullet or an unmanned drone 

do you cry for all the collateral damage 

we’ll never have to atone for 

America doesn’t run on Dunkin 

it’s always run on recruiters 

funneling the poor into war 

after war after war after war. …

Resolving Transportation Issues

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

I recently wrote to Senator DeCoite and Mayor Bissen to address state and county issues regarding transportation for Molokai residents to neighbor islands. And, to kindly ask their help in finding solutions for better service.

As you are aware, Molokai no longer has a ferry offering transportation to Maui. As you are also aware, there is now only one airline, Mokulele, servicing Molokai. When the ferry went out of business, a major factor was price competition with the three airlines that served Molokai at that time. Now there is only one airline, Mokulele.

There is a serious problem with only having one method of transportation to and from Molokai. …

Mahalo for Celebration of Life Help

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

Mahalo to all who participated and helped in the celebration of life for my wife, Capt. Arizona Aki. To the friends, mahalo! To the veterans of Molokai, mahalo! To the family as always, thank you. To the teachers, thank you. To my pastor Randy Manley, thank you. To the musicians, singers and sound people, thank you! Moku, thank you. To the Class of ’73 as always, thank you. But most of all big shout out to Ke Akua and Iesu Christo and Hemolele. 

May the Lord bless all of you, may He make His face to shine on all of you.…