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Kaunakakai, HI
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- Temperature: 71.6 °F
- Wind: Northeast, 37 km/h, gusts up to 50 km/h
- Pressure: 1022 hPa
- Rel. Humidity: 73 %
- Visibility: 16.1 km
Wed, 2010-03-10 00:54
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This Week's Cover
Kalaupapa Patient Arrested for Meth
Patient awaits bail in Oahu.
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A Kalaupapa patient is accused of intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine to the peninsula where he has lived most of his life.Norbert Palea, 68, is currently in federal custody until his court date on March 15. He was stopped at the Honolulu International Airport while on a medical visit on Feb. 26, where he was found attempting to ship plastic bags holding 18 grams of methamphetamine.
Add your comment‘Molokai Is’ Winners - Vote Now For Next Week!
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Big congrats to this week’s contest winner David Nanod, whose cleverly worded entry reminds us that Molokai is but a reflection of our own judgments – simple but deep indeed. See his entry, and others, at www.TheMolokaiDispatch.com. David, along with ten-year-old Ko`i`ula who won the week before, will be enjoying $50 towards the fine food at the Kualapu`u Cookhouse. But don’t be jealous, you can be a winner too.
New Bulbs for a New Future
Molokai to get an environmental makeover.
It’s no secret that up to 90,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will be flooding the homes and businesses of Molokai over the next two months in a joint venture to promote energy efficiency. And although this new effort is as ambitious as it is inspiring, it begs one question: Why Molokai?It all began with the Blue Line Project in October 2009. Blue Planet Foundation, who is providing Molokai with the free bulbs, partnered with Molokai teachers, students and organizations in a project designed to target the impact of predicted sea level rise on Hawaiian coastlines. Molokai community members involved with the Blue Line Project wanted to take further action in energy efficiency and extend it to Molokai.
The Nine Sides of Father Damien
Local artist works from afar.
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While a picture is known to be worth a thousand words, for some it can also be worth a thousand memories. For her latest mixed media artwork project, Molokai born and raised Paula Mondoy Scott relied on personal experiences from her childhood and plenty of research to create nine original pieces. The works of art represent different aspects of Father Damien and Kalaupapa.Scott grew up in Kalae, just a few miles from the peninsula, and while she didn’t visit until the required age of 16, she was connected to the history-rich settlement from birth. Her father, John Mondoy, would often go down to play music for the patients, and she had some aunties and uncles work at the settlement.
Olelo Special on KP2
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Airing tonight March 4, 2010 on Olelo channel 53 will be the Olelo production, "Hoailona and the Coming of the Seals." It is the story of Molokai’s monk seal "KP2, and was initiated by Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte and Monk Seal Advocate Loretta Ritte. It is moderated by Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD, and the Reverend David Kaupu. The goal of the show is to present the problem, clear up false rumor and create momentum needed in the Hawaiian community to save the Hawaiian Monk Seal. Airing March 4 and 11 at 7 p.m., channel 53."Hoailona and the coming of the seals"Reverend David KaupuWalter Ritte - Hawaiian ActivistsLoretta Ritte - Monk Seal AdvocateLono Hirakawa - Musician and ComposerModerator: Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD
Rest in Peace
Dead whale to stay at Hale O Lono.
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The humpback whale that was found at Hale O Lono Harbor last week is there to stay. Due to the decomposed nature of the recently found humpback whale at Hale O Lono Harbor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials say it is too difficult to move for study, and are letting “nature take is course.” NOAA officials wish to remind the public that even deceased animals are protected under marine mammal species act and some under the endangered species act, so scavenging for bones is not permitted.
Education Tops Molokai Reps List
What bills affect Molokai this year.
As we near the middle of this year’s legislative session, many bills important to Molokai have picked up steam while others fell to the wayside. Rep. Mele Carroll lost out on her civil unions bill, but Sen. Kalani English has many bills focused on the education on Molokai. Bills are usually referred to two or three committees when introduced, according to the Hawaii Public Access Room (PAR), a government agency that provides information to the public about the legislature. If the bill did not reach its last committee by Feb. 26, called the First Decking, it is dead for the session.Here is a breakdown of some of the bills important to Molokai introduced by state representatives.
‘Good Season’ for Wrestlers
Girls’ basketball keep heads high.
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Out of the eight Molokai High wrestlers sent to the state finals on Sunday at Blaisdell Arena in Oahu, Charisse Manley (130 lbs) placed fourth overall for the girls, and Delfin Corpuz (152 lbs) placed fourth for the boys, while Mikayla Pico (98 pounds) placed sixth overall.Coach Ben Venenciano said five other Molokai wrestlers took fifth, and the team as a whole did fairly well.“It was a good season, a good year,” he said. “We got a lot of compliments.”
U.S. Census Road Tour - Molokai
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2010 Census questionnaires will be mailed beginning March 15-17. Residents are encouraged to mail back the questionnaires by Census Day on April 1. In early April, census takers will go door to door to assist residents who did not mail back their questionnaire.For those without mailboxes, the Hawaii Counts 2010 Census Road Tour is making four stops on Molokai this week.March 4 at 11 a.m.Molokai High School – Principal Denise KelleyPoint Person: Student Activities Lisa Takadadenise_kelly/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.uslisa_takada/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.usMarch 4 at 1 p.m.Maunaloa Elementary – Principal joe Yamamotojoe_yamamoto/MAUNALOA/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us
Fee Increase in West Molokai
The West Molokai Association has announced that they have raised maintenance fees on all properties in the West Molokai development by 666%! WMA is a homeowners association which has no common property to maintain, only has to hold an annual meeting, several board meetings and operate the Design Committee. It encompasses all of the 800-plus dwellings and lots in the Kaluakoi area. In a time of dire financial hardship, this reckless move is unconscionable. Many property owners in the development are retired and living on fixed incomes and many more are struggling with tight budgets due to the current hard times.