Sports & Outdoors

Oahu paddlers enjoy a taste of Molokai waters.

By Catherine Cluett

The Lanikai Canoe Club from Oahu visited Molokai on Saturday to complete a training trip around the north side of the island. “This is such a great opportunity for us to come together as a team and practice in a place that is so special,” said Molokai’s Carlton Helm, who now lives on Oahu and paddles with the club.

“I can’t believe how happy and excited we are to be here,” added coach Pat Erwin.

Saturday morning brought sunny skies and perfect paddling conditions, with a tailwind to carry Lanikai on their journey. The paddlers gathered to launch at Yamashita Bay, where two wa`a already awaited them. They pealed back the paper from the newly-minted Bud Light logos on the boats, displaying the company as one of their club sponsors, then Erwin gathered the paddlers together for a few words before the launch.

Competitors practice before they hit the course.

Competitors take aim during a practice shoot out before hitting the course at last Saturday’s tournament in Kalae.

By Andres Madueno

Robin Hood has got nothing on the archers from Molokai. Clear skies and a gentle breeze made for great conditions at last Thursday’s annual Molokai Archery Club Tournament.

This is the 10th year the Molokai Archery Club has hosted the Archery Tournament held in Kalae. About 30 archers from Oahu, Maui, and Molokai were out and about making last minute adjustments to ensure that their bows were tip top for the tournament.

Lack of funds stalls project implementation.  

A satellite view of Kawela Watershed.

By Jennifer Smith

Restoring Molokai’s watersheds remains high on local community groups’ priority lists, but finding the funding to support conservation projects continues to stall implementation.

The Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council (GMCAC) met last Tuesday to continue discussions from last month’s meeting on issues facing the island’s watersheds. Despite lacking a quorum that would allow formal business to take place, guest speaker and conservation specialist with the National Association of Conservation Districts Debra Kelly went ahead with her scheduled presentation on the watershed-based plan for the South Shore of Molokai. 

Arrival of new cleats better late than never.

Innovative Constructors Hawaii, Ltd.’s Superintendent Greg Ha’s replacement of rusty cleats will make a big difference for Kaunakakai wharf users.

Photo and caption by Jennifer Smith

After nearly a year of complaints to the state, Kaunakakai wharf users can now enjoy freshly installed cleats to tie up their boats.

Captain Clay Ching said he first noticed the rusty cleats at the launching ramp in November when he almost cut his hand while trying to tie up his boat. After speaking with other wharf users, he realized he wasn’t alone in his concern for the potential safety issue, and contacted several members at the state government level to address the problem.

Canoe club members want to say mahalo to community for its support. Wa`akapaemua paddlers assist with fundraising efforts at the Saturday farmers market.

By Andres Madueno

Wa`akapaemua Canoe Club would like to send a huge mahalo to everyone on Molokai who helped support their team.

The canoe club has been fundraising since January 2008 for this year’s season.

“We just really want to thank the community for supporting us,” said Wa`a paddler Penny Martin. “Without the community we wouldn’t have been able to do any of the things we accomplished this year.”

Advisory Council seeks community input.

By Jennifer Smith

With ever-changing weather patterns and a noticeable decrease in water supplies on the island, representatives from Maui County are seeking input on how to best manage Molokai’s water supply.

A Water Advisory Council (WAC) meeting held last Thursday continued discussions from two previous meetings on suggestions for the Maui County Water Use and Development Plan (WUDP). The agenda focused on identifying the island’s water needs and looking at possible resource options.

A Solid Start
“Molokai is way ahead of everybody else in some ways,” said Carl Freedman, Haiku Design & Analysis consultant for the Department of Water Supply (DWS). He said the recommendations and priorities provided by the recently disbanded Molokai Water Working Group (WWG) are “great statements of policy” and starting points for the WAC to build on.

Proposed DLNR civil system cuts back on criminal cases, and makes handing out a fine for violations possible.

DLNR representative Bin Li gave a presentation on Aug. 1 to propose a new set of rules that will allow officers to hand out fines for natural resource violations.

By Zalina Alvi

New rules proposed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) would make it possible to hand out civil violations for natural resource offenses.

The draft rules were presented last week in Kaunakakai during an informal public information session hosted by DLNR representatives who said the plan would help the department “step up on resource enforcement.”

Special Olympians prepare for Oahu games. 

 By Andres Madueno

Look out Oahu, because Molokai’s Koamana soccer team means business. Every Wednesday for the past several weeks, under the lights of Kaunakakai Baseball Park, the Koamana soccer team prepares for the upcoming Special Olympic Games in Oahu.

With big smiles and strong hearts, the Koamanas (“Strong Warriors”) play hard and work hard as the time for battle draws near.

The Koamana team includes players Tony Naki (team captain), Noel Motas, Ernest Kapu, Tommy Gelano, and twin brothers Christian and Chyen Walker.
“We’ve been practicing really hard, we really want to do good this year,” Motas said.

Randall and His $5 Crab
After Randall Cabreros’s grandma Josie promised him $5 to catch a crab, he set to it with the kind of determination only a child can bring to the water. Although it took him nearly five hours, clearly the wait was worth it.

Bait for the big Ulua
Randy and Josh Cabreros are ready to hook some big Ulua. The eels they caught should make great bait.

Molokai paddler takes first at Ka`iwi Channel race.

Dynamic racing duo, cousins Ekolu and Dave Kalama came in with the fastest overall time in the 2008 QuicksilverEdition Paddleboard Race. This is their third consecutive win in the SUP team division.

By Jennifer Smith

While some refer to crossing the Ka`iwi Channel as a “joy ride,” others see it as one of the greatest physical challenges they will ever endure. However, almost all of the competitors in last Sunday’s QuiksilverEdition Paddleboard Race agreed that crossing the finish line on Oahu is an achievement that merits bragging rights.