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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett
19 CommentsInvestigations Continue in Monk Seal Deaths
Four Hawaiian monk seals have been found dead in the state since mid-November – and three of those have been on Molokai.Three of the four deaths have been deemed of suspicious causes by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials after completing necropsies, or animal autopsies. The first death occurred on Molokai in mid-November, when an adult male seal’s body was discovered on the southwest shore.The second, a young female, was also found dead on the island’s southwest shore, late last month. Human interaction is suspected in both cases, according to NOAA Hawaiian monk seal recovery coordinator Jeff Walters. He said further details are being withheld during the ongoing investigations.New Home for Christmas
For the first Christmas in years, Harry Puaa won’t have to worry about rain blowing into his house. The Vietnam veteran lives with his wife “in the oldest house on this road” – Pu`ukapele Ave. in Ho`olehua – and has called it home since the early 1940s. Now, with bedding peeking out of broken wall boards, glass windows mostly missing and a sagging roofline, living in the old house could make some people question their good fortunes.
But “Uncle Harry” doesn’t think much of it, referring nonchalantly to having spent two years in Vietnam with no house at all. “To me, it’s a house,” he says, motioning a camouflage uniform-clad arm toward a new home that is rising behind his old one.
Parish Prayers Answered
In the soft glow of dusk and new lights of the bell tower, hundreds gathered in front of the recently-completed St. Damien Catholic church in Kaunakakai last Friday to celebrate its dedication.
Father Clyde Guerreiro led the throng through the doors for the first time, followed by Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva, a host of visiting priests and many Molokai parishioners. The parish has been planning and fundraising for the new worship structure since 1995, with a goal of holding Mass in the church on Christmas Eve 2011, according to Guerreiro.
Blessed Marianne Close to Sainthood
Molokai’s Blessed Marianne Cope, who served in Kalaupapa with St. Damien, came one step closer to sainthood last Tuesday when Vatican officials attributed a second miracle to her intercession, according to the Syracuse, N.Y.-based Sisters of St. Francis.
Now all that remains before her canonization is Pope Benedict XVI’s approval, expected sometime next year.
A group of cardinals and bishops in Rome confirmed a medical board’s decision that the recovery of a woman from a fatal health condition was inexplicable, and due to a miracle of Blessed Marianne, according to Syracuse.com.
American Safari Cruises Cancels Another Molokai Stop
Statement from Dan Blanchard, CEO and principal at American Safari:
We are continuing to work with state, federal and local representatives in Hawaii on concerns brought forth in the last community meeting on Molokai. In respect for the continuing discussions, the Safari Explorer yacht will not visit Moloka’i as planned on its next voyage, Dec. 16 and 17. We are committed to our vendors and supporters on Molokai. We look forward to reaching a mutually agreeable resolution and our peaceful return to Molokai soon. Mahalo.
Yacht Docking Canceled This Weekend
American Safari Cruises (ASC) owner Dan Blanchard announced yesterday that the Safari Explorer yacht will not dock on Molokai as scheduled this weekend. The cancellation followed a community meeting Wednesday night, which was attended by over 300 residents.
While residents testified both for and against the yacht’s Molokai stop, Blanchard said enough residents voiced concerns that the company decided to postpone docking until the company could talk to more community members.
“We are committed to further dialogue and will respectfully work with leaders in the community,” Blanchard said via email Thursday.
Yacht Blocked by Protestors
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A group of protestors on small boats and surfboards physically blocked an American Safari Cruises’ (ASC) yacht, the Safari Explorer, from docking at Kaunakakai Wharf last Saturday morning.
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A community meeting set up by ASC will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center.
Old News, New Meaning
From 1834 to 1948, over 125,000 pages of Hawaiian language newspaper were printed. However, those pages are crumbling, and the knowledge they contain would otherwise be lost if not for the efforts of Awaiaulu, an organization dedicated to publishing Hawaiian texts whose staff has been working for the past 10 years to preserve and digitize the newspaper pages.
Now, an Awaiaulu initiative called `Ike Ku`oko`a – or Liberating Knowledge – is gathering volunteers statewide to type word for word thousands of Hawaiian articles into a searchable format.
Friends of the Library Making Plans
Community Contributed
By Frances Feeter
The annual meeting of the Friends of Molokai Public Library will be a potluck supper on Friday, Nov. 18, at the home of Frances and Bill Feeter. Anyone interested in becoming a supporter of our special library are welcome.
Items of interest on the agenda are upcoming programs at the library, book sale, and explanation of new internet and WiFi services now available to library users. Plans will be made for a big celebration of the 75th Anniversary of our library – come and be a part of the planning for this special event. If you love our library, come join the group!
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