Community Contributed
By Renee Montizor
Your Department of Motor Vehicles renewal notice for your vehicle registration looks very different. Please look for it carefully. You should receive your renewal notice 45 days before it expires. If you have not received your renewal notice or lost it, we can still renew your registration with the current registration on your vehicle.
Community Contributed
By Arleone Dibben-Young
The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) was introduced to Hawaii in April, June and October 1958 to control rodents. A total of 15 birds were imported from California by the state Department of Agriculture and released at Kukuihaele on Hawaii Island. Over the next five years, an additional 71 owls were introduced on Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai on Molokai Ranch lands. The Barn Owl is often mistaken for the pueo or Hawaiian Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus sandwicensis). A few differences are easily perceivable, however: the Barn Owl is golden-buff in color, while the pueo is dark brown and about half the size. Barn Owls are nocturnal while the pueo is largely diurnal and hunts during daylight hours. Both species are ground nesters.
Community Contributed
By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss
Does the thought of creating a spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation on the computer fill you with dread? Does just the thought of turning a computer on make you want to run in the opposite direction? Why not attend the 21st Century Grant computer class at Kaunakakai Elementary and say goodbye to those fears? If you have no computer skills or your computer skills are a little rusty and you need a refresher, the computer classes offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. are just right for you. In this day and age, you will likely need to have some computer skills, whether it is for your job or to help your kids with their school projects.
It was “welcome home” last week for the young Hawaiian monk seal named Ho`ailona, also known as KP2, that made Molokai his home in early 2009. Ho`ailona returned to the state after spending about two years at the University of California, Santa Cruz, participating in research that has helped scientists better understand the species.
Ho`ailona was flown back to Hawaii last Tuesday on a Coast Guard C-130. He will live permanently at Waikiki Aquarium, though he will remain in quarantine until December or January to make “sure he’s eating and adjusting well to new environment,” according to David Schofield, marine mammal response coordinator for the National Marines Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The Webelos from Pack 311 of Kailua, Oahu visited Halawa Valley Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Webelos are Cub Scouts in their fourth year, an average of 9 years old. Throughout our four days of camping, 12 families were continually impressed by the beautiful valley, people, nature, history and activities. We would like to share what "Pops" Anakala Pilipo and Diane Solatorio, shared with us.
As American Safari Cruises’ (ASC) yacht docked on its first trip to Molokai last Sunday morning, protesters greeted it with requests to leave local waters.
Over two dozen kupuna, teachers, fishermen, cultural practitioners and others chanted “No cruise ship” and “Go home!” toward the 145-foot boat, named the Safari Explorer.
As two vans carrying the boat’s passengers departed the docking area, protesters marched across the road holding signs reading “boycott this ship,” “you’re not welcomed” and “Hawaiian way or no way.”
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Hundreds flooded Kalaliana`ole Hall Saturday to pay their final respects to fallen Honolulu police officer and Molokai boy Eric Fontes.
“Molokai is Eric’s hometown and ohana,” said Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha. “The community instilled the integrity and values he carried with him.”
He said Fontes was “admired by many for his strong conviction and belief,” and voted most inspirational in his recruit class.
Gov. Abercrombie sent his condolences, saying in a letter, Fontes “demonstrated the best principals of the beloved people of Molokai.”
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Without a day’s break in service, the espresso bar at Coffees of Hawaii planation in Kualapu`u will continue to operate under new management. Kalaupapa Rare Adventures, formerly Molokai Mule Ride, is taking on the task, under the leadership of Roy Horner and his staff.
“We’re so excited we can’t contain ourselves,” said Marlene Sproat, new food service manager.
“When I learned about the cutback in hours [several months ago] I had concerns” because those who take the mule rides like to come to Coffees around 3 p.m. after the trek to Kalaupapa, Horner said.
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Horner and his staff plan to continue the current menu, with new offerings coming in the future. Sproat said some of the first additions will be Mexican specialties and Hawaiian favorites. Horner added that they plan to promote healthy eating, with fresh local ingredients and natural, real fruit smoothies.
“We want this place to be known as a healthy place,” Horner said.
About a dozen members of the Sproat and Horner families will staff the Espresso Bar operation.
Horner plans to open up the space to community workshops and events in the future – and Sproat said she’s already received calls to book the venue for Christmas parties.
Horner would like to thank Coffees of Hawaii owners Mike Atherton and Albert Boyce, as well as operations manager Maria Holmes for “having trust and confidence in us” to manage the espresso bar. Coffees will continue to operate their Kualapu`u plantation and airport espresso bar location.
A brush fire burned 15 to 20 acres in Kaluakoi on Molokai’s west end last Friday night. Firefighters responded to a call around 6:30 p.m. to a roadside blaze about a mile down from Maunaloa Highway. While the fire did not cause damage to people or property, it came within a couple hundred feet of a home, according to Fire Capt. Travis Tancayo.
All Molokai units responded, with the assistance of two county tankers and one bulldozer. The fire was contained by about 9:30 p.m., according to Fire Capt. Roger Agdeppa, though firefighters stayed until early Saturday morning to ensure blazes were fully extinguished.
MCHC News Release
Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) made the big move into their newly renovated Oceanside facility Sept. 16. Staff and patients alike are excited to have the expanded space to better serve our community.
The renovation of the former Pau Hana Inn property, however, is far from complete. Two more phases to the project remain, including the renovation of the smaller buildings, pool rehabilitation, landscaping, and parking lot expansion.
“We’re in and that’s huge, but we still have some work ahead of us,” said Desiree Puhi, MCHC executive director.
Board President Rosie Davis stated, “It was so exciting to see everything come together as planned. The campus came to life right before my eyes.”
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