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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett

Coffees of Hawaii Closes Espresso Bar

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Coffees of Hawaii News Release

Coffees of Hawaii, LLC (COH), based in Kualapu`u, Molokai, will be winding down its food and beverage services at its Kualapu`u Plantation Espresso Bar beginning Oct.1. The Molokai airport location will remain open seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will continue to serve their famous Mocha Mamas at the airport. The Blue Monkey Gift Shop at the COH Plantation will remain open and will continue to sell the COH retail coffee brands. Na Ohana Ho Aloha will also continue to play every Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Plantation.

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Exercising ‘Divine Right’

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Exercising ‘Divine Right’

Get ready to vote – and this time, instead of casting a ballot for the a U.S. government official, you can have a say in the future of the Reinstated Hawaiian Nation.

On Molokai, the Nation has been holding weekly classes to educate the community on the history of the lawful kingdom and how the public can get involved – particularly by voting in the upcoming elections on Nov. 5. Registration ends Sept. 30, though those who register after that will be counted in an unofficial vote, according to kupuna Moke Kim.

Anyone can vote, even if you are not a citizen of the nation or a Native Hawaiian.

“We need a little kokua for elections to see if people are willing to help and [contribute their] mana`o,” said Duke Kalipi, representative for the Molokai district – one of 24 districts in the reinstated nation.

In 1893, under Queen Liliuokalani’s rule, the Hawaiian government was overthrown and went into “vacation” rather than fighting for the cause and losing lives, according to Kim, who helps teach weekly classes on the Nation The Hawaiian government was in exile until it was reinstated in 1999.

Since then, the government has been active, with nine registered “nationals” on Molokai. Statewide citizenship of the Nation has reached about 400 nationals, with another 7,000 citizenship applications in process.

Classes are held every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center and serve as a starting point for those interested in becoming citizens of the nation.

“One of the best ways to learn is to participate and ask questions,” said Kim.

“We’ve been here long enough to see…laws closing in,” said one attendee last week, referencing hunting and land tax laws under the Hawaii state government. “The pressure for us locals is getting bad.”

Kim taught the nearly 20 participants in last week’s class about the divine or God-given inherent right to sovereignty.

“We are all ali`i,” he said. “Is it our right? You bet!” he added, pointing to the chalk-written words “divine rights” on the blackboard. “We should all grow up teaching our children to be ali`i.”

In exercising that divine right on Nov. 5, voters will be casting their ballots on who they believe should be the next prime minister of the nation, and Molokai representative and noble.

“We want people to know that they have options,” said Henry French, filling the current Molokai seat in the House of Nobles.

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DHS Molokai Office Increases Staff

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Returning from the brink of survival last year after proposed Department of Human Services (DHS) cuts were vetoed, the DHS eligibility office on Molokai is now expanding its staff to handle a hefty case load. A recent visit by Rep. John Mizuno and DHS Deputy Director Panjit Bhanot bolstered the confidence of DHS Molokai employees, who say a new administration has made the difference between night and day. 

“We were drowning, but we see the light now…” said Molokai eligibility worker Krisha Sahagun.

Bridget Mowat, Molokai supervisor, said she and each of her three employees currently handle up to 600 case loads each, due to lack of staffing and taking on Lanai’s cases after their DHS worker left in June.

“Luckily I have a really good team,” Mowat said.

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Driving Safety

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Community Contributed

By Gladys Brown

AARP is scheduling a Driving Safety class at the Mitchell Pauole Center conference room on Saturday, Oct. 22 beginning at 8 a.m. The class will be taught by Peggy Haake of the AARP Maui Chapter. She has been teaching this class as a volunteer for the past five years. This four-hour meeting will consist of valuable traffic information for all drivers. If you have Hartford Auto Insurance from AARP you will pay $12 for the class fee. The completion certificate will entitle you to a discount on your insurance for three years. If you have other insurance you may call them for information on their discounts. Non-members who are interested will pay $14.

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My Fair Church

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

From a hand-fed cockatiel to a two-night stay on Maui, participants in the live auction at the Damien Catholic Parish Country Fair didn’t leave empty-handed. The event, an annual fundraiser for the new Catholic church under construction, has been going on longer than parishioners can seem to remember.

The goal is to raise $20,000 to $24,000 during the event, said Father Clyde Guerrero. The parish has raised about $2.2 million since they began fundraising for the new church in 1995, he said. With the help of a $1.45 million loan, the structure in central Kuanakakai is nearly complete. A dedication service is being planned for Dec. 9 of this year, Guerrero added.

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Recovering a Species

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Recovering a Species

The number of Hawaiian monk seals alive in the world is diminishing rapidly, but officials do not think their fate is sealed. That’s why the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing actions they believe may help the recovery of the critically endangered species.

Some of those actions include population monitoring, behavior modification of seals (to discourage human interaction), health and disease control and translocation. While a few of these activities are already practiced under current federal permits, the NMFS is seeking new permits to implement and allow more actions.

The impact of these actions is currently being examined through a process called a Programmatic Environment Impact Statement (PEIS.) That process involves the collection of data, the examination of environmental, cultural and social impacts of the proposed recovery actions and public feedback.

In a hearing about the PEIS held on Molokai last Thursday, community members and fishermen offered their opinion on the proposals. Many expressed concerns about the large amount of fish Hawaiian monk seals eat – fish that they say could be going to feed their families.

“The point we are trying to make is fish is very important food source for us,” said fisherman Walter Naki.

Others didn’t support officials tampering with nature.

“We love the monk seals but we have to find the right balance – we are not God to say we’re going to put them here because they’re extinct,” said resident Eddie Tanaka.

here way before us,” said resident Loretta Ritte.

Sprague said if permitting and funding goes through, the soonest seals would be temporarily translocated would be 2013.

The public has until Oct. 17 to submit comments on the PEIS. The PEIS process is scheduled for completion in late 2011. Visit nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/hawaiianmonkseal.htm for more information. Comments may be emailed to monkseal@noaa.gov or mailed to:
NOAA Fisheries
Office of Protected Resources, Pacific Islands Regional Office
1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Ste 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814

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Empowering Poetry

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Empowering Poetry

Jamaica Osorio is not your average college student. An Oahu native and senior at Stanford University, she has garnered the attention of the White House and gained recognition as an internationally acclaimed Hawaiian poet. 

Last week, Osorio brought her powerful words to Molokai during a night dedicated to Hawaiian culture and art.

Growing up, Osorio’s parents sent her to Hawaiian immersion school – a decision she said she struggled with. In one of her poems reflecting her childhood, she says “Parents are supposed to prepare their children for kindergarten but mine strapped landmines on my melanin and threw me into the deep end and told me to swim.”

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Meeting about Molokai Wildlife Refuge

Sunday, September 4th, 2011

Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex News Release

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on a draft conservation plan for Molokai’s Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge. When final, the plans will guide management of the refuges for the next 15 years.

Refuge staff will hold an open house to hear comments from the public and to address questions regarding the draft plan and its associated environmental assessment. On Molokai, the open house will be Sept. 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center.

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Concert to Celebrate 25 Years

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Concert to Celebrate 25 Years

Molokai Dispatch News Release

For more than 25 years, The Molokai Dispatch has been bringing you Molokai news, Molokai style – and now we’re bringing you an awesome family-friendly concert to celebrate!

Molokai-born music sensation Sashamon will perform at Mahana Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 10. Bring your own blankets, beach chairs and beer, and make yourself comfortable while enjoying some of Hawaii’s best jams.

Located at the new Mahana Gardens nursery, expect a beautiful tropical setting that lends itself to good times. With discount admission for kids ($5 for kids under 13, and free for children under 5), families are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $15 for adults. Proceeds support the island’s only free newspaper.

Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show goes until midnight. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Sodas and ono BBQ plates will be available for sale, as well as exclusive commemorative Dispatch T-shirts. Drawings and prizes will be held throughout the evening – must be present to win!

Please note the new date and location for this event: Sept. 10 at Mahana Gardens, located 14 miles west of Kaunakakai on the left side of the base of Maunaloa. For more information and to buy tickets, stop by the Dispatch office at the Moore Center or call 552-2781.

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Wa`akapaemua Goes the Distance

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Wa`akapaemua Goes the Distance

Community Contributed

By Bozo Dudoit

The Molokai men’s crew paddling for Wa`akapaemua Canoe Club finished third overall out of 22 canoes Aug. 21 at the Great Kahakuloa Long Distance Race, a 35-mile race on Maui. Wa`akapaemua men finished with a time of 3:44.19, just 35 seconds behind first place. Teammates included Asa Ward, John Russell Pheifer, Chad Lima, Keola Kino, Titus Castor, Bozo Dudoit, Clint Labrador, Clancy Wright and Brian Gomes.

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