Author Archives: Jennifer Smith

First baby of 2008

Monday, February 11th, 2008

Molokai welcomes Courtney Noelani Escobar

Great-grandmother Lucy Dudoit says hello to Courtney, her newest great-grandchild.

By Jennifer Smith

Welcoming a new baby into the world is always an exciting event; however, in a community where only about 40 babies are born on-island every year, births become even more celebratory. As such, for the past two decades the Molokai Women’s Health Center (WHC) has recognized the first baby born in each New Year as the Baby of the Year.

This year the Friendly Isle welcomed Baby of the Year Courtney Noelani Escobar into the community on Jan. 11. Courtney joins the ranks of only a chosen few who can call the shores of Molokai their birthplace.

“It was exciting. I thought there would have been others. There were several of us, but the rest chose to go to Honolulu,” Courtney’s mom Dana Dudoit said, explaining her surprise at giving birth to the Baby of the Year.

Dudoit and Courtney’s father Jose Escobar will have lots of help with their latest arrival, as Courtney joins five brothers and three sisters from the Dudoit and Escobar family.

To celebrate the arrival of the Baby of the Year several local businesses donated fun and useful gifts to Courtney and her mom. A laundry basket overflowed with toys, clothes and even a digital camera for Molokai’s first arrival of 2008.

“It’s a tradition for us to welcome the first baby born on Molokai,” Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Joan Thompson said. “We like to celebrate Molokai births.”

With no obstetricians, no drugs and no possibility for a c-section, most Molokai women choose to go to Oahu to give birth.

“It takes a lot for a woman to say, ‘I’ll have my baby on Molokai’,” WHC staff member Mokihana Spencer said.

However, Thompson said that women who choose to stay on-island to give birth typically have a number of reasons for doing so. Convenience, a relaxed and home-like atmosphere, the option to choose how they would like to deliver and having the support of a midwife and family through the labor have led many women to decide to have their baby on Molokai, according to Thompson.

“The women who decide to give birth on Molokai want to take advantage of natural options and they want to be around their ohana,” Thompson said. “Ohana is a key part to births on Molokai. They provide wonderful support for moms.”

As a midwife Thompson said she does everything she can to ensure the mother is in a position of comfort. “It’s a happy occasion. Places where families aren’t around take it too seriously,” Thompson said.

Thompson, who began working at the WHC about two years ago, said many people have misconceptions about the center and about giving birth on Molokai. She said among these mistaken beliefs is the idea that the clinic does not have a physician.

“We do have a physician (Dr. Eesha Bhattacharyya) and he comes to the clinic twice a month to see women with complicated pregnancies and gynecological procedures,” Thomson said. Dr. Bhattacharyya collaborates and consults with Thomson, and delivers the babies of Molokai women who fly to Oahu to give birth.
However, even without an OBGYN on the island Thompson is able to provide a warm, welcoming and safe environment for expecting mothers on Molokai. She credits eight years of schooling and versatile Emergency Room (ER) nurses for past successes.

“Our ER nurses are an integral part of the labor and delivery,” Thomson said. “We are blessed with wonderful nurses.” Thomson also credited WHC staff member Phoebe Starkey for keeping the center running smoothly since 1982.

The WHC caters to all women’s health care needs. For more information call 553-3145.

A big mahalo to local vendors: Friendly Market, Misaki’s, Molokai Drugstore, Fish & Dive, Takes, Rawlins, Imports and Molokai General Hospital for donating gifts for the Baby of the Year.

You no know Rap’s Hawaii?

Monday, February 11th, 2008

Theater group captures local humor of Rap Reiplinger.

Outdoor Bazaar Raises Money for `Opio

Monday, February 11th, 2008

Kualapu`u Elementary fundraiser celebrates an early spring.

Annual Kupuna Hula Celebration

Monday, February 11th, 2008

Friendly Isle gathering features cultural talents of island elders.

Na Wahine U`i O Molokai members danced a beautiful hula about a tutu who has kindness and love.

By Jennifer Smith

Molokai and Maui kupuna enjoyed last weekend two evenings of hula and ukulele entertainment. For the 12^th year in a row, the annual Na Hula Ku`i Pa`ina celebration brought together old friends, while providing attendees the opportunity to mix, mingle and make new friends.

“It is all about the fun. That’s life, that’s the joy of life,” said Richard K. Hoopii Sr. master of ceremonies and Grammy nominee. It is a way for kupuna to let go and enjoy themselves, he said.

The celebration featured six hula groups, performing three types of hula: hula kui (steps), hula noho (sitting) and hula olapa (kahiko, a more traditional hula).

“I give credit to kupuna at that age who continue to practice the culture aspect, and who continue to grow,” Hoopii Sr. said.

Children can “come and see grandma continuing to do the things she used to do … and bond as an ohana and be proud of whatever group they may come from,” Hoopii Sr. said, describing the program as a family-friendly event.

Nearly 200 kupuna and family members attended the Mitchell Pau`ole Center performance last Saturday night. Audience members sang along to old favorites, as beautifully adorned hula dancers graced the stage.

The first performers, Na Wahine U`i O Molokai have danced together for about five years. The 10 dancers and five musicians practiced for three months to prepare for the Ku`i Pa`ina event.

“We enjoy dancing and we love the company. It provides us with exercise and keeps our minds alert,” Na Wahine dancer Irene Iwane said.

The group described the event with smiles on their faces, as they mentioned receiving several compliments from Maui groups. 

The Na Hula Ku`i Pa`ina program celebrates the talent, wisdom and fun of kupuna who continue to practice the culturally-rich dance. “Just to see if we still got it or not,” Hoopii Sr. said with a laugh.

“It’s about respecting who they are, and to continue to give them credit for who they are,” Hoopii Sr. said.

Any kupuna can participate, “it doesn’t matter what race, color or creed you are, the only qualification is being 60 years of age,” Hoopii Sr. said. “We want to spread it so all of the islands can participate.”

Molokai’s Na Kupuna O Molokai, Na Wahine U`i O Molokai, E Hula Nani E; and Maui’s Na Hula Kupuna O Kaunoa, No Na Kupuna Lokelani and Na Kupuna Kihei ame Lahaina all participated in the 12^th Anniversary Celebration.

Mahalo to Auntie Viola Hanaike, Pat Rocca, Richard K. Hoopii Sr. and Alexander Bishaw Sr. for their help in making the event a success. Mahalo also to the sponsors the Menehune of the Kupuna and the County of Maui Department of Parks & Recreation for their support.

Historic Ranch Donates Development Rights

Tuesday, February 5th, 2008

Thousands of acres preserved on East End.

By Jennifer Smith

Pu`u O Hoku Ranch took one more step toward conserving East Molokai’s rural qualities by donating last month the development rights on 2800 acres of land.

The conservation easement agreement between ranch owner Lavinia Currier and the Maui Coastal Land Trust (MCLT) continued a relationship she initiated a couple of years ago, according to MCLT Executive Director Dale Bonar.

“Ms. Currier has acted upon her passionate commitment to protect and preserve the lands at Pu`u O Hoku Ranch,” Bonar said. “In this agreement, she has extinguished almost all development rights on the 2800 acres by conveying them to the trust in the form of a conservation easement.”

Pu`u O Hoku Ranch will continue to own and work the land in an ecologically sensitive manner, carrying on their efforts in organic farming and cattle ranching. MCLT will ensure the conservation land will remain untouched by development in perpetuity, regardless if the land is sold or inherited.

Currier donated 87 acres adjacent to Pohakupili Bay in 2006. Bonar described this easement as a way to test the water and see how the relationship would work. “We all worked very well together and things clicked,” Bonar said, explaining how 87 acres eventually led to 2800 acres.

The newly protected land lies on both sides of Kamehameha V Highway, encompassing over three miles of shoreline and climbing to the edge of the Molokai Forest Reserve.

MCLT will conduct annual inspections of the acreage, and keep in touch with the landowner. “The annual inspection forestalls anything happening on the land that shouldn’t be happening,” Bonar said. He used the example of the land trust monitoring water usage on the land to ensure it remains for ranch activity and is never used for commercial purposes.

“We use whatever tools we can to ensure an effective and efficient job of that perpetual monitoring,” Bonar said. Aerial surveys such as helicopters and satellites could potentially reduce the amount of time needed to conduct driving surveys.

In addition to donating the development rights, Currier also donated $75,000 to the MCLT stewardship endowment fund. The money will assist the trust in funding the annual inspections, as well as provide a means to enforce the easement if legal assistance is needed to make sure future owners abide by the land use guidelines.

“These kinds of donations are critical,” Bonar said. “We are able now to ensure permanent protection of land in the name of public interest.”

Currier purchased the13,000 acre Pu`u O Hoku Ranch in 1987 from George Murphy who maintained the land in cattle ranching since the 1950s.

Out of hundreds of plots of land donated, Currier did leave half a dozen plots for family members to potentially build future homes on, and according to Bonar the land may or may not get used.

"My children, our manager and staff at Pu`u O Hoku, and our neighbors on the East End have all contributed to support my vision to preserve these beautiful lands of Molokai,” Currier said in a press release.

Currier’s donation nearly tripled MCLT’s acreage, increasing the company’s land easements from about 1200 acres to almost 4000 acres. The non-profit organization now has nine easements in Maui County, and all but one were donated.

Last year MCLT used $2.3 million of state and federal grant money to purchase the development rights on 168-acres of land on Molokai from third-generation rancher Lance “Kip” Dunbar.

“Dunbar sold the easement at a price lower than what the easement was worth, so there was a donative part of it,” Bonar said. Similar to the Pu`u O Hoku agreement, Kainalu Ranch land continues to be owned and worked by Dunbar.

The land trust does not actively solicit donations. However, Bonar said there may be more land donations in the near future, as several individuals, including some on Molokai, have spoken to MCLT about easement agreements.

The Maui Coastal Land Trust was established as a non-profit corporation in December 2000. For more information visit www.mauicoastallandtrust.org.

Doing It Just Because

Monday, February 4th, 2008

Adults and students build lasting relationships at Kilohana Elementary.

Now in its second year the program has received sponsorship from local businesses and community members providing everything from healthy snacks to ice cream cones to pencils. The term “Just Because” has spread throughout the school, with Kilohana ohana regularly doing positive things Just Because.

“Our role is to develop, to enhance, to strengthen the whole of the school, the community, to build bridges,” Miguel said.

With over 100 students and around 30 staff members, it takes “a lot of work and coordination between everyone just to pull off 15 minutes,” Miguel said, recognizing the importance of every staffer’s support and help in making the day a success.

“It’s the joy of doing what we are able to do,” Miguel said. “This is our community, our children, our future.”

Anyone can sponsor a Just Because Buddy Day. To find out more information or get involved with the Buddy Program or Just Because contact Vanessa Gonzales at Kilohana Elementary School, 558-2200.

Molokai Dancers Head to Big Apple

Monday, February 4th, 2008

Manutahi Tahiti scheduled to dance in Macy’s Day Parade.

Dancers from Molokai's Manutahi Tahiti will travel to New York in November to dance in the Macy's Day Parade. 

By Jennifer Smith

The story of Tahitian dance can be found in the beating of the drums, the flowing of the hands and most importantly the pumping of the hips. Molokai’s Manutahi Tahiti group will dance their story in New York’s Macy’s Day Parade next Thanksgiving, pairing near-freezing weather with Polynesian culture.

While the Tahitian dance group may have been quietly noticed here and there, they are planning on formally announcing their presence on the Friendly Isle in May with a grand opening event, according to Manutahi Tahiti kumu Kawena Alcos.

“Everyone sees us, they’ve heard about us, but they haven’t experienced us,” Alcos said. “I want people to embrace the love of Tahitian.”

Alcos began the Molokai chapter of the Oahu based Manutahi Tahiti two years ago. “I think I am the first on the island to really focus on the dance” she said.

Today Alcos teaches about 30 children and adults, ranging from four-years-old and up. The dancers meet twice a week for a couple of hours to practice.

“We train our dancers harder, to become better dancers,” she said, noting that Manutahi Tahiti focuses on traditional techniques of dancing. “For an island that has only known hula, I give the dancers credit because they have come so far.”

About ten dancers from the Molokai chapter will join Manutahi Tahiti dancers from all over the islands and the mainland to perform in the parade.

In preparation for the November event, dancers will spend the next several months learning a new routine and raising their endurance levels to walk the three-and-a-half-mile parade line. Dancers will also travel to Oahu to learn the line-up and transitions with over 100 other Manutahi Tahiti dancers. “It’s not easy, it’s a real dedication,” Alcos said.

Alcos speaks from experience; she learned Tahitian dance from Manutahi Tahiti founder Pola Terripaia, who started the group in 1990. Terripaia’s teaching focuses on the culture, history and traditional techniques of the dance, according to Alcos.

With locations on Oahu, Maui, Molokai and in Florida and Texas, Alcos said Manutahi Tahiti hopes to one day be among the biggest groups in the world.

In order to help raise money for their trip to New York, Manutahi Tahiti dancers will be holding fundraisers throughout the year. The group is selling pizza tickets for $14 until Feb. 15. After that Headshot tickets will be sold for $10, which includes a free make-up and sitting fee, and one picture.

For more information on Manutahi Tahiti visit www.manutahi.com.

Books Encourage Ohana Fun

Sunday, January 27th, 2008