MCHC News Release
Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) is pleased to announce the approval from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) of an award of $150,000 dollars for Fiscal Year 2011-12, and $150,000 for Fiscal Year 2012-13. The funding will support the renovation and conversion of the former Pau Hana Inn to a modern outpatient medical facility.
The appointed members of Maui County’s Charter Commission have great power within county government. Every 10 years, the commission is formed and given the special authority to propose amendments to the charter or draft a new charter.
The Charter is the county’s constitutional, foundational document.
Charter Commission member Dave DeLeon has long been an outspoken advocate of a voting system that would merge the small communities of Molokai, Lanai, and Hana with more urbanized parts of the Island of Maui in establishing council districts. His views and nominations were discussed at length by the council’s Policy Committee, which interviewed him on March 2.
Here’s an excerpt from the meeting minutes:
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It’s not unusual to see families camping on Molokai. But it is unusual to see eight ohana spending a week at a fishpond, learning ancient skills, proper diet and Olelo Hawaii from their kupuna. It’s Lawaia Ohana Camp, a week-long program held at Ali`i Fishpond by Ka Honua Momona (KHM) and called the first of its kind by its organizers.
The camp is unique, said program director Kilia Purdy-Avalino, because of its focus on ohana. Many other similar camps on Molokai are specific to a certain age group, but at Lawaia Ohana, babies to kupuna learn together.
“If ohana stays strong, the island stays strong,” said Kanoe Davis, participant and site coordinator. “This is so different from other projects I’ve been on.”
Lawaia Ohana was made possible through a Conservation International grant that supported five similar camps in communities around the state. One of the organization’s goals is to teach sustainable fishing, regulations and protocols, said Purdy-Avalino. To this end, each participating ohana received fishing gear such as dive bags and snorkel, as well as the resources to continue those skills after the camp. Participants made their own bamboo fishing poles, nets and much more.
“I learned how to make a dry box, throw net and how to work in groups,” said student participant Iokepa Kaupu. His favorite part, he said, was having fun with friends and diving.
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Santa comes to Kaluapapa on a barge every summer. Just like Christmas, residents eagerly line up to await the year’s supply of necessities and treats. Last Saturday, trucks, refrigerators, concrete, gas and other goods were unloaded at the settlement’s wharf during this year’s barge delivery.
“It’s a celebration of goods,” said Sister Rose Annette Ahuna of the Bishop Home. “I’m just too excited!”
“We are so used to the quiet that people can’t wait to come and see the hustle and bustle,” said Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller. “Others come just to see who got what.”
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The settlement’s capacity of 100 daily visitors was nearly reached as 97 guests and workers gathered for the event, which was “the first time Kalaupapa has hosted that many invitees at once in years,” Miller said.
“I have never seen people move too fast but barge day comes and it’s like they flipped the switch and are running around like crazy!” said Karen Lucas, a sculptor and artist who has many installations in Kaluapapa and visits the peninsula from Oahu monthly for the last 15 years.
“For me it’s not just about the shopping,” said Sister Theresa Chow of the Bishop Home. “It’s about the combined efforts of leadership. It’s wonderful to see how much coordinating went into everything and to see the state, National Park Service and community working together.”
For many, though, the day was more somber than usual. Patient Aunty Lucy Kaona passed away last week, and the loss of other patients throughout the year was visible in the diminishing load of goods. “Less stuff makes it more boring as the years go on,” said Dept. of Health employee Harry Arce.
Gas was the largest commodity reduced in quantity this year with a shipment of 16,000 barrels, down from 30,000 in past years. Miller and the National Park Service both created initiatives to reduce gas usage by all residents and employees, capping consumption at seven gallons per person each week.
DLNR News Release
If you have an agency or non-profit land conservation organization that could use from funding for its efforts, this program may be for you. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP) is seeking applicants for grants from the State Land Conservation Fund to fund the protection, through acquisition, of lands having value as a resource to the state.
The Legacy Land Conservation Program provides an annual source of funding for the acquisition and conservation of watersheds; coastal areas, beaches, and ocean access; habitat protection; cultural and historic sites; recreational and public hunting areas; parks; natural areas; agricultural production; and open spaces and scenic resources.
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Community contributed by Aunty Kehau Pule
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Community contributed by Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent
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The hot spots include the new subdivision near Lanikeha, upwind from where it was originally found several years ago, and also around Kualapu`u town. To date, this disease has been confined only to Kualapu`u and Hoolehua. Ginger and heliconia, relatives of banana, are known hosts of this disease but we haven’t seen any diseased plants on Molokai.
The virus is spread by the banana aphid. Just by feeding on an infected plant for 18 hours, the aphid can spread this disease for two weeks. By feeding on a new plant for just two hours, the plant can be infected. Banana plants downwind from the hot spots are especially susceptible to new infections since aphids are not good fliers and will usually float in the wind, with the exception of winged types, called alates, which are usually rare.
The banana variety Chinese or Dwarf Cavendish banana is the most susceptible to this disease. Dwarf Brazilian or Dwarf Apple Banana is more tolerant to it. If you suspect BBTV infected plants in your yard or homestead, do not handle or move the plants. Viruses are systemic; once one plant in a mat is infected, it infects all the plants connected to it. If left untreated, it’s only a matter of time before all the plants in that specific area are infected. The key to controlling the disease is by controlling the banana aphid.
All plants near the infected plant must be treated with insecticides to control the aphid and prevent it from moving from infected to healthy plants. Only after plants are treated can they be moved and destroyed. Complete removal is essential, including killing all plant parts through the use of an herbicide. Treating symptomless plants with insecticides near the hot spot is vital to stop the spread of the disease. If regrowth occurs from the diseased area, these plants will also have to be treated and destroyed since they still carry the disease.
There is a quarantine prohibiting the movement of banana plants and plant parts, except fruit, from Oahu to all neighbor islands have been imposed. It is only through the vigilance of the community that we’ve been able to keep this disease out of Molokai for so long. For more information on BBTV, check out the UH CTAHR website. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/CFS-BAN-4A.pdf
If you suspect your trees may have the disease call Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee at (808) 553-5236 ext. 6585 or (808) 336-0625.
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On March 13, 1999, a group of Kanaka Maoli reinstated the former Hawaiian government of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Since the overthrow of the government in 1893 by a group of European and American landowners, the Kingdom and its citizens have been living under the laws of the United States. Now, the reinstated Hawaiian nation boasts nearly 400 “nationals” in Hawaii and nine on Molokai, according to Prime Minister Henry Noa.
Noa visited Molokai earlier this month to discuss the nation and the progress it has made. Since 1999,the reinstated Hawaiian nation has reconstructed its government, with executive, legislative and executive branches and offices of the House of Nobles and Representatives; conducted elections for the nation; passed laws, including amending its constitution in 2000; and developed government departments, such as the Dept. of Health and the Dept. of Transportation, and more.
“It’s you that can make the difference now to make this sovereignty stand up – all you have to do is participate,” said Noa.
“[The U.S. government is] taking everything from us – culture, identity, lands, everything,” said Duke Kalipi, representative for the Molokai district – one of 24 districts in the reinstated nation. “We all can make this work if we unify – we can get the recognition we deserve.”
Following the Law
The goal, Noa said, is to “reclaim the inherent sovereign right of absolute political authority and jurisdiction in Hawaii.” These rights, he explained, are possible under international law. The international law of perfect right, according to Noa, states that every sovereign nation does not have to ask another sovereign nation what it can or cannot do.” The former Hawaiian nation was recognized as a sovereign nation, and the perfect right was never relinquished.
“As long as there was no Hawaiian government, there was no one to give the land back to,” said Noa.
On the day of the overthrow, Queen Lili`uokalani sent a letter of protest of the U.S. president, invoking international law by stating her objection to the overthrow. One hundred years later, in 1993, President Bill Clinton signed a resolution acknowledging the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and apologizing to Native Hawaiians for the United States’ participation in the overthrow.
Noa marked a distinct difference between his goals and the Akaka Bill. Under the Akaka Bill, Noa said, Hawaiians will still be subject to U.S. laws, whereas the sovereign nation is only subject to their own laws. Noa also placed the Akaka Bill as an example of “imperfect” international law, as opposed to perfect right. The bill, he said, asks permission of the occupying government to return to sovereignty, rather than “reinstating their inherent right to sovereignty on their own.”
The group’s ultimate goal, said French, is to become a sovereign nation, rather than a state under the U.S.
Citizenship
In order to become a citizen, Kanaka Maoli and others who wish to support the cause must take classes to understand the government, process and rights. They must pass a citizenship test, give up their U.S. citizenship and swear an oath of allegiance. As citizens, they will be given a Hawaiian Kingdom ID, certificate of citizenship, birth/marriage certificates, driver’s license, vehicle registration and license plates and other documents.
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