Author Archives: Leo Azambuja

Da Booze Cruise

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

At 62-years-old, Rawlins has no plans to stop participating in the race in the coming years. “My boys won’t let me go,” he said, referring to his crew-members. It’s hard to imagine that his teammates are his motivation, as it seems just the opposite – the high-spirited Hawaiian appears to energize everyone around him.

The race has been organized by the Rawlins family since its first year. This was the first year the Molokai Canoe Club took over the organization, and they did a fine job. The race also works as a fund raiser, benefiting the `opio who paddle for the club.

Genetically Engineered Organisms, Are They Safe? (Part II)

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

The presence of Genetically Engineered (GE) crops on Molokai has been a controversial topic for some time. Earlier this year Monsanto, the leading GE company worldwide, expanded its operations on Molokai to include 1,650 acres, raising concerns amongst those who believe GE farming might irreversibly affect the environment. But there are also those who believe GE crops are beneficial and do not pose environmental or health threats.

The Molokai Dispatch has engaged leading scientists and professionals in health and agricultural fields to weigh in on the GE farming issues which could affect Molokai. To be fair, a set of five questions was sent to opposite sides of the opinion field. Last week we present the first set of two questions and their respective answers. In this issue, the Dispatch published the remaining three sets of questions.

A Brighter Year in 2008 for Pets on Molokai

Monday, November 12th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

Finally someone has heard the prayers of thousands of Molokai pets – a new veterinarian is moving to the island, and setting up practice. “So we have a veterinarian here full-time,” announced Julie Lopez, Molokai Humane Society (MHS) president.

In January 2008 Dr. Sterling Thomas will be relocating with his wife, Dr. Brenda Thomas, who is also a veterinarian, to Molokai.

Molokai pet owners have been suffering without a permanent veterinarian since Dr. Brown left to Kula, Maui a few months ago. In the mean time, spay and neuter procedures had to be done on Maui, or out of someone’s home whenever a veterinarian visited the island.

“This is a great thing for the Molokai community,” Lopez said. “If you have emergencies you don’t have to go to Oahu or Maui anymore.”

In a twist of irony, Dr. Thomas just sold his office in Dalls, Oregon to a Hawaiian woman-veterinarian from Kauai.

Dr. Thomas will be setting up practice at the new MHS office, in Ho`olehua. Lopez said operating out of the MHS office will offset rental expenses for Dr. Thomas, which will bring down the cost for the community.

Cats and dogs are not the only four-legged animals benefiting from a new veterinarian. Dr. Thomas also practices on farm animals as well, such as pigs, goats, horses and cattle. “It’s great, because he is an all-around vet,” Lopez said.

Dr. Thomas is already getting acquainted with the community on Molokai. He recently visited the island twice, and took a tour around Molokai Ranch, Kualapuu Ranch, and the slaughterhouse – and even visited Molokai General Hospital. He also met Tina, the manager at Hikiola store, to get acquainted with the locals who deal with livestock products.

Lopez said the MHS board members have been working really hard to make it possible to bring a veterinarian to Molokai. “It took two years of work to put this together.” She said board directors Viola Wichman, Terry Waros, and Mikal Berry were very important in the process.

The new office where Dr. Thomas will be setting up, took a lot of effort to become reality. Lopez said Councilman Danny Mateo brought in some much-needed grants, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands donated the land on a lease basis, and Monsanto’s Ray Foster offered to clear the vegetation on the land at no charges. Molokai High School art teacher Perry Buchalter brought in a crew of students and painted the office. Finally, Pastor Kyle Lum blessed the building. Molokai is now ready to welcome the new veterinarian.

Once Dr. Thomas arrives, spay and neuter procedures will be available for only $10. “People should take advantage of this,” Lopez said. Residents who wish to help MHS can donate kennels anytime. Lopez said that after procedures are done, Dr. Thomas will need to place animals in kennels. “Any size will help, small or big,” Lopez said.

There is a problem that is happening since the new MHS office was inaugurated. Lopez said residents keep leaving unwanted animals in front of the office. Lopez asked for residents to stop, because the office is not equipped to take the animals.

“By law we should have a facility on the island,” Lopez said. One way of pushing for a much-needed facility would be writing letters to the government through our representatives, according to her. She envisions a facility that would be like an extension of the Maui Humane Society.

Lopez also said that on Nov. 29 Maui Humane Society CEO Jocelyn Bouchard will be a guest speaker at the Molokai Humane Society Annual Meeting, which will take place at Mitchell Pauole Center, at 4:30 p.m. If anyone is interested in becoming a board member, please contact the MHS at 558-0000.

Slacking is a Good Thing in Hawaii

Monday, November 12th, 2007

Besides making a profitable living from playing music, Kahumoku also teaches art at a Hawaiian-learning-based school in South Kona, a school that he helped materialize, and has been the principal for many years.

Kahumoku is also an avid farmer. “I like to play with dirt,” he said. On his homestead land in Lahaina, he grows 60 varieties of taro, nine varieties of sweet potato, and six varieties of bananas, among many other things. “And the land is only small,” he said. “Only 6,000 square feet.” This sustainable-living obsessed musician even uses the water dripping from his air-conditioned system to grow water-cress.

Every Wednesday Kahumoku performs at the Napili Kai Beach Resort, on Maui. If you happen to be on Maui, the resort is about 12 miles north of Lahaina, and the shows are at 7:30 p.m.

Molokai Welcomes New Parks and Recreation District Supervisor

Monday, November 12th, 2007

When Zachary Helm left the head of the Parks of Recreation, he also left some big shoes to be filled. Billy Amoral, the new Parks and Recreation Molokai District Supervisor, knows it. “It’s going to be difficult to replace someone like Zach (Helm) who was born and raised here, and was in the office for 24 or 25 years,” he said.

Amoral just moved to Molokai with his wife, coming from Maui, where he has worked at the Parks and Recreation for 23 years. He started as a recreation assistant, and worked his way to the top. When the opportunity to take the position on Molokai came up, he didn’t blink twice. “I was fortunate enough there was an opportunity to come to Molokai.”

The new head of the Parks and Recreation is no stranger to the island. “I have been to Molokai quite a few times,” he said. From attending his two boys’ little league and high-school volleyball games to hunting and fishing trips, everything was a reason for Amoral to visit Molokai.

Still an avid baseball player, Amoral graduated from Saint Anthony High School, on Maui. He earned an AA at Maui Community College, and a BA in Sociology from University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Amoral has just stepped into his position and says he is still getting acquainted with what needs to be done. “I’m just jumping in with both feet, and keeping my eyes and ears open,” he said.

Genetically Engineered Organisms, Are They Safe?

Friday, November 9th, 2007

Leading experts representing both sides of the issue shed light on the controversy

By Léo Azambuja

The presence of Genetically Engineered (GE) crops on Molokai has been a controversial topic for some time. Earlier this year Monsanto, the leading GE company worldwide, expanded its operations on Molokai to include 1,650 acres, raising concerns amongst those who believe GE farming might irreversibly affect the environment. But there are also those who believe GE crops are beneficial and do not pose environmental or health threats.

The Molokai Dispatch has engaged leading scientists and professionals in health and agricultural fields to weigh in on the GE farming issues which could affect Molokai. To be fair, a set of six questions was sent to opposite sides of the opinion field. Here, we present the first two sets of questions, and their respective answers. In the next issue, the Dispatch will publish the remaining three sets of questions.

The Vacation Rental Issue

Wednesday, October 17th, 2007

Transient Vacation Rentals, or TVRs, have a history of finding strong opposition from Molokai’s longtime residents. They have said in past public meetings that TVRs help push real state prices up, robbing the community of affordable housing. On the other hand, realtors who manage TVRs argue that they provide maintenance jobs to the community as well as rental options for visitors.

Last Wednesday the Molokai Planning Commission (MPC) board members welcomed Maui County’s Department of Planning staff in one of the longest and most crowded meetings the MPC has held at Mitchell Pauole Center. Approximately 50 residents attended the eigth-hour-long meeting, either to testify or to hear testimonies

The Department of Planning is proposing simple but important changes regarding regulation of Bed and Breakfasts (B&B) as well as Transient Vacation Rentals (TVR). Among several minor changes, proposed zoning changes could dramatically change the face of Molokai.

Department of Planning Director Jeffrey Hunt, making a rare appearance at the MPC meeting, explained the differences between TVRs, B&Bs and hybrids.

According to Hunt, TVRs are properties managed by rental company or by an owner who does not live in it ; B&Bs are managed by a live-in owner or manager. There are also hybrid properties. Hunt said this designation includes property with a B&B, plus an ohana dwelling which is used exclusively for short-term rental.

The proposed changes would allow TVRs to operate in business districts, potentially opening the doors to this kind of business in Kaunakakai. The proposal would also allow B&Bs to operate within rural and agricultural districts.

The county’s resolution to crack down on illegal TVRs could diminish their numbers in East Molokai, presumably fostering TVR growth in town. B&Bs, on the other hand, would still be allowed on the East End.

One of the biggest concerns regarding the proposed changes was that TVRs would be allowed to have up to 20 rooms. Vice-chairman Steven Chaikin said the number sounds small, but he mentioned The Lodge in Maunaloa. Hardly a small venue, the hotel has 22 rooms.

The community participation in planning commission meetings can have a great repercussion on the final say. Maui County staff planner Joe Alueta said the proposal is not set in stone. The Department of Planning comes to Molokai to listen to public testimonies and subsequent recommendations from the MPC.

Once public testimony was opened, over 30 speakers came forward, each presenting their point of view on how this kind of hospitality business affects Molokai.

“We received a lot of thoughtful testimony from both sides of the issue,” MPC chairman DeGray Vanderbilt said.

The MPC board has 120 days to make a decision on whether approve the county’s proposed recommendations. DeGray said that in future meetings, when TVR and B&B issues appear on the MPC meetings’ agenda, public testimony regarding the issue can be taken.

DeGray said the MPC board has not seen the agenda for the Oct. 24 meeting at the Mitchell Pauole Center, but expects it will include TVR and B&B issues. “Our commission (MPC) wants to have it in the next agenda,” he said.

In a press release Sept. 30, Mayor Charmaine Tavares said while Maui County has a history of supporting the visitor industry, many residents are against unregulated TVRs within rural and residential communities.

According to Tavares, the number of illegal TVRs in the county are close to 1,100. The official Maui County Web site lists only eight legal TVRs in the whole county. The only licensed TVR on Molokai belongs to MPC board member Kip Dunbar, and is located in Molokai’s East End. There are also only 13 legal B&Bs in the county, all of which are listed on Maui.

The mayor said a proposed bill to legalize TVRs was rejected by the Maui, Lanai and Molokai planning commissions. Respecting the communities’ decision, the County Council considered the bill in early 2007 and filed it rather than trying to adopt it.

According to the mayor’s press release, after the bill was rejected, the planning commissions and the council expressed that the county should enforce the existing law. “We accepted that direction and moved forward,” Tavares said in the press release.

But she also said those who applied under the previous administration hoping to be legalized are being given time to phase out operations. Meanwhile, the Planning Department is seeking approval of the new proposal.

Tavares assured each local planning commission will have a say in the proposed bill in order to meet the needs of the different islands.

Lei’n it on!

Wednesday, October 17th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

Every year the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) puts out a statewide challenge to Hawaii students called “Sew a Lei for Memorial Day” contest. The schools that produce most lei per student, and most lei overall win prizes to be used in classrooms. The lei are shipped from all islands to Oahu, where they are used in the Memorial Day festivities at Punchbowl.

Two Molokai schools, Kilohana Elementary and Molokai Middle School, took the challenge seriously, with their students making a combined number of over 1,100 lei.

DPR representative Arnold Galacia came especially from Oahu last Tuesday to present awards to the students of both schools.

Students from Kilohana Elementary School made 801 lei, an impressive rate of 8.2 lei per student. The school took second place statewide in “most lei per student” category.

This is not the first time the Kilohana School has won merits in the Memorial Day Lei Contest. The school’s principal, Leighton Kawae, said the school took first place in this colorful contest last year, wining a Mac computer. But he was hardly disappointed with this year’s performance.

“We came in second, and it was really good,” Kawae said.

Kawae has at least one big reason to be happy, the school won a large projector, which will come in handy for classroom presentations and lectures.

Already looking toward next year’s competition, Kawae has one wish. “I hope we can repeat ourselves again,” he said. He also mentioned the other Molokai school that won an award did a great job.

Molokai Middle School took sixth place statewide in the same category, with its students producing 310 lei – 1.8 per student.

“Our students did such a good job,” Jennifer Ainoa said. The proud teacher works at the Molokai Middle School, and could not hide her excitement. For their efforts, the children won a VCR player.

Ainoa said the students gathered their own materials, and brought them to classes. Teachers coordinated the lei making efforts, and collected the lei after they were finished. She said Camie Kimball spearheaded the program, inspiring everyone to participate.

Students from all over the State contributed with 35,000 lei to the last Memorial Day’s celebrations at Punchbowl, in Honolulu, according to Galacia. The result was a stunning display of Hawaiian culture. Galacia said the boy-scouts come in a day before the celebration and decorate the national flags with the lei, while the girl-scouts decorate a chapel.

Congratulations to all Molokai students who participated in the state challenge.