Author Archives: Leo Azambuja

Children Flee No More

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Tutu finds an ingenious way to keep children from getting lost

By Léo Azambuja

It was the summer of 2002 when Charleen Tinao came up with an idea to prevent her three-year-old grandson from getting lost in busy places. Not that Molokai is a busy place, but Tinao’s daughter and her husband were planning to travel off island. So Tinao manufactured a vest that could be worn by the toddler and attached to his mom’s waist via a three-foot leash.

The idea proved to be helpful. When the little toddler grew out of the vest, his sister started using it. But Tinao, always a resourceful lady, was not happy with it. So she picked up an ornate Hawaiian print and made a new vest for her grand daughter. In the following years she continued making vests each of her grandchildren, improving the design five times.

Tinao was advised to patent her invention before someone else would. This is when Annette Pauole Ahakuelo came into the picture. Pauole Ahakuelo runs the Kuha`o Business Center (KBC), which provides entrepreneur training, gave Tinao the business expertise she needed to rise to the next level. “KBC provided great incentive and confidence for me to become an inventor and entrepreneur,” Tinao said.

But the hard work was just beginning. Tinao applied for a patent in October 2006. Nearly two years later, in August 2007, the United States Commission of Patents finally approved her patent of a “child safety-vest.”

“I am an official inventor,” she proudly said.

While waiting for the patent approval, Tinao found a company in California willing to manufacture her invention. She also registered the name “Safe-T-Tot, LLC,” as her own company.

At that time, her son Jonathan was living and working in New York. He believed in his mother’s vision and dropped everything to move to Hawaii to help the family business take off.

Tinao realized the company in California was too far away to deal with, and reworked the business plan. She is currently working with a manufacturing company on Maui. If things works out, “Safe-T-Tot, LLC” will soon own the manufacturing company.

Tinao said her friends are excited about her idea, and they think she’ll probably make a good amount of money from it. But Tinao said she’s not thinking about money. Her main concern is to provide a product that will help keep children from getting lost or hurt.

The vest comes in eight fabric designs, and in three sizes; small, medium and large. They fit children from 2 to 5-years-old. Tinao said the children love to wear the vest because they are colorful. KBC will display the vests Monday, September 17. For more information please call KBC at (808) 660-0004.

Tinao said that if anyone comes up with an idea they believe could be successful, they should look into patenting it. The process is lengthy, but can be rewarding. If you want to contact Tinao to get some advice on patenting, or to get a hold of some child safety-vests, she said she is more than willing to help. Tinao can be reached at (808) 553-3259.

Going Back to Hawaiian Roots

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

On an island blessed with talented musicians, one in particular stands out. Like the kupuna who pass on mo`olelo to the young, Lono too passes on Molokai history through his carefully crafted music.

His latest works have been compiled on a soon to be released album, Old Style IV. The CD, due near the end on the month, will be his ninth.

Lono goes beyond composing beautiful melodies and lyrics. His music is filled with Hawaiian cultural history which brings listeners back to a time when Hawaii was untouched by the Western world.

But Lono’s music didn’t always take this approach. In his youth, Lono had drifted away from the Hawaiian music he was raised on. For 20 years he played and composed songs inspired by popular Western idols.

This local musician’s story is as colorful as Hawaii’s own history.

Lono’s family used to live on a ranch on Molokai. The main house had a fireplace built with heiau rocks. “All the children born on that ranch died,” he said. Fearing the loss of another child, his mother flew to Oahu to give birth to Lono.

But Lono wasn’t always Lono. “When I was born my mom said ‘You’re my light.’” So Lono’s name was Kukui until he was four-years-old.

Lono’s grandma had a piano sitting in her yard, which was off-limits to the children. In 1961, Lono heard “Hit the road Jack,” from Ray Charles, on the radio for the first time. Ignoring his grandma’s rules, the four-year-old Kukui sat at the piano and played Ray Charles newest hit. His grandma saw him, but instead of being upset, she realized the boy had a future. She changed his name to Lono, and made sure he learned about Hawaiian culture.

By the time Lono enrolled in High School, he was already overwhelmed with Hawaiian learning. “I had enough,” he said. “I wanted to play other stuff, like Cat Stevens and Elton John.”

Growing up Hawaiian, Lono enjoyed mauka and makai. “Whenever I was tired of being a cowboy on the ranch, I would go to my tutu lady’s house in Makaha,” he said. On Oahu’s famous west side beach, Lono surfed as much as he could.

Back in the 1970s, when Lono was still a teenager, the Kamakawiwo`ole`ole family moved to Makaha. “They were huge,” he said. Lono and his friends had to go past the Kamakawiwo`ole hale to get to the beach. They would always run past the house, scared of the “big guys.”

“One day I was coming home from the beach and pops was sitting down on the porch,” Lono said. “I was about to run by, and he yelled up to me, ‘Hey boy, come eat.’” Realizing there was nothing to fear, Lono decided to go. He said a huge pot sat on top of the stove, covering all four burners. “I went to see what was in the pot,” Lono said. Still laughing from what happened over 30 years ago, Lono said, “It was just rice.”

Lono ended up bonding with the Kamakawiwo`ole family. Whenever he was in Makaha he found himself hanging out with them, even going to church together. He and Skippy became good friends. Izrael was still a young boy.

Back on Molokai, Lono started high school, but missed playing football. Molokai High School had no football program then. So Lono ended up leaving Molokai again, joining Waianae High School, where he could play. There he bonded with Raymond Naki, and the two became good friends.

Throughout his High School days Lono kept playing music. His brother Vernon’s wife was a fan of Beatles and Elton John, and had a lot of LPs. “I used to chase down the Beatles all the time,” he said. “I was trying to get away from Hawaiian music; I was tired of Hawaiian music.”

“In the eighties I played a lot of country music,” Lono said. “I was living in San Francisco. My band did really good, played a lot of Led Zepellin, Rush, and Judas Priest. All kids go through that in the mainland, everybody plays stairway to heaven at least once.”

Back in Hawaii, Lono settled on Maui. He said his first five CDs show his love for Maui. But the island has changed since then. “All those songs I wrote was about what Maui used to be like.”

Lono said that while promoting his fifth CD, on Kauai, he realized that Kihei, on Maui, had been forever changed. Someone had told him he was writing songs about a town that no longer represented the Hawaiian lifestyle.

“Kihei is a disaster,” Lono said. “It’s what happens when politicians and developers get into the same bed.” He said the few Hawaiians left on Kihei cannot practice their culture; they cannot fish, go deer hunting, or pick opihi. There are no taro patches there anymore, he said.

“After all these years my brother told me to play Hawaiian music,” Lono said. And that’s exactly what Lono did. “I started to fall in love with the songs again,” he said. “The songs started to fall in love with me.”

People were instantly drawn to his music. They would tell him that the songs were the most beautiful they had ever heard. He decided to learn a few more songs, along with their meanings and translations. Lono knew some Hawaiian language, but not enough, according to him. “I wish I learned all this stuff about Hawaii while I was in school.”

“What you learned at home and what you learned at school was different,” Lono said. At school he said teachers would tell him Hawaiians were savages, fat and lazy. “But you go home and you find yourself working all the time,” he said. “You’re well disciplined at home, and you love God. It’s like the school is forcing us into oppression.”

Lono’s new CD is entirely about Molokai. Each song represents a little about Molokai’s history, which Lono studies from books and from conversations with kupuna.

“Molokai is the center of all the islands,” Lono said. “It’s like the umbilical chord of Hawaiian culture and tradition is right here on Molokai.”

Lono also plays every instrument on the CD. The recording was made at an improvised studio in Kawela, which he named Sunshine Studios. After the production finishes, the studio will be dismantled.

Already in the final stages, the CD is highly anticipated. Halau are already dancing to some of the songs. Lono has played music from the upcoming CD at Hotel Molokai, and at a “Buy the Ranch” meeting at Kulana `Oiwi halau. Last month Lono played at the Max Center on Maui, debuting some of the new music. The same concert featured George Kahanamoku, Kamaka Fernandez, Kevin Brown and Molokai’s Raiatea Helm.

Lono’s music takes time to come to life. Each CD averages at least six months of cultural research. A lot of his findings come from books available at the Molokai Public Library. Lono said he takes another three months to record the CD, and four months to finish it. He usually takes a month break, to start it all over again.

The wait might seem long, but it’s worth it. “You can only get this CD on Molokai,” Lono said. And they’re also printed in limited runs – once they sell out, they won’t be reprinted. Luckily, Molokai residents will have first dibs on this highly anticipated CD.

Molokai Fishermen Update

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

Local fishermen discuss future of Mo`omomi.

By Léo Azambuja

Local fishermen met in Ho`olehua last week to discuss the future of Mo`omomi, and also the newly approved Molokai exemption on a state lay-net law.

An agreement issued April 1, 2007 between Hui Malama Mo`omomi and the State Deparment of Hawaiian Home Lands assured proper care and management of Mo`omomi Cultural Park. Hui Malama Mo`omomi now has a license until April 2012 to regulate entry and camping permits at Mo`omomi.

Under the agreement license, Hui Malama Mo`omomi is responsible for all issues concerning the lands at Mo`omomi, including security, liability insurance, tax and utilities expenses and all maintenance and repairs.

Molokai Water News

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

Green men in your yard are not from Mars.

If you see a man invading your yard, and wearing a lime-green reflective suit don’t panic. He is neither an alien nor a spy from some obscure government agency. He is a Pacific Meter Services (PMS) worker, and is just replacing your water meter with a newer, updated version.

In a press release published last week the Department of Water Supply (DWS) administrative officer Jacky Takakura said it awarded PMS a contract to upgrade the approximately 35,000 water meters in Maui County.

PMS workers will go to each house and replace the transponders in the meters, according to Takakura. The transponder is a part in the water meter which reads the meter and sends a signal to a water reader inside a vehicle.

The $3.8 million project is scheduled to be completed by March 2008. The DWS asks residents to make sure PMS workers have clear access to water meters. Inaccessible meters may be cleared at homeowners’ expense.

For more information please call the Assistant Fiscal Officer George Andrade at (808) 270-7302.

Leaky Kalae water tank will meet its maker.

On a different press release, Takakura said the DWS is working with M&M Tanks Inc. to replace the water tank in Kalae. The current tank is leaking, according to Takakura, and will be replaced with a 34,500 gallon tank.

Takakura said the new $60,000 tank should be ready by the end of September. The DWS designed the new tank. Its personnel are working in conjunction with M&M Tanks in the construction of the new tank. 

For more information please contact Takakura at (808) 270-8046.

A`ole Superferry Inspired by Molokai Activists

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

While the demonstration was mostly peaceful, there was an incident that almost escalated to violence, according to Trujillo. On the first voyage of the Superferry protesters surrounded a car that was unloading. The driver pushed his way, and some sat on top of the car, which didn’t stop the driver from trying to brake through the barricade. This infuriated the crowd, which started to pound on the car. A police officer intervened and was able to help the car to return behind the dock’s gate.

“That was unfortunate and not really part of who we are, but it’s just a symbol of the frustration that Kauai residents feel,” Trujillo said.

Kauai still doesn’t have a TRO preventing the Superferry from docking at Nawiliwili Harbor. But Trujillo said he is elated that the governor has stepped in and requested the Superferry to cease operations to Kauai until the court has made a decision.

“We are hoping for some more good news this week, so we don’t have to call citizens to come down to the docks again,” Trujillo said.

For more information on Hui-R, log on www.hui-r.info.

A Superferry representative said in a press conference last week that the protests on Kauai and Maui did not make him have any second thoughts about the company’s environmental position.

The Coast Harbor notified Superferry officials that they could not assure a safe passage for the Superferry into Nawiliwili Harbor. Although the represantive said the company appreciated the support from the Kauai Police Department, the Department of Transportation and the Coast Guard, he said it was unprecedented, as far as he knows, that the Coast Guard could not secure a harbor.

According to the representative, despite the success the protesters had last week in stopping the Superferry, the company is “solidifying the support around the state and in the community.”

The representative said construction of a second boat is on schedule, and the company is committed to provide a service to Hawaii residents.. He also said they “have had excited residents of the Big Island calling to see if we can start service there sooner.”

In a press release last week the company said “Hawaii Superferry’s environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, specially designed catamarans meet or exceed government standards for protecting Hawaii’s islands and the ocean.”

New Martial Arts Class on Molokai

Friday, August 31st, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

One of the most underground types of martial arts in the United States is being taught right here on Molokai. The practice known as modern arnis is being taught by instructor Mark Crumpton. He recently moved from Los Angeles, and has started teaching a class at Home Pumehana.

Modern arnis is mostly known to be a martial arts practice that originated in the Philippines, and to be practiced with sticks. But this is just part of the story. “Most people don’t understand that modern arnis is a blade fight,” Crumpton said. “But it is actually a blade art.”

The martial art was created by Filipino Grandmaster Remy Presas. “It’s a combination of balintawak, arnis, karate, judo and wing tzun,” Crumpton said. Presas learned all those martial arts from different masters in the Philippines and started teaching them on a linear format, according to Crumpton.

But when modern arnis arrived in the United States, Presas switched the blades to sticks using similar moves. “Teaching the blade was so violent,” Crumpton said. “So they used sticks in place of blades.”

Over time, the martial art evolved and gained popularity as a stick martial art. “A lot of people forgot it was a blade art,” Crumpton said. Today, he said there are not many people training with the blades. Crumpton is one of the very few.

Although the stick and the blade portions of modern arnis are similar, there are some differences. “When you train with the stick you hit the hand, we hit the arm,” Crumpton said. “When you train with the blade you train closer.” Blade orientation also makes part of the differences between the two modern arnis variations.

Presas passed away in 2001. But not before handing over his knowledge to Bram Frank, who also became a modern arnis grandmaster. Crumpton was still training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Los Angeles when he met Frank. “I’m pretty comfortable with my ground skills,” Crumpton said. “But I realized I had to have some stand up skills.”

After being introduced to modern arnis by Frank, Crumpton was hooked on it. “This made a lot of sense to me,” Crumpton said. It has been six years now, and three years since he got his license to teach modern arnis.

Proving modern arnis is not just a fighting style, but an art in itself, Crumpton said the two main factors in the martial art are flow and counter for counter.

“Everything is about the flow,” Crumpton said. “The flow is how the body moves naturally.”

Countering moves is equally important in modern arnis. “If I throw a punch and you counter, and I don’t know how to respond then I’m done,” Crumpton said. “I need to learn how to counter from here.”

But for those who think the modern arnis is complicated, there is hope. “It’s all about keeping it simple,” Crumpton said. “We can have fun doing it.”

Before moving to Molokai, Crumpton used to teach modern arnis in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles. Some of the surrounding gyms were run by some of the biggest legends in martial arts. But he is still a humble person. “I come from a place of respect and humility,” he said.

Crumpton heard there are a lot of Filipinos who are experts in modern arnis on Molokai. “Most of the guys are teaching in their backyard,” he said. “It’s really secretive.” He acknowledged there are probably martial artists on Molokai more experienced than him. He says he is excited to train and learn with others an hopes to meet other martial artists on Molokai. “I know there are some good teachers on this island,” Crumpton said.

The versatile Crumpton has been training for over 20 years in several styles of martial arts, including tang soo do, tae kwon do, wing tzun and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His teacher in this last art was Carlson Gracie Jr., son of the late Carlson Gracie Sr., who many in the jiu-jitsu community say was the best teacher the sport ever had.

Anyone who is skeptical or afraid about practicing modern arnis should give it a try. “I make a serious subject fun,” Crumpton said. The first class is free. He said he is still trying to figure out a fair price, but it won’t be expensive.

The outgoing instructor with movie-star looks is already in love with Molokai. And it doesn’t look like it’s a passing thing. Crumpton moved here to be with his girlfriend, a local girl with whom he has maintained a long-distance relationship for a year. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I’m here to stay.”

Classes are held at Home Pumehana, at the Hale Maha`olu Senior Center, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m., and on Saturdays from 12-3 p.m. For more information please contact Crumpton at 808-336-0936.

Akaula Middle School Here to Stay

Friday, August 31st, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

The keiki at Akaula Middle School may not care or understand about law yet. But if they did, they would be stoked. Last week, the Molokai Planning Commission granted the school a three-year extension to operate in a business district.

This extension means more time for the school to find a permanent location. Principal Vicky Newberry was all smiles. The school’s board of trustees had requested a two-year extension, and ended up being granted an additional year.

Akaula School is located in the same building where Pizza Café and other businesses operate. Newberry said schools are normally not permitted in business districts.

The planning commission approved the extension on the special use permit based on the fact that the school is actively pursuing a site in a permitted location. Newberry said the board of trustees is actively exploring options. “We just haven’t found what would work for us yet,” she said.

“We want to be in town as much as possible to take advantage of county facilities,” Newberry said. The children routinely use the county’s swimming pool, gym and public library. If the school remains in town, it would save on transportation expenses.

Akaula School is an independent private school. Students, teachers and staff raise the money needed for the school’s operational costs. Newberry said the cost of educating one child at Akaula runs at about $6,000 annually. Parents are responsible for one-third of the tuition, while fundraising accounts for another third. The rest is obtained through grant-writing.

Compared to other schools, Akaula is very affordable. “We come in the low-end,” Newberry said. According to her, some private schools charge as much as $20,000 annually, while the government spends about $8,000 to $10,000 annually to educate a child in a public school.  

“We still support public education,” Newberry said, but explained the importance of providing educational alternatives to Molokai youth. “We are not taking anything away from public schools,” she said. “We are probably saving them some money.”

Although the location where the school operates is convenient, the board of trustees is concerned about expansion issues. The current site does allow for an additional 20 students, but Newberry thinks the classrooms would be “a little too crowded.” 

Akaula Middle School services grades 5-8. Anyone interested in additional information can contact administrators at 553-3711.

Paddle to the Medal

Friday, August 31st, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

Molokai’s wahine brought home another outrigger canoe title this past weekend. The Wa`akapaemua Canoe Club, competing in the Junior Master Women division, took first place in the Queen Ka`ahumanu Ironman Race, on Maui.

But there is more to it. The wahine accomplished an amazing feat – they came ahead of every competitor in the event, including all divisions.

Tammy Castor stroked in the race. Tania Kaholoa`a was right behind her, calling the changes. Joey Dudoit, Vicky Underwood and Desiree Puhi, sitting in the middle, added power to the crew. From the steersman seat, Choppie Kalama guided the team to the victory. The wahine were coached by Mervin Dudoit, Jr., who is considered to be among the best steersman in all of Hawaii.

The Ironman race has its name for a reason. The race starts at Maliko Gulch, and paddlers have to race almost 10 miles until the finish line, at Kahului Harbor, without water changes. It is a true test of endurance. The same crew that started the race finishes without any rest.

The race is also known statewide as the Maliko Gulch Race. Maui’s Na Ka Ewalu Canoe Club organizes the annual race, which is run only by women.

Congratulations to all Molokai wahine who represented Molokai on Maui.

Superferry Sails Without EIS

Friday, August 31st, 2007

In a defiant move, Hawaii Superferry officials decided to move the maiden voyage of the controversial boat up by two days. The decision came after the Hawaii Supreme Court ordered the HSF to conduct an environmental assessment – a decision that could halt the HSF’s operation.

Tickets were being offered at a bargain price of $5 over the weekend. In a press release, the company’s president and CEO, John Garibaldi, said the low fare was in appreciation for the communities of the Hawaiian Islands. Garibaldi also mentioned the date change, but gave no reasons for it.

Community support seems like something the HSF is lacking on Maui and Kauai.

Hundreds of residents showed up at Nawiliwili Harbor to protest against the HSF on Sunday. Kauai resident Debbie Erickson said surfers paddled in front the Harbor entrance, blocking the HSF, and delaying its arrival by more than an hour.

Erickson said the Coast Guard was circling surfers aggressively, using hooks to try to grab them out of the water. “It was pretty heavy,” she said. In the end the Coast Guard managed to grab a couple surfboards, according to Erickson.

State rep. Mele Carroll had introduced a bill in the house in 2005 which would have required the HSF to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). “The law triggers it,” she said. However, the bill was defeated. Carroll said no study has been done to access invasive species impact on outer islands.

Erickson said residents on Kauai were concerned the HSF would bring in potential and irreversible environmental damages to the island, such as coqui frogs and mongoose. Erickson said the population is also worried about a potential increase in drug trafficking.

The drug issue was also on Carroll’s mind. “I’m always worried about crime regarding transit of drugs,” she said.

Oceanographer and Marine Policy Specialist Joana Tavares said large boats are perfect vehicles to carry invasive species, such as the Gracilaria salicornia. This invasive limu is an aggressive species, rapidly spreading and suffocating native species. Gracilaria salicornia is present in several locations on Oahu’s South Shore.

Senator Kalani English said an EIS was supposed to have been done in the beginning. “The EIS was required under the law,” he said. “It’s been my position all along.”

But just when the HSF seemed to have won a political arm wrestle against naysayers on Kauai and Maui, the tide turned. On Monday the circuit court of the second circuit granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) filled by The Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow Inc., and Kahului Harbor against the State Department of Transportation (DOT), the State agency responsible for allowing the HSF to operate without an EIS.

The TRO signed by Judge Jeffrey Cardoza prohibited the DOT from permitting the HSF to use Kahului Harbor for its operations. The HSF was also ordered to immediately offer a return trip to customers back to their home port, and cease operations at Kahului Harbor thereafter.

“I’m relieved to know that there is regard for the law,” English said. “When one branch of the government exceeds the law, there’s another branch that can check it.”

The State of Hawaii helped subsidize the HSF with $40 million. According to interpretations of the law, the State was supposed to conduct an environmental assessment at its own expense.

The director of the Hawaii chapter of the Sierra Club, Jeffrey Mikulina, said in a press release that the HSF was well aware of the State law. “They made a conscious choice to ignore the law, despite calls from neighbor island communities, lawmakers, and environmentalists,” Mikulina said.

Following the TRO ruling, HSF officials released a statement lamenting Judge Cardoza’s decision. The statement said the HSF had overwhelming community support. “More than 16,000 people from around the state have toured the Alakai and shared our excitement for Hawaii Superferry,” the statement said.

Kauai residents who opposed the HSF didn't have a TRO to stop the HSF from docking at Nawiliwili Harbor on Monday, but it didn’t matter much. The HSF was forced to turn back as over 50 surfers and several canoes cruising blocked the harbor’s entrance in protest. On land, a huge turnout of protesters added support to the HSF opposition.