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Author Archives: Megan Stephenson

Common Threads

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Common Threads

By Catherine Cluett, Special to the Dispatch

There’s a lot that small islands in the Pacific Ocean have in common. But Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, and Molokai have some personal ties. Molokai’s Brigid Mulloy is the daughter of William Mulloy, the archeologist who restored the well-known statues in Rapa Nui known as Ahu Akivi in 1960. The seven statues of Ahu Akivi comprise the first ceremonial site ever restored on Rapa Nui.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of their restoration, and Brigid Mulloy and her family are traveling to the South Pacific island to celebrate the historic event. They are bringing with them another piece of Molokai – T-shirts to commemorate the event printed right here on Molokai.

Molokai artists Ann Van Eps and Steve Legare purchased a printing press from Bamboo Pantry after the store closed several months ago. Since then, they have been printing shirts on Molokai for sale and various events by special order. The Ahu Akivi anniversary shirts feature a historic photo of the restoration, printed smoothly on silky polyester shirts. Mulloy said she will take 100 of the shirts to Rapa Nui for the celebration, and more will be printed afterward to share on Molokai.

The printing machine, known as a heat press, uses a technology that permanently bonds ink to the fabric. It’s a labor-intensive process, explained Legare – one shirt at a time. First, the image must be digitized. Then, the design is printed onto transfer paper. The transfer process of the ink onto specialized polyester fabric occurs at a temperature of 400 degrees as the ink vaporizes and adheres to the polyester.

Mulloy said she will take 100 of the shirts to Rapa Nui for the celebration, then more will be printed afterward to share on Molokai. Mulloy and her family will travel to Rapa Nui for the month of October. She said several events to honor her father’s work will take place during that time.

October 12, 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the blessing of the completed restoration. The main event will be a celebration at the site will take place that day, attended by public officials, community members and family members of those who worked on the restoration. The population of Rapa Nui is about 6,000 people, and Mulloy said she expects many to attend the celebration.

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Air Riflery Shoots, Scores

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Air Riflery Shoots, Scores

Kayla Matson and James Corpuz led the Molokai High School air riflery team at their first meet of the season, breaking into the top ten with scores of 204 and 229, respectively.

“Kayla did well, our season shooter was two points under her,” said Head Coach David Kalani. “And she’s new, never shot before.”

Matson shot an 85 in prone position, 49 in standing, and 70 in kneeling – placing 7th overall. Corpuz shot a 91 prone, 67 standing and 71 kneeling, making 6th overall.

they did,” Kalani said. He also said he was very appreciative of his assistant coaches, Eddie Gorospe and Henry Corpuz, for helping during this first week of competition.

The Farmers head back to Maui on Oct. 9 to compete against Baldwin High School.

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Long Live Art on Molokai

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Long Live Art on Molokai

Known for its close community of musicians and artists, Molokai inspires with its rich culture, history, and natural beauty. Recently a group of artists, including Molokai keiki, had a chance to share their own inspiration translated into art. 

The piece is comprised of several art mediums hewn together. Several kapa-patterned batik screens as wide as 12 feet hang from overhead. Below, on the floor, copper kalo leaves stretch skyward from their metal stalks. Bamboo, rock, and other natural materials compliment the organic vibe of the piece.



Over a year ago, the Hawaii Primary Care Association (HPCA) decided to give the state’s 13 community health centers the opportunity to heal their patrons with more than medicine. They sent out applications for grant money to create wellness art projects, and the MCHC hopped on board.

“We liked the idea of trying to use indigenous art in a healing or therapeutic kind of way,” said Cyrus Siu, MCHC’s chief financial officer. Molokai received $19,000 for supplies, shipping, and artist stipends – money secured by Sen. Dan Inouye.

While the art piece made its debut at the MCHC groundbreaking, it later displayed at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. Molokai and two other community health center’s projects were featured in an exhibition called “Maoli Arts in Real Time.”

Siu added that once the health center completes its renovations of the old Pau Hana Inn, a permanent exhibit space will be planned for the Healing Project and other community art.

“The more people, the more ideas, the more mana`o you get, the more people it’s going to touch,” Tangonan said.

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Aunty’s Corner

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Aunty’s Corner

Aloha, Aunty here.  Pehea oe? Maika`i no au?  I hope I do this correctly.  I’m so enjoying my class.  My kumu, Hokulani Holt-Padilla, makes it so interesting that I found that I forgot to take notes.  Todd suggested that I use a tape recorder. Monday and Wednesday we give our final presentation.  I am way nervous but my team mates are so good that I have no worries.  We should have an A, not to brag too much. 

My neighbors and I went to Coffees of Hawaii on Sunday. I have not been there in days! So good to see all the folks there.  The stage has been rearranged so that there is more room to do hula. There is also a Queen’s Chair and of course Aunty Julia sits in it as she says she’s the pretty one.  I love to dance with DJ and his haumana are so fabulous.  My neighbor saw the haumana dance at the movie festival and came home and raved about them. He’s pretty particular with how hula is danced so way to go everyone!  I do miss our kupuna Aunty Dora and Aunty Ku`ulei.  Hopefully Aunty Ku`ulei will be able to come back again to lend her sweet voice to the songs.

.  Malama kou aloha, Aunty Kapua  

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Women of the Ocean

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Women of the Ocean

For 32 years, the toughest wahine paddlers from Hawaii and around the world have taken on the challenge of the Kaiwi Channel – paddling a rough 41 miles from Hale o Lono Harbor on Molokai to Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu.

“We did it because there wasn’t a race for women – the guys didn’t want to do it for us,” said Carleen Ornellas, one of the founding organizers. “We said, oh yes we can…and we did it.”

Their first crossing was in 1975, but Na Wahine o Ke Kai – Women of the Sea – officially became the Molokai to Oahu canoe race for women in 1979.

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Molokai Properties Water Rate Hikes Finalized

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved of the water rate hikes, which came at the request of Molokai Properties Ltd. (MPL), also known as Molokai Ranch. The PUC finalized the rate increase of 126.5 percent for one of MPL’s companies, Molokai Public Utilities, Inc. (MPU), but it is unclear if the higher water rates will be finalized for MPL’s other utilities company, Waiale O Molokai.

Residents have rallied against the hikes, which increased water bills by hundreds of dollars a month. More than 3,000 customers use the services of MPL’s two utilities companies. The PUC decision comes more than a year of the interim rates, which increased MPL’s annual revenue by nearly $550,000.

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Tax Relief Workshop for Native Hawaiian Organizations

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Honua Consulting News Release

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is sponsoring free workshops for small Native Hawaiian serving organizations, to help them come into compliance with tax requirements by the Oct. 15 deadline.

A network of Hawaiian organizations and businesses have banded together to help small Native Hawaiian organizations maintain their tax exemption status. The IRS recently announced that October 15, 2010 will be the final day for small charities to take advantage of a one-time tax relief program before losing their tax exemption status.   

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Veterans Seek Accountability in Lawsuit

Monday, September 27th, 2010

With the passing of September’s deadline, the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans have entered into federal litigation against Maui County and Mayor Charmaine Tavares. The Molokai Veterans filed a 41-page law suit in the Hawaii District Court on Sept. 17 over a delayed building permit for their new center.

The lawsuit lays out the nearly five-year history of obtaining their building permit, and claims first amendment and due process violations, among others. James Fosbinder, the Veterans Maui-based lawyer, said they are asking for a jury trial, but also for an injunctive release – to allow construction to begin as soon as possible.

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In the Fields of Green

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

In the Fields of Green

Dozens of farmers and enthusiasts plowed through a field of tall and broad-leaf plants rising from a paddy-like patch near Ho`olehua last Saturday morning. All were in search of a suitable variety of taro, one that could thrive in either the dry heat of Molokai’s west end or lush terrain of its east end.

Known as Molokai Taro Variety Field Day, participants got the chance to get their hands on more than 70 rare native Hawaiian taro varieties. The event, held at Molokai Agriculture Park, began with a cultural and informative discussion on taro, followed by the vegetative cutting.

“Our goal is to help perpetuate the plant and its cultural significance,” said Alton Arakaki, organizer and county extension agent for University of Hawaii – Maui College.

While some farmers attended to cut taro they would later plant at their farms to help support their economic well-being, others came to retrieve taro for its dietary benefits.

“For one thing, I love taro,” said participant Kaui Manera. “I love to eat it.”

Manera said its hard work to plant taro and make it grow, and hopes she found the right variety that will not only survive, but flourish.

“I also wanted to come out because I have a lot of respect for this farm,” she added. “I love this farm and all they do for the community.”

Arakaki said the plant’s survival rests on the shoulders of its caretakers.

“You can’t just put it in the ground and walk away,” he said. “It’s not in its natural habitat so people need to be it receives water nutrients.”

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Tutu’s Corner

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

Tutu’s Corner

Community Contributed

Column by Tutu and Me

The road to literacy encompasses four aspects: listening, speaking, reading and writing.  Literacy is an important key to success, freedom and power.

Here at Tutu and Me, we will be discussing the importance of all four aspects of literacy.  We will begin with listening. Listening is the beginning of knowledge and communication.  Babies learn to speak their native language by listening. We learn about the world by listening to sounds of nature, to music, to sounds that comfort and sounds that signal danger.

At Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool, children will have many opportunities to practice listening, such as listening to stories, songs and directions at circle time, listening to activities at the listening center, and listening to conversations with adults and other children.

Try This at Home:
•    Truly listen and respond to your child’s questions and comments. Most children know when adults are “pretending” to be listening.
•    Turn off the television at meal times!
•    Read to your child every day, even if it’s just two to three minutes. This gives your child practice in listening to printed words, which is so critical to future reading success.
•    Play listening games: identifying sounds that you hear while walking, guessing whose family member’s vehicle is arriving home, guessing footsteps, guessing whose voice is on the telephone, speaking in whispers, etc.
•    Keep your child’s ears healthy!

Remember: Children who learn to listen well, have a head start on the road to literacy, learning and survival.

Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool is a program of Partners in Development Foundation.  Tutu and Me is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

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