Author Archives: Megan Stephenson

Less Water, More Money

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Although some farmers have noted it has been a wet summer so far, the Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) Advisory Board and the Department of Agriculture (DOA) say the island is in a drought – and have taken action to protect the precious water supply.

Water usage increased this year – up 17 percent from last summer – but the Kualapu`u reservoir is holding steady at 16 feet. Duane Okamoto, deputy chair of the state DOA, said customers have used 894,329,000 gallons so far this year.

The MIS board held its quarterly meeting last week to discuss year-to-date revenue, water usage and maintenance updates.

Something to Hold On To

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Something to Hold On To

By Linda DeGraw

Have you seen or received a Kissing Pillow?  Or are you one of the many stitchers who make Kissing Pillows for our Armed Forces and their families?

The Kissing Pillow project was started in Texas in 2004 and has blossomed across the United States and into Canada.  My son-in-law received a Kissing Pillow in 2008 during his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.  My sister in Miami, who belongs to the Royal Palm Chapter ANG (American Needlepoint Guild) and the Biscayne Chapter of Embroiders Guild of America (EGA), asked her group of stitchers to make a few pillows for members in our family then serving overseas.

When my daughter left for Afghanistan in January, I wanted her and her company to have the Kissing Pillows too. After first checking with our FRG (Family Readiness Group) chair, Michelle, she was excited by the idea and shared it with her husband, who was commander of the company. I called my sister and asked for her help, which included all of her stitching group (a big mahalo to you all).  There are 205 pillows finished mostly by the Royal Palm Chapter ANG and the Biscayne Chapter EGA to be sent to families and soldiers by our FRG Chair.

Everyone who hears about this project is excited.  There are so many people who would like to do something concrete for our service members but there is little they can do.  This was a project that makes it easy for people to give back.  This project is not about war.  It is about the loved ones left behind, especially the children.  There are so many soldiers all over the United States being deployed for service to our country.  The objective is to give the soldiers and each of his or her loved ones something to hold onto during the difficult months ahead.

Mahalo to everyone who has helped, especially Charline Souza, Michelle Montgomery, and Kerry Seibel.  And don’t forget to keep all our service personnel in your prayers.

Orchid Workshop Deux

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Orchid Workshop Deux

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

I’ll be presenting the second in a series of orchid workshops around the island, this time in the heart of Kaunakakai at the Kaunakakai School cafeteria on Wednesday, August 4 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. It will be a three-part workshop, including two power point presentations and an oral presentation and display.

The first presentation is entitled Big Island Orchid Production, from Hakalau to Mountain View. We’ll make stops at some of the major orchid operations on the east side of the Big Island growing oncidiums, odontoglossums, miltonias, cattleya, vanda, dendrobium, phalaenopsis, and some real exotic orchids such as Lycastes and Zygopetalums. The second presentation is entitled Dendrobium Families. Dendrobiums are the largest family of orchids and contain over 1,000 species, and I will focus on some familiar, such as Phalaenopsis and Ceratobium and not-so-familiar ones, such as Latouria, Formosae, and Eugananthe, and how to grow these. I will discuss cultural techniques, media, nutrition, pest control, and repotting, and will include a Dendrobium orchid display. There will be plenty of time to ask those burning questions. We will end the night with a lucky number drawing for orchid plants, books, and growing supplies.  The public is invited.

Classes are sponsored by the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Cooperative Extension Service. If you have special needs, please contact us 48 hours prior to the workshop.  For more information, please contact the UH Extension Office at 567-6929. See you there!

How to Save a Life

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Hawaii Life Flight has saved countless lives around the islands, but in life-threatening situations, they want local communities to be the first line of defense.

In that spirit, the emergency air medical service will provide a free CPR and First Aid training on Saturday, July 31, in the Molokai General Hospital (MGH) dining room.

Participants will practice CPR on inflatable mannequins that they will then be able to take home. Since this is not a certified class, practice will be essential to properly learn the skills.

It’s helpful “to learn the life saving skills should [someone] get into an emergency cardiac episode, so at least [you] have the knowledge,” said Kat Revuelto, Hawaii Life Flight’s business development manager.

Deborah Ann Mitchell

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Deborah Ann Mitchell, 62, of Kaunakakai, died on July 4, 2010 at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. She was born February 3, 1948 in Santa Monica, California. She is survived by her loving husband, Larry Mitchell, and daughter Rebecka Romano. Services were held on July 17, 2010 at Kapaakea Cemetery.

William “Billy” Neil Puaa Sr.

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

William “Billy” Neil Puaa Sr., 65, of Lahaina, Maui, died on July 16, 2010 at Maui Memorial Medical Center. He was born October 9, 1944 in Honolulu, and was a retired Heavy Equipment Operator from Goodfellow Brothers, Maui, and owner and operator of Carnation Shuttle, Lahaina, Maui.

He is survived by his wife, Wahineikawaiolaakane “Wahine” Puaa of Lahaina; sons Billy (Kim) Puaa Jr. of Kula; Ernest (Lisa) Puaa of Lahaina; daughters Tammy (Dwayne) Kalilikane of Lahaina; Charmaine (Jack) Cox of Lahaina; father Osamu Murakami of Molokai; 30 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Stop Molokai Ranch Windmills Petition

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

By Walter Ritte

Sherman Uaia Manuela Napoleon

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Sherman Uaia Manuela Napoleon, 75, of Kaunakakai, died on July 20, 2010 at the Molokai General Hospital. He was born on October 17, 1934 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was retired from the Hawaii State Department of Education. He served as Supervising Custodian for 37 years.

Luana Elizabeth Akana Hamakua

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Luana Elizabeth Akana Hamakua, 72, of Ho`olehua, died on July 19, 2010 at her home. She was born January 23, 1938 in Ho`olehua to Alfred and Emily Palapala. She retired from the Hawaii State Department of Education as a cook and was an active leader of the Hawaiian Homesteaders Association.

Oceanic Cable Internet Down on Molokai

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

UPDATE: Service to Oceanic Time Warner cable customers was restored after about 12 hours of internet and in some cases phone outage.The service went down 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27 after an undersea cable snapped, causing disruption state-wide.County of Maui offices also had trouble with their phones; Wailuku offices, DMVL, Real Property Tax and other offices with the 270 prefix are unable to receive or make phone calls. The 911 emergency line is not affected.Oceanic Time Warner is advising customers without internet to unplug the cable modem power cord for 30 seconds, and then replug.For more information or system updates, call (808) 625-8282.