Author Archives: Megan Stephenson

Moloka’i Energy Efficiency Incentives and Rebates

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Community Contributed

News Briefs

Monday, April 26th, 2010

News Briefs

Marching to the Band The Hawaii

All-State Marching Band has been selected to perform in the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The All-State band, composed of high school band students from across the state, will represent Hawaii in the world-famous holiday spectacular with their fantastic musical, marching and cultural artistry. The Hawaii All-State Marching Band is one of 10 bands selected for the 2011 Parade out of more than 150 applicants nationwide. The superior musical ability, marching and performance skills the group has displayed under the leadership of John Riggle and his team won them a slot in the legendary Parade that will see them step into the

Ahoy Pirates!

Thousands lined up in front of the Waikiki Community Center to apply as extras for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Some of them got there as early as 2 a.m. Sande Alessi Casting of California started early last Saturday morning in its call for hundreds of extras in the fourth installment of the Disney action-adventure film series starring Johnny Depp. The film seeks men to play pirates, sailors and stand-ins, including authentic-looking scavenger types ages 18 to 60 of all ethnicities. It seeks men who are thin, tall, short or emaciated as well as those with huge noses, lazy eyes, grizzled and wrinkled faces, odd body types and missing limbs and teeth. The "Pirates" film will be shot on Kauai and Oahu this summer, wrapping up some time in August. The film is slated for release in summer 2011.

Baseball Finishes Strong

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Baseball Finishes Strong

Molokai High School’s baseball team wrapped up its season last weekend with two wins in its triple-game series against Seabury Hall at Duke Maliu Regional Park – awarding the team second place in the final Division II standings.

The Farmers beat out the Spartans Friday evening by one run, lost by one run the following day, 8-7, and then recaptured the lead in their second Saturday game, winning 18-11.

“It was well played by both teams,” said Coach Steve Trout, a former major league pitcher. “We have respect for what Seabury has done, and they have respect for us.”

In Molokai’s final blowout game on Saturday, the farmers took a 6-0 lead after only one inning, then fell behind 10-7 in the top of the third, only to regain victory shortly thereafter.

“That was a really exciting game,” added Trout. “We showed what we practiced.”

In the last game of the triple header, Molokai's Ehukai Rawlins scored twice and drove in three runs, while Jubilee Tabilangan gained three runs and a ‘runs batted in’, and Shaquille Rapanot scored twice and drove in one run.

is about the same,” Augustiro said. “I’m expecting to see about the same results.”

1.5 Million for Kainalu

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department approved a $1.5 million grant last week for the acquisition of a perpetual conservation easement on Molokai’s east end. The Kainalu watershed area covers 614 acres and is home to many threatened, endangered and native species.

The proposed acquisition is still in the early stages of negotiation, according to land owner Kip Dunbar. He said an appraisal has not yet been completed, and no agreements or conditions have even been discussed. Negotiations would primarily take place between Dunbar’s family and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Dunbar said. He added he is waiting to find out the land’s value from the appraisal before moving forward.

Saving Molokai, One Seed at a Time

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Submitted by Ka`ano Seed Project

What are those Molokai seed bank people up to? We have a garden plot established on Joe Kennedy’s farm on the east side of MCC road. Our first crops of cucumber and okra have been harvested for seed. Three kinds of lettuce are ready for seed harvest.
Lima beans, yellow wax beans, cabbage, peppers and tomatoes are growing well and look like a good seed harvest to come.
We try to gather at the garden plot at 4 p.m. on Thursdays to work together – planting, weeding, watering, harvesting and talking story. Join us. Call Jade 553-4843

End of the Winding Road

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

End of the Winding Road

By Ted Kanemitsu and Lisa Davis

The following is the ending of Ted and Lisa recounting their Trans America Bicycle Route journey last year.
This route basically follows the settlement of the early pioneers as they made their way west. History stared us in the eye as we visited numerous historical sites along the way. We met direct descendents of settlers who have live on the same land since there were still Indians living free. I never realized how little I knew about American history until this trip. I knew more about Kamehameha than I knew about Lincoln. And you’re right, it is embarrassing. It seems that Lincoln did a lot more than just make it on to the face of the penny and the five dollar bill.

Of course there were some scary parts to this journey as well, tension did get pretty high on occasions. I recall sitting in my tent one evening in Kentucky during the worst thunder storm in history. Well, that’s how it felt to me at the time. I knew without a doubt that my life would end that night, no questions asked. The next morning, I asked the camp manager what he thought of the horrendous thunder storm. His reply? “Oh, that’s about normal for this time of the year.” I guess I’ve lived a sheltered life.

Then there was this car that rear-ended an SUV no more than twelve or fifteen feet next to me. Talk about an eye opener. And this was less than a half hour into the ride on the very first day. I also caused a pickup truck to swerve off the road on a winding and hilly climb, nearly catapulting the driver off a cliff when a bus tried to pass me from behind around a blind turn in the pouring rain. The bus didn’t even stop, leaving me to assist the victim.

I was also hit on the head by a piece of coal from a passing truck going 90 miles an hour on a two lane road with no shoulder, thank God for helmets. And did I mention almost being attacked by a bear in the middle of nowhere? He could have been on top me in less time than it would take for me to spell my last name backwards. Then there was the encounter with a rattle snake that I thought was dead, only to have it raise it’s head near inches from my leg as I almost rode over it. Apparently they like to lie on the road to warm themselves up in the morning and evening hours. And beer bottles. It’s a good thing people don’t practice throwing beer bottles at cyclists, or we would have probably been hit ourselves. These are but a few of the near misses we faced. Any way, there is no doubt in my mind, that the Lord was working over time making sure that Lisa and I were safe.

During our adventure, I had managed to take over 5,000 pictures. 5,387 of them to be exact. These will stay with me for as long as I live. I have written a coffee table book on our journey. It’s the only one of its kind in the world, I think. I would be more than happy to share it with anyone who is interested in taking the time to look it over.

After it was all said and done, and the immensity of the whole thing set in. The realization of what we had accomplished sunk in. Yes, it was a big deal. The thousands of miles ridden in preparation, as well as the amount of time and money invested, truly made for a worth while experience. In the end, we traveled a total of 13,055.5 miles via various modes of transportation from the time we left Molokai in May, till our return three months later.

An experience like this changes a person. It changes the way we see things. It reminds us of how fortunate we are to have what we have, and to be able to live in what I consider to be the most beautiful place in the world. We take for granted what God has given us, and complain way too much about little things that don’t even matter. A mountain is only as big as you make
it. And with enough desire, and willingness, we are able to accomplish just about anything. Including, riding a bike across America. We took one day at a time, and stopped often to enjoy what the journey was all about. In the end, it left us wanting more. Thank you so much for sharing our journey with us.

Mahalo Molokai, for all your prayers and support.

Oldies and Goodies

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Oldies and Goodies

This year’s 8th Annual Molokai Senior Fair was held at Home Pumehana, to raise awareness for kupuna and their caregivers by introducing them to agencies from Oahu and Molokai. The meet-up provided attendees an opportunity to discover various services.

The event was coordinated by Hale Maha’olu, Alu Like, and M.E.O. Emcee Kaui Manera of the Alu Like program joyfully kept the kupuna motivated and entertained with beautiful Hawaiian music and hula throughout the day.

Home Pumehana’s Jersula Manaba and executive director of Hale Maha’olu, Roy Katsuda, mentioned that many of the kupuna, who once came to grab ‘free stuff’, have found themselves gathering and utilizing the information from the many different agencies and have discovered that there are great opportunities out there.

Mirth for the Earth

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Mirth for the Earth

The 18th annual Molokai Earth Day celebration had a special guest this year – a giant o`opu – that entertained the crowd and raised awareness about Molokai’s rare species. Begun in 1993, Molokai Earth Day has become one of the island’s most popular annual events, hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). This year also marked the 40th  anniversary of the celebration nation-wide.

Held at Mitchell Pauole Center last Friday evening, Earth Day brought hundreds of attendees, young and old. Booths from local and national organizations, who are working on the island to help preserve the environment, educated attendees about their activities and what people can do for the earth. Smokey the Bear, a mascot for forest fire prevention, also made a guest appearance.

More Shark Attacks?

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

As an ex-commercial fisherperson who watched and spoke to people who fished during eth tsunami, I am concerned for those who may casually enter the water thinking things may be the same as usual.

Molokai Vets: Yes You Can Build But Wait….

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Four and half years of the permit process with Maui and Molokai planners…hearings, meetings, discussions, on and on.  Finally we got the green light to build.  Four and half months ago we started prepping our property to build a 3,100 sq. ft. Veteran Center Museum.  In the last three months we are now in limbo waiting for our building permit.  All departments in the County of Maui have signed off except for the Water Department.