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Author Archives: Megan Stephenson

Rest in Peace

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Rest in Peace

The humpback whale that was found at Hale O Lono Harbor last week is there to stay. Due to the decomposed nature of the recently found humpback whale at Hale O Lono Harbor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials say it is too difficult to move for study, and are letting “nature take is course.”

NOAA officials wish to remind the public that even deceased animals are protected under marine mammal species act and some under the endangered species act, so scavenging for bones is not permitted.

This does not mean, however, they are abandoning the whale. A team came in last week to view the deceased marine mammal and collect samples. David Schofield, stranded marine animal coordinator for NOAA, said blubber and muscle samples were taken, but scientists were unable to take a bone sample, which could have narrowed down if the whale was hit by a boat.

“It was a large whale, potentially hit by a boat, and we want the bones in place so in the future we can look for fractures,” he said. “There are some areas that are suspect but we can’t tell until we look at the skeleton.”

Tissue samples would have narrowed down if the whale was struck by disease or a bacterial infection, but were also compromised by the level of decomposition. A cause of death has not been determined.

The whale was approximately 30 feet in length and was found a week and a half ago. Due to its condition, officials estimate it had been beached for longer and stress that it is important people call NOAA when they find a stranded marine mammal at 1-888-256-9840.

Diane Pike is NOAA’s lead response volunteer on Molokai, and will be monitoring the whale several times a week to view its decomposition rates. She said sharks most likely will not be a problem as the whale “breaks apart,” because sharks are less interested in older carcasses.

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Education Tops Molokai Reps List

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Education Tops Molokai Reps List

As we near the middle of this year’s legislative session, many bills important to Molokai have picked up steam while others fell to the wayside. Rep. Mele Carroll lost out on her civil unions bill, but Sen. Kalani English has many bills focused on the education on Molokai.

Bills are usually referred to two or three committees when introduced, according to the Hawaii Public Access Room (PAR), a government agency that provides information to the public about the legislature. If the bill did not reach its last committee by Feb. 26, called the First Decking, it is dead for the session.

Here is a breakdown of some of the bills important to Molokai introduced by state representatives.

Rep. Carroll, (D) 13th District
•    Capital Improvement Projects: Money was secured last year for many important infrastructural projects on Molokai, including $3.5 million for repairs to the Molokai Irrigation System, $1 million for Molokai Ohana Health Care and $500,000 toward land acquisition for Maui Community College – Molokai Campus. Carroll is currently working on releasing that money.
•    Hawaiian Home Lands: Gaming (HB2759). Authorizes the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) to allow gaming on Hawaiian Homelands. Carroll said she wanted to start a “conversation” about a way to generate a continual source of revenue. All the money would be reinvested in the community, and a commission within the homelands would regulate the gaming. Did not pass through Committee on Finance.
•    Closure and consolidation of schools (HB2974). Prohibits a school’s closure due to inadequate funding under the weighted school formula. Specifically prohibits the closure of Maunaloa Elementary School. Did not pass through Committee on Education or Committee on Finance.
•    Instructional days at public schools (HB2486). Companion to Senate Bill 2336. Establishes a minimum number of instructional hours per school year beginning in 2011-2012 school year. The bill passed through all required committees and went to a vote on Mar. 2.
•    Civil Unions (HB444). Extends the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners in a civil union. Passed in Senate, but postponed indefinitely by House on Jan. 29.


Anyone wishing to learn more about these and the representatives’ many other bills, visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov. To submit testimony to a hearing, or to let Carroll and English know of questions and concerns, call their offices at 1-800-468-4644: Carroll ext. 66790; English ext. 77225.



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U.S. Census Road Tour – Molokai

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

U.S. Census Road Tour – Molokai

2010 Census questionnaires will be mailed beginning March 15-17. Residents are encouraged to mail back the questionnaires by Census Day on April 1. In early April, census takers will go door to door to assist residents who did not mail back their questionnaire.

For those without mailboxes, the Hawaii Counts 2010 Census Road Tour is making four stops on Molokai this week.

March 4 at 11 a.m.
Molokai High School – Principal Denise Kelley
Point Person: Student Activities Lisa Takada
denise_kelly/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us
lisa_takada/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

March 4 at 1 p.m.
Maunaloa Elementary – Principal joe Yamamoto
joe_yamamoto/MAUNALOA/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

March 5 at 9 a.m.
Mana`e Goods and Grindz – Kehau Ward
ckward1@yahoo.com

March 6 at 9 a.m.
Molokai Middle School’s Annual Bazaar - `Iolani Ku`oha
iolani_kuoha/MOLOKAIM/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

Questions? Contact those above, or U.S. Census Bureau Hawaii Media Specialist Roberta Wong Murray 960-1252
Molokai 2010 Census Complete Count Committee Chair `Iolani Ku`oha, c/o Moloka'i Middle School. Call (c) 336-1359, (w) 567-6940.

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Fee Increase in West Molokai

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The West Molokai Association has announced that they have raised maintenance fees on all properties in the West Molokai development by 666%! WMA is a homeowners association which has no common property to maintain, only has to hold an annual meeting, several board meetings and operate the Design Committee. It encompasses all of the 800-plus dwellings and lots in the Kaluakoi area.

In a time of dire financial hardship, this reckless move is unconscionable. Many property owners in the development are retired and living on fixed incomes and many more are struggling with tight budgets due to the current hard times.

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Broken Promises by the Legislature

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

From the Territorial Government to the present, politicians elected to serve their communities have consistently overspent.  This forces them to come up with “creative” ideas to supplement their shortfalls when the economy eventually sours. 

They wouldn’t have to look far if they simply managed ceded (Native Hawaiian) lands properly.  For example, politicians have leased ceded lands to their friends for as little as a dollar a year.  Thousands of acres of land have been leased out by the state to businesses with these kinds of insider deals.  And they wonder why these lands aren’t generating revenues. 

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Aunty’s Corner

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Aloha Aunty Here,
I am continually impressed by the Leo Club at the high school.  They come around to our doors at Home Pumehana every holiday with either goodies or hand made cards.  It really makes my day.  No matter what people say about teenagers, these kids are a great example for our future.  Mahalo, you made an ol’ aunty happy.

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DHS Confirm Cuts

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The Department of Human Resources (DHS) held a legislative briefing last week in which director Lillian Koller confirmed the closure of 31 offices statewide and elimination of 232 positions. Molokai’s office will be among the cuts.

Neither DHS or its employees’ union, Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), could confirm when these closures will take place.

“Nothing is ever final until we have discussions with [HGEA],” said Toni Schwartz, communications officer for DHS.

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The Big Wave That Didn’t

Monday, March 1st, 2010

The Big Wave That Didn’t

As sirens rang out along the coastline last Saturday morning, hundreds of residents packed up their cars and families, hit the store for supplies filled up on gas, and headed for the hills.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning at 12:46 a.m. on Feb. 27 following an 8.8 earthquake in Chile. Government agencies – county, state and federal – began implementing evacuation plans, safety and security along shorelines, and informing the public of the pace of the storm through the media.

operation went very well,” Teixeira said, adding that as of 10:30 that night, no damages or injuries related to the tsunami event had been reported to Civil Defense.

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Molokai Is…Week 2 — VOTE NOW!

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Molokai Is…Week 2 — VOTE NOW!

We have our first winner for the Molokai Is… contest: Ko’i’ula Davis! The 10-year-old Kualapu’u School student received the most online and call-in votes for her short and sweet essay about her home island. Congratulations to her, and to all the contestants; everyone submitted unique and motivating pieces.

This week we have four more entries, including mana’o from the kindergartners of Kaunakakai Elementary. Vote for your favorite by logging in to www.TheMolokaiDispatch.com, emailing to editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com, or leaving a message at 552-2781. Voting ends on Friday, March 5, at midnight.

Remember, if you’d like to enter your own ‘Molokai Is…,’ submit poetry or other writing in 150 words or less, photography or another piece of art that defines this island for you. Include your full name, phone number, and a photo, and submit to editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com, in person at our Kaunakakai office (Moore building suite 5 – we can take your photo), or by snail mail (PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI 96748). Mmm, mmm – thanks Kualapu`u Cookhouse!

Joseph Barno

If aloha was a place, it would be called Molokai. The beauty of the land and the beauty of its people is beyond compare. It is the smile on the faces you pass on the street, the hand waving as you pass on the road. It is the ‘talk story’ at the Friendly Market checkout line and no one gets impatient. We are all a big family, different races, different family combinations but still a family, a loving brotherhood of people. Thank God for Molokai!

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Shawn Loann Vernon

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Shawn Loann Vernon

Shawn Loann Vernon, 63, of Ualapue Molokai died February 17, 2010 in her home in Ualapue. She was born February 6, 1947 in Jersey City, New Jersey. She is survived by sons Luther “Dan” (Holly) Hemme of Anchorage, Alaska, Scott Herald of Lockport, New York, and two grandchildren, Brian and Kirsten. Friends gathered at a memorial service at noon on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Wavecrest Condominium cabana in Ualapue, Molokai. Scattering of her ashes followed.

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