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Author Archives: Megan Stephenson

New Kalaniana’ole Hall Opens its Doors

Friday, February 26th, 2010

New Kalaniana’ole Hall Opens its Doors

Upon completion of Kalaniana'ole Hall's restoration efforts, several Molokai community members gathered to witness its blessing on Tuesday, Feb. 9 in Kalama'ula.

Plans to renovate the historic building were first brought forth in 2003. The organization Friends of Kalaniana'ole immediately jumped on board with financial support, mustering grants from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Molokai Enterprise Community (EC), as well as help from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, Lokahi Pacific and other groups.

is going to be used for meetings and funerals," Venenciano said. "It's what it was used for in the past, so we need to stay close to that and retain that value."

Originally, the historic Kalaniana'ole Hall, built in 1937, was used for funeral services, overnight vigils and 'ohana viewings, as well as parties, weddings, hula contests and weekend movies. In 2003 its significant history was addressed when the state recognized the hall in the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.

Since its opening, the hall has already been used a few times by the community. On Jan. 7, Kalaniana'ole Hall was used by the USDA Rural Development during its roundtable discussion with Molokai residents regarding the economy. Stacy Crivello, a member of the EC Governance Board, said in a statement that it was appropriate for the USDA to utilize the hall because of its contributions to the renovation.

As for its future, Venenciano sees it as a refreshing continuation of a historical entity.

"It is a celebration of our history," he said.


Special Mahalo To:
 
Ke Aupuni Lokahi Board of Directors and Staff; Hale O Na Ali'i O Hawaii Halau O Kawananakoa; Board of Trustees, Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Mr. Albert Tiberi, Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Mr. William Akutagawa, Friends of Kalaniana'ole; Mr. Hardy Spoehr, Community Development Pacific; Mr. Glenn Mason, Mason Architects; Mr. Lester Delos Reyes, Hawaii National Guard; Ms. Kamaile Sombelon, Lokahi Pacific; Mr. Fred Bailey and Sons Electric, Contractor; Mr. Sandy Stein, Contractor; Ms. Irene Lam, USDA Rural Development; Mr. Darrel Yagodich, DHHL, Planning Department; Mr. George Maioho, Mr. Larry Sagario and DHHL Staff; Mr. Steven Arce, COM, Public Works; Mr. Peter Nicholas, Molokai Properties Ltd., Mr. Adolph Helm, Mycrogen Seed Company; Order of Kamehameha, Maui Chapter; Kalama'ula Homestead Association; Mr. Richard & Mrs. Kanani Negrillo & O'hana; Mr. Henry & Mrs. Rose-Allen Paleka; Mr. Brent Davis, Davis & Sons; and Mr. Dolphin Pawn, Akamai Tree Trimming.

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Molokai Is…Week 1 — Voting Over

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Molokai Is…Week 1 — Voting Over

UPDATE -- Last week, we asked you to define Molokai in your own words. Surprisingly there were as many entries from off-island as there were locally. So who won this week’s competition? It’s up to you. Vote for your favorite response in the comments below. Vote now for Ko`i, Donald, Derek or Marvalee. The winner will be announced in next week’s paper. Voting ends Fridays at midnight.

Marvalee Leilani Wright Lin Kee, Maui
Moloka’i is….home
Home is where your heart can rest,
And feel the peaceful love….
Home is where Ohana gather,
to praise the Lord above….
Home is where we lay our head,
And feel the love surround….,
Home is Moloka’i,
Its equal not yet found….


Want to share your ideas about what Molokai means to you and potentially win $50 to the Kualapu`u Cookhouse? The contest continues… One winner per week selected by Molokai Dispatch readers. Each submission must include the full name, phone number, and photo of the contestant. Kids, ask your parents or teachers for permission. The Molokai Dispatch reserves the right to edit and print all submissions. Submit entries via email (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!

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Hula Babies and Kupuna Dance Together

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Hula Babies and Kupuna Dance Together

Moana Dudoit shared something her mother told her over 50 years ago. “Remember, you didn’t get your talent from me, or your dad – you got it from God,” Moana said to the crowd of over 800 on Saturday night, gathered at Mitchell Pauole Center for her annual hula halau fundraiser. “Share your talent for free.”

And so Moana shared. She began a hula halau for her family, but it soon evolved into a group that anyone could join. Over 100 of her dancer’s came back to the stage, some from off island, for last Saturday’s annual dinner and dance fundraiser, performing ancient chants, hula, and the always show-stopping Tahitian-style dancing.

Missed the performance? While it might not be as extravagant as last week’s performance Moana’s Hula Halau performs every Wednesday night at Hotel Molokai, free of charge.

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With a Song to Share

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

With a Song to Share

Community Contributed

By Diane Abraham

We are indeed blessed on Molokai. The natural beauty all around us is only sweetened by the people who call this `aina their home. Lono, with his musical talent and mana`o, is one such person.

Recently, the fourth graders of Kualapu`u School have been graced by his generosity. Crowding 62 nine and ten-year old haumanu into Ms. Abraham’s classroom, the keiki have learned a mele about our favorite monk seal, KP2. KP2, which stands for Kauai Pup Two (Pup one from the same mother was likewise abandoned at birth and died shortly thereafter), has properly been given a Hawaiian name: Ho’ailona.

Lono’s song about this punahele pup has filled our hearts, our ears, our voices and our class.

Mahalo to this awesome man who shows that one person can make a difference: in this case, in not just one life but in the lives of 62 young people, and no doubt, their three teachers!

There’s even a sweet touch: at a presentation in Honolulu of Ho’ailona, Lono played the recording he made of the children singing the chorus (hui) while he sang the verses. The audience and moderators were brought to tears by the sweet singing of the Kualapu`u haumanu. The recording has been aired on the radio (FM 102.3)…keep listening! How wonderful that Lono has opened this opportunity for the young people of Molokai to express themselves in song. One never knows what the future holds; we can only do what Lono has done: seize the moment and let Akua chart the course.   

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Invasive Diseases

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Invasive Diseases

Community Contributed

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

The term ‘invasive species’ usually conjures up images of a new weed choking out our native forests or a new animal like the coqui frog chirping and keeping you up at night, but there are also diseases that if allowed to enter Hawaii can create havoc on our crops. One such disease has arrived, but not yet on Molokai.

The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus or TYLCV in one of the most devastating diseases of tomato and was first found in the Mediterranean. It has since found its way to the US via the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Florida, and California. In Hawaii, it was recently found on North Shore, Oahu and Wailuku, Maui. Most likely, TYLCV arrived with an infected plant. The disease causes stunting of the plant and leaves, and causes a yellow curled or wrinkled edge on leaves. The leaf margins will curl upward, giving them a cup-like appearance, but the worst of all is the flowers will drop off before maturing. Without flowers, you have no fruit.

TYLCV is spread by two species of whiteflies, the sweetpotato and silver leaf whitefly, both of which are already found on Molokai. Once whiteflies feed on an infected plant, they’re able to infect plants for their entire life, and are known to move in the wind. Many members of the tomato family, including eggplant, pepper, and potato can be infected but remain healthy in appearance. Beans are also a host and will sometimes display symptoms.

Management of TYLCV usually involves removing diseased plants, and controlling weedy members of the tomato family, including popolo or night shade, kikania, and apple of peru, among others. Controlling whiteflies in crops is also important. With the early discovery of this disease, many TYLCV resistant varieties have been developed and are being tested in Hawaii. Some of the seed companies developing TYLCV resistant varieties including BHN Seed, Golden Valley Seed, Sakata Seed, Seminis Seed, and Israeli seed companies Hazera,  Zeraim Gedera, and Nirit Seed. For more information, you can download a free publication on disease at UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website.

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Molokai LEOs Recognized for Commitment of Service

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Molokai LEOs Recognized for Commitment of Service

The Molokai High LEO Club has won first place in the state in the Small LEO Club category for 2009-2010. This is the first time the MHS LEO club has received this recognition.  LEO Club stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity, and is a youth division of the International Lion’s Club. The criteria the board considered was amount of community services done, the quality of the projects, and the amount of participation in state LEO committees. This year the MHS LEO Club’s theme was “LEOs standing not behind you or in front of you but by your side.”  The MHS LEO club focused on starting a recycling program at the high school.  Congratulations to the following members:

Abigail Adachi, Akona Adolpho, Abbigale Adolpho, Isreal Adolpho, Chenoa Ahuna-Kaai, Petrisha Alvarez, Herbert Antolin, Crystalene Antonio, Dohna Bicoy, Camille Borden, Rebecca Carpenter, Christina Carpenter, Jamie Duvachelle, Lesley Escobar, Francine Feig, David Gomes, Durand Jones, Katherine Kendall, Michael Kikukawa, Charisse Manley, Healani Mawae Mollena, Kerianne Mokuau, Melody Ocampo, Mike Onofrio, Candice Pauole, Crystal Puaoi-Kawai, Kawena Puhi, Cristina Rabino, Mahailia Rapanot-McGuire, Kesha Reyes, Denichel Ruiz, Darianne Ruiz, Susan Smith, Michal Torres-Umi, Louisa Torres-Umi, Kalani Wainwright, Tarren Wakuta, Aloha Will, Joe Yamamoto.

Julie De George and Malia Lee, Club Advisors.

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Me ke aloha pumehana

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The Hui Makua o Punana Leo o Molokai would like to thank the following families for their treless support of our program in assisting with our annual Hulihuli Chicken Sale: `Ohana Jerry Mina, `Ohana Dennis Kamakana, `Ohana Roger Apuna, `Ohana Brian Naeole, Hotel Molokai – General Manager Mike Drew, `Ohana Bob Alcon, `Ohana Na`ehu/Simms, `Ohana Kaleo Bishaw, `Ohana Pa-Kala, `Ohana Irene Tancayo, Kualapuu School Kitchen Krew; and of course our own Hui: `Ohana Kamalu Purdy, `Ohana Na`iwa Pescaia, `Ohana Nai`a Nae`ole-Starkey, `Ohana Bodhi Auchenbach, `Ohana Makakoa Lu`uloa, `Ohana Hokuao Arce, `Ohana Miliopuna Davis, `Ohana `Aina Galam, `Ohana Teaho Peopeo, `Ohana `Ohi`aku Ritte-Camara-Tangonan, `Ohana Kamalua Arce, `Ohana Laiku Davis, `Ohana Kalamaku Han, `Ohana Kekai Simms, `Ohana Ka`oli

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Kale`a Jade

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Kale`a Jade

Proud parents Frank Keoni Castro and Kekai Tapuro, her twin brothers, Kekoa and Kaiea, welcome their new sister, Kale`a Jade, on January 28, 2010. she weighed 6 lbs 12 oz, 19 inches long. Her grandparents, Frank Castro and Joyce Woolsey and Josedino and Malia Tapuro of Maui also welcome the bundle of joy. Tutu Marshelle Castro of Molokai is grateful for her first granddaughter after five grandsons, Tre, Ryder, Rhys, Kekoa and Kaiea.



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Caucuses Assemble as Election Time Nears Closer

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

It’s that time of year – a time of unison, division, banners swaying and button-adorning T-shirts. Yes, election time is coming.

And for those who wish to participate, party caucuses for the statewide office and Congress election will be held at various sites around Molokai next week.

The Maui County democratic caucus will be held on Wednesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at four locations on Molokai: Kilohana Hall, Kualapu`u Hall, Mitchell Pauole Center and Maunaloa Community Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Participators of the democratic caucus must be registered to vote and signed up as a member of the party. To register to vote online or join the party, visit the Maui Democrats website.
 

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Akaka Bill Moves Forward

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Akaka Bill Moves Forward

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka Bill. The vote was 245 to 164.

Authored by Sen. Daniel Akaka, the bill would allow Native Hawaiians to form their own government and negotiate with the United States on a sovereign level.

"The passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act is an important milestone for all the people of Hawaii," Akaka wrote in a statement released Tuesday. “We have a moral obligation, unfulfilled since the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani, that we are closer to meeting today. I thank and congratulate Reps. (Neil) Abercrombie and (Mazie) Hirono for their leadership and work to bring about today’s successful vote. Neil’s unwavering support for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians over the past decade is greatly appreciated. I am optimistic about bringing the bill to the Senate floor this year.”

Gov. Linda Lingle finds the bill unfair to non-Hawaiians living in Hawaii.

 “Although I believe the original plan to negotiate first makes more sense, my administration has tried to work with the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation on the new structure to establish governing powers first, with negotiations to follow. Ultimately, although we had good and productive discussions, the current draft of the bill is not one I can support,” Lingle wrote in a statement released before the House vote.

 “Though the Governor had some reservations, I am certain that the bill protects the interests of all the people in Hawaii.  The bill passed today specifically says ‘members of the Native Hawaiian governing entity will continue to be subject to the civil and criminal jurisdiction of Federal and State courts.’   The native governing entity cannot regulate non-Hawaiians.  The native governing entity will need to enter into negotiations with the State of Hawaii and the United States, and all three parties will want to be in good standing and comply with existing law.  Any agreements on transfers of authority or land will require the approval of the state legislature” Akaka said.

The bill is now in the Senate for debate and vote.

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