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Visitors and residents alike will now be able to fly into some local art. Four artists were commissioned to create and display their artwork at the Ho`olehua Airport, breathing life into the blank canvas that was the terminal. From photography of a Molokai beach to a batik screen depicting Father Damien, all pieces are distinctly Molokai.
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In the same weekend that saw Molokai win at the Brown Bags to Stardom talent contest, the right-brained students of the high school and middle school also grabbed some top prizes at the Maui Schools’ Science and Engineering Fair, Jan. 27 through 29.
Sophomore Moriah Jenkins placed fifth for her project, “Life on Mars,” and freshmen Michael Kikukawa and Michael Onofrio won ninth for “Kiawe Ash Effect on Plant Growth.”
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With enthusiasm displayed on posters and T-shirts, Molokai turned out last week to watch 25 students representing four schools take the top places at Brown Bags to Stardom talent contest in Oahu.
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The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has become a regular guest at the Molokai Makahiki Games. Boats from surrounding islands have been making the trip to Kaunakakai for several years to take in the unique native Hawaiian customs.
This year, three boats made the journey and were offering tours to local residents throughout the day on Saturday. The Kiska from Hilo, the Kittiwake from Kauai and a small 45-foot response boat from Maui opened their decks to a steady stream of visitors.
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Last week, the Hawaii State legislature took a stand for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. In 2009, three seals were found dead and ruled to be intentional killings, two off of Kauai in April and May and the other off of Molokai on Dec. 14. One of the Kauai seal’s killer was arrested and convicted but spent 90 days in jail and paid a $25 fine. Molokai’s seal killer has not been found.
In the 50s and early 60s the County of Kauai had a population of 8-10,000 people. They managed their island just fine. Can Molokai become our own County? I say yes —keeping the same services as fire, police, and county services. There are more vehicles on the island today, more people will be visiting Molokai in the next five years, more want to live here, etc.
Molokai’s first Chinese New Year Parade last Monday celebrated two characteristics that parade organizer Mel Chung wants to bring to Molokai.
“It’s an auspicious year, it represents strength and unity,” Chung said. “It’s exactly what we need now with the current economic downturn.”
One of Molokai’s favorite local sons, Ekolu Kalama, is hitting the waves again for the Stand Up World Tour 2010. Sunset Beach Pro on the North Shore of Oahu starts on Feb. 6 and the trials go until Feb. 14.
Good luck Ekolu!
U.S. Census News Release
Hawaii’s local census offices are actively seeking to hire more than 3000 temporary workers to assist in the effort of counting the state’s population for the 2010 census. The jobs, ranging from census takers, enumerators, crew leaders and crew assistants pay from $12.75 to $20 an hour for up to 40 hours per week, for as long as two months.
The recruitment office is seeking approximately 30 positions on Molokai. The last day to apply and test for the job is Monday, Feb. 8. To apply, call 1-866-861-2010, and instructions about when and where the test site is will be given.
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In the wake of St. Damien’s canonization last October, the focus in Kalaupapa has shifted from the settlement’s past to its future. With an aging population of surviving Hansen’s disease patients, the state is in the process of deciding what will happen to the land when patients no longer live there.
Senator Kalani English and Senate President Colleen Hanabusa introduced a bill last week that, if passed, could eventually turn the history-rich peninsula into land controlled by a Hawaiian governing entity. The bill’s main purpose is to set up a plan for governing the settlement when all of the patients have passed away. However, if the United States Congress ever recognizes an independent Hawaiian government, the land would belong to that group.
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