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Author Archives: Todd Yamashita

Oh how I loved those green-tailed airplanes

Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

The end of an era in Molokai’s history
 

As a five year old, the act of boarding an Air Molokai airplane may as well have been the same as stepping into to a transporter that could beam me to another planet. It meant I was on my way to Honolulu where there were Happy Meals, Chuck E Cheeses, Ice Capades, Castle Park, and the movies.

But the excitement for these material things would subside as fast as the plane left the ground. As the earth receded, I would marvel at how my family members, waving from their parked car to the side of the runway, would quickly turn to the size of ants. Even the houses that dotted the Ho`olehua homesteads quickly turned to specs.

The view from the air afforded me a world that was a sublime mix of fantasy and reality. Some Air Molokai pilots seemed to prefer flying just over the tops of the cloud line. This provided the perfect vantage point for my fruitful imagination; I always thought of how fun it would be to jump from one billowy cloud to another and wondered if that’s what angels did all day.

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Colette Machado, enough is enough

Wednesday, March 21st, 2007

Colette Machado is known for being a bulldog when it comes to fighting for Hawaiian rights. Whether it is alongside activists halting cruise ships from visiting Molokai, or tenaciously acquiring grants and other resources for the community, Colette Machado has proven herself an effective leader.

Her seats, as trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), President of the newly formed Molokai Land Trust, and board member on the Molokai Enterprise Community (EC) demonstrate her determined spirit and commitment to leadership.

But anyone who has fought alongside, or, heaven forbid, fought against Colette Machado, knows that her style of communication can sometimes be characterized as loud, outspoken and, in many cases, rude. Colette Machado’s blunt nature, though sometimes effective in argumentative situations, can be one of her greatest weaknesses, especially when her position requires her to represent the wishes of others.

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The First Annual Molokai Ohana 70’s Surf Meet

Sunday, March 4th, 2007

The Contest is On!
March 4th, 2007 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kaluakoi Beach, West End Molokai

The Molokai Ohana Surf Club (MOSC) is holding its first annual surf contest, the Molokai Ohana Surf Meet, this Sunday!

100% of proceeds generated from the event will go towards the startup of MOSC. 

Judged on style and costume, the event itself is designed to promote the fun of surfing in a family environment. Contestants are encouraged to surf with their own original style in the spirit of the seventies - aggressive and competitive attitudes not needed. May the surfer who has the most fun win! 

Musical sensation and Molokai boy, Sashamon, will be a featured musical guest as well as a competitor at this year’s competition.  

In the spirit of the seventies, George Helm and Kimo Mitchell, the legendary activists who gave their lives for Kaho`olawe and environment, will also be remembered and honored at this year’s surf meet. It will be exactly 30 years this March 7th since both men disappeared swimming of between Maui and Kaho`olawe. 

MOSC has recently registered with the state to become Molokai’s newest non-profit club. The MOSC mission is to provide Molokai youth and young adults with healthy and safe opportunities through surfing and water sports while perpetuating the Hawaiian values of malama `aina, malama ke kai, and aloha ohana. Future goals for MOSC’s fiscal year include:

  • A membership of 20 youth, and 20 non-youth supporters
  • Acquisition of surfboards, bodyboards and other surf equipment including matching team apparel.
  • Providing after-school and weekend surf sessions at least once a week during the winter surf season.
  • Water safety and CPR certification for all MOSC officers and at least 50% of its youth members.
  • Four or more organized beach cleanups.
  • At least two mentoring sessions with professional surfers and other role models.
  • Hosting one or more winter surf contests and
  • The building of partnerships with similar organizations

 To date, MOSC has acquired a donated van, has organized its first surf meet, and received in-kind donations. We greatly appreciate any further contribution of goods or services made to MOSC. 

For more information, contact founders Noelani Lee and Todd Yamashita at 808-552-2781, Clint and Loretta Labrador at 808-553-8070

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Dispatch Editor submits comment on Molokai Ranch’s proposed development of La`au Point

Friday, February 23rd, 2007

- edited 3/12/07 

Finally, in section 4.2.4 of the DEIS, facilitator Davianna McGregor’s own findings support the fact that residents are not for the plan: “In general, of those people that were interviewed for the cultural impact assessment and those who came to cultural assessment community meetings, many expressed reservations about the proposed development. There were no enthusiastic advocates and the most vocal were opposed to the development.” 

There is overwhelming proof that the Molokai Community does not support the development of La`au Point. Both MPL CEO, Peter Nicholas, and Public Relations Manager, John Sabas, need to stay true to their promises to the Molokai people and rethink their plans for La`au Point. Todd Yamashita – Molokai Dispatch Editor in Chief

Comments on Molokai Ranch’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) were due today. The DEIS outlines possible environmental, social and cultural issues associated with the ranch’s proposed development of La`au Point.  

The comments will be included and addressed in the final impact statement which Molokai Ranch will submit to the State Land Use Commission (LUC). Depending on the accuracy and depth of document, the LUC will either decide for or against changing designation of the La`au project area from agriculture to rural. 

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Molokai Residents: Prepare to go to the Polls

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007

On Wednesday, January 31st the selection of two of Molokai Enterprise Community’s (EC) ten board members will be decided by a public vote.

 

At almost a decade old, the EC has mounting political inertia and self-proclaimed representation of the community. Whether or not EC leadership has produced what was to be expected of an agency responsible for growth and revitalization of the community, moving forward with well selected board members continues to be paramount for a community set on charting its own course.

 

This year’s election coincides with a controversial issue that virtually every person on Molokai is familiar with: the EC’s endorsement of the Master Land Use Plan for development of La`au Point.

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Anti-development group makes headway

Thursday, January 18th, 2007

Whether they’re writing environmental agencies to protect Hawaiian monk seals or asking county council members to restructure hearing schedules, the group of people who meet every Tuesday at Kulana `Oiwi are focused on one thing: halting the proposed development of La`au Point and the irreversible environmental impacts that would come with it.
Their most recent efforts, writing letters to request an extension to the comment period of Molokai Ranch’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), have recently proven successful with the ranch adding an additional 17 days to the 45 day process.
The ranch’s DEIS is an integral part of the corporation’s plan to develop La`au Point. Locals like Bridget Mowat have come together at weekly meetings to sift through and make sense of the more-than 800 page document. They are intent on assessing the documents thoroughness and accuracy as to what environmental, social, and cultural impacts the planned development will have on Molokai’s community.
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Meet Steve Morgan, Molokai’s Master Shaper

Tuesday, December 19th, 2006

Meet Steve Morgan, Molokai’s Master Shaper

You may see him every now and then at a town meeting but chances are you won’t catch surfboard shaper Steve Morgan at your favorite Molokai surf break. “I’m kind of a loner when it comes to surfing,” says Morgan who prefers to surf solo at the less-ridden breaks along Molokai south-west shoreline near La`au Point. Though he’s not from Molokai, living on the west end for 22 years has given him enough time to get to know the area.

Morgan started shaping surfboards before he could legally drive a car. Just four years later he opened his own surf shop in California at the age of 18. After some years went by he left the shop to work with famed surfboard shaper Dick Brewer. The partnership lasted eight years during which time Morgan made his way to live in Kapa`i Kaui.

After witnessing Kauai go through the growing pains of commercial land development, Morgan quickly made up his mind to call Molokai home. During his time on Molokai, Morgan had tried to shape boards from home but found economically unfeasible. “No bank ever thanks a surfboard shaper for his deposits,” jokes Morgan.

While sharing Oahu shaping facilities at Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC), a chain of surf shops around Hawaii, Morgan struck up a working relationship with the companies other shapers. Now Morgan is officially HIC’s third shaper, working alongside Kerry Takoro and Erric Arakawa who are legends in the world of surfboards.

“I do work marathons,” says Morgan about splitting his time between Oahu and Molokai. “When I’m here on Molokai I don’t about surfboards. When I’m there, that’s all I think about.”

What Morgan does think about when he’s on-island is the environment. He is currently experimenting with rain catchment systems. Despite the west side’s arid reputation, he says he’ll soon have a system down that will allow him to rely completely on a catchment system for all of his farming and living needs.

Morgan’s attempt to stay away from the water main represents a larger picture. As a member of Hui Ho`opakele `Aina, a local environmental group with activist tendencies, Morgan is a staunch believer that the proposed development of La`au is spelling trouble for the island’s water resources and he’s doing what he can to bring awareness into the community.

“If you know something and you know people are being victimized, you can’t just sit around and let it happen – no matter who you are.”

Morgan says he’s been sensitive to development the day he arrived on Molokai and believes that the problems Molokai faces can be solved through the strengths of Hawaiian culture. “It’s like shaping surf boards in a way. The essence and the origin is Hawaiian. There are no surfboards or surfing without Hawaiians.”

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La`au Point development draft EIS now available

Saturday, December 16th, 2006

It’s an early Christmas for those who’ve been waiting to analyze an 835-page study on foreseen impacts of Molokai Ranch’s planned development at La`au Point.

 The draft environmental impact statement, which includes studies on possible water, environment, social, cultural and archaeological impacts, has been officially submitted to the state Office of Environmental Quality Control. A notice on the request for public comments won’t be published by the state until Dec. 23 triggering a 45-day public comment period. The ranch is sending copies of the study to people who met the deadline to be considered consulting parties. Copies also will be available at the Molokai Public Library in Kaunakakai and at the ranch office in Maunaloa and via the Molokai Dispatch website at: www.themolokaidispatch.com/laau_deis.pdf 

The public comment period will end on Feb. 6, 2007.

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Molokai Land Trust in Detail

Friday, December 15th, 2006

For many months the idea of a sacrificial tradeoff that allows La`au Point to be developed in exchange for thousands of Molokai Ranch-owned acres has been the central theme of the conflict surrounding the Master Land Use Plan.

Give up La`au and in return you will be given the ability to control the destiny of your island.


This idea has been ingrained in the hearts of many, but the question is: who exactly will control the destiny of Molokai?


It has been common knowledge that the Molokai Land Trust (MLT) would be the receiving body of the traded ranch lands. What hasn’t been common knowledge is the detailed nature of who and what the MLT is. Equally important is understanding what the community’s involvement with MLT will be as well as potential shortcomings that the organization may face.

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Keiki Costume Contest!

Thursday, November 9th, 2006

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