Author Archives: Bianca Moragne

Green Guerillas Visit Food Forest and MMS

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Molokai Seed Savers News Release

A hardy group of Green Guerillas (Seed Savers over age 65) braved the rain and winds for a tour of the Sustainable Molokai Food Forest under the direction of Fred Richardson. Fred explained the design of the forest, the water flow and catchment, terracing, plantings, composting and future goals. An area of land that had been left without management where the soil was running off onto a road at the bottom of the hill has been turned into a beautiful forest with hard wood trees, fruit trees, construction grade bamboo and vegetables. A community work day is held the fourth Saturday of every month and seeds, cuttings and plants are available as they are produced in the forest.…

Kawela Moku: Reviving the Aha Moku System

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Community Contributed

Opinion by Kawika Duvauchelle, Kanoelani Davis, and Hawaiiloa Mowat

The Kawela Moku lies roughly between Kalamaula to Kamalo.  It is rich in natural resources, from stunning waterfalls in the mountains to countless loko ia along its shoreline and from the many culturally significant sites that are scared to Hawaiians to one of the largest fringing reefs in the state.  The Kawela Moku is the source of water for many families on Molokai and provides us with fish from the ocean and pig and deer from the mountains.  Our hope is that these gifts will last for many, many generations.…

Kalaupapa Celebrates the Fountain of Youth

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

He walked through the doorway like the second coming of King Kamahameha with a young woman on his arm and I thought, “Oh my, he surely has discovered the fountain of youth!” Bugles blared and a host of voices sang out, “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear John!”

It was the eve of Palm Sunday and we had gathered at the home of Winnie Harada to celebrate the birthday of her neighbor and longtime friend, John Arruda. John was celebrating his ninety years of youth with great gusto. Power to the Portuguese!…

Ikehu Molokai Project Update

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Ikehu Molokai News Release

As most Molokai residents know, the Ikehu Molokai project has been proposed to convert the island’s electricity to 100 percent renewable energy.  The project aims to bring down the cost of electricity, stabilize the grid, make the grid able to absorb more rooftop solar systems, make Molokai self-sufficient in energy and more in control of its energy future, and create jobs.  The Ikehu Molokai project will produce electricity for Molokai only, with no connection to a cable or export to other islands.

The Ikehu Molokai team has been working on the design and financing of the project. …

Yamamoto Finalist in School Leadership Award

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Island Insurance Foundation News Release

Principal Joe Yamamoto of Maunaloa Elementary on Molokai was named as one of the 13 finalists in the 2014 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Awards, which recognizes outstanding Hawaii public school principals for their efforts to provide high-quality learning opportunities for their students.  Each finalist received a $1,000 personal cash award and a Certificate of Recognition at a presentation ceremony held on March 29.

The finalists will by vying for the $25,000 (a $10,000 personal cash award and $15,000 towards a school project of his or her choice) grand prize award at the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation dinner on May 1 in Honolulu. …

Hawaiian Immersion Summer Schools

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Manuwai Peters

With interest and demand growing for Hawaiian language programs for kids entering middle school, a second Kula Kaiapuni Kauwela site will open this summer at Molokai Middle School. Kula Kaiapuni Kauwela at Molokai Middle is for students who will complete grade six, seven or eight this school year.  The Hawaiian language based curricula is designed to engage and excite students in the many aspects of the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage of the Hokule`a and Hikianalia wa`a.

Through direct instruction and inquiry, students will compare stories and traditions of the Polynesian (Maori and Tahitian) migration with primary accounts of Hawaiian migrations, genealogies, exploration, and discovery. …

Gov. Abercrombie Campaigns on Molokai

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Gov. Abercrombie Campaigns on Molokai

Incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie visited Molokai last week to tour local schools, agricultural programs and talk story with residents during his campaign for reelection. At a lunch event held at the Molokai Community Health Center on Monday, Abercrombie shared his accomplishments, as well as discussed some of Molokai’s challenges. Here, we have presented a summary of his speech in the form of questions and answers, some of which were added for clarity in this format, and some of which were asked by Dispatch staff in an interview afterward.

Q: What progress do you feel has been made since you’ve been in office?

Softball Wins MIL Championship

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Softball Wins MIL Championship

The Lady Farmers’ softball team is headed to states after defeating the Lanai Pinelasses last weekend in an exciting, close win at Duke Maliu Regional Park.

Homes runs and a killer comeback led Molokai to 12-11 victory against Lanai last Saturday. The win claimed the Farmers the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II Championship crown. The team is already thinking ahead to the State Tournament on Oahu May 6-9.

Molokai High School (MHS) freshman centerfielder and pitcher Brooke Keliihoomalu said “it’s indescribable” to be going to state her first year on the team. She said she and her teammates will give it their all at the State Tournament.…

Learning Journey: Hokule`a Crew Inspires Students

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

The first time Molokai’s Captain Melvin “Mel” Paoa touched the Hokule`a — a replica of the traditional Hawaiian double-hulled seafaring canoe — in 1977, he said he held on tight and never let go—no matter the odds.

As a diabetic, Paoa was told to discontinue sailing on Hokule`a for health reasons, but he didn’t take no for an answer. In 1985, he set sail on his longest voyage yet for 12,000 miles from Hawaii to Tahiti to French Polynesia and finally the Cook Islands. He told Molokai Middle School (MMS) students, education leaders and community members at an education event last Friday to never give up.…

Nation-Building Process

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Nation-Building Process

Community Contributed

Opinion by Kamana`opono M. Crabbe, Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer for OHA

 

With the May 1 deadline to register with the Official Hawaiian Roll fast approaching, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is moving aggressively to engage its beneficiaries on Molokai in the nation-building process.

We are invigorated by those in the Hawaiian community who tell us that they are ready to begin a process aimed at creating a nation where all Native Hawaiians have an opportunity to thrive.

This nation-building process will begin and end with Native Hawaiians who, for example, believe their children are entitled to an education that allows them to be competitive in the 21st century; believe their families should have access to safe and affordable housing that strengthens communities; and believe we as a people need to become healthier by stepping it up through exercise, a balanced diet and preventive medicine.…