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Author Archives: Bianca Moragne

Mental Health Services Get a Boost

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Take a walk down Manako Lane in Kaunakakai on any given weekday and you will notice an unassuming green house nestled in the corner, buzzing with traffic. Several days a week, mental health patients gather at this spot – known as the clubhouse – which they describe as a place of solace and understanding.

“We get to do activities, talk with each other, keep our minds busy,” said Paul Fischer, who visits the clubhouse regularly.

The Hana Ka Lima Clubhouse is a mental health drop-in center, serving about 70 Molokai residents suffering from mental illnesses. Joe Childs, facility director and case manager, helps reintegrate members into the community through counseling, work programs and therapeutic activities, such as gardening and cooking.

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Minimart, Laundromat Burglarized

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Two Kaunakakai businesses were broken into last week, though in both cases damages were minimal.

Early on the morning of Aug. 17, a thief cut the power to Molokai Minimart and kicked through the door. His target was apparently a cash register box, which was the only item he made away with, but owner Kirt Greenman said it was empty – he always empties the register after closing.

“It’s just bad business practice not to do that,” Greenman said.

The incident was captured on security cameras and Greenman uploaded the footage to YouTube last week (search “Molokai Minimart”). In it, the thief appears frantic and is in and out of the store in less than 15 seconds.

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Immigration Benefits Made Easier

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) News Release

For the first time, the USCIS has proposed a standardized form to waive fees for financially disadvantaged individuals seeking immigration benefits.

The proposed fee waiver form is the product of extensive collaboration with the public.  In meetings with stakeholders, USCIS heard concerns about the criteria for applying for benefits.

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Ground Control to Molokai

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Ground Control to Molokai

When school starts next week, Kaunakakai Elementary teacher David Gonzales will have a What I Did on My Summer Vacation story to rival that of any of his fifth grade students.

Earlier this month, Gonzales spent a week learning the ins-and-outs of space exploration at Educators to Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. He was the only teacher from Hawaii among the camp’s 120 participants, who represented 17 states and 13 countries.

In classes, experiments and mission simulations, Gonzales learned about rockets, space craft and the history of space flight. There were also guest lectures from NASA astronauts and engineers from the aerospace company Boeing, which sponsored the camp.

, ‘No, I’m just going to camp,” he recalled.

Now back, he is anxious to put what he learned there to use in the classroom -- incorporating it not just in science and technology lessons but in math, language arts and history too, aided by lessons plans and materials supplied by camp organizers.

Gonzales also plans to organize a similar space camp here this year, which will give him a chance to break out the flight suit he brought home with him from Alabama. In bringing the rocket-launching and star-gazing to Molokai, Gonzales said he hopes to inspire students.

“Maybe someday someone from Molokai will be going to Mars,” he said.

Gonzales is already passing his enthusiasm for science onto his students. He helps teach afterschool robotic classes at Kaunakakai, where kids build working robots using LEGOs -- and learn biomedical technology and engineering concepts along the way. Last year, Gonzales’ team of students took first place in the presentation category at the state robotics competition.  

 

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The Road Home

Monday, July 26th, 2010

The Road Home

our beneficiaries and how we commit to them,” said Aiona, who flew in special for the blessing.
 
Kaulana Park, chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, said the project was continuously delayed due to funding and scheduling conflicts.

“When we said we were going to do it, they believed us. The question was ‘When?’” Park said.

Construction costs were first estimated at $1 million, but contractors were eventually able to bring those down to $590,000 and the savings helped put the project in motion – and then some. What would normally take two to three years for design, permitting and paving only took about a year and half, Park said.

Late last month, the road was complete -- two miles of rolling pavement from Puupeelua Road to the top of the ridge. It provides greater access for emergency vehicles and school buses, and it makes the drive to and from home less of a headache for residents like Kaahanui.

What’s more, Park said, the road serves as a symbol of DHHL’s enduring commitment to homesteaders on Molokai, where the first homestead, Kalamaula, was established in 1921.

“If you look at it, it’s just a road, but it’s more than that,” he said.

Infrastructure improvements like this – the “not so glamour projects,” as Park called them – are an important part of DHHL’s work, staff said.

The department has two such projects planned for the water system that serves homesteaders on Molokai – the installation of an electronic monitoring system for the Kualapu`u aquifer and an emergency generator for the well there. Both are scheduled for November, according to the DHHL land development division.

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Attempted Murder Charges Reduced for Molokai Man

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Attempted murder charges have been dropped for a Molokai man who allegedly attacked his girlfriend and her teenage daughter with a knife three weeks ago at the Kawela Barns. He will now face assault charges for his actions. 

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Bhutan, a Spiritual Oasis

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Bhutan, a Spiritual Oasis

Community Contributed

By Victoria Kapuni

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a place of overwhelming, breathtaking natural beauty and cultural pageantry. I had the honor of traveling there for the second time this year. Located in the Himalaya Mountains between India and China, Bhutan is 90 percent Buddhist. One cannot help but feel spiritual in this country. Rivers run turquoise over rocks of white from the largest and tallest mountains in the world. The air is crisp and clean; everything is seen and heard clearly among the towering pine trees and flying prayer flags. The King measures his success at ruling not on the Gross National Product like us but the Gross National Happiness of his people.

My first trip to Bhutan last October was by chance when a friend asked me to join her on a trip to Bhutan to see the monks dance or the Drametse Ngachham (Dance of the Drummers of Drametse). It is said that anyone who has seen these dances will have eternal peace and prosperity when they die. The dances tell the story of Buddist spiritual beliefs. During this first trip I received an invitation to enter the King’s private temple of the Future Buddha, not normally open to tourists. Upon my return home, I started making plans to return for a spiritual journey.

I re-visited Tiger’s Nest, which is a temple built on the side of a cliff 800 meters above Paro Valley. It is said a monk was carried up the mountain to this spot by two tigers where he meditated without food and water for three months.

I returned to the King’s temple again, where the monk who invited me before was waiting for me and once again invited me inside the temple of the Future Buddha. When I left, the monk climbed a ladder and pulled down a 10 foot scarf draped over one of the future Buddha’s fingers. He placed it around my neck. He explained it was gray from the incense burned over a five year period where it stayed in the Future Buddha’s hand. I was so honored I cried.

In Trongsa when we pulled up to the motel, monks were chanting and playing their horns and drums. I asked if I could just sit and have a cup of tea and listen to them outside the closed door. I did, then the door opened and a monk beckoned me inside. I prayed with them for two hours. Once again I was honored. Not only was I not Bhuddist, not Bhutanese, and not a man, but a white woman alone joining Thongsa Monestary monks practicing their ceremonies.

During the trip, I also saw the Dalai Lama. My hanai Bhutanese son, Kinley, found some Tibetan friends who arranged for us to see H H Dalai Lama for a teaching to be given to monks.

In Bumthang, at the top of a very steep mountain, I was taken as a student by H. E. Pad-tul Rimpoche. He is one of the five most spiritual people in the country. He told me that he was the reincarnated monk of Tiger’s Nest. I was taken back because this was a place of monumental importance to me on the first trip. I was questioned for about ten minutes and then told he had accepted me as his student. I was completely surprised. He gifted me with a Buddhist rosary and taught me its prayers. It was suggested that instead of praying for just my family, friends and island of Molokai, I should pray for the whole world and all living beings.

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Molokai Man Faces Possible Attempted Murder Charge

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Molokai Man Faces Possible Attempted Murder Charge

John Henry Sardinha Sr., 52, of Ho`olehua, was arrested on Saturday, June 26 for allegedly slashing his girlfriend with a knife during a fight late that evening at the Kawela Barns.

The decision to charge him with attempted murder was suspended in a Maui courtroom last Wednesday while a judge determines whether there is probable cause for the allegations.

Prosecutors want Sardinha to be charged with second-degree attempted murder, as well as first-degree assault for punching the woman’s face causing multiple abrasions, and second-degree assault for allegedly wounding the woman’s 14-year-old daughter with the same knife.

could be dropped to a possible assault one,” said Detective Eugene Santiago of the Molokai Police Department.

Wailuku District Court Judge Kelsey Kawano is not expected to reach a decision on the indictment until all testimony is heard, Santiago said. The preliminary hearing is set to resume on July 7.

While he awaits trial, Sardinha is being held at Maui Community Correctional Center on $105,000 bail. He is accused of using a knife “similar to a minimachete” with a 6-inch handle and 5-inch blade, according to Santiago’s testimony at last Wednesday’s hearing.

The woman suffered lacerations to her face and left forearm, while her daughter sustained deep cuts to her right hand. Both female victims – whose names have not been released – were transported to Molokai General Hospital, where the woman was treated for potentially life-threatening injuries, according to a Maui County Police Department press release. The daughter was released later that night, while the woman was released two days later.

The Maui News reported that on the night of the attack, Sardinha confronted his girlfriend about her abuse and maltreatment of their three children – who range from 2 to 6 years old – after consuming 10 to 11 cans of beer during the day, according to Santiago’s testimony.

In an interview, Sardinha told Santiago of his frustration with the woman’s addiction to crystal meth, and on the day of the attack, had heard about her plans to use the drug, according to Santiago.

Police responded to the call on June 26 at about 10 p.m., but Sardinha had fled the scene prior to their arrival, according to the press release. He was later detained at his residence in Ho`olehua and taken into custody.

Neither Sardinha’s lawyer nor family would comment on the incident.

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All Dolled Up

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

All Dolled Up

Sometimes all it takes is a bit of eye shadow and lip gloss for a girl to feel her best. Just ask the young women who attended Manawahine’s “Happy to Be Me” workshop last Friday at Lanikeha Community Center.

“I feel like a princess,” said Tatiana McGuire, 12, after getting spruced up at the makeup and hair booths.

Dozens of Molokai girls, ages 13 to 18, gathered at the workshop to celebrate a day of beauty while learning about makeup application, skincare, women’s health and safety. They also received massages, and hair and nail makeovers.



Manawahine is a community-based nonprofit that strives to empower young women to be successful leaders and role models. The purpose of the conference, said Vicki Boswell, organizer and social worker, was to empower young girls who are at their prime for risks such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse and domestic violence.

“We’re not trying to make the girls glamorous,” Boswell explained. “We want to help them build confidence and self-esteem.”

While some girls patiently waited to get their hair curled or learn the latest makeup tricks, others participated in the sweat-dripping Zumba class, drank ono smoothies from Na Pu`uwai, and learned about money-saving tips from American Savings Bank.

“I learned about college stuff and to get good grades,” from the Maui Community College booth, McGuire said.

“The goal is to build a positive teen culture,” Boswell said. “We want to provide a safe place for them to openly discuss issues they are encountering as young adults.”

Positive teen culture was something already seen by the day’s end.

“It was fun hanging out with all the girls,” said 17-year-old Chelsea Sakamoto. “I learned you just have to be happy with yourself.”

Mahina Lorenzo, 17, agreed. “Yeah, you should never change who you are,” she said.

This workshop was a kick-off for more exciting things to come, according to Boswell. Manwahine has a lineup of activities starting at the beginning of the school year. Boswell said future events will include movie nights, presentations on teen-related issues, service projects and various off-island trips.

Manawahine is made up of various members from Na Pu`uwai, Na Lei Mamo, Molokai Community Health Center, Department of Human Services, Hale Ho`omalu, Molokai Youth Center and Molokai Community Service Center. They welcome community involvement in future activities. For more information, contact Helen Kekalia at 553-8119.



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Ready, Set, Hike!

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Ready, Set, Hike!

Get your cleats ready, Molokai, because the streak is over. After a 50 year hiatus, Molokai High School football is back in the lineup and will take to the field this fall.

“It’s going to be big,” said Mike Kahale, a social studies teacher at Molokai Middle School. “Our kids have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.”

Kahale, head coach of the team, said he and his wife had been developing a strategic plan to bring back high school-level football for the past two years, and is finally becoming a reality.

“There is already a lot of talk about it,” he added. “We have about 44 kids signed up.”

One of the biggest obstacles, Kahale said, was finding the funds to purchase football equipment. But with a $2,000 equipment grant from USA Football, among other donations, the team will be ready to kick off its three-year football plan.

Eight Ball
Although securing the funds for a traditional 11-man team was a stretch, it didn’t mean the sport couldn’t exist at all. This past year, smaller schools in Maui County began looking into an eight-man football league – which was recently sanctioned by the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) to include Molokai, Seabury Hall and St. Anthony high schools.

Eight-man football has gained popularity in many rural areas on the mainland and allows small schools with small budgets a chance to play football.

Since the league doesn’t have the finances to cover tackle football off the bat, it will start small and slowly expand. The first year will be a passing league with full padding incorporated the second year, and full MIL sanctioning expected in the third year.

“It’s the only way to make it financially feasible,” Kahale said. “It’s a great way to introduce football fundamentals and to actually start. Why wait until next year?”

Grassroots
The 1960-61 Farmers were the last high school football team on Molokai. Despite lacking a program, Molokai produced professional football player Kimo “Scooby” Von Oelhoffen. He played at the University of Hawaii and Boise State before starting a 15-year NFL career. Although Von Oelhoffen never played on Molokai, he did commit to helping out the new program financially, but has yet to discuss dollars and cents with Kahale.

Still, more money needs to be raised to help pay for travel costs, field maintenance and additional equipment. Resting on the coattails of major budget cuts for high school sports, the program seeks financial support from the community, businesses and organizations.

Tax deductible donations can be made through Friends of Molokai High and Intermediate. Kahale is also looking for help with coaching – preferably those with some high school or college football coaching experience.

For more information contact Kahale at 658-0834 or e-mail at mikekahale@yahoo.com.

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