Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Assessment Identifies Molokai’s Agriculture Needs

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

Sust`aina ble Molokai News Release

Sust`aina ble Molokai has completed a comprehensive Agriculture Needs Assessment for food production and security on Molokai. The Assessment is based on survey results that show where your food is being grown, who is growing it, and where you can buy it. The document is also valuable in that it shows what we don’t have as an island, and therefore what opportunities exist for job creation in the agriculture field.

One of the needs identified by the survey, for example, is an agriculture coordinator for Molokai to connect local farmers with stores and restaurants both on- and off-island.…

Molokai Air Travel Developments

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Molokai Air Travel Developments

Good news may be on the horizon for Molokai air travelers. Hawaiian Airlines has announced that Molokai is one of the destinations it is looking to serve with new turbo-prop aircraft it plans to acquire. In addition, current Molokai service provider Island Air is upgrading its aircraft to allow increased passenger capacity and improved service.

Hawaiian to Expand Neighbor Island Service
Hawaiian Airlines (HA) announced last week that is has signed a “letter of intent” to acquire smaller, turbo-prop aircraft (powered by propeller rather than jet engine) with the aim of establishing a subsidiary carrier to serve airports like Molokai’s Ho`olehua Airport, which are not currently part of HA’s routes.…

Centuries of Molokai Pa`akai

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Centuries of Molokai Pa`akai

Salt: a long history of high value

For many people, salt is something found in shakers on the dinner table. But for ancient Hawaiians who harvested snow-white flakes of pa`akai from the rocky shores of Molokai, it held sacred value. After seawater dried in the sun and the remaining salt was scraped from bowl-like crevices in the lava rock, it was used in ceremonies, purification rituals, to preserve food, and even regarded like money for trading.

“[Native Hawaiians] have been harvesting salt as long as people have been here,” said
Mac Poepoe, a Molokai-born traditional resource manager. “People used to walk miles
just to collect salt.”…

Catholic Parish Gets New Priest

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Catholic Parish Gets New Priest

As a high school student in Arizona at the age of 16, Father William Petrie read a biography of St. Damien in school. That’s what started the priest’s journey in the Catholic faith, which has culminated in his installation as pastor of Molokai’s St. Damien Parish last Tuesday.

“That book inspired me so much that I decided I was going to become a priest and work with leprosy patients,” he said. “And it all came true.”

He entered seminary and joined the order of the Sacred Hearts, of which St. Damien was a member. Sixteen years after he felt called by the saint from Molokai, he went to India to work with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose mission was to serve those with leprosy, where he lived for 25 years.…

4-H Youth Steering the Herd

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

4-H Youth Steering the Herd

For youth in the Molokai 4-H club, raising and showing animals takes months of patience, preparation, and care. But participants at the organization’s annual Livestock Expo last weekend proved that all the work is worth it. Youth proudly showed off their animals large and small, while the community got to engage in their learning process and enjoy farm market goodies, raffles and auction prizes.

For senior 4-H-er Kainoa Kamakana, seven years of participation culminated in taking first place in the market steer showmanship competition on Saturday.

“It feels good [to win] – all the hard work paid off,” said Kainoa. “I encourage every child to join 4-H – it teaches a lot, [and you’re] better set for life from the skills you learn.”…

Monk Seal Crittercam Talk Story Session on Monday

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Monk Seal Crittercam Talk Story Session on Monday

Community Contributed

By Charles Littnan, Lead Scientist, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program NOAA Fisheries Service

A team of biologists, NGOs, filmmakers, and community members are developing a new research project to use National Geographic Crittercams to build on existing knowledge of the feeding behavior, diet, and habitat use of monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands.

To discuss the project with Molokai residents, there will be a talk story session at Mitchell Pauole Center this Monday, July 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The cameras, which are attached to seals for short periods, were a valuable scientific tool used to understand some of the factors contributing to the species decline in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.…

Pair-a-medics

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Pair-a-medics

For 30 years, Lyle Likua has been responding to emergencies on Molokai as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic. But it was a high point in his career when he was joined on the job by his son, Keku Likua, last week — the first time they worked side by side on the same shift as licensed paramedics.

At age 22, Keku is currently the youngest paramedic in the county, having received his promotion from EMT in April. Now stationed in Kahului, he was assigned to fill in a shift on Molokai last week, making it a proud day for his dad.…

Beginning Farmer Conference

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

UH Molokai Extension Office News Release

Calling all farmers! The Molokai Native Hawaiian Beginning Farmer Program will host a Farm Conference on July 26 and 27. The conference is open to all farmers regardless of their experience. We will have something new for everyone. The conference is also a part of the Hawaiian Home Lands Agriculture Extension Program, and all homestead farmers are encouraged to attend.

The conference will kick-off on July 26 at the Maui College, Molokai Campus in Kaunakakai, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27’s events will be held at the UH CTAHR Molokai Applied Research and Demonstration Farm, also referred to as MCC Farm, from 8 a.m.…

Bon Dance Practice

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Guzeiji Soto Mission News Release

This year’s annual Bon Dance, a Buddhist tradition to remember departed loved ones, will be held on Saturday, July 28. In preparation for the event, Bon Dance practices will be held on Wednesday, July 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Thursday July 26, from 5 to 6 p.m. The practices are open to the public of all ages, and offer an opportunity to practice the movements and learn the meanings of the dances.

The celebration features Taiko drums, with community members and dancers joining in circular dances in honor of those who have passed. Both practices and the main event will be held at the Guzeiji Soto Mission temple on Hotel Lane in Kaunakakai, behind Imamura Store.…

Long Haul for Big Wind

Sunday, July 8th, 2012

Long Haul for Big Wind

The fate of a proposed industrial wind farm on Molokai is currently waiting on Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) to release a Request for Proposal (RFP), which will open up the 200 megawatt (MW) project to other islands and to other forms of renewable energy generation.

Residents concerned about the uncertain future of the state’s energy proposals on Molokai still have to wait some time for a conclusion. HECO spokesperson Peter Rosegg said the RFP will not be finalized until the end of this year — and the utility will not be choosing a contractor from the applications received until late 2014 at the earliest, he said.…