Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

One Sweet Bzzzness

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

One Sweet Bzzzness

Family operation produces honey with a wide reach.

The Kaneshiro family knows the value of hard work — and so do their bees. The saying “busy as a bee” is not just a cliche.

“It takes the lifetime of 12 bees to make one teaspoon of honey,” said Brenda Kaneshiro, whose family operates Molokai Meli, the only commercial apiary, or collection of bee hives, based on the island. “Every drop of honey is like gold.”

What began in 2004 as a hobby to produce enough honey for their son’s salad dressing business turned into commercial operation producing over one ton of Molokai honey annually at its peak just three years later.…

Molokai Mom on a Mission

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

Community Contributed

Opinion by Mercy Ritte

It is a mother’s right to know if, what, and when noxious chemicals are being released into the air, water, and soil that their children are in contact with. I did receive a response from Monsanto Molokai to my inquiries, but my specific questions were left unanswered. Only with additional research and determination was I able to find partial answers.

Below is a short list of chemical herbicides and pesticides manufactured and used by Monsanto and other industrial agriculture corporations.

HARNESS XTRA
Active Ingredient: Atrazine (and Acetochlor)
Fact: Atrazine is estimated to be the most heavily used herbicide in the U.S.…

Improvements to Veterans Cemetery Complete

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

Improvements to Veterans Cemetery Complete

Thanks to $438,000 in federal funding, two new columbaria, or vaults to hold urns containing ashes, were installed last month at the Molokai Veterans Cemetery in Ho`olehua. The structures house 128 new niches, which act as a place to honor the deceased whose families choose cremation rather than burial. Before the much-needed columbaria were completed, the cemetery had only 14 niches, 13 of which were already filled.

“We had to turn people away because there was no room,” said Manny Garcia, member of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans and community coordinator of the improvement project. Now, fallen veterans in the future will “have a place to stay,” he said.…

Editorial: Mo`omomi Needs All of Us

Friday, August 31st, 2012

By Todd Yamashita, Molokai Dispatch Publisher

I can remember the days when my family got the key to visit Mo`omomi. Driving down the bumpy, dusty road watching the ocean shimmer in the distance, my anticipation would grow as we neared the shoreline. Although I was just a kid, I remember feeling really lucky. It was a privilege to be there and I was grateful.

Since then, Mo`omomi has seen many changes – the latest being the reintroduction of a gate which has made many upset. Gates can be controversial because they are meant to keep people out. But if you look deeper, past the gate, this is really an issue of conservation.…

Sweet and Salty

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Sweet and Salty

Pacifica Hawaii News Release

Have you even been torn between eating a salty snack or a sweet treat? Now you can have both at once with a new product from Molokai gourmet sea salt company Pacifica Hawaii – Sweet and Salty. After months of recipe development, Pacifica owner and salt master Nancy Gove released the product – her ninth recipe — internationally this month.

Sweet and Salty combines two flavors that truly compliment and complete each other. This sweet salt can be added to your favorite recipes for perfect enhancement. It’s great for all types and styles of cooking. Also use it in prepping your veggies and meats and ringing the rim of your favorite beverages.…

Over-the-Counter Medications and Keiki

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

Giving drugstore medications to your keiki is no big deal, right? Well, it shouldn’t be, as long as you use them the right way. But just because a medication is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it comes with a risk-free guarantee.

If your child has ever had a bad reaction to an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, stop giving the medication right away. Tell the doctor and pharmacy staff about it. Keep a record of its name, dosage directions, the illness it was used for, and the side effects it caused.…

Make Bread to Save Dough

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Community Contributed

By Lisa Dillon

I look at the price of one loaf of bread on Molokai — over $4 — and cringe. I know if I cannot afford it, many others cannot. But for the same amount of money, you can make four loaves of your own bread. My great grandmother taught me to make bread and share the knowledge. I have passed on her tradition to my family and friends. I’d like to share this recipe for basic bread you can bake at home and save your family money, as well as create your own tradition with your family and friends.…

A Golden Jubilee

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

A Golden Jubilee

Father William “Bill” Petrie celebrated 50 years of commitment to the Catholic church on Sunday at St. Damien of Molokai Church in Kaunakakai. Petrie, who moved to Molokai in July of this year, had previously worked with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, serving “the poorest of the poor” for 25 years. He is happy to call Molokai home now, saying at his celebration, “Mother Teresa did something in heaven and I got here.”

For the full scoop on Father Petrie, read here.…

A Chance at the NFL

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

A Chance at the NFL

NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competition

Footballs flew up and down Kaunakakai Ball Field Saturday morning as keiki ages 6 to 15 practiced their punts, passes and kicks. This is the second year Molokai has hosted the nationwide Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) Competition, sponsored by the National Football League (NFL).

“It’s a good opportunity for the kids to participate in a physical event, especially with football season coming up,” said Mike Mangca, Maui County’s Recreation Leader for Molokai.

Each child gets the opportunity for one punt, one pass and one kick, and a score is calculated based on distance and accuracy, according to NFL PPK’s website.…

Making Middle School Feel Like Home

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss

When I was in sixth grade, the thought of entering middle school was quite intimidating. This summer, Molokai Middle School (MMS) tried to make the transition for students a little bit easier with a summer program funded by the 21st Century grant program.

The summer program, open to current MMS students and incoming seventh graders, offered classes in academics, physical fitness and arts and crafts.

MMS strove to increase student achievement this summer by challenging learners in various areas of education, especially math and science. Students learned how to properly create a science project, review the scientific process, complete experiments and document research.…