Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

OHA Trustees to Hold Two Meetings on Molokai

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

OHA News Release

Native Hawaiians on Molokai will get an opportunity to provide feedback to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) at a community forum as well as a regular Board of Trustees meeting. The forum is designed for OHA officials to listen to concerns from the community as well as highlight efforts to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians. Both meetings are open to the public. Here are the specifics:

Community Meeting
Wednesday, June 20, 6:30 p.m.
Kulana `Oiwi Halau, Kalama`ula

OHA Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, June 21, 9 a.m.
Kulana `Oiwi Halau, Kalama`ula…

Repairs for Kalaupapa

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

The Kalaupapa National Park Service (NPS) has been busy with restoration projects both in the settlement and on topside Molokai. For those hoping to get a taste of Kalaupapa without the arduous hike, newly replaced informational exhibits are now displayed at the overlook at Pala`au State Park in Kala`e.

Crews worked last week to repair the rock wall and improve the overall appearance of the overlook area, said Steve Prokop, Kalaupapa NPS superintendent. Improvements included replacing the weather-worn plaques that tell the story of the settlement’s history, which had become difficult to read since their original installation about 20 years ago, said Prokop.…

Walter Ritte Running for OHA

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

Walter Ritte Running for OHA

Walter Ritte News Release

Longtime community leader and former Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Trustee Walter Ritte has announced his candidacy for the At Large seat for OHA. A Kamehameha Schools graduate, Ritte is a prominent Hawaiian activist and longtime advocate for Hawaiian rights. He is also a member of the original “Kaho`olawe Nine,” the group of activists who landed on Kaho`olawe in 1976 in opposition to military bombings, which they were successful in halting.

Ritte was also a member of the 1978 Constitutional Convention and supported the formation of OHA. He helped author Article XII Sec. 7 of the Hawaii State Constitution, which codified Native Hawaiian cultural and gathering rights.…

A Visit from the Whales

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

A Visit from the Whales

Community Contributed

By Monika Mira

Two enormous inflatable whales visited several Molokai preschools after “migrating” all the way from Kauai. The visit was part of program offered by the Storybook Theatre of Hawaii as a way to let children get up close and personal with Pacific Humpback Whales. The pair of whales was created in 1997 by renowned artist Evelyn Roth of Festival Arts in Australia, and has been used to educate thousands of children about Pacific Humpback Whales.

This year, Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre toured with the whales, visiting nearly 30 schools and reaching more than 1600 preschoolers, as well as their parents and teachers.…

A Plan to Malama Our Resources

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

Molokai’s ocean resources are fragile, and many say they’re rapidly disappearing. In a statewide effort to preserve and better manage coastline and watershed areas, the Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan (ORMP) is being updated from the existing version, last updated in 2006. The plan represents an inter-agency effort to coordinate county, state and federal actions, facilitated by the state Department of Planning Coastal Zone Management (CZM) program.

Along with setting up collaborative management framework for different agencies to work together, the plan also fosters community stewardship and cooperation between the community and the managing agencies, said Leo Asuncion, CZM planning program manager.…

Tech Show Success

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Tech Show Success

Community Contributed

By Catherine Aki

The first annual Tech Show at Kualapu`u School was a success for everyone. The families of 35 students and a total of 142 people attended to view video projects and watched as students received awards. The awards were given out based upon peer review. Students created and choose the best projects based upon a rubric that evaluates their use of pictures, voice narrations, timing, use of music, titles with transitions and organization. They began these projects at the beginning of the year. This year we were able to set up enough computers so that students could show their parents their projects.…

MHS Freshman to Box in Jr. Olympic Nationals

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

MHS Freshman to Box in Jr. Olympic Nationals

Molokai Southside Boxing Club News Release

Amateur Boxing of Hawaii held its Junior Olympics Regional Competition on Oahu on May 19 and 20. Molokai High School freshman Hunter Manaba entered the competition and was unopposed in his 136 pound weight class. To qualify for the Junior Olympics, fighters must have at least five sanctioned bouts. Hunter earned a spot on the Hawaii Boxing Team comprised of seven 15 to 16 year olds: Kristopher Alcos-Kaua`i, Jaybrio Pebenito, Cole and Colt Dante, Kekoa Balasi, Lexus-Keanu Maduli-Pagampao, all of Oahu, and Hunter Manaba of Molokai. The team will be traveling to Mobile, Alabama in June to represent the state of Hawaii in the 2012 Junior Olympics National Championships.…

Contended Short-Term Rental Law Passed

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

A bill was signed into law last week that establishes new regulations for short-term rentals, also known as transient vacation rentals, in Maui County. This move aims to address ongoing concerns, particularly on Molokai, where the scarcity of accommodations has led many homeowners to rent their houses on a short-term basis despite previous prohibitions. Platforms like HousingMatchers for rentals can play a positive role in helping homeowners and renters navigate these new regulations while ensuring compliance and providing safe, reliable options for visitors.  You can also find a place near the beach in Vacation rental PortAransas and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery.…

Miss Rodeo Runner-Up

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Miss Rodeo Runner-Up

Community Contributed

by Lu Ann Mahiki Lankford-Faborito, National Director, Miss Rodeo America, Inc.

Ho`omaika`i to Miss Cheyanne Keliihoomalu of Maunaloa, Molokai, (right) for placing runner-up in the Miss Rodeo Hawaii 2012 event. Judges dinner was hosted at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Horsemanship and coronation at DK Ranch Waimanalo, Oahu. We are very proud of Cheyanne and our new Miss Rodeo Hawaii Macey Loando of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Drug Trafficker Arrested on Molokai

Sunday, May 27th, 2012

Spice, incense substances now illegal in Hawaii

Bulgarian national Alexander Dimov, age 33, was arrested on Molokai two weeks ago under federal charges of manufacturing and distributing synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2, Spice or incense. Dimov was one of four indicted around the U.S. in an international conspiracy for trafficking designer drugs. Dimov appeared in federal court in Honolulu before he was transported to Oregon.

According to a Department of Justice press release, the defendants mixed chemical compounds with herbal exacts, and marketed the products on the Internet. They are alleged to have purchased dozens of domain names, such as “k2drugs.com”…