Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai Getting WiFi Hotspots

Wednesday, July 25th, 2018

Kalaupapa settlement now has 10 free public WiFi hotspots, with locations also coming to Kaunakakai, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) has announced. The hotspots will provide one hours of free service per day per device, provided by Spectrum. The Molokai hotspots are among at least 1,000 hotspots that were required as part of the agreement of transfer of Oceanic Time Warner Cable to Charter Communications, known as Spectrum.

The Kalaupapa WiFi hotspots are part of the first wave of public hotspots now active or underway on Molokai, Maui, Kauai and Oahu. Kaunakakai’s hotspots are scheduled for installation this fall, according to the DCCA, though they did not say where they will be located or how many are planned.…

Lanikeha Re-Opens with a Facelift

Wednesday, July 25th, 2018

Lanikeha Re-Opens with a Facelift

 

With a mission to help homestead farmers reach their full potential, Lanikeha Community Center in Ho’olehua has reopened its doors with renovations that represent a dream.

“We began this dream a few years ago, we stayed on that mission… and what people said was a mission impossible, is mission accomplished,” said Rosie Davis, legal authorized representative of the Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance (MHFA). “Our journey continues and it’s just getting better. We’re so proud of where we were… and where we’re going. [This facility] strengthens the community, it strengthens our homesteaders.”

The $1.7 million renovation project by the MHFA, which manages the facility, was paid for by state Grant in Aid funds.…

Drawing a Seabird Map

Wednesday, July 11th, 2018

Drawing a Seabird Map

 

Molokai’s high elevation forests are full of secrets, surprises and rare, native species. Thought to be extinct on Molokai until recently, the endangered Newell’s shearwater, or ‘A’o, is a seabird that may also nest deep in the shelter of Molokai’s forest.

Right now, though, no one knows for sure.

Molokai is home to many native and endangered seabird species but biologists aren’t sure how many or where many of them are nesting. A new mapping project seeks to shed light on the state’s seabird population and represents the first comprehensive survey of Hawaii seabirds to date. Anticipated to last three years, the project is kicking off on Molokai this summer.…

Little League Honors ‘The Professor’

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

Little League Honors ‘The Professor’

The Molokai Little League is hosting the District III 9-10 Minors tournament at Kaunakakai Ballpark. At the opening ceremonies last Saturday, a Molokai resident was honored for his 59 years of involvement in Little League as coach, umpire, scorekeeper and PA announcer at the local, district and state levels.

Filemon “David” Nanod was given the Little League’s Volunteer Award for his years of dedication. Known as “The Professor” of Molokai Little League Baseball, the 92-year-old is  also a Molokai National Guard veteran.

Many special people were on hand to celebrate and talk about Nanod, including Senator Kalani English, Representative Lynn DeCoite and Councilwoman Stacy Helm Crivello.…

Coqui Frog Found on Molokai Again

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

MoMISC News Release

On Wednesday, June 20, Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC) staff responded to a report from a private residence of a possible coqui frog and confirmed that it was coqui. Coqui frogs in Hawaii are highly invasive and have negative impacts to human health and our environment. MoMISC has responded to 121 reports of possible coqui over the years and out of that, the organization has controlled seven frogs total, preventing a naturalized population.

Coqui frogs are spread primarily by people. There are many pathways by which coqui frogs get to Molokai. In 2001, a coqui frog arrived in shipment of plants for resale from a nursery outside Molokai.…

Youth Show Work of Head, Heart, Hands and Health

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

Youth Show Work of Head, Heart, Hands and Health

 

Showmanship, public speaking, animal husbandry and responsibility are all skills and qualities instilled in youth through participation in Molokai’s annual 4-H Expo. Held last Friday and Saturday at Kaunakakai Ball Park, the two-day event was the culmination of months of animal care and gave young participants the opportunity to showcase their hard work.

From ducks to pigs, goats and steer, youth raised, fed and trained their animals, and younger 4-H-ers had their small animals on display while older participants competed in market and showmanship categories in the ring. They were judged on control over their animal, eye contact with the judge, knowledge of animal care and processing and the size and proportions of their goats, steer or pigs.…

More Delays for Community Plan Update

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

After more than three years in process, the Molokai Community Plan update will be further delayed, according to County Council staff. The Maui County Council had until the end of this month to adopt an updated version of the 2001 Molokai Community Plan but the draft still hasn’t been discussed by the whole council. A lack of quorum by members of the council’s Planning Committee has caused recent meetings to be cancelled, said Susan Foley, executive assistant to Planning Committee Chair Kelly King.

Now, the Council has extend the finalization deadline to September, said Molokai Councilmember Stacy Helm Crivello.

“The Planning Committee is currently in deliberations of the Plan and upon completion of committee acceptance, the intent is to come before the Molokai community and hopefully to present the Plan to the full Council for passage,” said Crivello, via email.…

Youth Symphony Comes to Molokai

Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Hawaii Youth Symphony News Release

The classrooms of Kaunakakai Elementary School on Molokai will be filled with the joy of music during the Hawaii Youth Symphony’s string workshop held at the school on Saturday, June 23 through Sunday, June 24. 

“The Hawaii Youth Symphony is thrilled to share more of the opportunities and wonder that music education has to offer with students on Molokai,” said Randy Wong, president of the Hawaii Youth Symphony. “Music is a right, not a privilege, and we look forward to inspiring these enthusiastic young students to further develop their skills and have fun while learning.” 

In partnership with Kaunakakai Elementary School teacher and bassist Bob Underwood, the Hawaii Youth Symphony will teach Molokai students the fundamental techniques of string instruments, general musicianship skills and the opportunity to rehearse as an orchestra. …

Nainoa Kahale Receives Kaimana Award

Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Nainoa Kahale Receives Kaimana Award

 

Molokai High student athlete and graduating senior Nainoa Kahale was one of 16 chosen statewide to receive HMSA’s Kaimana Award. The HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program honors high school seniors and their schools for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities and sportsmanship. Each awardee receives up to $5,000 that can be used to pay for college tuition, books, computers, and room and board.

Kahale was a year-round athlete all four years of high school. He was on the volleyball, cross country, football and basketball teams, and served as basketball senior captain. Along with competing, Kahale took AP and honor courses, as well as a college class, all while maintaining a 3.857 GPA.…

Football Summer Camp

Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Football Summer Camp

 

Three student-athletes from the Molokai High School Football team attended the prestigious GPA Showcase Football camp at the UH campus June 5-6. Clancey Wright Jr., Kaimana Nakayama and Tofi Ah Van all participated and were coach by Rich Miano, Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa. Athletes learn skills and college coaches run the sessions and clinics.  Athletes also build position specific skills and coaches get to see talent and potentially recruit up and coming athletes. Clancey placed in the top three for Defensive Lineman at the camp.

Molokai Head Coach Mike Kahale said the camp is a good one for our athletes.…