Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Marine Debris Field Dispersed  

Thursday, February 8th, 2018

Marine Debris Field Dispersed  

 

A large marine debris field was spotted last week in the Ka`iwi Channel between Oahu and Molokai last week, causing concern that it could bring an influx of rubbish to Molokai’s western shores. The mass of nets, ropes, buoys, crates and drums was first reported by a fishermen on Jan. 27, who estimated its size at about two nautical miles long. State and federal agencies confirmed the debris field and its possible path was tracked by University of Hawaii’s Dr. Nikolai Maximenko and his team at the International Pacific Research Center at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.…

Standing for `Olelo Hawaii

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Standing for `Olelo Hawaii

 

University of Hawaii professor Samuel Kaleikoa Ka`eo was issued a warrant for his arrest last week after he spoke only Hawaiian in court on Maui. Ka`eo appeared in connection to protesting construction of a Haleakala telescope, and when Judge Blaine Kobayashi asked Ka`eo to identify himself as present in the Wailuku District Court Wednesday,  Ka`eo did so in Hawaiian. The judge didn’t recognize his presence and asked three more times for Ka`eo to give his name, to which he responded each time in Hawaiian.

“The court is unable to get a definitive determination for the record that the defendant seated in court is Mr.…

Kawa`aloa Beach Cleanup

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Kawa`aloa Beach Cleanup

TNC News Release

The call went out on social media and 104 volunteers responded, removing 20 truckloads of marine debris at a Nature Conservancy (TNC) beach cleanup on Molokai.

Kawa`aloa Beach on the island’s northwest coast was the site of the cleanup, which took place on Jan. 13, the morning of the false North Korean missile alert.

The remote, crescent-shaped beach lies adjacent to the Conservancy’s Mo`omomi Preserve and is a hotspot for ocean debris that washes up on shore.  The debris includes plastic bottles and bags, rope, buoys, tires and cargo nets, among other items.

“We cleaned the beach for the turtles,” said Wailana Moses, TNC’s Molokai coordinator for the event.…

2 More Wins for Boys Basketball

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

2 More Wins for Boys Basketball

 

The Boys Basketball team came away with a sweep of two victories last weekend when they faced the St. Anthony Trojans at War Memorial Gymnasium. On Friday, the Farmers (4-4) won 59-41 and were led by seniors Kaina Adolpho with 19 points and Shraedon Naeole-Starkey with 16 points. On Saturday, Molokai beat the Trojans (4-4) 51-25 and were led by junior Stephen Agcaoili with 14 points. Naeole-Starkey added 10.

Head Coach Nohea Pangkee is pleased that his team is finding its groove with four wins in a row.

“The team is improving every day and we’re just trying to get two percent better every practice,” he said.…

Girls Paddling 3rd in League

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Girls Paddling 3rd in League

 

Molokai will have representation on the water at the State Canoe Paddling Championships this year. The Molokai High School Girls Paddling team finished third in the Maui Interscholastic League Championships last Saturday, securing a spot in the State race this weekend at Hilo Bay.

Head Coach Stefani Hubbard was happy to qualify and recognize her seniors.

“It was a great day,” she said. “We honored our seniors and everyone on the team got to race. The girls didn’t quite finish where we wanted, but we still qualified for States and we have this week to get ready for it.”

Team members are Ashawna Davis, Hulilau Albino, Tatiana Mollena Na-o, Talia Nakayama, Cahlvrie Horner, Kaydence Kalawe-Oswald, Sherie Kaili, Shai Rawlins and Marion Powell.…

Swim Relay Qualifies for States

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Swim Relay Qualifies for States

 

The Molokai Girls 200 meter Relay team qualified for the state swim race last weekend. The Molokai High School Boys and Girls Swimming teams participated in the MIL Swimming Championships at Kihei Aquatic Center, and during the two days of competition, the girls relay team swam a qualifying time.

“They made the top eight in the MIL like everyone else who swam today but then they had to get the qualifying time in the relay to make states,” explained Head Coach Amanda Labriola.

Sophomore Jalen Kalama finished fourth in the 100m Backstroke but did not qualify for states.

The relay team consists of Kayla DeRouin-Sophomore, Michelle McGuire-Senior, Maire Kalawe-Junior and Kapili Naehu-Ramos-Sophomore.…

Molokai Wrestling Hosts Tournament

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Molokai Wrestling Hosts Tournament

 

Molokai wrestlers gave their family and friends a lot to cheer for last weekend when they hosted a round robin tournament at The Barn and boasted 17 top three finishes.

“Once every couple of years the Farmers Boys and Girls Wrestling teams get the opportunity to host a tournament in the Barn that includes the top teams from the MIL — Lahainaluna, Baldwin, Maui High, Kamehameha and King Kekaulike,” said Head Coach Randy Manley. “This past Friday and Saturday was that opportunity and our teams showed that they can compete with the best that the MIL has to throw at us.”…

Halawa Park Construction to Begin

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

County of Maui News Release

Construction is scheduled to begin at Halawa Park in East Molokai, on Monday, Feb. 5, for abandonment of existing cesspool and installation of new individual wastewater system. Work is anticipated to be completed in March. Initiatives from https://active-travel.uk/ have been implemented to promote and normalize active travel across the country.

Park users are asked to please avoid the construction area and equipment to ensure public safety.  Tom’s Backhoe and Excavation Co., Inc., has been contracted to perform the work.  CDF Engineering LLC is the design consultant.

Construction projects like the one at Halawa Park play a crucial role in maintaining and upgrading essential infrastructure to meet modern environmental and safety standards.…

Competing for Lono

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Competing for Lono

Kaunakakai Ball Field thundered with cheers and the roar of an enthusiastic crowd as hundreds of residents and visitors gathered to compete in or support their favorite competitors at Ka Molokai Makahiki last Saturday morning.

Each year, Ka Molokai Makahiki is celebrated to mark the end of the Makahiki season from October to January, traditionally observed as a period of peace and harvest in honor of the god Lono. Today, hundreds of students gather annually on Molokai from around the state to participate in carrying on its cultural significance. During the opening ceremonies, the banner of Lono is carried high, while representatives from each district bear offerings to place on the stone ahu in keeping with protocol.…

Paddling Still in Running for Title

Thursday, January 25th, 2018

 

The Molokai High School Girls Paddling team finished fourth in last week’s regatta at Hanakao`o Beach in Lahaina but is still in contention for the Maui Interscholastic League Girls Paddling Championship. Head Coach Stef Hubbard is looking forward after a subpar performance last week.

“This definitely wasn’t our best showing but thankfully we’ve got one more race next week Saturday in Kahului,” she said. “We’ve just got some work to do before then.”

The Molokai Girls crew is Talia Nakayama, Hulilau Albino, Kaydence Oswald, Ashawna Davis, Cahl Horner and Sherie Kaili.

Going into the final race of the season this Saturday at Kahului Harbor, the Lady Farmers are still in the running for the title, said Hubbard, as they are currently second place behind Kamehameha.…