Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Levi Horner-Villa Lives His Baseball Dream

Friday, September 8th, 2017

Levi Horner-Villa Lives His Baseball Dream

 

Molokai’s Levi Horner-Villa is returning to Linfield College in Oregon for his sophomore year and continues his collegiate baseball career with the Wildcats. Horner-Villa had a very successful freshman season and batted 286 with four home runs and 13 runs batted in. Linfield had a 30-15 overall record and they were 19-5 in the Northwest Conference and made the playoffs.

Over the summer, Horner-Villa had the opportunity to travel to Japan to play with Hawaii’s Island Movers baseball team and he said it was the trip of a lifetime.

“Traveling to Japan was very fascinating and I would like to say thank you to all whom supported me especially the ones who donated money towards my trip,” he said.…

Molokai Resident Assists with Harvey Storm Recovery

Friday, September 8th, 2017

Molokai Resident Assists with Harvey Storm Recovery

 

Molokai resident and Red Cross volunteer Lester Keanini is among 16 Hawaii Red Cross members deplayed to the mainland to assist with those devastated by Tropical Storm Harvey. Keanini is currently in Texas assisting with sheltering of the thousands of people who had to leave their homes during flooding.

Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from all over the country are deployed to Texas and Louisiana. From Hawaii, Keanini joins  five volunteers from Hawaii Island, four from Maui, and six from Oahu who are assisting in relief efforts ranging from damage assessment, bulk distribution, sheltering, community partnerships, feeding and disaster mental health, according to the Hawaii Red Cross.…

Ohana Reduces Molokai Flights

Friday, September 8th, 2017

 

Ohana by Hawaiian, an inter-island flight service of Hawaiian Airlines, will be reducing its flights to Molokai this month. Many residents say the changes will cause hardship for kupuna who need the wheelchair accessibility of Ohana’s larger aircraft not offered by the two other smaller  airlines serving Molokai.

“I’m concerned about ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliance, we don’t have the ferry,” said Rep. Lynn DeCoite of Molokai.  “My concern is now, do we have to airlift guys out of there?”

In addition to wheelchair accessibility, the smaller aircraft operated by  Mokulele Airlines and Makani Kai Air have weight limitations of 350 pounds maximum per passenger, so some residents are limited to travel on Ohana’s larger aircraft.…

Sen. Schatz Addressed Residents

Friday, August 25th, 2017

Sen. Schatz Addressed Residents

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz visited with Molokai residents last Tuesday during a town hall event at Kualapu`u Center, sharing news on national policy and answering questions. From North Korea to natural resource protection, the Democrat from Hawaii engaged on a wide range of topics and talked about being in politics during “an incredibly tumultuous time.” He also encouraged community members to reach out to his Hawaii staff anytime and promised they would be heard and responded to.

“I have an obligation to take care of the needs of the people across Hawaii,” said Schatz. “So even as I’m being critical of the President, or fighting climate change or working on improving our healthcare system… I also know that in the end, my job is to bring home resources for needs that we have back home… and also in the age of Trump, to stand up for what is right.”…

Talk Story with Women’s March Founder

Friday, April 7th, 2017

Women’s March-Hawaii News Release

“I will always be proud of being the first to say ‘let’s march’ and to be the mother of the movement, in solidarity with thousands of wonderful women volunteers.” These are the words of Teresa Shook, a Hana, Maui resident, who sparked the flame that grew in days to become the historic Women’s March in Washington, DC on January 21, 2017.

Women’s March-Hawaii, in partnership with Kalele Bookstore, invites Molokai residents to talk story with Teresa, on April 19  from 5 to 7pm at Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions. Teresa is a retired lawyer and an educator who spent 30 years working for social justice, representing underserved communities, advocating for youth, and helping victims of domestic violence.…

Town Hall with Tulsi Gabbard

Friday, April 7th, 2017

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard News Release

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will be holding a statewide Town Hall Tour in April, including a visit to Molokai.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the people of Hawaii in Congress,” said Rep. Gabbard, who represents the people of Congressional District 2. “Our district is spread out, includes every island in the state, and is a long way from Washington, so my staff and I focus on outreach in a variety of ways to serve Hawaii’s people and keep them updated on what’s happening in our nation’s capital. At my upcoming statewide Town Hall Tour, I look forward to meeting with folks on every island, sharing a congressional update, discussing local and national issues, and answering questions.”…

Tennis Hosts Seabury

Friday, April 7th, 2017

 

The Molokai High School Boys and Girls Tennis teams hosted Seabury at their Ho`olehua courts last weekend. On Friday ,the girls lost 3-1 and the boys lost 5-0. On Saturday, they lost again by the same scores.

Head Coach Amanda Labriola was proud of her team’s performance.

“This weekend went awesome and our girls all played amazing and I think they are definitely proud of themselves,” she said. “Our boys also put up a good fight but Seabury has a very strong team both the boys and girls. Romelyn Ragonton and Cassandra Ragonton won their matches both days and Genevieve Kikukawa went into third set on Friday and gave it everything she had.”…

Judo Brings Home Wins

Friday, April 7th, 2017

 

The Molokai High School Boys and Girls Judo team got their season started at Kamehameha High School on Maui last weekend. Cameryn Kahalewai won in the girl 122-pound weight class. Cameryn is the defending league champion. Maria Angst was the girl’s winner at 98 pounds. Other girls finishers were Makani Davis in third at 115 pounds and Payton Kaalekahi third at 120 pounds. For the boys, Kaohu Albino finished third at 145 pounds.

The Judo team will have competitions every weekend in the month of April before the MIL Championships on April 29 at Baldwin.

Coaches are Tilana Kawaa and Lihau Maioho.…

Baseball Earns Regular Season Title

Friday, April 7th, 2017

The Molokai High School Boys Baseball team cinched the regular season championship last weekend on Maui, winning games against both Seabury and St. Anthony. The Farmers have won 44 of their last 45 MIL league games and the team is now seeking its fifth straight league title.

Last Friday, the Farmers (8-1) beat Seabury 5-1 at Eddie Tam Field in Makawao. Nainoa Kaahanui struck out six and allowed only four hits in the victory. The next day, Molokai beat St. Anthony 16-3 at Maehara Stadium in Kahului to finish the regular season on a strong note. Aaron Rapanot had three triples and drove in four runs.…

100% Renewable Energy for Molokai by 2020

Friday, April 7th, 2017

100% Renewable Energy for Molokai by 2020

Hawaiian Electric Companies has rolled out a statewide plan that sets a goal for Molokai of 100 percent renewable energy by 2020. Over the next three years, the electric utility is proposing 1.4 megawatts (MW) of additional photovoltaic energy to be added to the island’s existing 2.3 MW of energy coming from rooftop solar panels, as well as 5 MW of wind energy. The plan also calls for a transition to biofuel for “some” of the island’s 12 MW of energy currently being generated from diesel fuel.

“Molokai will serve as a blueprint to increase the cost-effective use of renewables for the remainder of the state and help us obtain real–world experience in running an island grid with 100 percent renewable energy,” states the report, filed with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last December and recently presented at the fourth annual Maui Energy Conference.…