Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Eviction Notice Threatens Mule Ride

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018

Eviction Notice Threatens Mule Ride

Almost two years of legal disputes between the Sproat family — owners of Kalaupapa Rare Adventures mule ride — and landowner R.W. Meyer, Ltd. have come to a head with an eviction notice for the mule operators. Both parties are now claiming ownership to the Kalae property where the mule barn has stood for more than 40 years.

Paul Meyer, President of R.W. Meyer, Ltd., said Kalauapa Rare Adventures’ lease ended in January 2017 and since then, the company has not paid rent and refused to negotiate a new lease. The Sproats say they have a title to the land so they don’t need to pay rent.…

Kuhio’s Homestead Legacy

Saturday, March 31st, 2018

The Molokai community joined Hawaiian homesteaders in celebrating the birthday of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole last Saturday evening. Held for the first at Mitchell Pauole Center, the annual event is organized by Ahupua`a o Molokai, a nonprofit organization that encompasses all Hawaiian Homestead Associations on Molokai.

“The Prince Kuhio celebration on Molokai is probably the most important event for me,” said Kilia Purdy-Avelino, one of event’s organizers. “As a homesteader, it is an honor and a responsibility to help coordinate an event where we can mahalo Prince Kuhio for advocating for his people, leaving a legacy, seven generations and going. We are blessed to be on this `aina where we can live, truly live, by turning our hands to the soil — huli ka lima i ka lepo, ola!”…

Red Cross to Install Smoke Alarms

Friday, March 30th, 2018

Hawaii Red Cross News Release

On Saturday, May 5, a group of Red Cross volunteers will be installing free smoke alarms in homes in need on Molokai as part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Red Cross volunteers will also be sharing fire safety information.

Smoke alarm installations are by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call and leave a message at the Maui Red Cross office at 808-244-0051 ext, 159.

Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster — and the vast majority of these are home fires. In the U.S., home fires kill more people each year than all other natural disasters combined.…

Review the County Budget

Friday, March 30th, 2018

County of Maui News Release

The Maui County Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will hold evening meetings throughout the county, starting at the end of this month, to receive community input on the fiscal year 2019 budget, announced Councilmember Riki Hokama, who chairs the committee.

Molokai’s meeting is scheduled on Monday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mitchel Pauole Center.

Site inspections are scheduled for April 16, at 1 p.m. on Molokai. Agendas detailing site inspection information and locations can be found at MauiCounty.us/agendas.

The budget is the financial plan for the county for the upcoming fiscal year, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.…

Track Team Competes on Maui

Friday, March 30th, 2018

The Molokai Track and Field team competed in the fourth Maui Interscholastic meet last Friday at War Memorial Stadium in Kahului. Only runners and high jumpers competed at this meet and Head Coach Micah Buchanan was happy with their performance.

“We had a good showing and the student athletes all performed well and improved on their stats,” he said. “We have another four weeks before the MIL Championships to improve more and hopefully qualify more athletes for the state meet.”

The girls 4×100 relay team of Keeya Bicoy, Ale`a Davis, Taye Mowat and Claudia Keanini placed fourth. Other student athletes were boys Josiah Greenleaf and Kolee Pedro-Tabilangan.…

Undefeated Softball to Host Hana

Friday, March 30th, 2018

 

The Lady Farmers will honor their six seniors this Saturday when they host the Hana Lady Dragons at the Molokai High School Field. Molokai will play on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 10 a.m. Seniors this year are Camille Ledesma, Kaydence Oswald, Starr Kaahanui, Sydney Rawlins, Tallan Garces and Tehani Yamamoto.

Molokai traveled to Maui last weekend for non-league games against Lahainaluna and Maui High but Friday’s game was mostly a scrimmage and Saturday’s game was called off due to weather. Head Coach Kawehi Horner is looking forward to this weekend’s games and was pleased with the trip to Maui.…

Baseball Gets Wins on Lanai

Friday, March 30th, 2018

 

The Molokai Farmers Baseball team traveled to Lanai City last week for a three-game series against the Pine Lads. Molokai got two wins on Thursday and Friday but Saturday’s game was postponed due to weather and will be made up at a later date.

On Thursday, senior Nainoa Kaahanui pitched a no-hitter with four strikeouts in a 12-0 win in four innings. Kaahanui is now 2-0 on the season. Fridays game had senior Shraedon Naeole-Starkey on the hill for the Farmers (4-0) and he picked up his second win of the season in an 11-1 six inning game. Lanai is 0-4 on the season.…

Crowning Mrs. Molokai

Thursday, March 29th, 2018

Crowning Mrs. Molokai

 

Miss America may be a well-known title but on the Friendly Isle, the first Mrs. Molokai in recent years has been crowned. Desirae Mendija will soon be taking the pageant stage as Mrs. Molokai competing for the title of Mrs. Hawaii America.

“It’s always been a dream to be Miss Hawaii,” said Mendija. She had run for the title several times but didn’t make it past the district level, so she decided to give up pageantry and get married. But when she heard about the Mrs. Hawaii competition, she was all in.

“The pageant features married women recognized as beautiful, talented, business minded, empowering women who are career and family-oriented as well as important contributors to their community,” she said.…

Mokulele Selected to Serve Kalaupapa

Thursday, March 29th, 2018

Mokulele Airlines has been selected to fly into Kalaupapa under the federal Essential Air Service program without subsidized funding, despite concerns from the community. The airline has not yet finalized its flight schedule or pricing for its service to the isolated settlement, which will begin June 1.

The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) announced their decision on March 16, and Mokulele representatives met with Kalaupapa residents the following week to discuss their needs.

“I would say there’s a guarded optimism that Mokulele will serve the community and meet our needs, but there’re still concerns,” said Department of Health Kalaupapa Adminstrator Kenneth Seamon.…

Library to Get More Space

Sunday, March 25th, 2018

Library to Get More Space

A growing collection of books and programs at the Molokai Public Library is causing its historic building to burst at the seams. If a proposed expansion is approved, the library would get some much-needed additional space. The proposal includes a new, stand-alone 1,875 square foot building behind the existing facility that would cost over $3 million, funded by the state Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS).

The new building will be connect to the back of the existing staff room by a breezeway. The facility will provide a meeting room, workroom for staff, and two restrooms additional space for books, as well as.…