Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kalaupapa Flight Concerns

Friday, January 19th, 2018

Community Contributed

By Richard Miller

Editor’s note: The Kalaupapa community is circulating a petition for their voice to be heard in the selection of the airline that serves the peninsula through the federally awarded Essential Air Service subsidy. Makani Kai currently provides affordable flights to Kalaupapa through the EAS, however residents are concerned that may soon change. For more information or to sign the petition, email kahuricharducc@gmail.com, adlau@sof.org or rjm2429@gmail.com.

The Kalaupapa peninsula is a remote triangular shaped area jutting out of the north shore of the Hawaiian Island of Molokai.  The peninsula is surrounded on two sides by ocean, and on the third by the highest sea cliffs in the world.…

Running for County Council

Friday, January 19th, 2018

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez Campaign News Release

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez officially announced her intention to run again for the Maui County Council – Molokai race on Jan. 11. After a tight race for the same seat in 2016, missing it by just eight percent, her supporters strongly encouraged her to run again.

Keani has a strong educational and professional background, having graduated from both the William S. Richardson School of Law with certificates in Native Hawaiian Law and Environmental Law; and the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Her experience at the Hawaii State Legislature, including an internship as Legislative Aid for Representative Jarrett Keohokalole, has equipped her to collaborate with State officials regarding County specific issues.…

Swimmers Compete on Maui

Friday, January 19th, 2018

The Molokai High Boys and Girls Swim teams traveled to Kihei Aquatic Center last weekend for two swim meets and had some strong finishes. Head Coach Amanda Labriola was very pleased with her team’s performance.

“We had a fairly good weekend Royden Abafo placed fifth overall in the 200 free, really making a name for him in that event,” she said. “Alex Mawae tried some new events this weekend and really made me and his team proud with his performance in the 500 free. Kapili Naehu-Ramos came back a made her mark for a second year in the 100 fly and Maire Kalawe’s first meet this season and she is showing great growth individually and with the team.”…

Regatta Canceled by False Alarm

Friday, January 19th, 2018

The Molokai Girls Paddling team was ready to race at Ka Lae Pohaku beach in Kihei last Saturday but due to the false missile alarm, their regatta turned into a fun practice race.

“There are no results from this regatta due to false missile threat and so many schools leaving,” said Head Coach Stefani Hubbard. ‘It turned into an unsanctioned non-scoring fun regatta. This scheduled race will not be made up and our next race is next weekend Jan. 20 in Lahaina”

The MIL Paddling Championships are on Maui on Jan. 27. The State Championships are on Hawaii Island this year, Feb.…

Cop Secrets Revealed

Friday, January 19th, 2018

Molokai Police Dept. News Release

 

Psssssst! First and foremost, happy New Year! Since it’s a new year, I’m giving away 10 secrets to reduce your chances of having a negative interaction with a police officer just because, “Eh, this Molokai!”

 

Don’t sell, use or possess any drugs that going make you or someone else pupule (crazy).

 

Make sure your ka`a (vehicle) is all maika`i (registration, safety current, bugguh insured, everything works).

 

No use your hands, feet, or other object to hurt someone else.

 

If you driving, and someone calling or texting you, pull off the road.…

False Missile Alert Causes Panic

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

False Missile Alert Causes Panic

An accidental alert warning of a ballistic missile attack sent to Hawaii cell phones last Saturday morning left residents in shock and panic. The message, sent in error by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency at 8:05 a.m., read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”

Officials said the message was sent out as a result of human error — an employee “pushing the wrong button.”

Vern Miyagi, administrator for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said a state emergency management employee clicked the wrong message during a routine drill that happens three times a day during shift changes.…

Boys Basketball Falls to Seabury

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

Boys Basketball Falls to Seabury

 

The Molokai Boys Basketball team had their first home games of the season last weekend at The Barn against unbeaten Seabury Hall. The Spartans, who won the Maui Interscholastic League Championship last year, played well and got two more wins to improve their record to 4-0 early in the season. Molokai dropped to 0-4 and will travel to Maui this weekend to face Haleakala Waldorf.

On Friday, the Spartans won 60-36 and Molokai’s efforts were led by Kreole Pawn-White with 10 points. Stephen Agcaoili had eight, Kaina Adolpho and Shraedon Naeole-Starkey had six each.

On Saturday, Molokai trailed by five at the half 23-18, but Seabury pulled away in the second half for a 71-39 victory.…

Strong Results for Wrestling

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

 

The Molokai Boys and Girls Wrestling team showed outstanding results at last week’s round robin tournament at Baldwin High School. The Farmers dominated many weight divisions with multiple top finishes.

Head Coach Randy Manley said his teams are getting better as they get closer to the MIL and State Championships.

“Yesterday was a good day for MHS wrestling,” he said. “We saw a number of improvements on both the girls’ and boys’ teams. There were stand out performances by Luhi Pedro, who defeated her Baldwin rival who has previously beaten her in two previous outings. Although defeated 8-5 by Lahainaluna’s Nalu Estrella, Caele Manley continued to move forward in performance.…

Lady Farmers Hand Seabury 1st Loss

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

Lady Farmers Hand Seabury 1st Loss

The Lady Farmers Basketball team got a well-earned split with the Seabury Hall Spartans last  weekend at The Barn. Both teams fought hard and put on an entertaining show in their two games. On Friday, the Spartans had a 25-24 lead at the half but pulled away in a close game to win 41-36 and improve their record to 7-0. The Lady Farmers were led by Sydney Rawlins with 13 points, while Kaitlin DeRouin added 11, Camille Ledesma had seven, and Tai-Li Tangatailoa had six.

On Saturday, Seabury again had a one point lead at the half, 15-14, but Molokai (2-4) had a good second half and won a close game 34-31 and handed the Spartans, now 7-1, their only loss of the regular season.…

Ferry System Not Feasible

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

A state ferry system is not feasible, and neither is bringing back the Molokai to Maui ferry, even though it may be needed, according to a recent study from the Department of Transportation.

After being tasked with conducting the study by the state Legislature in 2016, the DOT examined the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of several types of ferries in Hawaii. It looked at an inter-island ferry, an intra-county ferry between Molokai and Maui, and intra-island ferries between West Oahu and Honolulu and between West and Central Maui.

The study reviewed the controversial Superferry, which served Oahu, Maui and Kauai between 2007 to 2009, as well as the recently shut down Molokai Princess, which ended operation between Molokai and Maui in 2016, after claiming financial hardship.…