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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Young Woman of Promise

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Young Woman of Promise

Molokai High freshman Momi Afelin already has a resume full of science and engineering accomplishments, and can now add another feather to her cap. She was recently awarded the Young Woman of Promise award by the Maui County Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) as part of the group’s celebration of Women’s History Month.

In keeping with this year’s national theme for the month, “Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM],” the committee received more than 20 nominations throughout the county for several awards. The Young Woman of Promise category recognized the accomplishments of girls in STEM ages 14 to 21.…

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Sunshine in a Bag

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Sunshine in a Bag

Initiative addresses child hunger

While most children on Molokai fall asleep every night with a full stomach and go to school well-nourished, there are some who don’t. To help combat child hunger, the St. Damien Catholic Parish is spearheading an effort to provide food to elementary students in need, as well as assist families in creating a sustainable backyard garden.

Starting last Friday, the Sunshine Backpack and Ohana Garden project, or Kukunaokala, will distribute backpacks of food twice a month to selected students at Kilohana, Kaunakakai and Kualapu`u schools. Students are chosen for participation based on referrals from school staff, and parents must give permission for their children to receive a backpack.…

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Mo Music MoBettah

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

Mo Music MoBettah

Ten years ago, six Molokai musicians assembled to showcase the island on Maui at an event at the Queen Ka`ahumanu Center. The group, which stayed together afterwards and became MoBettah the Band, celebrated a decade of entertainment, music and friendship with an anniversary concert at Paddlers Inn last Friday.

“We played for 13 hours that weekend on Maui,” remembered Tania Manaba-Will, lead vocalist and ukulele, timbale and tambourine player. Since then, the band has become a way to give back and share music and “encouraging messages” with the community, Manaba-Will said.

“We all have full time jobs on Molokai but our passion is our music,” said guitarist Rick Schonely, another of the four original band members still in the group.…

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Tradition of Adaptive Management

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Aha Kiole O Molokai

When it comes to the land and ocean, we are aware that laws have been created and maintained by the State of Hawaii, with the intent to help regulate the usage and continuity of the resources. It has become evident that the management system long-used in Hawaii has not served to keep Hawaii’s resources healthy and abundant. One of the key differences between our current state practices and traditional Hawaiian resource practices — and why the system of the past worked — is that each island and moku division based their management decisions on the environmental conditions of their own areas.…

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Future Scientists Get a Sense of Our Past

Friday, March 29th, 2013

Future Scientists Get a Sense of Our Past

Community Contributed

By Bradford Duval

Every few years, science teacher Erron Yoshioka along with 15 eager science club members and two other teachers travel to Molokai from Moanalua High School on Oahu. During their spring break, they take in Molokai and gain a shared sense of history and perspective on some of the old ways and how it relates to their scientific lessons and explorations.

Sharing knowledge with those willing to learn is a specialty of 2013 Umu Kai Award winner Uncle Mac Poepoe’s, and on the students’ recent trip to Mo`omomi, learn they did.

Starting at the main pavilion, the students were able to learn about pono fishing techniques, and how traditional Hawaiian practices tie in to the science of fishery management.…

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Obituary: Julia Coelho

Friday, March 29th, 2013

Obituary: Julia Coelho

Julia Coelho of Kawela, Molokai passed away on March 14, 2013 at the age of 87 at her daughter’s home on Oahu. She was a retired nurse with Molokai General Hospital and was a helping hand for many with animals. Born in New York on Aug. 17, 1925, she traveled to Europe and Central America before settling down on Molokai in the mid 50s.

She is survived by her daughter, Clarice (Coelho) Olayvar; sons Michael and Clarence W. Coelho Jr., six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Visitation for friends and family will be on Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 9 a.m.…

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Moana Dudoit: A legacy of love, culture and ohana

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Moana Dudoit: A legacy of love, culture and ohana

“One of the best friends I ever had.” “Always helped everyone.” “A legacy of unconditional love.” “Always dreamed big.” “Spiritually strong.” These are just a few of the ways one of Molokai’s most beloved kumu hula, Aunty Moana Dudoit, is described by family and friends.

For more than 40 years, Dudoit’s halau has taught and supported about 300 people ranging in age from 4 to 90-something. Traveling around the world to share the aloha spirit, Hawaiian culture and love of family, Dudoit has touched not only those on her native island of Molokai, but also those on the mainland, and in Japan, Europe and the South Pacific.…

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Domestic Violence Leads to Fatal Shooting

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Last Wednesday night, 24-year-old Malia Kahalewai was fatally shot at Kawela Barns in a tragedy that shook Molokai. Police responded to a 911 call around 10 p.m. and found Kahalewai with a single gunshot wound to her chest. She was taken to Molokai General Hospital in critical condition, where she died, according to police.

Crime scenes of fatal shootings like this should be left untouched for the authorities to conduct a thorough forensic investigation and collection of evidence. Then, a clean-up can be done by a company that specializes in crime scene cleanup services. 

Police arrested Kahalewai’s boyfriend, Marlin Lavoie, 33, Thursday morning after he surrendered himself.…

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Breaking News: Fatal Shooting on Molokai UPDATED

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Last updated at 3 p.m. March 21, 2013

Last night a 24-year-old female was fatally shot at Kawela Barns Apartments. The 911 call was reported at 9:59 p.m. Police reported the victim, who has been identified as Malia Kahalewai, as having a single gunshot wound in the chest. She was transported to Molokai General Hospital in critical condition, according to a police press release. She passed away as a result of her injuries.

Police have identified the suspect as 33-year-old Marlin L. Lavoie, who fled the scene last night in a small Honda, compact vehicle heading east on Kamehameha V Highway.…

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Expansion for Island Air

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Expansion for Island Air

With a new owner and a new plane, Island Air is entering into a period of expansion and growth. Company president Les Murashige, who entered the position in October, shared his thoughts on recent buyer Larry Ellison, the ATR 72 aircraft and Hawaiian Airline’s entrance into the Molokai market.

“We have always wanted to provide service throughout Hawaii,” Murashige said last Thursday. “With our new ownership and their commitment, we can [expand].”

One way the company is expanding and improving is with the addition of new aircraft to their fleet. The ATR 72 turboprop holds 64 passengers, nearly twice as many as the Dash 8 turboprop, which is what the airlines has used.…

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