Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Farmer Athletes Honored at Pro Bowl

Thursday, February 4th, 2016

Farmer Athletes Honored at Pro Bowl

Athletes and coaches from the MIL Champion Molokai Farmers eight-man football team were honored at half time of the Pro Bowl last Sunday. Because Molokai graduate Kimo von Olehoffen won the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Farmers are one of a handful of teams in the state that received a special commemorative football at half time of the All-Star game at Aloha Stadium.
Von Olehoffen did not play football at Molokai High School because there was no team when he graduated in 1989 but he played collegiately at Boise State and then in the pros for the Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles from 1994 to 2007.…

Study on Electric Utility Suggests ‘Paradigm Shift’

Thursday, January 28th, 2016

A recent study on Maui County’s electric utility could play a large role in shaping the future of Molokai’s electric service. The independent study, contracted by the county to consulting company Guernsey, examined alternate forms of electric utility ownership and operation models. Released two weeks ago, it recommended that Maui County seek an Independent Systems Operator (ISO) or Regional Transmission Operator (RTO) to oversee the electric grid and energy market.

“The County desires to move to 100 percent renewable and sustainable energy as quickly as practicable, and has concerns about the prospects of this progress under the status quo,” states the study.…

Farmers Host Wrestling Tournament

Thursday, January 28th, 2016

Farmers Host Wrestling Tournament

Head Coach Randy Manley said it best: “It’s always nice to be able to sleep in your own bed and not sleep on a wrestling mat in somebody else’s gym… but you also worry that they’ll be nervous wrestling in front of their family and friends and we just hope they shine in front of their home fans. And they did.”

The Molokai High School Wrestling team hosted a round robin tournament here on Molokai at The Barn last weekend. Five schools from the Maui Interscholastic League — Baldwin, Maui High, Lahainaluna, Kamehameha Maui, King Kekaulike and Molokai — competed on Friday evening and Saturday in front of a very supportive home crowd.…

Farmers Come Out Strong Off-Island

Thursday, January 28th, 2016

Boys and Girls Basketball

The Lady Farmers picked up two more wins on their road trip to Seabury last weekend and they clinched the regular season championship with their Friday night victory 45-13.  They won on Saturday 54-29 and are now 10-0 on the season. The last home games of the season will be this weekend at The Barn against Lanai and Head Coach Lee Derouin is looking forward to Senior night for the Girls on Friday.

“The girls really took care of business in both games at Seabury and played with great intensity at both ends of the floor,” he said.…

Heal Yourself With Music and Aloha

Friday, January 22nd, 2016

Heal Yourself With Music and Aloha

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

I am hugely grateful to be a part of the amazing Tuesday Kanikapila jam group up at Coffees of Hawaii. It had such an effect on me, seeing how much joy and aloha is shared by such a beautiful group of people just getting together to make music, that I had to write about it!

The group’s founders Waipa Purdy, Roy Horner and Bill Perdue kindly shared their interpretations of Aloha, and I wrote the article for my Huffington Post blog.

Here’s a short excerpt, you can read the full article online, and see photos and a short video of the group, at huffingtonpost.com/ayda-ersoy/

First African American Settler in Hawaii

Friday, January 22nd, 2016

Community Contributed

By Ramie Kuahuia, Aka`ula School Student

Editor’s note: This is an edited version of a paper Ramie Kuahuia, a ninth grader, wrote for English class at Aka`ula School. It was submitted for print by her teacher, in observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this week and Black History Month coming up in February.

Anthony D. Allen, one of the first African Americans to settle in Hawaii, was prosperous and made many contributions to Hawaii.

Allen was born a slave in German Flats, New York in 1774. His mother was likely a slave and his father was a free man.…

Weekend Wins for Farmers

Friday, January 22nd, 2016

It was a weekend of success for the Farmers, with both the Boys and Girls Basketball teams picking up victories, the Girls Paddling crew finishing second and several state-qualifying times for the Swim team.

Swimming Head Coach Jess Ford said both the girls and boys 200 medley relay teams will be headed to states after a good showing last weekend on Maui.

“It was stunning and a relief to achieve back-to-back state qualifying times in the first two races of our first meet this season,” she said. Keao Ross also won both his races in 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard fly, swimming another state qualifying time in the 50 free.…

Ho`olehua Credit Union Closed

Friday, January 22nd, 2016

Ho`olehua Credit Union Closed

On Dec. 29, 2015, the First Hawaiian Homes Federal Credit Union (FHH FCU) closed its doors after being liquidated by the  National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Located in Ho`olehua, the small building at the corner of Farrington and Pu`upe`elua Avenues served 1,379 members and had assets of nearly $3.2 million, according to the credit union’s most recent Call Report.

An NCUA press release said the national organization made the decision to liquidate the FHH FCU and close operations. They find an expert who has low-priced liquidation deals that can help them execute successful strategies. “after determining the credit union was insolvent and had no prospect of restoring viable operations.”…

Davis Pleads No Contest to 2014 Murder

Friday, January 22nd, 2016

Molokai’s Jeffery Kalani Davis changed his not guilty plea on Jan. 4 in the case involving the death of Molokai resident Koshari Kahikili Waits. On the day the jury selection process for his trial was set to begin, Davis pled no contest to manslaughter and two gun offenses—prohibited possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Manslaughter is a lesser crime than the second degree murder charge he would have been facing had the case gone to trial. Manslaughter covers cases of death caused by recklessness and where extreme mental or emotional states are a factor, while second degree murder covers cases of intentional homicide.…

Diving Accident Claims Life of Paramedic

Monday, December 21st, 2015

Diving Accident Claims Life of Paramedic

While you consult Leppard Law: what happens now that I’ve had a dui? Have you ever thought about how severe an accident can be because of your carelessness? A 26-year-old paramedic from Molokai died in a freediving accident last Saturday on the island’s west end. Steven “Keku” Likua went diving with friends off Kaiaka Rock at about 3 p.m. He was last seen an hour later, approximately 300 yards off shore, wearing a camouflage wet suit with fins, snorkel and mask, according to police. When the other divers emerged, Likua did not, and after searching the area, friends reported him missing.…