Author Archives: Catherine Cluett

Not all of the wharf swimmers in this picture are kids. KP2, a Hawaiian monk seal at the lower right, enjoys an afternoon with friends after swimming back from Kalaupapa, where NOAA officials had taken him just two days earlier.

By Catherine Cluett

Life is good for KP2, a young male Hawaiian monk seal who calls Kaunakakai Wharf his home. Wherever people are, KP2 is sure to be found, whether it’s diving with laughing children or grabbing onto an outrigger for a ride. Some find his behavior annoying, but most are endeared by this bright-eyed, playful creature who prefers human company to hanging out with fellow seals.

“I’ve watched him hug the kids and the kids hug him back,” said one onlooker who frequents the wharf.

Abandoned by his mother on Kauai at 24 hours old, KP2, short for Kauai pup two, was found by NOAA biologists. He was raised in captivity for eight months before his release in Kalaupapa last November. A few months later, he appeared at the Kaunakakai
Wharf, and a team of biologists and volunteers worked to educate the public about keeping their distance from KP2.

The team also tried repeatedly to discourage the seal from making the area his home, but with no luck. Finally, on Friday, June 12, NOAA transported him back to Kalaupapa hoping he would socialize with other young seals and “stay wild.” However, in just two days, KP2 had made his way back to the wharf in time to swim with the neighborhood kids before sunset.

Now that he’s back, NOAA is asking people not to interact with the seal so he does not become dependant on humans and he can learn to live a seal’s life. The Hawaiian monk seal is an endangered species and it is against the law to approach or disturb a seal.

NOAA biologist David Schofield worries that when KP2 reaches sexual maturity, he will become not only larger and bolder, but may become aggressive. Because of this, he continues to ask Molokai residents to keep their distance.

Some are arguing that NOAA created the situation when it rescued the seal. They do not think it is fair they should have to stay out of the water to avoid the seal.

But many have also come to love the seal or appreciate the education he has afforded the children and community.

“These kids never would have been ever been able to know a monk seal otherwise,” said one monk seal volunteer.

“I think interacting with the seal is good for people,” said wharf resident Robert Wilt, known as Stretch. He suggests NOAA use KP2 as a “poster boy” – a mascot for the effort to protect Hawaiian monk seals.

Even NOAA representatives agree that KP2’s close interactions with people is not all negative. “KP2 has helped raise awareness about monk seals,” said Schofield.

On July 9, NOAA will make a decision about KP2’s future. Several options are on the table, according to Schofield, but they all involve removing KP2 from Molokai.

“As managers, NOAA has to remove the animal so he doesn’t become aggressive,” said Schofield.

Relocating KP2 to another Main Hawaiian Island, to a remote area in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, or to an aquarium are all being discussed.

Many Molokai residents say they hope KP2 will be moved to a sea-life park, where he can remain safe and monitored, but still interact with people.

“He is one of the toughest challenges in my career,” Schofield explained. “People dream of swimming with wild animals, but I can tell you it will end badly both for people and the seal.”

Officials from the Department of Parks and Recreation break ground at the department’s future base yard facility.

By Catherine Cluett

It’s been a long, cramped wait for a space to call their own for the Department of Parks and Recreation on Molokai,. Last Friday marked the groundbreaking for a new base yard at Duke Maliu Park, a project that first came to the table about six years ago, according to Molokai’s Zachary Helm, Deputy Director of Maui County Parks and Recreation.

Reverend Jimmy Duvauchelle offered a blessing for the effort, and participants dug golden shovels in the earth where the future building will stand.

Helm congratulated those present. “Finally we’re going to get one hale,” he laughed.

The new building at Duke Maliu Park will house Parks facilities including office space, a staff area, maintenance shop, vehicle parking and equipment storage, according to April Shiotani, Design Consultant for Hiyakumoto and Higuchi Architects. The 5,000 square foot building will be constructed behind the existing Duke Maliu Park building.

Parks and Recreation Director Tamara Horcajo called the Molokai operation a “shining example” for the county.

The Molokai Department of Parks and Recreation has been housed at Mitchell Paoule Center since 1983, according to Helm. Because space is so limited there, the department has no centralized headquarters, and their equipment is spread out around the island.

BCP Construction of Hawaii won the $1.3 million county contract to build the facility. Helm said construction will begin July 1, and the department could be moving in to the new facility as early as the first of next year.

“The project is going to go fast,” he said.

Helm said the project will create jobs, and adding that hopes work will be contracted to Molokai companies as much as possible to stimulate local economy. BCP Construction Project Foreman Max Toa of Molokai said his crew of four will consist of two workers from Honolulu and two from Molokai.

Helm said the Department of Parks and Recreation’s next Molokai project is improvements to the community pool, including new restroom faculties, scheduled begin in August.

By Catherine Cluett

With a French flag hanging in the window and “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem, playing in the background, attendees of gunsmith Mel Chung’s latest gun show had the opportunity to examine French military rifles to their heart’s content.

French military rifles displayed at the show last Friday were used by the French and their allies in World War I, WW II, and some models were still used until the 1980’s.

“Their designs are a little quirky,” said Chung of the French. “They marched to the beat of their own drum.”

But quirky or not, they had some good ideas. The French were the first to invent and use smokeless powder in the late 1800’s, which gave them a tactical advantage, according to Chung. They were also among the first to use smaller rifle caliber: while other countries used 45 caliber, the French fired 8 millimeter ammunition.

Four weapons displayed on the counter representing a variety of French models and time periods stole the show. Visitors had the opportunity to examine each gun and rise to the challenge of finding two distinct physical features present in all four weapons. Guess them right, and you received a prize.

The common features were the same sling attachments (an economic measure, said Chung), and the type of screw used to construct the rifles, called a spanner screw. A special two-prong screw driver is needed to remove them, and Chung explained, this made it difficult for soldiers to disassemble the weapon.

“It makes them ‘idiot proof’,” he chuckled.