Author Archives: Catherine Cluett

Social Animal

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Hawaiian monk seal makes an appearance at the wharf.

By Catherine Cluett

The wharf may be a hot hang-out spot, but one Hawaiian monk seal proved it’s not only humans that enjoy socializing in the sea breeze. Last week, KP2, as the young seal is named, seems to have made Kaunakakai Harbor his temporary new home.

KP2, short for Kauai pup 2, was abandoned by his mother on Kauai when he was less than 24 hours old. He was hand-reared by NOAA biologists and raised in captivity for eight months before his release in Kalaupapa in November. NOAA biologist David Schofield says the nine-month-old seal has circumnavigated the island a couple times and was seen on Lanai a couple weeks ago.

Julie Lopez, a local member of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team, said fisherman remained cooperative even when the seal “hauled up,” or came on shore to sleep, on the boat ramp. On the endangered species list, it is recommended that people stay 150 feet away from Hawaiian monk seals, and it is illegal to disturb them. Seals are naturally curious, and Schofield said KP2 likes hanging out around the wharf because there’s a lot of human activity.

Schofield said he, with volunteers’ help, is trying to keep KP2 wild and not dependant on people. Because of this, he asks that no one feed or approach KP2 or any seal. If you see people in white Monk Seal Response Team shirts approaching the seal, they are attempting to keep him in his wild state by using “displacement techniques” to make him feel uncomfortable in the area without hurting him. Schofield asks that you do not attempt this yourself – it’s only legal when performed by authorized personnel.

Hawaiian monk seals are one of two mammals endemic (originating here and found no where else) to Hawaii. Evidence points to their existence in the Main Hawaiian Islands before humans even arrived, as early as 1400 to 1750 AD.


 

The Recreational Renaissance

Monday, March 9th, 2009

State plan for recreational resource improvement comes to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai hasn’t been forgotten in the state’s newest plan for improvement of recreational areas – the island is slated to receive $4,490,000 for three projects on the island between now and 2013. A total of $240 million has been allocated for a statewide “Recreational Renaissance,” a revamping of recreational facilities of both land and sea.

A group of Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) representatives visited Molokai last week on their state-wide tour, asking for community support for the project. Edward Underwood, Administrator of the Division of Boating and Aquatic Recreation, says the Recreational Renaissance plan needs community support in order for the bills to pass through legislature.

Bottom of the Basin

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Popohaku sediment to be used at the dump.

By Catherine Cluett

For an island whose reefs are threatened by sediment build-up, anything to keep silt from the coastal zone is considered important. That’s why Goodfellow Bros. will be performing maintenance on the Popohaku sediment basin, dredging built-up silt to a depth of about 3 feet in the 30,000 square foot basin.

Lori Buchanan, a member of the Molokai Planning Commission, said the purpose of the basin is to catch sediment from the area’s rivers before the run-off drains into Popohaku’s coastal zones. The basin, which was originally created in 2000, she said, is owned by Molokai Ranch.

Goodfellow was granted an exemption from Special Management Area (SMA) rules in order to perform the maintenance. Dredging is expected to begin in the next month.

Blinded by the Sun

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Commission votes to restrict solar facilities on ag land.

By Catherine Cluett

Renewable energy and agriculture are two things many Molokai residents hope their island will become known for. But should you allow solar facilities to be built on land zoned for agriculture? 

Three weeks ago, Molokai residents had the chance to voice their opinions and weigh in on the Molokai Planning Commission’s (MoPC) decision about whether or not to support permitting of solar facilities of any size or use in agricultural districts. Residents’ feedback was mixed, and commissioners were left with a tough decision, which they deferred until last week’s meeting.

The state and county want people to be able to build solar facilities without a special permit, says Joe Alueta of the Maui County Planning Department. But members of the Molokai Planning Commission as well as some community members have reservations about giving blanket authorization without the MoPC’s approval of individual projects.

Above the Law

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Legal Vacation Rentals a Murky Ordeal

By Catherine Cluett

Frances Feeter has been trying to operate a Transient Vacation Rental since 2001. Her biggest problem so far is trying to do it legally.

Transient Vacation Rentals (TVR’s) have long been a sensitive issue on Molokai. There’s only one legal TVR operating on Molokai, and, according to Mayor Charmaine Tavares in 2007, there are over 1000 illegal TVR’s operating in Maui County.

“I feel it is unfair to target people who were going through the process legally,” says Feeter.

Since filing an application for operation of a TVR, Feeter says they were required to cease operation despite the fact that many other vacation rentals on the island are still operating illegally.

Molokai Bills Reach Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

Last Friday was a busy day for legislation relating to Molokai.  Four bills passed the Senate’s Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee (WLT) last Friday.  The Committee is chaired by former Molokai resident Senator Clayton Hee.

Issues as far ranging as fisheries protection and a ban on genetically modified taro were addressed by the six member committee.  Additionally, many Molokai residents offered testimony on the various bills.

The bills will be up for senate approval in the coming weeks.

Fisheries

Bill SB1199, which would designate the waters around Molokai as a community-based subsistence fishing area, passed out the Senate’s Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee (WLT) last Friday.

Divine Expression

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Divine Expression

Kalele Bookstore opens its doors
By Catherine Cluett


“Here, I know the words to that song,” he said, gently taking the instrument. His voice rose to meet the ukulele’s melody, singing a song about Molokai he himself had written. Uncle Andy took my hand and we danced slow circles around the store, swaying to the rhythm.

Even hushed conversations ceased, and I looked around to see a glow spread from one face to another – a glow that doesn’t come from money or make-up, but bubbles up from someplace deep within, someplace we often forget exists in the hurry of daily life. And in a little store in the middle of Kaunakakai, with Uncle Roy’s deep lilting voice above our heads, we were reminded of that place. With the joy of sharing still filling the room to overflowing, the song came to a close and Teri hugged me, her eyes glistening.

“That’s what this place is about,” she said.

“If I could wrap the store up in a tea leaf, I would – as my ho`okupu to my grandfather, to the Molokai community, and to the next generations. I hope they come in and know this is for them.”

And if you don’t believe Molokai can bring dreams to birth, you’ll have to stop by Kalele Bookstore & Divine Expressions. I’ll bet you’ll leave convinced.

It’s Official

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Father Damien To Become a Saint

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai residents gave special thanks on Saturday for the island’s own soon-to-be saint, Blessed Damien de Veuster. The Vatican announced his canonization is set for Oct. 11, 2009, with the ceremony taking place in Rome.

“Blessed Damien was sent by God to serve the people of Hawai‘i,” said Lt. Gov James “Duke” Aiona in a statement issued last Saturday.

Blessed Damien is among 10 to be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI this year, with five to be declared saints on April 26, and the other five, including Damien, on Oct. 11.

Maria Sullivan of the Molokai Catholic Church says she has already seen more inquiries about visiting Molokai through the church website. “I think we will see an increase in visitors to walk where Father Damien walked,” she says.

Born Joseph de Veuster in Belgium in1840, Blessed Damien began his ministry in Kalaupapa in 1873; where about 8,000 people had been banished starting with an epidemic of Hansen’s disease in the 1850’s.

It has now been 120 years since Damien died of the disease which he contracting while caring for the patients of Kalaupapa. Pope John Paul II beatified Father Damien in 1995, one step toward sainthood.

Thanksgiving Services in celebration of the announcement of the official date for the canonization of Blessed Damien were held last weekend in both Honolulu and Kalaupapa.


 

Alien Invasion

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Molokai Invasive Species Committee continues the fight

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai is known as the last Hawaiian island, and its residents take pride in their history, culture, and land. But with care of the land, comes care of plants and animals, and native species are often wiped out by invasive and non-native varieties. Controlling those predator species is a big job – one that MoMISC, or the Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee, has taken on with success.

MoMISC has been doing such outstanding work on the island, in fact, that this year, despite budget cuts across the board, all MoMISC positions will remain secure. This is due in part to the organization’s successful collaboration with other Molokai groups, such as The Nature Conservancy, the Molokai Land Trust, the Kalaupapa National Park, and the United States Department of Agriculture, to name a few.

Operation: Warm Clothes

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Operation: Warm Clothes

Molokai residents have donated 2000 pounds of clothing for Afghani families in need.

Richard Messina poses with 2000 pounds of clothing on his lanai waiting to be distributed to families in Afghanistan by his Airman son, Joseph. Photo by Bevan Analoro.

By Catherine Cluett

Joseph Messina is an airman with the Air Force. While working in the rural villages of Afghanistan in the bitter cold, the soldiers noticed the Afghani families had no warm clothes, Messina and his fellow airmen began giving away their own clothes to freezing villagers. Messina told his father, Molokai resident Richard Messina, about the situation. Within weeks, 2000 pounds of clothes had accumulated on the Messina’s lanai, donated by concerned Molokai residents. Queen Liliuokalani Center alone donated over 300 pounds of items.

“It’s blowing my mind,” says Richard Messina. “A lot of people have donated and it’s still coming.” He’s calling the effort “Operation: Warm Clothes.”

There’s only one problem – they have to pay to ship 2000 pounds of clothing to Afghanistan. Messina says it costs $79 to send a 49-pound box. He’s hoping the military can help, but so far, it doesn’t look hopeful.

Joseph Messina, meanwhile, has set up a way to distribute the clothing directly to the people in Afghanistan who need it. This will avoid having the supplies end up in the wrong hands, says his father.

To help raise money for shipment, a fundraiser event is being held at Hotel Molokai on Sunday February 22, from noon to 4 p.m. Musical entertainment will be offered by the “Anahaki Blend and Friends” band as well as Lono and others. The event will also feature raffle drawing and door prizes, one of which is a whale watching trip donated by Molokai Ocean Tours run by Nancy and Ernie Poland. Tickets for the event are available for a donation of $5.

Messina says they’re still looking for clothing donations. Warm clothing is what’s needed – like jackets, socks, shoes, sweater and blankets – for men, women and children. You can also offer monetary donations to assist with shipping.

For tickets to the fundraiser event or for more information, call Richard at 553-4328.