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A Time to Celebrate

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

A Time to Celebrate

The scene at the Maunaloa Recreation Center last Wednesday gave little hint of the years-long struggle to secure the future of Maunaloa Elementary School.

Music drifted out the door and down the block, where kids escaped to laugh and play in the last few minutes of sunlight.

The only cues of the community’s campaign were the hand-made protest signs that lined the hall’s walls – “Keiki Our Future,” “Save Maunaloa School.”

After all the hand-wringing and worrying over the school’s fate, still grappling with the disappointment of Molokai Ranch shuttering its operations there, Maunaloa residents were relived to have a reason to celebrate.

The event was meant as a thank-you to the community, said Maunaloa Principal Joe Yamamoto, whose support helped convince the Board of Education (BOE) that consolidating the school with Kaunakakai Elementary roughly 18 miles away was not the answer.

“It’s been our message throughout -- you take away the school, you take away the heart of the community,” Yamamoto said. “It’s a hub.”

Despite improving tests scores and its meeting federal benchmarks under No Child Left Behind, the state targeted the school for consolidation, looking to save at least $270,000 a year, according to official estimates.

In September, after two years of back-and-forth between the BOE, state officials and Maunaloa residents, the board voted unanimously to keep the school open with its full staff intact, swayed largely by the outpouring of community support for the school.

“It was really overwhelming throughout the whole process,” said Elly Abafo, an educational assistant at the school. She was also a student at Maunaloa, as were her mother, children and now grandchildren.

Many at last week’s banquet likened the school to a second home for its 71 students, who all know their classmates, teachers and principal.

“It makes learning fun up here cause there’s only little bit kids,” said student Keola Sotelo-Mellokeanini.

Nearby, Leilani Kaina, whose daughter Johalei Kaina-Kahoalii, 5, is in kindergarten at the school, said she feels more comfortable sending her to a school closer to home.

“Everybody is one big ohana so parents don’t have to worry about the kids being safe,” Kaina said. Avoiding the drive to Kaunakakai every morning is also a relief, she laughed.

The school’s closure would not just have hurt its students and parents. Jonathan Espaniola, who works in the school cafeteria, said the staff was “very nervous” throughout the process.

With a limited business base, finding new jobs in Maunaloa would have been difficult. The town is still hurting over two years after Molokai Ranch shed 120 jobs in a single day, primarily in Maunoloa and on the west end. The school closing would have meant yet another blow to employment there.

But for now, workers like Espaniola are safe – and couldn’t be happier.

“I still have a job!” he said excitedly.

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MHS’ Adolpho Signs with Warriors

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

MHS’ Adolpho Signs with Warriors

Molokai High School senior Kalei Adolpho signed with the University of Hawaii (UH) last week, formally accepting a full scholarship to play for the Warriors women’s basketball team next year.

The six-foot-one-inch Adolpho said she felt “excited, honored, nervous” about playing for UH. She had been in talks with recruiters since her freshman year and made a verbal commitment to the school last year.

Finally, last Wednesday, surrounded by her Farmers coaches, classmates and family, Adolpho signed a national letter of intent, making her commitment official.

“University of Hawaii should be very proud of what they’re getting… A kid like Kalei doesn’t come around very much,” said basketball coach Mike Hooper.

Adolpho will also play for the UH volleyball team next year.

During her career at MHS, Adolpho lettered in basketball, volleyball and track and field. As a junior, she was named the league’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Last month, she helped the girls’ volleyball team capture its first state title, capping off a 12-0 season.

Adolpho’s mom, Vesta, said it is a relief to have the commitment on paper.

“There was never really any question of where she was going to go,” she said.

Adolpho will be attending UH Manoa and has not declared her major.

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Aunty’s Corner

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Aunty’s Corner

Aloha, Aunty here again.

I am off on a 10-day excursion to Maui for a Keiki Hula Competition at Ka`anapali Beach Hotel, and then on to Honolulu for a three-day Hula workshop at the Waikiki Hula Conference. I am so excited about this but I forgot all about Thanksgiving so that I must rely on my helpers at Home Pumehana. The Hui at Home Pumehana is working very hard for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 23.  There are several churches preparing the dinner for us.  I wish to thank them greatly for their wonderful Aloha to us. They are: Molokai Baptist, Kaunakakai Baptist, Calvary Chapel, and Ka Hale La`a Ierusulama Hou. I also want to make sure that I thank very publically my helpers: Grace, Carolyn, Aunty Didi, Mary, Rosie, Amy and Joanna.  Especially Mary, she is really stressing over my being gone, but I know that I am leaving this in their very capable hands.  I also wish to thank Jersula and her staff at Home Pumehana for all the help that they give when we put on these events.  They are wonderful. 

My teammates and I did a great presentation for our final exam if I do say so myself.  If you want to see our presentation stop by the office and I’ll show it to you. 

I am excited because my granddaughter, Jasmin is coming for Thanksgiving.  She is a second year veterinarian student. I am trying to talk her into coming here when she graduates but so far she’s looking at the east coast to work with large animals.  She is a champion barrel racer. When she and her brother were little they won so much money they had to pay taxes. Can you tell I’m a proud tutu?

Well, this is all for now. Much aloha to you all.
A hui hou, Aunty Kapua

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New Mayor Wants You

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Alan Arakawa News Release

Mayor-elect Alan Arakawa announced that he is looking for the "best and the brightest" to fill various appointed positions within the County of Maui.
 
Due on Friday, Nov. 12, all resumes will be reviewed and considered by a transition team led by incoming Managing Director Keith Regan.  

"We hope to get a tidal wave of resumes," Regan said.  "We are looking for the best and brightest during this countywide talent search," he added. 

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Molokai Learns of New Health Care Law

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Molokai Learns of New Health Care Law

AARP News Release

Mary Protheroe, an AARP Hawaii volunteer, visited members of AARP’s Molokai Chapter last week to talk about the new health care law and answer questions.  The health reform package passed by Congress this year offers numerous benefits that Hawaii Medicare beneficiaries and those not yet eligible for Medicare should know about.

For example, the law improves access to medical care by ensuring that doctors receive bonuses for treating Medicare patients.  In addition, the law closes the Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the “doughnut hole,” one of the reasons Hawaii residents face rising prescription drug costs.  The good news is, if you reach the doughnut hole in 2010 you’ll receive a rebate for $250 to help pay for prescriptions.  Beginning in 2011, you’ll receive a 50 percent discount on your brand-name drugs. 

The new law also provides free preventive care for Medicare beneficiaries, so you no longer have to pay out of pocket for preventive care services, such as screenings for cancer and diabetes.  You’ll also be able to work with your doctor to develop your own plan to keep you as healthy as possible. 

For people not yet eligible for Medicare, beginning this year the law allows those with a pre-existing health condition access to insurance coverage if you’ve been uninsured for six months.  If you have insurance, it allows you to cover your adult children until age 26.  Starting in 2014, it also expands eligibility for Medicaid, allowing more lower-income families and individuals to get health coverage.

For more details about the health care law check www.aarp.org/getthefacts.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social welfare organization with a membership that helps people age 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.  There are about 150,000 AARP members in the state of Hawaii.

For information about the benefits of AARP membership or becoming a member of the Molokai Chapter, call Gladys Brown at 553-5375.  The Chapter meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Mitchell Pauole Center at 9:30 a.m.

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Rummaging for Treasure

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Rummaging for Treasure

“You never heard the story of the white elephants?” asked a puzzled Claire Iveson. “During the civil war, the Siamese kings sent Lincoln elephants for the war.”

have a good quality rummage sale – the whitest of the elephants.”

That included heaps of clothes, a few pairs of weather-beaten shoes, jewelry, books and kitchen goods, all of which were donated by parishioners in the week leading up to the sale.

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Down to Business

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Down to Business

Mocha Mama’s from Coffees of Hawaii or papayas from Kumu Farms? Hibiscus plants from Molokai Nei Organics or hand-made pottery from Molokai Arts Center?

Visitors at the eighth annual Business and Food Expo last Saturday had plenty to choose from, topped off by a series of mouth watering chef demonstrations.

Hosted by the Molokai Chamber of Commerce, the expo was meant to showcase local businesses and build awareness for the chamber, which lobbies for businesses at the state and county level.

“We represent the business sector of Molokai.” said Rob Stephenson, chamber president.

This year’s expo also featured a local chef in the line-up. Sherwood “Woody” Hiro from Hula Shores at Hotel Molokai whipped up a grilled garlic-Cajun chicken sandwich and red potato and bacon salad.

The dish will be on Hula Shore’s re-vamped menu, debuting next month, which will include more options “so the local doesn’t feel like they’re in a tourist restaurant,” said General Manager Michael Drew.

This year, the event moved back to Lanikeha Community Center in Ho`olehua, which Stevenson called “more user-friendly” for the chefs. Overall, he gave the day two thumbs up.

“It surpassed my expectations,” he said.

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Kitty Literature

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Kitty Literature

Six years ago, Randall was just another homeless cat. Today, he is the unofficial mascot of Aka`ula School and the star of a children’s book, Randall Returns.

Aka`ula parent Andrea Benes wrote and illustrated the book, inspired by a student’s article about Randall in the school newsletter.

“As I was reading through the article, I thought, ‘This is a children’s book!’” said Benes, who is the librarian at Aka`ula and Kilohana Elementary School. “And I know children’s books.”

Aka`ula students first befriended – and named – Randall on the old school grounds in Kaunakakai. When the school moved to its current site in Kualapu`u, Principal Dara Lukonen took Randall to her house down the road in Kualapu`u, but he soon ran away and followed the kids.

“He didn’t have to cross the highway. He had a real home, he just liked the kids,” Benes said.

She started the book with a fellow Aka`ula parent, Alestra Menendez. Benes finished it over the summer and plans to self-publish and sell it as a fundraiser for the school.

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Save Our Seals

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Save Our Seals

With a dwindling Hawaiian monk seal population, federal officials are proposing a new plan to improve the survival of the endangered species. However, some Molokai fishermen say they are worried the plan could come at their expense.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is preparing a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for an action plan that seeks to relocate monk seals to Molokai and other islands.

The NFMS is considering moving recently-weaned female pups from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) to the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) for three years. During this time, the seals would be released among wild pups and be monitored and studied before being returned to their respective islands.

Fishing Woes
Representatives of the NMFS were on island last week to gather public opinion for the PEIS, which will evaluate the impacts of the proposed activities. While some fisherman felt the recovery program has good intentions, they also spoke of how it could be detrimental to their business.

that the seals are a nuisance and eating the fish right out of the nets.”

Ching suggested the idea of establishing a breeding center in the NWHI, in hopes to satisfy both parties.

“It’s just a thought, but NOAA seems to have deep pockets,” Ching said. “…It would be a safe environment and there would be no human interaction.”

Walter Naki agreed, stating that human interaction would be difficult to avoid if more seals were brought to Molokai.

“We don’t want to criminalize people,” he said. “I like the part about saving seals but don’t want to see one innocent fisherman put in jail.”

Seal Recovery
According to NMFS, 60 to 90 percent of NWHI seals die by the age of three. However, research has shown that MHI seals do well, with 60 percent surviving to adulthood. Jeff Walters, of the NMFS, said a reason for this could be that there are less predators and competitors on MHI.
The primary focus of the seal recovery program is to modify seal behavior, decrease human socialization, and improve female survival.

“The thing about wildlife species is you need females to have pups to keep the species going,” Walters added.

If implemented, the program would be launched no earlier than 2012 and would begin with a trial phase of a few pups. The public has until Nov. 15 to submit written comment before the PEIS is drafted and published. For more information go to www.nmfs.noaa.gov and search for the Hawaiian monk seal recovery program.

KP2 Update
Of the 1,200 Hawaiian monk seals that remain, Ho`ailona, affectionately known as KP2, is doing well and is now stable with his eye condition.

At his current home at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), Ho`ailona is still being considered for surgery for his cataracts, but depends on if he returns to  the Hawaiian Islands.

Dr. Terrie Williams, director of the Marine Mammal Physiology project at UCSC, said she and NMFS are still in discussion about Ho`ailona’s future and when he will return to Hawaii.

She said the question remains of where to place him. Sea Life Park has been the most talked about location thus far. It has not been decided whether Ho`ailona would be returned to Molokai.

“My understanding is that construction of a pool is what is slowing his travel back to the islands,” she added. “We've been working on Ho`ailona’s training to help him make the transition to a new island home. It would help to know where that home is.”

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Room to Grow

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Aka`ula School plans to add high school grades, starting with ninth grade next fall.

Administrators at the private school, which currently teaches grades five through eight, are weighing the option of adding grades 10 through 12 at the same time or in subsequent years.

The school would likely hire another full-time teacher, part-time support staff and incorporate some online instruction, said Head of School Vicki Newberry. The school plans to hold a community meeting next month to present more detailed expansion plans.

The idea is to start small.

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