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Wedding Mahalo

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Oh behalf of the Poepoe `ohana Piilani and Keao, we would like to send a special thank you to all the people who helped make this special occasion possible.

Foremost our parents for all the love, help and support you gave us: Barbara and Blu Poepoe, Chong and Alfred Mollena, Matthew and Geraldine Alolpho. We would also like to thank all the people who helped make this day successful: Leitua and Junya, Melissa and Kaua, Leialoha and Bryson, David Bush, Abbie and `ohana, Aunty Noe and `ohana, Shannon, Rachel, Aunty Vash, Chenney-Nahulu and `ohana, Pualei, Aunty Ilima, Aunty Brenda, Aunty Tika/Teetee, Kaipo `ohana and da boyz, Frank Hanni and da gang, John and Jenn, Eric Bush, Brandon Joao, Kualapu`u TJ and Rodney, Holly and Kalani, Uncle Bootie and `ohana, Keith and `ohana O’Brian, Lahre and Orion, Lance Delos Santos, Uncle Lawrence, Johness and Quintua and `ohana, Ali, Jay and Lito Vendiola, Hotel Molokai, Aunty Caroline and Stacy, Clifford and Peaches, Napua Puaoi, Melissa Luuloa, Teri-Lee, Harrie-Ann, Zanna, Eddie Gorospe, Adolpho `ohana, Cummings `ohana, Aunty Titi and `ohana, Kaika, Kolu P, Kolu C, Collin, Brandon Keoki, Kaloko, Badoy, Isaiah and Malu, Aunty Puni, Royce Villa and gang, Uncle Willie and da band Cease Fiya, O.O.F. Justin Mamwad, Eric Bush, LB and Shirley, Esther K, Esther O, Hema and `ohana, Uncle Larry and Aunty Peke and gang, Harli, Kahana, Imports, Moana’s and all our nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to our wedding court – Chad Lima (BM), Brandy Gomes (MoH), Eke, Kaika Akona, Kiaka, Brandon, Jerome, Kolu P, Kolu C, Kaipo O’Brian, Clifford and my sons: Kaeo, CJ, Pono, Makaio and Kashton. Kalia, Melissa, Leialoha, Kamalu, Katea, Pua, Harrie-Ann, Peaches, Jasmine, Karly-Ann, Lanre, Kaui, Waileia, Kelele, and my daughter Aurea.

If we have missed anyone we sincerely apologize, but we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Much love and aloha,
Keao and Piilani Poepoe

Posted in Letters

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Snorkelers Beware

Friday, August 20th, 2010

A warning to tourists and readers alike:

We were snorkeling at Dixie Beach last week, over the wooden stairs second cove over, Friday late afternoon. It was gorgeous, a fabulous isolated beach, just us and the thieves. While we were in the water thieves helped themselves to our backpack and snorkel bag.

Posted in Letters

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Mahalo to Golfers

Friday, August 20th, 2010

On behalf of Aka`ula School and its families we would like to send a big THANK YOU to the following for their participation, donation, and support for our golf tournament held June 19, 2010 at Ironwood Hills Golf Course: GOLFERS – Dana, Randy, Andy, George, Ronald, Tess, Butch, Jennie, Gail, Shannon, Nathan, Kimo, Jeremy, Paka, Willie, Keola, Wes, and Keith; SPONSORS/DONORS – Young Brothers, Ltd (Al Ranis), AUCO Construction (Shannon Au), Dana Takashima, DDS, Central Construction (Ronald Nakata), Misaki’s Inc (Kevin Misaki), Poepoe & Sons (Myron Poepoe), Aka`ula Alumni (Jennie Makaiwi), Aka`ula Board and Aka`ula students; Hualalai Resort in Kona – Ke’olu Course (Iopa Paleka), Demmers `ohana, Robert Aldrich, Tasha Mahiai, Zelda Kapuni, George Kaulia, Kaipo Ramos, and Ralph Lin

Posted in Letters

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Due Process

Friday, August 20th, 2010

To the people of Maui County and all Veterans:

Is everyone when applying for a building permit in Maui County treated equally? If government expects a person to pay for a license by a due date and it is not paid, penalties are assessed. Is it okay to pay someone or a branch of government (Maui County Planning Department) for services and not receive the service?

Is government working for the people? Molokai Veterans and others tried working with the system for four years to get a building permit. Molokai Veterans have professional people – Engineering Dynamics (Maui) and licensed architect Art Parr – processing the permit. They also question the process.

Posted in Letters

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Hokule`a: A Dream Come True

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Matt Yamashita

There are some images from growing up that are forever imprinted in my mind. One of them is the sailing canoe, Hokule`a. A symbol for the Hawaiian cultural renaissance that began in the 1970s, this iconic wa`a kaulua, or double hulled sailing canoe, was often the topic of classroom discussions and local TV news during my childhood. I remember names like Mau, Nainoa, Eddie, Herb Kane, and Buffalo. All the crewmembers were legends. And Hokule`a, so celebrated as she sailed across the Pacific, was something almost beyond legend.

In my early years I would not have thought that I too would one day help unfurl her sails and steady her steering blade as she raced across the swells by day and night. But the possibility stood in my mind as a dream. This is why, many years later, when the invitation came to join Hokule`a on a trip from Kaunakakai to Kawaihae, I could not say no.

We left early Monday morning the second week of August. We had 14 crewmembers, six were from Molokai. Our kapena was Molokai’s own sailing legend, Uncle Mel Paoa. The winds kicked up early and we opened sails just outside Kawela. Many of us had never opened a sail in our lives. When the sheet lines were attached and drawn tight and Hokule`a picked herself up and began cutting through the oncoming swells, it was pure exhilaration.

She was fast and smooth and when we hit the whipping winds and rolling swells of the Alenuihaha she showed us just how steady she was. She held course in the headwinds, outran our escort boat, and seemed to come alive under the starry night sky.

I remembered once being corrected for having referred to Hokule`a as “the Hokule`a,” for implying that she was an object. I understand why now. Hokule`a is not simply a canoe, she is alive and her spirit is strong. As Uncle Maka would explain to me during our journey, when we are on the ocean, Hokule`a is our mother.

If Hokule`a was our mother, then I travelled with great brothers and sisters on that trip. My Hokule`a experience was most special because of those who travelled with me. There were some unforgettable moments… Keoki wrestling the bronco line in his malo; Kawika and Mahinahou holding course on the bouncing steering sweep across the Alenuihaha; my best friend Josh and I steering Hokule`a into Kawaihae as shooting stars filled the early morning sky.

While our 24-hour trip was far short of a voyage to Tahiti, for me, it was a voyage of a lifetime. Hokule`a continues to change lives and she has reminded me that dreams come true. She has also taught me that the images of our childhood become reality, so let us work hard to inspire our youth by giving them their own dreams to pursue.

I want to express deep gratitude to all who accompanied me on this journey, and to my wife and children who supported me in going. Mahalo to Uncle Mel and Uncle Maka for sharing your wisdom. Also, a deep thanks to the many, many individuals and families, from the legendary to the unknown, that have kept the dream of Hokule`a alive. And to you, Hokule`a, for sharing your mana. I am humbled, honored and grateful.

Posted in Culture & Art, Hawaiian Culture, Sports

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State to Revise Rules for Protected `Aina

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Ancient fishponds, indigenous forests, beaches and reefs are just a few of Hawaii’s remaining natural and cultural resources residing in state-owned conservation districts.

After 16 years of no major changes, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is looking to revise the policies that protect these conservation regions. Some of the proposed changes would affect the shoreline setback, permits for land management activity, removal of invasive plants, fishponds and beach restoration among many other things.

A public meeting on the matter was held last Wednesday on Molokai, to gather community mana`o and help craft the amendments to the administrative rules that regulate such lands.

Posted in Environment, Government

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Meet the Candidate: Lyla Berg

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

shadow a legislator or elected official… I look at the capital as a place that should have life and action and engagement. That’s my purpose for being there.

The Hawaii state primaries are on September 18.

Posted in Government, Political

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An Earthy Tribute

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

and I said, ‘I love dirt!’” she said.

She began her earthy endeavors with a series of magnets. Tice stained small pieces of wood with dirt and painted scenes of the island on pieces of watercolor paper. The magnets are also on sale at Kalele Bookstore. Owner Teri Waros said they are selling “like hotcakes.”

Waros said Tice’s work has attracted a lot of attention from customers.

“People think it’s actually a photograph,” she said of the sugar mill painting. “They just can’t believe it.”

Tice said she plans to continue the series, making art out of the island – literally.

“This place is so ancient and spiritual,” she said. “When I’m using that dirt, it’s a part of Molokai.”

Posted in Culture & Art

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Catch and Release

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Among the captured birds was AAV, a nasty Coot the girls nicknamed Angry-and-Violent, and to measure it they must endure nips and scratches. But they said working with the birds is worth the abuse. Moriah wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up and the banding gives her valuable hands-on experience with wildlife.

Besides, she laughed, “Not all of them are vicious like that.”

Afterward, Lily carried the bird, flapping wings and all, to the pond’s edge. She loosened her grip and it took off into the water, thankful for its release. If it understood what all the poking and prodding was doing for its kind, it would probably be thankful for that too.

Posted in Environment & Ecology, Island Youth

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Lights, Camera, Aloha!

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

As the sun went down on Saturday, the lights went up on the silver screen at the seventh annual Molokai Film Festival.

Nearly 200 people came out for the festival at Hotel Molokai, organized by MauiFEST Hawaii. It hosts a similar event on Lanai, and organizers said they are meant to bring movie- watching to communities without access to theaters.

“It’s a great way to bring high quality entertainment, fun and aloha,” said Ken Martinez Burgmaier, a filmmaker with MauiFEST Hawaii.

In years past, Molokai filmmakers were featured at the lineup, but this year none submitted films. The Friendly Isle was not missing from the screen, however, as Burgmaier premiered two films on Saturday festival that were filmed on Molokai – “Journey to Kalaupapa” and “Massacre at Kaupoa Beach,” which showed community reaction to the destruction of a cultural site.

The festival is not just about the films. During the day, musicians and cultural performers entertained the crowd. Brother Noland – who preformed with his brother Tony C for the first time in nearly 15 years -- had the crowd Hi! Hello!-ing along.

Calvin Hoe held a workshop on making and playing the nose flute. He later preformed with instruments made on-site and gave a few away to lucky keiki and visitors.

“It’s important to keep the form of story telling alive,” Hoe said. “Ingenious people need access to tell our stories.”

In previous years the festival was held at the ballpark in Kaunakakai and Coffees of Hawaii. Organizers said they were excited about the move to Hotel Molokai.

“We’ve wanted to have it here before – it’s so intimate, and the stage is all set up for live music,” Dave Lower said.

MauiFEST will be in Lanai City next weekend and moves to Hana in October.

Posted in Culture & Art, Music

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Author Archives:

Wedding Mahalo

Snorkelers Beware

Mahalo to Golfers

Due Process

Hokule`a: A Dream Come True

State to Revise Rules for Protected `Aina

Meet the Candidate: Lyla Berg

An Earthy Tribute

Catch and Release

Lights, Camera, Aloha!

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