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Rachel Leinani Gonsalves Hussey

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Rachel Leinani Gonsalves Hussey

Rachel Leinani Gonsalves Hussey, 88, of Kamililoa, Molokai died June 11, 2010. She was born in Honolulu and is survived by sons Benjamin Amina Hussey III (Trixie) and Robert K (Lanakila) Hussey (Petroline); grandchildren Eddie Molter, Piilani Kaaloa, Brandon Hussey, Brolin Hussey, Lahela Lung, Braylin Dennis and Lahela Ann Hussey; eight great-grandchildren; and sister Lydia Maulan Joy.

Rachel attended St. Andrew’s Priory through 6th grade and graduated from Kamehameha School for Girls in 1940.  She then attended Armstrong Business College, graduating in 1942.

Rachel retired after 32 years with the State of Hawaii where she worked as a Social Services Worker and later as a dental receptionist for Dr. Robert Brath, DDS, for 20 more years of service.

Rachel is now reunited with her beloved husband Benjamin A. Hussey, Jr., formally of Molokai, and daughter Mililani Molter, formally of California.

Services will be held at Kalaiakamanu Hou Congregational Church on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Visitation at 8:00 a.m., service at 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow at the Molokai Veterans Cemetery in Ho`olehua.

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Makena Michael Kana`auali`i Isamu Kahale

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Makena Michael Kana`auali`i Isamu Kahale

Makena Michael Kana`auali`i Isamu Kahale was born on May 15, 2010 at 4:36 a.m. at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu to proud parents Michael and Nichol Kahale. He weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz. and was 22 inches long. He was also welcomed by his brothers Kaimana, Nainoa and Kanalu, maternal grandparents Larry and Barbara Helm, paternal grandparent Larry (and the late Jessie) Kahale and his many Helm/Kahale cousins, aunties and uncles.

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Eyes on Conservation

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Eyes on Conservation

On Debbie Kelly’s first day on the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) two weeks ago, MoPC took on the Mokio Point debate at a meeting peppered with tearful testimonies and heckling from the public -- hardly an easy first day.

“It was very educational,” Kelly said. The day gave her a taste of what’s to come as a planning commissioner. “It will be a learning experience for me.”

Kelly only learned her nomination to MoPC was approved by the commission on the morning of the meeting, and a week later she is still learning the ropes. Kelly replaces Taryn Waros for a term ending March 2012.

With a background in conservation and agriculture, Kelly had submitted her name to the county for consideration for Fire and Public Safety Commission. Instead, she was appointed to MoPC.

“I wasn’t really interested in serving in that capacity until they called me,” she said.

Kelly said that with her experience as the district conservation specialist for the Molokai-Lanai Soil and Water Conservation, she will bring a conservationist’s point of view to the Planning Commission.

She also has experience in community organizing on Molokai. Kelly started the Molokai Fire Task Force five years ago. The task force is a citizen group that works to promote communication, resource sharing and planning between agencies at the county, state and federal levels in fighting fires on Molokai.

Conservation is also the theme of Kelly’s own business. In the spirit of reduce-reuse- recycle, she opened a consignment store in December with her husband, John. Molokai Treasures in Kaunakakai sells mostly used household items including furniture and appliances, along with clothes, jewelry and books.

“It helps to keep things out of the landfill and it helps the community earn a little cash,” Kelly said.

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Gimme a Beat

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Gimme a Beat

Molokai Public Library’s usually quiet halls echoed with drum beats and song last Wednesday as Badenyaa African Diaspora Dance Theater took the make-shift stage. They incorporated drumming, dancing and chanting in a one-hour performance that had their audience captivated.

About 40 people – including many keiki – gathered for the performance by four members from the Oahu-based group. Between songs, choreographer and lead singer Emily Uribe also gave the crowd lessons in African history, mythology and geography.

“African culture – and drumming in general – is about involving the community,” Uribe said, describing the “symbiotic relationship” drummers have with their audience. At one point, she had the whole crowd on its feet, clapping and stomping along.

The music Badenyaa played was traditional to central Africa and spread to Caribbean countries like Cuba and Haiti with the slave trade.

Though the music originated thousands of miles away, Uribe said its rhythm and storytelling have universal appeal.

“Music is innate in everybody,” she said. “We really just want to drive home that point.”

The event was part of the library’s Summer Reading Program. Earlier this month, the library featured a performance by the Hawaii Opera Theater and this week hosted Huliau, a contemporary Hawaiian dance company.

The series wraps up with the program “Be Kind to Animals” on Tuesday, June 29 at 10 a.m.

 

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Girls Night Out

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Girls Night Out

As the contestants in Molokai’s Ultimate Diva Pageant proved, some girls just want to have fun.

Around 200 people crowded the tent at Hotel Molokai on Saturday night for the second annual transgender beauty pageant.

After four categories – Delicious Diva Wear, Swimwear, Talent and Evening Wear – Anastacia Colby-Deszanaro of Wailea, Maui was crowned Queen Diva.

Jaela James-Annderson of Ho`olehua was named Miss Diva and Kalaika Dereon-Lamour, also of Ho`olehua, was named Princess Diva.

The crowd was also treated to breathtaking performances from the Maui-based entertainment group The Girly Show and special guest Becca Stamos of Honolulu. Between performers, host CeCe Lamoure, also of The Girly Show, cracked jokes that kept the audience rolling with laughter.

The pageant “gives transgender girls and women a chance to showcase their beauty to the entire island,” said Michael Drew, general manager at Hotel Molokai, which organized the event.

“I made it very clear to the girls that this was not a drag show, this is a beauty pageant,” he added. “I told them to be nothing less than who you really are – beautiful young women.”

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Kalaupapa Prepares Evacuation Plans

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

The isolated peninsula of Kalaupapa could be an evacuation nightmare in the event of natural disaster, but thanks to new evacuation plans and facilities for the settlement, there will soon be less reason to worry.

This spring’s tsunami scare highlighted the need for emergency evacuation plans. “Every time you have an incident, you can learn from that,” said Tim Trainer, National Park Service Kalaupapa chief ranger.

On the morning of February 27, residents and employees gathered at McVeigh Hall in the settlement. Administrators were in contact with the governor’s office and monitored the tsunami’s progress. “If we had to move to higher ground, we realized we didn’t have [facilities] in place,” Trainer said.

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Molokai Visitor’s Video Re-Edited

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Molokai Visitor’s Video Re-Edited

QuaziFilms News Release

Aloha…  I want to announce the official release of the “Molokai Visitor’s Video: Hawaiian by Nature” and share the story behind it.

Julie Bicoy at the Molokai Visitor’s Association approached me about a year ago and asked if I could partner with the MVA to produce a video that would help visitors understand the “real Molokai” without making false promises or creating false expectations as “tourist” videos often do.  

Together we decided that the purpose of the video would be to introduce potential visitors to our island, culture, and people without flashy commercialism.  We would offer a virtual tour of the island, pointing out popular stops while educating viewers about lifestyle, history, and culturally appropriate behavior.  

Ultimately the video would be an attempt to attract the right type of visitor, one interested in learning about and respecting our culture, lifestyle, and natural environment.  We also envisioned a video that would warm the hearts of anyone who loves our island, including family and friends living away.

About two months ago I completed a preliminary “test” version of the video.  This was a pre-release version shared with a select group.  I got great feedback from many community members.  Most were extremely positive, but I also got a couple of critical responses.  

Some individuals felt that the video came across as too “touristy” and as “selling out” our island.  Of course, this was not at all the intention, but the comments were honest reactions that came from people that I trust.  Truly wanting the project to be something that all island residents would feel good about, I decided to rework the entire video with the input of my “test audience.”

I’m proud to announce that the “Visitor’s Guide to Molokai” video has been rewritten and re-edited and is now officially released.  I feel it is a much better piece and truly serves the original purpose of attracting the “right” type of visitor while educating them about our culture and lifestyle.  It will also make anyone living away from home feel both homesick and deeply proud to be from Molokai.  

In addition to the 25-minute narrated video tour of Molokai, the DVD also includes four original music videos starring Molokai musician, Lono.  These bonus tracks alone are worth buying the DVD.

Ultimately, I hope that the video will help our island economy while also protecting, through awareness and appreciation, the things that are most important to us.  

The DVD is available in local stores and online at: www.islandlifevideos.com.  You can also buy copies directly through me at discounted prices for multiple copies.

The opening segment can be viewed here.

Three of the 4 “Bonus Feature” Lono music videos can also be viewed on Youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG2QSKdSfyQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCau75oxXAs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXfM8kjdeqw&feature=related

Finally, I want to mahalo the Molokai Visitors Association for their willingness to put out a “different kind of video,” one that breaks the mold of mainstream tourism mentality.  

Mahalo!
Matt Yamashita
www.quazifilms.com
www.islandlifevideos.com

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Man with a Plan

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Man with a Plan

Mayoral Candidate Chris Hart is known as the “Man with a Plan” – a nickname justified by his extensive resume that includes serving under the Maui County Planning Department for two decades. Last week, Hart was on the Friendly Isle for a few days, and stopped by the Dispatch office to talk story about his campaign.

It’s Hart’s first time entering the political arena as a contender for the Maui County mayor’s seat, but says his business and land planning experience set him apart from the rest.

“As a land planner, I have the ability and knowledge to set the course for the future,” he said.



After earning a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Syracuse University in New York, Hart joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii in 1967. During his stay, Hart visited Maui and never left. Over the course of his 40-year residency, Hart assumed the roles of Maui County’s Deputy Planning Director from 1980-85, and then as Planning Director from 1986-91.

Since then, Hart has founded his own landscape and planning firm, Chris Hart & Partners, Inc., served as a board member for numerous nonprofits, and now has his eye set on serving the community as a political leader.

“Maui County is at a critical turning point,” Hart said. “We need a plan that directs and preserves the integrity of the communities here.”

As Mayor, Hart said he would initiate a plan that would revitalize the economy, adopt renewable energy practices, preserve historical and cultural resources, maintain infrastructure, and promote beautification of the land.

“It’s important to maintain the character of the towns as country towns,” Hart explained. “It is the identity of Maui County.”

Hart says this is especially true for Molokai, and preservation of its culture and history is high on his list. Hart’s other priorities for the Friendly Isle are to revive the pre-existing visitor facilities to help create jobs – he believes Molokai Ranch should be put in the hands of local ownership or a state entity to uphold accountability. And he would like to see Kaluakoi fully restored, including the hotel and golf course.

He also plans to further develop agricultural practices to provide food security and support renewable energy initiatives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

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Can You Hear Me Now?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Mobi PCS plans to construct six new cell phone antennas on the roof of Paddlers Inn that will improve service for Molokai customers.

The antennas will provide better service in Kaunakakai and along the island’s southern coastline. Customers will notice a marked improvement, said Eric Schatz, Mobi PCS director of site acquisition and development.

Mobi PCS’s permit to build the antennas was approved last week by the Molokai Planning Commission. The company must now go to the Maui County Planning Department for further approval. Schatz couldn’t say when the antennas will be installed.

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Land Trust Gets Go-Ahead

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Land Trust Gets Go-Ahead

Molokai Land Trust (MLT) is one giant step closer to acquiring Mokio Point. Last week, the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) unanimously approved MLT’s application for a Special Management Area (SMA) exemption. This allows MLT to move ahead with subdividing and formally acquiring the land.

Mokio Point, a 1600-acre parcel on the northwest coast between Ilio Point and Mo`omomi Preserve, was gifted to MLT in 2008 by Molokai Properties Limited (MPL), also known as Molokai Ranch.

A subdivision would normally require a SMA permit, but because MLT has no plans to develop the land it requested the exemption.

MLT’s application came before MoPC at its May 26 meeting. After over three hours of discussion and testimony, commissioners opted to delay a vote, citing issues with MLT’s public access policy. Some commissioners expressed concern that MLT had excluded public input when drafting its policy.

Under that policy, MLT grants a limited number of permits to access the land for subsistence activities and cultural practices. There is no charge for permits and Molokai residents have priority over off-island visitors.

At last week’s meeting, MLT Executive Director Butch Haase testified that MLT consulted community groups, including The Nature Conservancy that manages access to neighboring Mo`omomi, and that the Mokio Point access policy could be amended in the future.

“Our access system is an evolving process and what we have before us is the first incarnation,” Haase said.

Voices in Support
The emotional meeting included tearful testimonies, raucous applause and at times even heckling from the public over commissioners’ questioning MLT’s intensions. Over 20 MLT board members and residents testified in support of the group.

“That’s why they call them Land Trust – you have to trust them,” one supporter told MoPC.

Colette Machado, MLT board president and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee, echoed that sentiment. “We come with a good heart, a heart full of love for this island,” she said.

At the May 26 meeting, Commissioner Lori Buchanan opposed MLT’s exemption because of the access policy. “My mana`o has not changed… Be transparent in everything you do,” she urged MLT last week.

The debate over Mokio Point began back in 2006 when, in an effort to develop on La`au Point, MPL offered the land as a gesture of good faith. While plans for La`au fell through and MPL closed its operations on the island, its gift of Mokio Point to the land trust proceeded. MLT signed a letter of agreement with MPL in 2008, and the group has been working to assume ownership of the land since then.

Now with the SMA exemption, MPL’s engineering firm will work with the county’s departments of Planning and Public Works to subdivide the land, according to Haase.

“We’ve gone through all the major hurdles, so it’s the minor stuff that’s left,” he said in an interview, adding he hopes the process will be complete in the next six months.

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