The Molokai Dispatch had a chance to catch up with County of Maui Planner and former Molokai Staff Planner Nancy McPherson about a kick-off Open House event on June 26 to get the community involved in the Molokai Community Plan Update process.
Molokai Dispatch (MD): What can we expect for the open house?
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Adorning Sherron Dudoit’s studio walls are eye-wateringly intricate designs showcasing his knack for original Polynesian artwork. Take one step in, and you’re lured into the realm of tattoos – and whether you went there to get inked or just to check it out, you’re guaranteed to leave already wanting more.
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Molokai Land Trust’s long struggle to take ownership of Mokio Point just got a bit longer. After over three hours of discussion and testimony at last Wednesday’s meeting, the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) opted to delay a vote on the Land Trust’s (MLT) parcel on the west end.
The land was gifted to MLT in 2008 in a controversial deal with Molokai Properties Limited (MPL), commonly known as Molokai Ranch. Before MLT can assume ownership, the 1600-acre parcel must be subdivided from a 4800-acre parcel, a small piece of about 60,000 acres that MPL owns on the island.
A subdivision would normally require a Special Management Area (SMA) permit, but because MLT has no plans develop the land, they went before MoPC requesting an SMA exemption.
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After less than a year at the helm of Paddlers Inn Restaurant and Bar, owner Darrin Abell sold the business last week and plans to leave Molokai.
The business was signed over to new owner Louis Santiago on Friday. Santiago owns restaurants and bars in Honolulu, Hilo and on Kauai. He also owns the company Game Master, which supplies the pool tables and gaming machines to Paddlers.
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Partnership to Protect Hawaii’s Native Species News Release
Ever wondered what happened to all the rats on Mokapu? They aren’t there any more! The Partnership to Protect Hawaii’s Native Species (PPHNS) held a meeting Thursday at the Kulana `Oiwi to update the Molokai community on successful aerial rat eradication project conducted about two years ago on the island of Mokapu, an uninhabited island off the Molokai coast.
Lt. Governor News Release
This summer, Hawaii residents who purchase electric vehicles, chargers or energy-efficient refrigerators may be eligible for rebates.
Starting August 1, residents who purchase a new electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be eligible for a rebate of up to $4,500 under the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Ready Program. Rebates of up to $500 will be offered for the purchase and installation of a new electric vehicle charger. For more information visit hawaii.gov/dbedt/energy.
Beginning this week, residents who replace their old refrigerator with a new energy-efficient model are eligible for a $250 rebate under the ENERGY STAR Refrigerator Rebate Program. For more information visit hawaiienergy.com.
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Molokai’s Kalei Adolpho went into last weekend’s Track and Field State Tournament with only one jump under her belt this season, and came out with a bronze medal in high jump out of 23 girls.
Adolpho, a junior at Molokai High School, earned her third place title by clearing the pole at 5 ’2”. None of the top four girls, including Adolpho, cleared 5’4”, which is the next height up. Ties are decided upon by how many attempts each athlete took to get over previous heights, leading up to the last height cleared, said Coach Jesse Ford.
"The cleaner you jump, the higher you place,” she said. “Most girls were missing their first and second attempts on Friday."
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On Dec. 19, 2009, Ruby Villa-Nueva made a critical call that would reunite 10 family members to fulfill one purpose: to give back to the island of Molokai.
“It was a spiritual mission,” Villa-Nueva said of recently-opened Aunty Ruby’s Café on Ala Malama Avenue. “We all have a common interest in serving people. We wanted to use our different skills and bring back what was good.”
Eight of the 10 Villa brothers and sisters moved back to Molokai to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors, five of which moved back from Maui and Oahu within the last three months.
“I wasn’t going to [open a restaurant] if all 10 weren’t in,” added Villa-Nueva, co-owner of Aunty Ruby’s.
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Molokai’s Special Olympic athletes have been bringing home the gold. After an impressive showing at qualifying rounds in Maui last month, the athletes are gearing up to take on the state’s top competition at the annual Summer Games this weekend in Honolulu. But even though they’re racking in the medals, the program is hurting for dollars and cents.
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Molokai swimmers took top honors in the breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle individual events and the team freestyle relay at the Maui qualifiers April 17-18.
Track and field athlete Ernest Kapu, Jr. came in first in the 200 meter race and shot put competition and said he was excited to be going to Honolulu.
“I’m gonna try to do my best,” he explained.
Over 20 athletes -- softball players, swimmers, weight lifters and track and field athletes -- will leave for the Games Friday morning, along with coaches, volunteers and partner athletes. Partner athletes are those without special needs that play alongside Special Olympics athletes in team sports, according to Rita Kalahiki, Special Olympics Molokai Area Director. The Molokai athletes range in age from elementary school to late thirties and compete in divisions based on abilities, age and gender.
The Summer Games are a highlight for many involved.
“Just to see them smile and interact and feel like any other normal person -- it’s wonderful,” said Donna Kapu.
Funding Trials
As they head into the Games hoping for victory, Special Olympics Molokai is grappling with one major defeat: Last month, the program was denied a Maui County grant it had received the last six years, according to Kalahiki.
In the past, the grant, which awards $56,000 over two years, was used to cover travel and administrative costs. Kalahiki said the organization must raise that money elsewhere to keep the program intact.
With three major competitions per year, plus qualifying rounds and smaller events, “an athlete can travel up to six times a year,” Kalahiki said. Roundtrip airfare costs up to $200 per athlete depending on the season. Last year, the program spent over $28,000 on travel expenses.
Without the county grant, Kalahiki said she will either have to limit the number of athletes that travel to competitions or focus more on fundraising. Donations are hard to come by in such a small community already hurt by the slow economy, she added.
Last month, six Molokai athletes went to Maui to participate in Cops on Top, a fundraiser that took place statewide. Officers from the Maui Police Department spent three days atop the Lahaina Safeway and solicited donations from customers. They came in just short of their goal of $5,000, which will go to Molokai Special Olympics.
“It’s hard,” explained Kalahiki. “You’re asking tourists and it gets to the point that you’re begging for their dollar. It’s humbling.”
Molokai Special Olympics welcomes volunteers to join as coaches and partner athletes; call Rita Kalahiki at 567-9029 to register.
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