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County Budget Mana`o

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Money is short, but the ideas and motivation of Molokai’s youth do not seem to be.  The Maui County Council presented the next fiscal year’s (FY) budget for public mana`o, and students and young entrepreneurs were among those who spoke in support of Molokai programs.

Last month, Mayor Alan Arakawa proposed a $632 million budget for FY 2012.

County operations will be allocated $475.3 million and $157.7 million will go toward capital improvement projects, according the county website.

Molokai will receive $1.6 million in capital improvement projects. 

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Modern Kids, Old History

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Modern Kids, Old History

Students at Kualapu`u School transformed their auditorium into a multi-cultural mecca last Thursday with a school play about Hawaii’s history.

“I wasn’t nervous today,” said La`a Sumarnap, a sixth grader of Kualapu`u School.

Last Thursday’s play portrayed important events from Hawaii’s history, starting with the formation of Hawaii’s archipelago, to the banning of hula, and the migration of Chinese, Japanese and Filipinos who worked on Hawaii’s plantations.

“We made our drums out of tires and tape,” he said.

Kenilyn Nishihiri-Aki, a sixth grader at Kualapu`u , summed up the play.

“We all have aloha for this place where we live. We love the Hawaiian culture,” she said.

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Igniting Dreams

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Igniting Dreams

Some artists use paint as a tool of the imagination, others prefer clay, but for one artist, setting her art aflame brings culmination to the project. Mavis Muller, an artist from Homer, Alaska, came to Molokai two weeks ago and began her 20th public basket-burning project.

Muller spent the past week building a 7-foot structure with local community members willing to help. They used coffee plants, haole koa, mangrove, banana and other local plants for the basket.

Muller finds it to be a healing process when people can burn their heartfelt messages inside a hollow pedestal and basket, she said.


Last Saturday at Ali`i Fishpond, she invited people to write down and insert prayers, dreams and hopes on pieces of paper inside the basket. Around sunset, Kauwila Hanchett chanted in Hawaiian and torches were lit. Soon after, the dreams, hopes, and prayers of Molokai took a new form.

One woman even put a piece of her wedding dress in the basket. Another brought old love letters.
Muller calls her project “public art.”

“I feel like I have butterflies in my stomach and my heart is wide open,” one participant said.

Muller has held her burning events on Maui, and in California and Oregon as well as her home state.

 “She uses the art as a healing force,” said Teri Waros, owner of Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions, who helped facilitate the event. “It helps serve people here in our community.”

“I think this is a great way for the community to get together,” said participant Drake Wells.

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Molokai Educator Gets High Honors

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Molokai Educator Gets High Honors

Rose Yamada not only brings her educational experience to Molokai, but she also brings her love for Hawaiian values and culture. These passions helped earn Yamada the Educator of the Year award from the Native Hawaiian Education Association (NHEA) after an accomplished thirty years in the Hawaii education system.

Yamada was presented with the award alongside two other recipients, Calvin and Charlene Hoe, on March 17 at Windward Community College on Oahu.

“She deserves a round of applause [and] a thank you from all of us,” said Janice Espiritu, principal of Kaunakakai Elementary. “She’s really deserving of the award.”

were great farming scientists. They were able to develop 300 varieties of taro. I think that’s how the people survived.”

And at 69 years old, Yamada’s ultimate success story has yet to begin.  She was asked by a panel at the NHEA award ceremony, “What has been your greatest accomplishment?”

“I don’t have any. I’m not done, yet,” Yamada responded.

Calvin and Charlene Hoe did not return calls for comment.

 

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State Proposes High-Speed Ferry

Monday, April 4th, 2011

All aboard! That seems to be the consensus so far across the Hawaii state legislature for a proposed bill that would jumpstart a state-wide high-speed ferry system.

Rep. Joseph Souki, along with seven other representatives, introduced  House Bill 1239, which would create a system of high-speed vessels traveling at least 30 knots per hour, similar to ones that were used by the Superferry.

The Superferry served Hawaii between 2007-08. Following a Hawaii Supreme Court  ruling, the Superferry shut down in March 2009 due to environmental concerns.

The bill stipulates the high-speed ferry vessels will be able to “carry at least five hundred passengers, two hundred motor vehicles and cargo between the islands of the State.”

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Baseball Dominates Trojans

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Baseball Dominates Trojans

Coming off a 1-1 performance last weekend at Seabury Hall, the Farmers baseball team had its 2011 home debut at Duke Maliu Regional Field last weekend and improved to 3-1.

With the help of a solid pitching game by Ka`oli Place, the Farmers shut out the Trojans 11-0 on Friday night. “I think I pitched well. I wanted a [win],” he said. The Farmers won again on Saturday, 17-2 over St. Anthony. David Rapanot led the team and went three for four with three runs and five RBIs.


“I’m pleased overall. Everything’s coming together really nicely,” coach Mike McCutcheon said.

The baseball team will play Lanai in their last home series this weekend, April 8-9.

Tennis
The Molokai High School tennis team played their last regular matches of the season last weekend against Maui Prep and Maui High, where the girls’ side grabbed some wins.

No. 1 doubles team in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL), Molokai’s Denichell Ruiz and Brittanae-Rae Nerveza, defeated Maui Prep 6-4, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-1 on Friday. No. 2 single player, Molokai’s Monalisa Espejo, defeated her opponent after a tough set, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The boys’ side did not win against Maui Prep. Scores were unavailable for Maui High matches.

“It’s been a great season, a nice fulfilling season for me,” said coach Catie Brind.

The team will next play at the MIL tournament on April 21-23 on Maui.

Full results at TheMolokaiDispatch.com




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Makani Ikaika O Molokai

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Makani Ikaika O Molokai

Community Contributed
 
By Clare Seeger Mawae

Makani Ikaika O Molokai stayed true to the name with the blessings from the kupuna. Twenty-plus mile per hour winds and a sprinkle of rain at Kamalo gave the organizers and 14 standup paddling competitors something to be excited about, at the last race held March 19.

Safety was the key, and mahalo to Keola, Daniel and Russell who showed up in their one man canoes to escort the kids and chaperone them to the finish line of Hotel Molokai. Due to the strong wind, the kids were limited to the short course, only so only experienced adult watermen and woman took the stage at Kamalo starting at 1 p.m.

The other adults and youth gathered at One Ali`i Park for the short course. As

the Kamalo pack passed by, led by Keala Freeman, the countdown began for the second group. The conch shell blew and Kekai Adachi shot out to the front of his pack taking the lead instantly, finishing with a time of 41:38 sec. Seconds behind was Tanner Mosher, taking second in the youth division, and 8-year-old Slater Oswald coming in third place.

Keala Freeman took first place once again in the Kamalo pack, landing on the beach at Hotel Molokai in a time of 1:36.39. Steve Bloom and Boki Chung took a joint second place.

Mother and daughter duo, Jessica and Kaydence Oswald once again took first place in their divisions for the short course. Finally, in the family fun division from Ali`i fishpond, newly turned 8-year-old Paul Gamit did a credible time of 19:32 for his first race.

Many remarked that everyone was in harmony with the wind, “This was like one of those perfect powder snow skiing days,” said Steve Bloom. This day was an incredible ocean experience for 2011, not just for racing but just being out in the elements.

Next race is Saturday, April 2, with a noon check in at Kamalo. See you then!

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Coming Soon: Hawai`i Aloha

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Submitted by Alestra Menendez

For several years now, Kualapu`u School has been producing outstanding student performances under the guidance of the Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu`u.  This year, the expanded learning time allowed an arts curriculum for all students pre-K through sixth grade.  Kualapu`u School students participate in performing arts, visual arts as well as `ike Hawaii.  These programs will come together this year to create a production entitled Hawaii Aloha, after the poem written by Makua Laiana, that became a popular mele, about this beloved place where we live. There will also be performances arranged by kumu Maile Naehu and the kumu of Kula Kaiapuni grades four through six.

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Celebrating Prince Kuhio

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Celebrating Prince Kuhio

Without Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole’s bravery, Hawaii today might be a little different. By pushing the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act through Congress in 1921, he changed the future of the islands. To honor him, his birthday on March 26 is celebrated island-wide.

Last Saturday would have been Kuhio’s  140th birthday.

“Every year we want to celebrate[Kuhio’s] birthday.  Many Hawaiians may be homeless without him,” said Kammy Purdy, Ahupuaa President.

Over two hundred people gathered at Lanikeha last Saturday to pay homage to the historical Hawaiian figure, and listen to local musiciansMolokai Kupunas, Pili Pa`a, Heli Silva and Ernie Cruz.

Baked goods, cookies and lunch plates were being sold by local organizations, such as 4-H, Girl Scouts of America, Ho`olehua Ag, and Ho`olehua Homestead Association.
“By Kuhio establishing the Hawaiian Homestead Act, he ensured that the Hawaiian race lived on,” said MC of the day, Zhantell Dudoit.

Defending His Aina

As a prince, he was given many opportunities not usually afforded Hawaiian youth in the late 1800s. Born on Kauai, Kuhio’s mother, Princess Kinoiki Kekaulike, died shortly after giving birth to him. He was

adopted shortly after by his mother’s sister Kapi`olani and her husband Kalakaua, who became the Kingdom of Hawaii’s last male ruler.

He studied in California before attended the Royal Agriculture College in England.  He then returned to his homeland and joined in efforts to overthrow the Republic of Hawaii in 1894, and to restore the Hawaiian monarchy.

After the unsuccessful overthrow, Kuhio was imprisoned for one year. After being released, he left for South Africa and vowed not to return to a Westernized Hawaii.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

However, he did return to Hawaii in 1902, after it had become a territory of the United States. Kuhio became the first Native Hawaiian to serve in Congress, and was a territorial delegate from 1903 until his death in 1922.

He is most known for his help in appropriating 200,000 acres of land for Hawaiian people with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act in 1921.

The act stands today as one of the most important ways to establish connections between Hawaiian people and their culture, ancestors and most importantly, the `aina.

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Kalaupapa Air Service Up for Grabs

Monday, March 28th, 2011

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Sen. Dan Inouye met with Kalaupapa patients last Wednesday in Honolulu to discuss the $500 air fares that Pacific Wings charges, the only carrier to serve the peninsula.

LaHood discussed the possibility of releasing Essential Air Service (EAS) federal funds to Kalaupapa for subsidized flights. Currently, bids are being taken from two carriers, Makani Air and Iolani Air. LaHood is hopeful that funds can be provided by this summer.

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono was also at the meeting and expressed the need for a change in laws.

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