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Katchafire Heats It Up

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Katchafire Heats It Up

When the Molokai Dispatch got wind that the guys from Katchafire were coming to spread their musical flavor on the Friendly Isle, we couldn’t help but jump on the bandwagon.

Deeply rooted from New Zealand, the band took to the stage their exceptional vocals, talented writing and sensual depth last Thursday at Paddlers Inn. Katchafire’s extreme energy was matched by the intensity of the massive crowd, who discovered that where there is smoke, there is definitely fire.

put in Slow Burning, the name of our second album. Our original lead singer was Gerry and so the first one we pulled out was Gerry and the Pacemakers or something silly like that, and we just laughed that off. Another was Black Fern but that didn’t make the cut and Katchafire was third.

MD: Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Katchafire: Still together, still jamming out. Hopefully bigger and better, but not too big that we don’t come back to Molokai. We could never be too big for that.

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Kalaupapa Trail Closed

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Kalaupapa Trail Closed

Access by foot and hoof to Kalaupapa has been temporarily cut off, after a mudslide caused extensive damage to a bridge on the pali trail leading to the settlement.

On April 13, the National Park Service (NPS) closed the trail to all visitors and mule rides until repairs are made – which could take up to several weeks. In the meantime, Kalaupapa remains accessible by plane or boat.

“The highest priority of the NPS is the design of a new bridge and to get it constructed as soon as possible,” said Stephen Prokop, NPS superintendent. Structural engineers were brought in to assess the situation last week, while workers scrambled to make temporary repairs for an emergency access route.

Park officials attributed the wiped-out section – switchback bridge No. 3 – of the trail to a week of heavy rains. Prokop said the bridge itself, only a few hundred yards from the top of the steep, narrow trail, was in sound condition. The loose soils that support it, however, are highly susceptible to slippage, and severed access to the Hansen’s Disease settlement.

got to eat, I got to pay rent and insurance. That money comes from our profit.”

Despite the inconvenience, Horner is still booking charter air flights for visitors four days a week, and continues to work closely with Gloria Marks, owner of Damien Tours, to keep the guided bus tours up and running.

Currently, round-trip charter flights, provided by Pacific Wings, from topside Molokai to Kalaupapa are around $500, a considerable increase from the previous $100 rates.

Marks added it’s “really tough” on everyone, especially with unaffordable airfare.

“It makes things kind of rough,” she said.  “If there are no more tourists, then the workers won’t get paid.”

Amid unfavorable circumstances, Prokop is optimistic the tours will wade through the next few weeks and keep the demand going.

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Kualapu`u Center Expands

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Kualapu`u Center Expands

Upcountry Fast Stop, a new convenience store, opened its doors Friday at Kualapu`u Center, offering the community an array of goods and services.

As its name implies, the store is for patrons who need to make a quick pit-stop to grab a few grocery items, snacks or utilize their various services.



Services include Internet with printer, fax, copy machine, scanner, and an ATM. Upcountry plans on charging customers eight cents a minute for the Internet, 18 cents for copies and scanning, and $1.50 for the first page of a fax and 50 cents thereafter.

Goods offered are various microwavable and frozen foods, snacks, household items and baby supplies.

The Upcountry Fast Stop group says it’s a positive addition to the community, which didn’t have a business center or ATM until now. Prior to its opening, Kualapu`u residents had to utilize the schools for Internet and other computer needs.

Also coming soon will be a neighboring laundry mat managed by the Upcountry staff, and is currently in its permitting phase. Upcountry is anticipating another two months before the laundry mat opens, while its infrastructure is modified for water use.

Upcountry Fast Stop will be open seven days a week; Mon. thru Fri. from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sat. from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Sun. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours are subject to change.

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Boys’ Volleyball Revitalized

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Boys’ Volleyball Revitalized

The Molokai High School boys’ volleyball team went into this weekend’s game humbled from last week’s defeats, and came out victorious. On Friday, Kawaiola Kalipi recorded 31 assists and six aces as the Farmers swept Lanai, 3-0, in their first victory of the season.      

On Saturday at The Barn, the team finished what it started, with another 3-0 victory over the Pine Lads. Haaheo Falealii shelled out 16 kills.

“They came around and improved a lot [since playing Seabury Hall],” Coach Bill Dudoit said. “It was the overall teamwork. They’re becoming more well-rounded.”

The Farmers, who improved to 2-1, took Lanai in all three sets on Friday – winning 25-19, 25-21, 25-22. Falealii led Molokai with 15 kills, followed by Julien Bumatay and Claude Kapuni each adding six kills to the score board.

program,” Dudoit said. “They were eighth in State last year.”

The Farmers will host Hana on April 23 and 24.

Baseball
Last weekend, Molokai High School’s baseball team succumbed to the hitting prowess of St. Anthony High School, who defeated the Farmers in a triple-game series at Maehara Stadium on Maui.

The Trojans swept the Farmers with a 10-3 victory on Friday night, and a double-header win on Saturday – defeating Molokai 13-5 in the first game, and 12-2 in the second.

St. Anthony jump started Friday night’s game, scoring five runs in the first inning and two in the second, holding the Farmers to only eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Saturday’s double-header saw the tough Trojans steal the opener, and close out the day by earning a six-inning victory, limiting the Farmers to five hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.

The Farmers fell 2-4 in their nine-game regular season. Coaches were unavailable for comment.

The baseball team will host Seabury Hall in its first home-game series April 16 and 17.

Track & Field
Molokai’s track and field team brought home one third place, and a few personal bests from last weekend's track meet at War Memorial Stadium on Maui.

Senior Kaili Levi earned himself the third place spot in shot put, throwing 42 feet. He also received a personal best of 113’7” in discus, putting him at seventh place.

Other highlights of the meet include Akona Adolpho’s fourth place in the boys’ 1500 meter race with a time of 4:49 – a personal best – and Hunter Pawn-Kalilikane, who earned sixth place in the boys’ 100 meter dash with a time of 12.49.

Coach Jesse Ford said the team has reached the point of the season where fatigue has begun to settle in, so racing at this point is crucial to enhance their athletic development.

“You find out who you really are, where you really are at when you race like that,” she said.

Ford added that the team did well to stay in the mix and is on target to start resting for maximum performance in the Maui Interscholastic League Championships April 30 through May 1 at the War Memorial Stadium.

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Happy Planting

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Happy Planting

As spring beckons, so does the aroma of fresh produce. Last Thursday, keiki rolled up their sleeves and dirtied their knees while picking some fresh veggies, fruits, herbs and spices at Kumu Farms.



“We want to educate and inspire other farmers and people,” she said. “Today, we’re showing the kids how to plant and harvest, and get more in touch with the soil.”

For Earth Day, Kumu Farms will be hosting a kapuna day on April 22, filled with much of the same activities.

“We’re starting young and then working our way to the kapuna for Earth month,” Vinciguerra said. “We’ve gone from the future to the past.”

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Defeated Farmers Look Forward

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Defeated Farmers Look Forward

The Molokai High School boys’ volleyball team opened its season with three aggressive sets but fell short as a tough Seabury Hall took triple wins – 25-8, 25-13, 25-12 – in Friday night’s game.

Although the Farmers played their first game at home with a heap of cheering fans, Seabury’s relentless efforts showed no mercy on Molokai.

“Tonight showed our inexperience,” said Molokai coach Bill Dudoit. “We have a lot of youth on our team.”

Dudoit said Seabury was a polished team – the one to beat – but that the Farmers still hold promise for this season.

“It was out first game and a definite eye-opener,” Dudoit said. “We got to work on our overall game, serving and transitions, and know the importance of offense and defense.”

Dudoit expects a better game next week when the boys face off with Lanai on April 9 and 10 at The Barn.

walked for their win.”

During Thursday’s second game at Hana Ball Park, Molokai’s second basemen sprained her ankle, forcing the Lady Farmers to finish the game with only eight players.

Hana High School came out fierce again on Friday limiting Molokai to only three points. Dudoit-English and Larriley Rawlins each doubled for the Farmers. Rawlins finished 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Augustiro is expecting some good competition when Seabury comes to town April 16 and 17, and says the girls just need to do a little homework.

“They just need to play hard, play their best,” she said.

Tennis
The girls’ and boys’ tennis team played two teams this weekend in Maui, which yielded some mixed results.

On Friday, the boys were defeated by Lahainaluna 3-1 at the War Memorial Courts, while the girls also lost against Lahainaluna, 5-0, at the Lahaina Civic Center courts. Mason Horner fought hard for the boys (and earned them one point) but came up short to Wasseem Bel at No. 2 singles. Horner was defeated 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

On Saturday, the St. Anthony High School girls’ tennis team swept the Lady Farmers, 5-0, at the War Memorial Courts, while the Molokai boys succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.

St. Anthony’s Scott Dahlquist and Myles Gregory defeated Molokai’s Herbert Antolin and Kaipoi Kondo 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles, and later St. Anthony’s Aaron Hirayama and Chris Redeker won by default at No. 2 doubles.

Although Coach Stacey Horner did not travel with the team this weekend, he said they still did fairly well.

“There were some challenging matches,” Horner said. “Mason Horner won his first match and said it was the longest one he ever played. He fought hard.”

Horner said his players felt the heat not only on the court, but in the air.

“It was really humid over there,” he said. “It was tough on them, very grueling.”

The tennis team will be competing in the East-West playoffs and team final on April 16 and 17.

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A Glimpse of Hope

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

A Glimpse of Hope

It's a sight no one wants to see – somber expressions of orphaned children, families bereaved by the loss of loved ones, hospital halls strewn with bodies in need of medical assistance, mass destruction of not only a city or country, but of an entire people. 

“It's a little overwhelming,” said Randy Manley, pastor of Molokai Baptist Church. “There's so much destruction – I guess a part of it is this sense of ‘where do I begin?’”

highlighted, it’s underscored.

“Haiti needs a lot of prayer, and that’s something we all can be involved in.”

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Community Work Day Program Starts Battery Recycling Program

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Community Work Day News Release

Kicking off the annual Great American Cleanup in Maui County is the Community Work Day Program (CWD), launching a county-wide household battery recycling program.  Fifteen local businesses have partnered on this program to be drop-off sites to recycle household batteries on the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai. 

CWD will be distributing several “Big Green Box” battery receptacles to participating stores and will handle pickup and shipping of the batteries to the mainland for processing.  The “Big Green Box” program offers an easy way for consumers to care for the environment.  Used household batteries on Molokai can be dropped off at Misaki's.

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Budget Released to Disharmony

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

It’s the woman whose shoulders bear the weight of four children; the doctor whose success is measured by the well being of his patients; the humble teacher dedicated to higher learning; and the recovering drug addict who’s discovered resilience amid a tough battle.

Every one of these individuals – and many more – was seen at last week’s public hearing for the County of Maui’s 2011 Fiscal Year (FY 2011) budget proposal.  Some offered gratitude for the continued support of cardinal services, others pleaded for funding, or to simply keep things as they are. 

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Illuminating the Town

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Illuminating the Town

It’s true. The bulbs are here. And upon their arrival were a few Molokai students eagerly waiting to roll up their sleeves and begin the process of distributing and educating.

“With the help of Blue Planet, our goal is to have everybody on Molokai using fluorescent bulbs,” said Luke Kikukawa, a seventh-grade student at Aka`ula School.

The shipment of 44,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) arrived at the Kaunakakai Wharf last Thursday and will be making its way through Molokai as distribution through various schools and businesses begins tomorrow and will continue through May 31.



Keiki have already started campaigning for a more energy-efficient Molokai – and even got their first customer as they were unloading the bulbs.

Last Saturday, three students – Kikukawa and Sarah Jenkins from Aka`ula School, and Moriah Jenkins from Molokai High School – set up shop in front of Friendly Market, distributing bulbs and educating passerby on the harmful effects of carbon emissions.

“We’re passing out flyers and educating people about global warming and carbon emissions,” Kikukawa said. “I’ve learned a lot about how fluorescent bulbs can save you money and energy.”

Seventh-grader Sarah Jenkins added that coordinators of the project are in talks with Councilman Danny Mateo to replace all bulbs in county buildings to help lower the costs for taxpayers.

Kikukawa, Sarah and Moriah, along with various elementary school students, will be out campaigning for the next five Saturdays – until May 1 – urging people to stop by, have a listen and exchange some bulbs.

Participating distribution locations are Molokai schools and businesses – a full list and more information can be found at greenmolokai.org.

The exchange is “one-for-one,” meaning participants must bring in their old light bulbs in exchange for new Energy Star CFLs. Up to 30 light bulbs per household are allotted for exchange.

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