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Defeated Farmers Look Forward

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

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.

Posted in Island Youth, Sports

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A Glimpse of Hope

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

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.”

Posted in Community

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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.

Posted in Environment, News Releases, Sustainability

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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.

Posted in Announcements, Community, Political

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Illuminating the Town

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

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.

Posted in Announcements, Community, Environment, Sustainability

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Fishing Woes

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Some Molokai fishermen are not happy with proposed changes to the state’s bottom-fishing regulations, claiming they lack research and pose a slew of inconveniences.

“It’s as if it’s a done deal thing already,” one fisherman said in a public hearing last week. “But there’s no concrete evidence showing the regulations actually help.”

In recent weeks, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) held informational meetings and public hearings on the pending bottom-fish amendments. Molokai was one of the last islands to speak on the subject at Mitchell Pauole Center on March 23.

Playing by the Rules

Posted in Announcements, Community, Hunting & Fishing

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The Buzz on Bulbs

Friday, March 26th, 2010

UPDATE: Blue Planet Foundation's 'Go Green & Carbon Clean' website is up and running: http://greenmolokai.org/ Check out their list of distribution points.

Posted in Community, Sustainability

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No Loss for Words

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

It’s fluid. It’s gutsy. It’s real. And it’s certainly not your typical Emily Dickinson crowd. Slam is a new wave of poetry that has spawned a group of imitators, sewing seeds across the map – all the way to Molokai.

On March 16 and 17, Honey Girl Hoe, a 21-year-old slam poet from Honolulu with family in Molokai, held a series of workshops at Kalele Bookstore in Kaunakakai that inspired participants to break free from their shells and voice their reflections.

Honey Girl opened last Wednesday’s session with one of her latest creations “I’m Home.”

comes in the delivery,” Honey Girl said. “If you’re trying to get people to feel it, you go soft, if you want people to listen, you go loud.”

Slam is a type of poetry common among today’s youth that sees performers all over the globe recite their written words in front of a crowd, often with hand gestures and riddled with deep emotion. Essentially, it’s poetry that originates on the page and is then brought to the stage.

The nearly two-hour class session brought about 10 participants who wrote – both collectively and individually – a series of slams, which were then recited in front of the group.

The night progressed with nearly everyone taking the stage – hands flailing, intensity growing, tones alternating between whispers and shouts, ideas being pondered and individuals uniting, once strangers and now friends.

“Slam is the combination of creation and expression,” Honey Girl said. “It’s a great ice breaker and helps with social skills.”

Grassroots
Slam poetry first originated on the mainland in November 1984 by Marc Smith, a construction worker-turned-slammer who frequented the Get Me High Lounge in Chicago. In the ensuing years, the slam movement traveled throughout clubs, coffee houses, bookstores and homes, and even prompted national competitions.

In 2003, Hawaii Slam was founded by performance poet Kealoha. Hawaii Slam hosts First Thursdays Poetry Slam at Fresh Café in Honolulu, the largest certified slam poetry venue in the world – boasting more than 600 attendees.

“It’s really big with teenagers because many don’t have an outlet to speak their mind,” Honey Girl said. “This is a way for them to say ‘Listen, I have something to say.’”

Honey Girl found her slam niche during her senior year of high school when a teacher suggested she attend a spoken word performance workshop known as “Youth Speaks.”

From there, she participated in a few competitions, both individually and collaboratively. Today, she continues to slam and holds workshops among various schools, encouraging anyone who has an opinion to just slam it. She’ll be returning to Molokai for more workshops in May.

“I used to be really shy, but it broke me out of my shell,” she said. “Poems come from within you. They are a reflection of your perspectives and who you are.”

“I’m Home,” by Honey Girl Hoe
The wind wasn't subtle
It was a powerful breeze
Billowing over and under, in and out
Caressing-... a welcome home
And the sun demanded attention!
Feeling the heat on my hair
I gazed into the glare
And gave it...recognition.
The ride was curvy and bumpy
Papa doesn't believe in driving within the lines
But that's okay because,
I don't believe in wearing a seat belt.
And I'm ono.
For some Kanemitsu apple crisps
Butter rolls and donut holes
But on Tuesdays they're closed.
The grass was wet.
The rain came from a hand
Attached to a smile, with a hug
And I siad, "hi grandma!"
The pier was still there.
It never changes over the ages
As I lay to give greetings
To my prey under the sea.
7 digits later,
And I've got my own friends to welcome me.
Stories were told.
New jobs, new loves, new tricks
Playing skate over nollie and kick flips
Dreamers. Were all dreamers.
All of a sudden the day is gone
And the fire is steady
Drinks are light but the laughs are heavy
The ukulele is out, the atmosphere is merry,
Nothing can get better than this.
My blanket is still black.
Since grade 3, even though it wasn't bought for me
It's still mine.
So...lights out as I settle into a bed of my own
Sleeping like a baby cuz now I know,
I'm home.