Author Archives:

Organic Farming Given Funding

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Organic farming is easier on the environment, but even organic practices need safeguards. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering financial assistance to National Organic Program certified organic producers.

 

The funding gives current growers’ opportunity to address their existing resource concerns, such as soil and plant conditions, as well as new organic producers, according to Lawrence T. Yamamoto, NRCS Director for the Pacific Islands Area. This assistance will be provided through the Organic Initiative of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

 

Competing for Calculation

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Competing for Calculation

Math is fun for these Molokai kids. Molokai keiki math whizzes went to Maui this weekend for the Mathcounts competition. After weeks of preparation, 11 students from three Molokai schools – Molokai Middle, Kaunakakai Elementary and Aka`ula School – went head to head against 40 other students from around the county.

Although none of the students were able to advance to the state level of MATHCOUNTS, they said they were thankful for the chance to participate. “I think it was really fun. The problems were very hard,” said Kori-Lee DeRouin, a seventh grader at Aka`ula School. “I was nervous, but I had a good experience.” The students traveled to Maui last Friday to prepare for Saturday’s competition at Maui Waena Intermediate School. During three rounds of math questions for the students, including 40 speed round-answer questions in 30 minutes. “My favorite was the speed round. The questions were very challenging,” said Eric Svetin, a sixth grader at Kaunakakai. Svetin and his teammate Jershon Kaalekahi were the youngest out of their competitors. Kaalekahi said he had a great time and had fun sovling the difficult problems. “It’s a good mental workout,” he said. Other students who are interested in some mind puzzles and calculation riddles are encouraged to attend the second annual Molokai Math Day on Feb. 26, at the Mitchell Pauole Center from 9 a.m to 2 p.m.

The Green Rocks the Barn

Monday, February 14th, 2011

The Green Rocks the Barn

Hope is in the Air

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Pacific Wings has withdrawn its request for federal subsidies to serve Kalaupapa, but two other airlines want to save the isolated peninsula from high prices.

Makani Kai and Iolani Air currently provide tours throughout the isles by helicopter and airplane, including Kalaupapa. But representatives from both say they want to begin regular service to the peninsula for residents and workers.

Conservation Permitting Costs to Increase 500%

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

The Department of Land Natural Resources (DLNR) hasn’t made major changes to its conservation rules in 16 years. DLNR, through the Office of Conservation and Costal Lands, said the rules protect areas such as historic fishponds, shoreline setbacks, beaches, coral reefs, native species and other natural resources. Nearly 12,000 of the state’s two million protected acres are on Molokai, according to company sources.“We’re trying to make the process more streamlined, but at the same time try to protect the resources,” said Samuel J. Lemmo, administrator of Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, at a meeting last week.Rising Costs of Permits

Molokai Soccer Ends Season Defeated

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

The Molokai girls’ soccer team lost their last two regular season games last weekend, sending the Baldwin High girls’ soccer team to the MIL Division I state tournament. 

The Baldwin Bears were passing the ball effectively throughout Friday afternoon’s game and kept the Molokai defense on their toes as the beat the Farmers 13-0. 

The Lady Farmer’s goalkeeper stayed busy and made some spectacular saves, which kept the Bears coming back for more. 

Toward the end of the second half, a penalty shot was shot given to the Bears, but missed after it deflected off the top pipe. It was much more of the same on Saturday, as Baldwin stumped the Farmer’s 12-0. Molokai ended their season 0-16-0.

Farmers Downed in MIL Championship

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

The Molokai boys’ basketball team ended their regular season 4-2 and placing second at last week’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II tournament. The came up short of the championship, but coach Lester Delos Reyes said he is satisfied his team left everything on the court.

Last Thursday, at the tournament on Maui, the Molokai Farmers matched up against St. Anthony High School in a close match. The Farmers bested the Trojans 46-37.

That game sent the Farmers to the winner’s bracket on Friday night with a match against undefeated Seabury Hall. 

They were plagued once again by the acrobatic skills of Dylan King. Down by eight points at the end of the first quarter, Molokai came back and the score was 25-22. 

Aka`ula to Open High School

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Like the students they serve, Aka`ula School is growing exponentially. Administration recently announced plans to add a high school curriculum to the private middle school.

Education is an essential part of the youth on Molokai and administrators of Aka`ula School said they want to perpetuate that. 

“It’s another choice for families on the island,” said Darleen “Lei” Ah Loy, a teacher at Aka`ula.

Founded in 2003 in Kaunakakai, Aka`ula moved their growing student base to Kualapu`u a few years ago. By expanding into ninth grade starting next fall, Aka`ula will be able to retain some of their 68 students – and welcome those from other schools. Ah Loy said they already have around 10 freshmen students to begin the next school year, on July 25.

The Green is Growing

Monday, February 7th, 2011

The Green is Growing

The Green started as a band that started to make music for fun. These days, their debut album is the top reggae album of 2010 on iTunes. And they are returning to Molokai once again, this Friday night at The Barn.

Zion Thompson, lead vocalist and guitarist for The Green, remembers the first time he heard their first single, “Love I” on the radio.

“I just laughed. I couldn’t stop laughing,” Thompson said in a phone interview last week. “I’ve heard of people tripping out or crying, but I just couldn’t believe it.”

album of the year. I don’t think we believed it for a couple weeks,” Thompson said. “It was kind of like the worst news and the best news of the year.”

The Green has not forgotten where they came from and the people that have helped them to get to this point in their career. Thompson was not hesitant to thank local musicians in Hawaii.

“We are good friends with local artists like Anuhea. Our friends’ success helps our success and vice versa,” Thompson said. “We consider this a blessing. We work hard and it’s nice to have somebody say, ‘Good job.’”

Local boys Irie Alert will be on hand to open for The Green this Friday evening. Their concert is a benefit for the Friends of the Molokai Middle and High School Fund. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the high school gym.

“Molokai is the vibe. It will be a good way to mellow us out before we go on tour,” Thompson said.

Farmers Downed in MIL Championship

Monday, February 7th, 2011

The Molokai boys’ basketball team ended their regular season 4-2 and placing second at last week’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II tournament. The came up short of the championship, but coach Lester Delos Reyes said he is satisfied his team left everything on the court.

Last Thursday, at the tournament on Maui, the Molokai Farmers matched up against St. Anthony High School in a close match. The Farmers bested the Trojans 46-37.

That game sent the Farmers to the winner’s bracket on Friday night with a match against undefeated Seabury Hall.

They were plagued once again by the acrobatic skills of Dylan King. Down by eight points at the end of the first quarter, Molokai came back and the score was 25-22.