Author Archives: Colleen Uechi

Closing Halawa’s Church

Friday, May 29th, 2015

Closing Halawa’s Church

Community Contributed

By Reynolds Ayau

To the people of Molokai, aloha! My name is Reynolds Ayau and I’m the Kahu for a little church in Halawa Valley called lerusalema Hou Church. Our little church is badly in need of replacement. Dry rot and termites have made it a total hazard.

To try and remedy the situation, we had to contact the landowner.  The landowner, God bless her, said, “I didn’t know I owned the property so I’ll donate it to the church.”  That was over three years ago and we are still waiting for the County of Maui to approve the necessary subdivision.…

Ka Hula Piko T-Shirts

Friday, May 29th, 2015

Ka Hula Piko T-Shirts

Halau Hula o Kukunaokala News Release

In Native Hawaiian tradition, it is common for natural elements to symbolize body forms of ancestors.  The natural element will usually have characteristics that are reminiscent of the ancestor represented.  This year’s Molokai Ka Hula Piko T-shirts will be available for purchase on Saturday, June 6 at this year’s Ka Hula Piko celebration at Lanikeha Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This year’s design depicts kinolau, or body forms, representative of Laka and `Olohe.  It symbolizes the foundation and commitment of their given kuleana to malama all that they were entrusted with.

The `Ie`ie vine only grows and flourishes with the aid of an unyielding foundation. …

Nonprofit Receives OHA Grant to Restore Fishponds

Friday, May 29th, 2015

KHM News Release

Ka Honua Momona (KHM), a Molokai nonprofit focused on sustainability mauka a makai (from the mountains to the sea), has recently been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to restore two Hawaiian fishponds, Ali`i and Kaloko`eli.

The greater goal of the project is to return momona (health and abundance) to the land and people of Molokai through the community-based restoration of two ancient Hawaiian fishponds.

Ali`i and Kaloko`eli, located just past Kaunakakai Town, are approximately 30 acres each and were originally built in the 15th century. KHM holds a license for both fishponds, as well as 1.5 acres adjacent to Ali`i Fishpond, from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.…

Tyson Pactol First to Earn Malama Aina Degree

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

UHMCM News Release

After serving in the U.S. military and earning the privileges of the GI Bill, Molokai boy Tyson Pactol returned home and utilized the opportunity to attend college.  Back in the fall of 2011, UH Maui College, Molokai (UHMCM) offered an Associate in Technical Studies (ATS) Degree called Cultural and Natural Resource Management (Malama Aina).

At that time, Tyson was working with The Nature Conservancy on Molokai.  With natural resource management being his field of interest, Tyson pursued the ATS Malama Aina degree.  In fall 2014, Tyson successfully finished the degree.  He is the first Molokai resident to earn this Associate. …

Veterans Corner

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Veterans Corner

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha all my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. Your monitor goes blank. You hear and grinding noise from the processor, then silence. Ever wonder why people blame this mechanical disaster on a “computer bug?” You may not appreciate the naval ties while watching your data melt, but the term does have its origins in the sea service, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command. Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, a computer software pioneer in the Navy, was working on the primitive Mark II computer is 1947 when she found an error, according to the History Command’s website.…

Observing Damien’s Feast Day

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

She stepped off the plane with a broad smile on her lovely face and gave me a big squeeze as I welcomed her. The Miracle Girl, Audrey Toguchi, who credits the intercession of Father Damien with her miraculous cure from cancer, had come to Kalaupapa to join us in celebrating St. Damien’s feast day. Shortly thereafter, we climbed aboard my Paddy Wagon and rode out to St. Philomena in Kalawao to celebrate Mass in honor of St. Damien in the church he himself built. Led in song by the St, John’s choir, we had a beautiful celebration.…

Bully Free Unity Pledge

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Bully Free Unity Pledge

FAB News Release

Our Families Against Bullying (FAB) Project Bully Free youth classes that took place March 25 through May 27 at the Molokai Youth Center (MYC) is asking support from our youths and community. We have a large unity pledge banner available at the MYC for everyone to come out and sign, to pledge their support against bullying. The goal is to get 100 signatures by Aug. 31 to untie together as a community to end bullying in our schools.

We are very excited and hope that you all will take the time to come out and support our children of Molokai.…

Community Plan Workshops

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

County of Maui Planning Department News Release

The Molokai Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) will be holding meetings on June 3 and June 4 to discuss the ongoing update of the island’s Community Plan. The June 3 meeting will focus on Chapter 5, Economic Development, and the June 4 meeting will cover Chapter 6, Land Use and Housing and Chapter 7, Community Design.

Both meetings will be held at the Lanikeha Community Center. The June 3 Economic Development Workshop begins at 3:30 p.m. and the June 4 Land Use, Housing and Community Design Workshop starts at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting will begin with presentations and discussion on the specific topics to provide background information to the CPAC and the public. …

Molokai Wins Big at International Science Fair

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

Molokai Wins Big at International Science Fair

 

At the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), an event that included around 1,700 students from more than 75 countries, five Molokai students spent hours being grilled by Ph.D. holders and Nobel Laureates. In a room full of geniuses, Molokai proved it is home to some of the world’s brightest young scientific minds.

In the Earth and Environmental Sciences category, Molokai High School senior Sarah Jenkins and sister Lily Jenkins, a sophomore, won first place and a $3,000 award. Their project, “March of the Molokai Mangrove,” charted the spread of mangrove along Molokai’s south shore and its potential impacts on the island.…

Molokai Ferry Seeks to Run ‘As Needed’

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

With competition increasing, the Molokai ferry wants to scale back further than originally planned. On May 13, Sea Link of Hawaii, Inc. withdrew its petition to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to suspend one daily route between Molokai and Maui. The company instead plans to petition the PUC to require a minimum number of passengers to make a trip between the two islands.

“The concept we’re working on now is being what’s called a common carrier versus a scheduled carrier,” said company President Dave Jung. “A scheduled carrier has to run if you’ve got one passenger. … We want to be a common carrier where we have a minimum.”…