Author Archives: Colleen Uechi

Molokai, the Friendly Isle

Friday, November 14th, 2014

Community Contributed

Opinion by Rick Baptiste

A nickname for Molokai that proclaims the aloha spirit is “The Friendly Isle,” a nickname that is well known and documented.   I am reminded of this on a window display near the entrance of a local store, “We practice the Aloha Spirit.”   On Molokai, we practice the art of being friendly to one another.   I am certain that many visitors, as well as everyone who resides on Molokai, can tell me a “Friendly Isle” story.  I remember someone telling me that when he first moved to Molokai, his car was blessed with a flat tire. …

Stampede Rodeo

Thursday, November 13th, 2014

Dozens of paniolo from Molokai and around the state gather at Kapualei Ranch every November to help keep a tradition alive. This year, the Molokai Stampede celebrating paniolo heritage was held Nov. 8 and 9, and Saturday’s # 11 team roping even featured more than 100 teams. Contestants competed for a grand prize ATV, saddles and buckles. The rodeo features team roping, team branding, barrel racing and keiki events like dummy roping.

Pictured above, Molokai’s Meleana Pa-Kala tosses to catch the horns of her steer during Saturday morning’s team roping. Below, four-year-oldRyelle climbs the fencetokiss horse Hoku, ridden by her dad, Don Habon, as he takes a quick break from roping.…

Lanterns That Carried Prayers

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

As the muted colors of dusk overtook a glassy ocean, hundreds of lanterns were set afloat, bearing messages of grief and loss, prayer and gratitude.  Ashore, a crowd lined the water’s edge. Some stood with heads bowed and hands folded, others with arms in embrace, toes buried in the sand, looking out to sea.

“Whatever healing they need, whatever losses they’ve experienced, they can write those messages on the lantern,” said Barbara Helm, bereavement coordinator at Hospice Hawaii Molokai. “It’s an opportunity to grieve openly – everyone’s coming for the same purpose. We’re all there in support of each other, without saying anything.”…

Veterans Corner

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. This Tuesday, Nov. 11, is the 76th anniversary of Veterans Day, when the American people come together as a nation to remember and say thank you to all living veterans for their sacrifices in both peace time and in time of war. On behalf of all my fellow residents of Molokai and myself, we send a sincere thank you to all American veterans for their service, mahalo.

The legislative battles that were fought on this day are often forgotten, and the beginnings of Veterans Day when it was called Armistice Day for 12 years, until 1938.…