Author Archives: Jessica Ahles

A Legacy of Language

Sunday, March 2nd, 2014

A Legacy of Language

As a child, Kilia Purdy-Avelino remembers often listening to her grandfather carrying on effortless conversation with uncles and friends in `Olelo Hawaii, or the Hawaiian language. He was a manaleo, or grew up with Hawaiian as his first language, she said, and although he never passed down the gift to his family, it was always part of her life.

“He was my inspiration to get into Hawaiian language at all,” said Purdy-Avelino. “I made it my goal in life to learn the language and to be able to converse with him.”

However, only two years into her `olelo studies, her grandfather passed away, and in the course of earning her Masters degree in indigenous and culture education at University of Hawaii-Hilo, her goals included a larger mission.…

Collecting Molokai’s Metals

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Collecting Molokai’s Metals

As your car deteriorates on Molokai’s rugged roads, and outdated appliances are replaced with newer models, you may find an assembly of rusted-out materials decorating your yard. But if you find yourself going mad over your metal collection, there is now a group you can call to gather your junk cars, appliances and mixed metals.

Refrigerant Recycling Inc. (RRI) is here to serve Molokai for the next three years. The Oahu-based recycling and refurbishing company is working hand-in-hand with Maui County, dedicated to help make metal disposal less of a headache for the community.

“We’re holding a community workday to go around helping rural parts of the island and to assist people who need help with recycling their items,” said Molokai-born RRI project manager Mike Diorec.…

Salad Dressing Reunion

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Salad Dressing Reunion

Young Molokai entrepreneur Elijah Kaneshiro, now 20, created a recipe for salad dressing when he was eight. At 10, he went into commercial business, marketing his product at Outpost Natural Foods, Bamboo Pantry (now closed) and by special order.

That’s how part-time Molokai residents Donald and Joanna Sunshine know Elijah. Donald recounts their meeting in his book “Life’s Moments,” describing with humor how Joanna began talking with the 10-year-old, who he describes as personable, smart and articulate. Donald writes that he assumes Elijah has sold many bottles to such endeared and unsuspecting ladies. The story ends with Joanna buying three of Elijah’s $20 bottles of salad dressing, much to Donald’s adoring annoyance (he concludes by admitting the dressing is pretty good).…

Faces of Molokai Community Health Center

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Faces of Molokai Community Health Center

MCHC News Release

There’s no doubt that 2013 has been a year of growth and renewal at the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC).  In light of this, we would like to introduce the many new faces that you will be seeing on our campus and how they may be a resource to you.
Our new Dental Director, Benjamin Mead, DDS, is a Hilo-born University of Hawaii, Manoa graduate who finished his dentistry program at the University of Missouri Kansas City School where he completed his studies in 2008.

Dr. Mead returned home to Hawaii Island where he worked in both a private practice setting as well as at a public health clinic as a lead dentist. …

Lions Roar: Vision Screenings

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Lions Roar: Vision Screenings

Molokai Lions Club News Release

February was a big month for vision screening on Molokai. On Feb. 3-4, the Molokai Lions Club did their yearly school vision screening. Lion volunteers along with Doctors Karsten Lee and Carlys Higuchi from Maui Optix screened 395 children in four elementary schools and four preschools. Twelve children were found to have a possible problem and the school health aid will refer that finding to the parent.

This service has been going strong for many years and it’s been enhanced in the last several years with the help of the Maui doctors. Your support of the Lions Annual Walk for Sight helps the club defray the air cost for the doctors.…

Google Drive, Welcome to the Cloud

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Kuha`o Business Center News Release

Have you gone through the painful process of losing important files to a failed hard drive or lost laptop? Have you ever had to collaborate with another person or team on a presentation, financial report, or written piece only to find that trading documents back-and-forth is cumbersome and confusing? Maybe you’d like the freedom to work from any smartphone, tablet, or computer on any or all of your documents without shuffling files everywhere?

Google Drive and the cloud might be the perfect solution for streamlining your workflow, and safeguarding your files. Find out how at the free introductory workshop, Google Drive, Welcome to the Cloud.…

Molokai Farm Wins in Ag Contest

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Kamehameha Schools News Release

In an effort to increase Hawaii’s food production and help decrease dependency on imported foods, Kamehameha Schools and Ke Ali`i Pauahi Foundation teamed up to create an agricultural business plan contest. The first Mahi`ai Match-Up hoped to attract experienced farmers with innovative ideas to grow food on vacant agricultural lands owned by Kamehameha Schools. The opportunity attracted 148 local farmers.

The organizations just announced the first, second and third place winners of the contest, and Molokai’s Mapulehu Farms placed third. Winning teams receive an agricultural lease from Kamehameha Schools with up to five years of waived rent and money from Ke Ali`i Pauahi Foundation.…

Winning Values from the Wrestling Mat

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Though the Molokai Middle School wrestling program has only competed for two years, young athletes walked away with some big titles by the end of this season’s program. Rather than skill, Coach Benny Venenciano attributes their two, first-place tournament wins to passion and soul.

“When you have the will, the beauty of this sport is the balance of taking care of yourself physically and mentally, and doing your schoolwork,” said Venenciano. “At this developmental age, I wanted wrestling to be that sport for them.”

During the winter season, 19 athletes wrestled after school and about half had no prior wrestling experience, according to Venenciano.…

Boys Basketball Ends Season in Fourth

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Entering the boys basketball season, coach Carl Adolpho Jr. called the year a building period. Two weeks ago, the boys ended their season earning fourth place at Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championships.

“We thought we could do better, but it was a good experience for me as a first-year coach and for the team,” said Adolpho.

After coming close to beating Seabury in the regular season—sometimes, just a few points away from victory — Adolpho said the team was excited to get a chance to play them again in their first match-up of the MIL championship.

However, tournament ended for the Farmers in a 35-58 upset that Thursday.…

Tips from the Vet for Your Pet: Choosing Dog Food

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Dr. Stewart Morgan DVM, Molokai Humane Society

With all the different dog foods that someone could buy, it helps to get an idea of what is best for  your individual dog. Dogs that are pregnant, nursing, growing, used for hunting/sport or simply house pets have different needs when it comes to food. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a group that sets standards for marketing and labeling of animal feed and marketing. The standards they set on pet food labels are the guidelines companies use to make pet foods that are considered adequate for different times in a dog’s life.…