Author Archives: Leo Azambuja

When Fun Generates Profit

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

Aloooooooha!

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

May the Best Poke Win

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

Aloha Returns To Molokai High

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

Aloha might be the Friendly Isle’s biggest asset. But when it comes down to high-school brawls, aloha can be easily forgotten. On Friday, Sept. 21, a fight at Molokai High School (MHS) erupted into a campus-wide brawl, involving at least 20 students. However, turning the tide on the negative aspects of the clash, students came together to devise positive solutions to bring aloha back to the school.

The fight started at the cafeteria, according to student witnesses, and dragged on to the basketball court. At least half of the school’s students witnessed the fight.

Some students said classmates jumped in to try to break the fight. From a distance, it looked like a major riot, but they said around 20 students, including girls, were directly involved in the fight.

The school’s principal, Linda Puleloa, said it was a rather large fight, involving 15-20 students.

William K. Umi, parent of one of the youth involved, said MHS students usually segregate themselves in two major groups, those who live in the East End and those who live in the West End.

“We needed to realize that we are one school,” Puleloa said. “That kind of stuff has to stop.”

“It’s important that we address these problems rather than dismiss them,” said Sergeant Eugene Santiago, from the Molokai Police Department.

Puleloa called in parents the following Monday to discuss possible ways to end the violence. She said that when she became vice-principal in 1997 there were a lot more fights at the school, but that it was still unacceptable for brawls to happen on campus.

“We are a small community,” Santiago said. “We need to work out our differences.”

A group of parents met with Puleloa, Santiago and Officer Jamie Winfrey, who is permanently stationed at the school. In a separate room, Kekama Helm, a youth leader from Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center, and MHS teacher Cora Schnakenberg met with the students.

Puleloa said the boys involved in the fight realized that there are other ways to solve problems. Many of the fights start with malicious rumors instigated by third parties, and it was exactly what happened before this large brawl. The students decided to talk to the administration the next time those rumors go around, stopping the problem at its roots.

Umi said the students also suggested painting a mural to express friendship and unity on the island.

But the best was yet to come. “The boys took the initiative and asked me if they could have an assembly,” Puleloa said.

In front of almost 400 of his classmates, one student began the assembly reciting a poem called “No Fight the Hawaiians.” The poem is an exchange between two guys, in which one of them asks the other not to fight Hawaiians, citing the social hardships that Hawaiians go through.

Following the poem, the student apologized to a classmate he had fought with. His classmate then came forward and they shook hands.

“One by one, the students called each other down, and shook hands and said sorry in front of everybody,” Puleloa said.

“By the time they called each other down, there were about 25 students there,” Umi said.

Puleloa was amazed by the humbleness of the students. She said that apologizing in front of a huge crowd is probably one of the hardest things a teenager could do. “Our kids are awesome,” she said.

The students who sat at the bleachers also received praise from Puleloa. “The kids in the audience were also thoroughly incredible,” she said. Every time one of the students would finish apologizing, the audience would erupt in cheers.

Closing the assembly, everyone sang the school’s Alma Matter and went on with their business.

“I’m very pleased with the outcome,” Santiago said. “I want to commend the school, the parents, and the children for their desire to move forward”

Puleloa said teachers should not assume that the students already know right from wrong. She said the fight illustrates that, and that teachers and parents should look at the community as a whole.

“Every child is everyone’s child,” Puleloa said. “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Some students said that because of the assembly, the division between East and West inside the school is finally over.

In the end, Puleloa said that although a fight is always a negative thing, students were able to turn the situation around and come up with something positive.

“This is a good example of what our community is all about,” Santiago said.

Despite the positive outcome, there are still issues that some feel should be addressed.

Umi questioned the lack of a football program. According to him, a more comprehensive athletic program would help the kids to develop leadership and stay away from trouble.  

“When you look at these kids you see potential leaders,” Umi said.

Santiago also blamed the incident partly in the school’s shortcomings. According to him, if compared to other schools statewide, Molokai falls short. “We have a dire need for social programs,” he said. “When things like that happen we can see why.”

“Many would like to see a football program,” Puleloa said. “But it’s too expensive.”

The school does have an athletic program, and according to Puleloa it benefits many children. But she said it’s financially prohibitive to develop a more comprehensive program.

Puleloa said there are some clubs in the school that are successful in keeping students out of trouble, such as the Leo Club, the Japan Club and the MEPO Club.

Santiago remains optimistic as well, and believes this last incident will bring something positive to Molokai youth. “Things don’t change overnight,” he said. “But these were important steps toward a real change.”

Molokai Hoe, Please Leave Our Fish Alone

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

Hawaiian rights activist and homestead farmer Walter Ritte is asking the Molokai Hoe escort boats to be more conscious about the Molokai’s fragile ecosystem.

“No one seems to know what to do about the onslaught of Honolulu fishermen hitting our shorelines,” Ritte said.

Every year, large canoe events, such as the Molokai Hoe and last month’s Na Wahine O Ke Kai, bring hundreds of escort boats to the island. The crew of these boats often dive and fish Molokai’s shoreline for several days before races.

Ritte says the crowd takes massive amounts of fish, lobster and opihi without realizing they are harvesting Molokai’s food source.

“We have been trying for years to get this situation under control,” Ritte said. “But the frequency and number of boats and events have been escalating to an alarming rate.”

In a flyer distributed to escort boat captains, Ritte said it was OK to fish in the open ocean. “But respect our shoreline as our icebox, which we use to feed our families,” he asked.

Clubs that came to compete in the last Na Wahine O Ke Kai were greeted by signs saying “Leave our fish alone.”

The event marked the first time signs were used to warn competitors and guests involved in the outrigger races.

Ritte said the signs were “meant to start the talk and actions to resolve the concerns many residents have over the taking of their food.”

Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association director Carol Young said she would pass the message along to all clubs involved.

Farewell to the Ranch

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

Most people would agree that it is not always easy to find a steady job on Molokai.  So why would anyone in their right mind walk out on a career after 27 years, just one year short of retirement? Clarence Loo had just the right answer.

“Enough is enough,” Loo said. Upset by the La`au Point controversy that split the community, and pressured by Molokai Ranch to gather support for their planned development, Loo did the unthinkable. He resigned.

“Some of my managers told me I had to support the Plan,” Loo said. “I’m not backing anybody.”

Getting into the political realm of business is hardly in the job description of someone who was hired as a welder.

After over a decade of dissatisfaction with the Ranch’s ownership, Loo felt he was finally pushed too far. “It broke me down,” the longtime Ranch employee said.

Loo was asked to gather support, in the form of signatures, from local vendors – independent businesses which supply the Ranch with products and services. According to Loo, a majority of his vendors were either undecided or against the La`au Point development. He said that it just wasn’t right for Ranch managers to expect their workers to coax support from community members. “You cannot do that on Molokai,” he said.

Loo said he was tired of seeing the community split, and did not want to add to the problem. “We are fighting each other,” he said. “This is not Molokai style.”

Despite the radical decision to quit his job, Loo remains upbeat. “I’m happy,” he said. “I can find a job anywhere I like.”

But “anywhere” to Loo includes the island of Maui. He says he has a lot of friends on Maui and enough qualifications to land a good job there. His two sons are already working across the Pailolo Channel and Loo says he wouldn’t mind getting closer to them.

While things may work out just fine for Loo, it’s always unfortunate to see Molokai natives forced to look for jobs outside the island.

Loo says that since Brierley, Intl. took ownership of the Ranch, 12 years ago, the owner-employee relationship has gone downhill. He says the company fires and hires workers according to its needs, and without regard for time and value of service provided in the past.

Pilipo Solatario is the cultural advisor at the Ranch. He teaches visitors about Molokai cultural practices. Over the past years, the “top notch” associates who have helped Solatario create the basis of his work were laid off by the Ranch.

When the Ranch realized its mistake and asked Solatario to get his team back, it was already too late. Solatario said the Ranch “goofed.” The kupuna, who works at the Ranch for almost as long as Loo did, said the company should have kept its employees. “Till today I’m still alone.”

But the Ranch used to be a much different company. Family members of employees would come in after work, and the families would head to the beach.  

“It was aloha spirit,” Solatario said. “It was a family thing.” The company took care of their workers explained Solatario.

“Your family could come to work with you,” Loo said. “Our families got close to each other.” Everyone was happy to work for Molokai Ranch.

“The reality is not about money,” Loo said. He explained that the pay might have been low in those days, but everyone felt like they belonged to one big family.

But those days are gone. Since Brierley took over the company, much has changed. The level of dissatisfaction among employees is at its peak according to Loo. But he said many workers are fearful of speaking out and losing their jobs.

Solatario agreed that dissatisfaction is wide-spread among Ranch employees. “We’re not the only ones, others feels the same.”

How did the employees go from cherishing a family-oriented company to feeling this way? “There’s nothing really bad to say about Molokai Ranch,” Loo said. “It’s the guys who bought it.”

The Ranch has continuously made promises that the company’s responsibility is to their employees – the “Molokai Ranch family,” as Ranch CEO Peter Nicholas put it in a letter published at a local newspaper last July.

In the same article, Nicholas said Ranch workers would not want to be employed by an organization which lacked strong for-profit business experience, or that had a long-standing distrust of its people.

If so, Nicholas’ words may backfire. Not only is distrust rampant among employees, according to Loo, but the values which Nicholas claims for the Ranch go against the ones Solatario describes as important to Molokai.

“Molokai has a different sense of place,” Solatario said. “This place is about the aina, not about the kala (money).”

Loo thinks Molokai is just too small and close for its residents to harbor ill-feelings. “Everybody is family,” Loo said. “Everybody knows each other.”

Loo said he would never backstab John Sabas or Walter Ritte. “Collette (Machado) is a good family-friend too.” They all have known each other from a young age. “Their theory and my theory are different,” Loo said. But he hopes one day everyone could get along and respect each others’ point of view.

Last week Solatario participated in a march to La`au Point. His actions could go beyond demonstrating opposition to the proposed development.

As one of the most respected kupuna at the Ranch, this action could help bring unity to Molokai. When Solatario speaks, others listen. “I do my job if I feel it’s pono,” he said. “If I feel it’s not pono I’ll not do it, simple as that.”

Solatario said he tries to have an open dialogue with the Ranch, but there is a cultural barrier that gets in the way.

“How can you understand Hawaiians if you don’t live here?” Solatario asked. “Even if you live our lifestyle, we went through it from generations to generations.”

Hawaiians learned their traditions from their kupuna, and are trying to fit these same traditions into modern times, according to Solatario. “Some fit, some don’t.”

“If you don’t agree, respect it,” Solatario said. “We can still work together.”

Loo said if the Ranch had a better relationship with its workers, things would be different. “The employees would be right there with the Ranch.”

Not all is lost for the Ranch. Solatario has simple advice for the Ranch owners. “They have got to listen to the employees for a change.”

County Policy Plan Review Causes Frustration

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja 

The second meeting to fine tune the countywide General Policy Plan was bit of a disappointment for some participants. While Protect Natural Environment and Preserve Local Cultures and Traditions were on the agenda, Molokai General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) members were only able to get through half of the first issue.

The General Plan contains broad policy objectives applying to all of Maui County. It will set forth the general direction residents want the County to take in the next 20 years.

Each island in the Maui County has its own GPAC, which will contribute to the final countywide General Plan. 

“We just want to make sure the plan will not stop us from doing things that we want in our own community plan,” said DeGray Vanderbilt, Molokai GPAC chairman. “I looked through everything and it seems fine.”

Because of an overlapping long range planning meeting, GPAC organizers and attendees began their meeting two hours behind schedule.

Many were visibly frustrated. Some GPAC members had to leave, forcing the meeting into a two-hour recess until there were enough members to restart the meeting.

As a result, only half of the Protect Natural Environment section was reviewed.

Lori Buchanan, from the Molokai Invasive Species committee, said she spent half of her life working with conservation and environmental issues. She proposed some slight changes in the director’s recommendations verbiage, because she wanted to make sure the Plan would promote preservation rather than development.

Mac Poepoe, who heads the Hui Malama Mo`omomi, wanted to make sure that his not-for-profit organization would continue to manage and take care of Mo`omomi and its adjacent lands. Vanderbilt assured him that Molokai, and not Maui, will decide who will protect Mo`omomi.

Vanderbilt stressed that the Plan should be looked at carefully, because should there be conflicts between the General Policy Plan and the Molokai Community Plan, the General Plan will prevail. He said he will try to meet with the county planners to find a solution to catch up with the sections that could not be reviewed on time.

Molokai Film Festival

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

Residents and visitors who came to Kaunakakai Park this past weekend enjoyed the music and movies at the Molokai Film Festival.

One of the most inspirational movies shown was “The Heart of a Soul Surfer.” The film was about Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack on Kauai a couple years ago. The resilient teenager, who was one of the most promising surfing talents in the United States, never lost hope. She continues to surf competitively, and winning contests too.

Perhaps the best movie shown was New Zealand’s “Two Cars, One Night.” The movie received an Oscar nomination for short film in 2003. It tells the story of how two boys and a girl meet in a car park in rural New Zealand, and from an adversity based on rivalry they develop a close friendship.

Before the movies were shown, musicians rocked the park, as people slowly took over the lawn. All artists gave outstanding performances.

Molokai’s own, Lono, opened up the festival, playing at his best. It is the third year Lono plays for the film festival. Crowd entertaining is one of the best virtues of the local musician who composes songs with a history background.

Slack-key guitar master Cindy Combs praised Molokai for fighting against La`au Point development. She comes from Kauai, and said the population there is still fighting against the Superferry.

Other performers included Uncle Boy Kanae and Grammy winners Keoki Kahumoku and John Keawe. Ulalena performed hula for the crowd, which was a mix of locals and a few tourists.

The evening turned out to be a perfect family outing. Even the usually hot Kaunakakai weather gave the crowd a break, cooling off a bit.

Children were savoring colorful shave-ice cones, which could be purchased at the Molokai Middle School food booth. Puppies were running around, begging for hot-dog leftovers.

Chris and Patricia brought their food stand, the Little Grass Shack, and were selling their incredible fish tacos and fried ice cream. Next door to them, pretzels were offered at a fair price to die-hard festival fans.

A booth sold festival T-shirts, among with other specially made shirts. Another booth was selling hand-crafted shell jewelry.

The film festival also promoted cancer awareness.

Festival organizer Ken K. Martinez Burgmaier said food booth fees and partial proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go to Molokai Cancer Association (MCA). If anyone wishes to donate to MCA, please contact MauiFest at (808) 573-5530. Burgmaier said he opted to donate to MCA instead of the American Cancer Society because the donations will stay on the island of Molokai.

Burgmaier was stoked about the outcome of the festival. “Everyone was happy, the parking lot was full,” he said. This is the festival’s fourth year, and Burgmaier said he’ll definitely come back next year to Molokai.

The festival’s main sponsors were Maui FestHawai`I, Maui Land and Pineapple, Expedia.com MauiToday.tv and KITV 4. Those who were able to come, for sure enjoyed a great evening with their families and friends.

Ka La Hanau o Lili`uokalani

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

The kupuna amongst the public added a lot of color to the celebration wearing traditional mu`umu`u and straw-hats ornamented with tropical flowers.

A special guest was delighted to be part of the celebration. “It’s always wonderful to come to Molokai,” said the chairman of the Queen Lili`uokalani Trust, Judge Tom Ka`ulukukui. “The people are wonderful; this place is historic.”

Molokai’s Queen Lili`uokalani Center operates in the Kulana `Oiwi Complex. For more information call 553-5369.

Three Hoorays for our Four-Legged Friends

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

It‘s about time! Molokai Humane Society (MHS) finally has a semi-permanent office. The modular building will provide much needed space allowing neuter and spaying programs to take place on-island.

MHS president Julie Lopez said up until now those procedures had to be done either on Maui or out of a member’s home on Molokai. However, the society does not sanction home procedures because of liability issues.

The new office is located on homestead lands in Ho`olehua, at 460 Maunaloa highway, about a quarter mile before the airport. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) kindly donated one acre of land to MHS on a monthly-basis lease.

Lopez said the MHS purchased a modular building because it could be easily relocated when a permanent site is allocated. “The next step is a find to site where a doctor can be there permanently,” Lopez said.

Lopez said she wants the county to realize that MHS is serious about providing a service to the community. “We went out and got our own lease with the DHHL,” she said. “Then we bought our own modular office.”

“Danny Mateo has been of great help,” Lopez said. “Especially with the grant money for spay and neuter program.” She said councilman Mateo has been very supportive of MHS.

But Lopez said the MHS still needs a permanent site and facility. “It’s time for the county to step up to the plate,” she said.

MHS has been through many hardships. The society doesn’t even have a kennel – animals are kept in a cage behind Molokai Public Library.

Since the island’s only permanent veterinarian passed away a few years ago, spaying and neutering procedures can only be performed when visiting veterinarians come to the island.

But the future looks a bit brighter for the society. A retired veterinarian from Oregon is coming on October to visit the island. Another veterinarian, from California, will be visiting the island on November. Both have family in Hawaii; one on Molokai, and the other on the Big Island.

Lopez is hopeful at least one of these veterinarians will be considering a permanent move to Molokai. “We sent them info from the Dispatch, the Chamber of Commerce, and a link to the Web site for a Hawaii vet licensing,” she said.

The MHS will hold its annual meeting on November 29 at Mitchell Pauole Center, at 4:30 p.m. Lopez said six board-members will be stepping down allowing up to nine seats for new directors. Non-members are invited to the meeting, but only members can run for the open seats. There are currently about 100 members in the MHS.

Maui Humane Society’s CEO, Jocelyn Bouchard, will be coming to Molokai as a guest speaker. This is the first time a CEO from Maui Humane Society comes to a meeting on Molokai.

Also of interest is the painting of the new office that will take place on Saturday, September 22. Molokai High School art department youth, under art teacher Perry Buchalter, will paint the modular office.

Lopez said the MHS would like to thank Ray Foster, from Monsanto Molokai, for clearing the vegetation around the new office free of charge.

For more information please call the MHS at 558-0000.