Author Archives: Todd Yamashita

Molokai Stampede Postponed One Week

Friday, August 17th, 2007

The Kapualei Ranch Molokai Stampede which was planned to for this weekend, Aug 18 & 19, has been postponed. Because of hurricane Flossie, local barge service Young Brothers Ltd denied the transfer of livestock between islands, forcing the rodeo to be put on hold.

 

The event has been rescheduled for the following weekend, Aug 25 and 26, starting at 10 a.m.

Kualapuu Kids Learn About the Watershed

Thursday, June 14th, 2007

Kualapuu Kids Learn About the Watershed

In early May, Kualapuu School students got out of the classroom to visit Ali`i Fish Pond in Kawela. Senator Mike Gabbard and his wife Carol explain to them the importance of having a pollution-free watershed. Gabbard is the founder of Healthy Hawaii Coalition (HHC), an educational organization made up of concerned citizens from across the state, whose two-fold purpose is to protect the environment and to improve individual and community health. The organization is motivated out of respect and love for the ‘Aina and for all life that depends on it.

HHC has presented the specialized curriculum, “The Hawaii Watershed Experience”, to over 3,500 students in Leeward and Windward Oahu and Maui public and private schools. For the first time HHC is bringing the 3-part curriculum to schools on Molokai and Kauai . The focus of the program is to teach students about watersheds, the Hawaiian concept of ahupua’a, preventing water pollution and encouraging land and water stewardship.

Breaking Ground on a New Life

Thursday, June 14th, 2007

Breaking Ground on a New Life

“I’ve been renting every year since I was 18 when my father kicked me out of the house,” joked Gayla Haliniak-Lloyd. But breaking ground was more than just a light-hearted ceremony for the Haliniak-Lloyd family who gathered around the site of their future home last Saturday.

The Hawaiian homes lot, in the new Kalamaula subdivision, overlooks the historic Kapuaiwa Grove and provides an expansive view of Lanai, Maui and the Kaunakakai pier.

People wanting to get involved can do so in a number of ways. Cash donations can be made at Molokai Furniture in Kualapu`u Center and at the West End Sundries at Kaluakoi. Volunteers can also show up on the day of the Build-a-thon as a team or by themselves and are invited to bring in pledge donations. Volunteers do not need to have any building skills.

The Build-a-thon event takes place this Saturday, June 16, 2007, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Ho’omalu Drive in Kalamaula, Mauka (Up the road across from the Coconut grove). See you there!

To find out more about Habitat or the Build-a-thon call Jean Han at 560-5444.

 

The Best Thing About Molokai is the People…

Thursday, June 7th, 2007

The Best Thing About Molokai is the People…

Letter to the Editor

 

I wanted to tell the newspaper about my family's experience this past March vacationing on Molokai. My wife and I and our three children had a wonderful experience at the Molokai Ranch Beach Village as well as traveling around Molokai and enjoying the wonderful feeling of the island. We had a very special time getting to know Anakala Pilipo Solatorio, the Hawaiian culture teacher at the Molokai Ranch.

We live in New Jersey, and we had only visited Hawaii once before, ten years ago. We didn't know what to expect with Molokai. Well...the island is refreshingly different, is totally real, and is one of the world's beautiful places. The best thing among the many great things about Molokai is the people. We came away with a respect and admiration for Hawaiian people and culture and Hawaiian history. The staff at the Lodge and Beach Village were great. (I hope Ruby likes my drawing that I gave her.) We're grateful to Anakala Pilipo for teaching us about Hawaiian culture, including how to play Hawaiian bowling, ulu maika (did I spell it right?). I almost beat him at bowling the first time I played it. (More likely Pilipo was cutting me some slack.)

Our kids were fascinated with what they learned about Hawaiian culture. We won't ever forget the magnificent hike we took along the Kapa'a Trail and coast to La'au Point. We hiked for miles along beautiful white beaches and wild lava shore without seeing other people. Where else in Hawaii could you do that? We hope that La'au Point can always be the jewel that it now is, and that the people of Molokai never lose sight of the riches of the wonderful place they live.



Sincerely,

Richard Preston and family

Hopewell, New Jersey

Homesteader’s Roundup

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Homesteader’s Roundup

“The great thing is that we’re using homestead lands which normally might not be used,” said the association’s Vice President, Billy Buchanan. “It has given us an opportunity to help offset our expenses and provides us with some food and a little extra money.”

The usual suspects included George Maioho, Ron Davis, Kahea Maliu, Felicia Borden, Dennis Kamakana, Yama Kaholoa'a, the Tancayo brothers, Bill Buchanan and others.

 

Ka Hula Piko 2007

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Ka Hula Piko 2007

Animal Clinic Coming Soon

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

Without a permanent animal clinic or a resident veterinarian, Molokai’s pet owners have been challenged by too few options over the past several years. But with potential new sites designated and a permanent structure on-order, the Molokai Humane Society is optimistic about the near future.

 

Currently the society has determined three potential temporary sites for the animal clinic, two in Ho`olehua and one at Holumua Junction. There is also a 40 foot modular building that has been purchased and is due to arrive at the end of the month.

 

Julie Lopez, president of Molokai Humane Society, hopes the clinic could be functional within a few months.

 

Lopez also said that Humane Society board members are hoping the new clinic would attract a veterinarian who would want to create their own permanent practice on Molokai. She says that the society would be willing to offer space in the new clinic as a starting point for any vet that could make a good fit for Molokai. “The best possible scenario is that a vet would move to Molokai and set up a private practice here,” says Lopez.

 

But whichever of the three sites is chosen, the Humane Society will still be on the lookout for a county owned property that would be big enough to handle the future needs of Molokai’s growing community.

 

“We (Humane Society board members) feel like if we work hard to find a temporary site the county will respond and help us find a permanent location,” says Lopez.

 

But Lopez says the society isn’t interested in just waiting around. During this week’s Ka Hula Piko event, the society will be circulating a petition that asks county officials to speed up the process in finding a permanent location. “We want people to come out to Ka Hula Piko, visit our booth and sign this petition because we need to show the Mayor and Maui council that there is a real need in the community for a permanent animal facility,” says Lopez. “But I do have to thank Danny Mateo because he’s a crusader. Without him, we wouldn’t have the Spay and Neuter program that we have now.”

 

“The last year has been a good year because we got the visiting vet program started. So far there have been six visiting vets, all volunteer, that stay on Molokai for up to week. They’re making our Spay and Neuter program happen. In the past year there have been about 300 cats and dogs that have been “fixed.”

 

But in April the Molokai program lost their normal place of business at Julie Coelho’s residents. Coelho, a long time animal lover and caregiver has hosted veterinarians on Molokai for over thirty years.

 

Lopez said that the society knew well ahead of time that a new location would be needed and that the timing for new clinic had been the society’s main focus for many months.

 

Because the Molokai Humane Society is not yet permanent, the organization has partnered with the Maui Humane Society to provide free spay and neuter services for Molokai residents traveling to Maui. All that is required for the free service is an ID with a Molokai address and a coupon which can be picked up at Simon and Friends Pet Shoppe in Kaunakakai, 553-3419.

 

Lopez admitted that the Humane Society planning processes has not been without its kinks. “The board has been working really hard on these things and sometimes they take a lot of flack. These people are all volunteers and their main motivation is to take care of the animals – that’s the bottom line. I just want to say that I’m really proud of what has been happening and where things are going. I in the midst of not having a permanent location, we’re happy that people are responding positively overall,” said Lopez.

 

I want people to know that the aim of the society is to educate people about animal welfare and taking care of their animals. We’re all in this together, the animals and the people. And we’re small so we’re asking people to be patient. We know the island is growing so we’re doing our best to help things along.”

 

The Molokai Humane Society board would like to thank their fellow volunteers who have given their time and aloha. They also want to thank the Maui Humane Society and Danny Mateo for their support and efforts. Special thanks go to Julie Coelho for her generous humanitarian services to the animal and people of the island.

 

If you’d like to like support the efforts of the Molokai Humane Society send donations to P.O. Box 1258, Kaunakakai HI 96748.

Swap Your Wife

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

A New York television production company is currently casting for ABC's hit family show, "Wife Swap!" and has targeted Molokai in search for the “ultimate surfing family.” A spokesperson for the company said that they have never featured a family from Hawaii before, and that they were hoping to spread the word on Molokai about the casting call. 

“It would be amazing if we could feature a family where everyone – Mom, Dad and the kids – are all equally obsessed with surfing, the surf culture, and everything that goes along with it. In addition to surfers, we are always looking for other unique and interesting families who truly embody “the spirit of aloha.” I would be open to speaking with anyone who might be interested in applying,” said Meghan McGinley, the company’s Associate Casting Producer. 

Annette Pauole-Ahukuelo Honored

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

Annette Pauole-Ahukuelo Honored

“I’m pretty shy about these kinds of things,” says Annette Pauole-Ahukuelo who was recently designated County of Maui Financial Champion award by the Small Business Association (SBA) for empowering Molokai entrepreneurs through Molokai’s Kuha`o Business Center.

 

While Pauole-Ahukuelo’s attitude is humble, the kudos she received certainly were not – the county handed down her award in the form of a resolution, and that state followed suit with an official proclamation. “I was in awe of the magnitude of the award,” said Pauole-Ahukuelo.

 

Every year the SBA awards individuals who make outstanding achievements in Hawaii’s business world. Pauole-Ahukuelo was nominated this year by Charlene Aquino of American Savings, Molokai. “I thank the SBA, American Savings Bank, the Maui Chamber of commerce, and the Maui county council. They really went the distance making this award a special occasion for all the winners,” said Pauole-Ahukuelo.

 

But it’s Pauole-Ahukuelo who has gone the distance. Since the beginning of 2007 she has had over 600 visits and meetings with clients and entrepreneurs through the Kuha`o Business Center. How does she handle the volume? “I love my job…. My priority is to help Molokai people get ahead not only in their businesses but in their personal lives as well.”

 

Now that the awards ceremonies have past and the overwhelming attention subsided, Pauole-Ahukuelo is excited about the coming year. The Kuhao Business Center, which she is the director of, will be offering outstanding resources this year to Molokai’s small business community including a well rounded lineup of free workshops. “They are eclectic and exciting workshops” says Pauole-Ahukuelo with a grin.

 

Congratulations Annette. Your hard work and passion for the individuals on Molokai have paid off in a very deserving way!

Not Enough Room

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

 

Molokai’s EC is in the process of “moving on.”

The writing is on the wall, or in the case of the Molokai’s Enterprise Community (EC), the writing is on the door. Members of the community expecting to participate in last week’s open meeting were shut out by a sign on the door warning would-be participants that the room’s max capacity was 50 people – a quota that the room had reached well before the meeting had even began.

Holding the meeting in a room far too small to accommodate the public was not a mistake or oversight. For more than six months now, EC meetings have never attracted less than 50 people. But the federally funded program, which is mandated to include participation from the public, regularly reserves meeting spaces which are too small.