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Author Archives: Todd Yamashita

Understanding OHA

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

The cause of much contention, clearly evident at last week’s public meeting, comes from an OHA resolution which declares support for the Community Based Master Land Use Plan which includes the development of La`au Point.

The proponents for OHA’s support of the plan rally around the reasoning set forth by trustee Colette Machado, who makes the argument that, if successful, the plan would protect up 50,000 acres of land from being developed. In her view the act of protecting this acreage is consistent with OHA’s mission which is "to protect Hawaii’s people and environmental resources… toward ensuring the perpetuation of the culture, the enhancement of lifestyle and the protection of entitlements of Native Hawaiians."

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La`au Point: Through Your Own Eyes

Saturday, September 23rd, 2006

 

For just a minute or two, take a deep breath and clear you mind of activists, developments, water rights and every other strife and struggle that has adhered itself to La`au Point. Imagine the real place that is La`au Point.

Tide pools and puka-shell-laden beaches. The soothing sound of surf rushing over golden sands. Opihi, a`ama, monk seals, eels and fish. A brilliant midday sun and the pa`akai which patiently cures in its radiance. Crisp blue night air and innumerable stars piercing the evening sky. Imagine all these things of nature. Their sum is peace itself… this is the real La`au Point.

If visions of La`au fill your heart with wonder and your head with curiosity, I suggest you make your way to there. Regardless of where you stand within the issues surrounding La`au, a visit to the place will bring you a deeper sense of clarity.

 

As citizens of Molokai, we each hold a piece of La`au’s destiny within our own actions – or inaction. Therefore we owe it to the land and to ourselves to understand as much as we can about the true nature of La`au Point. So get to the point and go see La`au for yourself.

The beach area at La`au is accessible mainly by boat or by foot. When traveling by boat, be prepared for a beach landing that will require swimming as there are no docks. Check the wind and surf forecasts for south and west facing shores before embarking. Be sure to go with a captain who has experience with the southwest shores of Molokai.

By foot, La`au Point can be reached by either of two publicly accessible areas: Hale O Lono Harbor on the south shore or Dixie Maru beach on the west. Both starting areas are several miles from the La`au Point with Dixie Maru being the shortest.

The land between both starting points is privately owned by Molokai Ranch, leaving hikers with two options. Either contact the ranch to request access (808) 660-2824, or hike along the coast. All Hawaiian shoreline, up to the high tide mark, is considered state property and is legally accessible to the public.

Hiking can take between two to four hours each way depending on the route chosen. Be sure to study a map and allow yourself ample time to complete the hike. Bring lots of water, a lunch, sunscreen and adequate footwear. It is also a good idea to bring a fully charged cell phone.

La`au is unique because it is practically untouched by man. When visiting, don’t leave anything behind but your footsteps. Don’t approach monk seals. And if fishing, fish with pride, fish responsibly.

web gallery: http:www.themolokaidispatch.com/laau/index.htm

 

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Dutchy Kino Memorial Long Distance Classic

Friday, August 18th, 2006

Dutchy Kino Memorial Long Distance Classic

Four of Molokai’s canoe clubs competed over the weekend in one of the season’s earliest distance races, the Dutchy Kino, on the south side of Maui.

Of the Molokai teams who battled it out in the calm waters and sweltering heat, it was Wa`akapaemua women’s novice A team that would bring home gold in their division, placing 17th over-all. Kukui’s open women did great as well placing 10th overall.

The men’s race opened with a sprint from Ma`alaia to the cliff-lined point two miles off the start. The Kukui open men, with Bozo Dudoit in the steersman’s seat, jockeyed for the inside line keeping at the head of the pack.

For most of the 18 -mile race, two crews from Hawaiian, followed by Kahana and Kukui battled it out for medals. “Kahana was our competitor… we went back and forth. In the end, they came in just two boat-lengths ahead of us,” said Adolph Helm who stroked for the Kukui boat. “We toned down the stroke rate a little and everyone was able to grab more. It really kept the canoe moving. In the future we need to fine tune the stroke with a little more explosiveness.” Hawaiian Canoe Club finished in the first and second spots.

Kukui’s second entry, the Boomshkys, did a respectable job arriving somewhere near the center of the pack.

Helm expressed great satisfaction in Molokai’s competing clubs. “You don’t succeed overnight, you succeed over time. It showed in the race we did over this past Saturday. It shows we can go over there an actually compete.”

The race, in its 26th year, is held in honor of local boy Keola Kino’s father, Dutchy Kino, who was well known for the many years of sacrifice to the sport of outrigger.

Race standings mentioned in this article were unofficial at time of print. Mahalo to Adolph Helm for his re-cap.

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Lights Out: Garbage truck Rips through Powerline, Stops Business as Usual.

Tuesday, August 1st, 2006

By  Todd Yamashita

With a loud pop, businesses along Kaunakakai’s main strip were suddenly put on pause as an Island Refuse garbage truck ripped through utility lines with its raised forks. As store owners and their patrons poured onto the street to see what happened, police shut down the streets and utility crews hurried to restore power.

 “And I only get 18 days to retire,” commented Molokai Electric employee “Bu” Delacruz who initially handled the downed lines. Though much of the incident appeared to have taken place at the corner of Kalama’s service station, authorities were puzzled by another line that fell on a car at the main intersection near Bank of Hawaii. The police suspected the truck’s raised forks again, however it was pointed out by Island Refuse employees that the line in question was probably too high to have been reached by the truck. Witnesses near Takes Variety Store and Masaki’s said that they heard a loud pop and that nearby utility poles were seen bowed and wobbling. A few people at the scene speculated that the stress caused from the incident at Kalama’s created a “chain reaction” breaking the power line near the main intersection.

No one was hurt during last week’s occurrence. The truck driver, Denny Kaneshiro, was unaware that the forks of his trucks were raised. He sincerely apologizes to store owners and patrons for the inconveniences caused by the incident.

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Island Paddlers Head for States

Tuesday, July 25th, 2006

 

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Molokai Vet Takes Two Blue Ribbons for Inspired Artwork

Thursday, July 20th, 2006

 John Torres is a masterful artist whose creativity knows few boundaries. While some visual artists struggle with a fickle art market or shallow bank accounts, John Torres has had a much more debilitating setback to deal with: the loss of the use of his right arm. Torres served in the Army during the Vietnam War, but it wasn’t until 1992 that he was partially paralyzed by a stoke. Torres recently received not one, but a pair of first place awards for artwork he produced using his left hand.

Presented at this years Veterans Art Contest held at the Trippler VA Clinic on O`ahu in May, Torres took first place for a large oil painting called “Red Hibiscus,” as well as for a linoleum print entitled “I Ka La Kahiko,” depicting ali`i and ancient Hawaiian explorers. “I was shocked,” said Torres who bested many other veterans from all over the state. The contest included water color, oil and acrylic paintings, as well as print, wood, sculptural and other mixed-media work. Torres was the only artist representing Molokai.

The stroke hit Torres at age 42, paralyzing the right side of his body. His voice box collapsed leaving him speechless for months and the doctors could not tell him if he would ever walk again. “It was a struggle. I came home in a wheel chair. My right arm was just dead. I’d have to lift it up with my other hand. But Everyday I would get out and work at it.”

Torres also suffered the loss of his lifestyle, having to say goodbye to martial arts and coaching soccer and track. He was also forced to retire from his job contracting construction jobs, “I loved my job and had always loved construction.” At one point, during the five years of constant physical therapy following the stroke, Torres picked up a set of pastels and sketched a dragon. The effort was successful enough to convince him to pursue his artistic impulse. With years of formal art education in his background, it wasn’t long before Torres found himself creating again.

“I struggled through it, but I painted again. I think that if people put their mind to it they could do anything. A lot of this I couldn’t have done without my wife, she’s my right hand person.” Today Torres’ work is varied and prolific. He has a slight limp and has only partial use of his right arm, but it’s enough for him to tackle larger projects like milling and furniture creation. He’s currently working on a large commissioned painting of a garden setting and often works in the late hours of the night.

“The funny thing is that it’s so quiet, you just sink into your art. You don’t think about the art when you’re doing it.”

If you’d like to John Torres’ works, including both winning pieces, visit the Molokai Fine Arts Gallery located next to the Molokai Dispatch in the Moore Center. Congratulations John!

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