Announcements
Youth Job Opening
By Wade Lee
Kuikamalu is looking for a facilitator assistant, who will work closely with the community, youth events and media productions. The applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent and one year experience working with youth groups. The position is part time – 30 hours a week with benefits, $10/hour.
New AARP Leadership
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Community Contributed
By Gladys Brown
The Molokai AARP Chapter installed new officers at their first 2011 meeting on Jan. 5. Pastor Anna Lou Arakaki blessed the officers and installed them in English and Hawaiian. Officers are President John Wordin, VP Gladys Brown, Secretary Betty Spruance, and Treasurer Frances Feeter. Past secretary Lani Kula was also honored and a luncheon was served after the installation.
Free tax preparation service will again be offered to Molokai residents from February 18-20 at the OHA Conference room from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tax specialists and AARP volunteers will be available to help with tax preparation. For appointments please call Gladys Brown at 553-5375.
Christmas Miracle
A big mahalo, how Ke Akua truly blessed us [on Saturday]. I prayed to watch over my family this weekend as they go on their way, and he truly answered when my brother’s car went out of control and he made it out of it safely. And how a Molokai police officer put his life on the line to save my brother’s. My brother Gaig Yap wants to thank all who helped and who were on the road at the time, a big apology. And Kaika Bishaw for putting his life first to save my brother’s, all the other officers that helped, and the police dispatch that helped him on the phone. It was our Christmas miracle. We are blessed. There are no words that can explain how grateful we are that my little brother was safe.
Thank you,
Brej Lorico
Revered Sergeant Retires
Michelle Tancayo remembers being nine and having to move to Maui, while her dad trained to be a police officer.
“We soon found ourselves in a new school, with new friends, and a new career for my dad.”
Tancayo’s dad, Sgt. Timothy “Timmy” Meyer, is a steadfast Molokai cop whose decades of experience and dedication is seen by many as the epitome of a good small-town officer. It would be difficult to imagine him any other way.
“I had no inclinations to be a police officer,” he said in a recent interview.
More than 30 years ago, after 15 years of working in construction – including work on the Molokai Irrigation System – and in corn seed production, Meyer took both the police officer and firefighter entrance exams.
He was offered a job as a patrolman, and never looked back.
It is not in Meyer’s nature to slow down simply because he won’t be working at the Molokai Police Station every day. Meyer said he will take the next few months off before he and his wife head off on two-year mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He said because of his law enforcement background, he will possibly be assigned to security work in South Africa, Germany, Asia or Salt Lake City.
“I know my husband has served with integrity and with the privacy he needed to serve the people of Molokai,” Donna Meyer added. “We thank everyone who has acknowledged his service with appreciation. May we continue to take care of our aina, keiki, and preserve the integrity of the island, by contributing good citizenship.”
Volunteers Sought for Molokai Vacancies
Mayor Charmaine Tavares is seeking volunteers to serve on county boards and commissions.
Sixty vacancies need to be filled on boards including the Maui, Molokai and Lanai planning commissions, the Police Commission and the Cultural Resources Commission.
Applications are available online at www.mauicounty.gov, as well as at all public libraries and numerous other county service centers.
Deadline to apply is Dec. 15, although applications will be accepted year-round to fill unexpected vacancies. For more information, call the Mayor's Office at 270-7855 or visit www.mauicounty.gov.
Join the Club
Community Contributed
By Gladys Brown
Registration is now open for membership in the Family and Community Education (FCE) Club. Formerly known as the University Extension (UE) Club, this organization has expanded to include activities for parents and community members in health, community affairs and education on various topics, of interest to people ages 30-80. It was mostly dedicated to crafts, cooking and sewing in past years. Annual membership is about $30 and includes National FCE dues.
Halawa Valley Clean-Up
Community Contributed
By Lavinia Currier, Pu`u O Hoku Ranch
I wish to make public to the people of Molokai the intentions of Pu`u O Hoku Ranch in regards to the camping in Halawa Valley. Historically, the ranch has welcomed campers in the summer season on the far side of Kama`alaea Bay for short periods, hoping that by limiting the length of any family’s stay there will be room for all interested families to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Halawa. Over time, certain campers extended their stay to the entire summer, and we at Pu`u O Hoku received many complaints about these long-term campers dominating the beach area. Long-term campers make it difficult for others to feel comfortable to picnic and or to find places where they can camp with their children.
Shame No Planner
It is with regret that I read in The Molokai Dispatch online of the loss of Mr. Mike Torgerson as the Molokai Planner for the Maui County Planning Department (MCPD). He was a voice of reason with a common sense, customer friendly approach to the projects on Molokai. He was a strong supporter of the Molokai Veterans project and authored a detailed letter, signed by Mr. Jeffrey Hunt, then Director MCPD, to Mr. Jeffrey Eng, Director of the Department of Water Supply, urging his approval of the Molokai Veterans building permit. That letter was ignored and, sadly, Mr. Hunt has since resigned and now Mr.
Siren Testing at Kamalo on Thursday
As part of maintenance and repair procedures, the Civil Defense emergency warning siren #504 at Kamalo, Molokai will sound
this Thursday, October 14, 2010. The siren at Kamalo is part of the state Emergency Alert System (EAS).
Testing is expected to take place between 9 a.m. and noon.
For more information on emergency preparedness, go to mauicounty.gov/CivilDefense