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Dartagnon S. Bicoy

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Dartagnon S. Bicoy

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Dartagnon S. Bicoy graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Bicoy earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Dartagnon and Julie-Ann Bicoy of Highway Contract Route 01, Kaunakakai, Hawaii. The airman is a 2006 graduate of Molokai High School, Ho`olehua, Hawaii.

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Molokai Is… Round 5

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Molokai Is… Round 5

For some Molokai is literally a home; a place we invest every waking moment toward living in. For others, Molokai is home to the heart; a place so dear, it is held in the same regard as family. Leilani and Hanohano are our final contestants this year and they do well to explain the literal and symbolic home that Molokai is. Would you like to see one of them win $50 to the Kualapu`u Cookhouse? Great – just go online to www.TheMolokaiDispatch.com and vote for either of them in the comments.

I hope everyone had fun with the Molokai Is contests of 2010. Still want your own $50 gift certificate to the Cookhouse? Check out submission guidelines for the new photo contest (on this page).  Mahalo Molokai for your contributions.

Moloka`i is… Home Sweet Home
Farmers and fisherman
Hunters and hula dancers
Paniolos and baseball players
Fishponds and fresh water springs
Makahiki games and the Hula piko
Throwing net and throwing pole
Shining light for deer and for a`ama crabs
Lanikaula, the kukui forest and the most powerful kahuna in all of Hawai`i nei
Where white doesn’t mean your haole but if that word makes you feel uncomfortable, then you probably are one
Where natives and kama’aina love and would never change
Where outsiders think they can make better
The best place in the world to make and raise keiki
Moloka`i Nui a Hina, Moloka`i `Aina Momona,
Moloka`i Pule O`o, Moloka`i No Ka Heke
Summertime behind the island in Wailau valley
Sunrises and Maurice Point and sunsets and La`au Point
Hui Ala Loa and the fight to save Kaho`olawe
Kalama`ula and the first Hawaiian homesteaders
Mana`e, my birthsands, a place I call home
And
The eventual resting place of my bones
Moloka`i Sweet Home

Hanohano Naehu, Ho`olehua

 

Molokai Photo Contest
It’s time again to share your vision of Molokai – and by vision, we mean exactly that. Send us a visual representation of Molokai. A photo that captures Molokai’s unique essence – it could be a stunning landscape, a self portrait, even something comical.

That’s right. The Molokai contest is now a photo contest! Share what Molokai means to you in a creative, intuitive, or striking way with your camera. One winner will be picked monthly to have their photo featured on the front page of The Molokai Dispatch and win a $50 Kualapu`u Cookhouse gift certificate – onolicious!

Each photo submission must include a caption, as well as the contestant’s full name, phone number and a headshot. Kids, ask your parents or teachers for permission. Submit entries of all file formats via email (Editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com), in person at our Kaunakakai office (Moore building suite 5), or by snail mail (PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI 96748). 

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Car Crash Fatality

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Scott Furtado Jr., 24, was the driver of a vehicle that crashed last week near Molokai Shores. He died at the scene.

On March 29, a single vehicle accident on Kamehameha Highway was reported to the Kaunakakai Police Department around 11:10 p.m. Furtado was heading west when he went off the road on the right shoulder, collided with a signpost, returned to westbound lane, crossed into oncoming lane, struck another signpost, fire hydrant, fence post, overturned and collided into the maintenance shed of the Molokai Shores condo complex, according to the police report.

Furtado was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, and was ejected from the vehicle and pinned underneath.

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Budget Released to Disharmony

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

It’s the woman whose shoulders bear the weight of four children; the doctor whose success is measured by the well being of his patients; the humble teacher dedicated to higher learning; and the recovering drug addict who’s discovered resilience amid a tough battle.

Every one of these individuals – and many more – was seen at last week’s public hearing for the County of Maui’s 2011 Fiscal Year (FY 2011) budget proposal.  Some offered gratitude for the continued support of cardinal services, others pleaded for funding, or to simply keep things as they are. 

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Women of Maui County Honored

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

Women of Maui County Honored

Mayor Charmaine Tavares News Release

Mayor Charmaine Tavares proclaimed March as Women’s History Month and commended the accomplishments of 55 Maui County women at a reception last week celebrating Women’s History Month.

The ceremony, organized by the County’s Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) and held last week in Kihei, honored a total of 55 women from Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The women were nominated by the public through the CSW.

Molokai honorees included Barbara Haliniak and Donna Haytko-Paoa, among several other women as well as Governor Linda Lingle and Mayor Charmaine Tavares. The Maui County Committee on the Status of Women was established by state statute in 1970. Current members include Lois Prey, Chair; Margaret Bruck, Vice-Chair; and members Suzanne Hobbs, Barbara Potopowitz, Jenilynne Salvador and Carol Summers.

In her remarks, Mayor Tavares noted that “women have played major roles in the history of Maui County, and the women being honored today have each played an important role in shaping the future of our community. These inspiring women have provided countless hours of volunteerism, and have made many contributions to  education, business, culture, the arts, politics, non-profits and faith-based organizations.”

This year’s national theme, “Writing Women Back into History,” reflects the 30th anniversary of the Women’s History movement in the U.S. The County’s Committee on the Status of Women, with the financial support from the State of Hawaii’s CSW, created a booklet honoring each of the nominees and their contributions to Maui County. Each honoree received a copy of the booklet and was presented with a certificate of achievement from Mayor Tavares. The committee plans to distribute copies of the booklet within the community; a digital version will be available soon on the County’s website, www.mauicounty.gov

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New Veterinarian Fills the Gap

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

New Veterinarian Fills the Gap

Leianne Lee Loy isn’t sure what brought her to Molokai. After working at a clinic in Oahu for the past 12 years – the island she was born and raised on – she heard about the Molokai Humane Society and its constant need for veterinary care.

“I’ve had Molokai clients fly over, and that got the ball rolling,” said Lee Loy, of Hawaiian ancestry, from the Humane Society trailer located east of Elia’s Corner along the Maunaloa Highway.

Diving In
Lee Loy jumped right in when she began flying to Molokai in February. Her services range from routine vaccinations, patching up cuts and scrapes, parasite control, skin problems, “a variety of surgical growths,” to eye problems.

, get the experience and volunteer.”

She said she’s been bitten and scratched, and yelled at by pet owners – although she doesn’t know which is worse.

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and did her post-secondary degree at the University of Missouri – Columbia, where she earned her doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM). After working in Missouri for eight years, she moved back to Oahu, near her parents, and lives with her two dogs and a cat.

“I’ve been very fortunate in life,” Lee Loy said. “I just hope I’m giving back to the community.”

Clinic Hours
Tessa Reich is at the Humane Society Clinic from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. She recommends calling first at 558-0000 to make appointments and verify hours.

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Illuminating the Town

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Illuminating the Town

It’s true. The bulbs are here. And upon their arrival were a few Molokai students eagerly waiting to roll up their sleeves and begin the process of distributing and educating.

“With the help of Blue Planet, our goal is to have everybody on Molokai using fluorescent bulbs,” said Luke Kikukawa, a seventh-grade student at Aka`ula School.

The shipment of 44,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) arrived at the Kaunakakai Wharf last Thursday and will be making its way through Molokai as distribution through various schools and businesses begins tomorrow and will continue through May 31.



Keiki have already started campaigning for a more energy-efficient Molokai – and even got their first customer as they were unloading the bulbs.

Last Saturday, three students – Kikukawa and Sarah Jenkins from Aka`ula School, and Moriah Jenkins from Molokai High School – set up shop in front of Friendly Market, distributing bulbs and educating passerby on the harmful effects of carbon emissions.

“We’re passing out flyers and educating people about global warming and carbon emissions,” Kikukawa said. “I’ve learned a lot about how fluorescent bulbs can save you money and energy.”

Seventh-grader Sarah Jenkins added that coordinators of the project are in talks with Councilman Danny Mateo to replace all bulbs in county buildings to help lower the costs for taxpayers.

Kikukawa, Sarah and Moriah, along with various elementary school students, will be out campaigning for the next five Saturdays – until May 1 – urging people to stop by, have a listen and exchange some bulbs.

Participating distribution locations are Molokai schools and businesses – a full list and more information can be found at greenmolokai.org.

The exchange is “one-for-one,” meaning participants must bring in their old light bulbs in exchange for new Energy Star CFLs. Up to 30 light bulbs per household are allotted for exchange.

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Fishing Woes

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Some Molokai fishermen are not happy with proposed changes to the state’s bottom-fishing regulations, claiming they lack research and pose a slew of inconveniences.

“It’s as if it’s a done deal thing already,” one fisherman said in a public hearing last week. “But there’s no concrete evidence showing the regulations actually help.”

In recent weeks, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) held informational meetings and public hearings on the pending bottom-fish amendments. Molokai was one of the last islands to speak on the subject at Mitchell Pauole Center on March 23.

Playing by the Rules

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Molokai’s Affordable Housing to Expand

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Molokai’s Affordable Housing to Expand

Molokai Habitat for Humanity News Release, with Artice Swingle and John Wordin

Emillia Noordhoek recently attended the annual advocacy conference for Habitat for Humanity International, ‘Habitat on the Hill,’ in Washington D.C.  At this important conference, training is given on advocating regarding issues dealing with affordable housing.  Post-conference interviews allowed Noordhoek to advocate for affordable housing on Molokai with Senator Daniel Inouye and Representative Mazie Hirono. 

Issues concerning Federal dollars allocated to affordable housing and mortgage regulation related to the SAFE Act have a direct bearing on the operation of Molokai Habitat for Humanity.  Noordhoek was able to present a clear picture of the needs of the community to our lawmakers who were very receptive and helped to stress the importance of continued funding and support. 

Molokai Habitat for Humanity is expanding its operation to support both affordable housing on Hawaiian Homelands and other properties as well.  Critical to this expansion is tapping into federal programs which will support this effort.   Sustainable building and achieving high level efficiency in terms of energy use is key in working toward a sustainable Molokai.  Noordhoek’s contact will be critical in uncovering and maintaining federal funding for our community.

Supporting Molokai’s position in the conference with Inouye was Jonathan Reckford, CEO for Habitat of Humanity International.   Inouye as Housing Appropriations Committee is critical to the success of Habitat for Humanity and continued funding for affordable housing.

Hirono’s support  was welcomed.  Suggestion was made that we request funds from Housing L.A. which funds affordable housing projects.  This will be Noordhoek’s challenge upon returning to Molokai. 

As community members concerned with providing affordable energy efficient housing for all qualified applicants, we are indeed delighted that Noordhoek had this opportunity to represent Molokai and her needs.


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Traffic Collision in Kaunakakai

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Traffic Collision in Kaunakakai

Early last Sunday morning, a 28-year-old male was involved in a one-vehicle accident on Kamehemeha Highway, just west of Molokai Shores. Police said he crashed his truck at 2:31 a.m. and was transported to Maui Memorial Hospital. His name has not been released and the crash is still under investigation.

 

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