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Announcements

U.S. Census Road Tour – Molokai

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

U.S. Census Road Tour – Molokai

2010 Census questionnaires will be mailed beginning March 15-17. Residents are encouraged to mail back the questionnaires by Census Day on April 1. In early April, census takers will go door to door to assist residents who did not mail back their questionnaire.

For those without mailboxes, the Hawaii Counts 2010 Census Road Tour is making four stops on Molokai this week.

March 4 at 11 a.m.
Molokai High School – Principal Denise Kelley
Point Person: Student Activities Lisa Takada
denise_kelly/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us
lisa_takada/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

March 4 at 1 p.m.
Maunaloa Elementary – Principal joe Yamamoto
joe_yamamoto/MAUNALOA/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

March 5 at 9 a.m.
Mana`e Goods and Grindz – Kehau Ward
ckward1@yahoo.com

March 6 at 9 a.m.
Molokai Middle School’s Annual Bazaar - `Iolani Ku`oha
iolani_kuoha/MOLOKAIM/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

Questions? Contact those above, or U.S. Census Bureau Hawaii Media Specialist Roberta Wong Murray 960-1252
Molokai 2010 Census Complete Count Committee Chair `Iolani Ku`oha, c/o Moloka'i Middle School. Call (c) 336-1359, (w) 567-6940.

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90,000 Free Bulbs Coming to Molokai

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Within weeks, 90,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will be shipped to Molokai in an effort spearheaded by Blue Planet Foundation to reduce the island's carbon footprint.

The project entitled "Go Green, Carbon Clean" (or Molokai CFL Project), will kick off with a shipment of 44,000 bulbs arriving in Molokai around the third week of March. The bulbs will be distributed to residents and businesses interested in swapping out their old-style incandescent bulbs for new, energy-efficient CFLs – at no charge.

"The mission is to make Molokai a sustainable community," said Francois Rogers, Blue Planet Special Projects Director. "If a single island can go entirely lighting efficient, then it will be the model for other islands to do so as well."
 

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The Big Wave That Didn’t

Monday, March 1st, 2010

The Big Wave That Didn’t

As sirens rang out along the coastline last Saturday morning, hundreds of residents packed up their cars and families, hit the store for supplies filled up on gas, and headed for the hills.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning at 12:46 a.m. on Feb. 27 following an 8.8 earthquake in Chile. Government agencies – county, state and federal – began implementing evacuation plans, safety and security along shorelines, and informing the public of the pace of the storm through the media.

operation went very well,” Teixeira said, adding that as of 10:30 that night, no damages or injuries related to the tsunami event had been reported to Civil Defense.

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Molokai Is…Week 2 — VOTE NOW!

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Molokai Is…Week 2 — VOTE NOW!

We have our first winner for the Molokai Is… contest: Ko’i’ula Davis! The 10-year-old Kualapu’u School student received the most online and call-in votes for her short and sweet essay about her home island. Congratulations to her, and to all the contestants; everyone submitted unique and motivating pieces.

This week we have four more entries, including mana’o from the kindergartners of Kaunakakai Elementary. Vote for your favorite by logging in to www.TheMolokaiDispatch.com, emailing to editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com, or leaving a message at 552-2781. Voting ends on Friday, March 5, at midnight.

Remember, if you’d like to enter your own ‘Molokai Is…,’ submit poetry or other writing in 150 words or less, photography or another piece of art that defines this island for you. Include your full name, phone number, and a photo, and submit to editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com, in person at our Kaunakakai office (Moore building suite 5 – we can take your photo), or by snail mail (PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI 96748). Mmm, mmm – thanks Kualapu`u Cookhouse!

Joseph Barno

If aloha was a place, it would be called Molokai. The beauty of the land and the beauty of its people is beyond compare. It is the smile on the faces you pass on the street, the hand waving as you pass on the road. It is the ‘talk story’ at the Friendly Market checkout line and no one gets impatient. We are all a big family, different races, different family combinations but still a family, a loving brotherhood of people. Thank God for Molokai!

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Road Closure: Mock-car crash

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Friday, March 05, 2010, Farrington Ave and Lihi Pali Ave will be closed from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Molokai High School gym). 

A mock-car crash will be staged and filmed.  SRO, Michael McCutcheon, Driver Education Instructor, Malia Lee, and MHS Senior, Kaili Levi have been collaborating this year to create a film (similiar to Shattered Dreams) for awareness of teens and (distracted and alcohol induced) driving. 

Kaili Levi's senior project is to establish beliefs and behaviors among teen drivers and passengers that promot safe drivng habits by informing them of the high driving risks and consequences associated with distracted driving. 

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Molokai Is…Week 1 — Voting Over

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Molokai Is…Week 1 — Voting Over

UPDATE -- Last week, we asked you to define Molokai in your own words. Surprisingly there were as many entries from off-island as there were locally. So who won this week’s competition? It’s up to you. Vote for your favorite response in the comments below. Vote now for Ko`i, Donald, Derek or Marvalee. The winner will be announced in next week’s paper. Voting ends Fridays at midnight.

Marvalee Leilani Wright Lin Kee, Maui
Moloka’i is….home
Home is where your heart can rest,
And feel the peaceful love….
Home is where Ohana gather,
to praise the Lord above….
Home is where we lay our head,
And feel the love surround….,
Home is Moloka’i,
Its equal not yet found….


Want to share your ideas about what Molokai means to you and potentially win $50 to the Kualapu`u Cookhouse? The contest continues… One winner per week selected by Molokai Dispatch readers. Each submission must include the full name, phone number, and photo of the contestant. Kids, ask your parents or teachers for permission. The Molokai Dispatch reserves the right to edit and print all submissions. Submit entries via email (Editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com), in person at our Kaunakakai office (Moore building suite 5 – we can take your photo), or by snail mail (PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI 96748). Mmm, mmm – thanks Kualapu`u Cookhouse!

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Beached Whale Found at Hale o Lono

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Beached Whale Found at Hale o Lono

FEB. 22 UPDATE – A dead, 30-ft humpback whale was found at Hale O Lono Harbor on Sunday, Feb. 21. A team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently at the scene, taking samples for baseline research. “My guess is it didn’t come ashore alive,” said David Schofield, the stranded marine animal coordinator for NOAA. There hasn’t been a beached whale on Molokai since 2008, when a live humpback was stranded at Kaunakakai Harbor. “It is very decomposed, the chances of knowing [if] it died of a disease is unlikely,” said Schofield. The whale will stay at the beach near Hale o Lono Harbor for now. A witness said at first it was hard to tell it was a whale, in the way it was positioned and how far it had decomposed. “The blubber was all out and there was a pool of blood next to the whale,” she said. A row of the whale’s baleen plates (whale ‘teeth’) were found around 100 yards away from the body. “It looked like there were several shark bites – but not an obvious cause of death,” she added. Four whales were found beached in the main Hawaiian Islands last year, and Schofield said this find is “on par” with the state’s average. “As far as this whale season is concerned, this is the first of the season,” he said. Approximately 15,000 humpback whales frequent the main Hawaiian islands every year. Check back with the Molokai Dispatch at www.TheMolokaiDispatch.com during the week for more information.

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Ho’ailona Gets Own Website

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Ho’ailona Gets Own Website

The lab at the University of California Santa Cruz where Ho’ailona, formerly and affectionately known as KP2, has created a website so everyone can keep informed of his health.

According to the website, his trainers say he has remained alert and inquisitive and doing very well. Their first goal was to increase his weight – he weighed 16 kilograms (35 pounds) at birth, and now weighs over 70 kg (154 lbs). they increased the variety of fish in his diet and added calories, and trained him for weekly weigh-ins. The staff at UCSC uses “positive reinforcement” training techniques for him to feel relaxed and comfortable for his examinations.

 

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Molokai Filmmaker’s Newest Venture

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Matt Yamashita, Molokai born and raised, has just released his newest 30-minute documentary titled, “Sustainable Living on the Island of Molokai.”  The Hawaii Department of Education has already purchased 250 copies for statewide distribution in the school system.  It’s a great piece that explores the many different ways that people are practicing sustainability on Molokai.  

If you want to purchase a copy of the DVD, go to:

https://www.createspace.com/277293

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Molokai Is…

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Molokai Is…

Is it a poor and backwards place mired by in-fighting, poverty and activism – a place that is lacking or resisting much of what the rest of world has to offer? Or is Molokai a community that is striving for a better future while celebrating and perpetuating its culture and history – a place where wealth is measured by generosity?

What is Molokai? Although the question usually sparks much debate, most who call Molokai home have the island clearly defined by something they feel. For some, the feeling is love, for others, frustration.

However we feel there is great importance for us to talk about it. If we do not accurately define Molokai for what it is, others will surely attempt to define this island for what it is not.

The act of defining a community by what it lacks is called deficit thinking. In concentrating on that which we do not have, we can become distracted from nourishing the great things that we do have. In the process we run the risk of weakening and dividing our community.

Anyone can point out problems – it’s easy. However, it takes the dreamers and leaders who can build something meaningful from a place of positivity and inclusiveness. In this spirit, the Molokai Dispatch asks you: What is Molokai?

Molokai Is…
Win $50 Gift Certificate to Kualapu`u Cookhouse

Enter the ‘Molokai Is…’ contest now! Answer the question “What is Molokai?” using between 1-150 words, poetry, or photography for your chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the Kualapu`u Cook House.

Details: One winner per week selected by Molokai Dispatch staff. Each submission must include the full name, phone number, and photo of the contestant. Kids, ask your parents or teachers for permission. The Molokai Dispatch reserves the right to edit and print all submissions. Submit entries via email (Editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com), in person at our Kaunakakai office (Moore building suite 5 – we can take your photo), or by snail mail (PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI 96748). Mmm, mmm – thanks Kualapu`u Cookhouse!

Samples

Molokai is Maika`i

By Kanoe Davis

Ka'ana 
Darkness consumes the night. Ole pau illuminates the sky. Kukui lights the path where once Lehua flourished. Trek the path of the pueo. Shadows gather upon the puu ahead.

An unveiling occurs. Her sillouette reveals soft curves. His night sends chills through the known ravines. The pueo call into the night. Blind in the darkness, hearing is heightened. Soft sounds of the animals moan at dawn.

Puunana stands erect. Laka & Kapoulakinau await their arrival. Sounds of the mo'o click in unison as an army. Guardians of the hill. Our presence is known. Calm are the winds. We are at the piko. A lei embraces us. Kapoulakinau, Kapikoowakea, Olohe, Kaneikaulanaula, and Mooheleia.

Hookupu are shared amongst those present. Olohe in the distance. Tall on puuholehua. I see you. A ball of light rises above kamakou. Hina peels her fire. Return is eminant.
 
Hold true to the path of our kupuna. Ho'i i ka po.


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