Announcements

District Champs

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

District Champs

Molokai Little League team to compete in state tournament  

By Melissa Kelsey

Front Row (L-R): Keldin Calairo-Nakagawa, Kaleonahe Sibayan, Noah Caparida, Ka'io Kalawe, Ehukai Rawlins.
Back Row (L-R): Likeke Schonely, David Rapanot, Bradley Nishihira-Aki, Namakana
Pa-Kala, Kiloaulani Ka'awa-Gonzales, C. Namakaeha Kamelamela.
Coaches, also back row (L-R): Scottie Rapanot Sr., Dwayne Kala, Manager Walter Rawlins Jr.


The Molokai Little League Junior Division baseball team stands undefeated. The team will travel to Oahu July 24-28 to play in the Hawaii State 2009 Junior Division Tournament.

“We played against some tough teams,” said Coach Walter Rawlins Jr., describing challenges the team faced throughout the season. “They did not give up.”

The 13 and 14 year old team earned the District III Champion title at the July 4 game when they defeated Maui Central 8-7. Rawlins said it was the first time a Molokai Little League team had earned the title in the three years he has been coaching.

“All of the kids, they found their heart and stayed together,” said Coach Scottie Rapanot Sr., explaining the team’s success. “That is something you cannot teach. They have to find it within their own.”

The team is raising funds to help cover the cost of airfare and other travel expenses they will accumulate on their Oahu journey. At Hotel Molokai last Friday, they gave homemade gifts to community members who made financial donations.

Welcoming Hokule`a – UPDATED

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Welcoming Hokule`a – UPDATED

Sustainable Molokai Press Release

UPDATE: The approximate time of arrival has been changed Wednesday afternoon before nightfall.

The Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hokule`a will arrive to Kaunakakai Harbor on Wednesday morning, July 15. The exact time will depend on water and weather conditions. The crew is visiting Molokai to attend the Sustainable Molokai: Future of a Hawaiian Island Conference and participate in various other activities. Hawaiian immersion students will be doing oli to welcome the crew, and the public is invited to attend. With the help of the community, food is being prepared for the occasion.        



Picking Up the Slack

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Picking Up the Slack

Danny Carvalho performs Hawaiian rhythms for library audience.

By Melissa Kelsey


At the Summer Reading Program, children enjoyed listening to the story of “The Little Red Hen.”

Upcoming Summer Reading Program Events
More events are coming to the Molokai Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. On July 14, the Molokai Humane Society will present “Be Kind to Animals.” On July 21, there will be a storytelling time hosted by Jim May. All sessions are on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m., and include story time for children.  





 

Inviting Energy

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Inviting Energy

Chinese art of feng shui shapes a home’s atmosphere.   

By Melissa Kelsey


Feng shui expert Clear Englebert demonstrated how outdoor décor can invite positive energy into a home.

The design of the front entrance leading into a person’s home can influence the health, harmony and prosperity of their lives, according to feng shui instructor Clear Englebert. During his June 26 class at Kalele Bookstore, Englebert illustrated how a home’s exterior has the potential to invite positive energy inside.

“When people go past your home, you want them to turn their head and smile,” said Englebert.

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art form of home design. With more than ten people in attendance, Englebert said his Molokai class was popular and attracted more people than his Kapiolani Community College class on Oahu.  

Energizing Elements
In the feng shui philosophy, Englebert explained how movement, light, sound and fragrance are four elements that attract energy. As a result, decorative components such as running water, music, color and scented objects effectively influence a home’s atmosphere.

The color red attracts attention and invites energy. To incorporate that feng shui principle, Englebert suggested planting red foliage next to a home’s front door and around the driveway entrance. However, it is important to not rely solely on flowers for this effect, since they usually only bloom for a short season. As an alternative to red plants, Englebert advised planting inside red pots at strategic entrance areas.

Plants with thorns or other “pokey” edges should not be used near the entrance of a home, because sharp edges turn away positive energy, according to Englebert. Instead, he said the best plants for front yards have fat, rounded leaves. Jade and sea grape were two plants he suggested for this purpose.

To invite good energy inside, it should be clear to passersby which door of the house is the front door, following the house’s original architectural plans. The front door should be much more noticeable than the garage door, and the garage door should be painted the same color as the house to make it less pronounced.

“Our feet follow our eyes,” said Englebert.

Inside the door, the front entrance should be uncluttered, and should especially not store too many slippers.

“Do not store every shoe in the house inside the front door,” Englebert explained.

Upcoming Classes
The June 26 class was the first session of a three-part tutorial on feng shui Englebert is teaching at Kalele Bookstore in Kaunakakai. His next two classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 10 and July 24, and will both feature feng shui topics for a home’s interior. Pre-registration is required, and to sign up, community members should call 553-5112. Because class size is limited, interested individuals should sign up early. Tickets cost five dollars per class.

Instructor Englebert resides on Oahu, where he maintains a feng shui consulting practice. He is the author of three books: “Feng Shui for Hawaii,” “Feng Shui Demystified” and “Bedroom Feng Shui.”



Veterans Center OK’d

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Veterans Center OK’d

Museum plans approved with kitchen.   

By Melissa Kelsey

Molokai’s veterans are considered by many to be living legends, and with last Wednesday’s green light to build a new Molokai Veterans Center as a museum, these fine women and men will indeed become living history. Dressed in bright yellow t-shirts, nearly 50 veterans showed up at the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) meeting to represent their case for the Veterans Center.  

“A nation that forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten,” said Larry Helm, Commander of the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans.

Voting unanimously, the MoPC approved the veterans’ request for a Special Management Area (SMA) Minor permit, allowing the group to build the center on the veterans’ property located on Kaunakakai Place Road on the way to the wharf.   

“I think what we need to do today is just get this thing going,” said Steve Chaikin, MoPC Vice Chair.

As a result of the SMA approval, which promotes responsible development in the coastline region, the veterans can now apply for their building permit. This process is expected to take less time compared to the SMA permitting, according to DeGray Vanderbilt, former Chairman of the Planning Commission. Once the veterans obtain a building permit, they can start building. The veterans are counting on volunteer labor to build the center, according to Art Parr, the Molokai veteran who is the architect overseeing the building plans. A licensed contractor, plumber and electrician are also involved to supervise the project.

“I think just getting it started is the most important part,” said Molokai veteran Jeff Nartatez. “It just seemed like they were putting the veterans through a lot with just this one project,” he said.

Memories Get a Permit
The property where the Veterans Center will be built is part of the county’s Interim zoning district. The reason it took the Veterans Center so long to be approved is that the Interim zoning district does not allow for its use. Because museums are one allowed use for the Interim zoning district, last winter Commissioner Teri Waros suggested erecting the center as a museum to make the process go ahead more quickly. As a result, the commissioners approved the Veterans Center to be built technically as a museum.

“It has always been our intent to bring our memorabilia over,” said Parr. “When the idea of a museum was suggested, it made sense because that is what we had planned anyway,” he said.

Helm said the veterans also want to build a memorial at the site to honor Molokai veterans fallen at wartime, as well as those who have passed on at home.

Cooking up a Kitchen
As an organization that loves to cook, the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans were concerned when they were informed that zoning complications could prevent them from being able to have a kitchen as part of their building plans.   

“We want to provide food and hospitality Molokai style,” said Helm.

As a result of the Veterans Center being approved as a museum, the Maui County Zoning Department ruled that the kitchen on the veterans’ plan was too big for a museum use. After reviewing their legal rights to determine the kitchen’s size, the commissioners approved the kitchen on the original Veterans Center plan anyway, including it as a condition in the SMA Minor permit.

“I think it would be a huge oversight if we were to build this without the necessary kitchen accommodations,” said Commissioner Teri Waros.
 
According to Vanderbilt, the MoPC has the final authority over SMA Minor permits, and there is no reason why the Zoning Department can dictate how big a kitchen can be for museum use.

“It seems that kitchens are a reasonable accessory use to a museum,” said Vanderbilt. “Especially a living museum that honors the many men and women who have given so much of themselves so that we are able to enjoy what we have today,” he said.  

Two Swine Flu Cases Confirmed on Molokai

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Scale of confirmed cases falsely reported

By Melissa Kelsey

Two Molokai influenza cases tested positive for the H1N1 “swine flu” virus last weekend, according to Janice Okubo, Public Information Officer at the state of Hawaii Department of Public Health (DOH). She added that other cases are currently being tested. 

Earlier this week, Hawaii radio and television stations falsely reported that there had been 20 confirmed cases among Molokai firefighters.

“There is no clear basis to declare an outbreak of this sort,” wrote Mahina Martin, Maui County Community Relations and Communications Director, in a Monday statement addressing the false reports.

Only one of the two confirmed swine flu cases on Molokai was a firefighter, according to Martin.

Kaunakakai Water Customers Urged to Conserve

Friday, June 26th, 2009

UPDATE: Kaunakakai Water Customers Urged to Conserve

 Maui County Press Release

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) is urging all customers in Kaunakakai and Kalae, Molokai to use water for health and safety purposes only while the Department of Water Supply replaces the pump and motor at the Kualapuu Well, which is the County’s only water source for the area.

Water levels at the Kaunakakai tank have fallen rapidly since the Kualapuu Well was shut down on Monday, June 22, 2009 for the repair work.  Customers may experience low water pressure or no water if storage levels continue to drop.  The State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is supplying water to the County system while the well is out of service but cannot keep up with the additional demand.

Stinging Intruders

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Stinging Intruders

Invasive jellyfish removed from Kaunakakai Wharf.   

By Melissa Kelsey

To protect themselves from the stinging cells, the workers wore protective body gear. Warnings were posted at the wharf for swimmers to beware even after the jellyfish were removed, due to the possibility of stinging cells still floating in the water. Throughout the project, the invasive species workers conducted public outreach by showing the jellyfish to children at the wharf and alerting them to the danger.

Scientifically known as Cassiopea sp., the jellyfish are not native to the Hawaiian Islands and were probably stowaways on a sailing vessel, according to Walsh. She said the species is unique because individuals freely expel stinging cells into the water as opposed to stinging only upon contact.

Kaunakakai Wharf is a popular swimming area for Molokai’s residents, and Buchanan said it is used even more frequently during paddling season in the summer months. As a result, DLNR and MoMISC made it top priority to remove the jellyfish from the water.

Walsh said the timing of the jellyfish removal was even more urgent because the jellyfish are an invasive species that reproduce during the summer months. Cassiopea sp. had previously been found on Molokai in 2006 in Puko`o Lagoon and Old Kamalo Wharf, according to a DLNR report describing their removal from a different habitat on the Big Island of Hawaii.

A Second Invader
The jellyfish are not the only invasive species on the target list for removal from Molokai’s waters. An invasive algae commonly known as gorilla ogo is threatening coral reefs on Molokai, according to a DLNR document. Scientifically called Gracilaria salicornia, the algae is spreading on coral reefs and culturally significant fishponds along southern Molokai. At areas such as Kaunakakai Harbor, Keawanui, Ualapue and Kaloko`eli, gorilla ogo could smother coral reef habitats on Molokai if its growth is not stopped, according to the DLNR.

For a project that will continue through April of 2010, DLNR employees are undergoing a formal process to remove the algae and develop a bio-secure processing and recycling system to prevent future growth. Last week, the same team that removed the jellyfish from Kaunakakai Wharf also began the first stage of the algae project by doing survey research at invasion sites, according to Walsh.   

Sust-`AINA-bility Kicks Off

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Sust-`AINA-bility Kicks OffBy Melissa Kelsey

At a ho`olaulea to celebrate the upcoming Sust-`AINA-ble Molokai: Future of a Hawaiian Island Conference, community members confronted ideas of what Molokai’s future could hold.

“For so long we have been saying what we do not want, but what do we want?” said Malia Akutagawa, one of the event’s organizers. She explained that while Molokai has been protesting development for a long time, the island has been less vigilant about verbalizing its positive goals.    

“We do not have to look elsewhere,” said event organizer Matt Yamashita, on learning how to live a sustainable lifestyle. “We can learn so much from our neighbors.”

Activist Walter Ritte, one of the event’s speakers, explained that the two goals of the ho`olaulea were to announce the July 17-18 Sust-`AINA-ble Molokai conference and to start a discussion about what a sustainable Molokai means.   

Community hula dancers shared the stage with Brother Nolan to provide the night’s entertainment.

While the event attracted a broad range of people, organizers say they will be targeting an increase in Hawaiian representation at the upcoming conference in July.  




Royal Pageant

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Royal Pageant

Ashley Ponce crowned Miss Molokai Filipina 2009.  

By Melissa Kelsey

Molokai is a melting pot of world traditions, and the Miss Molokai Filipina 2009 pageant was a chance to celebrate Filipino culture with a local twist. As she danced the hula in graceful, delicate motions, Ashley Ponce charmed the audience at her coronation ceremony held at Home Pumehana Hall last Saturday. After Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo placed the silver crown on her head, three of her cousins presented her with gifts of flowers.

“I will try my very best to represent Molokai at the Hawaii state pageant,” said Ponce, who will travel to Oahu to compete for the Miss Hawaii Filipina 2009 crown on July 18.

Aunties and uncles gathered on the dance floor to dance ballroom, Filipino folk and the Electric Slide. Danny Mateo danced with emcee Starlet Luczon for one number, and Aunty Moana’s hula halau performed two dances.  

“This is how it used to be,” said emcee Eugene Santiago, reminiscing about pineapple plantation era dances held at the Maunaloa and Kualapu`u community centers.

Formerly crowned Miss Molokai Filipina 2007 Deisha Pico made an appearance at the coronation ceremony and performed a final walk. The audience tried their luck for luxury raffle prizes, including a roundtrip ticket on Island Air, MP3 players and pearl jewelry. Auction items up for bid were a gift basket and a live goat. All proceeds went to Ponce to help fund her upcoming Oahu travels.  

A 2007 graduate of Molokai High School, Ponce was active in the Student Council and Aunty Moana’s hula halau. She is currently working on a liberal arts associate’s degree at Maui Community College, and hopes to attend a university in Las Vegas. The Miss Molokai Filipina pageant was sponsored by the Molokai Filipino Community Council.