Announcements

Governor’s Advisory Council Meeting

Saturday, July 5th, 2008

To discuss conservation and resource management for Kawela and East Molokai.

The Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, July 8, 3:00 p.m. at the K?lana ‘?iwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai.  The public is invited.

Representatives from state, county and federal resource conservation agencies will discuss possible solutions to prevent flooding and erosion as well as potential actions to mitigate property and environmental damage in the Kawela Stream area.

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues on Moloka‘i.  The council also recommends potential nominees for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council are Robert Granger, Janice Kalanihuia, Jersula Manaba, and Marlene Purdy.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 586-0001.  For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.

Getting Molokai in the Right Zone

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

County brings zoning inspectors to the island.

In an attempt to simplify and streamline the often confusing zoning process, the County of Maui will bring zoning inspectors to the island once a month.

"These visits will provide additional access to department staff for residents in these distant communities," Mayor Charmaine Tavares said in a press release.

Visiting inspectors will be available to answer questions regarding zoning and enforcement, as well as conduct on-site property inspections. The inspectors will also be available by appointment during each visit, and the department anticipates an initial schedule of eight appointments per visit.

Typical zoning and enforcement issues that are investigated include non-permitted uses under Title 19 of the County Code, such as setbacks, non-permitted TVRs and doing business on properties that do not allow such uses; signage (under Title 16); and doing work in Special Management Areas without prior approval.

Visits to Molokai and Lanai from inspectors with the Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division of the Maui County Planning Department will take part once a month beginning in July.

Molokai visits will be held the second Friday of each month from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center, located at 100 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai. If the visit falls on a holiday, it will be held the previous Thursday.  However, for the July 11 visit only, office hours will be 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

For Molokai appointments, contact Tammy Osurman at (808) 270-6194 or the Maui County Planning Department at (808) 270-7253. To call toll-free from Molokai, dial 1-800-272-0117 and ask for extension 6194. 

For more information on the visits, call the Planning Department at 270-7235.

 

 


 

Meet the Molokai Dispatch Again for the First Time

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

Kids, Politics and Hawaiian Culture – the foundation of this island newspaper.

By Todd Yamashita

The first time I had my picture printed in a newspaper I was 15 years old and crazy about skateboarding. George Peabody of the Molokai Advertiser News snapped a shot as I was doing tricks off a launch ramp in Kualapu`u. I’ll never forget how proud I felt featured in print for all of Molokai to see.

Almost two decades later, I don’t really launch off of anything anymore, but I am still excited about newspapers and the positive changes they can make within our community. This is precisely why you’ll find news in the Molokai Dispatch that focuses on youth, culture, history, leadership and community voice – the foundation of a healthy community.

Keiki
A few months ago I was visited by Leslie Florea whose mother, the late Myrle Florea, started the Molokai Dispatch in 1985. She said that when her mother had first created the paper, its focus was on the keiki.

“It would be nice to see the kids come back, to see the children write stories again,” was Leslie’s friendly advice to me.

We’ve always done our best to include youth news, but the inclusion of the Keiki Dispatch page added several weeks ago, has helped us come full circle.

The Keiki Dispatch is a collaboration between Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Education showcasing the poetry, art, and writing of elementary students across the island. It is a fine example of the beauty and inspiration of which Molokai children are capable.

Politics
The initial years of the Dispatch were also steeped in politics. This was not strictly an indication of its owners or editor, but more that the Dispatch reflected Molokai’s spirit of activism and cultural awareness of the time.

A quarter century later, our island views have remained, and the Molokai Dispatch returns to honor those roots.

I always tell people not from here that Molokai is the most political place on the planet for its size. Where else can you see tailgating, T-shirts, hula, chanting and prayer involved in public meetings that can go until midnight and span the course of days?

The beautiful thing about Molokai politics, besides the occasional hula, is that it is democracy at its finest. Grandmas, uncles, youth and the everyday person show up to speak their mind because in the end, our voices are heard and corresponding change is made.

Activism
When did “activism” and “activists” become bad words? We owe the birth of the Hawaiian Renaissance to a small group of renegades who had a vision for a better future. Many of these activists came from and still live on Molokai.

In fact, those who know Molokai’s history can tell you that this island is defined by consistent activism. Before western contact, Molokai was known for its political, economic and spiritual independence. That tradition remains unbroken today.

Too often, mainstream government is over-manipulated by the agenda of individuals or profit driven corporations who seek to gain at the loss of the community or the environment. More times than not it is community activists - community advocates, who bring accountability to the selfish motivations of others. This balancing act is a true gift.

The Molokai Dispatch supports and celebrates Molokai’s spirit of politically active and informed groups and individuals who are striving to find a better way.

Hawaiian Culture
Pidgin English is a combination of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino, English and other languages. But the intonation and sentence structure are mainly Hawaiian. Molokai is the same way.

With a 60% indigenous population, Molokai is predominantly Hawaiian. Although Molokai is made of a patchwork of ethnicities, Hawaiian culture is the underlying foundation which unites us all.

Everyone loves Molokai, whether they live here or not. There are many reasons to love Molokai, but above all the Friendly Isle is cherished for the beauty of its land, the warmth of its people, and the richness of its culture.

For over a thousand years, Hawaiians have prospered on this 38 mile long and 10 mile wide island. In the process they’ve created a framework for aloha `aina, aloha `ohana, and aloha Ke Akua. This set of values is augmented by their rich culture and tradition.

The Molokai Dispatch believes that in celebrating and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, we are supporting a framework for all other cultures and traditions to flourish within. Imua!

A Biased Newspaper?
The Molokai Dispatch is biased towards the betterment of Molokai. We seldom print news that does not directly affect Molokai readers. Nor do we choose to print slanderous advertising or letters that forward personal agendas.

We aim at printing news and information that contributes to a healthy and informed community. We prefer news that is reported in a positive manner, and feel subjects that are challenging and passionate in nature should be accompanied with solutions.

At the end of the day our viewpoint and opinion will side with the greater community. Time and again, this island has democratically decided what is best for itself. The Molokai Dispatch will always support Molokai’s spirit of self determination.

Molokai News, Molokai Style
While you might not find stories covering every event in the week, you will find quality news that is comprehensive and insightful, written in a way that is meaningful to our Molokai readers. We value quality and depth above quantity and volume.

Above all, we attempt to report information that will inspire new ideas and encourage dialogue which will result in the empowerment of our community, thus perpetuating Molokai’s unique cultural legacy.

Leslie Florea paid us perhaps the best compliment when she said, “I give you a lot of credit for reporting honesty instead of just what people want to hear because it’s not one in the same. At the end of the day it’s not necessarily what we leave behind it’s what we inspire in others.”

Mahalo Nui Loa to Leslie, our new and longstanding advertisers who make this newspaper free, and to our loyal contributors, readers and their families who are the ultimate inspiration of the Molokai Dispatch.

Hawaiian Telcom Residential Customers Can Receive Free Phones

Monday, June 23rd, 2008

Phones will work even when power goes out


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The corded telephones work on the low-level electrical current provided from Hawaiian Telcom central offices, which have back-up power systems in case of emergencies. “In the aftermath of the October 2006 earthquake, most other phone services could not operate without electricity,” Brown said, “but Hawaiian Telcom’s reliable landline home phone service kept operating, providing an added level of safety to our customers who could continue to reach emergency services and loved ones.”

 

Maui County’s Top Officials to Meet with Molokai Community over Ranch Water Shutdown

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Wailuku, Maui Council Member Danny Mateo and Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced today they will host a community meeting on Molokai on Tuesday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.

"In light of the announcement by Molokai Properties that it will stop providing water and wastewater services at the end of August, we would like to assure Molokai that the County is doing everything possible to protect the community’s rights to essential needs such as water and sewer service," said Council Member Mateo.

Mayor Tavares said, "This is a very serious situation. Both Council Member Mateo and my administration have been addressing the situation since Molokai Properties made its announcement. I look forward to meeting with the community to provide as much information as possible."

Grant Money for Displaced Ranch Workers

Friday, June 20th, 2008

U.S. Department of Labor announces nearly $390,000 grant to assist workers affected by closure of Hawaii’s Molokai Ranch.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $389,425 grant to assist workers dislocated as a result of the closure of the Molokai Ranch owned by Molokai Properties Limited.

“This closure is a big setback for people on Molokai,” said acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orell. “This grant will help affected workers access important re-employment services and training that will help them find work soon.”

The grant, awarded to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, will provide the workers with re-employment services that will include skills assessment, individual career counseling and occupational skills training.

On March 24, Molokai Properties Limited issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification announcing that it would cease all operations at the Molokai Ranch, which included the Molokai Lodge, Kaluakoi Golf Course, Kaupoa Beach Village and Maunaloa Tri-Plex Theater.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.

Cars and Appliances Now Accepted at Molokai Landfill

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Cars and Appliances Now Accepted at Molokai Landfill

Landfill will soon accept vehicles, appliances, and scrap metal.


 

 

 

Molokai residents will be able to recycle vehicles, appliances, scrap metal, tires, propane tanks and car batteries at the Molokai landfill beginning July 3, the County of Maui’s Department of Environmental Management announced today. The recycling service is for residents only and an appointment must be made. Commercial recycling is not allowed.

The County has established a phone line dedicated to handle the appointments. Molokai residents should call 336-0899 to schedule their drop-off. The phone line is now accepting appointments in anticipation of the July 3 start date.

Callers will be asked to leave their contact information and appointments will be scheduled in the order they are received.

Appointments for metals recycling will be made for Thursdays from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am – 11:00 am beginning Thursday, July 3.

Prior to recycling a vehicle, residents will be required to complete two forms, a “Statement of Fact for Junking of a Non-Repairable Vehicle” form and a “Residential Vehicle Acceptance” form. Both forms are available at the County of Maui’s Division of Motor Vehicles Molokai office.

At the landfill, anyone recycling a vehicle will need to check-in with the scale attendant to confirm the appointment and turn in the required forms prior to drop-off.

The service ceased several months ago while the County obtained the necessary permits from the State Department of Health that would allow the landfill to resume metals collection and recycling.

 

The Valley of Sufficient Life

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

The Valley of Sufficient Life

palms still standing. They used heavy equipment, which crushed a historic grave in the process. Workers apologized, said they were only following orders, they did not know.

“How can you know if you do not ask, if you are not from here,” he says with his heart.

Some malama Halawa as families once did, but the rainforest of today has conquered the lo`i of yesterday. Nature and man have changed the `aina, but the story Pilipo tells has not changed, passed down from countless generations of Halawa kupuna.

He says, things are not secret, they are sacred. Pilipo’s ultimate message is respect – to care for the valley he believes one must know what it was before and to understand the ultimate sense of place. Nana i ke Kumu, “seek the source.”

His tutu kane, David Kapuwai Akina, once told him to share the mo`olelo of Halawa, so people can know and respect where they live and where they are.

“When?” Pilipo asked.

“When you feel it, burning in your soul – that is me, and you know the time is right,” was the message his tutu kane left.

Pilipo may not be here tomorrow. He is one of the last of the unbroken generations of Halawa farmers still in the valley. He asks all to look at Halawa as a whole, spiritual and physical, to obtain a greater sense of place. Mana is found in the knowledge and respect of the ahupua`a.

The sun has journeyed across the valley once more, and as it readies for sleep behind the Western cliffs, shadows cast from the dominating forest grow long. The mo`olelo is there, hidden by the forest but not darkened by the shadows.

“Feel the spirit of Halawa and the ancestors that gave it life,” he asks. “The kupuna of Halawa are alive; like Haloa, they are everywhere.”

Pilipo Solatario is a master storyteller and a Kumu of the Halawa mo`olelo. After many years as the cultural director of Molokai Ranch he has returned to his birthplace. Blow the pu, Pilipo makes time to talk story to all who inquire.

“I speak to educate so all who listen can respect, otherwise our people will be overgrown like the Halawa of today.” This is Pilipo’s hope. This is Pilipo’s message.

The Binding of Past and Present

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

The Binding of Past and Present

Aunty Vanda Hanakahi believes the ahupua`a of Pala`au will be the first on Molokai to re-implement the ancient management system of `aha kiole.

Molokai’s ancient resource management system is reborn.

By Brandon Roberts

Molokai’s historic bounty is sleeping, awaiting its awakening. Once the fertile land, (Molokai he `aina momona no), groves were planted to hold the soil and summon the rains and vegetation was not forced to survive where it was not happy. Each ahupua`a (traditional land division) had its own resources that inhabitants took responsibility of. Thus the `Aha Kiole, a people’s council founded on resource management, was born in the Eighth Century by Paepaeko`a Kuhuna `Umoumou.

The Hawaiians of old understood their kuleana to the `aina, which requires both the physical and the spiritual. The late Kumu John Ka`imikaua said pono was a spiritual balance in all things, it is lived – it is seen not in words, but in actions, in results. Molokai was said to have thrived as a result of pono.

Many of today’s island residents believe the Western system of governance is depleting and destroying what is left of Molokai’s resources. However, the `Aha Kiole was formed to act as a consultant to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), blending native Hawaiian knowledge and protocol into resource management.

The chain of `ike (knowledge) has not been broken - Aunty Vanda Hanakahi is a Molokai kupuna whose roots hold firm in the mo`olelo of Molokai. She was chosen to represent the “Last Hawaiian Island”, and is the chair woman of the `Aha Kiole formed by Act 212, which was introduced by Molokai’s Representative Mele Carroll.

The DLNR is looking to turn the tide by implementing Hawaiian tradition into Western bureaucracy.

There is deep symbolic meaning to the `Aha Kiole, like much of the Hawaiian language and culture. In a community meeting held at Kulana `Oiwi on June 5, Kumu Ka`imikaua explained on video the birth of the `Aha Kiole on Molokai.

An aho is a single strand of material, and many aho are woven together to form one strong chord. Each aho represents a specialist: for example, a lawai`a (fisherman), a mahi`ai (farmer), a konohiki (caretaker of the land). It is this type of binding that is called `aha.

The second part of the term, kiole, refers to the schools of fish hatchlings that used to darken the waters on Molokai’s southern shores. The kiole became a symbol for the island’s dense population, and from these symbolic references, the `Aha Kiole was born.

Kumu Ka`imikaua said one purpose of the `Aha Kiole was to prepare the land spiritually so it could thrive physically.

Aunty Vanda said the traditional governance is an inclusive effort to malama Molokai resources. She said the ancient chants “tell us what was here”, and that is the starting point to return the land to pono.

Mac Poepoe has rejuvenated Mo`omomi in accordance to the ancient `ike, which is now a model for rehabilitation and best practices according to Aunty Vanda.

Poepoe said that teaching begins in the `ohana, and that actions will speak. “If you let someone take care, you need to teach them. The `opio have to be taught to be a part of the group to malama.” He recommends setting priorities and working them out one by one.

Impending Change

DLNR biologist Bill Puleloa said the agency often “fails to recognize the human element.” He told meeting attendees the community needs to organize quickly as the `Aha Kiole will sunset in June 2009, and the DLNR is making management decisions without their input. He warned Molokai of an impending fishing regulation that will limit bag size as well as minimum fish size.

Puleloa said the DLNR is looking to incorporate and accommodate the community and the `Aha Kiole is the vehicle to do so. “We will not make rules and regulations that the people don’t want.”

Homesteader Walter Ritte said now is the time to take back the management of our resources. “Take this opportunity, we may not have another. The harder we work to get people involved, the more control we will have.”

The `Aha Kiole timeline states a draft report for the next legislative session will be up for public review and comment by August. The revised report will then be submitted in December, 20 days prior to the 2009 legislature. Aunty Vanda said Pala`au may be the area where the `Aha Kiole can malama Molokai.

Aunty Vanda concluded the meeting by introducing members of Kumu Ka`imikaua’s Halau Hula O Kukunaokala who shared the prophecy of the Lepo Popolo given at the Paku`i Heiau in Mana`e. She explained that the people shall rise up like the crest of a wave. “We are here to stay; we will build our `Aha Ki`ole.”

For further information, contact Aunty Vanda here on Molokai at (808) 560-6203 or email her at hanakahi@sandwichisles.net.

Farmers Sow Future

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

Farmers Sow Future