Announcements

Celebrating the `Aina

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Molokai comes together for Earth Day festivities.

By Brandon Roberts

It is no surprise that Earth Day is one of Molokai’s biggest community celebrations. Malama `aina is more than words to most residents here; it is a way of being.

This year has been internationally dedicated as the year of the reef, and Molokai perpetuated that theme with “Momona ka papa ke e`ehu ka `aina”, (the reef thrives when the land is healthy). The environmental celebration held on April 18 at the Mitchell Pau`ole Center combined education and entertainment with an ohana atmosphere.

The event began 16 years ago with a group called Molokai C.A.R.E.S., an organization dedicated to recycling. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) grabbed the reigns in 1995, and now Molokai Earth Day has over 1,000 Friendly Isle residents attending annually.

Molokai Earth Day 2008

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Molokai Earth Day 2008

Reggae-Rama

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Reggae-Rama

Ekolu gives Molokai some aloha after their Friday show. 

Paddler’s packs da house for first Reggae Fest.

By Brandon Roberts

Walking through the door, a wave of positive vibrations wash over the body, and island beats fill the ears as Molokai swarms the dance floor to share their aloha at Paddler’s first Reggae Fest.

Three days of choke tropical jams let fans come face-to-face with some of Hawaii’s biggest musical sensations April 18 thru the 20. “This is the first of many, I need to start booking next years bands,” said Kamuela Kamakana, Paddler’s Inn owner.

A small venue meant dancers could groove just feet away from the band, and when the music stopped, the bands were there to kukakuka, and sign cd’s. Friday night kicked off with local boys, Six Pac opening up for Hawaiian phenom Ekolu.

With success surrounding Ekolu, their ha`aha`a (humbleness) is refreshing. The band loves coming to Molokai. “We would have cancelled Japan or Tahiti to come here,” said Lukela Keala, Ekolu front-man.

“We are nothing without the fans, we feed them and they feed us,” Keala said. “If I can leave them with anything, it is love and aloha.”

Saturday, everybody grooved to Billy Kekona, and Sunday saw Katchafire wrap things up. The staff worked hard and kept the festival running smooth.

To check out upcoming bands and weekly events, log on to paddlersinnhawaii.com.

Kupuna’s Congregate

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Kupuna’s Congregate

Annual Senior Fair brings resources within reach.

By Brandon Roberts

Lines stretched at the Molokai General Hospital booth, which offered light massages to kupuna during the sixth annual Senior Fair at Home Pumehana Saturday April 19. Over 20 booths gave kupuna information from assisted living to identity theft and nutrition to exercise.

“Kupuna are our island’s treasures that we love and respect,” said Councilman Danny Mateo. “They need to take advantage of the services here.”

The morning opened with a pule from Aunty Ruth Domingo, and the fair was highlighted with music and hula lead by Kauwila Reyes.

John Tomoso, from the Office of Aging, was the master of ceremonies and stand-up comedian. Being more serious, Tomoso said the “whole idea is to keep kupuna healthy, and active.”

Jersula Manaba, housing manager from Hale Mahaolu, helped organize the event for the past three years. She said the fair’s goal is to educate seniors on a variety of resources available to them.

Manaba pointed out the kupuna id station, noting that there is no state id facility on Molokai and this is a way to give the seniors a valid id on-island.

A visit from Charmaine Tavares emphasized that kupuna “are not alone, and there are resources they can turn to. This event brings information to seniors and their families.”

When Opportunities Knock

Monday, April 21st, 2008

When Opportunities Knock

Job fair lets community know what is available now.

By Brandon Roberts

It was a fair weekend for the Friendly Isle, with the senior and job fairs in town. The fairs brought a variety of characters with it; including county council members, the mayor, and multiple businesses and service providers.

Spurred by the closure of Molokai Ranch, a job fair held Saturday at the Kulana `Oiwi Halau presented over 20 tables; ranging from job application and unemployment assistance, to ILWU union representatives, as well as various island and off-island employers.

“Before we focus on outside businesses, we need to expand the services to business already on Molokai in order to meet today’s needs.” Councilman Danny Mateo said in regards to the urgency facing the island. “The county is ready to move.”

“We must partner training with economic development,” said Councilwoman Gladys Baisa. “What is job-training without the jobs?”

The State is currently trying to fill over 500 jobs, including Kalaupapa, and has an easy online application program. A prospective employee can fill out one application for all positions, which can go into a database for state and federal opportunities anywhere in the United States.

Sybil Lopez, with Maui Community College, emphasized training and placement. She said MCC has teamed up with the University of Hawaii to offer a stipend where unemployed workers can go back to school and receive part-time pay. Lopez said there is a network available to find work for someone after their training.

“Let Molokai control its destiny,” said Mayor Charmaine Tavares. However, she said that government should lead the employment discussion. “So far things have been reactionary; the job fair is proactive and immediate. No growth is not a choice, no jobs are not a choice, leaving the island is not a choice.”

Kaunakakai Filipino Association Membership Drive

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Kaunakakai Filipino Association Membership Drive

The Kaunakakai Filipino Association would like to welcome its newest members, Summer and Von Santiago and keiki, Jocelyn Kepa, and Elizabeth and Omer Merkel.

The association's objective is to strengthen family ties between members and families and provide financial aide to families with a passing member to help ease their burden. A special invitation goes out to the next generation of young, community minded citizens.

The next meeting is July 17 at 6:30 pm at the Mitchell Pau`ole Center conference room. For more information contact Wanda Diorec at 553-5642.

New Cousins

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

We would like to introduce the two latest additions to the Misaki Ohana.
 On the left is Jake Namakana Ropa, born on Feb. 19 at the Queens Medical Center to Natalie Leiko Misaki & Kaleo Ropa. He weighed 7lbs., 2oz. and was 20 in. long. Jake's paternal grandparents are Sandra & David Ropa and greatgrandmother Lei Kanipae of Lanai. On the right is Madison Betty Asako Misaki who was born about a month after her cousin on March 21 at Kaiser Hospital to Lucas Misaki and Jamie Paulo. She weighed 6lbs., 10oz. and was 17 in. long. Madison's maternal grandparents are Barbara Paulo & Raymond Paulo and greatgrandmother Dora Takemono of Oahu.  They are also the grandchildren of Karen Arakaki and Ed Misaki and great-grandchildren of Betty & Doug Hamamoto and Jean & Tadashi Misaki of Molokai.

James Keaupuni Low Passes Away

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

James Keaupuni Low, 65, of Honolulu, died April 05, 2008.  Born on Oahu, "Jimmy" was raised in Maunaloa, Moloka'i and graduated Moloka'i High School Class of 1961.  He also lived on Lanai, Maui, and finally Oahu.  Hawaiian Airlines and Mahalo Air employee.  Retired from Sheraton Ka'anapali.  Survived by sons, James (Janna)of Delaware, Michael of Waipio, Lance (Marisa)of California, Robert (Dolly) of Ho'olehua; daughters, Stacie Low of Wisconsin and Jamie Takahashi of Maui; 13 grandchildren; mother, Rachel Wai'ale'ale Talon of Waipio; brother, Joseph Talon of Maui; sisters, Earlene (Henry) Lindo of Maui and Talia (Michael) Cenal of Waipio.  Preceded in death by father Walter Low, stepfather Joseph Aduca Talon, sisters Janette Low and Clara Low Ka'ahanui.
Service 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Sunday 4/20 at Ala Wai Boathouse, followed by push-off of canoes for the scattering of ashes.  Loose flowers. Casual attire.
Arrangements by Borthwick Mortuary.

Special mahalo to the family, Jimmy's friends at Wailana Coffee House, and Kamehameha Canoe Club

Updated: Ranch Cuts More Than Just Jobs

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

Updated: Ranch Cuts More Than Just Jobs

Molokai Ranch communications manager John Sabas said they are cutting "older trees that aren’t doing so well." However, many of the palms, including the one pictured, were bountiful with coconuts, healthy, and thriving.

Destructive measures in the wake of closure.

Photo and Story By Brandon Roberts

Kaluakoi residents awoke Wednesday to the sound of rain and falling coconut palms. Up to 30 trees have been killed to make barriers around the golf course, and this has many Molokai residents wondering why.

“This is just so sad, it looks like a war-zone with all the beautiful trees down,” said Jody Canady, Ke Nani Kai resident of 27 years. “They could have at least had the courtesy to tell us.”

She believes that Molokai Ranch is doing this as retribution for the failure of the La`au development.

Canady's husband Darryl, former president of the West Molokai Association, said that the Ranch shutdown and subsequent hacking of healthy trees has been a “festering, ongoing, and growing situation for many years.” Mrs. Canady added that the horrible situation has hope, “it brings us together in the community.”

The Canady’s echoed many West End residents’ sentiments that what respect the Ranch and Peter Nicholas may have had has all but disappeared. One resident of 18 years said that they should be put in jail.

“When the La`au proposal started, I gave the Ranch the benefit of the doubt, but it divided the community, and when I saw Peter Nicholas get ugly, I said, 'this is not the way a business person should act, this is wrong'. I did not respect the way Nicholas treated the members of the community,” Canady said with sadness.

“Walter Ritte was wonderful today,” Canady said. She made a phone call to Ritte, a community leader against the La`au development, the night before to express her concern and emotions about the destruction on the West End.

Ritte told communications manager John Sabas that he would bring the Ranch all the kiawe trees they wanted to barricade the vacant golf course. However, Sabas reportedly said he preferred to use the coconuts.

“They just don’t care, not one ounce,” expressed an emotional Carol Harms, Kaluakoi resident. She pointed toward a standing group of dead coconut trees wondering why live palms were used instead to make the ineffective barriers.

Historically in Hawaii, it was an act of war and disrespect to cut down coconut palms. The trees are a source of life, producing food, water, shade, and holding precious land from erosion.

The Hawaiian Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement said it was on private property and out of their jurisdiction.

"The Ranch is lacking aloha," said Representative Mele Carroll. "It is not about private property, this is our home. It shows where their heart is."

Meanwhile, in Maunaloa, the swimming pool at The Lodge, which just last week held blue waters and happy vacationers, is now full of sand. The Lodge itself has been wrapped in hog fencing, and many now wonder if this is a new definition of “mothballing”.

Many questions arise as to the legality of recent Ranch activities. Did the Ranch need permits for these actions? The back-filling of the pool and the chopping of a healthy Norfolk pine next to the Lodge to clear a path for a dump truck to access the pool, as well as the killing of vibrant coconut palms are all questionable. Many on Molokai are empty and in pain, wondering what motives and intent the Ranch has behind their destructive and disrespectful actions.

Giveaway Promotes Recycling

Monday, April 14th, 2008

4000 Re-useable shopping bags free at Earthday event.

The County is planning to give 4000 bags away on Molokai. Starting at the evening Earthday event and then continuing with a possible store giveaway, one adult  per household can receive a free re-useable shopping bag compliments of the County of Maui Recylcing Program. 

Looking at similar projects on Maui, Office and Projects Manager for the Molokai-Lanai Soil and Water Conservation Debbie Kelly brought the project request to the County.

With a team of Molokai based folks, Kelly came up with the logo and design for the face of the bag. The county worked with Debbie to design the back) educational panel to appeal specifically to Molokai folks.
 
Hana Steel: Recycling Coordinator, County of Maui at 808-270-7847
 
"Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents.  It was
loaned to you by your children."  (Kenyan Proverb)