Letters

Happiness in the Storm

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

I found myself visiting uncle the other day and we sat and listened to the winter trade winds flow down the slopes of Kamakou.  He was talking story when I noticed a trench dug out along his house.  He told me the rains brought a stream to his front door the other day and he unexpectedly found himself digging and quickly!  

He took a break from his trenching and watched the water cascade off the landscaped rocks with a beautiful sheen.  He chuckled to himself as a spoke.  He saw a beauty and happiness in that small waterfall.  Despite a moment of stress and extreme pressure, uncle still managed to find a reason to smile.…

Kaunakakai School Thefts

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

On Feb. 9, students came to Kaunakakai Elementary and found that someone had stolen the wind screens from their outside eating area. To you who stole these items from our kids, I know you don’t care about the health and welfare of our youngest children; I know you don’t care about shade and wind breaks for the student dining area; I know you don’t care that your “problem,” or whatever it is that is causing you to do this, is going to affect the 300 students at our school. I do know that all you care about is yourself. And, by the way, this is the third time that this has happened. …

Tree Perspectives

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

We look at a tree and it looks differently as we walk around it.  If we look at the tree from only one perspective, we only have this perspective.  It’s not that our perspective is wrong, it’s just limited.  

Too often we get stuck trying to figure out who’s perspective is right or who’s is wrong.  But this is not the right question we should be asking ourselves.  Why are we viewing the tree from only one perspective?  This is not only boring but we miss so much beauty hidden in the branches.

My son and I climbed the big monkey pod tree at the Kilohana Rec Center the other day. …

HallowHim Mahalo

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

Smiles on the faces of excited costumed children were plentiful Monday evening, Oct. 31 as hundreds poured onto the grounds of Kaunakakai Baptist Church for the HallowHim Festival.  It has been two years since a group of local Molokai churches have been able to sponsor the event that has been part of annual fall festivities on island for over a quarter of a century. Everyone in attendance appeared to be overjoyed with the festival’s return.

Like the HallowHim Festivals of past years, the 2.5-hour venue provided keiki big and small the opportunity to play a variety of games. With each opportunity to play, win or lose, kids were rewarded with a sweet treat or prize to fill their bags, buckets or pockets.…

Removal of Veteran Board

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

This is a public letter to Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans and our latest bogus appointed commander, directors and officers. 

After more than six years, four appointed Commanders with no transparency, no accountability, including our silly investigation by the Attorney General Office, we have gotten nowhere.

Nevertheless, accordingly this is a 30-day notice, Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans Annual Membership Meeting is to be held in the month of November. 

Please be advised, Hawaii Nonprofit Corporation Act Section 414 D-138 states that the Members of a nonprofit corporation may remove one or more directors elected by them without cause.  Section (g) that an entire Board of Directors may be removed under this section of the law. …

Stop DHHL Construction

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

At the 2018 annual Molokai Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) meeting, a $4 million proposed Veterans Center development was on DHHL’s agenda. It was intended to be a fast-tracked political deal because the State of Hawaii had federal funds to spend it or lose it. Our Molokai homestead community testified with the typical pros and cons. DHHL wanted to build a veterans center on our only community open field/park in Ho’olehua. Homesteaders also addressed the safety issues of veterans’ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as three schools located within 100 yards of the proposed location. Also, the recently built VA center in Kaunakakai has nominal membership.…