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Letters

Drivers Safety Class

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

The class on AARP Driver Safety will be held at Mitchell Pauole Center from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 22. Those who are interested in joining the class can call Gladys Brown at 553-5375 to attend the class. A fee of $12 for members will be charged, including a manual of important traffic regulations. Many insurance companies, especially the Hartford Auto Insurance, give a discount for those who complete the course and present the certificate.  The instructor is Peggy Haake of Maui. The AARP is responsible for all information given. Please call as soon as possible so that materials can be ordered for the class.

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Veteran’s Corner

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Veteran’s Corner

Column by Jesse Church

Hello my beloved veterans and people of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans’ news and upcoming events. In the Air Force, for maintainers, three of the best words they can hear are “black-letter initial,” a sign that they have done their jobs the best they can and their airframe is in the best condition to fly. But what does this phrase mean? During an inspection, the inspector marks a red “X” on the paperwork’s status box if there are discrepancies that necessitate the grounding of an aircraft. A red number “l” notes the discrepancies found aren’t bad enough to keep the plane on the ground. When there is not a single discrepancy found on the inspection, the status box is annotated with the initial of the crew chief on duty in black ink, hence the “black letter initial.” The Air Force says these “black letter initials” are rare enough that many crew chiefs can go their entire career without receiving one.

Real life once again takes cues from science fiction. The Army is developing a “cloaking device” that takes its name from the Romulan cloaking device on the 1960s TV show “Star Trek.” On the show, Mr. Spock said the device uses “the selective bending of light.” Mr. Spock’s description is a logical one for the Army’s cloaking device, which is made of meta-material that guides light around the cloaked object so that only the back-ground is visible.

On Oct. 7, 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom began in Afghanistan. The first sorties, flown by 15 land-based bombers, B-18 Lancers, B-2 Spirits and B-52 Stratofortresses, took aim at terrorist targets inside Afghanistan, Air Force General Richard B. Myers said at an initial briefing. Then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters in an early briefing that the strikes were intended to destroy the Taliban’s base of operations, acquire intelligence, establish relationships with opposition groups and provide humanitarian relief to the people of Afghanistan. In addition to strike sorties, U.S. C-17s dropped humanitarian aid and supplies to civilian areas of Afghanistan. While our raids today focus on the Taliban and the foreign terrorists in Afghanistan, our aim remains much broader, Rumsfeld told reporters at the time. Our objective is to defeat those who use terrorism and house or support them. The world stands united in this effort. It is not about a religion or an individual terrorist or a country. Our partners in this effort represent nations and peoples of all cultures, all religions and all races. We share the belief that terrorism is a cancer on the human condition and we intend to oppose it wherever it is.
I want to remind everyone that John Candello will be available on Thursday Nov. 3 and 10 at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment, call 553-3611. Remember that our essay contest on “What does being an American mean to you” ends Oct. 31, so get your essay in. Send entries post marked no later than Nov. 1 to P.O. Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI, 96748 or email editor@themolokaidispatch.com. Good luck! Let’s not forget our military personnel stationed around the world, and especially those in harm’s way. We send them a big mahalo for all they do, and to our veterans at home for all they have done, and to the people of Molokai for supporting them. You are all very special and dear to me, I love you all.

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Veteran’s Corner

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Veteran’s Corner

Column by Jesse Church

Hello veterans, old Jesse here with all the veterans’ news and upcoming events. In the Navy and Coast Guard, officers and enlisted service members facing a non-judicial punishment (NJP) disciplinary hearing are said to be headed to “captain’s mast.” Why is that? It dates to the days of sail, when crews would gather under a ships mainmast, according to Naval History and Heritage Command. The commanding officer would speak to the crew, holding ceremonies under the mainmast regularly often on Sunday morning before a religious service. The ceremony became referred to as “mast” because of its location, and the disciplinary hearing for NJP subsequently became known as a captain’s mast or, if overseen by an admiral, an admiral mast or flag mast.

The Navy’s sub fleet entered the nuclear age Sept. 20, 1954, when the service commissioned its first nuclear-powered submarine. The service was able to produce Nautilus thanks to the development of a nuclear propulsion plant by Navy scientists, according to the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Conn. The 319-foot sub could dive to 700 feet and stay underwater for more than two weeks, a far cry from the 12 to 48 hours that World War II subs could remain submerged. Nautilus quickly became a star in the sub fleet, shattering a number of submerged speed and distance records. It also became the first ship to ever cross the North Pole in 1958, during a top secret mission dubbed Operation Sunshine. Nautilus was decommissioned in March, 1980, after 26 years of service and more than 500,000 miles. The historic sub is on display at the Submarine Force Museum and is Connecticut’s state ship.

The Veterans Affairs Department (VA) now offers phone counseling for veterans’ family members and friends to help them encourage their loved ones to get medical and mental health care if needed. The “Coaching into Care” service, run by professional counselors, helps callers “find the right words” to convince their veterans to seek help, according to VA.  A pilot program launched last year as “Families at Ease” helped 50 veterans and family members in its first year.  Rebranded in March as “Coaching into Care,” the service has drawn 650 calls and helped 175 veterans, according to VA.  Coaching into Care is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday at 888-823-7458. The line is connected with the VA Veterans Crisis Line, Caregiver Support Line and the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans in case of an immediate crisis, and veterans who need immediate help anytime can dial the VA Crisis Line at 800-273-8255.

Rosalie Schreiber, the nurse practitioner that has been coming to Molokai through the Home Based Primary Care Program, has been re-assigned. Our new nurse practitioner is Kate Hansen-Schmitt.  She will be taking over all of Rosalie’s duties here and see the veterans that Rosalie was helping. You can reach Kate at 808-442-2001, email Katrina.hansen-schmitt@va.gov, or 808-871-2454, ext. 3696.

Don’t forget our essay contest, “What does being an American mean to you?” Send your entries via email to editor@themolokaidispatch.com, and good luck to all. Please let’s not forget our men and women in uniform around the world, especially those in harm’s way, and all they do for us. When you’re out and about and you see a veteran, thank them for their service, it would make their day. To all our active duty military personnel, our veterans at home, and all the people of Molokai we send a big Mahalo, for you all are truly very special, and I love all.  If anyone has any news, or wants to talk, or needs help, give old Jesse a call at 553-3323.

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What’s Up Maunaloa

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

What’s Up Maunaloa

Column by Aunty Kehau Pule

In this article your roving reporter would like to pay a special tribute to someone I didn't know. The purpose of my article is to give back some dignity to a man that was found dead in a little shack across the swimming pool and had to be buried that very day he was found. No family member could be contacted. He probably was a father, a husband, a grandpa, an uncle or a brother who chose our beautiful island of Molokai to call his home and his last resting place. So let me begin by sharing what I may have known about this slim "haole" man who carried a guitar on his back and who walked Kaunakakai town periodically. He may have been a homeless person but he used to hang around by the Molokai Pizza Café. One of my daughters who worked there shared with me that this could be that man that she called a friend and used to buy him food once in a while when he was hungry. My daughter also remembers that he loved to play his guitar and enjoyed singing. He even shared with her that he had family down Kalaupapa, may that be true or not. For now I will call this person Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike now you lay rest at Kapaakea Cemetary. It might have been quick in the process but I pray that you're home with the Lord! Mahalo nui loa for choosing Molokai as your home and for all the great things that probably transpired in your life which I believe was awesome, great and filled with joy and love. Thank you for making your home here on our island and for those days that we did see you passing by in Kaunakakai town or sitting in front of the post office singing away on your guitar. Until we meet again one day, a hui hou and aloha oe Uncle Mike. This is your roving reporter Aunty Kehau closing with this thought of the day, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to ALL people." Galatians 6:9-10. Take kea and malama one another. A belated get well wish to Pamela Cheney.

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Don’t Manufacture Problems

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

The world challenges us with choke burdens such as tsunamis, plane crashes, al-Qaeda and North Korea.  Difficulties abound even when good communities such as Molokai pull together to help one another.  We most certainly do not need to put up with additional, manufactured problems.  Manufactured problems are created by those who wish to impose their will on others and gain leverage in order to feel empowered.  I am a strong believer in taking complex situations and rendering them down to the simplest form.

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Happy 30 Birthday, Greig!

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Happy 30 Birthday, Greig!



Wishing a happy birthday to my son, Greig, pictured above with his grandfather, Greig Lenwai, who he was named after.

Christy Lenwai-Kaiama

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Warrior Training

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Warrior Training

On Oct. 1 and 2, respected Olohe, Keeamoku Kapu brought Lua (Hawaiian Martial Arts) to Keawanui Molokai. His students from Na Kao Kaui Ka Meheu o Na Kupua (warriors who walked in the footsteps of their ancestors) helped to begin training over a dozen Molokai students. Olohe Keeamoku wants to train warriors and invite them to participate in the yearly gathering at Pu`u Kohola Heiau in Kawaihae on Hawaii Island. He hopes to come to Molokai on a monthly basis to train warriors. Go talk story with Gandhi Ross, Kauhane Adams, or Justin Avelino if you want to check things out. The training includes lots of Hawaiian protocols, and includes women as well as men. 

Walter Ritte

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Close-knit Community

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

When you turn on Kolapa Street past the community swimming pool, do you get da urge to turn right at da entrance shaded by two big shady trees on each side? It’s da entrance to the Home Pumehana residence, a home of our kupuna. It houses the oldies but goodies. Singles and couples alike live a unique lifestyle that is pleasant and full of aloha. They are allowed to grow plants outside the units to enhance the living space. If there were no plants for kupuna to plant, you can imagine how empty all the front yards would look. The majority at Home Pumehana know who their neighbors are, so there’s no loneliness, being alone, depression or emptiness. You can see sharing, helping, hookipa, laulima, lokahi, kupono, alu alu, etc.

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What’s Up Maunaloa

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

What’s Up Maunaloa

Column by Aunty Kehau

Wow! The new Resident Manager of Nani Maunaloa is placing a lot of families into the homes. It's great to see these houses filled and not being emptied for such a long period of time. Another benefit that comes with this is the increase in enrollment at our school. Keep up the good work Aunty Nicky, but please try to get some sleep! Maunaloa School has voted in the 2011-12 new officers for the Maunaloa School Community Organization, or MSCO. President is Kahana Dekneef, vice president is Omi Seumalo, secretary is Jessica Valdez and treasurer is Toni Yamamoto. They meet every second Wednesday of the month at the school office at 2:30 p.m.

Did you hear that there is a Choking Game on Molokai? Well your roving reporter got an email that was circulated to various churches regarding this horrible game among our keiki. I went to the website and saw a few videos on it and it is terrible. This is a website you can go and do more research on at chokinggame.net/chokinggameeducationalmaterial.html. Please take heed to this information and if you have keiki, please take the time to sit down and discuss this with them. Let us come together to save our keikis on Molokai from this deadly game before it's too late. Mahalo for caring.

I thank the good Lord for sending my grandson Joshua back home safely after he fractured his right knee. With a cast on his leg, he needed to come home on the air ambulance from Oahu to Molokai. I can't seem to understand why. Island Air cannot have at least one seat that has accessibility for those passengers wearing a leg cast? I understand that there are federal regulations that need to be followed but can you imagine if my grandson didn't have medical coverage for this? Wow, a big bill, hotel expenses if there is no ohana on Oahu, expense, expense and more expense! So this roving reporter is doing a big shout out to all my representatives from the state and federal level. You gotta do something about this, this is not fair. This is the second time my grandson needed to be medi-vaced back home and I don't want to see anyone else go through what my grandson had to go through. So who is going to step up to the plate and do something about it? Hey, you'll get my vote.

A belated happy 15th birthday to Isaiah Espaniola and happy 49th anniversary to Ron and Mary Neale. This is your roving reporter Aunty Kehau closing with this thought of the day. Friends are of utmost importance. We love, trust, get hurt, sometimes get mad, but we love and trust anyhow because that's the best way to let our friendship grow. Until my next article, take care, love one another and appreciate each day to the fullest with life and joy. A hui hou and malama pono.

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Veteran’s Corner

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Veteran’s Corner

Hello veterans, old Jesse here with all the veteran’s news and upcoming events. On Aug. 17, 1942, members of the elite 2nd Marine Raider Battalion conducted one of the first American offensives in the Pacific during World War II.  The Raiders, established in two battalions during the war, are considered the first U.S. Special Operations Force to form and see combat in World War II, according to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.  The men of 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, known as “Carlson’s Raiders,” were led by the legendary Lt. Col. Evans Carlson.  Col. Carlson used the term “gung-ho” (loosely translated, work together) to instill in his men the desire to accomplish their assigned missions.  In mid-August, Carlson’s Raiders were tasked with landing at Makin Atoll, part of the Gilbert Islands, to disrupt Japanese forces, and wreak havoc on the base established there, according to a Navy account.  The mission was also to distract Japanese forces from the Solomon Islands, where American troops were engaged in battles for Guadalcanal and Tulagi. The Raiders arrived at the island chain on two submarines, the Nautilus and the Argonaut.  Fighting broke out soon after Raiders arrived on land Aug. 17 at Butaritari, the chain’s largest island, according to the Navy account titled “Submarine Commandos, Carlson’s Raiders at Makin Atoll.”  Japanese snipers engaged the American’s from the tops of many of the coconut palm trees.  Carlson called for gunfire support from the submarines lying offshore, and Nautilus put her six-inch guns to good use, according to the account.  When the Marines ashore spotted a small transport and a patrol boat, Nautilus shifted fire to them and managed to sink both.  The Marines returned to Pearl Harbor and the mission was considered a morale boost back home.  It was later discovered that nine Marines had been left on Butaritari and were captured by the Japanese. They were beheaded under orders of a Japanese Vice-Admiral, according to the historical account.

Losing night-vision goggles can kill a career.  Troops keep their equipment close at hand in combat or in the field by “dummy cording” the gear.  Here’s why it called that, dummy cording means what it says, said Jefferson Reed, curator at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Ga.  If you are not smart enough to keep up with your compass, we are going to tie it to you, he said. The method consists of tying looser items with a lanyard to harder-to-lose equipment, for example, attaching a compass to a belt or goggles to a helmet.  The practice dates back to the mounted cavalry in the late 1800s, Reed said. Today some troops tie down nearly all their equipment. In some cases, zip ties have replaced cord.

I’d like to remind all VFW members that the regular monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m. at Commander George Harada’s home, if you have any questions call the commander at 553-5730.  Also, I want to remind everyone that John Candello will be on island on Thursdays Oct. 6 and 13 at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment.  Call 553-3611 to make an appointment. I hope that everyone is working on their essay for our contest during the month of October, “What does being an American mean to you?” Send entries post marked no later than Nov. 1 to PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, 96748, or email editor@themolokaidispatch.com, and good luck to all.  Please let’s not forget our military personnel stationed around the world, and especially those in harms-way.  We send them a big mahalo, and to our veterans at home for all they have done, and the people of Molokai you all are very special, I love you all.  If you have any news or coming events, please give old Jesse a call at 553-3323.



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