Letters

Mahalo for a Full Memorial

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

We would like to express our deep, heartfelt mahalo to all who thought of Don on April 6, 2011 – Don’s memorial began tumultuously with thunder and wind-blown rain, and ended spectacularly with sunbeams and crystal waves, echoing our emotions since the loss of our beloved Don Espaniola Jr. We have so many people to thank for their prayers, their support and for their unconditional giving and aloha – lucky we live Molokai, where a simple nod of the head, a touch on the arm, says everything without a single word; where coolers are magically filled with food and drink; where tables miraculously get crowded with dish after dish; in a place where we don’t have much, you gave so much. God has been so good to us. Big hugs and kisses to the McCutcheons, Bicoys, Santiagos, Hiros, Molokai High School’s class of 1995, and to the rest of our extended Espaniola `ohana who’s always there, taking care of the people. Thank you so much to Don’s friends, who came to say goodbye, mahalo to our many faithful friends and family members who were there for us – you are why we will get through this. A special shout out to Don’s cousins, they have been unwavering in all of this, we are so proud of the young adults they have come to be. Thank you Detective Gene Santiago and the Molokai Police Department, Molokai Mortuary, Moana’s Flower Shop, the Molokai Ranch staff for your professionalism and support, to the Kaluakoi residents for your sensitivity and patience throughout one of the most difficult situations a family should have to endure, and to the Lorico/Yap `ohana for your understanding and contributions. Thank you. “If the world could be more like Molokai, it would be a better place,” said Randy Shank, Aimee's brother.

Aimee Shank Espaniola (Don’s wife) of Henderson, Nevada; Teris Espaniola (Don’s mother) and Frederick Zarndt of San Diego, California; Leolani Espaniola (Don’s sister) of San Jose, California; the Moses & JoJo Espaniola Familia of Maunaloa, Molokai

Posted in Community, Letters

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Continued Fishpond Kokua

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Donations are needed at Keawanui Fishpond to help restore the walls, after the March 11 tsunami. Besides raising fish, the pond is used as an educational base for Ho`omana Hou School, and accommodates numerous schools and preschool students. Here is a list of things that are needed: old shoes, gloves, a truck (donation can be used as a tax deduction). Donations can be dropped off at the Molokai Community Service Council in Kaunakakai. Call 553-3244.

Walter Ritte

Posted in Community, Letters

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Faster than the Wind

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

The attitude of sailing, and carrying cargo for trade and commerce, by swiftly, and safely transporting freight, passage, and cargo to and from market, truly was in its zenith during the Golden Age of Sail, with a lightweight, ultra strong vessel called the clipper ship.

Clipper ships were the fastest ships of its time, before the invention of steam ships. This time, we will be harnessing this "free ride from nature" with kites, wings, and foils added to the sails, and could be used as Molokai’s own future inter-island transport system, with zero emissions

Posted in Community, Letters

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Justin and Kiliwina Luafalemana

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Just and Kiliwina were married on March 26, 2011 by Elder Abraham Naki of Pacific Faith Fellowship. To our incredible parents Simoi and Cynthia Luafalemana and Allen Moses and Ipo Kalima-Moses, thank you for your support and unconditional love throughout the years. Your love made our wedding day possible for us.
Thank you to our family and friends, both near and far, for sharing with us this very special day. We are very blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts and generous contributions, we truly appreciate it.
To our loving siblings: Seanalle, Marina, Mahealani, Punahele, Leya-Justina and Alicia, Wailana, AJ, Yoshiko, Iokewe – thank you for blessing us with your presence. Having you all there really made our wedding day more special. We love you all so much and are grateful for everything that you have done for us.
Our nephews Justice Luafalemana-Silva and Kinohi Luafalemana-Haney were our handsome ring bearers and our beautiful niece Laila Juario was our flower girl.

Love you all,
Justin and Kiliwina Luafalemana

Posted in Announcements, Community, Letters

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Perfection

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Have you ever thought of what perfection is? I seek to make my relationships an experience of perfection. I’m not talking about always doing things that please others or avoiding arguments. We will disagree and I believe that in time every relationship will experience disagreements that may lead to arguments. I’m talking about how we choose to deal with these issues and respond to those times as well as the good moments. By trying our best to make our time together an experience of perfection we’re helping each other become better people as we continually try to be at our best with one another. I do these things because I love you and I love me. I want us to be as happy as we possibly can under the situations we may find ourselves in.

Posted in Community, Letters

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Molokai, the Dream

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Listen to the voice of the endless sea, blending with the shimmering indigo sky, on this beautiful place called Molokai.
Together you stroll on the golden sands, exploring the beaches, walking hand in hand.
Just the mere presence on this island is more than a thrill, you get the feeling that time has stood still.
No matter where on earth you have traveled in your mind’s eye, there is no place as magnificent as lovely Molokai.
From the lush green jungle on the island’s east end, stroll under the rich canopy sky, to the quaint little town of Kaunakakai.
Wherever you go and whatever your scheme, the entire island is like the proverbial dream.
The sunset is like the soft, gentle words to a song; if you see it even once, it will grace your member your whole life long.

Posted in Community, Letters

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Is Obama’s Mama Being Trumped?

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

After two and a half years of Obama’s presidency, why would TV networks like CNN and FOX give Donald Trump media time to question President Obama’s birthplace? One of the qualifications to be a candidate for the Presidency is the person must be a natural born citizen of the United States. Is Donald Trump disputing the credibility of the CIA, FBI, and the Secret Service?

Posted in Community, Letters

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Help Needed for Fishpond Restoration

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

The March 11 tsunami brought down the walls of the Keawanui Fishpond (12 mile marker east), and the entire wall needs to be put back, approx. 2,000 feet.

Daily work, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the wall has started, those interested in helping and learning the “dry stacking” method of fishpond wall building, please call 553-3244 or 558-0111 and leave your name and contact information.

Please be advised that this is hard work and we have no funding for this disaster, so you will have to provide your own food, (lunch), tabis (or old shoes), gloves and transportation. This is serious work of our kupuna, don’t come if you only want to mahaoe and ask a thousand questions. In the doing comes the learning.

Walter Ritte