Letters

Molokai LEOs Recognized for Commitment of Service

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The Molokai High LEO Club has won first place in the state in the Small LEO Club category for 2009-2010. This is the first time the MHS LEO club has received this recognition. LEO Club stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity, and is a youth division of the International Lion’s Club. The criteria the board considered was amount of community services done, the quality of the projects, and the amount of participation in state LEO committees. This year the MHS LEO Club’s theme was “LEOs standing not behind you or in front of you but by your side.” The MHS LEO club focused on starting a recycling program at the high school. Congratulations to the following members:

Abigail Adachi, Akona Adolpho, Abbigale Adolpho, Isreal Adolpho, Chenoa Ahuna-Kaai, Petrisha Alvarez, Herbert Antolin, Crystalene Antonio, Dohna Bicoy, Camille Borden, Rebecca Carpenter, Christina Carpenter, Jamie Duvachelle, Lesley Escobar, Francine Feig, David Gomes, Durand Jones, Katherine Kendall, Michael Kikukawa, Charisse Manley, Healani Mawae Mollena, Kerianne Mokuau, Melody Ocampo, Mike Onofrio, Candice Pauole, Crystal Puaoi-Kawai, Kawena Puhi, Cristina Rabino, Mahailia Rapanot-McGuire, Kesha Reyes, Denichel Ruiz, Darianne Ruiz, Susan Smith, Michal Torres-Umi, Louisa Torres-Umi, Kalani Wainwright, Tarren Wakuta, Aloha Will, Joe Yamamoto.

Julie De George and Malia Lee, Club Advisors.

Posted in Education, Letters

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Me ke aloha pumehana

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The Hui Makua o Punana Leo o Molokai would like to thank the following families for their treless support of our program in assisting with our annual Hulihuli Chicken Sale: `Ohana Jerry Mina, `Ohana Dennis Kamakana, `Ohana Roger Apuna, `Ohana Brian Naeole, Hotel Molokai – General Manager Mike Drew, `Ohana Bob Alcon, `Ohana Na`ehu/Simms, `Ohana Kaleo Bishaw, `Ohana Pa-Kala, `Ohana Irene Tancayo, Kualapuu School Kitchen Krew; and of course our own Hui: `Ohana Kamalu Purdy, `Ohana Na`iwa Pescaia, `Ohana Nai`a Nae`ole-Starkey, `Ohana Bodhi Auchenbach, `Ohana Makakoa Lu`uloa, `Ohana Hokuao Arce, `Ohana Miliopuna Davis, `Ohana `Aina Galam, `Ohana Teaho Peopeo, `Ohana `Ohi`aku Ritte-Camara-Tangonan, `Ohana Kamalua Arce, `Ohana Laiku Davis, `Ohana Kalamaku Han, `Ohana Kekai Simms, `Ohana Ka`oli

Posted in Education, Letters

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How did Molokai become the Friendly Island?

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

By Catherine Aki

There are two stories regarding the origin of Molokai’s friendly nick-name.

According to a story told by Vandale Dudoit, actor Warren Baxter came to Molokai in the 1920’s when the song “Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai” was in popularity. There was some type of parade held in the actor’s honor, so he began referring to Molokai as the Friendly Isle.

Later, in Sophie Cook’s book “Sincerely Sophie,” Molokai was known as the “Lonely Island” or the “Leper Island” back when the book was published back in the day. She wanted to change the island’s image and came up with the “Friendly Isle” to promote what was then the beginning of a visitor industry.

Among the local people, “Molokai no ka heke” (Molokai is the greatest) is the slogan more often used, whereas the image of a friendly place is more of an outsider’s point of view. People here are very friendly amongst one another as cousins talking in a store, aunties and uncles at a baseball game or classmates playing in school.

Sometimes the “Friendly Isle” moniker is taken too literally, promising that tourists will be met with open arms by everyone. Too often tourists and new-comers have unrealistic expectations - as if ‘friendly people’ comes with a money-back guarantee. They get offended when someone asks, “who you!?” So often, a person finds themselves either “in” or “out”. If you are “in,” it’s not as important to determine exactly how friendly Molokai really is. If you are “out,” the list of complaints is endless and the whining never ceases.

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Your Are My Valentine Destiny: Memories Forever

Friday, February 19th, 2010

My 1963 Valentine Sweetheart, as I stood looking down the aisle at those present, I can still remember how nervously I said these words to myself. “This is the moment I waited for.” That’s when I heard the voice from behind me ring out, “Who will give this woman, Dianna Sue Pratt to wed this man, Philip Thomas Solatorio?”

A few moments later, I heard the most beautiful voice gently say, “I do.” Her father placed her hand into mine. He said to me with tears in his eyes, “I give to you my Valentine Sweetheart.” He then turned and walked away.

You were only 17 and I was 23. What a precious gift you are, and I thank God everyday for blessing me with such a precious, wonderful, beautiful wife for a Valentine Sweetheart.

Today, you are 64 and I am 70. Forty-seven years later, on this New Year, 2010, we celebrate our 47th Valentine Sweetheart anniversary. Thank you; thank you for sticking your neck out to help me in everything Pono. If it wasn’t for your neck holding my head upright slowly moving it at the right time and the right place, this Valentine Sweetheart day wouldn’t be possible.

I love you my sweetheart….Forever!

Your Husband,
Philip Thomas Solatorio

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Tragedy on the Island

Friday, February 19th, 2010

As a first time visitor to the island of Molokai I was impressed with the beauty of land and of the people. My brother Rupert visited the island in the winter of 2009 then returned to the island in September 2009 because he was drawn to the spirit of aloha and the scenic landscape on the island. It was unfortunate however that I was on Molokai because my brother mysteriously died on Dec. 29, 2009. The people my brother befriended were wonderful in giving me support and love that I needed to address my brother’s affairs.

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Devotees of St. Damien Celebrate Canonization

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Reader Contributed

By Kenneth J. Souza
Anchor Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Faithful Catholics from New England traveled to the nation’s capital January 31 to give thanks for the recent canonization of St. Damien of Molokai at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The Mass honoring the heroic “leper priest” and ninth saint canonized who lived and worked extensively in the United States was celebrated by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Father William Petrie, SSCC, provincial of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary based in Fairhaven, Mass, noted that although many people attended the actual canonization ceremony and celebrations in Rome last October, there were many other devotees of St. Damien and members of his own order who approached him and said they could not attend.

In short order, Father Petrie and Archbishop Sambi agreed a celebration would take place January 31 — appropriately enough, World Leprosy Day — and the setting would be the National Shrine.

“The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary chose today as a day to celebrate the canonization of St. Damien because he selflessly served the lepers on the island of Molokai and eventually became a leper himself,” said Msgr. Walter R. Rossi, rector of the Basilica, in his welcoming remarks.

Father Petrie noted in his homily that it was also exactly 130 years ago on this date that St. Damien wrote home to his parents expressing his joy at being able to live and work among the abandoned and rejected people of Molokai island afflicted with Hansen’s disease.

“He wrote: ‘I am very happy to be able to continue to dedicate myself to the leprosy patients and I have no other desire in the world,’” Father Petrie said. “What a statement. This sentiment is from one who lived the Christ life. St. Damien learned that he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. He was at peace with the choice he made in following Christ. There were no regrets. He accepted his reality. He had spiritual joy.”

St. Damien’s charitable and compassionate efforts to help the people of Molokai are often cited by priests as one of the key reasons they entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts.

In praising St. Damien’s selfless call to do God’s work, Father Petrie said he was guided by the greatest commandment of them all as proclaimed by Christ himself.

“We have all been created through God’s love and dedicated for a special mission,” Father Petrie said. “We live that mission — moment by moment, day by day with a great commandment to guide us: ‘Love God with all our heart and soul and love our neighbor as ourselves.’”

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The Gorilla Ogo Removal Team Is Back!

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Cecile Walsh

The Gorilla Ogo Team was delayed for a few months, but wants to let the community know that they are back on Molokai to remove this harmful pest. The last Gorilla Ogo removal event was carried out in Kaunkakai Harbor in August 2009.

Along with community volunteers the team was able to remove fourteen thousand pounds of this invasive Gorilla Ogo from the harbor area. The Ogo team returned to Molokai this January 2010, to find an alarming amount of Gorilla Ogo washed up along the beach in front of the canoe shacks. It was apparent that there was even more invasive Ogo in January than there was in August, so the team decided to conduct another Gorilla Ogo removal event at the harbor.

The Ogo team would like to thank the handful of community members that volunteered during January’s removal event, we could not done it with out the help/man power. The Gorilla Ogo team hopes that community members will come down to the next few removal events and get educated about this alien limu and lend a helping hand in the removal efforts.

From February 16-19, the Ogo team will be working within Kaloko eli Fishpond a few miles west of Kaunakakai Harbor. We will be collaborating with the non profit group Ka Honua Momona International. We are planning to conduct outreach activities with KHM’s staff, volunteers and educational groups during our week at Kaloko eli removing Gorilla Ogo. At the end of March we will be on the east end, working within Ualapue Fishpond removing this beast, the Gorilla Ogo.

Volunteers can contact Hoala Davis, at KHM's office 553-8353

Posted in Environment, Environment & Ecology, Letters

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Ka Molokai Makahiki 2010

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Walter Ritte

Ka Molokai started 28 years ago in 1982 at One Alii Park. Preserving and enhancing Hawaiian Culture was the impetus for bringing back the Hawaiian games. The celebration of peace over a four-month period reflected well on the Hawaiian sense of values. During the season of Makahiki, all wars were put on hold, as agriculture and subsistence became the focus. Warriors went home to plant, fish and to care for their families and aina.

Today the values of the Makahiki season are even more important. This past year we learned important lessons when the nation’s economy crashed. One lesson was that oil reserves have peaked and are on the decline, in other words “we will soon run out of oil!” The other lesson is that without The Barge, we have only a week of food for Hawaii, we have no food security.

This year’s Ka Molokai Makahiki was on the verge of being canceled for the first time in thirty-nine years, but the winter rains stopped just hours before the games. The constant rain went from being a potential threat, to becoming a peaceful ho’ailona, or positive sign for enough water to grow our food this coming year on Molokai. The large crowd was encouraged to grow their own food at home, and to teach their children to fish, hunt and farm.

This year’s Makahiki was a great success. On Friday, the first day of the two day event, the Intermediate and Molokai High School along with schools from Hawaii Island, Maui, Lana’i and Oahu gathered mauka at the traditional Makahiki Grounds of Naiwa. Here in the lush green hills, they found their Ano Koa Ki’e Ki’e and class champions to send to the Saturday games in the dry plains of Kaunakakai. Later that same evening, in the intermittent rain, the adult men and women went through fierce competition, each entering in 10 games to find the Ano Koa Ki’e Ki’e champions. Kaina Makua, a muscle bound large man from Kauai and Leiohu Colburn, a petite pretty girl from Hawaii Island were this years adult Ano Koa Ki’e Ki’e champions for the second year in a row.

Of course the Saturday games were as great as ever, with the spot light on our elementary schools. As always, it was the hoards of screaming students, the supportive teachers and principals, and the proud parents that always make these games so successful. In the third grade Huki Huki Championship, everyone was cheering for the underdog Maunaloa team, as there was a sense of hope and sadness, with the realization that Maunaloa Elementary School may not be with us next year. The spectators were encouraged to support Maunaloa with their efforts in keeping their historic school open.

Posted in Education, Hawaiian Culture, Letters

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The Music Man

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Paula (Mondoy) Scott

As long as anyone can remember, John J. Mondoy (‘Johnny’) has been singing, playing the ukelele, guitar, or any instrument that that is in front of him for all of his life. He has a natural ‘ear’ for music.

Although in Hawaii, this is not necessarily something unusual-knowing someone that loves to sing and play music. It is indeed a pretty commonplace occurrence. But what really sets him apart from others is how he imparts this love to others. He has taught so many of Molokai’s young and old how to play the ukulele. As one of his many former students, Joyce Mina, says, “Didn’t he teach ALL of us how to play the ukulele?” And of course, all the oldie but goodie songs.

For many years, he has taught countless students at the Molokai Community Center how to play the uke. For free. This level of community service has had many positive and far reaching effects. Also with this free class one would often get one of his song books. Complete with the words and chords to all of those songs. Mr. Mondoy is proud to say that some of his students went on to play music professionally.

He also provided music to his church parish for over 55 years. His commitment to share music with others has no boundaries. He has worked with other church communities over the years by way of teaching and even playing for them when they did not have enough musicians.

The Episcopal Church in Hoolehua is an example of the extent of Mr. Mondoy’s sense of community service and generosity. Over the years, he has given them music stands and was instrumental in assisting them in developing their music program.

What many people may not know as well is that whenever he played for funerals, he has never charged anyone for this service. Mr. Mondoy can only hope that others follow his example of reaching out to their community by way of music and music ministry.

On January 31st, 2010, John J. Mondoy celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends. May he continue for many more years to celebrate and share his love of music with all that is around him!

Posted in Letters

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Sneak Peek

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Molokai Community Health Center News Release

The Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) has been providing accessible comprehensive individual and community health care to the people of Molokai since 2004. With services including medical, dental, behavioral health and early childhood development, the MCHC has quickly outgrown its space in Kaunakakai’s Kamo`i Building.

With the recent purchase of the old “Pau Hana Inn” property, the MCHC is headed in an exciting new direction. Big plans call for the renovation of what has been renamed the Molokai Oceanside Health and Wellness Center (MOHWC). The Community Health Center’s new home is slated to open in 2011.

Posted in Health, Letters

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Letters

Molokai LEOs Recognized for Commitment of Service

Me ke aloha pumehana

How did Molokai become the Friendly Island?

Your Are My Valentine Destiny: Memories Forever

Tragedy on the Island

Devotees of St. Damien Celebrate Canonization

The Gorilla Ogo Removal Team Is Back!

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2010

The Music Man

Sneak Peek

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