Community

General news which affects the Molokai community in one way or another.

The Price of Play

Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

The Price of PlayNew fundraising campaign ‘Adopt-A-Team’ targets high cost of athlete travel

Molokai High School’s athletes are members of one of the most unique high school sports leagues in the country—encompassing three islands and miles of ocean between schools. With a limited budget, teams have to make some tough choices each season over which games to attend, since most are a flight or ferry ride away.

“For other schools to compete it’s a bus drive away, not across a channel,” said MHS Athletic Director DeRouin. “… When we try to get [non-league] teams to come here, they tell you it’s a cost issue.”…

Shop Offers Design-Your-Own Apparel

Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

Shop Offers Design-Your-Own Apparel

Something for Everybody News Release

Something for Everybody celebrated its third year in business anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 8. There were #goodwaibes all around, food and music to be found and of course, something new going on.

“This yearʻs huliau (change in time) has lead us to grow and meet our customers’ needs by allowing them to be a part of their wear,” said owner Wailani Tanaka, referring to their addition of a custom designs and creations corner in the shop such as the lululemon scuba dupes that are popular all the time. “Here at SFE we’re big on products that are relevant to our customers and their lives, and what better way to find that than by allowing them to be a part of that design process of their apparel and accessories.”…

Molokai Fitness: Healthy Alternative for Soda

Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

I already talked about soda in a couple of my articles, and why you shouldn’t drink it. I got a big response, lots of you asked me questions. Yes, I think we all know that soda is not good, but what can we drink instead?

Actually, the best answer is water. Remember our body consists of almost 90 percent water. But I understand that sometimes drinking water alone can be a little boring! Great news though, I have some awesome and delicious recipes for you.

A good friend here on Molokai, Skylla, is setting a great example of how you can grow your own food and feed your ohana just from your own garden.…

Celebrating Life and Tradition

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015

Celebrating Life and Tradition

Last Saturday at Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission, families gathered together to keep the memory of loved ones and the traditions of Japanese culture alive on Molokai. The island’s annual bon dance brought more than 100 residents and visitors together for lively drums, dancing and good food.

“It’s a time of celebrating ancestors who have passed on,” said Marge Bento, one of the event’s organizers. “We’re kind of partying with them.”

In an event repeated every summer in towns around Japan and places around the world, including Hawaii, community members smiled as they danced around the yagura, or bon dance tower, stepping to the beat of the heavily thumping taiko drums.…

Changing Times for the Molokai Ferry

Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

Changing Times for the Molokai Ferry

Community Contributed

By Dave Jung, Molokai Ferry General Manager

The Molokai Ferry has been running a fixed schedule for the last 27 years, operated by Sea Link of Hawaii. However, last year, airline travel from Molokai dramatically changed, and single engine aircraft are very fuel efficient and cheap to operate. With air fares down to $39, the ferry just can’t compete in this current price war.

A new ruling by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) allows the ferry to change our schedule on a monthly basis and may cancel a voyage when the number of reservations is below 20 passengers on either segment of a round trip 48 hours before departure.…

Mayor Signs Emergency Proclamation, Urges Preparedness

Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Mayor Signs Emergency Proclamation, Urges Preparedness

County of Maui News Release

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa signed an emergency proclamation effective 11:00 a.m. Saturday, in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Ignacio. The National Weather Service (NWS) has advised that although Ignacio’s track is still uncertain, the system has the potential to cause widespread damage throughout Maui County.

The proclamation recognizes the need for government agencies and representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services to our island residents and to mitigate hazardous situations in advance of the weather effects from Tropical Cyclone Ignacio such as sustained tropical storm force winds and the potential for hurricane force winds, heavy rains, potential lightning, flooding, and extremely high surf and storm surge.…

A Stitch in Time

Friday, August 28th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killiliea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

This morning, as I looked at the chasuble (the outer vestment worn while celebrating Mass) draped over a nearby chair and awaiting some stitches to reattach a tab, I was reminded of a few frantic moments I experienced not too long ago. My bags were packed and I was set to leave my house for the airport on my way to visiting my family in Ireland when, to my utter horror, I realized that I was getting a cool breeze in the seat of my pants. You see, the stitching had let go in the seam and I was in grave danger of further exposure.…

Veterans Corner

Friday, August 28th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha al my fellow veterans and people of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. I am sure that all my fellow Marines will remember 50 years ago this month the battle of Chu Lai South Vietnam. A main force of Viet Cong were preparing an attack on Chu Lai in August 1965 that was stopped in its tracks by the Marines in what was the first major battle of the war. The following history is from an article by Al Hemingway in this month’s issue of VFW Magazine.

Gen. Lewis “Silent Lew” Walt, commanding general of the III Marine Amphibious Force, had intelligence reports that the 1st Viet Cong Regiment was missing for an assault on the airfield at Chu Lai.…

Committee Votes for Community Plan Extension

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

Nearing the end of an intensive six-month series of meetings pushing six hours each, members of the Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) have voted to request the county council for an extension to the planning process that will guide Molokai’s next 10 years. The decision came in response to residents who felt the community needed more time to give input on the plan, along with a commitment to produce a quality plan, according to committee members.

“It’s taken centuries for Molokai to be as precious as it is, and in decades we can screw it up,” said CPAC member Greg Jenkins, who supported an extension.…

Fence for Coconut Grove Generates Mixed Reactions

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) received permission last week to place a fence around Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, a move that some residents feel will protect a historic site but others feel will prove ineffective.

Molokai’s 150-year-old grove became the subject of recent scrutiny after disease and invasive insects were discovered in some of the trees last December. The State Historical Preservation Division (SHPD), which authorized the fence, said in a statement that seeing “the affected coconut trees within the grove reinforced the need for protective fencing” for the health of the grove and the safety of the public. These guys do exterior renovations like siding, stucco and fences and they can help property owners who are planning to renovate their exterior or build a new fence.…