Community

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

Veterans Corner

Friday, June 5th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha all my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. Your monitor goes blank. You hear and grinding noise from the processor, then silence. Ever wonder why people blame this mechanical disaster on a “computer bug?” You may not appreciate the naval ties while watching your data melt, but the term does have its origins in the sea service, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command. Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, a computer software pioneer in the Navy, was working on the primitive Mark II computer is 1947 when she found an error, according to the History Command’s website.…

Concerns Grow Over Coconut Grove

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

Concerns Grow Over Coconut Grove

Molokai’s historic Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove has stood for more than a century. However, recently residents have begun to notice the deteriorating health of the coconut trees. Scattered among the healthy palms are a number of dead trees, their tall trunks ending abruptly in leafless stubs. Not only are the lifeless trees an eyesore, but the cause of their death is an increasing concern within the community.

Last December, the Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC) gathered fruit and leaf samples from the grove for testing, according to Lori Buchanan, field outreach coordinator for MoMISC. The Department of Agriculture (DOA) and UH College of Tropical Agriculture tested the samples and identified multiple pests and diseases.…

Graduates Ready to ‘Rise Above’

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

Graduates Ready to ‘Rise Above’

 

Seated just past the scoreboard that ticked down the closing seconds at hundreds of home games, Molokai High School’s graduating class counted down their final moments as seniors at last Saturday’s graduation ceremony.

“Isn’t it crazy how fast time has flown by?” said Kristin Tancayo in her valedictory speech. “We entered those gym doors almost four years ago for our welcome assembly as freshmen, and here we are now, just about an hour away from walking out those same doors with our high school diplomas.”

With a crowd of supporters packed into The Barn proudly looking on, MHS administrators awarded diplomas to 75 students.…

Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice

On Memorial Day last Monday, families gathered to place fresh flowers on the markers of loved ones at the Ho`olehua Veterans Cemetery, while local veterans and community members joined in a ceremony to honor the ultimate sacrifice of their comrades and fellow residents. Boy Scouts placed American flags on each grave, which fluttered in the breeze that morning.

While there is sometimes confusion about the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, veteran David Nanod explained that Memorial Day is to remember those who have passed, while Veterans Day honors the living.

During the graveside ceremony, Nanod read the names of Molokai residents who gave their lives in battle, and a bell was rung for each.…

CPR Saves Drowning Child

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

The weekend before graduation, a high school student used skills from his senior project to help save a 3-year-old girl on the west end.

At 8:50 p.m. on May 22, according to Maui County Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto, emergency responders received a call that a toddler was drowning in the jacuzzi at Ke Nani Kai.

Molokai High School senior Luke Kikukawa, a certified CPR instructor, was in the parking lot of the condominium complex at the time when a friend came to alert him of the situation. Kikukawa ran to help the child’s father, who was performing CPR on the girl.…

Closing Halawa’s Church

Friday, May 29th, 2015

Closing Halawa’s Church

Community Contributed

By Reynolds Ayau

To the people of Molokai, aloha! My name is Reynolds Ayau and I’m the Kahu for a little church in Halawa Valley called lerusalema Hou Church. Our little church is badly in need of replacement. Dry rot and termites have made it a total hazard.

To try and remedy the situation, we had to contact the landowner.  The landowner, God bless her, said, “I didn’t know I owned the property so I’ll donate it to the church.”  That was over three years ago and we are still waiting for the County of Maui to approve the necessary subdivision.…

Ka Hula Piko T-Shirts

Friday, May 29th, 2015

Ka Hula Piko T-Shirts

Halau Hula o Kukunaokala News Release

In Native Hawaiian tradition, it is common for natural elements to symbolize body forms of ancestors.  The natural element will usually have characteristics that are reminiscent of the ancestor represented.  This year’s Molokai Ka Hula Piko T-shirts will be available for purchase on Saturday, June 6 at this year’s Ka Hula Piko celebration at Lanikeha Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This year’s design depicts kinolau, or body forms, representative of Laka and `Olohe.  It symbolizes the foundation and commitment of their given kuleana to malama all that they were entrusted with.

The `Ie`ie vine only grows and flourishes with the aid of an unyielding foundation. …

Nonprofit Receives OHA Grant to Restore Fishponds

Friday, May 29th, 2015

KHM News Release

Ka Honua Momona (KHM), a Molokai nonprofit focused on sustainability mauka a makai (from the mountains to the sea), has recently been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to restore two Hawaiian fishponds, Ali`i and Kaloko`eli.

The greater goal of the project is to return momona (health and abundance) to the land and people of Molokai through the community-based restoration of two ancient Hawaiian fishponds.

Ali`i and Kaloko`eli, located just past Kaunakakai Town, are approximately 30 acres each and were originally built in the 15th century. KHM holds a license for both fishponds, as well as 1.5 acres adjacent to Ali`i Fishpond, from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.…

Veterans Corner

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Veterans Corner

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha all my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. Your monitor goes blank. You hear and grinding noise from the processor, then silence. Ever wonder why people blame this mechanical disaster on a “computer bug?” You may not appreciate the naval ties while watching your data melt, but the term does have its origins in the sea service, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command. Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, a computer software pioneer in the Navy, was working on the primitive Mark II computer is 1947 when she found an error, according to the History Command’s website.…

Observing Damien’s Feast Day

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

She stepped off the plane with a broad smile on her lovely face and gave me a big squeeze as I welcomed her. The Miracle Girl, Audrey Toguchi, who credits the intercession of Father Damien with her miraculous cure from cancer, had come to Kalaupapa to join us in celebrating St. Damien’s feast day. Shortly thereafter, we climbed aboard my Paddy Wagon and rode out to St. Philomena in Kalawao to celebrate Mass in honor of St. Damien in the church he himself built. Led in song by the St, John’s choir, we had a beautiful celebration.…