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Community

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

Community Meeting For Proposed Waikolu-Pu`u Ali`i Fence Project

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

DLNR News Release

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)  invites the  Molokai community and interested parties to an informational meeting concerning a proposed fencing and management project in the Waikolu Valley and Pu`u Ali`i Natural Area Reserve areas.  The purpose of the proposed project is to protect the natural resources of the Pu`u Ali`i Natural Area Reserve (NAR) while improving hunting opportunities within the Molokai Forest Reserve hunting units.  The fence will help to prevent entry of pigs, goats and deer into the NAR and help to prevent erosion into nearshore waters, protect fisheries and water supplies, and conserve native Hawaiian plants and wildlife.…

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The Power of Kindness

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

The Power of Kindness

Community Contributed

Opinion by Rick Baptiste

Being “kind” benefits everyone especially those that practice the aloha spirit.  There is a multiplication factor in kindness that is powerful.  Whether you are the giver, the receiver, or the observer of kindness there are health benefits for all concerned.  Scientific studies (Uncle Google) says that “kindness” has a positive effect on your immune system with increased production of serotonin in the brain.  Serotonin is the natural calming, mood regulating, anti-anxiety, good vibes neurochemical.  Google also said that in a study of those that volunteered tended to experience fewer aches and pains.

Another study found that acts of kindness cause a domino effect causing each person’s generosity to spread to three to nine people, and then to others. …

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Eyes on the Reef

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Cheryl Corbiell

On June 6, Darla White with DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) provided the first “Eyes of the Reef” (EOR) skills training on Molokai at Kulana `Oiwi to an enthusiastic crowd of Molokai residents.

The EOR training has been designed to help ocean users such as community members, reef users, fishers, and commercial operators the skills to provide reliable monitoring and reporting on coral bleaching; coral and fish diseases; Crown-of-thorns Sea stars outbreaks, marine alien invasive species, and native species blooms. The participants learned how to detect the early signs of coral in distress.

“Threats to the world’s reefs have increased by over 30 percent, and today, 75 percent of the coral reefs in the world are threatened,” said White. …

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March of the Molokai Mangrove

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

Nene O Molokai News Release

Introduced alien mangrove threatens the long-term sustainability of south shore coastal resources. During 2014 and 2015, Sarah Jenkins and Lily Jenkins conducted a study on the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of introduced Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) on Molokai. The intent was to determine if the mangrove has the potential to reach the fringing reef, and if so, what are the impending socioeconomic and ecological impacts.

Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were used to interpret aerial imagery, historic maps, and coastal surveys to map seaward migration, analyze ecological effects, and predict the future impact on Molokai’s south shore through benthic habitat modeling.…

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Kalaupapa Nonprofit Earns Awards

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa was presented with two Preservation Awards by the Historic Hawaii Foundation at their annual awards banquet in Honolulu last month.

One of the projects cited was the exhibit, “A Reflection of Kalaupapa: Past, Present and Future” that features 100 photographs and quotes from the people of Kalaupapa and their families. The exhibit is currently on display at the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center in Kalae.

The `Ohana was also recognized for “The Restoration of Family Ties” program that has helped hundreds of families obtain more information about their Kalaupapa ancestors who were sent there because of government policies regarding leprosy or who were kama`aina prior to the establishment of the settlement in 1866.…

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Summer Gardening and Reading Festival

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

Interval House Molokai News Release

Celebrate Summer Gardening and Reading with Interval House Molokai!  Join us on Saturday, June 27, on the public library grounds from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m., to launch into fun and enriching summer activities.

Our AmeriCorps members have grown hundreds of veggie plants to give away to our community to start home gardens.  Stop by and select from an assortment of herbs and green bean, sweet pea, cherry tomato, and mustard cabbage plants.  We will be distributing children’s gardening books that highlight where food comes from, the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, and how to start gardens in your own backyards. …

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This Is Holy Ground

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

It was 7:30 p.m. as we began celebration of Mass here at St. Francis Church. Now, ordinarily at this hour, I myself would be comfortably seated in my reclining chair in the rectory. No, I do not spend all day on my knees. At this stage in my life my knees need a rest and actually talk back to me at times. On this evening, members of the Newman Center from the University of Hawaii had gathered for Mass to give thanks to the Lord for a wonderful day of exploration of this Flat Leaf, otherwise known as Kalaupapa.…

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Calling Community Reporters

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

Are you a Molokai resident who enjoys writing, has a passion for your community and wants to become a part of The Molokai Dispatch team? We’d love to have you join us.

For the last decade, The Molokai Dispatch has fostered a thriving internship program that allows young journalists from around the country the opportunity to bring their talent to Molokai, work hands-on in a small island community, and in turn, provide the island with high quality reporting. As we prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary, The Molokai Dispatch is also preparing to shift our model from interns to home-grown community reporters.…

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4-H Expo Top in Class

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

4-H Expo Top in Class

Youth showcased months of hard work at last weekend’s annual 4-H Expo, featuring showmanship and market competitions for hogs, steer and goats, small animal exhibits and a live auction.

4-H stands for “head, heart, hands and health” and is a national educational organization. On Molokai,  students ages five through high school seniors are involved in a livestock program that challenges them to learn responsibility through raising, showing and judging livestock, according to organizers.

Exhibitors in the hog showmanship competition guided their pigs in the ring so the judge could watch for good control over the animal, general health and ask students questions about their hogs.…

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DHHL Seeks to Fence Off Grove

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

 

With Molokai’s historic Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove suffering from disease and human pollution, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has reached out to the State Historical Preservation Division (SHPD) to ask for guidance in fencing off the property.

Residents have been voicing their concerns at recent community meetings, explaining that they used to be able to see straight through the grove to the ocean. Now overgrowth and trash have obscured the view, and they want to see the grove be protected from human intrusion.

“For me I feel our resources are there for everybody,” said resident Kauila Reyes at a May 21 community meeting.…

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