Community

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

Mo`olelo of Laka and `Olohe

Friday, May 15th, 2015

Community Contributed

Editor’s Note: Molokai Ka Hula Piko is a three-day native Hawaiian cultural festival celebrating the birth of hula on Molokai.  Founded in 1991 by the late Kumu Hula John Kaimikaua, the festival continues to educate and enlighten all people of pre-Western Hawaii through excursions and a culminating celebration happening this year on June 4-6.  Each year a theme is chosen, and this year’s theme centers around the contributions of Laka and `Olohe.

By John Kaimikaua, contributed by Halau Hula o Kukunaokala

In Molokai tradition, the martial art form of lua evolved from out of the hula. Laka learned the art of the dance from her older sister Kapo`ulakina`u on the hill Pu`u Nana at Ka`ana on the top of Maunaloa, west Molokai.…

Molokai Paddlers Shine in Olukai Races

Friday, May 15th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Clare Seeger Mawae

Twelve-year-old Alex Mawae charged at the Olukai for the Stand Up Race on May 2, taking second place in his division of 17 and under in a record time of 1:09.26.  The course was from Maliko Gulch to Kanaha Beach along Maui’s North Shore, a total distance of over eight miles. He smashed his previous times and his personal goal for this year. Only 25 minutes behind World Champion Connor Baxter, this is certainly not bad for this young man! This year, the 17 and under division was strong with 11 contestants out of 327.…

Renewable Energy Project Update

Thursday, May 14th, 2015

Ikehu Molokai News Release

Aloha to the Molokai community!  The Ikehu Molokai project is intended to convert Molokai to renewable energy, while lowering costs and stabilizing the electric grid.  We presented the project to many community groups last year and were pleased that so many Molokai people supported it. Our vision for the project has always tried to reflect the sentiments and values embraced and expressed by the residents for a healthy, sustainable, and energy independent island.

Over the past few months, the Ikehu Molokai team has been working on the design, engineering, and financing of the Ikehu Molokai project. Our recent progress includes the following highlights:

The costs are coming in better than expected, meaning more rate relief for Molokai residents and businesses.…

Making Wishes Come True

Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

Making Wishes Come True

Ten-year-old Molokai boy Felix has had more than his fair share of challenges. Diagnosed with a progressive, genetic disease called Duchenne muscular dystrophy that causes muscle mass loss and weakness, he’s spent a lot of time in doctor’s offices. But for his 10th birthday, he forgot all of that and spent a week as a normal, happy kid, fulfilling his wish to visit Florida’s Disney World.

The trip was made possible by Make-A-Wish Hawaii, a nonprofit that grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish Hawaii CEO Siana Austin Hunt, who grew up on Molokai’s Kapualei Ranch, said Felix was referred to the organization by his doctor.…

Committee Considers Ferry Subsidy

Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

Possible financial aid is in sight for the Molokai ferry, whose recent losses in ridership and funds have forced company president David Jung to consider a shutdown as early as June.

On May 15, the county’s Budget and Finance Committee will discuss a bill in which Mayor Alan Arakawa has proposed a $105,000 subsidy for the ferry. The money would come from the county’s Economic Development Revolving Fund (EDRF) and apply to the 2015 fiscal year, which ends June 30.

“The ferry throughout the year has seen a decrease in ridership as hard times have come to Molokai,” said Jung, testifying at the county council’s May 7 meeting.…

Veterans Corner

Friday, May 8th, 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.

Well, I must say that when I went to the general membership meeting on Friday, April 24 at the new Veterans Center, it was wonderful being at a Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) meeting in our own building. The meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. by Commander Sam Makaiwi, with approximately 25 members in attendance. All reports were read, and accepted as read. Vice Commander Longie Dudoit announced that veteran service officer Ray Sambueno will be on Molokai on Tuesday, May 19 from 8 a.m.…

Ahonui: Patience with Perseverance

Friday, May 8th, 2015

Community Contributed

Opinion by Rick Baptiste

We are on the last and fifth phase of our joint efforts in renewing the “Aloha Spirit” in our community so we all can live blessed lives on Molokai.  In my last article “h,” from the acronym ALOHA stood for Ha`aha`a, the quality of humility.  Humility is a great quality to possess as we launch into deeper waters with the last “a” in ALOHA. “A” stands for Ahonui, which is patience expressed with perseverance.

Have you ever noticed when you are impatient that whatever you are waiting on seems to take longer and leads to frustration and anger?  …

Hawaii Farmers Have a Bright Future

Friday, May 8th, 2015

UHMCM News Release

According to Gov. Ige’s Action Plan “Engineering Hawaii’s Future, “Agriculture is critical to self-sufficiency and food security.  Instead of continuing to import 90 percent of our food, we need to take steps to produce more food locally.  We are committed to making farming and local food production a thriving industry here in Hawaii.”

UH Maui College, Molokai (UHMCM) offers certificates and degrees in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management.  The Molokai farm includes a 5,000 square foot greenhouse, orchards, and vegetable fields.  In Fall 2015, UHMCM will be offering Agriculture classes in Sustainable Crop Production (propagation planting, fertilization, irrigation, harvesting and marketing) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m.…

Proposals Sought for Community Grants

Thursday, May 7th, 2015

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is seeking funding proposals for a second round of proposals for a total of $1.7 million for Fund Year 2015 (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016).

The deadline to submit proposals is 3 p.m. on Friday, May 8. Proposals may be submitted “ATTN. 2015 CDBG Application” and delivered to the CDBG Program Office at 251 Napua Street in Wailuku, or mailed (must be received by the deadline) to Office of the Mayor, CDBG Program Office, 200 S. High Street, Wailuku, HI  96793.

Earlier this year the CDBG program office submitted six proposed projects to the County Council, which rejected the following proposals:

Ka Hale A Ke Ola, $653,869 for rehabilitation and improvements to its homeless shelter; County of Maui, $650,000 for a Maui Fire Dept.…

Grassroots Benefit Concert

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

Grassroots Benefit Concert

Last Saturday’s third annual Grassroots Benefit Concert at Duke Maliu Park celebrated homegrown, all-natural products –and the creatures that make it possible. The event’s message was “Mahalo i Na Halihali `Ehu Pua,” which means Thank You to the Pollinators, and highlighted the need to protect pollen-carrying creatures like butterflies and bees.

“Pollinators are vital to growing food, and we want to just bring that issue to light,” said Mercy Ritte, one of the event organizers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Pathologist Matthew Goo said that butterflies face the predatory challenges of spiders, wasps, lizards and in particular, the bulbul bird. Goo offered people a way to help through the Pulelehua Project, which seeks to record sightings of the disappearing Kamehameha butterfly, a native species that has yet to be officially documented on Molokai.…