Community

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

Keiki Cruise on Refurbished Rides

Wednesday, January 28th, 2015

Keiki Cruise on Refurbished Rides

Changing a broken bicycle chain has become second nature for 10-year-old Isaiah Hanchett-Lopez.

“I like to use a screwdriver when I do it,” he said matter of factly. “When you’re unscrewing that, it gets loose, so you push it up, take that off…” He continued to rattle off several steps with ease.

It’s just one of the many handy skills that Hanchett-Lopez and the kids at the Molokai Youth Center have picked up since the Center started repairing bikes for free nearly a month ago.

“There’s something magical about a kid and a bike,” said Youth Specialist Travis Ritte, who repairs bikes at the Center.…

Honoring Dr. King

Wednesday, January 28th, 2015

Honoring Dr. King

On Jan. 17, Molokai paid tribute to a man who left a legacy of equality and social justice. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was not just observed as a holiday, but as a Day of Service on Molokai, with students gathering on the Public Library grounds to remember the true meaning of the occasion.

Interval House Molokai joined with Aka`ula School and the Molokai Public Library to put on a program that included portions of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in more than half a dozen languages, while Aka`ula School students opened the event with “Music of the Movement,” a civil rights musical celebration.…

Gov. Ige Thanks Molokai

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

Gov. Ige Thanks Molokai

Newly-elected Governor David Ige and his family visited Molokai for a mahalo luncheon last week Saturday to thank Friendly Isle residents for their support during his campaign.

“Every time we were here, [my wife] Dawn and I really enjoyed your hospitality and the warmth with which we were received,” said Ige. “Because Molokai is rural, [you] did a lot for our campaign that’s sometimes invisible. We wanted to thank each and every one of you for the hours to sign wave, put up signs and talking to friends and neighbors… that is really what allowed us to be successful.”

Ige, Dawn and their son Matthew greeted a crowd of eager residents and enjoyed lunch and entertainment.…

Heroes Among Us: Michael Helm

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

Heroes Among Us: Michael Helm

For a long time, Michael Helm wasn’t proud to be a veteran, but it was a feeling he kept to himself.

Helm grew up on Molokai as the son of beloved island veteran, the late Larry Helm, who served in Vietnam and was heavily involved in veterans’ affairs on Molokai.

“It was kinda hard ‘cause my dad was really proud I went in, and I wasn’t really proud coming out [of the military],” said Michael. “I never did get a chance to tell him about that.”

Michael was never deployed to a war. However, like many veterans, during his service he was deeply impacted by the culture and system of the military, which he grew to distrust.…

Christmas Bird Count

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

Christmas Bird Count

Community Contributed

By Josiah Ching

As part of the 115th annual National Audubon Society’s Christmas bird count, a small group of dedicated volunteers set out to conduct a survey of the bird population on Molokai. The national survey is both the longest running citizen science survey as well as the longest running wildlife survey to date. The local survey is organized by Arleone Dibbon-Young, a Molokai-based wildlife biologist. She has been instrumental in not only protecting the endangered Nene population on Molokai, she has also compiled years of data on Molokai’s avian population and has a wealth of knowledge regarding Molokai’s history.…

Lions Roar: Vision Van

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

Molokai Lions Club News Release

Happy New Year from the Molokai Lions Club to the community on Molokai. Thank you for your continued support of our events and projects that are specifically designed to enhance and sometimes even amuse the residents of Molokai.

Sight is the main mission of the Lions Club both on Molokai, in Hawaii and internationally. We in the Molokai Lions Club try very hard to do our part in bringing sight related services to the community. The Project Vision Van’s Big Bus will be on island Feb. 5-10 to do retina eye screening for adults. This service is especially beneficial to those afflicted with diabetes.…

4 Survive Emergency Landing in Halawa

Friday, January 16th, 2015

4 Survive Emergency Landing in Halawa

 

A privately-owned single-engine Cessna 172 carrying a pilot and three passengers made a forced landing near Cape Halawa last Friday afternoon, according to the Maui Fire Department. Ian Gregor, Public Affairs Manager for the Federal Aviation Association, said the plane “reportedly lost engine power.”

The aircraft was reported to have landed in the trees at an elevation of about 3,000 feet. Maui Fire Department personnel airlifted passengers as well as pilot and plane owner Michael Richards from the crash site to a landing zone at Pu`u O Hoku Ranch.

One unidentified female passenger was taken by Medevac to Maui Memorial Hospital in serious condition.…

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

Interval House News Release

“Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve… You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love…”
    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Please join us in celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 17 on the public library grounds, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Interval House Molokai is teaming with Aka`ula School and the Molokai Public Library to honor and celebrate a great man who devoted his life to equality, social justice, economic advancement and opportunity for all.…

Wrestling on Display

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

Wrestling on Display

Community Contributed

By Louise Manley

On Thursday evening, Jan. 8, the Molokai High School (MHS) Farmers’ Barn stirred with excitement and anticipation as family and friends in the community gathered to watch an inter-squad competition between the “green” and the “white” teams of the MHS Varsity Wrestling Team.  Head coach Randy Manley along with assistant coach Kawika Kaahanui have been working with their team since mid-October in an effort to prepare each member with physical endurance, equip them with the knowledge of the sport, and develop in them mental toughness. The team currently has 15 girls and 15 boys on the roster.…

Fire Retirements

Thursday, January 15th, 2015

Fire Retirements

Two members of the Molokai Fire Department retired last month, each after many years of service. Richard K. “Rick” Schonely, Fire Inspector, pictured at left, retired Dec. 30 after 26 years in the department. Sheldon “Kanui” Hamakua, Firefighter III, retired with 25 years of service on Dec. 29.…