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Community

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

Local Author Pens Hawaiian Language Books

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015

Kualapu`u School News Release

Kumu Louella `Opu`ulani Albino has added one more accomplishment to her already significant list for revitalizing `olelo Hawaii on Molokai.  She has authored two new Hawaiian language books for children!

Sponsored by a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and in partnership with Kualapu`u Public Conversion Charter School, Kumu `Opu`ulani addressed a need for more text-based, easy reader chapter books in Hawaiian Language medium education.  “Ka Wena,” illustrated by Molokai artist Brandon Hirashima, is filled with short stories of Hawaiian culture in the present-day, as seen through the eyes of a lively group of keiki characters.  “Ka Moe`uhane,” illustrated by Molokai artist Jennette “Koki” Foster, is an exciting third grade level mystery novel filled with Hawaiian practices and perspectives that have endured up to our present day.…

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Molokai Candidates Vie for Rep. Seat

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015

Four Molokai residents are among those competing for a State House of Representatives seat left vacant following Rep. Mele Carroll’s resignation last month. The District 13 seat, which encompasses Molokai, Lanai, Paia, Haiku, East Maui and Kahoolawe, has received 13 applications from candidates around Maui County, according to the Maui County Democratic Party.

Molokai applicants are Lori Buchanan, Lynn DeCoite, Barbara Haliniak and Noelani Yamashita. Others include Shay Chan Hodges of Haiku, Scott Crawford of Hana, Alberta De Jetley of Lanai, Lucienne DeNaie of Huelo, David Fry of Haiku, Susan “Netra” Halperin of Haiku, Lance Holter of Paia, Robert Parsons of Haiku and Kay Okamoto of Lanai.…

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Reading Between the Lines to Freedom

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015

For 19th century slaves in America, a hand-stitched quilt was more than just bedding; it was a map to freedom. As Black History Month kicked off at the Molokai Public Library last Wednesday, Molokai resident John Wordin shared the little-known story of the secret role quilts played in bringing enslaved African Americans to safety.

Wordin’s presentation was inspired by the book “Hidden in Plain View,” which details the history of the system of coded quilts.

“Slaves were deliberately kept from getting any education. They were illiterate,” said Wordin. “You couldn’t just give them a handout and say, ‘Well, these are directions as to where to go and who to talk to.’”…

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Controlled Burn Clears Hazardous Brush

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015

The Maui Fire Department (MFD) conducted its first Molokai-based controlled burn last week, clearing out 50 acres of overgrown brush behind residents’ homes in Kalama`ula between Feb. 4 and 7.

Nearly 40 firefighters from Molokai, Maui, Hawaii Island and the Pacific Northwest participated in the exercise, which, besides decreasing the potential for wildfire, also provided live training for firefighters.

“It’s a good area to mitigate hazards,” said Kaunakakai Fire Captain Henry Lindo, explaining that fires in that area tend to spread quickly, pushed forward by winds.

Maui County’s first controlled burn took place in December 2013 in West Maui, and other islands have conducted controlled burns before, but this is Molokai’s first.…

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Body Found Outside Town

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015

The body of a 70-year-old man was found near the Water Treatment Plant outside of Kaunakakai on Jan. 7, according to the Maui Police Department. The man, identified as William Hazen, was reportedly homeless. Police said no next of kin have yet been found.

According to some community members, he had a daily routine of going to Rawlins Chevron for morning coffee then going to the library, said Lori Buchanan of Molokai Mortuary.

With no next of kin identified, the mortuary buried Hazen last Friday at Kapaakea Cemetery. Volunteers dug the grave and performed a blessing, according to Buchanan.

Maui Police said they are still trying to notify any family members, and an autopsy is pending.…

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Toddler Hit by Car

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015

A two-year-old boy suffered life threatening injuries on Feb. 2 when he hit by a vehicle in Waialua. The accident happened at 11:20 a.m. on private property. The vehicle, driven by a 67-year-old woman, was traveling south when the collision took place, according to police.

The boy was flown to the emergency room at the Maui Memorial Medical Center. The driver did not report any injuries.

No official information on the current condition of the child was available as of Sunday.…

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Mud-Caked Classroom

Thursday, February 5th, 2015

Mud-Caked Classroom

Local farm brings lessons of the `aina to life

A handful of Kilohana Elementary school students stared down uncertainly into the thick, gloopy mud of the lo`i kalo below them.

“Come on, ladies, let’s go! Jump in!”

Kilohana educational assistant Teon Simmons was trying to coax them into the lo`i, where three of their schoolmates were already wading and pulling weeds from the ankle deep muck. Wedged in the middle of the patch, farm owner Jo-Ann Simms was teaching the students how to gently swing long bunches of weeds to shake excess mud back into the lo`i.

Jo-Ann understood the hesitance to dive into the dirty, tedious task, a job she’s been doing since she was a kid.…

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Man Charged with Attempted Murder

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

A Molokai man has been charged with attempted murder after he rammed into his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle in Kaunakakai on Jan. 7. The collision sent his vehicle through the fence and into a tree at Kaunakakai Elementary School. School was out for winter break at the time.

The 38-year-old man, Pakluke Lau, also known as Ula, was flown to Oahu to be treated for injuries, while the 35-year-old woman was taken to Molokai General Hospital and soon released.

On Jan. 25, Lau was arrested on charges of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of terroristic threatening in the first degree, two counts of violating an order for protection and reckless driving.…

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Commission Votes No on Apartment Project

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

Under mounting concerns over public safety in Manila Camp, the Molokai Planning Commission recommended a denial for requests for a zoning change and a community plan amendment that would potentially allow a 16-unit apartment complex to be built in the area.

The project, named Chopra Hale and proposed by Dilip Gunawardena of the LDE Group, LLC, outlined a two-story, multi-family apartment building that would cover 1.04 acres at 190 Makaena Place. The units would be available to those eligible under Maui County’s Section 8 program, which provides rental assistance for low-income residents.

LDE Group sought a zoning change from interim district to A-1 Apartment District, which would permit the construction of an apartment complex.…

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Molokai Metric 100K Ride

Friday, January 30th, 2015

Kualapu`u School News Release

Kualapu`u School hosted Molokai’s first-ever 100K bike ride on Jan. 18.  Twenty-four riders completed either the half- or full-length distance course that extended from Hotel Molokai to Morris Point and back, then looped around Kualapu`u and Airport Loop, to finish back at the Hotel.  Two on-island bike riders participated, Will Carlson and Lydia Trinidad; one former Molokai resident returned for the ride, Amanda Han; and the rest of the bicyclists came from off-island.

The first two riders to complete the noncompetitive course were Jeffrey Ling and Bill Leach in just under three hours 10 minutes. The largest bicycling support group to participate was the Red Hot Ladies Cycling group, a Hawaii Bicycling League affiliate, led by Patricia Johnson, also of Oahu. …

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