Community

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

Molokai Football Secures Semifinals Berth

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Molokai Football Secures Semifinals Berth

Overcoming turnover issues and a late injury to their starting quarterback, the Molokai Farmers managed a 42-21 win over the Hana Dragons on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Molokai’s final regular season game at home. With the win, the Farmers guaranteed themselves second place in the league and a spot in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) semifinals.

“We started off slow,” said head coach Mike Kahale. “…Definitely a bunch of miscues, a bunch of fumbles, but the kids put it together when they needed to.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the Farmers’ offense broke open. Receivers Kaimana Kahale and Willie Dela Cruz both hauled in touchdown passes from quarterback John Michael Mokiao-Duvauchelle.…

Veterans Center Nears Completion

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Veterans Center Nears Completion

After nearly 10 years of permitting delays, funding shortages and the loss of more elderly members each year, the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) say they are finally nearing completion of a long-awaited veterans center to call their own.

“This building has come a long way,” said Vice-Commander Longie Dudoit. “Where we are today, we’re pretty close. But now it takes more than talk… We’ve all got to pitch in and help.”

Dudoit said he plans for the building to be complete by the end of this year. The 3,000-square-foot facility includes a certified kitchen, meeting area, space for VA services and a planned museum.…

Healing of an Island

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

For 50 years beginning during World War II, the island of Kaho`olawe was rocked by bombs, dropped by the U.S. military for naval training. Hawaii residents recall hearing the explosions and feeling the ground shake as missiles left gouges in the earth. Now, after decades of protest efforts, cultural reconnection and environmental restoration, a process of healing is continuing as a strategic plan is being developed to guide Kaho`olawe’s future.

Once a spiritual and cultural center for Native Hawaiians, trespassing on Kaho`olawe was prohibited for half a century. In the early 1970s, people began questioning those laws, and in 1976, the Protect Kaho`olawe `Ohana (PKO) formed and filed a suit in federal court to stop the bombing.…

Volunteers Take to Molokai Farms

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Volunteers Take to Molokai Farms

Mike Senese had recently graduated from high school in Massachusetts when he caught the farming bug. With a background mostly in gardening, Senese said he resolved to take a gap year before starting college and began research into different farming programs.

The 19-year-old’s search landed him a job as an educational farm volunteer on Molokai’s Pu`u O Hoku Ranch through the state’s World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or popularly known as WWOOF, network.

“I’ve learned so much from being here already, I’m really amazed at how much hard work and labor goes into it all,” Senese said. He’s been working on Molokai for a month and plans to transfer to Maui or Hawaii Island in November.…

Molokai Finishes Strong in Ka`iwi Channel

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Molokai Finishes Strong in Ka`iwi Channel

Before the 62nd Molokai Hoe, Bozo Dudoit, coach and steersman of Molokai’s Wa`akapaemua Canoe Club open men’s crew, laid out two main objectives for his team.

“My goal is to be in the top ten 10 of the local finishers and top 20 overall,” said Dudoit, a Molokai Hoe veteran who has been competing in paddling’s premier event for 24 years now.

Wa`akapaemua, the host island’s only team in the race, check-marked both goals on Sunday. The crew finished in 14th place overall with five hours, 37 minutes and three seconds. Among the local teams, Molokai finished ninth.

Taking first place overall was Tahitian crew Edt Va`a 1, which finished in four hours, 51 minutes and 43 seconds.…

Molokai Crewmembers Join Hokule`a Voyage

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Molokai Crewmembers Join Hokule`a Voyage

Three Molokai residents have departed on a journey to follow the path of their ancestors across oceans and change the way the world views our environment. Last week, Mel Paoa, Mahina Hou Ross and Keoki Pescaia left for American Samoa to join Hawaiian double-hulled voyaging canoes Hokule`a and Hikianalia as they set sail for the northwestern tip of Aotearoa (New Zealand).

“The Molokai community fully supports these crewmembers as Hokule`a represents all of us, coming together to protect the places, values, and traditions that we love,” said Paoa, Molokai’s first voyaging captain for Hokule`a.

This week, they are sailing to Vava`u in Tonga, about 320 miles from Pago Pago Harbor in American Samoa, where they waited for favorable weather to depart on the first portion of the trip to Aotearoa.…

Veterans Corner

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

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.

Veterans, as you may or may not be aware, our doctor David Hafermann is retiring at the end of October. We have been very lucky to have him here on Molokai for a good many years, taking care of our aches and pains, and some very serious illness also, whenever we had a problem he has been there for us.

On Monday, Sept. 29, there was a meeting at the vet center with Wayne Pfeffer, the director for the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, and there was a discussion about a clinic being here on Molokai.…

Molokai Revives Kulaia in Kaunakakai Town

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Molokai Revives Kulaia in Kaunakakai Town

Community Contributed

By Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello

Historical records dating back to 1865 note Hawaiian outrigger canoe race competitions as one of the many events our kupuna took part in during annual la kulaia, days of festivities honoring the Kingdom of Hawaii and especially honoring our beloved monarchy.  During that era, kulaia generally occurred once a year during a national holiday or birthday celebration of a mo`i (monarch).

After the overthrow of our beloved Hawaiian Kingdom, kulaia festivities changed focus and no longer celebrated the Kingdom and monarchy.  In historical records, we see the shift from national celebration to simply canoe race competitions. …

Waving a Message

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Waving a Message

Youth got together to share a message promoting healthy lifestyles last week. A sign waving in conjunction with National Recovery Month helped educate the Molokai community about mental or substance abuse disorders and the treatments available.

Hosted by Alu Like’s Hoala Hou program and the Ho`i Ho`i Leadership Group, the annual sign waving was held this year on Sept. 26. Ho`i Ho`i Leadership Group is comprised of eight middle and high school students who participate in weekly lessons, activities and service projects through Alu Like, according to Jana Sasada, program supervisor.

“Our Ho’i Ho’i Leadership Group plays a big role in organizing, planning and preparing all of our community activities and service projects,” said Sasada.  …

New Coach, Same Goals for Cross Country

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Last week, Molokai High Cross Country Coach Mahina Hou Ross departed on board the Hokule`a. Now Molokai’s cross country runners, under the direction of interim coach Manu Adolpho, have dreams of a shorter but meaningful journey of their own: traveling to Oahu for the state cross country championships.

“We have been training hard as a team and putting in the miles needed to get us to where we want,” said senior Luke Kikukawa, who placed seventh overall in the Farmers’ Sept. 20 meet. “…We’re expecting, if not our entire boys’ team, some to qualify for the state meet on Oahu.”

Race statistics back the boys’ hopes, as Molokai has turned in multiple top three finishes in this season’s meets, with Keaoalono Ross and Markis-Grayson Aldridge joining Kikukawa as top 20 finishers.…