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Community

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

Molokai’s Newspaper Earns Journalism Awards

Thursday, July 3rd, 2014

Molokai’s Newspaper Earns Journalism Awards

Molokai Dispatch News Release

Molokai’s only newspaper, The Molokai Dispatch, is honored to announce that it now stands among the state’s award-winning publications. After submitting entries to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Hawaii Chapter Excellence in Journalism contest for news published in 2013, the Dispatch earned top honors. At an awards ceremony on Oahu last weekend, Dispatch staff came home with five awards.

Editor Catherine Cluett received first place in the non-daily newspaper general reporting category for a series titled “Energy on Molokai.” Judges commented, “Nice job balancing the different perspectives on this story. Lots of potential impact to the local community.”…

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Molokai Joins Opposition to Federal Proposal

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Across Hawaii, tensions are rising as the federal Department of Interior (DOI) proposes establishing a Native Hawaiian government. Last Saturday, Molokai residents joined in the widespread opposition. The slick floor of Kaunakakai Elementary School cafeteria was strewn with symbolic red ribbons, also pinned to the shirts and blouses of dozens of community members to show their disapproval.

Attendees expressed anger and mistrust with the U.S. government on whether and how the process of reestablishing a government-to-government relationship between the U.S. and the Native Hawaiian community should proceed.

Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka pushed for federal recognition in Congress for more than a decade, and many Native Hawaiians have urged for such status to protect locally established rights.…

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Student Spotlight

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Student Spotlight

UHMCM News Release

As a descendent of two deeply rooted Molokai families — Purdy and Pico Ohana — Shy-lynFay “Kawaila” Purdy has a special place in her heart for Molokai.  After graduating from high school on Oahu and enjoying the single life, she found herself wanting to be closer to her roots. Shortly after moving home, she became very interested in farming.

“Molokai has the resources to be abundant farmers” said Kawaila.

In the spring of 2012, she enrolled for classes at UHMC, Molokai.  Today, Kawaila is close to finishing her Associate in Agriculture Natural Resource Management, continues to serve as a student mentor at the farm, and advocates for future farmers on Molokai.   …

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Veterans Corner

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. Why do soldiers wear four different colored berets? The Army’s berets have all been adapted from 20th Century European headgear. Each color symbolizes unique history according to the Army. Green berets worn by Special Forces since 1961, they date back to WWII British commandos. Maroon berets are for airborne affiliation and authorized in 1980. Black berets signify regular Army and started wearing them in 2001. British armor soldiers first wore black caps instead of brimmed hats to look more closely into sights in the 1920s.…

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Buzzy Sproat: A well-loved legend

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Buzzy Sproat: A well-loved legend

Underneath the brim of a worn, black Stetson, lived a Molokai legend. Known for his infectious smile and warm laugh, his horsemanship, his love of his family, and his mules, Eldon “Buzzy” Sproat was loved by many.

“He touched so many people… he had so much love,” said his daughter Brandi-Lee Sproat-Tilini.

The self-described “mule ride trail boss” operated Kalaupapa Rare Adventure for over 40 years and guided thousands of visitors safely down the three-mile cliff-side trail to the isolated settlement.

“He was a man among boys,” said community member Waipa Purdy. “It’s not going to be the same without him.…

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Lei for Kalaupapa: lei-making event and Molokai donation locations

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Hui Malama Makanalua News Release

This year, June 30 marks the 45th anniversary of the end of the isolation of Hansen’s disease (leprosy) patients at the Makanalua peninsula (commonly known as Kalaupapa). In an effort to observe this anniversary and honor those who were subject to the policy, local non-profit Hui Malama Makanalua will be placing lei at every known burial site on the peninsula with their project named Lei Hali‘a O Kalaupapa (lei in remembrance of Kalaupapa), with the assistance of Kalaupapa National Park personnel.

Community members will be coming together to make and/or donate lei for the June 30th ceremony in Kalaupapa at these two locations:

Kulana ‘Oiwi on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m.…

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Learn How to Be Kind to Animals at Molokai Library

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Hawaii State Public Library News Release

The Molokai Humane Society (MHS) will present “Be Kind to Animals,” a free informational program, at Molokai Public Library on Monday, June 30 at 10 a.m. in the Reading Section.

Dr. Stewart Morgan, Molokai’s resident veterinarian, will discuss the benefits of taking care of a well-behaved pet.  Lyndon Dela Cruz, MHS President, will share information about an assortment of pets that will accompany him to the Library.

This program is suitable for all ages and will include a question-and-answer session.  Contact the Library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.…

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Second College Prep Program Graduates

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Second College Prep Program Graduates

UHMCM News Release

Planning and preparing to attend college after high school can be challenging; however, there are very clear rewards for students who plan early and work hard towards achieving their goals while still in high school.   It also takes a great amount of support from the ohana to help these students along the way.  To prepare Molokai families for the transition to college, UH Maui College, Molokai (UHMCM), the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center and the Educational Opportunity Center partnered up again to offer a second year of Ke Kukui Mohala.

The program included one workshop per month for students and their parents that focused on different college and career readiness topics. …

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OED Grants Available

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Kuha`o Business Center News Release

The County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) awards grants on an annual basis to nonprofit organizations and events that promote diversity and growth within the economy.  The FY 15 Grant Handbook and Application are now available at mauicounty.gov. Click on Mayor, then Office of Economic Development, then Grants and Awards.

If you are a nonprofit interested in submitting for an OED grant, you should submit a letter of inquiry as soon as possible.  Letters of inquiry on Molokai should be mailed to:  Maui County Office of Economic Development,   2200 Main Street, Suite 305, Wailuku, Maui 96793 or hand delivered to the Kuha`o Business Center at 2 Kamo`i Street, Suite 600 (next to The Molokai Dispatch).…

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Feds Consider Reestablishing Government-to-Government Relationship

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Dept. of Interior News Release

In response to requests from the Native Hawaiian community, Hawaii’s congressional delegation and state leaders, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced last week a first step to consider reestablishing a government-to-government relationship between the U.S. and the Native Hawaiian community.

The purpose of such a relationship would be to more effectively implement the special political and trust relationship that currently exists between the Federal government and the Native Hawaiian community. Last week’s action, known as an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), provides for an extensive series of public meetings and consultations in Hawaii and Indian Country to solicit comments that could help determine whether the Department develops a formal, administrative procedure for reestablishing an official government-to-government relationship with the Native Hawaiian community and if so, what that procedure should be.…

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