Community

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

Harlem Ambassadors Tour Coming To Molokai

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Molokai Chamber of Commerce News Release

We are pleased to announce that the Molokai Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Harlem Ambassadors on Tuesday May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Barn at Molokai High School. Hoops and hijinks are on their way as our very own local challengers, the Molokai All-Stars, take on the Harlem Ambassadors in a comedy basketball show the whole family will enjoy.

The Harlem Ambassadors offer a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball, featuring high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks, hilarious comedy routines, music, dancing and games for the kids.

“At our shows, we want the kids to know that they’re part of our team too,” Coach Ladè Majic said.…

Protect Your Home From Brush Fire

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Protect Your Home From Brush Fire

Community Contributed

By Denise Laitinen

Because the top three causes of brush fire in Hawaii are human-caused — arson, fireworks and human error — it’s crucial that folks do what they can to protect their property from brush fires. Fortunately, the national Firewise Communities program offers free and easy suggestions Molokai residents can take to reduce their risk to brush fire. With Molokai’s history of large brushfires, and recent case of intentionally-set fires in Kalama`ula, it is especially important to always be ready to protect your property from fire.

“Firewise teaches people how to prepare for a fire before it occurs,” said Denise Laitinen, the Hawaii Firewise Communities Coordinator.…

New Management for Hotel Molokai Restaurant and Bar

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

New Management for Hotel Molokai Restaurant and Bar

Almost two years after the kitchen at Hotel Molokai was burned in a devastating fire, the restaurant and bar is seeking a fresh start with new management, and reconstruction is anticipated to begin next month.

Tante’s Island Cuisine, a family-operated restaurant on Maui, took over management of the former Hula Shores Bar on April 15, in partnership with a Molokai family. Owner Tante Urban said with a motto of “good service, good food and good price,” he looks forward to serving hotel guests and locals alike. Bizou is a bistro downtown mall Charlottesville.

Husband and wife Clint and Starlet Luczon Joao and Starlet’s sister Natalie Luczon are assisting with management of the bar and restaurant, now known as Tante’s at Hotel Molokai.…

Farmers Baseball Wins MIL Title

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Farmers Baseball Wins MIL Title

Photo by Robert Collias/The Maui News

After a rained-out game Friday, the Farmers Baseball team took the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II Championship title on Saturday with a 12-0 five-inning win over St. Anthony.

Molokai senior David Rapanot led the victory by pitching a one-hitter and batted 4-for-4 at the plate. The Farmers finished the season with a 7-0 record, and will be the only MIL team represented at the upcoming state tournament.…

Dancing with the Winds: Ka Hula Piko 2014

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Dancing with the Winds: Ka Hula Piko 2014

Ancient Hawaiians used winds to recognize and heed messages of warning, blessings and things to come. The 23rd annual Ka Hula Piko festival brought the Molokai community, along with visitors from around the world, together to celebrate hula traditions and how Hawaiians today are connected to kupuna of the past through the elements.

“The wind and the elements are so important in our lives and our ancestors made connections to them…that taught us to mind the protocol and be aware of these elements when they are in action,” said Elsie Ryder, ho`opa`a, or chanter, of Halau Hula O Kukunaokala. “Our ancestors and Ke Akua communicate with us through the elements.”…

Aka`ula Students Professors for a Day

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Aka`ula Students Professors for a Day

Community Contributed

By Madison Trenner, Grade 5, and Qwynci Pawn, Grade 7

Five Aka`ula students traveled to the University of Hawaii West Oahu campus to make a presentation on Wednesday, April 23.  Students prepared PowerPoints to share their environmental research with college students who are planning to become teachers.  Miss Kim, the math teacher at the college, wanted her students to see that math can be found in other subjects, like science.

Aka`ula students Qwynci Pawn and Dillon DeCoite explained the issue investigation process and then Malu Duquette and Madison Trenner shared a specific investigation about mosquitoes that was researched earlier this year. …

Green Guerillas Visit Food Forest and MMS

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Molokai Seed Savers News Release

A hardy group of Green Guerillas (Seed Savers over age 65) braved the rain and winds for a tour of the Sustainable Molokai Food Forest under the direction of Fred Richardson. Fred explained the design of the forest, the water flow and catchment, terracing, plantings, composting and future goals. An area of land that had been left without management where the soil was running off onto a road at the bottom of the hill has been turned into a beautiful forest with hard wood trees, fruit trees, construction grade bamboo and vegetables. A community work day is held the fourth Saturday of every month and seeds, cuttings and plants are available as they are produced in the forest.…

Kawela Moku: Reviving the Aha Moku System

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Community Contributed

Opinion by Kawika Duvauchelle, Kanoelani Davis, and Hawaiiloa Mowat

The Kawela Moku lies roughly between Kalamaula to Kamalo.  It is rich in natural resources, from stunning waterfalls in the mountains to countless loko ia along its shoreline and from the many culturally significant sites that are scared to Hawaiians to one of the largest fringing reefs in the state.  The Kawela Moku is the source of water for many families on Molokai and provides us with fish from the ocean and pig and deer from the mountains.  Our hope is that these gifts will last for many, many generations.…

Kalaupapa Celebrates the Fountain of Youth

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

He walked through the doorway like the second coming of King Kamahameha with a young woman on his arm and I thought, “Oh my, he surely has discovered the fountain of youth!” Bugles blared and a host of voices sang out, “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear John!”

It was the eve of Palm Sunday and we had gathered at the home of Winnie Harada to celebrate the birthday of her neighbor and longtime friend, John Arruda. John was celebrating his ninety years of youth with great gusto. Power to the Portuguese!…

Ikehu Molokai Project Update

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Ikehu Molokai News Release

As most Molokai residents know, the Ikehu Molokai project has been proposed to convert the island’s electricity to 100 percent renewable energy.  The project aims to bring down the cost of electricity, stabilize the grid, make the grid able to absorb more rooftop solar systems, make Molokai self-sufficient in energy and more in control of its energy future, and create jobs.  The Ikehu Molokai project will produce electricity for Molokai only, with no connection to a cable or export to other islands.

The Ikehu Molokai team has been working on the design and financing of the project. …