Community

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

Unattended Vehicle Causes Power Outage in Kaunakakai

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Unattended Vehicle Causes Power Outage in Kaunakakai

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

Residents of Kaunakakai were left without power Friday night after an unoccupied truck crashed into a utility pole. The truck had been left in neutral on the hill near Molokai General Hospital, according to police. Shortly after 10 p.m., it careened backward, totaling the vehicle and toppling the pole.

Witnesses said they heard a loud crash followed by a big flash of light. No injuries were reported.

About 500 residents were without electricity for approximately an hour, and the utility pole was replaced the following day, according to Maui Electric.…

Playing, Fundraising and Homecoming for MHS Athletics

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Playing, Fundraising and Homecoming for MHS Athletics

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai High boys basketball won the last game of their regular season over St. Anthony, as well as celebrated Farmer Homecoming last Friday. Closing the night at the Barn with a 44-40 score, the team also honored their two seniors, David Rapanot, and Likeke Schonely. The boys will play in the MIL championship this weekend.

In an effort to boost homecoming attendance and raise money for the cash-short Molokai athletics department, stakes were raised for one lucky game attendee to win $10,000 by making a half-court shot. Shirley Rawlins of Rawlins Chevron and David Mikami of Molokai Drugs donated the money, and tickets for the drawing sold for $5.…

Ikehu Molokai Energy Project Update

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Ikehu Molokai News Release

Mahalo to the Molokai community for your many expressions of support for the Ikehu Molokai project. Thanks also for the many comments and feedback on the project.  Among other things, we have heard concerns about impacts on the Manila Camp neighborhood if the project is located there, visual and wildlife impacts from possible wind turbines in the west end, impacts on water from use of the reservoirs.

We have also heard that the basic goals of the project are very welcome on Molokai.  These goals include rate relief, grid stability, island self-sufficiency, leaving plenty of room for more rooftop solar, and energy emergency preparedness. …

Chinese New Year with the Chungs

Friday, February 7th, 2014

Chinese New Year with the Chungs

“Kung Hee Fat Choy,” meaning “congratulate you with prosperity,” is how you say Happy New Year, said Mrs. Chung with outstretched arms, cheerfully handing festive treats and gifts to visitors.

“It is a very inspiring saying,” she said. “It reminds us how lucky we are to be Chinese and to have this tradition to observe.”

For Mrs. Chung and her husband Mel, this time of the season means good food, good company and a time to celebrate their heritage. Red and gold lanterns, banners and decorative firecrackers adorned their business, Shop 2 & Beauty Salon. Guests were welcomed with Chinese music and lucky candies, and left with knowledge in rifle history and best wishes, starting the New Year off with a bang.…

Kualapu`u School 5K Race Series

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Kualapu`u School 5K Race Series

Kualapu`u School News Release

Kualapu`u Charter School announces the first of six 5K fun-raising races to be held this Saturday, Feb. 8.  All interested runners, joggers and walkers are invited to come to Coffees of Hawaii this Saturday to race.  Registration begins at 8 a.m.  Event start time is 8:30 a.m. The $10 adult registration fee will be used to send a team of Kualapu`u School runners to Oahu for the Honolulu 5K for Kids, slated for April 27.  There is no entry fee for students.

The six races in the series will be used as qualifying races for Kualapu`u School’s six member team that competes on Oahu.…

`Aha Ho`okuku `Olelo

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Hui Hoʻola ʻOlelo News Release

Welina e ko Molokai, e na makamaka o ia `aina momona nei.

In celebration of Mahina Aloha `Olelo (Hawaiian Language Month), February, we will be hosting our first `Aha Ho`okuku `Olelo (Hawaiian Language Competition) on Molokai. This event will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 at Kulana `Oiwi Halau. It is open to all levels of Hawaiian Language speakers. There will be two categories: Ho`opa`ana`au (Memorized Verse) and Uluwale (Impromptu). You may choose to enter in just one category or both. Levels will be separated by grades for youth and by skill for adult entries.

Our theme, “He ali`i ka `aina, he kauwa ke kanaka,” honors our ali`i as well as our `aina of Molokai.…

Zachary Helm: A Career of Building Services

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Zachary Helm: A Career of Building Services

After spending more than 30 years building dozens of programs and facilities while serving as the island’s first Department of Parks and Recreation District Supervisor, Zachary Helm has retired. From Kilohana to Maunaloa, softball leagues to youth programs, community centers to playgrounds, Helm has left a huge mark on Molokai during his career.

Among his biggest accomplishments, Helm counts the building of a $1.4 million baseyard for the Molokai Department of Parks and Rec at Duke Maliu Park, which now houses a maintenance shop, vehicle and equipment storage, office space and a staff area. Before its completion in 2010, the department has no centralized headquarters and lacked adequate storage.…

Veterans Corner

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Veterans Corner

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with the veterans news. All of you football fans know that the NFL just played the Pro Bowl in Honolulu on Sunday, Jan. 26. A good friend Scotty Schaefer and his wife Lynette decided to go to the game, along with their son Masi, who lives on Oahu, and myself.

We began to plan the details, and I called the NFL offices in New York City and spoke with Terry Wooten in the special events department. He was great, and set us up with four tickets in the handicapped section.…

Hundreds Testify on GMO and Pesticide Bill

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

More than 100 Molokai residents sat all day outside Molokai’s county offices last Tuesday, waiting to testify on a proposed Maui County bill aimed at regulating pesticide use and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

As currently written, the bill would establish mandatory disclosure requirements for commercial agricultural companies using certain quantities of pesticides, create buffer zones around schools, other public areas and bodies of water, and require public notification before pesticide applications. It also calls for the county to complete studies on the possible environmental and health impacts of large-scale agricultural companies that use pesticides and GMOs.

Introduced by Maui Council Member Elle Cochran, the bill resembles one passed into law on Kauai in November.…

Molokai Farmers’ Half-Court Shot for $10,000

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Rawlins Chevron and Molokai Drugs News Release

Some lucky fan will win $10,000 if s/he can make a shot from the half-court at Molokai High School’s Barn.

The “Molokai Farmers’ half-court shot at $10,000” is a fundraiser for the Molokai High athletics department. One randomly chosen ticket owner (age 18 or older) will attempt the shot on Friday, Feb. 7, at halftime of the boys’ varsity game against St. Anthony School. The fundraiser is sponsored by Shirley Rawlins of Rawlins Chevron and David Mikami of Molokai Drugs.

Tickets are currently being sold at $5 each at Molokai General Store and Rawlins Chevron.…