Community

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

Suds for Service

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

Suds for Service

Family and friends of four ministries and churches held a free car wash Saturday behind the Store House in order to serve the community as well as to present the gospel in a new and fun way.

Though the church suggested a $1 donation, after the wash, the driver would unexpectedly receive their dollar back. Pastor Bill Umi said their main goal was to “see them drive away blessed.”

“It’s not our intention [to receive donations]” said Umi. “We want to really explain that this is a labor of worship.”

Umi said he originally got the idea from a Pastor in Canada and that this event was the first of its kind on Molokai.…

HallowHim Ushers in Season of Giving

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

HallowHim Ushers in Season of Giving

Volunteers served food, pictured here, during this year’s HallowHim on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Held annually at the Kaunakakai Baptist Church, the event offered a non-scary and family-friendly alternative to Halloween with a traditional All Hallow’s Eve celebration the night before All Saint’s Day.

More than 1,000 people attended the event, according to Pastor Cameron Hiro, one of this year’s organizers. Families enjoyed games, candy and live music performances, and received free food, haircuts and shoes for keiki.…

The Tree of Life

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, UH County Extension Agent

Breadfruit is one of foods of our past and also our future, and can help to address food security in Hawaii and the tropical world. Through the efforts of Dr. Diane Ragone of the Breadfruit Institute, a part of Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden, extensive breadfruit collections can be found in Hana on Maui and also on Kauai. Of the 120 varieties in the collection, many are being threatened with extinction in the wild due to land use changes, especially development.

Some of the best varieties have no seed and are difficult of propagate.…

Workshop for Backyard Egg Farmers and Buyers

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service News Release

There will be a free workshop to assist those raising chickens for eggs as well as buyers. The workshop will cover candling and grading of shell eggs, washing and good handling practices, packaging and labeling, compliance with federal and state laws, and resources for the backyard egg farmer.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center Activity Room at Kulana Oiwi.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own eggs for Q and A, and hands on candling practice. Speakers will include Mrs.…

Waving Goodbye to Domestic Violence

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

Waving Goodbye to Domestic Violence

Hale Ho’omalu News Release

This year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month of October ended as it began with sign-waving on the highway.  Lynda Dudoit, Kalola Kaulili, Rose Pettigrew and Kammy Purdy, pictured here, urged passersby to join in the cause of ending domestic violence.

October’s events included the annual Candlelight Vigil at Kaunakakai Baptist Church, held in memory of those who lost their lives to domestic violence.  Molokai’s own beloved Malia Kahalewai was honored in this year’s vigil.  Unfortunately, domestic violence remains a threat for many families.

Here is a list of questions that can predict whether you or someone you love could become a victim of domestic violence. …

Costume Contest Brings Big Crowd

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Costume Contest Brings Big Crowd

Zombies, clowns, giant sweets and superheroes of all ages put on a show and strutted their stuff Thursday at this year’s Lions Club Halloween Costume Contest.

Over 140 costumed contestants presented their scariest, cutest and most original Halloween-wear to Lions Club members on the Kaunakakai Public Library’s front lawn with cash prizes of $10 for first place, $5 for second and an ICEE coupon for third.

“This year, more kids are making their own costumes and it’s fun seeing how creative they can get,” said Lion Linda Mina.

This year’s results are still a little fuzzy as Lion member judges viewed a monster mash of costumes, however the recorded winners are as follows:

For the baby to preschool category, Liliu McGuire won cutest costume as a lamb; Kileona Kanawaliwali won scariest as a witch; and Lehue Rawlins-Elalins won most original as an aloha float.…

Lessons on the Pacific Ocean

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Molokai elementary students got a chance to dive into learning about the Pacific Ocean when a giant traveling map from the National Geographic came to visit. Measuring 26 by 35 feet, it’s one of the world’s largest maps of the world’s largest ocean. The map is printed on smooth vinyl with bright colors that can be spread on the floor, giving students the opportunity to learn about geography in a fun, interactive way. The map was on loan to Hawaii schools from Oct. 15 through Dec. 20, and visited Molokai last week.

Teachers were provided with a curriculum and activities for the map.…

Farmers Take Aim at States

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Farmers Take Aim at States

Two Molokai shooters represented the Farmers at the state championships for air riflery two weeks ago. Senior Pono Chow on the boys side and sophomore Pomai Gomes from the girls team gave it their best shot after the Farmers came in third in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championship Oct. 19.

“They’re already champions,” said Molokai girls coach Eddie Gorospe. [They’re two of the] 42 best shooters in Hawaii — just going [to states] is an accomplishment.”

Chow came in 24th place out of 42 male shooters in the state competition with 495 points out of a possible 600. Gomes finished in 27th place with 490 points out of the 42 girls competing.…

Breaking the Cycle

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Preventing Sexual Abuse

An estimated one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before they turn 18, according to child abuse experts. In a statewide study conducted in 2011 by the University of Hawaii’s School of Social Work that examined community children and family conditions , it revealed that “Molokai needed to be worked on” in terms of protecting children from sexual abuse.

“Sexual abuse on this island is rampant. It’s the last big secret. Almost every single family has somebody who has been molested.” said one anonymous Molokai participant in the study.

In response, former Molokai police detective Gene Santiago joined with concerned community members in 2012 to create a project that prevents child sexual abuse on Molokai through the Consuelo Foundation, an organization working to prevent child neglect.…

Longevity Spinach

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Longevity Spinach

Community Contributed

By Paul Fischer

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about growing Okinawan spinach in buckets.  I have also been growing another perennial salad herb that grows well on Molokai.  Its scientific name is gynura procumbens, but it is also known as “longevity spinach” or “cholesterol spinach.” The plant is native to southeast Asia, and is widely known for its nutritional and medicinal values.  Proponents claim it fights a variety of ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even cancer.  However, I feel it is worth growing just to eat.   This plant is quite hardy and prolific. …