Community

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

Domestic Violence Leads to Fatal Shooting

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Last Wednesday night, 24-year-old Malia Kahalewai was fatally shot at Kawela Barns in a tragedy that shook Molokai. Police responded to a 911 call around 10 p.m. and found Kahalewai with a single gunshot wound to her chest. She was taken to Molokai General Hospital in critical condition, where she died, according to police.

Crime scenes of fatal shootings like this should be left untouched for the authorities to conduct a thorough forensic investigation and collection of evidence. Then, a clean-up can be done by a company that specializes in crime scene cleanup services. 

Police arrested Kahalewai’s boyfriend, Marlin Lavoie, 33, Thursday morning after he surrendered himself.…

Celebrating Coffees

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

Celebrating Coffees

Coffee, keiki and good causes brought the crowds up to Kualapu`u this weekend as Coffees of Hawaii celebrated 20 years of harvests in the area and 200 years of coffee in Hawai`i.

“She was pretty much abandoned when I came here ten years ago,” Coffees of Hawaii owner Mike Atherton said about the plantation, adding he was proud that he was able to keep the company harvesting coffee through the years.

March 16 was declared Coffees of Hawaii Day at the opening ceremonies Friday. The event led into an afternoon parade and evening festivities, including Project Runway: Plantation Style, where teams competed at the Kualapu`u Center to create the best fashion piece out of burlap and plastic paper without sewing.…

Breaking News: Fatal Shooting on Molokai UPDATED

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Last updated at 3 p.m. March 21, 2013

Last night a 24-year-old female was fatally shot at Kawela Barns Apartments. The 911 call was reported at 9:59 p.m. Police reported the victim, who has been identified as Malia Kahalewai, as having a single gunshot wound in the chest. She was transported to Molokai General Hospital in critical condition, according to a police press release. She passed away as a result of her injuries.

Police have identified the suspect as 33-year-old Marlin L. Lavoie, who fled the scene last night in a small Honda, compact vehicle heading east on Kamehameha V Highway.…

Expansion for Island Air

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Expansion for Island Air

With a new owner and a new plane, Island Air is entering into a period of expansion and growth. Company president Les Murashige, who entered the position in October, shared his thoughts on recent buyer Larry Ellison, the ATR 72 aircraft and Hawaiian Airline’s entrance into the Molokai market.

“We have always wanted to provide service throughout Hawaii,” Murashige said last Thursday. “With our new ownership and their commitment, we can [expand].”

One way the company is expanding and improving is with the addition of new aircraft to their fleet. The ATR 72 turboprop holds 64 passengers, nearly twice as many as the Dash 8 turboprop, which is what the airlines has used.…

Prince Kuhio Day 2013 – UPDATED

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Please note: Location of the Molokai Prince Kuhio celebration this Saturday is at Lanikeha in Ho`olehua, not at Kiowea Park as originally noted. 

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was next in line for the throne when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1894. Though this was when the Hawaiian monarchy came to an end, it was just the beginning of a lifetime of activism and accomplishments for Prince Kuhio.

Prince Kuhio went to prison for treason as he attempted to restore the monarchy. He left Hawaii after being released from prison, and when he returned, Hawaii was a territory of the U.S.…

Mateo’s Mana`o

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Mateo’s Mana`o

 

Danny Mateo’s time as Maui County council chair ended at noon Jan. 2. The next minute he started his work in the Mayor’s office as an executive assistant and liaison for the county and State legislature.

“Retirement for me is not in the immediate future,” he said over coffee at Kanemitsu Bakery Saturday. “I still have a lot to offer. As long as there is fire in the fireplace I will continue what I do.”

This means Mateo will continue to be a voice for the people of Molokai and work to improve the island, something he did for 10 years as a councilmember before he reached his term limit.  …

Class of 2019 Comes Together

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Class of 2019 Comes Together

The class of 2019 got together in lifeboats last Friday morning and decided what items to keep and which to toss overboard. Each group’s decisions had to be unanimous, and they had to work quickly as their lifeboats took on water. These sixth graders from across the island weren’t preparing for Sunday’s heavy rains, though. The lifeboats were picnic tables, and the 104 students were getting ready for middle school.

“As they transition older in life, there’s going to be less boundaries and more decision-making,” said Kekama Helm from the Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center (QLCC), one of the organizations that came to the Kualapu`u Recreation Center for the transition day.…

Chamber of Commerce Offers Scholarship

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Molokai Chamber of Commerce News Release

Molokai Chamber of Commerce will award two scholarships of $500 each to Molokai High School and University of Hawaii Maui College Molokai Campus students who are in good standing this year and will attend an accredited college or University to pursue a post-secondary education in business or related studies.

The deadline to submit completed applications is April 15.

Applications are available at Molokai High School through counselor Alanna Kahoohanohano (808-567-6950 ext 281), at MCMC through Molokai advisor Nahiwa Naki (808-553-4490 ext. 23) and online at http://molokaichamber.org/scholarship.

For more information, contact info@molokaichamber.org. Mahalo and best of luck!…

Les Misérables: A Reflection on Bullying

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Community Contributed By Heather Williams

“Les Misérables,” the Hollywood musical, caused me to think, as all good art will do, about my own life and the human response. Written in 1862, a true classic suspends time to relate characters with modern concurrent issues. Each character is an archetype of how we choose to follow our own souls. The antagonist (Javert), obsessed with power and control over a man (Jean Valjean), containing power within which cannot be diminished or broken down. Sound familiar? “Les Misérables,” on screen now at this current time of American bullying culture rampant in our schools, institutions, families and personal lives.…

5K Race Results — 3.9.13

Friday, March 15th, 2013

Molokai Middle and Kualapu`u Charter schools news release

Rain clouds parted this weekend for the second race in the Kualapu’u Charter and Molokai Middle schools 5K series.  Racing under cool, wet road conditions, MHS basketball standout Kaimana Kahale pulled away from MMS honor student Kaina Adolpho shortly after the mid-point turnaround.  The two runners finished first in their respective divisions with times of 21:25 and 22:18.  Winning first in the elementary school division was first-time contender Bucky James Torres who had an impressive debut, running 26:16 for the 3.1 mile course.

For the women, the duel continued between Jessie Ford and Sue Forbes, with Sue attributing her win to foregoing libations and an early night’s sleep.…