Community

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

Plugging Into the Sun

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Plugging Into the Sun

Molokai residents receive mixed news about installing solar

Around Hawaii, residents and business owners are eager to utilize the sun’s energy to reduce their electricity bills and help malama the environment. Molokai is at the forefront of that movement, with many residents waiting to install photovoltaic (PV) panels on their roofs. Current technology, however, limits the amount of renewable energy that can be fed into the island-wide electricity grid while maintaining reliability of electric service, according to Maui Electric Company (MECO).

A recent change in the statewide criteria used to determine how much renewable energy can be incorporated into grid may bring good news for some residents.…

Media Literacy

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Alestra Menendez

Media is a means of communication. The exciting thing about media in the 21st century is that it is the hands of the beholder, as opposed to being transmitted by few to the masses, as is the case with traditional news, television and radio. This is especially important for today’s tech savvy youth, and on Molokai, the Molokai Art and Media Academy is guiding youth to analyze, evaluate and yes, create their own media.

From Oct. 1 to 5, the organization is holding a Media Literacy Academy for youth ages 13 to 18 during the fall school intersession.…

Letter: Walter Ritte, Candidate for OHA At Large Seat

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Letter: Walter Ritte, Candidate for OHA At Large Seat

I am running for the At Large seat for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Everyone, Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians, can vote on Nov. 6, General Election Day.

I am not running against Colette Machado for the Molokai seat. If I get elected to the At Large Seat, Molokai will have two OHA trustees. This will be good for Molokai because Colette and I have worked well together in the past, even though we have been on opposite sides on several issues.

Please let your `ohana know that I will need statewide help and support, as there is only one At Large seat and there are six people running for that one seat.…

50th Wedding Anniversary on Molokai

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

50th Wedding Anniversary on Molokai

Last week, we celebrated our 50th anniversary and vow renewal at St. Damien Church. We chose Molokai for our celebration because of the island’s inspiration, people, culture and friendliness. This is our sixth’s trip to the island; we spend every Sept. and October here, and always celebrate our anniversary here on Sept. 15.

Mahalo nui loa, Molokai, for making our 50th anniversary a very special day and for helping us to experience and enjoy the true Hawaiian culture and aloha spirit.

Pictured left to right in the back row are our children Michael, Christi and Cindy; photo by Mae Alvarez.

Ron and Mary Neale and family
Evansville, Indiana…

Biodiesel: A Viable Option

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Biodiesel: A Viable Option

Molokai farmers explore renewable energy alternatives

Kukui nuts have long been used by Hawaiians for food and medicinal purposes, but it may soon be also used for fuel –specifically, biodiesel fuel. Wayde Lee, who created the Molokai Sustainable Farming Project (MSFP) last year, has been exploring biodiesel initiatives that he said may lead to economic stability and energy security for Molokai farmers. Recently, they’ve been working with Maui-based company Pacific Biodiesel (PBD) to discuss the possibility of eventually developing a crushing and processing plant on-island that would produce biodiesel fuel for Molokai from crops farmed on Molokai.

According to Wescott Lee, Wayde’s brother and MSFP’s project facilitator, over 2.5 million gallons of diesel are imported to Molokai every year, most of which goes towards powering the Maui Electric Company Molokai electric plant.…

Painting a Retrospective

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Painting a Retrospective

Molokai Artist Miyako Yamazaki’s work on display at Arts Center

Contemporary artist Miyako Yamazaki has had her fair share of success as an artist. She has worked as a fashion illustrator for companies like Christian Dior and Barneys New York, designed packaging for Japan Airlines, been featured in prominent galleries in Tokyo, and is a published author of two books. However, she said her aspirations in life were never to be widely rich or successful. Instead, what she truly wished to do was to “paint like a child.” This childlike spirit shines through in her vibrant animal canvas art, which captures the innocence and joy of nature, inviting viewers to reconnect with their own sense of wonder.…

Home Field Advantage

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Home Field Advantage

Farmers Football beats Hana 42-0

The Farmers football team dominated their home field against Hana High Dragons on Saturday, winning 42-0. This was the first home game of the season, and the win brings their record to 1-1, having been defeated by Seabury Hall last week on Maui.
The Farmers’ offensive line scored five touchdowns in the first half and one in the second. Their solid defense kept Hana from scoring any points the entire game.

“The best thing [about this game] was that everybody had an opportunity to play,” said Molokai High School’s (MHS) head coach Mike Kahale after the game.…

A Night at the Grove

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

A Night at the Grove

Island reggae artist J Boog had concert-goers at Coconut Grove on their feet Friday night with popular favorites like “Sunshine Girl” and “Let’s Do It Again.”  The California native has worked with known artists like Fiji, Peetah Morgan and Monsta.  J Boog released his second and latest album, “Backyard Boogie,” in September of last year, which topped the charts on iTunes reggae.

The all-ages event, presented by HI Finest, also featured Hot Rain, Kiwini and Laga Savea.…

Beyond Big Wind

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Scope of clean energy initiatives broadens

When the Wind Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) scoping meeting was conducted in February of last year, many Molokai residents stood outside of the Mitchell Pauole Center waving signs that protested the state’s proposed Big Wind and undersea cable initiatives. From the comments that were made then, the panel, made up of both state and federal officials, returned to the drawing board and drafted instead the Hawaii Clean Energy PEIS, which promises to analyze not only wind energy, but a broader range of renewable energy initiatives and technologies, according to the initiative’s website. The goal is to meet 70 percent of Hawaii’s energy needs through energy efficiency and renewable energy by 2030.…

Prize Fighters

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

Prize Fighters

The crowd at Molokai High School’s Barn cheered wildly as the official raised 15-year-old Michaiah Soares’ hand as the winner of his match. Soares, who has been training with Molokai Southside Boxing Club for the past two years, defeated his opponent Tre Acang after three two-minute bouts. The win brings his amateur fighting record to 3-1.

Fighters from across the state traveled to compete in the Molokai Southside Boxing Invitational, the first sanctioned amateur boxing event on Molokai. Other victors from Molokai included Jordan Manangan, age 10, Kazmero Zeithammel, 13, Simon Blair, 19 and Hunter Manaba, 15. The event on Saturday featured 21 matches.…