Community

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

Na Wahine O Ke Kai 2012

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

Na Wahine O Ke Kai 2012

With large overhead swells crashing right into Hale O Lono Harbor Sunday morning, just getting out to the starting line became a treacherous feat for paddlers competing in the 34th annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai canoe race. The surf was so big that 10 canoes were swamped, with a few vessels flipping completely, just exiting the harbor before the race started. Fortunately for Molokai’s only competing team, the wahine of Team Boomski of Wa`akapaemua Canoe Club navigated out past the breakers and made it swiftly to the starting line. They went on to finish the race, which spans about 40 miles, with a time of 7:02:46.…

Bakery Remains Closed After Another Inspection

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

Bakery Remains Closed After Another Inspection

Kanemitsu Bakery’s ovens will remain cold after failing to pass another Department of Health (DOH) inspection last Wednesday. Following a complaint in June alleging foreign substances were found in the baked goods, the bakery’s permit was suspended pending the completion of a lengthy list of sanitation improvements. Bakery owner George Kanemitsu called for Wednesday’s inspection to verify the changes had been made. While many improvements had been completed, the state inspector found that some of the necessary changes were still lacking.

“I really thought they would let me open up and fix it as we go along, but it didn’t go like that,” said Kanemitsu.…

Obituary: Steven James Schonely

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

Obituary: Steven James Schonely

Steven James Schonely passed away on Aug. 31, 2012 at his home in Kaunakakai. He was born on March 29, 1951 in Agana, Guam. He is survived by his mother Barbara Schonely of Kaunakakai, Molokai, father William Schonely of Portland, OR and his three younger siblings: Linda (Jim) Christison of Portland, OR, Rick Schonely of Kalua`aha Molokai, and Billy (Sam) Schonely of Hillsboro, OR. Steve’s passion was for the deep blue sea, where he spent many days and nights fishing the waters of Hawaii. He was also the owner of Island Kine Auto Rental & Sales.

Services will be held on Sept.…

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss

As they say, “all good things must come to an end,” and so does the 21st Century grant program. The 21st Century grant program, which is federally funded, has just entered its fifth and final year. The grant was designed to run for five years, with funds decreasing each year; so in its final year, the budget for the afterschool program is half of what it usually receives, meaning fewer classes can be offered. With the tight funds, administrators of the 21st Century grant program have decided that in its final year, the focus will be on educational activities which promote student achievement in reading and math.…

A Running Start

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

MHS’s cross country runners gain experience at MIL meet

Seven of the 14 girls from Molokai High School’s (MHS) cross country team traveled to Hana for the season’s third Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Meet on Saturday. Though none of the girls placed, the runners, who were all freshmen, got their first taste at competing in a cross country meet.

“I was proud of them because they gave it their best effort and that’s all I could ask for,” said Coach Eugene Santiago.

They started training five weeks ago, running for about three miles every practice at various locations like Ironwood Golf Course, the track at MHS, the fields at Coffees of Hawaii and along the highway.…

Country Fair for the Catholic Church

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Country Fair for the Catholic Church

Catholic parishioners on Molokai have been planning and fundraising for a new church since 1995. Now that the worship structure is a reality, the fundraising efforts haven’t stopped — one of the St. Damien Parish’s biggest annual events was held last Saturday. This year’s Country Fair at the Mitchell Pauole Center had a fundraising goal of $12,000, according to church secretary Rose Brito.

“[The Country Fair’s] purpose is to pay off our beautiful church,” said Brito.

Even with years of fundraising, the parish still has over $1.4 million in loans to pay off on the new church, said Joan Lasua, the church’s finance chair.…

Fruit of the Land

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Fruit of the Land

New Molokai Fruit Stand markets local produce

A few months ago, Kalamaula Homesteader and third generation farmer Gene Ross Davis found himself in a predicament. His tomato crops had yielded too many tomatoes for on-island consumption, but not enough to ship off-island. In order for it to be profitable for him to ship his tomatoes for sale off-island, he would need enough to fill an entire palate of 25-pound boxes –nearly 500 pounds total of tomatoes. With the help of his wife Rosie, Davis found another way to market his produce –he opened a fruit and vegetable stand on his property last week.…

Raising Suicide Awareness This Month

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Dr. Stephanie Napoli, Behavioral Health Director, MCHC

A boy’s girlfriend just broke up with him. His parents tell him “I told you so”. His classmates gossip and laugh about it on Facebook. His best friend is too busy with his own girlfriend to talk. The boy isolates in his room and thinks, “I wish I was dead. I might as well be. Nobody cares.”

Alone, empty, rageful, worthless, trapped in nothingness. These are just some of the words people use to describe how they feel as they consider suicide. These are also some of the words people use to describe how they feel when a loved one does take his or her own life.…

Strokes Ahead

Sunday, September 16th, 2012

Strokes Ahead

Wa`akapaemua Canoe Club continues a strong season

While Molokai is an island rich with skilled paddlers, members from one canoe club in particular –Wa`akapaemua –has been making quite the splash this season. Last weekend, both the men’s and women’s teams competed in the annual Pailolo Challenge, which spans the 26-mile channel between West Maui and South Molokai. The men took first in the Men’s open division and a close second in the overall race with a time of 2:55:33, while the women came in seventh in the Women’s open division with a time of 3:46:33.

Molokai Canoe Club also competed in the Men’s open division, finishing with a time of 3:40:42.…

Boxing in the Home Ring

Sunday, September 16th, 2012

Boxing in the Home Ring

First sanctioned amateur event on Molokai this weekend

For the first time in over 30 years, young Molokai boxers will be able to slip on their gloves and hear their name chanted as they face off in front of friends and family on their home island. Old timers remember the last boxing matches held on Molokai in the early 1980s, but this weekend, the Molokai Southside Boxing Club will host the first USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur event on the island that anyone can recall. The event is drawing fighters ages 8 to 24 from around the state for 21 confirmed bouts.

For Molokai youth, the Molokai Southside Boxing Invitational is a chance to compete on their home turf and gain valuable experience in the ring, which is limited because traveling to off-island sanctioned events is so expensive.…