Community

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

Molokai Air Travel Developments

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Molokai Air Travel Developments

Good news may be on the horizon for Molokai air travelers. Hawaiian Airlines has announced that Molokai is one of the destinations it is looking to serve with new turbo-prop aircraft it plans to acquire. In addition, current Molokai service provider Island Air is upgrading its aircraft to allow increased passenger capacity and improved service.

Hawaiian to Expand Neighbor Island Service
Hawaiian Airlines (HA) announced last week that is has signed a “letter of intent” to acquire smaller, turbo-prop aircraft (powered by propeller rather than jet engine) with the aim of establishing a subsidiary carrier to serve airports like Molokai’s Ho`olehua Airport, which are not currently part of HA’s routes.…

Centuries of Molokai Pa`akai

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Centuries of Molokai Pa`akai

Salt: a long history of high value

For many people, salt is something found in shakers on the dinner table. But for ancient Hawaiians who harvested snow-white flakes of pa`akai from the rocky shores of Molokai, it held sacred value. After seawater dried in the sun and the remaining salt was scraped from bowl-like crevices in the lava rock, it was used in ceremonies, purification rituals, to preserve food, and even regarded like money for trading.

“[Native Hawaiians] have been harvesting salt as long as people have been here,” said
Mac Poepoe, a Molokai-born traditional resource manager. “People used to walk miles
just to collect salt.”…

Humane Society Reaches Goals, Plans for More

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Humane Society Reaches Goals, Plans for More

It’s been a year of growth for the Molokai Humane Society (MoHS), a nonprofit organization based in Ho`olehua that serves the needs of the island’s animals. At the start of the last fiscal year, MoHS had three needs –a veterinarian, land and money. With one goal accomplished, the organization’s newly-elected board of directors hope to make progress on the other two in the coming year.

A Year’s Worth of Progress
Last year, MoHS hired its first-ever full time veterinarian. Dr. Stewart Morgan moved to Molokai in November and has been administering to the animals ever since. His presence has allowed the organization to complete more procedures — from spaying and neutering to more complicated surgical procedures, according to Executive Director Jenn Whitted.…

A Test of Success

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Middle School joins three other Molokai schools in meeting state standards

Though this is the first time ever that Molokai Middle School (MMS) has met Hawaii State’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards, Principal Gary Davidson said it is the amount of improvement the school’s students have shown this year that is its biggest achievement.

AYP standards, implemented by the national No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, measure participation, proficiency and progress in math and reading. In previous years, MMS has made either the reading or the math section, but never both, which are needed to make AYP. Last year, the students were at 38 percent proficiency in math.…

Catholic Parish Gets New Priest

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Catholic Parish Gets New Priest

As a high school student in Arizona at the age of 16, Father William Petrie read a biography of St. Damien in school. That’s what started the priest’s journey in the Catholic faith, which has culminated in his installation as pastor of Molokai’s St. Damien Parish last Tuesday.

“That book inspired me so much that I decided I was going to become a priest and work with leprosy patients,” he said. “And it all came true.”

He entered seminary and joined the order of the Sacred Hearts, of which St. Damien was a member. Sixteen years after he felt called by the saint from Molokai, he went to India to work with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose mission was to serve those with leprosy, where he lived for 25 years.…

Stacy Helm Crivello for County Council

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Stacy Helm Crivello for County Council

County Council candidate and Kalama`ula Homestead resident Stacy Helm Crivello lives by the mantra: “Bringing back to Molokai.” Whether that means jobs, resources or community programs, Crivello insists that one of her top priorities is to ensure the Molokai community thrives.

Crivello describes this community as a “sharing and caring” one, for which she is thankful to be a part of. She believes serving as a council member would be a chance for her to give back to the community, and in April, she filed as a candidate for the Molokai seat on the Maui County Council, currently held by outgoing Council Chairman Danny Mateo.…

4-H Youth Steering the Herd

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

4-H Youth Steering the Herd

For youth in the Molokai 4-H club, raising and showing animals takes months of patience, preparation, and care. But participants at the organization’s annual Livestock Expo last weekend proved that all the work is worth it. Youth proudly showed off their animals large and small, while the community got to engage in their learning process and enjoy farm market goodies, raffles and auction prizes.

For senior 4-H-er Kainoa Kamakana, seven years of participation culminated in taking first place in the market steer showmanship competition on Saturday.

“It feels good [to win] – all the hard work paid off,” said Kainoa. “I encourage every child to join 4-H – it teaches a lot, [and you’re] better set for life from the skills you learn.”…

Manuwai Peters for County Council

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Manuwai Peters for County Council

While many on the Friendly Isle know Manuwai Peters as a kumu and the founder of the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (HLIP) on Molokai, less may know that he is a candidate for the Molokai seat in the Maui County Council.

“I am running in this race because it is my time to step up and apply my skills to making Molokai a better place for residents,” Peters said, via email.

The Kalama`ula homesteader said he is grateful to call Molokai home. He first started the HLIP on Molokai in 1992, and since then has helped to create immersion programs at Kualapu`u School, Molokai Intermediate School and Molokai High School.…

Ekolu Kalama Runs for House of Representatives

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Ekolu Kalama Runs for House of Representatives

Molokai-born Ekolu Kalama wears many hats –world champion stand-up paddler and surfer, celebrated musician who just released his first full-length album, owner of surf and lifestyle brand “EK,” father and husband. To add to his already long list of accomplishments, Kalama, who now lives on Maui, has filed for candidacy to run for District 12 (Spreckelsville –Upcountry Maui) of the Hawaii House of Representatives.
Kalama is running as a Republican against Democratic incumbent Kyle Yamashita.

Though Kalama has no formal experience in government or politics, he said he hopes to use this opportunity to “get [his] feet wet and learn the system.”…

Little League Hits It Big

Sunday, July 15th, 2012

Little League Hits It BigMolokai All Stars advance to state championships

The 13 boys of the Little League Majors, ages 11 to 12, came off the Maui Ferry Thursday night celebrating as District 3 champions. Having defeated defending state champion Central East Maui at the district tournament at Kalama Park, the Molokai All-Stars knew they would be headed to the state tournament.

This is the first time Molokai has made it to the state level since 2006, and it wasn’t easy.

After suffering a 13-1 loss to Central East Maui on Wednesday and the district championship title hanging in the balance, no one knew if the Molokai All-Stars would be able to turn things around.…