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Community

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

Ka Hula Piko Festival 2012

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Ka Hula Piko Festival 2012

Halau Hula O Kukunaokala News Release

This year’s Molokai Ka Hula Piko festival will be held Thursday May 3 to Saturday May 5. This year’s theme celebrates our kupuna and is “Lei `ia Molokai ke aloha hulu mamo,” or “Molokai wreath in the love of the ancestors.” We honor our kupuna both living and of old who have perpetuated and preserved the traditions and knowledge of our culture that we have today.

Thursday’s festivities include two on-site excursions and an evening lecture. Friday we will be showing a documentary film titled “The Hidden,” featuring the late Kumu Hula John Kaimikaua, with a short Q&A to follow.…

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Kudos for Kumu Farms

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Kudos for Kumu Farms

Molokai farm commended for business and service.

As one of Molokai’s longest-standing and most successful farms, Kumu Farms knew they were headed in the right direction. Over the past 30 years, they have become the largest exporter of organic papaya to the U.S. mainland, according to owner Grant Schule. About four years ago, they expanded their market to serve the local community, offering residents and visitors of Molokai a variety of organic produce fresh from the fields of the 120 acre-farm in Ho`olehua.

Their efforts were confirmed last month, when Kumu Farm’s commitment to agriculture and the community won them two awards — Edible Hawaiian Islands Magazine’s Local Heroes farm category, and the County of Maui’s Exceptional Small Business Award.…

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Aloha Honua

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Aloha Honua

Biologist Bill Puleloa receives first ever Malama Kuleana Honua Award.

This year’s annual Molokai Earth Day celebration, hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) marked the beginning of a new tradition –the “Malama Kuleana Honua” (Caring Responsibly for Earth) Honorary award. William “Bill” Puleloa, a recently retired aquatic biologist for the state’s Department of Land and Resources, was its first recipient. He was commended at Earth Day for his work with monitoring the conditions of Molokai streams, collaborating with local fishermen and researching the native honu, or green sea turtles.

“Bill has always been a resource and supporter to conserving our resources,” said Ed Misaki, TNC’s Program Director.…

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Ultimate Diva Pageant 2012

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Ultimate Diva Pageant 2012

Runner up Alara Deschanel, Ultimate Diva Kyelah West Williams, and Second up Runner Cloe Jaycins pose with last year’s Ultimate Diva Miss Bubbalicious at this year’s 4th annual Ultimate Diva Pageant.  The event, hosted by Hotel Molokai, featured transgender talents who shimmied, shook, and strutted their stuff last Saturday night.…

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Celebrating Song: Raiatea Helm

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Celebrating Song: Raiatea Helm

Nominations: Female Vocalist of the Year, Island Music Album of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year, Graphics Award

Album name: “Sea of Love”

The Molokai Dispatch (TMD): Tell us a little about this album.
Raiatea Helm (RH): This album is my sixth project, and it covers the era of 1950s and 60s Hawaiian music. A lot of people aren’t familiar with this type of music, which consists of jazz guitar and percussion. It’s more of a fun sound that I wanted to feature in this album. Eighty percent of this CD was recorded in a live setting so we could capture the feel they had 50 years ago.…

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Celebrating Song: Kanohowailuku Helm

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Celebrating Song: Kanohowailuku Helm

Nominations: Contemporary Album of the Year

Album name: “Contagious”

The Molokai Dispatch (TMD): Tell us a little about this album.
Kanoho Helm (KH): It’s all original music that I wrote, and I’ve always wanted to put out an album of my own music. This is my first full-length album – there are 12 tracks – so hopefully there is more to come.

TMD: Was being nominated for a Na Hoku Award one of your goals?
KH: I’m actually surprised I made the nomination because I didn’t put much time into promotion because I had so much kuleana come up in my personal life and being a part of I Aloha Molokai [group against commercial wind energy], I just didn’t have time.…

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Celebrating Song: Eddie Tanaka

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Celebrating Song: Eddie Tanaka

Nominations: Island Music Album of the Year
Album name: “Mystical Molokai”

The Molokai Dispatch (TMD): Tell us a little about this album.
Eddie Tanaka (ET): There are seven original songs and four covers, and a lot of the songs are written for Molokai or have some relation to Molokai. It is basically easy listening music. It was written more or less to remember a place –for people who came to Molokai and went back home, the music would bring them back, which is what I wanted to do. It is something to remember in the future.

TMD: What does this nomination mean to you?…

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Molokai Swine Clinic

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

UH News Release

The Hawaiian Home Lands Agriculture Extension Program will host a Molokai Swine Production Clinic/Tour on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop is open to producers who currently produce swine or who are interested in learning more about selection and management.

Special guest will be Dr. Halina Zaleski who serves as the UH CTAHR Swine Production/Management & Reproductive Physiology Specialist. Dr. Zaleski specializes in swine production management, including artificial insemination, livestock waste management, herd health and biosecurity, and swine welfare. Dr. Zaleski is a certified trainer for the National Pork Board’s Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program.…

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Drug Disposal Day

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

Molokai Drugs News Release

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Molokai at Molokai Drugs on May 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events or who have accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

“This is a nation-wide effort to dispose of medications correctly so it protects our oceans and water systems and keeps drugs from getting into the hands of people it doesn’t belong to,” said Molokai Drugs Pharmacist Kelly Go. “It gives Molokai residents the opportunity to hand over their unused or expired medications correctly.”…

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Redeeming Lives

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

Redeeming Lives

Drug court judge retires after helping hundreds.

Imagine being a young parent in an unhappy, abusive relationship. Feeling hopeless, you turn to drugs and before you know it, you’re facing jail time for crimes you committed under the influence. But thanks to Second Circuit Court Judge Shackley Raffetto, who believes that for many, staying out of prison and getting some help can mean all the difference – you could trade the cell for a classroom.

Raffetto is responsible for bringing a drug court and treatment program to Molokai, and held his last graduation ceremony on the island last week before he retires.…

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