Community

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

All-Star Duo

Sunday, April 15th, 2012

All-Star Duo

Two Farmers named D-II Basketball All-Stars

Though the Farmers finished Maui Interscholastic League runner-ups last season, Molokai High Basketball players David Rapanot and Hauoli Falealii achieved high honors. They were named to The Maui News All-Star first team for Division II.

“They have high spirits and work really hard on the court,” said Coach Lester Delos Reyes, who has been working with the Molokai High Farmers for the past five years. “They set good examples for the other guys, which makes the coach’s job a lot easier.”

Hauoli Falealii, a junior in his third year on the team, leads the Farmers as co-captain and point guard.…

School Bus Services Face Cuts

Sunday, April 15th, 2012

This fall, Molokai High and Middle School students who ride the bus daily may need to figure out another way to get to school. The state Department of Education (DOE) is expecting its student transportation budget to be cut in half for the upcoming school year — a shortfall of about $20 million.

“For Molokai, it is likely that we will not be able to provide bus services for students going to middle and high school,” said Randy Moore, Assistant Superintendent for facilities and support services. “We are looking on a route-by-route basis to see if we can continue to run a bus from the far ends of the island like Maunaloa and east end.”…

John Keawe Slack Key Clip

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Award-winning slack key guitarist John Keawe played at the Molokai Public Library for National Library Week. If you missed the show, here’s a clip.…

Leaving a Legacy of Faith

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Leaving a Legacy of Faith

Well-loved priest to move from Molokai.

By Catherine Cluett

While most Catholic priests are known for their spotless black cassocks and distinctive clerical collar, Molokai’s Father Clyde Guerreiro is often found in work-worn denim overalls, a construction tool in hand.

Described by parishioners and community members as self-deprecating, down-to-earth, quick to laugh, a handyman and a visionary, Guerriero is fulfilling his childhood dream of priesthood. As a member of the Sacred Hearts order, he has been serving on Molokai for five years. But at the end of June, Guerreiro will be leaving the island, having been asked to re-build a Catholic community in Wahiawa, Oahu, and later, Tonga.…

Molokai Student Winners in Poster Contest

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Molokai Student Winners in Poster Contest

Dept. of Water Supply News Release

Kilohana Elementary School Kindergartener Kiara Lima took first place in her division in the county-wide Department of Water Supply’s third annual Water Conservation Poster Contest. The contest drew 543 entries from public, private and home schools around Maui County. Kualapu`u School’s Carly Dudoit also placed third in the Kindergarten division.

The goal of the contest was to educate Maui Nui’s youth on the importance of water conservation and to encourage them to take an active role in ensuring the sustainability of our islands’ water supply. This year’s theme was “Malama I Ka Wai,” or to take care of the water.…

Molokai Kupuna Mervin Dudoit Honored

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Molokai Kupuna Mervin Dudoit Honored

Community Contributed

By Ric Ornellas

A Molokai resident who has volunteered thousands of hours to fishpond restoration was honored by the Hawaii State Teachers’ Association (HSTA) with the 2012 Friend of Youth Award. Mervin Dudoit received the award at the annual HSTA state convention on Saturday, March 30, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu.

The award recognizes countless citizens in Hawaii, nonprofessional educators and volunteers, working in relative obscurity and with limited budgets, who make invaluable and lasting community contributions to the education of children. The award to Uncle Mervin was made after a state-wide search and selection process. Jennifer Tsuji, Chairwoman of the Award Committee, said, “When we reviewed all the applications, Mervin Dudoit’s work stood out so strongly that we knew we had to honor him with this award.”…

Student Reflections

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Kumu Maile Naehu

Here are some beautiful reflections written by junior and senior wahine from Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School. My `ohana had the honor of hosting the `opio from Oahu during spring break. At the end of the trip, I asked them to write a mele/poem that reflected all of their observations and experiences while they visited Molokai. When they turned them in, I was in awe with the ability of these young women to eloquently express themselves and allow any reader to share in their experience. It is keiki Hawaii like all of you that inspire me to teach.…

Invasive Species Committee Honored

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Invasive Species Committee Honored

Hawaii State Senate News Release

The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), as well as its state-wide counterparts including the Molokai ISC, were recognized for their biological control program by the Hawaii State Senate. Molokai resident and MISC member Lori Buchan and other representatives received the award last week.

MISC was the first Invasive Species Committee to form in 1999. The group works to protect the Valley Isle from non-native and harmful species like coqui frogs, pampas grass, veiled chameleons, and miconia. The partnership brings together scientists, resource managers, foresters, botanists, wildlife biologists, and representatives from county, state, and federal agencies to contribute their time and expertise.…

Honolulu 5K Tryout Results

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Honolulu 5K Tryout Results

Community Contributed

By Sue Forbes-Kikukawa

The first tryout race for Kualapu`u School’s 5K Running Team was held on Saturday, March 31 on the Coffees of Hawaii plantation course. A special thank you goes out to the following volunteers who helped make this event happen: Kiku Donnelly, Katina Soares, Ian Haskins, Joyce Haase, Nohea Deponte, and Jesse Ford.

The second and final tryout for the 5K team that will compete on Oahu will be held on Saturday, April 14. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Coffees. Adult registration fee is $10. Youth race for free. Start time is 8 a.m.

Results from Saturday’s 5K:

Boys
1.…

What’s Up Maunaloa

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

What’s Up Maunaloa

Community Contributed

Column by Kehau Pule

Okay, here is the latest scoop regarding our Maunaloa Community Park. We are reviving our park so that everyone can enjoy, have gatherings with ohana and it can be utilized as a safe and fun area. Over the years, the park had numerous makeovers and I pray that everyone will maka`ala and malama this park for a long time. Mahalo to Sonny Laemoa for mowing the area and Chris Chang and his group on the mission who cleaned and raked the park from all debris. A very big mahalo to Kalae Tangonan and friend who passed by the park and saw the building so run-down and gave it a paint make-over with some beautiful designs.…