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Community

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

Not Your Typical Instrument

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Not Your Typical Instrument

Community Contributed

By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss

The typical instrument played on Molokai may be something like a guitar or ukulele, but students across the island are also playing something a little more classical – violin. For the past year, Bob Underwood, a teacher at Kaunakakai Elementary School, has been able to teach and share his love of music through the 21st Century grant program. Students at Kualapu`u Elementary are learning the fine art of playing violin and are doing very well at it.

The class is made up of students of varying ages beginning at first grade, and it is a combination of beginner and intermediate skill levels.…

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Fire Promotions for Molokai Locals

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Fire Promotions for Molokai Locals

Two Molokai natives have achieved one of the highest ranks in the Fire Department. Long-time friends and fellow Maui County Fire Captains Travis Tancayo and Petro Garces were both promoted to Battalion Chiefs last week. The highly-coveted position requires many years of experience and training as a career firefighter as well as exceptional leadership skills.

Maui Deputy Fire Chief Robert Shimada describes both men as “honest, hardworking, smart [and] an asset to the department and community.”

They are also a credit to Molokai, according to Fire Inspector Rick Schonely.
“[They are] proof that our born and raised Molokai citizens can reach for the stars and achieve awesome goals,” said Schonely.…

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Fuel Costs Rising, Worse to Come

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

Fuel Costs Rising, Worse to Come

Molokai residents are used to some of the highest gas prices in the nation. But with an overnight jump of 25 cents last week – reaching $5.36 for regular unleaded – even locals were left in disbelief. While Molokai has seen higher prices before, experts predict record-breaking highs in gas prices by summer of this year.

In 2008, the Dispatch investigated just why oil prices were so much higher on Molokai than other parts of the state or nation. The conclusion was a combination of factors – first, supply-and-demand economics dictates that less consumption requires higher prices to turn a profit.…

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Wailau Filming Canceled

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

This week, filmmakers planned to shoot a pilot episode for TNT called “Drop Zone” in Molokai’s remote north shore valley of Wailau. But those plans were nixed after a meeting with local residents last week, who expressed concerns about lack of protocol in holding a community discussion of the project, and “commercialization” of the valley many consider sacred.

“It was apparent people weren’t too excited to have us there, and out of respect for their wishes and for our best interest, we decided not to move forward,” said Maui –based filmmaker Mark Moquin on Friday.

“It’s a very special place; I don’t want [filming] to happen,” resident Palmer Naki, whose family takes care of the valley, told Moquin during the meeting last Wednesday.…

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Kalaupapa Munitions Clean-Up

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

Kalaupapa Munitions Clean-Up

Not only was Kalaupapa historically known as a place of exile for patients of Hansen’s disease, but the peninsula was also used as a bombing range during the 1940s. As with other Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDs) around the state, efforts are being made to remove the unexploded ordnance. This fall, crews will be working in Kalaupapa to clean up the area.

A 937-acre region on the northwest side of the peninsula is known as the Makanalua Bombing Range. It was used by the U.S. Navy for bombing and rocket training from 1941 to 1946. Now, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Native Hawaiian Veterans, a munitions response company called USA Environmental and others are spearheading the clean-up.…

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New One Ali`i Playground Coming Soon

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

New One Ali`i Playground Coming Soon

If you’ve driven by One Ali`i Park lately, you may have noticed some construction near the pavilion. That means good news for keiki and ohana – a new public playground will soon be taking shape there. The project was scheduled for completion last fall, but District Supervisor of Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation Zach Helm is proud to announce the project is back on track.

We finally broke ground a month ago, and the experts at https://www.playgroundflooring.org/ will be pouring the concrete on Tuesday. After that, the concrete will need to be cured for 30 days before the rubber mats, jungle gym equipment and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp may be installed.…

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Crime Kokua

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Crime Kokua

Community Contributed 

By Officer Lonnie Ka`ai, Community Police Officer

We’re just about three months into the new year and my, how time is flying by. I’ll be keeping you folks up to date with any public issues or concerns as well as any announcements that need to made on behalf of the Maui Police Department. We would like to ask for your kokua on three major cases that have occurred over these last couple months.

First is regarding the shooting of several horses and one cow up in the Kalae area belonging to Richard French. These shootings had occurred on two occasions, one in December and another at the beginning of February.…

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Food Production Database for Molokai

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Food Production Database for Molokai

Sust`aina ble Molokai News Release

Sust`aina ble Molokai is working to integrate our island’s legacy of `aina momona (abundance) with modern self-reliant precepts to build a sustainable Molokai rooted in traditional knowledge and supported by emerging green practices and industries. We are creating Molokai-pedia, an open source multi-layered database project, which will focus on creating a needs assessment picture of Molokai’s resources.

Molokai-pedia will draw what is available on Molokai in the areas of environment and natural resources, land use and subsistence, waste management, community health and safety, culture, green economy and local businesses, eco-education, water, renewable energy, transportation, green building and affordable housing, and food production and security.…

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Kanoe Davis is New Cultural Health Navigator

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Kanoe Davis is New Cultural Health Navigator

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) is excited to announce a new patient resource. A Cultural Health Navigator Manager position has been added to the staff line-up at the MCHC. The position is filled by Molokai’s own Kanoe Davis.

“Among other things, I help link patients to alternative and traditional options of healing and treatment,” explained Davis, “while respecting the patient’s choice to choose what works best for them.”

Davis is assigned to assist patients in understanding what their healthcare options are. Whether it’s seeing a medical doctor or dentist, to receiving acupuncture or massage therapy, it’s her job to help patients navigate existing resources in a way that feels culturally correct and inviting.…

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Effects of Rain and Drought

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

We’ve been in a drought for several years now. The dry winter into early spring was worrisome until last week’s storm brought welcome relief. But rains don’t always alleviate a dropping reservoir unless it arrives in moderate, not heavy amounts, and drops into Waikolu Valley. This storm resulted in heavy runoff and washed precious soil into the ocean. The water will be muddy until the dirt settles on the bottom and that’s not good. The drought had already left its mark.

Everything is connected. A less-than-average flow of artesian water percolating along the coast can adversely affect the fisheries habitat, resulting in a lower than average hatching of fingerlings or pua.…

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