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Community

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

Salome C. “Oming” Garces

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Salome C. “Oming” Garces

Salome C. “

Oming” Garces passed peacefully in the presence of her immediate family on Oahu on Sept. 4.  She now joins her beloved husband, Mariano F. Garces, who passed in 1991.

She was born in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur in the Philippines in 1936.  She resided in Maunaloa town (from ’68) and in Kaunakakai (from ’79 to current).  She is survived by her sons Marlon (Elizabeth), Mario and Marino (Bernette) and grandchildren, Celina, Joshua, Marlyssa, Jaylyn, Michael and Marcus.  She is also survived by her brother Gerardo (Emma) Dela Cuadra, sisters Iniana Cabanting, Guadalupe Javier, Bibiana Taasan, Dionisia Dela Cuadra and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was affectionately known as “Aunty Oming” to students that learned Filipino folk dances from her and through her involvement with various community events and family celebrations.  She was an active member of the Kaunakakai Filipino Association and the Blessed Damien Catholic Parish.  She was a retired housekeeper and seamstress at the former Sheraton Hotel at Kaluakoi.  Also, she worked as a laborer for the Dole Pineapple Company in Maunaloa town before working for the Sheraton Hotel at Kaluakoi. 

As one of her last wishes, she sends her love and Mabuhay to all her friends and family on Molokai including former residents from the Maunaloa community and she thanks all of them for their love and support throughout her living years.  

Her services will be held at the Mililani Memorial Mortuary Mauka chapel in the evening on Thursday, Oct. 6, and her funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waipahu.  Her burial will follow at the Mililani Memorial Park.

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Keoki Xander Kepanila Luafalemana-Mcguire

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Keoki Xander Kepanila Luafalemana-Mcguire passed away on Sept. 19. He is survived by parents Seanalle P. Luafalemana and Keoki H. McGuire of Ualapue, Molokai and brother Justice N. Luafalemana.

Friends may call on Saturday, Oct.  1, from 9 a.m. with service at 10 a.m. at the Ka Hale Laa o Iruselaema Hou Church in Kalamaula, Molokai. Burial to follow at Kapaakea, Molokai.

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William Hulu Kekahuna Mahiai

Friday, September 30th, 2011

William Hulu Kekahuna Mahiai of Kaunakakai, Molokai died on Sept. 10 at his home in Kaunakakai. He was born on Sept. 25, 1932 in Kamalo, Hawaii. He is survived by daughters Kathy Ching of West Valley, Utah, Lisa Ann (Christopher) Gaui of West Valley, Utah, Lori (Joe) Kaiama of Kaunakakai, Molokai and Elsa Mei (Tanuli) Ah Van of Kaunakakai, Molokai; grandchildren Daniel, Stewart, Allison, Theodore, Cleighton, Pohailani, Kapeka, Keaolani, Valasi, Kawaiola, Colin, Cole-B, Kawehilani, Kanani, and Tofi; and great grandchildren Kealomahina, Kuulani, Denis, Alden, Kaili, Keilana, Leilah Ann, and Tehani.

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Krysen Kahiki Kamakoamualoakapaia’nahakealohanui Hirashima

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Krysen Kahiki Kamakoamualoakapaia’nahakealohanui Hirashima

First time parents Brandon Hirashima and Kaohinani Mollena are proud to

announce the birth of their son, Krysen Kahiki Kamakoamualoakapaia'nahakealohanui Hirashima. Krysen Kahiki was born July 21 at 6:34 p.m. weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long at North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea, Hawaii Island. He was welcomed from many family members that joined in the room to await his arrival. Krysen Kahiki is the first grandchild to grandparents Lahela and Kawika Lau, Constance and Keith Hirashima and Barney and Celeste Mollena. His Hawaiian name, Kamakoamualoakupaia'nahakealohanui means: The amazing/extraordinary first born warrior with great love, because that is definitely what he is.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

Friday, September 30th, 2011

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our website, causing inabilities to view stories in their entirety. We appreciate your patience and hope to have the site running smoothly shortly. Mahalo!

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Community Unity

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Community Unity

On Sept. 4, Ke Nani Kai doors were opened for a "Community Unity" event. The Labor Day lu`au was a blast. Music and dancing was supposed to only last two hours; it lasted for four. Many thought it brought some healing to the west end. Flowers were donated to make fifty leis and the ladies were busy making them for all the women who arrived. Two of our opio, Kapono Maikui and Mahina Lani, sang and played for everyone. Although they could not attend, Animal Control Officer Richard Maikui and MPD Officer Mike McCutcheon were honored with letters of appreciation. A chair was dedicated to Kumu John Ka`imikaua that was built for him when he used to stay at Ke Nani Kai. 

Bob Aldrich

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Molokai Fights to Protect Its Fishing Lifestyle

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Molokai Fights to Protect Its Fishing Lifestyle

 

Community Contributed by Walter Ritte

For the past 15 years Molokai has been seriously trying to stop the decline of it’s near shore fisheries. In 1994 Governor John Waihe’e created the Governors Molokai Subsistence Task Force, which officially recognized the importance of the subsistence economy on Molokai. The task force found that up to 38 percent of our food consumption on Molokai came from gathering in the ocean and on the land. The task force identified three major problems, 1) Off-island people who take to much, 2) Taking of undersized juveniles and 3) Lack of access.

The Molokai Aha Kiole has been working for months with WESPAC (Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council), an arm of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in a state wide effort to bring management over our resources down to the local level.

Through state wide meetings, each island has been charged to present their three top issues. The Molokai Aha Kiole presented their top two issues on Friday Sept. 23 to WESPAC. First, the need to lift the federal ban on the Hawaiian Green Turtle to allow for traditional subsistence use, and second, the need to stop the practice of off island escort boats raiding our shorelines during canoe races and other Molokai to Oahu and Maui to Molokai races.

Five years of talks with the Canoe Racing Associations have proven no meaningful results. The issue is alarmingly headed to confrontational solutions.  

Molokai residence have taken it upon themselves to monitor and patrol the coast line to “educate” the escort boats and letters have been sent out to explain “nicely” the concerns of the subsistence users of our coastal fisheries. We hope the State and Federal Governments will help resolve this issue since the organizers of these races do not want to recognize their “Kuleana” when they come to Molokai to race. 

Subsistence use of our near shore fisheries is not a matter of recreational use, it is a matter of survival. 

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Walking for Mental Illness

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and their annual walk is held across the nation to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma and to raise funds. Our Molokai team, called “Molokai Mo Bettah Mental Health,” is walking on Molokai Oct. 1. We will walk from the coconut grove to Molokai Community Health Center’s new Oceanside property. We hope you will join us.

Why We Walk
•    Mental illness affects one in four individuals during their lifetime.
•    The pervasive stigma of mental illness prevents individuals from seeking treatment for an average of 10 years. Can you imagine if someone with diabetes or heart disease waited that long?

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Baseball Trip Mahalo

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Baseball Trip Mahalo

On Jan. 30, I attend

ed a Baseball Factory Tryout on Oahu. Out of more than 200 players, I was selected to attend the Baseball Factory Under Armor Omaha World Series Event in Omaha, Neb. as a shortstop.

The event was from June 16 to June 21. When I arrived in Omaha, I met up with 71 players from around the United States. It was an awesome experience, especially coming from our small island, where I’m a sophomore at Molokai High School. Everything up there was so big and far apart.

My team was the Gators and we went undefeated through the tournament and  brought home the championship. While I was up there, I trained from the time I got up until the time I went to bed.

This event really opened my eyes on setting my goals high and how I need to work really hard to achieve the goals that I set for myself.

This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the entire Molokai community. I want to thank everyone who bought lunch plates, raffle tickets, and to those who made donations.

My parents, Scott and Kim; my siblings, Scottie Jr., Ryan, Aaron, Kyora-Lee, Brittany and Kalamaku; Kiana Simmons; Aunty Lani TSawyer and Uncle Marcuz Gonzales; Aunty Mary and Uncle Nelson Rapanot; Uncle Ronnie Rapanot; Aunty Mariya and Uncle J.J. Poaha; Tiffy and Andrew Cuello; Aunty Jannah and Uncle Solomon Maliu; Uncle Rick Schonely; Six Pac; Uncle Oscar and Aunty Puni; Uncle Michael Helm; Uncle Hano Naehu; Uncle Bruza Paleka; Aunty Ronnie Girl; the Schonely sisters; Papa Ronald and Grandma Gladys Rapanot; cousins Christy and Kahiki Kaahanui; Uncle Dolphin Pawn and ohana; Ms. Janice Espiritu; Eskimo Candy; Uncle Russell Carlton; Aunty Venetta Palmer and ohana; Hotel Molokai; Paddlers Inn; Hayaku Gas & Go; Molokai Fish & Dive; Coca Cola – Uncle Eddie Gorospe; Island Kine Car Rental; Aunty Ruby’s Cafe; Maka’s Korner; Take’s; Misaki’s; Molokai Drive Inn; Subway; Import’s Gift Shop; Righteous Ink; Simon and Friends; HI’s Finest – Paulele Alcon; Lourdes; Big Daddy’s; Coffees of Hawaii; Kualapuu Market; Kualapuu Cookhouse; Uncle David Mikami and Molokai Drug Store; Pepsi – Uncle Pat Kawano; Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center staff; Uncle Ted Takamiya; Aunty Lana and Uncle Homer Turner; Hanzie Kaapuni; Uncle Pete Domingo; Aunty Lani Dudoit; Aunty Meiling Adachi; Aunty Tica Kekahuna; Uncle Larry Helm; Uncle Rudy Toledo; Aunty Ruthie Isnice.

If I missed anyone, I apologize. My next trip will be in January 2012 to Arizona.

Thank you Molokai!

David Rapanot

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Remembering Chuck Moore

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Molokai resident Chuck Moore was born on Hawaii Island, and was a Marine Corps veteran. He did more for this country than anyone will ever know. He lived as he wanted and he died as he wanted, passing away on Aug. 28, at age 71. He was a gunsmith, lawyer, chopper pilot trainer and trained police on Big Island, among other things. We miss you.

James Kimo Lowe

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