Maui County News Release
For property owners affected by the proposed flood insurance rate map changes, the deadline for appeals is approaching. The appeal period to challenge new flood designations ends on April 19, 2011.
Community Contributed
Column by Jesse Church
Hello, veteran old Jesse here with the veterans’ news and upcoming events. I recently had the opportunity to talk to John Candello in depth, he is a terrific young man who is really dedicated to helping the veterans of Hawaii in any way he can. He works as a Veterans Service Counselor for the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services. He will be on Molokai the first and second Tuesdays of each month from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., and asks that veterans call to make appointments with him in advance and will see veterans in an emergency. John will be able to file a claim and see it to completion. Call 553-3611 to make an appointment, he works out of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Kaunakakai.
Community Contributed
Column by Kathy Templeton
I found that I’m too old to stay up all night and go to work the next day like I did when younger. Ten of my neighbors and I were evacuated to Kualapu`u school during the tsunami. The wonderful Kualapu`u Store came with hot chocolate, two cases of water, peanut butter and jelly, and crackers. We all were so tired we couldn’t sleep. Have you been that way? We were protected by two really wonderful firefighters. Mahalo nui loa to all of you. My heart goes out to all of you who had damage to your property and to the many people who lost everything in Japan. I’ve never seen anything like they shown on TV.
For communities around Maui County affected by tsunami destruction, funding for repairs may be on the way. County officials said they plan to apply to the state for funding to rebuild damaged areas and “improve entire communities.”
On the day the tsunami struck, March 11, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a “disaster proclamation,” seeking federal funds to rebuild the communities affected by the high water. Hawai`i Island, Maui and Molokai reported the most damage from the tsunami. These funds, in turn, would be allocated to the counties most affected.
Data about affected areas is being collected using damage reports gathered through local police and civil defense officials, Red Cross, and individual accounts.
Six residences on Molokai’s east side reported substantial damage, and numerous fishpond walls were marred by the waves. Walter Ritte, head of Ho`omana Hou School, said the Keawanui Fishpond, which his school helps restore, was so devastated that his students and volunteers must “start over” with restorations, rebuilding the 1,200-foot-long wall. The `Ualapu`e, Kupeke and Jones fishponds were also damaged by the tsunami, according to Karen Holt, executive director of the Molokai Community Service Council.
Other organizations, such as Ka Honua Momona, a sustainability organization, have begun to rebuild but are looking for volunteers.
Beginning as a student project, Molokai showed its strength by mobilizing the community to create a heartfelt 18-minute video on the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. Students, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, the coroner, teachers, family members of victims of drunk driving and Akaku’s Dan Emhof combined forces last spring to shoot “The Last Pa`ina.”
“The Hawaii State Judiciary recognized the impact that this video will have on their comprehensive traffic safety education program and asked us if they may use it,” said Linda Puppolo, administrative director of Akaku. “We were honored to be part of this Molokai community project and pleased that the Hawaii State Judiciary has begun showing the video.”
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About 2,000 Japanese-Americans were forcibly confined in camps around Hawaii during World War II – 2,000 stories previously untold.
The National Park Service (NPS) recently uncovered six previously unknown internment sites, for a total of 13 around the state.
Kaunakakai was one of those sites. The old jail, the island’s oldest wooden building now standing vacant in Malama Park, was used as a holding site for four known Molokai residents picked up during WWII.
Sites like these, where little remains to identify their historical significance, are being studied by NPS to determine whether they should be brought into the NPS system. Planners and NPS officials are hosting meetings around the state to gather public input on all the sites, as well as collect information on each island’s specific locations.
Judy Bittenbender, a local resident who attended last week’s scoping meeting on Molokai, said preserving these sites are important, “in part for the future generation, as so many of our seniors are passing on.”
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Community Contributed By Ric Ornellas
While planning for Ka Molokai Aha Kane 2011, organizer Kaeo Kawaa answered questions about the upcoming men’s conference, held on Friday, March 25 at Kulana `Oiwi Halau from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Community Contributed By Viola Wichman
Yes, Molokai your very own 4-H Clover Lopers have been invited by a former resident of Molokai, the Demmers, to the “horse capital of the world” – Kentucky. If you haven’t noticed lately, the Lopers have been having several fundraisers in an effort to help pay for our transportation costs. Mahalo to our wonderful community who continue to be supportive of our club. There will be several more opportunities for you to help us reach our goal. Monsanto has graciously chosen the 4-H Clover Lopers as a recipient of one of their community grant programs by donating 400 sweet corn to the Lopers – a complete profit making endeavor for us. Mahalo Monsanto. We will pre-sell tickets in town on March 19 and Prince Kuhio Day (March 26) for pick-up in town on around April 15. Let’s help gallop the Lopers to Kentucky!
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Without Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole’s bravery, Hawaii be a little different. He changed the future of the islands by pushing the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act through congress in 1921. To honor him, his birthday, March 26, 1871 is celebrated as a Hawaii state holiday and recognized as Prince Kuhio Day.
Prince Kuhio’s life had a royal beginning. Kuhio’s mother, Princess Kinoiki Kekaulike, died shortly after giving birth to the future prince on Kauai. He was adopted shortly after by his mother’s sister Kapli`olani and her husband Kalakaua, who became the Kingdom of Hawaii’s ruler.
Defending His Aina
As a prince, he was given many opportunities not usually afforded Hawaiian youth. He studied in California for college and attended the Royal Agriculture College in England. He then returned to his homeland and joined in efforts to overthrow the Republic of Hawaii in 1894, to restore the Hawaiian monarchy.
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He did return to Hawaii in 1902, however, after it had become a territory of the United States. The former prince joined US politics. He became the first Native Hawaiian to serve in congress, and was a delegate from 1903 until his death in 1922.
He is most known for his help in appropriating 200,000 acres of land for Hawaiian people with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act in 1921.
The act stands today as one of the most important ways to establish connections between Hawaiian people and their culture, ancestors and most importantly, the `aina.
Celebrating a Hero
Kuhio Day will be celebrated at Kiowea Park (Coconut Grove) on March 26, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Food, music, booths with produce and local products, and a rummage sale will entertain attendees. Homesteaders will also be able to register for Aha Kiole.
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Coaches from the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) have voted: Molokai’s own Lester Delos Reyes and Doug Furlong were chosen as the 2011 Division II Coach of the Year, for boys’ and girls’ basketball, respectively. The annual award is compiled by the Maui News
“I was pretty surprised. I’m trying to figure out how I got that,” Delos Reyes joked.
Delos Reyes finished his first season as the boys’ basketball coach this past February, leading the team with a 4-2 record and a second place finish at the MIL D-II tournament.
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