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Community

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

Swimming Pool Re-opens

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Swimming Pool Re-opens

Amid jokes by county officials throwing each other in the pool, community members, lifeguards and administrators gathered last week to bless the re-opening of Cooke Memorial Pool. Molokai’s only pool underwent six months of renovations to its facility – revamping the roof, adding handicap accessibility ramps, and gutting the bathrooms.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding,” said Zach Helm, district supervisor for the county Department of Parks and Recreation. “The public of Molokai depend on this…if it shut down, everyone would be impacted.”

Residents who often use the pool were at last week’s blessing, including Aka`ula School’s swimming students.

“I’m excited to start training, to work on my strokes,” said seventh grader Kori-Lee DeRouin, adding that her favorite stroke is butterfly. “We’ve waited a while.”

Aka`ula School will be hosting a swim meet for all interested island youth in May. Parents or students should contact Vicki Newberry at 567-6981.

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MPL Moving on Big Wind

Monday, March 7th, 2011

MPL Moving on Big Wind

Flying over Molokai at the height of a small airplane, tiny white dots come into focus on the ground. Upon closer inspection, perhaps at the height of a high flying bird, the dots take shape as wind generators, each the size of a 40-story building – nearly 100 scattered around Molokai’s west end like rice.

So much for Molokai’s no-building-taller-than-a-coconut-tree rule.

These images were shown to the public in a simulated video last week, when Molokai Properties Ltd (MPL) and wind and cable transmission company, Pattern Energy, shared their vision for a large-scale wind farm on Molokai.

During three consecutive community meetings last week, MPL said it was seeking to lease 11,000 acres to Pattern. The deal could allow Pattern to erect 90 400 foot tall turbines in the upper east and lower southwest faces of Maunaloa mountain in west Molokai.

“We have not yet made a decision and no decision will be made this evening,” said MPL Executive Director Peter Nicholas during a slideshow presentation. “I think it’s necessary to discuss the community benefits,” he added.

Although First Wind was the only wind development company awarded by the state in 2009 the right to plan and build big wind on Molokai, Nicholas said the company “ignored local management” and did not approach MPL regarding the use of their land until mid-2010.
 

really wants community input. He wants to do it pono. We have to support honesty if they are trying to be honest,” said kupuna Judy Caparida.

Reporter Mark Hayden contributed to this report.

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Veterans Corner

Monday, March 7th, 2011

By Jesse Church

Hello veterans, old Jesse here with the veterans news and coming events. The Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans center, located at 145 Ala Malama Ave in Kaunakakai, has been closed for a number of weeks due to not having electricity after the fire at the restaurant in the building that we shared. I’m happy to announce the center has reopened – hours are the same (Mon, Wed, Fri 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.), and the phone number is the same (553-8387) – so everyone who would like to stop by and say hello, please feel free to do so, we’d be happy to see you.

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Soup ‘R Bowl

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Soup ‘R Bowl

Molokai Arts Center News Release

Weeks away from starting construction, the Molokai Arts Center is holding a fundraiser this Saturday, March 12, to ensure the island’s first and only community arts center is on schedule.

The Soup ‘R Bowl will be held at Coffees of Hawaii in Kualapu`u. For a suggested donation of $20, you will enjoy soup, salad, bread, and a beverage. Our artistic chefs Artice Swingle, Mikal Berry and Roshani Nash are creating temptations such as Cascadia Vegan Soup, Tortilla and Avocado Soup, Sopa de Green Chile, Smoky Ham and Corn Chowder, Seafood Chowder, Golden Curried Pumpkin Soup, Chicken and Boy Choy Soup, and Spicy Chili Con Carne.


Guests will also be able to choose their handcrafted stoneware soup bowl, created by local artists Dan Bennett, Marilyn Melvin, Emillia Noordhoek, Kathy Mendes and Kim Markham. Stoneware is a type of clay which is fired at extremely high temperatures making it durable and oven-safe.   

During our four dinner seatings at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m., Molokai musicians will provide lovely Hawaiian music for your entertainment. Our featured artist Norman DeCosta will play Ki Ho`alu (Hawaiian slack key guitar) beginning at 6 p.m.  Advance tickets for the Soup ‘R Bowl are available from Dan Bennett, Emillia Noordhoek, Maricel Kanemitsu, and Kim Markham.   The public is invited to the event, but only those with one of the 200 event tickets will be guaranteed their own bowl to take home.  Call Kim at (808) 349-6270 to make arrangements to pick up tickets in Kaunakakai or Kualapu`u.   Come out and enjoy an evening of fine dining and local music in the cool country setting of Kualapu`u!


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Molokai Coach Aces for Hilo Team

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Molokai Coach Aces for Hilo Team

Tino Reyes, a Ho`olehua native, carries on his passion for over 20 years , and is now the head coach of another Division II volleyball team.

After coaching the as interim head coach for one season, Reyes dropped the first part of his title when he was offered the head coaching position for the University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans (UH-Hilo) women’s volleyball last month.

“I’m enjoying it. We have a great athletic director and coaching staff,” Reyes said.

Experience has been vital for Reyes.’ He spent 17 seasons as an associate coach with the University of Hawaii at Manoa men’s volleyball team, a D-I school; one season as head coach at Chiminade University, a D-II school; and two seasons head coaching at Oregon State University, a D-II school.



Leading Again
His Molokai roots have taught him that coaching can be hard work. Knowledge, after all, is bred through experience – Reyes played volleyball for Molokai High School. “I was never the best athlete in my family, but I loved playing. So I kept persevering,” he said. Reyes also knew that practicing meant he could get out of farm responsibilities, he joked.

He returns to Molokai occassionally, without having to lend a hand on the farm since his parents moved to Kualapu`u.

“Some guys want to have a reunion in Las Vegas, but I actually like going to Molokai. Part of the charm is that I can see my friends and family at the same time,” Reyes said.

Reyes’ always gravitated toward the gym when he was growing up. There he would hone his basketball and volleyball skills every day after school.

 “Tino is like a little kid. I can just joke around with him all the time,” said one of his players, junior Hillary Hurley. She is also the Pacific West Conference Player of the Year 2010. “But we all have respect for him. We have gained a lot by having him.”

Ahead of the Game
Under Reyes, the team picked up an 18-5 record, along with the Pacific West Conference Crown in 2010. “He has rebuilt our team and brought us together,” said Kelia Parrilla, a defensive specialist on the team. “And we always laugh, no matter what. He always puts humor into practice.”

“You have all these challenges on a small island. You can figure out ways to minimize your weakness and maximize your strengths,” Reyes said. “Those are two things that happen on Molokai and that are what I try to do here at UH-Hilo.”
 
 “One of the greatest coaches ever at UCLA said ’What other profession can you have where you’ll meet the movers and shakers in the world?’ Where else can you meet these people? The kids I coach will be lawyers, doctors, and teachers,” Reyes said.

But before his players move onto the next step in their lives, Reyes’ job is to help them recognize and improve upon their natural talents.

Four of his front-row players will not return next season, so he is in the process of recruiting. Until then, he will be practicing with his team to get ready for the next season.

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Calling All Molokai Kane

Monday, March 7th, 2011

The Aha Kane Committee wants to give its young men a chance to shape their future, by re-evaluating themselves and realigning with Hawaiian history and culture.

To learn is to gain wisdom and to share knowledge is a gift for all, so men of all ages are encouraged to attend a special meeting and talk about what really means to be a man.

The conference will ask one main question: “Who are you?”  Organizers want to continue on the theme of their first Aha Kane conference hosted on Molokai in 2007: “The search for the Path.”

“If you were on the path to responsibility four years ago, then where are now at this point in your life?” asked Moke Kim, a homesteader and an Aha Kane Conference committee member.

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Governor Pushes Big Wind to be Pono

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Governor Pushes Big Wind to be Pono

Statement from Gov. Neil Abercrombie via Molokai Governor’s Volunteer Representative, Beverly Pauole Moore

March 3, 2011


Producing our own energy in Hawaii is crucial for our survival. As I have stated in the past, the proposed “Big Wind” project that would produce electivity on Lanai and Molokai can be a critical part of the equation. It would be an important step in my stated goal of connecting our islands so that we can be more self-sufficient and sustainable. My support resolves around these principles:

  • The wind projects must proceed in a way that produces benefits for the people and communities of those islands. These community benefits should help move the islands toward sustainable futures of their own. Because I expect those benefits to be substantial, I believe it is imperative that both islands – Molokai and Lanai – have the opportunity to participate.
  • There are two factors I am looking for:

            - The project must be financially and technically feasible. I am depending on the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and other related state agencies to make this determination.

            - The project must represent the majority interests of residents of the respective islands. No individual or private interest should have the ability to veto the entire project because of their objections as long as their views are considered and discussed with respect.

  • If the Molokai landowner is incapable of participating in a viable plan for the island, the state is willing to exercise its right to condemn lands for this public purpose, again, if residents agree that a project can be done in a pono way.
  • My support for a project does not translate into support for any specific approach to the project by the electric utility, landowners, developers or any individual interest. My sole concern is the development of a project that maximizes benefits to the people of Hawaii.


The wind projects present an opportunity for us to unite around common purposes. Unfortunately, they have too often been the source of bitter disputes, accusations and division. Private interests too often overpower discussions that should be about the public interest.

Our islands have no choice but to move toward energy independence. Future generations will be the beneficiaries of those who are willing to work together today and make wise decisions that will stand the test of time.


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HECO Union Employees Go on Strike

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Hawaiian Electric and Maui County News Release(s)

For more than five months, Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light Company (HECO, MECO, HELCO) have been negotiating a new contract with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, which represents the companies’ unionized employees on Oahu, in Maui County and on Hawai`i Island.

The union gave the companies notice that its members have initiated a strike as of 3:30 p.m., today, March 4.

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Akaka Not Running for Re-election

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Sen. Daniel Akaka, who has served Hawaii as senator and as a represenative for 35 years, announced today he is not running for re-election next year, when his term expires.

"As many of you can imagine, it was a very difficult decision for me.  However, I feel that the end of this Congress is the right time for me to step aside.  It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of Hawaii," Akaka said in a news release.

Akaka serves on the Committes on Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Indian Affairs and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

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Susumu Sakaida

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Susumu “Tonti” Sakaida of Aiea, Oahu died on Feb. 7, 2011 at Pali Momi Hospital in Honolulu, at age 86. He was born in Kaunakakai, and was a retired Journey General Mechanic of CPC Del Monte. Sakaida served in the U.S. Army 442nd I Company in WWII, and then attended Midwest Trade School in Chicago. He was an ILWU office, PAC chairman, on the Molokai Task Force, and after retiring, served on the Maui County Planning Commission and the Aquatic, Wildlife and Forestry Board. He was an Eagle Scout and an Explorer Scout Master, serving 60 years and receiving the Silver Beaver Award. He coached Little League baseball and Biddy Basketball, and was an avid fisherman and hunter, often saying ‘Molokai was the best place to live in the whole world.’

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