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Community

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

Marlin Party

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Marlin Party

Community Contributed by Matt Yamashita

What lures a fisherman back to the water time and again is the fact that you never know what’s going to happen. It’s also nice to share the ocean’s unpredictable moments with someone else, to have a witness to the otherwise unbelievable.

I have more than a few great fishing memories, but this past Monday tops them all – for now.  I took my friend Chris Hammond 20 miles out on my 15-foot Boston Whaler to try and find the big ahi I’ve been chasing for years.  The water was a little rough and the bite slow.  We got bumped around and barely picked up a dozen three pound tuna.  Not bad, but definitely not what we were hoping for.       

At about 9:30 a.m. we decided to head home.  It was still early and the water was getting nicer so we put some lures out hoping for a mahi-mahi on the way.

Our conversation eventually went to where most conversations go on an uneventful day of trolling – “Would be nice to catch a marlin,” and, “It’s gotta happen one of these days.”  But as often as it is talked about, it usually doesn’t happen.

We were just three miles outside of the Kaunakakai Harbor when our day went from regular to unforgettable.  I just happened to look back to check the lures when I see a big, dark marlin head break water behind our boat.  It’s chasing the lucky lure my wife gave me for Christmas four years ago. “Marlin, marlin!”  I yelled.

I hold our speed and we watch it come thrashing behind the lure two more times before it takes it.  Chris goes to grab the pole, but I yell at him excitedly, “let it run, let it run… clear the other lines!”  I keep the throttle up to insure the hook is set and then begin turning the boat to chase the now jumping beast.

“Brah, that’s a big one!  That’s a blue!  Let’s get it on the boat!”

I have a pretty small boat and I run pretty light gear (Shimano TLD 30s), so I’m thinking we’ll be pretty lucky to land this monster.  But I want to come home with the fish and not just the story, so I remember the good advice of Capt. Clay Ching, “Stay calm, take your time, and trust your equipment.” 

Chris and I spend the next 45 minutes chasing our marlin around, trying to tire it out so we can bring it in safely.  Finally, we get the fish next to the boat, I tie the bill to my rail and Chris sinks the gaff.  This one wasn’t getting away.

So with the tail and head sticking out either side of my boat we proudly head back in to the wharf, adrenaline still pumping.  This is the first blue marlin for my boat and I think the first marlin caught on Molokai in 2011.  It weighed in at 212 pounds and fed a whole bunch of families. 

You never know what’s going to happen when you go fishing.  Sometimes, you get lucky.  That’s why we keep going. 

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Fat Figs

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Steeped in the history and ritual of ancient cultures, and mentioned in both the Bible and the Koran, the fig is one of the most universally enjoyed fruits. It was one of the first plants cultivated by humans before wheat, barley, and legumes.  Fig remnants were found in archaeological excavations from the town of Gilgal in the Jordan Valley dating back to 9300 BC. Native to Asia Minor, near Turkey, the fig spread beyond the Mediterranean area before recorded history.

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Condo Community Solving Cat Issues

Monday, February 28th, 2011

By Deb Hill

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Clear Brush to Prevent Fire

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Clear Brush to Prevent Fire

Community Contributed

By Richard K. Schonely, Fire Inspector

Recent heavy rains have created new brush growth. Check your house and lot now!
 
The Department of Fire and Public Safety is encouraging property owners to make sure that their homes and land are in compliance with the Uniform Fire Code pertaining to brush as adopted by the County of Maui.


The Department of Fire and Public Safety will be inspecting vacant lots and large house lots, known as parcels, yearly throughout Molokai. You are encouraged to visit the nearest fire station or the Fire Prevention Office and pick up brochures on how the parcel shall be maintained. You may also visit www.firewise.org to get tips on making your home safe from a brush fire. Please read the following and keep in mind that violators can face a fine of up to $1,000 for each day the violation exists. This does not include the liability that a property owner may face if his/her parcel is responsible for the spread of a fire.
 
Any person owning, leasing, controlling, operating or maintaining any building or structure in a hazardous fire area, or adjoining a hazardous fire area shall at all times:
 
1. Remove and clear all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth at least 30 feet on each side of the building or structure. This does not apply to trees,  ornamental shrubbery or similar plants used as ground covers, provided that they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any structure.
 
2. If the Fire Chief determines 30 feet is not sufficient to provide reasonable fire safety, remove and clear all brush, flammable vegetation or combustible growth from 30 to 100 feet from the building or structure. Grass and other vegetation located more than 30 feet from such building or structure and less than 18 inches in height above the ground may be maintained where necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

3. Maintain any tree adjacent to or overhanging any building, and clear up dead wood.
 
4. Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles or other dead vegetative growth.
 
Please also keep in mind that electrical transmission lines shall also be kept clear of all vegetative growth. Do not attempt to remove hazardous brush near live electrical equipment without proper training. Contact the responsible utility company for information. Keep a 10 foot clearance around telephone and electrical poles, transformers etc. A 10 foot clearance shall also be maintained along all roadways.
 
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and your neighbors will thank you. We must prepare for the next brush fire because it’s not a matter of if it happens but when. Are you prepared? Stay fire safe!

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Veterans Corner

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Column submitted by Jesse Church

The commander of the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans Larry Helm recently had heart surgery to replace a heart valve. He came through the surgery well, and was out of bed, taking a short walk two days later. Larry was released from the hospital after a one week stay, and is now recuperating at home, going to physical therapy and is doing very well.

The Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans lawsuit is moving along, with lawyers on both sides currently in negotiations; both parties have made a settlement offer. Hopefully the lawyers will be able to hammer out an agreement, and we can begin construction on the Veterans Center.

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Tutu’s Corner

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Tutu’s Corner

Community Contributed

Column by Tutu and Me

Po`okela means excellence, to exceed, to excel. In the Hawaiian culture, everyone has not only their kuleana, responsibility, but also an understanding that we should do more than what is expected whenever possible.  It’s a feeling in your na`au (literally: guts; figuratively: of the heart or mind) that you should do not only what is asked, but to perform beyond what is expected. In school, it means doing assignments not only thoroughly, neatly, and turning it in on time but putting a cover on the report, adding illustrations and doing extra research. The same is true in the workplace – not only performing up to expectations but taking the initiative to do more than you are asked. This is po`okela.


Getting keiki out of the house in the morning is a challenging task. Getting to Tutu and Me consistently is good. Getting to Tutu and Me and being on time for the morning circle is superb. Attending consistently and arriving on time with both caregiver and keiki smiling and ready to go is po`okela.

All of the wonderful toys and equipment at the Tutu and Me site are fabulous. All of the “homemade” activities – the cardboard box canoe, refrigerator, puppet theater, etc. are awesome. The extra effort the staff gives in creating these things is from their hearts, and with aloha is po`okela.

Try This at Home:
•    In daily activities with your keiki, po`okela should be recognized and praised.
•    Po`okela is learned through observation and modeling.  When a task has been completed well, describe and explain this to your keiki. For example: “Look! Daddy washed the car. Not only the outside but the inside too. He did a really good job, didn’t he?”
•    Recognize and praise keiki when they do something well. For example: “You not only put away your toys but your sister’s as well! That’s an excellent job!”

Remember: Kulia i ka nu`u – Strive to reach the highest. Motto of Queen Kapi`olani.

Contributions from Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool, a program of Partners in Development Foundation.  Tutu and Me is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

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A Molokai Wind Farm

Monday, February 28th, 2011

A Molokai Wind Farm

Community Contributed

By Steve Morgan

Unlike Molokai, land on Lanai has already been designated for the purpose of the wind farm. As a result, the process on Lanai has progressed further than that on our island. Referencing Lanai issues will hopefully help us in making evaluations for our own island.

How much land will the Lanai wind farm require?
According to Castle and Cooke, majority landowner of Lanai, the maximum amount of land that will be used will be 12,800 acres.

What benefits are being offered to the people of Lanai in return for the construction of a wind farm on their island?

Based on the Jan. 11 presentation given by Harry Saunders of Castle and Cook, a basic summary of the combined benefits being offered to the Lanai community are as follows:
-    Make  Lanai utility rates the same as Oahu rates
-    Make Lanai electric grid 100 percent green by 2020
-    Maintain public access for hunting and fishing
-    Infuse money into weakened tourist industry in order to maintain jobs
-    Improve existing water infrastructure including $500,000 annual investment for improvements
-    $250,000 annual investment into watershed preservation
-    1 percent gross revenue to establish community benefit fund  for broad range of community projects, as decided by the community
-    $100,000 annual investment to Lanai Cultural and Heritage Center
-    Road Improvements
According to Mr. Saunders, these benefits would be included in a Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) making these benefits legally binding.

What is the response of the Lanai community?
According to “Lanaians for Sensitive Growth” (LSG), a 25-year-old community advocacy organization, complete support for the wind farm project is found only within a small percentage of Lanai residents. Combining dozens of small group sessions, and a random survey of approximately 400 homes in Lanai covering a broad demographic spectrum, the survey by LSG determined the following statistics:
-    7 percent in complete support
-    23 percent support with reservation
-    21 percent opposed
-    36 percent need more information
-    13 percent other
The official statement made by LSG at this time is, “We do not feel that the potential benefits outweigh the environmental, cultural, social and economic impacts to Lanai and the community.” At the Jan. 11 Senate hearing, Reynold Gima, president of LSG, requested that the senators at the meeting engage more fully with the Lanai community, concluding “Do with us, don’t do to us!”

Is there a Lanai governing body that will be involved in the decision making process on Lanai?
No, currently there is no such governing body. Using the county process, the intention of LSG is to designate land in the area of the proposed windmills to the zoning categories of “Open Space One and Open Space Two.” According to LSG, through such a designation, the Lanai Planning Commission would have jurisdiction over some areas of the wind farm.

For more info in regard to opposition of the Lanai wind farm go to friendsoflanai.org

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Dancing under the Stars

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Special Olympics Molokai hosted their sixth annual “Dancing Under the Stars” fundraiser at Hotel Molokai on Feb. 5, 2011.  Upon entering, couples were invited to register for our first “Dance Couple Contest” which lasted for 45 minutes non-stop.  Six couples danced their hearts off, but the winning couple was Tina Aki and Richard Rodriguez, proving they have the stamina and vibrance to have won. Thanks all those who donated, volunteered or contributed in anyway to make our dinner, dancing, silent auction and lucky drawing a success. 

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Need a Website?

Monday, February 28th, 2011

I have lived on the Big Island for 20-plus years and my plan was to move to Molokai when I retire and start a small web business there. Unfortunately, my life took a different turn. I have owned the http://molokaiweb.com domain name forever; it was part of my future plans, but since I will not be moving there I won't need it anymore. I probably could sell it on the domain name market for a decent amount of money, but then it would just become a click-an-ad page for some mainland firm. I think it should remain in local hands. If anyone on Molokai has use for it, feel free to contact me at johnrabi@yahoo.com.

Mahalo and aloha!
John S. Rabi

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Raising the Bar

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Public schools around the state are sometimes the first ones to feel budget cuts. Schools on Molokai are doing the best they can with what they have.

The island’s school principals met for a talk story last week and all of them agreed that they need to focus on preparing kids for the real world and foster parental support.

Get Ready For College
Kaunakakai Elementary School Principal Janice Espiritu announced that the school would not have any combined classes next year. Espiritu is confident that the school is preparing their students for the not only for middle school, but beyond.

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