Community

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

Following in His Footsteps

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Following in His Footsteps

It was an eventful week for a group of French Catholic priests from the Fraternity of Molokai, marking the first time they had ever visited their namesake island and home of their patron, Saint Damien de Veuster.

These priests were part of a group of 35 priests, nuns and lay people from an international Catholic movement called Heart’s Home comprised of nearly 400 global members and volunteers. They came to Molokai to learn about Saint Damien’s life, gain a deeper understanding of his mission and the people he served, that inspires them in their own missions around the world.

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Heart’s Home, inspired by St. Damien’s work and dedicated to compassion for those in need, has 45 centers in 22 countries around the world.

Sylvie Muller is a lay-consecrated member who made the journey to Molokai. Muller’s current mission is in Brooklyn, New York. She began with Heart’s Home, as many do, as a volunteer, first sent to serve in Argentina over 10 years ago. She said though her work with Brooklyn’s elderly, under-privileged and home-bound is often difficult, she is inspired by Saint Damien’s closeness to the people he served and how much he loved them.

“You don’t know how I was longing to be closer to Damien and follow in his footsteps,” said. St. Damien “gives meaning to what I do and what I am.”

Who Supports the Molokai Veterans?

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Opinion by David Hafermann

Minimart, Laundromat Burglarized

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Two Kaunakakai businesses were broken into last week, though in both cases damages were minimal.

Early on the morning of Aug. 17, a thief cut the power to Molokai Minimart and kicked through the door. His target was apparently a cash register box, which was the only item he made away with, but owner Kirt Greenman said it was empty – he always empties the register after closing.

“It’s just bad business practice not to do that,” Greenman said.

The incident was captured on security cameras and Greenman uploaded the footage to YouTube last week (search “Molokai Minimart”). In it, the thief appears frantic and is in and out of the store in less than 15 seconds.

At Home on the Homestead

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

At Home on the Homestead

After 37 long years of waiting for Hawaiian homestead land, Judy Caparida still has a smile on her face.

“I’m the kind of person that whatever comes, comes,” she said, standing in front of her new house in Ho`olehua. “We’ve had a lot of challenges, we’ve had plans, [and] then they don’t work out. [We] let the Lord work it out for us.”

One of the challenges Caparida and her husband Cappy faced was finding a contractor. After 35 years on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) wait list, they were awarded a lot in Ho`olehua – although they had requested a lot on Molokai’s east side. Judy said officials told her they would not be awarding east side lots in her lifetime.

In the two years that followed, the Caparidas met with seven different contractors – but none could commit. Then they met Shannon Au, owner of Molokai-based Auco Construction.

Au said he normally does remodelings and refurbishments, but he builds about four houses a year from the ground up.

“Every time is different; I like to build for people and get to know them as friends,” he said. When he met with the Caparidas, he said he fell in love with their story, and agreed to build their house.

God, Jesus made it possible to make our home, for the future of our children,” Judy said.

Emergency Response Drills This Week

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Emergency Response Drills This Week

Monsanto News Release

If you happen to see fire trucks, police cars and ambulances descend on one of Monsanto’s fields this week, don’t panic. It’s all part of a safety drill that provides emergency response training for Monsanto employees and public safety personnel.

“Safety is integral to Monsanto’s daily operations, and is incorporated into everything we do,” said Dawn Bicoy, community affairs manager for Monsanto Molokai. “This practice drill is a great way to provide hands-on training so our employees are prepared for emergencies and know what to do.”

The emergency drill is being carried out with the cooperation and assistance of the Molokai fire and police departments, and EMT personnel.

“We’re very fortunate to have such enthusiastic fire fighters, police and EMTs here on Molokai who want to participate in a pro-active safety event like this,” Bicoy said.  “They’ve been extremely helpful in planning for this drill.”

Monsanto employees have been given training and are aware that a drill will take place, but in order to simulate real emergency conditions, the specific date and location have not been disclosed to them.  “This is really exciting to know we’re going to participate in something that also provides civic emergency training,” said Chiemi Talon, administrative assistant at the Monsanto Molokai site. 

Jobs for Teens Available Now

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Community Contributed

Nonprofits at Risk

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Community Contributed

By Karen Holt

Are you a Molokai nonprofit that hasn’t filed your tax return yet? You may lose your tax exempt status if you don't file tax returns immediately.

The IRS recently implemented a new tax filing requirement for small nonprofit organizations.  Those who have not filed tax returns with the IRS now risk losing their 501(c)(3) status.  The IRS has a complete list of all the endangered Hawai'i nonprofits at this link: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/hi.pdf

The following Molokai nonprofits are on the IRS list to lose their tax exempt status because they have not filed IRS tax returns:

Hawaiian Affairs Advance

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Last week, Native Hawaiians of the Friendly Isle gave thanks and heard about the future of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) during its annual “Share Mana`o: OHA in Your Neighborhood” community meeting.

The meeting, held at Kulana `Oiwi, also shared plans of OHA’s ongoing projects and how it’s helping address the needs of the Hawaiian populace.

Before discussing the future, six Molokai beneficiaries talked about the past. They made presentations to the board about how they utilized OHA’s recent funding and extended their gratitude for the financial support.

Pennies for PRISM

Manley Makes the Grade

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Manley Makes the Grade

Azusa Pacific University News Release

Ho`olehua, Hawaii resident and Azusa Pacific University student Colton R. Manley made the academic Deans' List at Azusa Pacific University. Manley is honored for a spring semester 2010 academic standing of a 3.5 or better grade-point average. Manley is a Nursing Major, who is joined by nearly 1,500 other students receiving the same honor.

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive, evangelical, Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles. A leader in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, APU is committed to God First and excellence in higher education. Offering more than 60 areas of undergraduate study, 26 master's degree programs, and 7 doctorates to a total student population of more than 8,500 on campus, online, and at seven regional centers across Southern California, APU has been recognized as one of U.S.News' America's Best Colleges for six years running and by The Princeton Review as one of the Best in the West. APU graduates are known for professional excellence, the highest ethical standards, and their desire to make a difference in the world. www.apu.edu

Lazarius Manulani Kalua

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Lazarius Manulani Kalua, 63, of Kamalo, died August 17, 2010 in Kaunakakai. He was born September 13, 1946 in Honolulu.

He survived by his sons Solomon (Edith) Kallua of Ho`olehua, Joshua Kalua of Kahului, Maui, John Kalua of Kamalo; daughters Tammie (Dawson) Kalua of Kualapu`u, Nadine (Jason) Paleka-Kalua of Kaunakakai; brothers Jonathan Kalua of Virginia, Chauncey Kalua of Waimanalo, Oahu; sisters Valerie Kalua of Virginia, Thelma Seto-Mook of California, Faith Kaiama of Waimanalo, Oahu; and 13 beloved grandchildren.