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Community

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

Kalaupapa Trail Makes Headway

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

For the isolated peninsula of Kalaupapa, the trail that zigzags along its overlooking cliffs is nothing short of a lifeline. That lifeline was cut after a mudslide destroyed a section of the trail last month. Now, restoration efforts are gaining ground as workers prepare to install an approximately 65-foot bridge prefabricated in the continental U.S.

The high-grade aluminum span will replace the temporary bridge constructed on switchback No. 2 of the pali trail. To ensure maximum stability, the new bridge will be held in place by two concrete end structures as well as other stabilization techniques along its full length. 

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Heavy Lifting

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Heavy Lifting

Amid grunts, cheers and dripping sweat, Molokai’s strongest men and women showed what they are made of last Saturday at Na Pu`uwai’s first Fitness Expo.

Around 200 people filled the Fitness Center’s parking lot and grounds to watch the competitions and learn about fitness, nutrition and health.

The main events of the day were the Strong Man and Strong Wahine contests, which challenged contestants to lift, drag, push and even flip weights and tires – some twice their body weight. These contests were previously held at Na Pu`uwai’s annual Health Fair in the winter.

After a day of bulging muscles and strained faces, Na Pu`uwai’s Peter Pale, the defending champion, won the heavyweight division. Shane Adolpho bested the lightweight division and Kelly Rawlins came out on top in the women’s.

The Expo kicked off early in the morning with a 10K run and walk. Kevin Dudoit finished first overall while the top women’s finisher was Sue Forbes-Kikukawa.

There were also weight lifting and bench press contests, luring members of the crowd to test their strengths, and even kids’ push-up contests. Inside, blasting music provided a jumpy soundtrack to the aerobics classes that ran throughout the day.

Not to be confused with the Health Fair, which will continue to be held in the winter, the Fitness Expo was organized to reach out to the community and “expose our attitude” – a combination of fitness, health and nutrition – said Pale, gym manager.

“Na Pu`uwai’s goal is to get more people thinking that way,” he said.

Pale said many of Na Pu`uwai services are underutilized and events like this let people know more about their facilities.

The Expo, six months in the making, hosted booths on physical therapy, personal training and nutrition, which offered samples of salads and smoothies with banana, cantaloupe, pineapple, radish and zucchini.

“If you don’t have it out, no one knows what it tastes like!” said Josette Dudoit, a dietician at Na Pu`uwai.

At another booth, workers did blood pressure tests. While so much of fitness focuses on the outside appearance, this may not reflect actual health, according to Susan Ka`ahanui, a community health worker at Na Pu`uwai.

“I’ve seen people who are really skinny and fit but have high blood pressure, so it’s good to have a check,” said Kaahanui.

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The Green Scene

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

The Green Scene

It’s not everyday you get to nod your head, tap your feet and sway your body to the funky reggae beats of The Green live on Molokai. So it’s no wonder that when the Oahu-based band marked its presence at Paddlers Inn last Friday, they were greeted with a mass of welcoming fans.

Prior to the show, we talked with Zion Thompson, lead guitarist and vocalist for The Green, and found that The Green seed was planted long before the band even came together. We also talked story with Thompson about what the band has been up to recently.

. It was a killer road trip. We didn’t have to drive – we had a bus. It was unreal. A couple of us had done a little bit of touring, but nothing like this. We’ve always wanted to do it as a group, so it was really cool.

MD: Any favorite spots?
ZT: Oregon, New York and Texas were awesome. Everywhere was unreal, though.

MD: But there’s no place like Hawaii.
ZT: Oh yeah. It was great to come home. We were ready to come home and have some fat crowds. It makes you appreciate Hawaii even more.

MD: So, what’s with the name, The Green?
ZT: Well, it’s a good color. It’s the land, it’s the trees. We let people see it as they want. And especially right now, in this day in age, it’s positive with everyone going green and trying to be aware about the planet. We thought of a name that would hit a lot of different markets if people have an open mind. For Hawaii, this name works awesome for various reasons. On a world scale, we’re trying to get back to the whole attitude of spreading awareness about the environment. And… it’s also our favorite color.

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St. Damien Church Gets Go-Ahead

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

St. Damien Church Gets Go-Ahead

It’s been 15 years since the Saint Damien Parish began preparing to build a new church. With that much groundwork behind them, it’s no wonder that the Molokai Planning Commission unanimously approved the Parish’s plans last week to build their new church. The St. Damien Church will be on the site of the old St. Sophia’s in Kaunakakai.

The 6,612 sq. feet building will be constructed of concrete, and incorporate design elements that have been included historically in churches built by Damien, according to consultant Chris Hart of Chris Hart & Partners. In addition to providing a worship space, the church plan also includes a multi-purpose room, classroom and meeting spaces for religious education, and a church narthex.

“St. Damien will be, as St. Sophia’s was, the centerpiece of Kaunakakai town,” said County Council Chair Danny Mateo, who spoke in favor of the church’s approval before the Molokai Planning Commission last Wednesday.

Molokai Staff Planner Mikal Torgerson said the church’s design is in compliance with all zoning regulations, the County general plan, and the Molokai Community plan. He added that the church plan had also been sent to 17 outside agencies for approval.

“This project was heavily scrutinized,” Torgerson said. “We believe that it’s compliant with all applicable regulations.”

In addition to approving the Special Management Area Use permit needed to build the church itself, commissioners also gave the okay for multi-use joint parking facilities with the Federal Credit Union which will provide an additional 34 parking stalls.

“I’ve watched the care and thoroughness that’s gone into the design,” said Molokai Planning Commissioner John Sprinzel in his approval of the church.

Members of the Catholic Church community came out in force to show their support of the new church.

“We will realize our dream of worshipping as a family in new church on midnight Christmas Eve 2011,” said one parishioner.

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Blessed Feast

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Blessed Feast

May 10 was a day of celebrations all over the world in honor of the feast day of Saint Damien De Veuster. But none were more poignant or relevant than those held on Molokai, the island Hawaii’s first saint called home. Last Monday, parishioners gathered at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church to extend prayer and gratitude to St. Damien. 

The evening was filled with vibrant images and vignettes of St. Damien as Mass commenced inside the faintly lit church on Molokai’s east end – one of four topside churches built by Damien himself.

Father Clyde Guerreiro, pastor of St. Damien Parish, led the ceremony alongside Deacon Michael Shizuma. The service was followed by a potluck supper, where guests enjoyed ono grinds and engaged in light conversation.

feel present among us. The day was beautiful.”

St. Philomena Church, located in Kalawao, began as a small chapel where Damien spent his first few nights on Molokai. He added on to the church twice, more than doubling its size, while parishioners refinished and painted the interior. Today, the church stands in homage to the priest.

Leoda Shizuma called it an “experience of a lifetime” for the Kalaupapa patients, to be right in the midst of his memory, where he set foot for many years.

“I thought they were moved and touched,” she added.

Michael Shizuma reflected on the experience as a good way to remember everything Damien has done for the isle.

“I feel very grateful to be a part of it,” he said.

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Holding On To Hula

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Holding On To Hula

Na Kupuna O Moana’s hula halau seem to glow as they join in a celebration of hula at Ka Hula Piko last Saturday. In its 19th year, the festival was held at Mitchell Pauole Center for the first time, a switch from its traditional Papohaku Beach location.

One event organizer said Ka Hula Piko had not seen decreased attendance at its former location at Papohaku Beach but that organizers wanted to bring it to a bigger cross section of Molokai and not just the west end.

The late kumu hula John Kaimikaua founded the annual event in 1991. “The heartbeat of our culture is dance. It is the essence of ourselves. Every movement in the universe is in our dance,” wrote Ka`imikaua.

According to a mo`olelo from the eighth century, a wahine named La`ila`i is said to have given birth to hula at Ka`ana on the hill Pu`u Nana on Molokai’s west end.

This year’s Ka Hula Piko featured both local and guest halau performances, ono grinds and a wide selection of local artists selling their crafts. The theme of the festival was “Molokai Pule O`o,” an ancient epithet spoken in praise and fear of the powerful prayer of Molokai’s kahuna (priests). Ka Hula Piko 2010 was dedicated to Aunty Louise Malulani Bush, who passed away on Feb. 10.

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A Groundbreaking Woman

Friday, May 14th, 2010

A Groundbreaking Woman

Community Contributed

By Heidi Chang, niece

Many gathered on Molokai last Friday to celebrate the life of Marybeth Yuen
Maul, who served the community as an attorney, judge and administrator of
Kalaupapa Settlement. Maul, who became one of Hawaii’s pioneering women
attorneys, died on April 23 in Eugene, Oregon. She was 85.

"She was the first woman judge of Asian Pacific American ancestry in Hawaii,"
said Toni Palermo of the Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center in
Honolulu.

“[Maul] was a pioneer and a role model,” said Douglas Chong, president of the
Hawaii Chinese History Center. “She was an inspiration because her roots
were from Molokai, and yet she could achieve so much.  It¹s not often that
people move away, become very successful, and come back to their roots.”

set
an example that made me feel more confident about my own potential.  Here
was a woman who defied huge odds to even become a lawyer in that era.”

Maul always felt it was her kuleana to help others.  “When my husband
suddenly died of a heart attack, she took care of all our legal matters, and
wouldn’t charge a cent,” said former Molokai resident Ellen Nishimura.  “She
also got my son a scholarship at Mid Pacific Institute, so he could continue
his studies in Honolulu during a difficult time for our family.”

Maul served as Molokai magistrate from 1957 to 1971, and later as a Molokai
District Court judge for the County of Maui.

“She went way beyond what a judge is required to do,” said Rev. Lynette
Schaefer, former vicar of Grace Episcopal Church on Molokai.

“When you think of judges, they’re often sending people to jail, and nothing
changes.  Marybeth did what she could before they got to that level, to give
them an opportunity to change. And a hope for the future. She would try to
find ways to support those individuals and families, so their lives would be
turned around. Everything she did, she did from the heart.”

Also an entrepreneur, Maul started Molokai’s first and only Chinese
restaurant with her family in 1963, called Hop Inn.

Maul ended her career serving the people of Kalaupapa Settlement as
administrator for seven years, retiring in 1992. “She had faith in me,” said
Gloria Marks.  “I was very afraid to talk in front of people.  She was
pushing me, to speak up for myself, and also the needs of the patients.  She
was a good teacher,” added Marks, now president of the Kalaupapa Patients
Advisory Council.

Maul said she loved living on Molokai because “the people are real.” She
enjoyed exploring its rugged coastline and lush valleys with her `ohana.

In 1988, the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center honored Maul with a Keeper of
the Flame Award for her extraordinary leadership and commitment to the
people of Hawaii.

If you¹d like to make a donation in the memory of Marybeth Yuen Maul please
contact the Molokai Humane Society, P.O. Box 1258, Kaunakakai, HI 96748.

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Destination Try B Pono

Friday, May 14th, 2010

The Molokai Veteran’s building permit is still on hold by Maui County Department of Water Supply (DWS).

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Steps for a Cause

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Steps for a Cause

In 25 minutes last Saturday morning, around 50 people raised just under $5,000 for nonprofits on Molokai.

The 33rd annual Visitors Industry Charity Walk raises money statewide for charities, and all money stays on the island where the money was raised. This was Molokai’s second year participating, where the donations also include extra money donated by the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, said Executive Director Carol Reimann.

This year had a higher turnout than last year thanks to the island’s keiki, said Councilman Danny Mateo.

,” said Molokai Chamber Foundation President Barbara Haliniak.

Along with Kaunakakai, Kalaupapa’s Aloha Week fund was also included through the Chamber Foundation. Participating nonprofits include Molokai Baptist Church, Aka`ula School, Habitat for Humanity, Molokai Family Support and the Monsanto Fund.

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Building a Future

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Building a Future

The cool Molokai breeze, a homemade lunch, camaraderie and the chance to do some good buoyed the enthusiasm of 16 women helping to build a house on a weekend when temperatures nudged the 80s.

Sporting red shirts, tool belts and hammers last Saturday, they were volunteering to build a house in Kamalo for Philip Vanderstraeten, who was selected by Habitat for Humanity to receive affordable housing.          

This day was near the end of Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week – an event that challenges women to learn and execute building techniques to help eliminate poverty housing.

“Our goal is to end homelessness,” said Emillia Noordhoek, resource development director of Molokai Habitat for Humanity. “[Women Build] encourages women to develop building skills, gain confidence with tools, and make a difference.”

Following an instructional skill and safety lesson, the volunteers were turned loose to work

on the foundation of the 700-square-foot house, constructing base blocks to support its frame. For this project, the Habitat crew will be using its first bamboo house kit – sustainable ready-made housing sets that take roughly one week to build.

Bamboo is a fast-growing and cost-effective alternative to chopping down forests, and is gaining popularity in the construction of homes.

Noordhoek said the kit will arrive in June, putting the completion date less than two weeks later. It will be Habitat’s first completely off-the-grid house on Molokai, incorporating solar, wind power and other renewable architecture.

Volunteering for Fun
Although the end result will be nothing short of gratifying, it’s the experience that some say is most rewarding.

“I never knew volunteering would be so fun,” said Vanderstraeten, who also said he never thought he’d be on the receiving end.

“Three years of camping gets old,” he added. “Now I have a house to live in and opportunity to give back to the community.”

Families selected by Habitat for Humanity are required to help in the construction of their homes, and others, equaling 400 to 500 hours of “sweat equity.” Applicants are also chosen based on their income level and ability to pay a zero-interest mortgage and taxes. Molokai currently has eight to 10 families lined up to receive new homes.

Moani Melcher, a single mother of three, will begin construction of her new home by next year. She and her three daughters were at the Kamalo site on Saturday, volunteering their time and hands with a generous spirit.

“I’m honored to be apart of such a unique experience,” Melcher said. “It’s the best thing; you make relationships with people.”

Melcher was “stunned” to learn that she was a chosen recipient, adding it was just “too good to be true.”

“It’s going to have a great impact on my life and the future of my kids,” she said. “I was unable to do it by myself. This could’ve never occurred if it weren’t for Habitat.”

Besides building brand new homes for clients, the program on Molokai plans to incorporate a “rehab for homes,” where run-down houses will be rehabilitated or upgraded for qualified applicants.

About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build affordable homes for low-income families around the world. Molokai became an affiliate in 1998 and is the only branch to serve poverty-stricken families on the island.

Women Build Day developed out of a partnership between Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity, and is celebrating its third year on Molokai. The outpour of women volunteers has not only highlighted the program’s success, but that on the Friendly Isle, a good deed knows no gender.


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