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Community

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

Aunty’s Corner

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Aunty’s Corner

Aloha Aunty Here Again,

My dear friend Kealoha has left for the frozen north in Chicago.  She called to say she misses the green, swaying palm trees. Kealoha and I went to Coffees of Hawaii the weekend before she left so she could say goodbye to Ohana Hoaloha.  It was aunty Ku’ulei’s birthday and we were graced with the Junior Song Leader for the Kamehameha School Contest. We also went to the bazaar at the Middle School.  Thank goodness I didn’t take more money.  I bought oranges, papaya, mochi, and a flower for my hair.  From there we went to Maunaloa for Music Saturday with Lono at the Kite Shop.  It was so cool to see so many people there.  I needed at jacket because it was so cold and Aunty Jan whipped one off the rack and gave it to me.  I was so surprised.  I gave her a donation.  She said everything is free but I told her I wanted to share the aloha she has by my donation for those who can’t.

I have never seen so many people come in for passport photos here.  I guess the Philippine Consulate is arriving in a few weeks and they need to get passports updated.  Such nice people to talk with.  I so love to meet new people.  Tina and Steve are going to Germany, Hong Kong, and S. China.  Steve will be working with the governments regarding solid waste to energy and water clarification.

Our really cute young women who work here have decided to get some more tattoos.  Kim had her foot done, Heather had one behind her ear and Megan had one on her shoulder.  Guess I started a trend.  Now I want another one. 

I am every excited about the Kamehameha School Guitar Club coming to Molokai to give a concert on April 24th at 4 p.m. at Home Pumehana for all the community.  There may be three Molokai boys coming to play with the club.  I’ll let you know the names when they are confirmed.  We have some new residents that have moved in: Uncle Jessie, Aunty Mele, Uncle Tom, and Aunty Sharon.  Welcome to you all.  I absolutely love to sit and listen to my aunties that live around me talk story.  I am surprised at how many had danced hula in their younger years.

Alulike’s Uncle Clarence made so ono bread pudding.  I hope that Heaven has bread pudding.  It is my all time favorite dessert.  Mahalo, Uncle. You are welcome to make some for me, hint, hint. 

Our Punana Leo language classes have been on hold for several weeks.  I went to the first class last night.  Stress, stress, but it turned out to be a meeting for their fund raiser Ho’omau 2010 on April 10th at the Lanikeha Center.  I’m helping Miliopuna sell tickets, $2 each.  Come see me and I’ll sell some to you.  They have some really great prizes.  

Well, I guess I’ve babbled on long enough.  I love talking to you all.  Remember to send me your ideas.  Me Kealoha Pumehana, Aunty

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Veterans of Italy Tour

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Association of Descendents of Veterans of WWII Italian Campaign will tour Italy and the American battlefield cemeteries during September 2010.

Veterans, their families, children and grandchildren will visit Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Cassino, Salerno and the military cemeteries at Florence and Anzio-Nettuno to honor and to remember those 24,000 combat soldiers and Navy men who gave up their lives in the battle against the Nazis in 1943-1945.

For information call the association at 561-865-8495.

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Health Center Continues to Grow

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Health Center Continues to Grow

As the demand for psychiatric help began to increase, it became apparent to the Molokai Community Health Center that the island needed a new psychologist.

Enter Dr. John Havey. After receiving a bachelors from the University of Hawaii-Manoa, a master’s and a PhD in clinical and counseling psychology, Havey has worked with Care Hawaii, a mental health service provider in Oahu, as well as domestic abuse centers, working with both perpetrators and victims. Working in these services, he said, “feels the most rewarding because [abuse] seems to go in a cycle.”

extreme, like ‘I can’t think for myself,” he said. “But it’s helpful to receive services for temporary situations, like adjustment, loss, grief, insomnia.

“Trying to find a way back to well-being.”

For an appointment or more information, call 553-5038 and ask for Solene. Clinic hours are 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Adult Daycare Moves Forward

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Adult Daycare Moves Forward

After resolving a four-year parking lot issue, the adult daycare program at Home Pumehana has been granted a step forward. The Molokai Planning Commission (MPC) voted unanimously to extend the county special use permit to Hale Mahaolu. Hale Mahaolu is landlord of the Home Pumehana retirement center in Kaunakakai - the facility which would house the program.

Vice-chair Steven Chaikin said the planned facility is a valuable service to the community.

“Obviously [Molokai’s] adult daycare needs are going to continue,” he said.

The application was filed in 2006, but halted when off-site parking could not be appropriately consolidated into the area. The County of Maui resolved the issue, but due to the length of time, the permit was set to expire in July 2016.

Commissioner John Sprinzel suggested extending the permit, starting from this year, to give the permit a full 10 years. MPC agreed and voted to extend the special use permit to July 2020.

Extending Home Pumehana into a daycare requires an additional license, which Judy Mikami of Na Pu`uwai said is still pending. Na Pu`uwai, a community-based health organization, will be staffing the new center.

Students Visit Commission

The seven-student class of Ho`omana Hou School made a visit to the last MPC meeting as a part of their political science curriculum. Each stood before the commission and voiced a concern they had about the community, such as the closing of Maunaloa Elementary and

“It’s great to see you engaged and involved in the process,” Chaikin said. “You are the future of this island.” He also encouraged them to voice their thoughts at the next Molokai Community Plan, a public event every 10 to 20 years.

As one commissioner who became active in Molokai affairs at the same age as these students, Mikiala Pescaia was proud to see them get involved as well.

“I look forward to seeing you one day sitting in this seat,” she said.

Commissioner Resigns

Chaikin also announced that commissioner Teri Waros, owner of Kalele Bookstore and Divine Expressions, offered her resignation. Waros stated that scheduling conflicts were the reason for her resignation.

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Math Day Rocks

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Math Day Rocks

Community Contributed

By Linda Venenciano, Kelli Ching, Monique Chyba & Joshua Kaakua

There was no warning of an impending natural disaster on March 6, but something extraordinary was underway. A team of 28 University of Hawai’i mathematics, engineering, and science students and faculty led approximately 70 keiki and their grown-up in hands-on activities, inspiring them to pursue STEM (science-technology-engineering-mathematics). Ten different 30-minute activities were created—“Airplanes and Brains” had kids craft superior paper airplanes; tangram puzzles encouraged kids to use geometric skills to solve problems; Lego robotics led kids in building and programming robots; and a favorite among the younger ones was the building of 3-D structures using candies and toothpicks.


This event was inspired by mathematics Professor Monique Chyba, the Principal Investigator on a project funded by the National Science Foundation, School and University Partnership for Educational Renewal in Mathematics (SUPER-M). Molokai Math Day was conceived of through the collaborative efforts of Dr. Chyba, Linda Venenciano (SUPER-M manager and spouse of MHS alum Billy Venenciano, c/o ‘89), and Josh Ka‘akua and Kelli Ching of the Native Hawaiian Science & Engineering Mentorship Program (NHSEMP). In addition to engaging kids in STEM activities, this event intended to mentor Moloka‘i’s next generation of STEM college students. With the assistance of MHS’s Mr. Johnathan Smith and Mrs. Lisa Takata, high school students were recruited to work with the SUPER-M fellows and NHSEMP students in running the activities and encouraging the children.


Attendees of the event had comments like, “We should have more activities and make it longer,” “It lets me use my strengths I never got to use,” “It was good and fun to us,” “Math Day Rocks,” and “I hope we have another math day!”


There was one suggestion for a STEM competition between the Moloka‘i students and the college students. Look out UH Rainbows, the Farmers are calling you out!


The organizers of the event initiated plans to continue STEM mentoring on Moloka‘i. The NSF-funded SUPER-M project will provide a fellowship to a mathematics graduate student as she brings modern mathematics research to Moloka‘i schools. This is scheduled to begin in the 2010-11 school year. For more information about SUPER-M see http://www2.math.hawaii.edu/superm.


Another effort to promote STEM mentoring is being led by the NHSEMP. The program aims to encourage more students from Native Hawaiian communities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. NHSEMP is exploring the possibility of returning to build computers with Moloka‘i students. NHSEMP was also responsible for the generous iTouch, iPod, and iShuffle raffle prize donations. For more information see http://nhsemp.eng.hawaii.edu/.
Support for this event came from the UH Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity Office but this would not have happened without additional support from various entities on Moloka‘i. The organizers would like to extend a huge MAHALO NUI LOA to the folks who helped make this event a success through their enthusiasm, tireless efforts, and generous contributions: The Venenciano Ohana and Lisa Takata and Ohana for hosting the group; Moana Dudoit, Raquel Dudoit and the Dudoit bus service and sound system; Shannon (U‘i) Lima, the Gear-Up Project, Kelly Dudoit, Tanya Mendija for funding the dinner-meeting; Rachel Adshire, Keala Hula and Ana Madela for preparing us the dinner, running the sign-in table and many, many other details; MHS Principal Denise Kelly, Mr. Johnathan Smith, Mrs. Malia Lee and the MHS student volunteers; Joshy (Boy) Pastrana for hosting NHSEMP in Halawa valley, Kimberly Svetin for her incredible PR efforts; the County of Maui, Moloka‘i Parks and Recreation Department for their support; Dan Emhof for the public service announcement, MEO-Molokai for their assistance; and the schools, teachers, and community for encouraging students to attend the event.


The aloha spirit that defines the Friendly Isle resonated throughout and was awesome to experience. It was the first time experiencing Moloka‘i for most and it will certainly be a long cherished memory for all. It was an honor to be received so warmly by the community.

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Autopsy Released on Manalili

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Autopsy Released on Manalili

Rupert Manalili, 44, was a recent arrival to Molokai when he passed away on December 29, 2009. His recently released autopsy reported cause of death to be accidental drowning. Detective Santiago, the officer in charge of his investigation, said there was no evidence of foul play and the investigation has been closed.

“He had some injuries [on his hands] consistent with being facedown and making contact with the reef,” Santiago said. “None was significant” to cause of death.

Manalili was found by two passersby on the morning of December 30 at Papohaku Beach. Santiago said by the time medical help arrived, Manalili was already deceased.

Manalili was born in Lakewood, Washington, and lived Massachusetts, New York City, and Colorado before living in Molokai. His travels took him to the Philippines, Japan, Maine, Paris, San Francisco, and Caribbean before visiting the Hawaiian islands.
He made friends on Molokai and decided to move to here in September 2009.

He mostly worked as a chef, including a stint at Paddlers Inn. Friends and family gave him a Hawaiian memorial service on January 8, 2010 at One Ali`i Park, and his ashes were scattered at Mo`omomi Beach.

The Manalili Family wishes to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to Auntie Snooky, Uncle Jesse, Scarlett Ritte, Kalae Tangonan, Kathy Lapinski-Kennedy, Joe Kennedy, and Jaime Ronzello, for their friendship, kindness, unfailing love and assistance in helping with the lovely memorial service as well as the spiritual send off during the spreading of the ashes at Mo`omomi Bay. Molokai Island is a bittersweet experience for Rupert's family.

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To Community Leaders…

Monday, March 15th, 2010

In Hulili, Multidisciplinary Research on Hawaii Well-Being, Vol. 5 (2008), “Molokai: Future of a Hawaii Island,” it states that Molokai is the last Hawaiian island, that Molokai is pro-lifestyle, that Molokai is a cultural repository for it is a place where people come to learn Hawaiian culture and more. This publication was written by a hui of `opio and makua with many community contributors’ mana`o. On these fifty pages, the document states their efforts to carry forward the holistic vision to protect and nurture the natural and cultural resources for the future of Molokai.

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Listening to God’s Voice

Monday, March 15th, 2010

A message to the church: Whose voice are you listening to? Are you listening to the whole counsel of God, or merely confining yourself to what your particular denomination teaches as their “central doctrine?” We are praying for revival, and revival will come when we as God’s people truly humble ourselves in such a way that we are willing to come into agreement with all that our Lord says and willing to obey as well.

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Meth Charges Plague Kalaupapa

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Meth Charges Plague Kalaupapa

While Kalaupapa patient Norbert Palea awaits a verdict for his Feb. 26 arrest for intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, the settlement has been advised to treat him as it did prior to the allegations.

“He is innocent until proven guilty,” said Mark Miller, Kalaupapa Department of Health (DOH) administrator. In a community meeting on March 9, he informed the patient residents and state workers that Palea “shouldn’t be treated any differently.”

Palea, 68, was released Thursday, March 4 and arrived back at the peninsula the following day, Miller said. He was released on $25,000 bail.

Palea is Kalaupapa’s youngest patient, and was arrested at the Honolulu International Airport nearly three weeks ago while on a medical visit. He was allegedly attempting to ship 18 grams of methamphetamine in several Ziploc bags.

His court date was set for March 15.

recycling program, but it’s still a work in progress,” Miller said.

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Molokai Is Winners — Vote Now for Week 4!

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Molokai Is Winners — Vote Now for Week 4!

Who knew barking deer, chickens, and bugs could win you a free meal? Lee Mott knew. He poetically described Molokai in some if it’s most basic elements, earning him a winning entry in last week’s contest. But let’s not forget Susi Cook’s masterpiece – a cleverly rhymed poem describing Molokai’s unique essence – well done indeed.

Share your ideas about what Molokai means to you. One winner per week selected by Molokai Dispatch readers. Each submission must include the full name, phone number, and photo of the contestant and no more than 150 words. Kids, ask your parents or teachers for permission. The Molokai Dispatch reserves the right to edit and print all submissions. Submit entries via email (Editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com), in person at our Kaunakakai office (Moore building suite 5 – we can take your photo), or by snail mail (PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI 96748). 

Molokai Is – Round 3
“Molokai is a small island but with lots and lots of love,” writes a student from Diane Abraham’s fourth grade class. It’s hard not to get teary-eyed seeing Molokai through the eyes of our keiki. If they are any sign of what our future holds, we have a beautiful and prosperous future ahead of us. Maika`i no e na haumana!


What Molokai Means To Me – fourth graders at Kualapu`u School
On a sandy beach, a flower grows and that flower is the naupaka. On the same sandy beach, just out of reach, a seal lies and soaks in the sun. That seal’s name is Ho’ohelo. When not on the beach, he is out fishing in the deep blue sea. He finds fish, eels and squid to eat. Living free like Ho’ohelo is the Molokai lifestyle, and that’s what this island means to me.  *submitted by Genevieve Kikukawa*

Molokai is beautiful. It’s like a blossom in the night and a flower in the day. Molokai is filled with nice people, and is surrounded by a turquoise sea. There are yummy fruits and big coconut trees. Molokai is my home; it’s the place where I was born and where my parents came when they were teenagers. *submitted by Michelle McGuire*

Molokai is called the Friendly Island. We are located in between the rest of the Hawaiian island chain.  Our island color is green, and our flower is the kukui. We are a very small island, we have no traffic lights. Like the other islands, Molokai is a great place to live because we all know each other on this small little rock. My parents were born and raised on this island, and I wouldn’t change a thing on this Paradise Island. *submitted by Martika Kaulia*

Molokai is a beautiful place. It says ‘aloha’ everyday. Even though I was not born here, I know that this is my home. It is where my ancestors lived and are buried. Molokai is full of sweet people, and has beautiful fishponds and beaches. It is a peaceful place to be. Molokai is a small island but with lots and lots of love. *submitted by Ariah Hirashima*

I think Molokai is a beautiful island. It is a very peaceful place. Molokai means Aloha to me. It has great beaches and surf. The oceans are gorgeous and calm waters lap along its eastern shores. It is a lovely place to live. *submitted by Ilima Kaawa- Richardson*

The thing about Molokai is that there will always be aloha, peace, pono, laulima and malama. Molokai will stay green because people will malama the aina. There will be no pollution in the air or the sea. Molokai is a beautiful and nice place to live. It is a place to love. *submitted by Tashia-Lyn McGuire*

Molokai is a peaceful and relaxing place. Its people take care of the land. We respect our people, and we love and aloha this island. We live with Hawaiian values. Molokai is a big ohana. We will keep Molokai the same. *submitted by Kaeo Adolpho*

What Molokai means to me is a beautiful island at night with a blanket of stars, and during the day, the warmth of a beautiful sun. *submitted by Camille Kahalewai*

Molokai is my home. It stretched out its arms and welcomed me and became my family when I needed it most. My family at church, at Kualapuu School, on the water in our canoes, and throughout the community, all provided me a sense of peace during a turbulent time in ways I could never have imagined. Molokai is life’s peaceful beach that I landed upon after crashing through waves of tumult. Aloha is imbedded here, with the sense of Ke Akua greater than any other place. *submitted by Diane Abraham (kumu)*  

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Molokai is a beautiful woman with a powerful voice that sings to our souls with ancient traditions, wise and true, that have nearly been forgotten. She reaches out through the fog of time, struggling to guide her people into an uncertain future. She has so much love and nourishment for her children. We should respect Molokai. We must malama Molokai. We need to listen to her song.
 
By Kalae Arnold

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