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Community

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

Ho’ala Kamakana i “Hi’ilei” Ke’ala’ona’ona ‘o Ku’upua Pakalana Dudoit

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Ho’ala Kamakana i “Hi’ilei” Ke’ala’ona’ona ‘o Ku’upua Pakalana Dudoit

Proud parents Hoku Dudoit and Nyla Chang of Long Beach, CA welcomed Ho'ala Kamakana i "Hi'ilei" Ke'ala'ona'ona 'o Ku'upua Pakalana Dudoit, on February 26, 2010, at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. She weighed 8lb, 9oz, and was 21 inches long.



Grandparents Dukie and Lynette Negrillo-Dudoit of Pearl City, and
Ruth Akiko and Douglas Chang of Lahaina, and great-grandparents Kalama Pila of Pearl City, Howard Yokotake of Hanalei, and Donald and Marcia Chang of Pearl City also welcomed her into the world.

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Shattered Dreams

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Shattered Dreams

This scene is not a drill. Actually, it’s a movie. Firemen find Jolenta Duvachelle dead-on-arrival at the scene of a horrific car accident last week, when Molokai High School acted out a mock car crash to show the effects of distracted driving, particularly drunk driving.

Driving the van is Lee’s ‘best’ student, Keaka Kamakana, who walks away from the crash. Passengers Brennan Lee-Namakaeha, Chenoa Ahuna-Kaai, Levi, and Kanahele Montizor also walk away, but Jolenta Duvachelle isn’t so lucky. The film is “as realistic as possible,” Lee said, and all emergency responders acted as if the crash was real.

The crash shows the real devastation, said Ahuna-Kaai. “Especially on Molokai. We’re a small island, everybody knows each other, and everybody cares about each other.”

The film will be played for the school before senior graduation.

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Sophia Investigation Lingers

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Sophia Investigation Lingers

While the Feb. 10 fire that gutted St. Sophia’s Church has propelled plans to build the new Saint Damien Church, the fire’s cause still remains under investigation.

Now that the Maui County Fire Department has wrapped up its preliminary investigations, the case has been turned over to the Kaunakakai Police Department.

The pending investigation is open to the possibility of either arson or accidental cause.
 
"Often time investigations are left open until new developments or leads arise by talking to people or any kind of physical evidence is found," said police Sgt. Eugene Santiago. "Electrical [cause] has been excluded."

Mahina Martin, Maui County communications director, said the demolition permit application for St. Sophia's has been received by Maui County, processed by the Planning Department and currently under review by the Department of Public Works.

Name That Church
Throughout time, the St. Damien Catholic Parish – and its four churches – has weathered change, especially with its name.

Prior to St. Damien being canonized in October 2009, the parish was known as Blessed Damien Catholic Parish. Once the priest was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on Oct. 11, the parish changed its name to St. Damien Catholic Parish in honor of the canonization.

Its four topside churches – collectively known as the Molokai Catholic Community – all retained their names except for St. Sophia’s, which will soon be known as Saint Damien Church.

Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, Kalua'aha


Located on the west end, St. Vincent’s was built in 1940 as a mission of the previous Sacred Heart Parish, whose priests still practice in Molokai today, in Ho`olehua. Mass is held at St. Vincent Ferrer once every Sunday.
 

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Kalaupapa Patient Arrested for Meth

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Kalaupapa Patient Arrested for Meth

A Kalaupapa patient is accused of intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine to the peninsula where he has lived most of his life.

Norbert Palea, 68, is currently in federal custody until his court date on March 15. He was stopped at the Honolulu International Airport while on a medical visit on Feb. 26, where he was found attempting to ship plastic bags holding 18 grams of methamphetamine.

can do something for him,” she said.

Intent to distribute methamphetamine, as a Schedule II controlled substance, carries a federal penalty of at least five years imprisonment and a maximum $2 million fine.

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‘Molokai Is’ Round 3 – VOTE NOW

Monday, March 8th, 2010

‘Molokai Is’ Round 3 – VOTE NOWBig congrats to last week’s contest winner David Nanod, whose cleverly worded entry reminds us that Molokai is but a reflection of our own judgments – simple but deep indeed. See his entry, and others, at www.TheMolokaiDispatch.com.

David, along with ten-year-old Ko`i`ula who won the week before, will be enjoying $50 towards the fine food at the Kualapu`u Cookhouse. But don’t be jealous, you can be a winner too.

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
With such great entries it’s safe to say that we are dealing with some inspired people this week. Is it fair there can only be one winner? Probably not, but it makes for a good contest. So whose inspired entry deserves the $50 prize to Kualapu`u Cookhouse. That’s up to you. Vote online now at www.TheMolokaiDispatch.com or call 808-552-2781 and leave us a message.

Molokai Is All of These Things
By Lee Mott

Molokai is, Sunday with smoke and smells coming from beach gatherings, fish, food and family.

Molokai is, ancient Hawaiian fishponds, stone walls, heiaus, and modern Hawaiians looking into the future.

Molokai is the North Shore with waterfalls and cliffs, Mana’e, the reef, the West End with those beaches.

Molokai is, barking deer, chickens, and bugs. 

Molokai is, the barge, downtown, off island, and coming home.

Molokai is, leaving your keys in the car, not locking your doors at night, and knowing there is always help on the road. 

Molokai is, baseball, flat bottom boats, rodeos, rust, and red dirt.

Molokai is, a great place to grow up, a great place to be from and a great place to come home to.

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New Bulbs for a New Future

Monday, March 8th, 2010

It’s no secret that up to 90,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will be flooding the homes and businesses of Molokai over the next two months in a joint venture to promote energy efficiency. And although this new effort is as ambitious as it is inspiring, it begs one question: Why Molokai?

It all began with the Blue Line Project in October 2009. Blue Planet Foundation, who is providing Molokai with the free bulbs, partnered with Molokai teachers, students and organizations in a project designed to target the impact of predicted sea level rise on Hawaiian coastlines.

Molokai community members involved with the Blue Line Project wanted to take further action in energy efficiency and extend it to Molokai.

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Olelo Special on KP2

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Olelo Special on KP2

Airing tonight March 4, 2010 on Olelo channel 53 will be the Olelo production, "Hoailona and the Coming of the Seals." It is the story of Molokai’s monk seal "KP2, and was initiated by Hawaiian activist Walter Ritte and Monk Seal Advocate Loretta Ritte. It is moderated by Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD, and the Reverend David Kaupu. The goal of the show is to present the problem, clear up false rumor and create momentum needed in the Hawaiian community to save the Hawaiian Monk Seal.
 
Airing March 4 and 11 at 7 p.m., channel 53.
"Hoailona and the coming of the seals"
Reverend David Kaupu
Walter Ritte - Hawaiian Activists
Loretta Ritte - Monk Seal Advocate
Lono Hirakawa - Musician and Composer
Moderator: Trisha Kahaulani Watson JD, PhD


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Education Tops Molokai Reps List

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Education Tops Molokai Reps List

As we near the middle of this year’s legislative session, many bills important to Molokai have picked up steam while others fell to the wayside. Rep. Mele Carroll lost out on her civil unions bill, but Sen. Kalani English has many bills focused on the education on Molokai.

Bills are usually referred to two or three committees when introduced, according to the Hawaii Public Access Room (PAR), a government agency that provides information to the public about the legislature. If the bill did not reach its last committee by Feb. 26, called the First Decking, it is dead for the session.

Here is a breakdown of some of the bills important to Molokai introduced by state representatives.

Rep. Carroll, (D) 13th District
•    Capital Improvement Projects: Money was secured last year for many important infrastructural projects on Molokai, including $3.5 million for repairs to the Molokai Irrigation System, $1 million for Molokai Ohana Health Care and $500,000 toward land acquisition for Maui Community College – Molokai Campus. Carroll is currently working on releasing that money.
•    Hawaiian Home Lands: Gaming (HB2759). Authorizes the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) to allow gaming on Hawaiian Homelands. Carroll said she wanted to start a “conversation” about a way to generate a continual source of revenue. All the money would be reinvested in the community, and a commission within the homelands would regulate the gaming. Did not pass through Committee on Finance.
•    Closure and consolidation of schools (HB2974). Prohibits a school’s closure due to inadequate funding under the weighted school formula. Specifically prohibits the closure of Maunaloa Elementary School. Did not pass through Committee on Education or Committee on Finance.
•    Instructional days at public schools (HB2486). Companion to Senate Bill 2336. Establishes a minimum number of instructional hours per school year beginning in 2011-2012 school year. The bill passed through all required committees and went to a vote on Mar. 2.
•    Civil Unions (HB444). Extends the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners in a civil union. Passed in Senate, but postponed indefinitely by House on Jan. 29.


Anyone wishing to learn more about these and the representatives’ many other bills, visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov. To submit testimony to a hearing, or to let Carroll and English know of questions and concerns, call their offices at 1-800-468-4644: Carroll ext. 66790; English ext. 77225.



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U.S. Census Road Tour – Molokai

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

U.S. Census Road Tour – Molokai

2010 Census questionnaires will be mailed beginning March 15-17. Residents are encouraged to mail back the questionnaires by Census Day on April 1. In early April, census takers will go door to door to assist residents who did not mail back their questionnaire.

For those without mailboxes, the Hawaii Counts 2010 Census Road Tour is making four stops on Molokai this week.

March 4 at 11 a.m.
Molokai High School – Principal Denise Kelley
Point Person: Student Activities Lisa Takada
denise_kelly/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us
lisa_takada/MOLOKAIH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

March 4 at 1 p.m.
Maunaloa Elementary – Principal joe Yamamoto
joe_yamamoto/MAUNALOA/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

March 5 at 9 a.m.
Mana`e Goods and Grindz – Kehau Ward
ckward1@yahoo.com

March 6 at 9 a.m.
Molokai Middle School’s Annual Bazaar - `Iolani Ku`oha
iolani_kuoha/MOLOKAIM/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us

Questions? Contact those above, or U.S. Census Bureau Hawaii Media Specialist Roberta Wong Murray 960-1252
Molokai 2010 Census Complete Count Committee Chair `Iolani Ku`oha, c/o Moloka'i Middle School. Call (c) 336-1359, (w) 567-6940.

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Fee Increase in West Molokai

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The West Molokai Association has announced that they have raised maintenance fees on all properties in the West Molokai development by 666%! WMA is a homeowners association which has no common property to maintain, only has to hold an annual meeting, several board meetings and operate the Design Committee. It encompasses all of the 800-plus dwellings and lots in the Kaluakoi area.

In a time of dire financial hardship, this reckless move is unconscionable. Many property owners in the development are retired and living on fixed incomes and many more are struggling with tight budgets due to the current hard times.

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