Community

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

Missing the point in “Lā‘au Satire”

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

In reading Alona Demmers’s recent review of my satire on L?‘au, I was really surprised that despite her obvious literary capacity, she was unable to recognize the motive or purpose behind this satire. It appears that because of her own insecurities, she has misconstrued the content of the satire and turned it into something personal. I readily admit that “bullets flying through the air as your children return home from school” is a legitimate concern, but it was never the intent of my letter to somehow endorse that type of situation as something that is acceptable.

My intention was, in Alona’s own words, to expose the “human folly” in attempting to develop and construct residential homes in a place that is (1) a traditional hunting area; (2) an area where the majority of the island opposes development; (3) an area that lacks adequate water; (4) an area that is a critical environmental and cultural habitat. My intention was also to expose the folly of the Molokai EC. Though this organization is supposed to represent the community, the majority vote of this group has continuously ignored public sentiment to the point now of not even allowing the people of Molokai to attend it’s meetings.

In regard to using the word “outsider” I was simply referring to someone coming from outside of Molokai. In Molokai Ranch’s Environmental Impact Study for La’au Point, the Ranch clearly states in their financial report that they expect potential buyers to be penta- millionaires coming from “outside” of Molokai. An interesting item of note is that they expect a fair percentage of those buyers to be those who come from other resort areas of Hawaii and who have in turn grown dissatisfied with the areas they now live in because of the exponential growth that has taken place in those areas.  As far as whether or not someone fits into Molokai, well, Molokai herself has a way of figuring that one out.

And as far as insect phobia goes, I am afraid that this is one of the side effects of our modern society, where we end up spending much more time behind computer and TV screens than spending time outdoors, experiencing the wonders of the natural world (including insects). The good news for those who have been raised in such a disconnected manner is that Molokai offers the opportunity to reconnect and awards us the privilege to experience and appreciate what only God himself is capable of creating. 

May the desire to protect this special place be a part of our “collective consciousness.”

Mahalo,

Steve  Morgan

Two Thumbs Down for Steve Morgan’s Satire

Monday, February 4th, 2008


By Alona Demmers 

When a writer pens his thoughts on paper, whether it’s the plot for an adventure movie or a witty satirical article for the local paper, one can assume that there is a purpose or a motive behind the effort. After all, why would someone spend all that time formulating ideas on a subject and then typing it in the computer knowing all this hard work is purposeless and futile.  

With this in mind and being someone who enjoys a “good” satire (given my sometimes wicked sense of humor), I jumped at  reading  Steve Morgan’s satirical article “La’au: The Movie, only to find it  short of amusing and without legitimate motive. Aside from perhaps a boost to the writer’s ego (if that’s legitimate enough), hard as I try, I could not convince myself that there was a valid, corrective reason for why this article came to be or should even exist , not to mention, published. A satire exposes human folly and vice to ridicule with the intent to inspire social reform.  Perhaps I need someone to enlighten me since the only motive I could scrape from this article in its simplest form is ill spirited and in its most productive form inciting intolerance  and  discord .  I would venture to say that even the most positive person out there will fail to squeeze an ounce of inspiration for social reform from the aforementioned satire.

Department of Education Complex News

Monday, February 4th, 2008

Department of Education Complex News

The Read Aloud Program invites families to enjoy an evening of food, family and literary fun. 

By Siri Anderson

Student Achievement

Congratulations to all Molokai schools for making significant and continuous academic growth! All six Molokai were invited to the Hawaii Distinguished Schools Award luncheon on Oahu, honoring their outstanding achievement in both reading and math from School Year 2005 through 2007.

As a parent or guardian, you can help the schools continue to address raising your child’s performance by:

  • Coming to parent-school meetings and workshops
  • Supporting your child’s good study habits;
  • Reviewing your child’s homework and test results; and
  • Setting goals with your child.

RAP - Read Aloud Program

The Read Aloud Program (RAP) is a fun filled family program that promotes reading aloud and helps parents and children share good books and build a lifelong love of reading.

Maunaloa Elementary School will host four more sessions; Feb. 19, March 4, April 22 and May 6. For more information contact the school liaison Kimberly Kaii at 552-2000.

Kualapu`u Elementary School will also host four more RAP sessions; Feb. 20, March 5, April 23 and May 7. For more information contact the school liaison Leila Elia at 567-6900.

Free Tutoring Available!

Qualified students can receive free tutoring in reading and math. Qualification is based on free/reduced lunch status. Parents, guardians and kupuna, please take advantage of these valuable services, designed to boost student achievement by filling out an application form today! Applications are available in school offices.

Free Books!

Molokai keiki and their parents are invited to take advantage of a special reading opportunity. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides free, high quality, age-appropriate books every month to registered children, who live in designated communities, from the time they are born up until kindergarten. This is made possible through a collaborative partnership among the Dollywood Foundation, the Hawaii Department of Human Services, the University of Hawaii Center on the Family and our elementary Schools.

To register your child, go to the office of the elementary school nearest to where you live to complete an application. Books will begin arriving via the U.S. Postal Service between eight to ten weeks after a registration form has been submitted.

Kudos to:

In a special Kaunakakai School assembly this fall, Malia (DeCourcy) Sakamoto was named “Everyday Hero.” The Everyday Hero Award, sponsored by Papa John’s Restaurant, recognizes teachers who instill a love for learning in students, respond to student needs and support peers by sharing effective instructional practices, experiences and expertise to maximize student learning. Along with Malia Busby, Mrs. Sakamoto developed the nationally recognized FACT (Families and Classroom Teachers) Program which effectively teams Kaunakakai teachers and families to support learning in a fun and natural way.

In his first year as the girls’ volleyball coach, Molokai Middle School vice principal, Matthew Helm, was named Coach of the Year by the MIL (Maui Interscholastic League). Leading his team to second place in the MIL and fourth place in the state championships was an outstanding accomplishment, as this was. Congratulations to both the team members and their coach!

Molokai Middle School students won first prize at the 35th Annual Na Mele O Maui song contest for their division. Na Mele is dedicated to cultural preservation and the perpetuation of Hawaiian language and arts. The winning song, “E o Molokai’ was composed by a Molokai resident, Awapuhimele Napoleon and taught to the middle school students by her younger sister, Luana Keonaona Po’okela Napoleon, and aunt, Iolani Kuoha.

Lifelong Learning

K-12 Molokai teacher teams from all schools have been working to ensure instruction in writing and mathematics is consistent across all grade levels and schools. Meeting monthly, teachers are collaborating to align the State Standards into a “Molokai” document that will detail what students should be able to know, do and understand in both math and reading.

ETS (Educational Testing Service) continues to provide rigorous professional development in math and reading. As the complex restructuring provider, ETS has been charged with helping our schools increase student achievement. Molokai teachers have additionally been fortunate to participate in workshops offered by nationally recognized educational leaders including Cindy Strickland (Differentiated Instruction) and Anne Davies (Assessment for Learning).

Upcoming Complex Events

Please join us at our annual complex community meeting highlighting school Academic/Financial Plans. Enjoy dinner courtesy of the Molokai complex. Our school principals, complex personnel and ETS Providers, Pat and Carol Nordquist will be on hand to discuss focused strategies to improve student achievement and ways parents can support learning. Feb.13 at the Kaunakakai School Cafeteria 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Read Aloud Program Update

Saturday, February 2nd, 2008

Read Aloud Program Update

Future dates for the Read Aloud Program at Maunaloa and Kualapu`u elementary schools

Maunaloa Elementary School will host five more sessions; Feb. 5 and 19, March 4, April 22 and May 6. For more information contact the school liaison Kimberly Kaii at 552-2000.

Kualapu`u Elementary School will also host five more 5:45-7:45 p.m. RAP sessions; Feb. 6 and 20, March 5, April 23 and May 7. For more information contact the school liaison Leila Elia at 567-6900. Families can also contact the Kualap`uu Family Facilitator, Tarrah Horner, for more information on how to get involved. Horner can be reached at 567-6900 ext. 231, or email tarrah_horner@notes.k12.hi.us

Promote Healthy Dating Habits

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

Violence Awareness and Prevention Week begins 

Dating violence is a serious issue. Teens remain the most likely age group to experience intimate partner violence. Unhealthy relationship patterns that develop during adolescence can set the stage for future domestic violence.

Whether teens date casually or seriously, they need to know the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. 

A major step to prevention begins in the home.  

“Simply put, parents play an important role in promoting healthy teen dating relationships.  Talk to your child about healthy dating, meet your child’s boyfriend/girlfriend, and help your child be aware of unhealthy relationship behaviors such as cyber control,” Tula`i Project Investigator Susana Helm said.

The issue is particularly important in Hawaii, where violence continues to occur at alarming rates, according to studies conducted by the Tula`i Project and the Asian/Pacific Islander Youth Violence Prevention Center.

Dating violence ranges from anything involving physical or emotional abuse, to pressure to participate in unwanted sexual activities.

Individuals and families can learn more about how to prevent dating violence during National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week held Feb. 4-8.

On Molokai, the Domestic Violence Shelter can provide assistance. Teens can call the hotline for free, confidential, and anonymous help: 567-6888.

Fathers Talk Story

Friday, January 25th, 2008

Workshop offers parenting know how

By Jennifer Smith

The Mediation Center is offering men a chance to talk story about parenting. A 12-week workshop for fathers will begin on Feb. 6.

Program facilitator Taylor Kawaa has offered the workshop for the past two years. Meeting for about an hour on Wednesday evenings, participants discuss the different challenges and successes they may be encountering as fathers.

“I’m not here to change people’s lives. They will change on their own,” Kawaa said. “(I) offer ideas of trying to cope with their relationships, with their wives or their children.”

New EIS an Improvement

Thursday, January 17th, 2008

A satirical look at the proposed La`au development.

Well any one who thought that there would be no improvements with Molokai Ranch’s new EIS is totally wrong. The font style used on the front cover of the EIS is absolutely beautiful and displays a distinct style that is both inspiring and thoughtful.  

In regard to the EIS I have a suggestion that could really work if implemented. I was reflecting on an old science fiction movie the other night called “Silent Running”. Not sure if anyone remembers this flick or not but in the movie the last bit of ecological habitat left in the universe is concealed in what appears to be a giant plexi glass dome.

But here’s my thought, rather than put the area of ecological habitat inside the dome, we put the development inside. Think of it, the La’au development could be inside a giant plexi glass dome. You might ask what are the advantages 1) Those who live in the dome would be totally isolated from the rest of the community and wouldn’t have to deal with insults or bad vibes (2) the dome would conceal unwanted noise from encroaching hunters and shield from the occasional stray bullet (3) Phobic mainlanders and outsiders who can’t handle insects and wild life could live in a remarkably clean and antiseptic environment (4) With no available water for La’au, a plexi glass dome could work something like a giant green house collecting moisture on it’s walls. (5) Plexi glass is transparent and still offers outstanding views. This is extremely important when taking real estate values into consideration. 

There are certain complexities that would have to be dealt with such as bird kukae collecting on the upper portion of the dome but this issue could be easily dealt with. In fact, with the EC board no longer having to be pestered by the community, it is possible that this board could take the time necessary to plan and strategize such a design.  I am exited as we reach out to protect the people who will live at La’au and help to prosper those who will benefit from such a project. 

Mahalo,Steve Morgan

Births

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

Ayzalie Kawainlohaihiwahiwa 
The world would like to welcome Ayzalie Kawainlohaihiwahiwa Aalona-Dudoit.  Her proud parents are Lyvette May and Scott and grandparents Larry and Gloria Aalona as well as Robin and Lisa Dudoit. Ayzalie was born January 2, 2008 at 5:33 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 5.4 oz and was 20 inches long.   

Obituaries

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

CHELSY KAWAILANI STONE-LAWELAWE (female) 16 years old of Honouliwai, Molokai.

Chelsy was born on May 18, 1991 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She passed away on January 3, 2007 in Kaunakakai, Molokai.

Chelsy is survived by her loving parents Vonda Stone and Frank Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Molokai, her companion Brandon Lima of Honouliwai, Molokai and her brothers Stanton Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Waika Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Brandon Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Waikolu Stone-Sardinha of Kaunakakai. Chelsy is also survived by her sisters, Courtney Lawelawe of Honolulu, Hawaii, Desiree Stone-Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, and Summer Stone-Sardinha of Kaunakakai.

Friends may call on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the Waialua Congregational Church in Waialua, Molokai.

Obituaries

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

CHELSY KAWAILANI STONE-LAWELAWE (female) 16 years old of Honouliwai, Molokai.

Chelsy was born on May 18, 1991 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She passed away on January 3, 2007 in Kaunakakai, Molokai.

Chelsy is survived by her loving parents Vonda Stone and Frank Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Molokai, her companion Brandon Lima of Honouliwai, Molokai and her brothers Stanton Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Waika Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Brandon Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, Waikolu Stone-Sardinha of Kaunakakai. Chelsy is also survived by her sisters, Courtney Lawelawe of Honolulu, Hawaii, Desiree Stone-Lawelawe of Kaunakakai, and Summer Stone-Sardinha of Kaunakakai.

Friends may call on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the Waialua Congregational Church in Waialua, Molokai.