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Profile of Walter Ritte in Hana Hou Magazine Shows Activist’s Sensitive Side to the Outside World
It is safe to say that Hawaiian Airlines has a strikingly better in-flight magazine than most rival airlines offer to their passengers; rather than the usual where-to-eat-dance-and-sleep tripe of so many of their competitors’ rags, Hano Hau magazine offers up in-depth, thoughtful articles on stories from environmental protectionism to pieces on obscure musicians to profiles of the work of local people. Amazingly, these profiles are sometimes even of people who live on islands that Hawaiian Airlines does not even fly to.
One of these subjects is Molokai’s own Walter Ritte, who was profiled in Hana Hou’s February/March (vol 10, no 1) edition. Presented in the article is a very even-handed, thoughtful portrait of the activist that does justice to Ritte’s desire for Molokai and to his character and personality. The piece does not shy away from mention of his arrests and time in prison, but also places great emphasis on the Hoolehua resident’s role in the genesis of the Hawaiian rights movement and his continued and unflinching capacity to stand up for what he believes in.
Cudos to Hana Hou and Hawaiian Airlines for giving their passengers such objective and intelligent food for thought, and for taking the time to listen to a man who, so often, people seem to want to muffle.
For Hana Hou's story on Ritte, visit: http://www.hanahou.com/
RESPONSE TO MOLOKAI TIMES/MOLOKAI RANCH FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENT
Dear Mr. Orodenker,
First of all, I’m overwhelmed that you would finance a whole page ad featuring me. No one has ever done that. Also, thanks for the opportunity to shed more light on this important subject. I believe the title of your recent full-page commentary, ‘Ranch is Working Together to Find Solutions’ is in error. It should read, “Ranch is Working Hard to Take Your Water.” Your company has not put an honest attempt into trying to work with the community. Instead, it has tried to shove this La’au project down their throats and hasn’t listened to what the community is saying. This is a just a last ditch attempt by a desperate developer to cash in, get out of here, and leave the community holding the bag. Your former boss, CEO #6 or #7, left and with him went all his empty promises such as, “The community will decide!” The community has decided; count the votes. What part of NO don’t you folks understand?
Meet Nancy McPherson
Amongst the cast of usual suspects scattered through Molokai planning meetings there is new face which you may have seen. Her name Nancy McPherson and she’s a workaholic.
In October 2006, she became Molokai’s first full time, on-island Molokai Planner. McPherson is the go-to person for help with planning permits and changes in zoning. Working closely with Maui County over the internet and with the local planning commission, she handles a myriad of tasks pertaining to state land use designation, zoning, SMA boundaries, and a myriad of other issues within the field of planning. Though her list of responsibilities may sound complex, the intent behind McPherson’s job is quite simple: she’s here to help.
MPL’s vision for the future: a house on every rock, and a seal on every lawn
Every now and again, one ought to just step back and marvel at the bravado with which big business presents its ideas.
Take the MPL press release following the most recent Environmental Impact Statement as a textbook example of top-notch spin-doctoring:
“It is likely that sediment discharge from runoff to the ocean will be significantly less with the Lā‘au Point project compared with existing conditions.” This conclusion is based on several measures planned for Lā‘au Point that will protect near-shore waters from increased degradation of water quality, such as drainage control systems, regulation of the use of fertilizers and pesticides, re-vegetation as a means of permanent erosion control measures throughout the developed areas, and fencing to keep deer and other animals from disturbing the soil.”
Mahalo For Asking
Mahalo for Asking,
Anakala Pilipo
Hawaiian Word for the Week
“AKAHAI” — “Modest, Gently, Meek”
“Pomaika’i ka po’e akahai, no ka mea, e lilo ka honua ia lakou”
“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”
Caption: The Naupaka Kahakai. Taken by Anakala at the Kaupoa Beach Village.
Pilipo Solatario is a close friend of Anake Nona Beamer who authored this telling of Princess Naupaka. “When I can’t find something out, I look to others who know the answers. For this story, I really enjoy the way Nona’s tells it and so that’s why I chose it.
A cultural practitioner and a family historian of Halawa valley, Solatario has spent a lifetime immersed in the history of Molokai. He devotes much of his time passing stories on to both local and visitors alike. “I try to share stories that were told to me when I was young. A lot of the stories I get came directly from Molokai people.” He says many stories were passed down from his “tutu man,” a man he thought to be his grandfather but was actually his adopted mother’s first husband. Famed historian of Molokai, Aunty Harriet Nei, was also a source for many of his stories. She was also Solatario’s kumu hula.
Have Molokai questions for Anakala Pilipo? Send them to the Molokai Dispatch and we’ll make sure Anakala gets to them.
Rare Bird Sighting on Molokai Excites Birdwatchers Around the Nation
Arleone Dibben-Young, who raises endangered Hawaiian nene geese, reports the rare sighting of two juvenile Bewick’s Swans on Molokai. She comments “The European counterpart of the American Whistling Swan, these two young birds obviously made a wrong turn. Is there a better a place to spend the winter?” The sighting made national news.
Customer Service Excellence – New Course at MCC Molokai
The Molokai Rural Development Project is pleased to announce a tuition-free course for Molokai’s workforce in hospitality and customer service-based industries. The course, HOST 90V- Customer Service Excellence- is scheduled from 6:00 – 9:00 PM on Tuesdays from January 9- May 10, 2007. The instructor selected for the course is Ms. Tanya Will.A variety of topics will be discussed including general customer service, dealing with difficult customers, human resources, communications and telephone etiquette, travel industry components, sales and marketing, and cultural sensitivity.
Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis and is limited. To allow the employees of as many businesses as possible to participate, we ask that each employer initially send only two employees to the course. Employers should contact MCC Molokai at 553-4490 ex 21 as soon as possible for information.
Taro Field Day
For the last 20 years or so the Maui Community College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension Service on Molokai conducts a Taro Field Day to provide kalo growers and enthusiasts with an opportunity to gain access to some of the rarest native Hawaiian kalo varieties. Thanks to people like Dr Ramon Dela Pena on Kauai and our resident kalo expert Harry “Cowboy” Ostuka the varieties have survived.
This year the kalo day is Saturday, Dece. 2 from 9:00 a.m. - noon at Molokai Applied Research and Demonstration Farm located on the grounds of Maui Community College Farm. The day includes discussions on kalo varieties, new concepts for feeding field crops and tastings of various kalo varieties. There will be limited amount of kalo huli, (planting material) of more than 50 native Hawaiian kalo varieties to start home planting. Those who want planting material will need to bring their own cutting tools, ties and labeling pens, ribbon or tags.
MauiFEST Hawaii-Molokai Film Festival Information
Join the third annual MauiFEST Molokai Film Festival on Dec. 9 for a celebration of culture and the arts at Kaunakakai Ball Park. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. and music begins at 4:00. Films start at sunset under the Molokai stars. Admission is free! No coolers please.This year’s festival features award-winning films, filmmakers and an all-star lineup of world renowned musicians. Scheduled to appear are Grammy and Hoku winner John Cruz, 2006 Grammy winner and slack key master George Kahumoku, Maui’s own Tita – Kathy Collins, multi Hoku winner Dennis Kamakahi and Molokai’s own Hawaiian Prime Time led by Zack Helm.
Hawaiian style food booths will also serve up grinds, and there will be cancer awareness booths by the Molokai Cancer Fund and the Molokai Community Health Center.
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