Hawaiian Culture

Hawaiian culture stories from Molokai

Celebrating Coffees

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

Celebrating Coffees

Coffee, keiki and good causes brought the crowds up to Kualapu`u this weekend as Coffees of Hawaii celebrated 20 years of harvests in the area and 200 years of coffee in Hawai`i.

“She was pretty much abandoned when I came here ten years ago,” Coffees of Hawaii owner Mike Atherton said about the plantation, adding he was proud that he was able to keep the company harvesting coffee through the years.

March 16 was declared Coffees of Hawaii Day at the opening ceremonies Friday. The event led into an afternoon parade and evening festivities, including Project Runway: Plantation Style, where teams competed at the Kualapu`u Center to create the best fashion piece out of burlap and plastic paper without sewing.…

Prince Kuhio Day 2013 – UPDATED

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Please note: Location of the Molokai Prince Kuhio celebration this Saturday is at Lanikeha in Ho`olehua, not at Kiowea Park as originally noted. 

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was next in line for the throne when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1894. Though this was when the Hawaiian monarchy came to an end, it was just the beginning of a lifetime of activism and accomplishments for Prince Kuhio.

Prince Kuhio went to prison for treason as he attempted to restore the monarchy. He left Hawaii after being released from prison, and when he returned, Hawaii was a territory of the U.S.…

Mateo’s Mana`o

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Mateo’s Mana`o

 

Danny Mateo’s time as Maui County council chair ended at noon Jan. 2. The next minute he started his work in the Mayor’s office as an executive assistant and liaison for the county and State legislature.

“Retirement for me is not in the immediate future,” he said over coffee at Kanemitsu Bakery Saturday. “I still have a lot to offer. As long as there is fire in the fireplace I will continue what I do.”

This means Mateo will continue to be a voice for the people of Molokai and work to improve the island, something he did for 10 years as a councilmember before he reached his term limit.  …

New Style for Kualapu`u

Friday, March 15th, 2013

New Style for Kualapu`u

 

There’s a new shop three doors down from Molokai Furniture in Kualapu`u that offers men’s, women’s and children’s Hawaiian wear. Molokai Furniture owner Denise Taueetia opened Denise’s Island Fashion February 25 and has been adding new clothes and accessories as the business develops.

Ashley Keoho, who works at Denise’s Island Fashion, said they’ve ordered basic tops and shorts to sell alongside the classic Hawaiian attire. She said their earrings and cover-ups have been popular so far.

Surrounded by vibrant colored apparel and beach-inspired jewelry, Keoho talks story with customers and offers her eye for style to help with purchases. Taueetia called her young employee a blessing, adding that because of Keoho she is able to bring in clothes that appeal to younger shoppers.…

Native Hawaiian Scholarship Available

Thursday, March 14th, 2013

Native Hawaiian Scholarship Available

Liko A`e News Release

Liko A`e Native Hawaiian Leadership Program is accepting applications for those of Hawaiian ancestry wanting to pursue college degrees from accredited schools throughout Hawai`i and the U.S. With funding made possible by the U.S. Department of Education, Title VII(B) Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Native Hawaiian students pursuing vocational and higher education degrees from associates to doctorates are eligible to apply for these funds.

Since 2003, Liko A`e has successfully supported more than 2,000 college students pursuing a diverse range of degree programs. This year, in addition to providing financial scholarships, Liko A`e’s Leadership Program will require students to participate in mentoring programs, focused community service projects and online community building.…

Soap for Molokai, Pride in Residency

Sunday, March 10th, 2013

Soap for Molokai, Pride in Residency

 

Molokai Soaps has its own shop now, and owner Patricia Hammond hopes to bring some pride in residency to Kaunakakai. This means she’s working on beautifying town and encouraging others to follow suit.

She moved her business into a portion of the old Fish and Dive on the main strip of Ala Malama Street. The remaining portion of the former dive shop, though empty, is now a little livelier thanks to Hammond’s initiative.

“This is the first thing you see when you come into town,” Hammond said as she stood outside the store next to her soap shop. “And unfortunately it’s an ugly building.”…

Research Team Discovers Existence of Hawaii Sign Language

Friday, March 1st, 2013

 

University of Hawai`i News Release

A research group based in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa announced this morning that they have confirmed the existence of a previously undocumented language in Hawai‘i called Hawai‘i Sign Language (HSL). This is the first time since the 1930’s that a previously unknown language, either spoken or signed, has been documented in the U.S., and it could be the last of America’s undiscovered languages.

The announcement was made in conjunction with the 3rd International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation at UH Mānoa.

HSL, the indigenous language of Deaf people in Hawai‘i, is one of only two known surviving sign languages in the United States.…

Pulling for Peace: Ka Molokai Makahiki 2013

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Pulling for Peace: Ka Molokai Makahiki 2013

 

Competitors from Kualapu`u and Kilohana Schools face off on opposite ends of the rope, and the crowd begins to roar as game official Hanohano Naehu announces the beginning of the match. With toes digging into the grass, students lean back on the line. On one side, Kualapu`u Principal Lydia Trinidad leans forward, her hands clenched, gesturing wildly to egg on her students. Kilohana Principal Richard Stevens paces the other end of the line, urging his crimson-clad athletes to hold tight. Smiles turn to grimaces, inching the ti leaf tied in the middle of the rope toward the victory line. With a final heave, Kualapu`u lunges for the win.…

Celebrating Energy Alternatives

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Celebrating Energy Alternatives

In the Ocatillo region of southern California, the Quechan tribe of Native American Indians has lived for thousands of years. The bones of their ancestors are buried in that ground, and it’s that earth that holds the prayers of their elders. So when Pattern Energy wanted to build wind turbines there several years ago, tribal leaders came together and decided to fight to protect the land.

At last weekend’s Energy Festival hosted by I Aloha Molokai, several Quechan tribe members were honored guests and panelists. They shared a story with local attendees of their experience with Pattern Energy, the same company currently proposing wind turbines for Molokai — a story many Molokai residents say sounds all too familiar.…

St. Marianne Honored at Home

Monday, January 14th, 2013

St. Marianne Honored at Home

After a week of rain and wind, last Saturday’s sunny dawn was an auspicious start to a special day in Kalaupapa. Hundreds of friends and dignitaries from across the country, as well as community members, gathered to celebrate the sainthood of St. Marianne Cope. While festivities have been held in her honor around the world since her canonization in October, this event brought the celebration home to the place St. Marianne served exiled Hansen’s disease patients for 30 years.

“This day was a surprise,” smiled patient resident Gloria Marks, referring to both the weather and the reason for celebration. “This day is important because she [St.…