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History

Stories about Molokai’s rich cultural history.

Nurturing `Olelo Hawaii

Wednesday, April 16th, 2014

Nurturing `Olelo Hawaii

Last Saturday was filled with keiki, mele, ono food, and `Olelo Hawaii—the Hawaiian language. Hundreds of Molokai residents congregated at Lanikeha in Ho`olehua, to celebrate the Hawaiian language and culture at Punana Leo O Molokai’s annual Ho’omau event.

Punana Leo O is a Hawaiian immersion preschool committed to reestablishing the native language,`olelo makuanhine, as the first language spoken at home. The school opened its doors in 1991, and now after 23 years, has served about 400 keiki ages three to five and ohana of Molokai.

“Today is to celebrate `Olelo Hawaii,” said event emcee Miki`ala Pescaia. “Our kupuna were [once] punished for speaking [the language].…

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Descendants of Original Kalama`ula Homesteaders Sought

Monday, April 14th, 2014

Descendants of Original Kalama`ula Homesteaders Sought

DHHL News Release

The State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is seeking descendants still residing on Molokai of the 22 native Hawaiians allocated homestead lots and the 20 who were allocated residential lots at Kalaniana`ole Settlement, Kalama`ula, from Sept. 16, 1921, through Nov. 13, 1923.
In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Kalanana`ole Settlement at Kalama`ula and the original 42 Hawaiian homesteaders, DHHL is planning on a celebration at Kalaniana`ole Hall, Kalama`ula following the Hawaiian Homes Commission meeting at the DHHL offices at Kulana `Oiwi on April 21, where the families of the original homesteaders will be recognized.…

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Lives Change at your Library

Thursday, April 10th, 2014

Alu Like Native Hawaiian Library News Release

All types of libraries across the nation participate in National Library Week each April; we celebrate the contributions of our libraries, librarians, and promote library use and support. The Alu Like Native Hawaiian Library would like you to join our celebration of National Library Week on Monday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, April 15 from 2 to 4 p.m., and on Wednesday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to noon for several workshops offered on the influence of economics within our everyday lives.

Workshop topics surround this year’s Library Week theme “Lives Change at your Library” and will include Hawaiian Historical Culture and Economics, Money Management and Preparing for our Future.…

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The Importance of the ‘Aha Moku System

Thursday, April 3rd, 2014

Community Contributed

Opinion by members of the Kawela Moku

This represents individual mana`o from members of the Kawela Moku, and is not intended to speak for the Aha Kiole as a whole.

Hawaii Mowat on historical perspective

In the past century, the health of Hawaii’s ecosystem has severely declined. With the change of powers, came the change of the way we did things in Hawaii. Agriculture, development, invasive species, etc. has wreaked havoc on Hawaii’s natural resources and it seems as if the western way of land management does not work for Hawaii so the ancient yet sophisticated system must be revived.…

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Celebrating Kuhio

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

Celebrating Kuhio

The Lanikeha Community Center transformed into a hearty birthday celebration as local vendors, music and entertainment attracted homesteaders and non-homesteaders alike to celebrate the man who led the 1921 Hawaiian Homes Act and the island where his efforts were first put into practice.

“Without the land, who are we?” said Colette Machado, Molokai chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). “We would be homeless if we didn’t have a land base or homestead. That’s how significant Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole was.”

Next in line for the throne when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1894, Kuhio was elected as Hawaii’s congressional delegate, advocating for Hawaiian Homes and rehabilitating his people.…

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MHS Headed to State History Competition

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Kainoa Pali

The Molokai High Social Studies Department hosted its fifth National History Day Fair. School-wide judging took place on February 26, along with the Molokai Middle School. The judging panel comprised of professors and experts within their respective fields who were chosen based on students’  topics . Students were interviewed for their understanding of historical content, project criteria, as well as relevance to this year’s theme, “Rights and Responsibility in History.” All students showcased their research analysis through various project formats such as paper, website, performance, documentary, and exhibit.

This is the first year where Molokai High will be represented in all five categories at the State National History Day competition on April 12 on Oahu.…

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Hawaiian Airlines Welcomed Back

Thursday, March 20th, 2014

Hawaiian Airlines Welcomed Back

As Hawaiian Airlines officially launched its new service, `Ohana by Hawaiian, to Molokai last week, hundreds of residents and officials celebrated an occasion that for many, felt like a homecoming for the company.

“Molokai has been part of our ohana for the last 85 years,” said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines (HA) president and CEO. “For the last 10 years, we have not been able to operate here, but every single one of those days in between we’ve been working on plans to bring this wonderful day to fruition. It’s great to be back and have had such tremendous support from this community.”…

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Lessons in a Whale’s Belly

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Lessons in a Whale’s Belly

Keiki had a whale of a time learning about humpback whales and their place in the environment Friday. But while most have only seen the great creatures from a distance, students at Kilohana School got up close and personal, climbing into the belly of a 36-foot inflatable humpback, softly rocking to soothing whale sounds and taking an imaginative ride around island’s waters.

“My name is Captain Mark and I’ll be your tour guide today,” Storybook Theater Executive Director Mark Jeffers said as he saluted to Kilohana School’s second grade class. “Today we are going to learn how whales are like people.”…

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Konane

Friday, March 14th, 2014

Konane

A Game Played, Value Won

“It’s your move!” said Hiwa Ritte, urging her opponent, Ko`i Davis, who was carefully peering over a finely-made koa konane board. “I’m thinking!”  Ko`i said, scratching her head, pondering which `ili `ele `ele, or black piece, to move in rows of alternating white and black stones.

Described as a test of strategy and intellect, the ancient Hawaiian game of konane, played by ali`i and commoners alike, was considered a favorite pastime to socialize and to even settle disputes, according to Kauai cultural practitioner Sean Chun. Resembling the rules of checkers, it was said a konane tournament could last days and was a regular feature in every household.…

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A Legacy of Language

Sunday, March 2nd, 2014

A Legacy of Language

As a child, Kilia Purdy-Avelino remembers often listening to her grandfather carrying on effortless conversation with uncles and friends in `Olelo Hawaii, or the Hawaiian language. He was a manaleo, or grew up with Hawaiian as his first language, she said, and although he never passed down the gift to his family, it was always part of her life.

“He was my inspiration to get into Hawaiian language at all,” said Purdy-Avelino. “I made it my goal in life to learn the language and to be able to converse with him.”

However, only two years into her `olelo studies, her grandfather passed away, and in the course of earning her Masters degree in indigenous and culture education at University of Hawaii-Hilo, her goals included a larger mission.…

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