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History

Stories about Molokai’s rich cultural history.

A Step Towards Sovereignty

Sunday, September 30th, 2012

For years, there have been talks about bringing back the sovereign nation of Hawaii, for Hawaii to become socially, economically and politically independent of the United States. Kana`iolowalu, a project of the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission within the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), may be the first step towards Hawaiian self-governance, according to John Waihe`e, Roll Commission chairman and former state governor.

“There are so many different ideas when it comes to sovereignty, often times it seems disjoining,” said Waihe`e. “Unification is the foundation of our nation.”

The purpose of the Roll Commission is to register Native Hawaiians with the goal of organizing a sovereign entity.…

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Misaki’s Grocery Celebrates 90 Years

Sunday, August 5th, 2012

Misaki’s Grocery Celebrates 90 Years

For 90 years, Misaki’s Grocery and Dry Goods has served at least six generations of Molokai residents in a family-operated business that itself spans four generations. From a tiny candy store in the present-day Molokai Fish and Dive building in downtown Kaunakakai to one of Molokai’s largest grocery stores, Misaki’s has been vital to island life and economy for nearly a century.

Family Legacy

It all started in 1922, when Uta Misaki, a seamstress, opened a 10-by-20-foot shop to supplement the family income. Along with sewing services, the store sold candy, ice cream and a few other items. Uta was soon joined in the business by her husband, Masataro, said his grandson Kevin Misaki, present-day Misaki’s general manager.…

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Molokai’s Own 442

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

Molokai’s Own 442

Community Contributed

By Larry Helm

The men pictured above served this country with integrity and honor and were part of most decorated Army unit in World War II. The young Molokai Japanese Americans worked for CPC (California Packing Corporation) pineapple plantation in Kualapu`u and family businesses in Kaunakakai.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor they joined the Army. Being of Japanese ancestry, they had to overcome the stigma of racism and internment. While fighting with the famous go-for-broke 442 Battalion in Europe, they helped save France and Italy from the Hitler German occupation, rescued a lost Texas Army company that was surrounded by the enemy, and rescued 12,000 Jews from Dochaw prison camp.…

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Centuries of Molokai Pa`akai

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Centuries of Molokai Pa`akai

Salt: a long history of high value

For many people, salt is something found in shakers on the dinner table. But for ancient Hawaiians who harvested snow-white flakes of pa`akai from the rocky shores of Molokai, it held sacred value. After seawater dried in the sun and the remaining salt was scraped from bowl-like crevices in the lava rock, it was used in ceremonies, purification rituals, to preserve food, and even regarded like money for trading.

“[Native Hawaiians] have been harvesting salt as long as people have been here,” said
Mac Poepoe, a Molokai-born traditional resource manager. “People used to walk miles
just to collect salt.”…

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The Importance of Remembrance

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

The Importance of Remembrance

Memorial Day at Memorial Park in Kaunakakai

On Saturday morning, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) held a service at Memorial Park in Kaunakakai to remind the community why Memorial Day is celebrated every year. Guests paid their respects to those passed by planting flags in front of the monument inscribed with names of soldiers lost in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

“Freedom is not free,” reiterated guest speaker Pastor Randy Manley. “We must never forget the sacrifice these men and women have given for our freedom.”…

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75 and Counting

Sunday, May 27th, 2012

75 and Counting

Library celebrates 75th anniversary

“Libraries are not just warehouses for books,” said Greg Kahn, President of the Friends of the Molokai Public Library. “They are experiential.”

After 75 years of operations, many members of the community have formed their own special relationships with Molokai Public Library. For some, it is a meeting place for the literary-minded, for others it offers a setting for music and cultural performances, and for everyone, it is a place to learn something new.

Last week, the library held its 75th anniversary celebration on the front lawn, which featured music from local bands, mele and hula by `O Hina I Ka Malama and guest speakers from across the state.…

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Help Develop the Historic Preservation Plan

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

DLNR News Release

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is holding community meetings statewide in May on all islands to provide opportunity for public input on the development of the State Historic Preservation Plan for the next five years. The meeting on Molokai will be held on May 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Molokai High School Cafeteria.

“Historic sites are tangible evidence of a colorful, rich heritage and provide the community with a sense of continuity,” said Pua Aiu, SHPD administrator. “The programs and services offered by SHPD are designed to promote the use and maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of Hawaii’s citizens and visitors.”…

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Hail to the Hall

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Hail to the Hall

Renovations to Kalaupapa’s Paschoal Hall celebrated

Paschoal Community Hall, formerly known as Kalaupapa Social Hall,  was once the center of Kalaupapa’s social life, but it had been years since the building was fully usable – until last week. Kalaupapa residents and patients celebrated the unofficial reopening and blessing of the 97-year-old hall, the settlement’s largest historic building, which was recently renovated and restored by the National Park Service (NPS).

History

The hall was built in 1916 as a place “for coming together, for socializing, for ‘talk story,’” according to the NPS website.  It was used to host silent movies, dances, amateur theater performances and concerts.…

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Ka Mo`olelo O Leahi: The Legend of Diamond Head

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Kahuna Lono

In the ancient days, in the island of O`ahu (the offering place) on the coastline of Kaimanahila (directly east of Waikiki Beach), a la`i fish was born. His name was Nahe, and he was unlike any other fish of his species because the maunalua came (big barreling wave) and sucked him out to sea. He knew the deep blue sea as his first home, unlike most la`i that live on the kahakai (reef). He grew up playing with the kohola (whale) in the winter time, and the mano kama`aina (local sharks) were his companions throughout the rest of the year.…

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Kalaupapa Restoration Recognized

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Kalaupapa Restoration Recognized

Historic Hawaii Foundation News Release

Paschoal Hall in Kalaupapa is one of the historic preservation projects chosen state-wide to be honored by the Historic Hawaii Foundation. The achievement awards will be presented at the 37th annual awards ceremony on May 11 in Honolulu.

The Paschoal Hall award was presented to National Park Service, Mason Architects, Inc., Encore Seating Restorations and The Teecor Group Inc. for interior restoration of the Kalaupapa social building. Built in 1916, Paschoal Hall is a relatively unaltered example of Hawaiian vernacular architecture. The building is a prominent and significant building in the Kalaupapa National Historical Park district and cultural landscape.…

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