Culture & Art

Bennett Pottery Annual Show and Sale

Sunday, November 17th, 2013

Bennett Pottery News Release

One of the first human technologies was the creation of fire-hardened clay.  In pre-industrial societies artisan/craft people and their families, and then craft guilds created items of daily use.  Goods were produced locally and the household had direct contact with the creator.  In some cultures, due to the reverence for the marriage of earth and nature, ceramics is esteemed as the highest form of art.  The trade of valued items such as ceramics influenced early geo-politics.

Today, archaeologists trace the development of cultures through the remnant pieces of ceramic ware.  The introduction of the English and Japanese folk art movement into the universities of the 1950s rekindled ceramics as an art form in the U.S.…

Ropin’ in the Rain

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Ropin’ in the Rain

Competition got a little dirty during the first day of the eighth annual Molokai Stampede at Kapualei Ranch. Squinting through pouring rain, gripping slippery ropes as their horses sent mud flying across the arena, cowboys toughed it out through stormy conditions last Saturday. Eighty-five teams were narrowed down to eight by the final round of stiff competition in the # 11 team roping events, while the afternoon’s keiki and barrel events were postponed from the downpour.

“Rain changes strategy and game plan — anyone can rope under perfect conditions, but who can rope [when it’s not perfect]?” said emcee Zhantell Dudoit during the event.…

Diving to the Depths of Safety

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Diving to the Depths of Safety

Martin Stepanek can dive more than 400 feet on a single breath of air. He’s set 13 freediving world records and knows more than anyone how dangerous the sport can be. But with the proper safety education, he said freediving has minimal risks — and with the goal of sharing that knowledge, he’s become a pioneer in modern freediving education. Last month, Stepanek visited Molokai to offer a series of safety courses free of charge to local divers.

Having been raised in Czech Republic, a country without ocean access, didn’t dampen Stepanek’s passion for diving, and when he was 20 years old, he relocated to the U.S.…

“Na Kupu Mana`olana — Seeds of Hope” Premier on Molokai

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

By Jamie Ronzello, MOM Hui

It has been estimated that Hawaii currently imports 85 percent of their food.  However, if we were to look at the history of the Hawaiian Islands, it was not that long ago that the Hawaiian people produced enough food to support a population of one million. Yet today, with the rising costs of shipping foods and the resurgence in the community to return to land, is there hope that Hawaii can feed itself once again?

Come see the acclaimed documentary “Na Kupu Mana`olana — Seeds of Hope” that chronicles the history and current challenges of agriculture in Hawaii today.…

Arts Show

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) will present its Second Annual Art Show from Nov. 13 through Dec. 2 at the Molokai Public Library.  Featuring works in ceramics and other media by members of the Arts Center, the exhibit will be curated by local resident Roshani Nash.  The show will also include works from University of Hawaii Maui students currently enrolled in Art 105 and Art 244.

The public is invited to join the artists at the library for the exhibit’s opening on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.  Refreshments will be served.  Many pieces in the show will be for sale, with 10 percent of the sale price benefiting the Friends of the Molokai Public Library.…

Legend of Ko`olau Free Performance

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

MACC News Release

Molokai residents will get a unique view into a facet of Hawaii history on Monday, Nov. 11with a free performance of “The Legend of Ko`olau.” The play by local author Gary T. Kubota is being offered on island by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC).

“The Legend Of Ko`olau”  is a one-man play, acted by Ed Ka`ahea and directed by Keo Woolford, telling the story of a Hawaiian man who became an “outlaw” while  trying to protect his family’s right to live on the land in Kauai after the loss of Hawaiian sovereignty in 1893.  The enforcement of leprosy laws at that time would have consigned  Kaluaiko`olau and his son to the “Living Grave” settlement at Kalaupapa, but Ko`olau’s wife  Pi`ilani was resolved  to keep the family together.…

Kamali`i Kane

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Kamali`i Kane

Community Contributed

By Royden Abafo

Editor’s Note: Royden, a middle school student at Aka`ula School, originally wrote this in the school’s Oct. 25 newsletter. It is reprinted in its entirety here.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your new Kamalii Kane 2013, Royden Kohuali’imaikekahi Abafo.” During the Aloha Week Festival, I was the prince in the Royal Court. It wasn’t really that easy to walk and stand up in front of the public. I was presented with a yellow cape and a yellow helmet by the king. The whole court had to sit down for two and a half hours straight without talking, laughing, drinking or eating.…

Kiawe Beans Pods Not Just Food For Livestock

Monday, October 28th, 2013

Kiawe Beans Pods Not Just Food For Livestock

Community Contributed

By Mercy Ritte

As you know, our kiawe trees produce an abundance of bean pods every year. Not only is it a nutritious food source for livestock, but also for people. In its native lands, dried kiawe bean pods ground into meal or flour is considered a staple food. It is very delicious and adds a sweet nutty taste to breads, pancakes, muffins, cakes and cookies. It is also gluten free, GMO free, highly nutritious, diabetic friendly and can be used to make syrup, jelly, tea, milk, and wine. Unlike wheat that digests within one to two hours, kiawe takes four to six hours to digest, resulting in delay of hunger pangs.…

Norman DeCosta Cd Release Party

Saturday, October 19th, 2013

Norman DeCosta News Release

Molokai’s own Norman DeCosta is celebrating the release of his debut CD, “Pohai Na Mele,” with a night of music at Paddlers’ Inn on Nov. 2.  Initially conceived as an archival assortment of his favorite Hawaiian song for members of his ‘ohana, it quickly developed into a much more meaningful project.

Pohai Na Mele showcases all that makes Norman DeCosta’s music so special and appealing — his clear, pure voice, his tender styling, and his respect for the vivid musical storytelling that typifies the island culture.  Come celebrate with Norman DeCosta and The Brown ‘Ohana at Paddlers’ Inn Nov.…

61st Crossing Paddled by More Ages and Nations

Wednesday, October 16th, 2013

61st Crossing Paddled by More Ages and Nations

The morning of the 61st crossing of the men’s Molokai Hoe canoe race to Oahu dawned muggy and windless at Molokai’s Hale o Lono Harbor. With calm ocean comes few swells to surf and carry the 99 canoes from around the world across the Ka`iwi Channel, and some feared it might be a slower and more arduous race than usual. But the winning team actually crossed the finish line Sunday in four hours 53 minutes — 17 minutes faster than last year.

Some aspects of this year’s race brought no surprises. That winning team — Shell Va`a from Tahiti — claimed their eighth title in nine years.…