Culture & Art

Paniolo Pride

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Paniolo Pride

Whenever keiki in the Molokai Junior Roping Club (MJRC) saw Papa Cliff Dudoit raise his pointer finger, silently holding it in the air a few inches from his face, they didn’t need words to know what he meant.

Dudoit, one of the founders of the rodeo club, strived to teach Molokai’s youth not only the foundations of being a good cowboy or cowgirl, but of being a good person. And, as he explained, “number one was your attitude.” Raising that finger was a simple reminder to keep your attitude in check.

“In life, in roping and in everything else, leave your bad attitude at home,” he said. “If you have a bad attitude, you’re gonna have a bad day.”

Raina Dudoit, Cliff’s wife, said the club helped keep alive the paniolo heritage of their fathers and grandfathers while keeping keiki off the streets. Many have attended national championships and earned college scholarships through the club.

“The kids always had a place to come to,” she said. “It was an alternative to drugs and substance abuse.”

More than 60 youth participated last Friday before refereeing, emceeing and managing the adult competition Saturday – another important aspect of the roping club.

“The kids are running the show,” Cliff Dudoit said. “When they grow up in the sport, they gonna know what they talking about.”

He thanked the Molokai community and the MJRC for their continued support over the years and said he looks forward to extending the club’s legacy.

“We gonna continue to help. We not giving up,” he said. “We cowboys, man. We cowboy up.”

Old News, New Meaning

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

From 1834 to 1948, over 125,000 pages of Hawaiian language newspaper were printed. However, those pages are crumbling, and the knowledge they contain would otherwise be lost if not for the efforts of Awaiaulu, an organization dedicated to publishing Hawaiian texts whose staff has been working for the past 10 years to preserve and digitize the newspaper pages.

Now, an Awaiaulu initiative called `Ike Ku`oko`a – or Liberating Knowledge – is gathering volunteers statewide to type word for word thousands of Hawaiian articles into a searchable format.

Aloha Molokai Ohana

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Mahalo, for supporting our successful Purdy Ohana reunion fundraising concert.

We apologize to the fire and police department for the unexpected incident that occurred at our event.  If known, we would have not allowed such actions that caused an adverse experience to an otherwise beautiful affair.  Thanks to your quick response the episode was contained immediately.

Under the circumstance, however, we were blessed with good weather, awesome music, and wonderful camaraderie; and most importantly “no harm came to those that attended.”  Mahalo, Ke Akua for blessing us all.

Aloha Kammy & Tuddie Purdy

Celebrate the Holidays with the Arts

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

MOLOKAI ARTS CENTER, INC. NEWS RELEASE

Molokai Boy Joins DHHL Leadership

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Growing up on Ho`olehua homestead land, Halealoha Ayau said he was “raised by a father who was a Jack of all trades.”

“He had many skills, so I knew what multitasking meant before that was even made fashionable,” Ayau joked last week.

Call to Support Local Artists and Musicians

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

MOLOKAI ARTS CENTER NEWS RELEASE

On Saturday, Dec. 3, Molokai Arts Center (MAC) will sponsor a Gift Fair and Brunch. We are asking Molokai artists to set up sales tables and booths to sell locally made art and crafts at the Saturday market in Kaunakakai. In addition, we are asking our community to support our island economy by purchasing your holiday gifts directly from local artists and musicians. MAC will serve brunch for 200 holiday shoppers from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. We will also sponsor a gift wrap table so that shoppers can have their gifts wrapped and packed for immediate shipping.

Scouting Halawa

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

The Webelos from Pack 311 of Kailua, Oahu visited Halawa Valley Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Webelos are Cub Scouts in their fourth year, an average of 9 years old. Throughout our four days of camping, 12 families were continually impressed by the beautiful valley, people, nature, history and activities.  We would like to share what "Pops" Anakala Pilipo and Diane Solatorio, shared with us.

Residents Protest Passenger Yacht

Monday, October 31st, 2011

As American Safari Cruises’ (ASC) yacht docked on its first trip to Molokai last Sunday morning, protesters greeted it with requests to leave local waters.

Over two dozen kupuna, teachers, fishermen, cultural practitioners and others chanted “No cruise ship” and “Go home!” toward the 145-foot boat, named the Safari Explorer.

As two vans carrying the boat’s passengers departed the docking area, protesters marched across the road holding signs reading “boycott this ship,” “you’re not welcomed” and “Hawaiian way or no way.”

Cartoon Crafter

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Cartoon Crafter

“Someone name an animal,” the presenter asks his audience at the Molokai Public Library last Thursday. Children and adults enthusiastically shout responses as he begins drawing on his easel. What started as disconnected lines and shapes suddenly begin to take form as a joyful lion. This is the world of Oahu-based cartoonist Jon Murakami, and during one of the stops of his seven-library tour around Hawaii – themed “picture it” – he shared a little bit about himself and his creative career.

As a child of the ’70s, Murakami described himself as an “indoor kid” who enjoyed the Sunday funnies. His parents helped push him toward an artistic career which, now 40 years in the making, encompasses artwork for greeting cards, cartoons and children’s books.

For more information on Murakami, visit his website at web.me.com/jonjmurakami/JonJMurakami/Welcome.html.

Kenpo – A Frame of Mind

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Kenpo – A Frame of Mind

Community Contributed by By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss

The sound of kiais, a vocal release of one's own inner "chi" or "spirit" (one's source of energy), echo throughout the halls of Kilohana Elementary School.  Known regularly as the cafeteria to the students and faculty, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this cafeteria is transformed into a dojo.  The students begin Kenpo class by bowing in respect to their sifu (instructor), Randy Foley, and take a knee to clear their minds and mentally prepare for the upcoming class.  The class begins with a flurry of punches, kicks, and open hand moves as the class warms up to practice their kata or forms.

Kenpo in Hawaii was developed in the 1940s and incorporates different martial art styles such as Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo and Kung Fu.  Kenpo, which means “law of the fist,” does not focus on one-on-one confrontations, but was developed to defend oneself from multiple attackers.  Students are not taught with the intent to hurt others but to develop a frame of mind to resolve situations without using violence.  Kenpo helps its students develop self-confidence and trains them to keep their composure and overcome their fears.  Sifu Randy Foley not only teaches the students martial art skills but also teaches Kenpo’s four rules to live by: humility, self-control, integrity and courtesy.

The Kenpo class held at Kilohana is funded by the 21st Century Grant program and is open to students of any age as well as adults.  Students are taught structure, balance and focus and many of the students say it is just plain fun.  One adult Kenpo student, Jay Duquette, explained that he started taking the class when his eight- year-old son, Malu, took an interest in it.  Jay further explained that it gives him and his son a chance to bond and a common interest they can talk about at home.  The class is comprised of a range of students from first timers to a student that has been taking Kenpo for nine years.  Kenpo will challenge you both physically and mentally, and it is a great workout.  If you or your children are interested in participating in Kenpo at Kilohana School on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m., please call Mapuana Dudoit at 558-2200 or Sandra Czajkowski at 658-0609.  Look for upcoming articles highlighting more of the exciting classes the 21st Century Grant program has to offer.