• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    April 30, 2026

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    May 1, 2026

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    April 29, 2026

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Culture & Art

Halawa Valley Clean-Up

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Lavinia Currier, Pu`u O Hoku Ranch

I wish to make public to the people of Molokai the intentions of Pu`u O Hoku Ranch in regards to the camping in Halawa Valley. Historically, the ranch has welcomed campers in the summer season on the far side of Kama`alaea Bay for short periods, hoping that by limiting the length of any family’s stay there will be room for all interested families to enjoy the beauty and serenity of Halawa. Over time, certain campers extended their stay to the entire summer, and we at Pu`u O Hoku received many complaints about these long-term campers dominating the beach area. Long-term campers make it difficult for others to feel comfortable to picnic and or to find places where they can camp with their children.

Posted in , , , comments4 Comments

Hawaiian Roots

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Hawaiian Roots

Musician, songwriter, producer, and educator Patrick Landeza will be performing a Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar concert, featuring special guests Herb Ohta, Jr and Kevin Brown, at Hotel Molokai on Nov. 13.

Born and raised to Hawaiian parents on the island of Berkeley, California, Landeza cultivated his craft by studying slack key as a teen from the masters of the genre.  Patrick’s mother, Francine O’Sullivan Landeza (class of 1957) was raised on Molokai and helped tend their Hawaiian homestead on Ho`olehua. Landeza’s grandfather, Francis “Honey” O’Sullivan was an engineer who constructed many of the water tanks on the island.  


“I grew up with stories about Ho`olehua, about mom growing up on a farm, about music, faith and hardship,” Landeza said. “My dream was to return to Molokai and to do a show” – now becoming a reality.

Landeza is considered to be a leading force behind Hawaiian slack key guitar, or ki ho`alu, on the mainland. He recently completed his third CD entitled “Ku`u Honua Mele” (My Music World) which includes all-star guest appearances by George Winston, Cyril Pahinui, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Sally Van Meter, Bobby Black, Steve Boughman and Herb Ohta, Jr.

Currently Patrick balances music and teaches 12th graders at St. Elizabeth High in Oakland, California, where he organizes students and participates in community service around the Bay Area. He also continues the family catering business, Landeza’s Island Catering, and raising (along with his wife Jennifer) his three young sons. Patrick (somehow) finds time to tour the country teaching and performing ki ho’alu and continues weekly slack key lessons in Berkeley, at the Freight and Salvage. Landeza has also released a slack key instructional DVD, slack key play along CDs, and has published slack key lessons in Acoustic Guitar magazine as well as other publications.

For additional information please contact Jennifer at (510) 703-7763 or email landezapresents@gmail.com  Also visit us at www.patricklandeza.com

 

Posted in , , comments2 Comments

The Wreck of the Dixie Maru

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

The Wreck of the Dixie Maru

Community Contributed

By Arleone Dibben-Young

The fishing sampan, a wooden Chinese boat, Dixie Maru was built in Honolulu in 1916 by Harold L. Morris, a wealthy tourist from Denver, Colorado. A few months later, on the night of April 26, the boat ‘sprung a leak in the heavy sea’ off Molokai’s west end. The crew of two – Jack Kailianu and another Hawaiian named Makuka – attempted to steer the flat-bottomed boat through the breaking surf into the safety of a small bay, but it struck the rocks.

The two men swam to the sandy crescent beach and then walked the dusty horse trail to Kaunakakai where they were given food and clothing. The boat was a total loss and the site is remembered nearly a century later as Dixie Maru…Kapukahehu Beach.

Posted in comments1 Comments

He Mana`o Aloha `Ia

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

He Mana`o Aloha `Ia

Check out a selection of photos from this year's Festivals of Aloha.

Posted in , , , , comments1 Comments

First Timers Channel Success

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

First Timers Channel Success

Setting a new record turnout, 123 crews with over 1,000 paddlers from Russia to Australia navigated the Ka`iwi Channel through wind, rain and choppy water at the 58th annual Molokai Hoe last Sunday.

This year, Molokai was represented by many fresh faces to the race. Team Molokai, formed by paddlers from Wa`akapaemua, Kukui O Molokai and Mana`e canoe clubs, had five first-timers to the Hoe challenge and a father-sons trio.    

Rookie paddler Troy Heen said while he may be nervous for his first run of this race, he is excited to be a part of the Molokai team.

“We are just a bunch of friends together that want to have fun out here,” Heen said.

The men had a great race – beating their personal goal by finishing 24th  with a time of 5:44:28.

“Coming in the top 25 is really an accomplishment,” said relief paddler David Gilliland.  “We had a fantastic start and the team really muscled through the tough water to keep us ahead of the pack.”

Tahiti’s Shell Va`a won their fifth consecutive Molokai Hoe with a time of 4:38:50 and Team OPT #1 finished second in 4:51:34.

Members of Team Molokai included Clint Labrador, Dane Dudoit, Kevin Dudoit, Bozo Dudoit, Troy Heen, Asa Ward, Chad Lima, Kawika Crivello and Dave Gilliland.

Posted in , comments1 Comments

Sovereignty in Action

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Sovereignty in Action

The Obama administration and Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) joined around 600 Native Hawaiian advocates at the largest annual gathering of Native Hawaiian organizations – the Native Hawaiian Convention.

This year’s topic was sovereignty in action, according to participant and Kalama`ula Mauka Homestead secretary Candice Davis-Bicoy. After attending the last Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homesteads assembly, where she learned more about the Akaka bill, she said she attended the convention to learn more about politics.

Davis said she attended the debate between Democratic candidate Neil Abercrombie and Republican Duke Aiona, to learn “which governor is going to address Native Hawaiian issues, and homesteaders’ issues.”

“I’m still an opio [youth], most issues were discussed on a higher level with kupuna,” she said. “As an opio I appreciated being at that conference, to take in all that knowledge – what is pono, what is the right way to go.”

language and culture,” Ahuja said of what she learned from the convention. “There’s a number of charter schools to perpetrate that. We make sure the Department of Education knows about that, to make sure that doesn’t get lost.”

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing community in the U.S. – expected to make up 10 percent of the population by 2040, according to Ahuja. The initiative’s responsibility is to take the mana`o of groups like this, and work directly with 30 federal agencies to make sure their voices are heard.

Posted in , , comments1 Comments

The Kalaupapa Canoe Project Takes Shape

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

The Kalaupapa Canoe Project Takes Shape

Community Contributed
By Michael Neubauer

Just about any given day around 5 p.m. or so, you can catch Michael Neubauer and Kevin Gavagan working hard to restore an old Hawaiian canoe at Kihei Canoe Club.  The boat, which was donated to The Earth Trot Project, a Maui-based nonprofit organization, is being repaired for a journey that will take it from Maui to the secluded peninsula of Kalaupapa, Molokai.

Michael, Kevin and other volunteers have been working hard to revive the old outrigger, named Kamali`i.  Sanding down the hull, reshaping the nose and gunnels, filling pukas and reinforcing some of the weathered parts of the boat have made for a long process for the volunteers from The Earth Trot Project.  When finished, they’re planning to paddle Kamali`i over to Kalaupapa in October.  Once there, the canoe will be given to the people of the settlement as a significant Hawaiian cultural gift.

“We’re trying to do what is pono,” Michael said.  “Kalaupapa is one of the most significant places in Hawaiian culture. It’s really a paradox in a sense.  You’ve got one of the most beautiful and pristine places on Earth, and yet a great overwhelming somberness hangs in the air.  In many ways the peninsula still feels like a prison.”

Residents and workers in the area agree.  This past spring heavy rains eroded the pali trail leading down to Kalaupapa and traversing it has become increasingly difficult.  If that wasn’t bad enough, passenger airlines flying into the settlement raised their rates to over $250 for the ten minute flight to topside Molokai.

“The gift of the wa`a is one we hope helps to rejuvenate a bit of Hawaiian culture that has been lost in Kalaupapa.  Right now the area doesn’t have a canoe, and to a voyaging people like the Hawaiians, that’s just not right,” Michael said. “Whether it’s used recreationally, for sport, or not at all, we feel the people of Kalaupapa are entitled to have that symbol of Hawaiian culture on their land.”

For more information, or to follow this project, please visit EarthTrot.org.

Posted in , comments1 Comments

He Mana`o Aloha `Ia

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

He Mana`o Aloha `Ia

Aloha indeed – as adults relaxed, chowed down and talked story, keiki ran off the sugar from shave ice and braddah pops in the popular annual event, Festivals of Aloha.

Now in its 64th year, the Festivals of Aloha began as a way to preserve Hawaiian culture and traditions. The free musical and performance entertainment, as well as plenty ono food stands and game booths attracted hundreds each night to the Mitchell Pauole Center, and nearly 1,000 turned out for the finale parade and ho`olaule`a last Saturday. County Council Chair, and Molokai representative Danny Mateo was this year’s Honorary Chair for Maui Nui’s festival. Its theme, He Mana`o Aloha `ia, means ‘gaining knowledge through aloha.’

Aloha Week Contest Winners:

`Ulu/`Uala/Kalo
Taste
1. Tere Neuhart
2. Laurie Rapanot
3. Vonda Stone

Presentation
1. Vonda Stone
2. Tere Neuhart
3. Amber Nakihei

Poke
Taste
1. Marion Dudoit
2. Amber Nakihei
3. Stef Bush

Presentation
1. Marion Dudoit
2. Amber Nakihei
3. Stef Bush

Aloha Wear
Youth Muumuu
1. Tylea Cuello
2. Lelia Cuello

Youth Aloha Shirt
1. Waikaika Augustiro
2. Buzzy Augustiro

Adult Muumuu
1. Larie Loria
2. Scarlett Ritte-Camara
3. April Torres

Adult Aloha Shirt
1. Frank Parrino
2. Levi Yamazaki-Gray
3. Leimana Ritte-Camara

Couple
Sol and Paula Alcain

Bed Races
Men’s
1. Pepsi
2. Bicoy Men
3. Friendly Market Center

Women’s
1. Bicoy Women
2. Tutus
3. The Dispatch

Best Sportsmanship
Bicoy Men

Parade
Best Float
1. Punana Leo
2. Cabalar `Ohana
3. Royal Court

Best Pooper Scooper
1. Lanai
2. Ni`ihau
3. Molokai

Pa`u Unit
1. Maui
2. Kaho`olawe
3. Molokai

Court
2010 King/Mo`i Kane: Robert Ahsee Kalawe, Jr.
2010 Queen/Mo`i Wahine: Kauwela Ritte-Camara

Prince: Kaio Kalawe
Princess: Kealalehua Kalipi

Counselor: Keoki Pescaia

Matriarch: Mikiala Pescaia

Lady in Waiting: Laulani Walker

Red Kahili: Keoki Johnston Kalanilani

Posted in , , comments1 Comments

Hula Uniki Class held on Molokai

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

Hula Uniki Class held on Molokai

The Hula Pa at Keawanui held its first Hula Uniki on September 18, 2010, a weeklong process full of Hawaiian protocol. Kumu Hula Tony Conjugacion picked Molokai and needed the Uniki to be on the eastern side of the island. "This is a perfect place for an Uniki, with the fishpond the Hula Pa and the many Hawaiian plants, especially the three beautiful Ulu trees, we are so glad we pick Keawanui,” he said.

In the picture are the Kumu and elders of the halau watching over one of the students who is preparing for her graduation presentation after some twelve years of being a student.

Walter Ritte

Posted in , , comments1 Comments

Another Step Towards `Aha K`iole Creation

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

Molokai has been taking a statewide leadership role in the creation and implementation of a new state law which calls for the creation of an `Aha K`iole – a state wide traditional governance system. Each island is to create an ahupua`a-based governance system, and to organize a group of ahupua`a into a Moku – Molokai has organized their 60-plus ahupua`a into five Moku. Leaders are elected in each Moku by those who live in that Moku. The Moku elected leaders then come together under an island `Aha Moku, and join with the other island’s `Aha Moku into an `Aha K`iole. This new system of resource governance is actually an old traditional Hawaiian way of managing the limited resources.

Posted in , , comments1 Comments