Culture & Art

Keiki Rhythm

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Alison Place

The rhythmic sound of Tahitian drums echo throughout the cafeteria at Kaunakakai School on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Upon closer inspection one can see several adults and children smiling, perspiring, and laughing while they dance to the beat of the drums. Welcome to the Tahitian Dance Exercise class, which is taught by Tere Neuhart.

Neuhart has danced most her life, including professionally on Oahu at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hawaiian Hut and Paradise Cove. Upon returning home to Molokai to raise her family, she joined Moana’s Hula Halau where she has danced for the past 16 years.

Neuhart’s passion for dance and the rhythmic music combined with the drum beats inspired her to teach an exercise class in that venue. Judging by the popularity of the class many share this passion. “I think many of the girls and ladies enjoy dancing to music from another culture while learning basic Tahitian movements. They also get a really good cardio workout from dancing and moving to the music.”

The class is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program and is therefore free to participants. If you are interested in joining in the fun, register with Joshua Adachi (553-1730). There are two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Posted in Education, Hawaiian Culture

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Molokai Filmmaker’s Newest Venture

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Matt Yamashita, Molokai born and raised, has just released his newest 30-minute documentary titled, “Sustainable Living on the Island of Molokai.” The Hawaii Department of Education has already purchased 250 copies for statewide distribution in the school system. It’s a great piece that explores the many different ways that people are practicing sustainability on Molokai.

If you want to purchase a copy of the DVD, go to:

https://www.createspace.com/277293

Posted in Announcements, Culture & Art, Sustainability

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Ka Molokai Makahiki 2010

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Community Contributed

By Walter Ritte

Ka Molokai started 28 years ago in 1982 at One Alii Park. Preserving and enhancing Hawaiian Culture was the impetus for bringing back the Hawaiian games. The celebration of peace over a four-month period reflected well on the Hawaiian sense of values. During the season of Makahiki, all wars were put on hold, as agriculture and subsistence became the focus. Warriors went home to plant, fish and to care for their families and aina.

Today the values of the Makahiki season are even more important. This past year we learned important lessons when the nation’s economy crashed. One lesson was that oil reserves have peaked and are on the decline, in other words “we will soon run out of oil!” The other lesson is that without The Barge, we have only a week of food for Hawaii, we have no food security.

This year’s Ka Molokai Makahiki was on the verge of being canceled for the first time in thirty-nine years, but the winter rains stopped just hours before the games. The constant rain went from being a potential threat, to becoming a peaceful ho’ailona, or positive sign for enough water to grow our food this coming year on Molokai. The large crowd was encouraged to grow their own food at home, and to teach their children to fish, hunt and farm.

This year’s Makahiki was a great success. On Friday, the first day of the two day event, the Intermediate and Molokai High School along with schools from Hawaii Island, Maui, Lana’i and Oahu gathered mauka at the traditional Makahiki Grounds of Naiwa. Here in the lush green hills, they found their Ano Koa Ki’e Ki’e and class champions to send to the Saturday games in the dry plains of Kaunakakai. Later that same evening, in the intermittent rain, the adult men and women went through fierce competition, each entering in 10 games to find the Ano Koa Ki’e Ki’e champions. Kaina Makua, a muscle bound large man from Kauai and Leiohu Colburn, a petite pretty girl from Hawaii Island were this years adult Ano Koa Ki’e Ki’e champions for the second year in a row.

Of course the Saturday games were as great as ever, with the spot light on our elementary schools. As always, it was the hoards of screaming students, the supportive teachers and principals, and the proud parents that always make these games so successful. In the third grade Huki Huki Championship, everyone was cheering for the underdog Maunaloa team, as there was a sense of hope and sadness, with the realization that Maunaloa Elementary School may not be with us next year. The spectators were encouraged to support Maunaloa with their efforts in keeping their historic school open.

Posted in Education, Hawaiian Culture, Letters

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Ka Molokai Makahiki

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Heavy rains poured down on Molokai last Friday night as Lono announced his presence just in time for the island’s annual Makahiki Games. The games’ origins date back to ancient Hawaiian times, but have been growing more and more popular since they were brought back to Molokai a few decades ago. Over 200 athletes from every island except Kaho`olawe participated this year and the competition was as good as it’s ever been.

-->Hukihuki: Kelly Rawlins, Kalehua Sproat-Augustiro, Tita Calairo, Drig Pedro, Reesha Villa, Kamele Garces-Reyes / Relentless

WOMEN’S ADULT TEAM DIVISION CHAMPIONS:

1^st Place: Relentless – 90 pts.

2^nd Place: A’ole La’au – 88 pts.

3^rd Place: Na Hoaloha – 76 pts.

4^th Place: Coast Guard - 66 pts.

MEN’S ADULT TEAM DIVISION : 1^st Place Winner/Team Name

Ulumaika: Josh Pastrana/Officials
Moa Pahe`e: Eli Maioho/ Jared Sasadas
`O`oihe: Kekamalu Ulloa / Na Kipu`upu`u
Pohaku: Kaina Makua / Officials
Haka Moa: Eli Maioho / Jared Sasadas
Pa Uma: Kaina Makua / Officials
100 Yd.: Keli’i Kotubetey / Officials
Uma: Keahi Rawlins / Jared Sasadas
440 Yd.: Keli’i Kotubetey / Officials
Hukihuki: Fred Aki, Micah Buchanan, Keahi Rawlins, Bronson Borden, Kalani Crowell, Chucky Boy Buchanan / Jared Sasadas

MEN’S ADULT DIVISION CHAMPIONS

1^ST Place: Officials – 90 pts.

2^nd Place: Jared Sasadas – 82 pts.

3^rd Place: Na Kipu`upu`u – 58 pts.

4^th Place: USCG Kittiwake – 34 pts.

Posted in Culture & Art

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Making of a Nation

Monday, February 1st, 2010

Jade Leialoha Danner has cared for her hanai son since his birth – changing diapers and helping with his homework. But under U.S. law, she has to get written permission from his birth parents – her brother and sister-in-law – to prove she is capable of his guardianship, even when signing him up for baseball. Danner, vice president of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), wants to change this complicated system and have a Native Hawaiian government, with laws focused on Native Hawaiian values.

After 10 years of standstills, vetoing and nay-saying, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009, informally known as the Akaka Bill, is continuing to move forward in its best version yet, Danner said.

What Can You Do?
If you want to express support or say mahalo for their work, call or write to Hawaii’s representatives in Congress and Governor Lingle and let them know who is behind them.
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (1st District): (808) 541-2570
Rep. Mazie Hirono (2nd District): (808) 541-1986
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI): (808) 541-2542
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI): (808) 522-8970
Gov. Linda Lingle: (808) 586-0221 or (808) 586-0222

Posted in Culture & Art, Political

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Fishpond Interviews

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Community Contributed

Aloha kakou,

Here is a link to the aired interviews Noe Tanigawa did at our fishpond! In interviews are: Uncle Merv, Uncle Herbert, Aunty Julia, and Todd! :) Can someone please figure out how we can get copies of the clips? I don't want the links to go away while I'm gone and then for us to lose them. I loved hearing our Uncles and Aunty Julia! mahalo, noe

http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hpr/index.php?searchword=noe+tanigawa&option=com_search&Itemid=5

Posted in Culture & Art

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Coast Guard Coming to Makahiki

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

US Coast Guard News Release

The crews of the US Coast Guard Cutters Kiska, a 110-foot island class patrol cutter stationed in Hilo, and the Kittiwake, an 87-foott patrol cutter currently stationed in Nawiliwili, are scheduled to participate in Ka Molokai Makahiki Games this weekend. The Kiska's Commanding Officer, Lt. Charlotte Mundy and Kittiwake's Commanding Officer, Lt. Gordon Hood, have indicated that the cutters will be open for tours to Molokai residents on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Posted in Culture & Art

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Much Appreciated

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Over 200 Molokai residents felt the appreciation from Hotel Molokai last week, when free pupus, drinks and raffle prizes were handed out generously at their annual Community Appreciation Party on Jan. 5.

The mood was upbeat, matching the entertainment, which included several hula groups and musical acts, such as Moana’s Hula Halau. Their Tahitian dance, pictured above, had the crowd jumping to their feet to better view the high-energy spectacle.

The night started with a slower tempo with Na Kapuna of Molokai, a local band that plays “old Hawaiian music” with ukuleles, a bass guitar, and a hula dancer. Member Dede Kaakimaka, who plays ukulele, said the group performs every Friday for dinner guests at the hotel. After their performance on Tuesday, Kaakimaka, fellow bandmate Betty Puaa, and hula dancer Jaty Puaa-Spencer were happy to sit by the pool and enjoy the music for the rest of the evening.

This is the third consecutive year the hotel has thrown a party for its customers. After renovations in 2008 and a successful grand re-opening party, Michael Drew, general manager of the hotel, said he knew he had to have another party. He estimated 80 percent of his business comes from the community.

“They support us so we give back,” Drew said.

Posted in Hawaiian Culture

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Molokai Monarchs Fly to First

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

When the 21st Century NXT Navigators robotics team returned from the Lego League qualifying tournament in Maui last November, they did something surprising – they started all over.

The all-girls team from three different Molokai schools experienced technical problems with their robot before Maui, and decided to rebuild it to give their best effort at the state tournament. They also renamed their team the Molokai Monarchs, complete with costumes.

,” said Momi. “And it went well with theme of transport.”

Janice Espiritu, principal of Kaunakakai School, is the director of the 21st Century grant for all Molokai schools, which got the robotics project started in 2008. She hopes to expand the grant to start a high school team.

“A lot of times people might sell us short because we’re coming from a little island, not knowing that we can compete with the best anywhere,” Espiritu said.

The winning team
Moriah Jenkins, 10th grade at MHS
Sarah Jenkins, 7th grade at Aka`ula School
Momi Afelin, 6th grade at Kaunakakai Elementary
Puakea Domingo, 6th grade at Kaunakakai Elementary
Cendall Manley, 6th grade level, homeschooled

The coaches
Kawika Gonzales, 5th grade teacher at Kaunakakai Elementary
Heidi Jenkins, 3/4 grade teacher at Kaunakakai Elementary
Melanie Goode, 6th grade teacher at Maunaloa Elementary

The cheerleaders
Louise Manley, parent and chaperone
Kim Svetin, parent
Meg Afelin, parent and chaperone
Amy Keanini, parent and chaperone
Michelle Tancayo, parent and chaperone
Greg Jenkins, parent and chaperone

Posted in Community, Culture & Art, Education

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Aunty’s Corner

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Aloha Molokai. My name is Aunty Kapua. I have always loved Molokai and when my beloved sister passed away I moved here from Lahaina. I am a kupuna volunteer here at The Molokai Dispatch taking care of the e-mail subscriptions and the hard copy subscriptions. The most fun, however, is stuffing the newspapers with the inserts every Wednesday.

I thought it would be great to have a column about the doings of us kupuna on Molokai. To start off I want to thank Misaki’s and Molokai Drugs for their wonderful donations to the Hui at Home Pumehana. I wish also to thank the staff at Home Pumehana for their hard work for both onolicious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that they prepared and served. Wow, lots of work.

During the holidays, Na Wahine O Molokai, under the direction of Kumu Hula Kauila Reyes, walked around town doing their Christmas caroling. Akaku Television was there to capture their Christmas cheer on camera. You can see the kupuna on Channel 54 during Maui Time. It’s really funny to see one’s self on TV.

Last week, Alulike Kupuna Program took the kupuna on a lovely drive to the east end and told us about the different areas. We were quizzed afterwards. Auwe, all but myself could remember all the places. I need to get a map and learn what all the ahupua’a are named.

If you are interested in submitting to this column please let me know at the Dispatch by calling 552-2781 or stopping in the office on Kamo`i St.

Posted in Community, Hawaiian Culture, Letters

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Culture & Art

Keiki Rhythm

Molokai Filmmaker’s Newest Venture

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2010

Ka Molokai Makahiki

Making of a Nation

Fishpond Interviews

Coast Guard Coming to Makahiki

Much Appreciated

Molokai Monarchs Fly to First

Aunty’s Corner

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