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Education

Molokai Local Wins Chanel Race

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Molokai Local Wins Chanel Race

Ekolu Kalama record-breaking first in standup paddling division
Story by Kodi Piirto, Photo by Bernie Baker

The 2009 Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race took off Sunday morning with emotions running high and adrenaline pumping. As the sun came over the horizon dozens of competitors from around the world applied their sunscreen, adjusted equipments and prepared for what is considered to be the most brutal physical and mental challenge in the world for watermen.

“It’s the Super Bowl of stand up paddle boarding,” said local favorite Ekolu Kalama as he made his way to the beach before the event.

 At 7:30 am competitors set off from Kaluakoi beach through the Molokai Channel (Kaiwai Channel) on a 32-mile trek across open-ocean with 25 mph winds at their back. The Molokai Channel is one of the most dangerous waterways in the world with competitors taming swells that can range anywhere from 3 to 15 feet. With unpredictable waves and unwieldy currents this competition can push even a veteran’s body and mind to the limit.

Making sense of the mayhem, local champ Ekolu Kalama crossed the finish line first in the men’s unlimited standup paddling division with a time of 5:02:06. Kalama takes home the winning the purse of $3,000.

“He beat the world record by 1 hour.  Molokai should be really proud of him,” said race director Mike Takahashi

This was the first year that Ekolu did not partner alongside his cousin David Kalama as a relay team in the race, “I have mixed feelings; I definitely want to win and will have to beat Dave to do it.”

For the past 3 years Ekolu and his cousin Dave have competed together and won the relay division of the race.

Molokai native Carlos Kuhn, partnered with Kainoa Beaupr, also finished a respectful fourth in the standup team stock division with a time of 5:46:19.

For the eighth consecutive year Jamie Mitchell won the paddleboard division of the race. This year he took the gold with a time of 4:58:25, beating his closest competitor Hawaii’s Brian Rocheleau by 22:28.

This year’s new sponsors Rainbow Sandals and Honolua Surf Co. attracted a record number of competitors. Of 125 entries, only 5 failed to finish the race.

MAJOR RESULTS:
(For complete results
www.pacificsportevents.com)

Unlimited - Elite
Jamie Mitchell (Aus) 4:58:25
Brian Rocheleau (HI) 5:20:53
Tim Foran (Aus) 5:30:45

Stock - Elite
Mikey Cote (HI) 5:32:25

Women Overall
Kanesa Duncan (HI) 6:29:29
Bianca Lee (Aus) 6:46:08

SUP Solo Unlimited
Ekolu Kalama (HI) 5:02:06
Guy Pere (HI) 5:22:01
Scott Gamble 5:22:39

SUP Solo Woman
Jenny Kalmbach (Big Island) 5:48:31

SUP Team Unlimited
Aaron Napoleon &
Kai Bartlett 4:45:17

SUP Team Stock
Noland Martin & Greg Pavao (HI) 5:28:51

 

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The Power of Youth

Monday, July 27th, 2009

The Power of Youth

Molokai team works to restore native habitats.   

Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps Press Release

Molokai youth participating in the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps internship program completed a work project at Pu`u Hoku Ranch last week. First row, left to right: DJ Kaai, Keaka Kaiama, Kailana Ritte-Camara and Ray Brito. Second row: CJ Kaiaama, Kaipo Dudoit, Keani Acasio, Kuuipo Lenwai, Falon Will-Staudenraus and Kaulana Buchanan.  

Molokai youth were given the chance to work in the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps this summer. As interns, they not only serve their community by restoring native habitats, they also earn three University of Hawaii college credits while doing so. This month, the Molokai group spent their time at Mo`omomi, Kamakou, Kaho`olawe and Pu`u Hoku Ranch. Throughout each project, the team furthered their education on native plants and invasive species, completing papers and presentations on topics they studied throughout the program.

“I think any time you get young people involved and teach them something about the place they live, it has very lasting effects,” said Brittney Orton at the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps. “They can now take the knowledge and skills they have gained through this program and apply it to their lives.”    





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Solar Scholars

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Renewable energy system installed at Kualapu`u School.

ProVision Solar Press Release

When Lydia Trinidad, principal of Kualapu’u School, saw the school’s electricity costs go through the roof last year, she knew it was time to do something. Last year, the average electricity rate at Kualapu`u School was the highest rate in the United States. With the prospect of that cost going up even higher, the school’s local advisory panel decided to install a net energy metered photovoltaic solar system.

“We knew we needed a way to keep our costs in check and invest in a system that would keep our costs stable, as the price of power fluctuates,” said Trinidad.

After receiving a number of bids for the project, Trinidad chose to work with ProVision Solar, a company based in Hilo. ProVision president Marco Mangelsdorf said the system should produce about 20 percent of the daily power needs at Kualapu`u School. The system has the capacity to cover over half of the school’s daily power needs if the school chooses to expand the system. It is the largest renewable energy system of its kind for any public school in the state of Hawaii.

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‘Ohana Offering

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

We proudly announce that our Molokai Little League Junior Division baseball team members are the undefeated 13 and 14 year old District III Champions. Our team has worked hard to earn this opportunity to qualify for the Hawaii State 2009 Junior Division Tournament, scheduled for July 24-28. The tournament will take place at Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu, Oahu.

At this time we are asking for assistance from our friends, family and businesses within our community to help defer the cost of our air and ground transportation and possibly housing, meals and other incidentals.

If you have any questions or are in a position to be of assistance, please contact Hala Pa-Kala, the Junior Division Vice President at 658-0260 (cell) or 553-5391 (home).

We do realize that these are difficult economic times for all, and we truly appreciate any and all assistance we receive.
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Keiki Crops

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Keiki Crops

New garden for Kilohana Elementary

By Melissa Kelsey


On top of reading, writing and arithmetic, growing fresh produce will be part of the school day at Kilohana Elementary School. For the patch of land behind the school, members of the group Ka`ano imagine a community garden.

“This is one of the things that we have been wanting to do for a long time,” said Charlene Martin, a volunteer at Ka`ano, the organization known as the Molokai Seed Bank.  

In addition to growing food, keiki will also learn how to preserve seeds, according to Ka`ano volunteer Jade Bruhjell. One of Ka`ano’s goals is to establish a seed bank of heirloom seeds on Molokai that Bruhjell said could decrease the island’s dependence on outside food sources.     

“You start with the children,” said Martin. “We are going to teach them how to save their seeds, so they will have quality seeds of their own.”

Martin said Ka`ano members and Kilohana Elementary School teacher Mapuana Hanapi were both interested in a garden project for the school, so they worked together to brainstorm ideas. The school may use the garden’s produce to supplement its cafeteria food options and generate trade opportunities for the school, according to Martin.

“Hopefully, this will be a foundation of understanding for this generation of youth that will bring a resonance between the natural land and people,” said Bruhjell.      

Martin said in the future, Ka`ano hopes to tackle similar projects at other Molokai schools.
 
Cultivating the Past
The idea of growing food at Kilohana Elementary School is not new. Garden project volunteer Russel Phifer attended the school in the 1960s. At the time he was a student, he said there was an educational farm at the school. Keiki worked on farm projects, recycling as much as possible for future use.

“It is good to know the past, and how things were before,” said Phifer.  

Molokai schools also have a history of producing other food products, according to Phifer, who said Molokai High School used to run a dairy farm and produce milk.

“Back then, everything was produced here,” said Phifer, remembering how the island used to be less dependent on the barge. “Now, everything is packaged and shipped in,” he said.  


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Ekolu Kalama Wins Major Stand-Up Paddle Race in Germany

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Ekolu Kalama wins the both the sprint and distance division races at the Stand-Up Paddle Racing World Cup in Germany amidst 27,000 spectators last weekend. (skip to 1:35 in the video below)


By Todd Yamashita

Molokai boy, Ekolu Kalama made some major waves in the otherwise placid waters of Hamburg, Germany last weekend. Kalama won both the 200 meter sprint and the 10,000 meter (roughly four miles) distance race in the first ever Standup Paddling World Cup.

With over 27,000 fans and 143 competitors, Kalama represented Molokai and Hawaii well in one of the fastest growing sports world wide. “It was really good and rewarding – but also tiring. There was stiff competition,” said Kalama in a televised interview.

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District Champs

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

District Champs

Molokai Little League team to compete in state tournament  

By Melissa Kelsey

Front Row (L-R): Keldin Calairo-Nakagawa, Kaleonahe Sibayan, Noah Caparida, Ka'io Kalawe, Ehukai Rawlins.
Back Row (L-R): Likeke Schonely, David Rapanot, Bradley Nishihira-Aki, Namakana
Pa-Kala, Kiloaulani Ka'awa-Gonzales, C. Namakaeha Kamelamela.
Coaches, also back row (L-R): Scottie Rapanot Sr., Dwayne Kala, Manager Walter Rawlins Jr.

The Molokai Little League Junior Division baseball team stands undefeated. The team will travel to Oahu July 24-28 to play in the Hawaii State 2009 Junior Division Tournament.

“We played against some tough teams,” said Coach Walter Rawlins Jr., describing challenges the team faced throughout the season. “They did not give up.”

The 13 and 14 year old team earned the District III Champion title at the July 4 game when they defeated Maui Central 8-7. Rawlins said it was the first time a Molokai Little League team had earned the title in the three years he has been coaching.

“All of the kids, they found their heart and stayed together,” said Coach Scottie Rapanot Sr., explaining the team’s success. “That is something you cannot teach. They have to find it within their own.”

The team is raising funds to help cover the cost of airfare and other travel expenses they will accumulate on their Oahu journey. At Hotel Molokai last Friday, they gave homemade gifts to community members who made financial donations.

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In the Pog Biz

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

In the Pog Biz

Seven-year-old runs his own business.

By Catherine Cluett

While most seven-year-olds are lucky to have pocket change from their allowance, Gus Lodise is already out in the business world making his own money. At age five, Gus began selling his paintings to family and friends, and to raise funds for his school, Kilohana Elementary. Now, two years later, he has expanded his entrepreneurial endeavors to marketing pogs, a game played with small, colorful disks that originated in Hawaii in the 1920s and is still popular with island youngsters today.

Gus went into the pog business just three weeks ago, and as of last week, Gus said he had already sold 33 bags of pogs for $3 per bag. Sets of 100 pog pieces come in a bag. He said he buys the pogs in bags of 8000, then sorts and packages them for sale.

“We have now sold Gus's pog packages to customers on Molokai, as well as Maui and the Big Island via mail order,” said Kimberly Svetin, General Manager at Kamo`i Snack-n-Go. Kamo`i, along with Outpost Natural Foods, are the two local venders of Gus’s “Ninja Pogs.” Svetin said Gus is the youngest vendor in Kamo`i’s 14-year history.

Business runs in Gus’s family. His parents, Monica Flores and Genesis Lodise, are owners of a web design business. Flores said they taught their son the basics of invoicing, inventory, start-up capital and other business practices.

“Our hope is to pass on those skills so he is never dependant on one stream of income,” said Flores.

They also explained the importance of keeping records and professional communication with customers and bankers. Flores said learning such phrases as “it’s a pleasure doing business with you” will serve you well throughout your life.

“The biggest challenge is getting used to people,” explained Gus. But this ingenious kid seems to be having no trouble.

Gus has his own bank account, to which all his profit is deposited. Family members loaned him start-up capital, and Gus said he paid his parents back last week and is now beginning to collect profit from his business. He accepts cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.

He is also already using his knowledge of business to increase his sales by offering discounts. Gus said his friends share his interest in pogs, so he gives them a $1 discount per package.

“There’s always something you can offer,” Flores advised her son and others. “Just think of what you can do and someone who might want it.”

And while Gus said making money is one of the best things about going into business, Gus has already thought about serving the community, too. He has donated paintings to two charity auctions to raise money for Kilohana Elementary School.

“Our hope is that he can use his knowledge and skills to give back to community,” said Flores.

You can reach Gus with questions or to place an order at 877-836-5105 ext. 7 or visit his website, www.islandboyart.com.

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Picking Up the Slack

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Picking Up the Slack

Danny Carvalho performs Hawaiian rhythms for library audience.

By Melissa Kelsey


At the Summer Reading Program, children enjoyed listening to the story of “The Little Red Hen.”

Upcoming Summer Reading Program Events
More events are coming to the Molokai Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. On July 14, the Molokai Humane Society will present “Be Kind to Animals.” On July 21, there will be a storytelling time hosted by Jim May. All sessions are on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m., and include story time for children.  





 

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Rummaging for Resources

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Rummaging for Resources

Aka`ula School parents chip in to raise money.        

By Melissa Kelsey

For many parents on Molokai, working together is a fundamental facet of providing keiki with an excellent education. At Aka`ula School’s Summer Festival last Saturday, families collaborated to earn money to cover the school’s unpaid bills.  

“We needed to raise funds for the kids’ education,” said parent Dean Chow. “All the parents just kind of kicked in.”   

At the Aka`ula School campus at Kualapu`u Center, parents sold ono homemade bread, coconut cream pie, apple pie, lemon pie, shortbread cookies and other baked goods. Visitors enjoyed corn dogs, barbeque chicken plates and fresh coconut drinks. Whole, roasted Rotisserie chickens brought to the island from Sam’s Club sold out before the event was over.   

Chow said families donated possessions from their homes for a rummage sale of clothes, books, dishes, videos and other used household items. Farms and friends of the school contributed plants to the selection of goods for sale. Inside the school, an impromptu gift shop sold pottery, candles and other more expensive items.

Head of School Vicki Newberry said this is the first year Aka`ula School has hosted this type of fundraiser, but the school hopes to repeat the festival in the future.

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