There will be a community meeting on Saturday, August 1 to update everyone and request input on the planning process for the Ala Palaau trail project. The meeting will be at the Palaau Park Pavilion at 10 am and will be followed by a potluck lunch. Seating is limited in the pavilion, so the meeting organizers are requesting that people bring chairs or blankets to sit on.
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.
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)
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.
Prizes offered for sightings of annual migratory birds
Nene O Molokai Press Release
The fall migration of the Kolea has begun. Also called the Pacific Golden Plover and scientifically known as Pluvialis fulva, the birds are returning from their breeding grounds in the Alaskan tundra. Kolea are territorial and live for twenty years or more, annually returning to Hawaii. Many Molokai residents have named their distinguished winter guests, noting their arrival and departure dates on calendars.
The Kolea is a swift flyer. In around 40 hours at speeds averaging from 56 to 60 miles per hour, the Kolea performs an incredible nonstop migration across the Pacific Ocean. The Kolea spends most of its daylight hours foraging, and can be recognized from a distance by its peculiar ‘run-stop-run’ feeding behavior.
The Kolea is a prominent figure in Hawaiian folklore. It was considered to be the embodiment of Koleamoku, the god of healing, and a messenger of high chiefs. The northern migration of Kolea may have aided ancient navigators with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands.
If you report the return of your Kolea, you could win a prize. The observer of the first confirmed Kolea sighting will win a Kolea research t-shirt from the Hawaiian Audubon Society. The first ten confirmed observations will receive a gift certificate for a scoop of ice cream at Kamoi Snack-N-Go in Kaunakakai. Any individual reporting a banded Kolea will receive $20 cash, after the sighting and location have been confirmed.
The Kolea is easily recognized by its bold black and white breeding feathers. However, this ‘alternate’ plumage is lost by winter when the bird molts back to ‘basic’ plumage.
Kolea banded on Molokai have a green or yellow band over a silver metal band. Also, be on the lookout for birds banded with a combination of three colored and one metal band. Bird bands are read as if reading a book, from left leg top to bottom, then right leg top to bottom.
To report your Kolea sightings, call Arleone at Nene O Molokai at 553-5992, or send an email to researchbirds@yahoo.com. Include the date, time and location of each sighting with your report. Molokai sightings are collected at Nene O Molokai and emailed to Peter Pyle, an ornithologist who compiles the information for the Bishop Museum.
Molokai Little League team to compete in state tournament
By Melissa Kelsey
Sustainable Molokai Press Release
The Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hokule`a will arrive to Kaunakakai Harbor on Wednesday morning, July 15. The exact time will depend on water and weather conditions. The crew is visiting Molokai to attend the Sustainable Molokai: Future of a Hawaiian Island Conference and participate in various other activities. Hawaiian immersion students will be doing oli to welcome the crew, and the public is invited to attend. With the help of the community, food is being prepared for the occasion.
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With brawn and energy, members of the Wa`akapaemua boys crew show a powerful start to their half mile race during the Molokai’s third regatta of the season last Saturday. The races ranged from quarter mile sprint to the mile-long test of endurance and precision as crews competed to make tightest turns around course marker flags. The event was hosted by the Wa`akapaemua club, with Molokai Canoe Club and Kukui ‘O Molokai also participating. The next Molokai race is July 18, followed by the state regatta in Hilo on August 1. Many crews qualified for the state races during Saturday’s regatta.
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“I love taking care of my chickens,” said Rapanot as he stroked the shiny feathers of a bird in his arms. “It’s like therapy for me.”
Event organizers would like to give a big mahalo for our gamefowl exhibit organized by individuals and gamefowl enthusiast, Randall, Hoku, Sarah, and Oli Corpuz, Ronnie and Boomie Rapanot, Cameron Alefaio, Russell and Carrie DeCoite, Mike DeCoite, Craig Arinoki, Bobby Dacuycuy, Barbara Haliniak, Patrick and Denise Kawano, Eddie and Susan Grospe, Leslie Florea, Councilman Danny Mateo, Maui Council Parks and Recreation Billy Amoral and special mahalo to Todd and Anthony Steel and Judge Joe Mac Skinner from Grit and Steel. If there is anyone that we forgot, e kala mai.
Molokai Game Fowl Show Results:
Overall Winner: Grand Champion Rooster -- Russell DeCoite; Reserve Champion --Craig Arinoki
Red Roosters, light color legs: Blue Ribbon -- Oli Corpuz; Red Ribbon -- Jesse Dudoit; White Ribbon -- Peter Gammit
Red Rooster, Dark color legs: Blue Ribbon -- Craig Arinoki; Red Ribbon -- Oli Corpuz; White Ribbon -- Daniel Rapanot
Greys, Open Class: Blue Ribbon -- Russell DeCoite; Red Ribbon -- Craig Arinoki, White Ribbon -- Paitaka Mawae
Mixed Class: Blue Ribbon -- Peter Gamit; Red Ribbon -- Daniel Rapanot; Paitaka Mawae
Hens: Blue Ribbon -- Russell DeCoite; Red Ribbon -- Peter Gamit; White Ribbon -- Jesse Dudoit
Pairs: Grand Champion Hen -- Russell DeCoite; Blue Ribbon -- Peter Gamit; Red Ribbon -- Jesse Dudoit
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Not all of the wharf swimmers in this picture are kids. KP2, a Hawaiian monk seal at the lower right, enjoys an afternoon with friends after swimming back from Kalaupapa, where NOAA officials had taken him just two days earlier.
By Catherine Cluett
Life is good for KP2, a young male Hawaiian monk seal who calls Kaunakakai Wharf his home. Wherever people are, KP2 is sure to be found, whether it’s diving with laughing children or grabbing onto an outrigger for a ride. Some find his behavior annoying, but most are endeared by this bright-eyed, playful creature who prefers human company to hanging out with fellow seals.
“I’ve watched him hug the kids and the kids hug him back,” said one onlooker who frequents the wharf.
Abandoned by his mother on Kauai at 24 hours old, KP2, short for Kauai pup two, was found by NOAA biologists. He was raised in captivity for eight months before his release in Kalaupapa last November. A few months later, he appeared at the Kaunakakai
Wharf, and a team of biologists and volunteers worked to educate the public about keeping their distance from KP2.
The team also tried repeatedly to discourage the seal from making the area his home, but with no luck. Finally, on Friday, June 12, NOAA transported him back to Kalaupapa hoping he would socialize with other young seals and “stay wild.” However, in just two days, KP2 had made his way back to the wharf in time to swim with the neighborhood kids before sunset.
Now that he’s back, NOAA is asking people not to interact with the seal so he does not become dependant on humans and he can learn to live a seal’s life. The Hawaiian monk seal is an endangered species and it is against the law to approach or disturb a seal.
NOAA biologist David Schofield worries that when KP2 reaches sexual maturity, he will become not only larger and bolder, but may become aggressive. Because of this, he continues to ask Molokai residents to keep their distance.
Some are arguing that NOAA created the situation when it rescued the seal. They do not think it is fair they should have to stay out of the water to avoid the seal.
But many have also come to love the seal or appreciate the education he has afforded the children and community.
“These kids never would have been ever been able to know a monk seal otherwise,” said one monk seal volunteer.
“I think interacting with the seal is good for people,” said wharf resident Robert Wilt, known as Stretch. He suggests NOAA use KP2 as a “poster boy” – a mascot for the effort to protect Hawaiian monk seals.
Even NOAA representatives agree that KP2’s close interactions with people is not all negative. “KP2 has helped raise awareness about monk seals,” said Schofield.
On July 9, NOAA will make a decision about KP2’s future. Several options are on the table, according to Schofield, but they all involve removing KP2 from Molokai.
“As managers, NOAA has to remove the animal so he doesn’t become aggressive,” said Schofield.
Relocating KP2 to another Main Hawaiian Island, to a remote area in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, or to an aquarium are all being discussed.
Many Molokai residents say they hope KP2 will be moved to a sea-life park, where he can remain safe and monitored, but still interact with people.
“He is one of the toughest challenges in my career,” Schofield explained. “People dream of swimming with wild animals, but I can tell you it will end badly both for people and the seal.”
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