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Sports

Social Animal

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Hawaiian monk seal makes an appearance at the wharf.

By Catherine Cluett

The wharf may be a hot hang-out spot, but one Hawaiian monk seal proved it’s not only humans that enjoy socializing in the sea breeze. Last week, KP2, as the young seal is named, seems to have made Kaunakakai Harbor his temporary new home.

KP2, short for Kauai pup 2, was abandoned by his mother on Kauai when he was less than 24 hours old. He was hand-reared by NOAA biologists and raised in captivity for eight months before his release in Kalaupapa in November. NOAA biologist David Schofield says the nine-month-old seal has circumnavigated the island a couple times and was seen on Lanai a couple weeks ago.

Julie Lopez, a local member of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team, said fisherman remained cooperative even when the seal “hauled up,” or came on shore to sleep, on the boat ramp. On the endangered species list, it is recommended that people stay 150 feet away from Hawaiian monk seals, and it is illegal to disturb them. Seals are naturally curious, and Schofield said KP2 likes hanging out around the wharf because there’s a lot of human activity.

Schofield said he, with volunteers’ help, is trying to keep KP2 wild and not dependant on people. Because of this, he asks that no one feed or approach KP2 or any seal. If you see people in white Monk Seal Response Team shirts approaching the seal, they are attempting to keep him in his wild state by using “displacement techniques” to make him feel uncomfortable in the area without hurting him. Schofield asks that you do not attempt this yourself – it’s only legal when performed by authorized personnel.

Hawaiian monk seals are one of two mammals endemic (originating here and found no where else) to Hawaii. Evidence points to their existence in the Main Hawaiian Islands before humans even arrived, as early as 1400 to 1750 AD.


 

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The Recreational Renaissance

Monday, March 9th, 2009

State plan for recreational resource improvement comes to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai hasn’t been forgotten in the state’s newest plan for improvement of recreational areas – the island is slated to receive $4,490,000 for three projects on the island between now and 2013. A total of $240 million has been allocated for a statewide “Recreational Renaissance,” a revamping of recreational facilities of both land and sea.

A group of Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) representatives visited Molokai last week on their state-wide tour, asking for community support for the project. Edward Underwood, Administrator of the Division of Boating and Aquatic Recreation, says the Recreational Renaissance plan needs community support in order for the bills to pass through legislature.

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Farmers Advance to Semi-Finals

Friday, March 6th, 2009

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Unprecedented

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

Molokai athletic history is made with Girls State Basketball Title
By Sean Aronson


Long credits the entire team with the victory, saying their camaraderie and tightness was infectious.  During the season, the Farmers travelled considerably and played just three of their 22 games at home in “The Barn”.  That kind of schedule prepared the team well for rigors of a week-long tournament.  

Long says playing in two early season tournaments on Oahu was particularly beneficial, especially when the majority of MIL teams were not competitive with the Farmers this season.

“That was huge,” says Long.  

It may also explain how the girls remained so relaxed throughout the tournament. In fact, Long and Assistant Coach Mike Hooper were slightly concerned before the state title game because the girls were so loose the day of the championship game.  They said they worried about the focus of the team, but when the ball was tipped all worries disappeared.

“We became more relaxed as the week went along,” says point guard Hooper-Juario. “We learned to take the time to slow down the pace of the game to suit our needs.”

The team was so relaxed; it turns out, that they forgot to eat lunch and instead played their 5pm game without having eaten since breakfast at 10am.  Long says he was dying of starvation, but only realized it after all the excitement and hoopla dissipated.

“I think we were all just so caught up in the moment,” says Long.
Hooper-Juario, a junior, was the leading scorer on a team that included just one senior.  The starting five will all be returning next year, and several key players off the bench will also return to defend their state title.

Despite playing in Oahu, the Farmers enjoyed a lot of crowd support, thanks in part to Molokai being the underdog and that they were playing a private school, Kamehameha of Hawaii.

“Anytime we are playing a private school, the crowd seems to favor of us,” says Long.

With the score tied and a little more than two minutes to go, the Farmers defense clamped down big time.  As Kamehameha guards ran the clock down, the Molokai girls fought through screens and never let their player get out of sight, says Long.  Adolpho had two huge blocks during this sequence and after turnovers by both teams on subsequent possessions; the ball came back to Molokai with less than 30 seconds to go.  Adolpho, after two failed attempts, put back the game winner with 12 seconds to go.  When Kamehameha three-point attempt clanked off the rim, the Molokai girls stormed the court.

They were State Champions!

The last state high school team title for Molokai was when the baseball team won back to back championships in 1999 and 2000.

Players and coaches would like to thank the Molokai fans and the MHS athletic department for their support throughout the season.

As for next year, Long isn’t making any predictions, but he does have one change he’ll be sure to make on the coaching end.

“We need to allow some of the goofiness; it certainly doesn’t seem to hurt.”

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Hard Work, High Expectations

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

MIL champs head to Honolulu with quiet confidence.
By Sean Aronson

,” says Rapanot. “We now need to prove we can advance at this level.”

Last year, the Farmers fell in their first game to Hawaii Baptist School.  

This year, because of restructuring to the divisions, there are many new teams contending.  Former powerhouses like Farrington and Aiea, both of Oahu, were bumped up to Division I, because of their size. Newcomers such as Castle High and Word of Life are unknowns.

The team has played through some hardships as well.  They have been without senior Micah Ritte-Manangan for most of the season.  Ritte-Manangan, an MIL selection last year, has been sidelined with a severe ankle injury.  In the past few weeks he has been shooting around a bit and was expected to get the green light to begin practicing this week.

Whether he will be available for Thursday’s game is a mystery, but at a recent practice he assured coaches and players that he was ready to go.

“We’ve been playing well without him, and that’s a testament to our players,” says DeRouin.  “But there is no doubt he would be huge spark for this team.”

All of the players agreed that having been to the states previously, helps take some of their nervousness away.  They are less inclined to be intimidated by the larger basketball courts and the hoopla that surrounds the state tourney.

It was also help that the boys started their season by playing Division I teams like Baldwin and Lahainaluna from Maui.  And even though they didn’t win those games, it introduced them to the high level they will have to play at to be successful in Honolulu.

“This team is much more balanced than last year – both physically and mentally,” says DeRouin.

To follow the progress of the boy’s team at States, visit our website – www.themolokaidispatch.com – where we’ll be posting daily updates of the team’s time in Oahu.








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70’s Surf Meet – Slideshow

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

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Fishing for Answers

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Community discusses amendments to fisheries regulations

By Catherine Cluett

Marine life is one of Hawaii’s most treasured resources. With Molokai’s dependence on subsistence living, preservation of resources like the island’s fisheries becomes all the more vital to every day life. But many have noticed a decline in the quality and quantity of marine resources around the state, and it’s a complaint the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is trying to solve by talking to communities throughout the Hawaiian Islands and soliciting their input in a proposal to amend existing fishing regulations.

Bill Puleloa, an aquatic biologist with DLNR, visited the Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council last week to get some answers from Molokai residents about how to best manage, conserve and restore the island’s marine resources.

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Blazing the Trail

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Blazing the Trail

Ke `Aupuni Lokahi receives grant to plan Pala`au trails.

At the Pala`au Pavilion in Kalae, Bill Garnett outlines the Ala Pala`au project that would provide recreation, restoration and employment.

By Catherine Cluett

For Bill Garnett, much of the future is found in the past, and he lives that motto every day in his work with rare and native plant restoration on Molokai. This philosophy also led him to read through old Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) documents which pointed to historic trails in the Pala`au State Park region in Kalae.

Garnett’s peek into the past lead to a $90,000 grant to plan for uncovering and restoring those same Pala`au trails.  The goal is multi-faceted -- restoring native forests and rare species, providing cultural interpretation of these resources and presenting a new area of recreation as well as employment.

The HTA awarded the grant to Ke `Aupuni Lokahi, Inc., (KAL) a non-profit organization for community improvement. The grant funds only the planning process, which will include gathering ideas from the community and completing the necessary environmental and cultural reports, permits, and analysis to facilitate implementation of the plan. Education and training in natural resource management, with an emphasis on youth stewardship of the land, is a key component of the project which is being called Ala Pala`au.

“This is the biggest grant they have ever given for a natural resources project,” says Garnett, an employee of the University of Hawaii who oversees the planting of rare and endangered plants in Kalaupapa and around the island.

Garnett expects the planning process to take about a year. It will involve not only comprehensive preparation for every aspect of the project, but also completion of a botanical survey of the area.

The project will provide new recreation, restoration and employment, according to Meredith Speicher, a planner with the National Park Service (NPS).

The NPS in Kalaupapa has also volunteered their staff to match the funds in labor for the project. Guy Hughes, NPS Natural Resources Division Chief, says Park Superintendent Steve Prokop hopes the topside trails and lookouts over Kalaupapa will be a way for people to experience the peninsula even if they are not able to make the trek down.

One bordering landowner expressed concern that once they open their doors to this project, it would take on a life of its own. “What guarantee do we have that this will not turn into something more in the future?”

In short, there is no guarantee, according to Hughes. But Stacy Crivello, a KAL board member, is quick to point out that communication is integral to the project’s success, and nothing will happen without landowner’s cooperation.

Lori Buchanan, member of the Molokai Planning Commission and the Molokai Invasive Species Committee, added that the project would need protection against potential liability. “Who is responsible if a tourist falls on the trail?” she asks. “What agency will be held accountable?”

No one has all the answers yet. Garnett points out that part of the project’s purpose is job creation and training, and that hopefully Molokai residents will take responsibility for tasks like trail maintenance. “But we have $90,000 to plan this, so we better be able to answer all these questions,” he says.

Garnett hopes to work with local nurseries to supply native plants for the area, and schools to involve youth in the work.

Another challenge the project currently faces is a lack of clarity of land ownership and property lines. The Department of Hawaiian Homelands owns the majority of the land earmarked for the project, and several divisions within the State of Hawaii as well as the National Park Service lease portions of it. Defining the boundaries between these parcels will be a large part of the planning process, says Garnett. 

Ke Aupuni Lokahi is a non-profit organization established to administer the Enterprise Community (EC) Grant awarded to the Molokai community in 1998 by the United States Department of Agriculture. That grant sunsetted in December 2008, according to Benny Venenciano, Administrator of KAL. 

While KAL’s EC status is over, the work it does in the community is not, and Venenciano says the organization is continuing to offer support to the projects it began, many of which now stand on their own feet. These include the Molokai Land Trust for open space conservation, the Molokai Community Health Center, and the Molokai Community Development Corporation, which provides affordable housing.

The first public meeting for the Ala Pala`au Trails project will be held in mid-March. Look for the specific date and time in the Dispatch calendar.

Call Ke `Aupuni Lokahi at 553-8188 for more information or if you would like to volunteer in the planning of the project.

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Molokai at the Inauguration

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

The Friendly Isle represents in D.C.

By Todd Yamashita

We awake the morning of Obama’s inauguration a little before 4:30am. Though bleary-eyed and exhausted, Noe and I are eager to begin the journey from her parents’ house in northern Virginia, to the capital in Washington D.C.

Today, D.C. is at the center of the world. All eyes are on the nation’s capital to witness perhaps the biggest change in American politics since the induction of the nation’s first president. It is estimated that over 100 million television and internet viewers tuned in to the event.

More important to Noe and I, there are over 2 million who are physically making their way to the same place at the same time. To make matters a bit more interesting, the temperature is in the teens and possibly even colder with wind-chill.

In-Transit
By 6 a.m., we are on the train. The trip into town is only 16 miles as the crow flies and normally takes 20 minutes. But today there are so many people packing in that the train’s doors won’t close and we are stalled on the tracks a number of times. After an hour and a half in transit we become aware that our journey to witness the inauguration is a race against time.

After emerging from the subway we meet up with a friend and begin navigating the city streets. It’s an amazing sight – all the roads and highways are closed to traffic but instead are crowded with hundreds of thousands of people. At one point we enter a mile-long highway tunnel packed with more people than live on the entire island of Molokai.

At 8:45 a.m. we finally locate the Blue Gate which is the security entrance onto the National Mall. Our tickets place us in a good spot - less than a quarter mile from the capital. But unfortunately, there are over 240,000 thousand people holding the same ticket, many of whom are in our line, which is as wide as it is long.

It’s now 9:45 a.m. and in the past 45 minutes we’ve moved just five feet closer to the front of the line which is still so far ahead we can’t even see it. Finally we’re in! It’s 11 a.m., and with thirty minutes to spare, we find a relatively uncrowded spot on the lawn.

The Inauguration
The capital is huge – it’s so much larger than it appears in photos. Although we are not positioned to see the actual ceremony, we are very close to the jumbotrons, allowing us to see and hear everything in detail.

The crowd cheers as various politicians grace the screen --  Ted Kennedy, Colin Powell, the Clintons. But not everyone is as popular – Lieberman, Cheney, and Bush receive jeers. As Sasha and Malia make their way out the crowd erupts again in celebration.

Anticipation is high. There is electricity in the air. Finally Obama appears and the crowd erupts into a raucous cheer. Noe and I can’t believe we’re here.

Canons thunder around the city. Obama is sworn in and is now officially the 44th president of the United States. “My fellow citizens, I stand here today humbled by the task before us…”

It’s amazing. A crowd of nearly 2 million falls completely silent as the president speaks. We have all come such a long way and have waited patiently for this experience. Eight years of an unpopular president, two wars, a troubled economy. During this time of challenge and doubt, here stands an unlikely leader exuding hope and the promise of new beginnings. The crowd is spellbound.

It’s now 1:30 P.M. and the crowds are dispersing. The bone-chilling cold is relentless and all we can think about is finding warmth and food. We watch the rest of the inauguration from a nearby pub. CNN shows Bush Jr.’s 747 leaving for Texas and the entire restaurant celebrates – the city now belongs to the Democrats. A resident describes it as a weight that’s been lifted and the mood is all-around jubilation.

Welcome to the Ball
A quick power-nap and shower at a friend’s house and we’re ready for more. We set off on an “Amazing Race”-like jaunt across the city to the Washington Convention Center where thousands of celebrities, politicians and Obama supporters are congregating for several celebrations. Noe and I were lucky to score tickets to the Obama Home States Ball which combines Illinois and Hawaii revelers.

In D.C., movie stars take a backseat to the popular politicians. We’re lucky – the last major event of our whirlwind journey is headlined by none other than President Obama himself! In person, Obama is twice as engaging and charismatic as he is on TV. After greeting the crowd with an aloha, he gives a quick speech thanking supporters and proceeds to dance with his wife.

Obama and Michelle have amazing chemistry and without a doubt are still very much in love. How cool is it to have a young Hawaii-raised president who happens to be a happy and positive person?

As quick as he had popped on stage, Obama is gone. Noe and I, along with everyone else, are in awe to have shared the same space with this amazing man.

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, have stopped by for a quick appearance. Biden seems to be as laid back and jovial as Obama. After joking with the crowd and dancing with his wife, he, too, is  off.

Soon North Shore musician Jack Johnson takes the stage. The eco-conscious artist who normally performs in T-shirt and slippers admits it’s his first time performing in a suit. Accompanied by John Cruz, the duo is putting on a show that’s all about good times and aloha. We are happy to get a photo with Jack after the show then call it a night.

Representing Molokai
After sleeping in a bit we return to D.C. the following morning to meet with Hawaii’s politicians and offer ho`okupu (gifts) from Molokai. Representing the island’s businesses -- Molokai Visitors Association, Molokai Mele, Gourmet Salts by Nancy Gove, Dan Bennett Pottery, Purdy’s Mac Nuts, Decoite’s L&R Farms, and the Molokai Dispatch each donated items – mahalo!

First on our list is Sen. Akaka, who graciously accepts us into his office. From there we shake hands with Sen. Inouye in the hall, then make our way to House of Representatives office building. We meet with Rep. Abercrombie who is delighted with the gifts and we’re quickly off to Rep. Hirono’s place. She isn’t around but her attentive staff makes us feel quite welcome.

Back at Sen. Akaka’s, we take a break and talk story with him about Hawaii and politics. Moments earlier, he had met with constituents and confirmed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. But he was most excited about recently swearing in Gen. Shinseki as secretary of Veterans Affairs, who he had worked hard to facilitate to the new post. We also talk about his support for the Kalaupapa Memorial Act, but most of all, Akaka enjoys talking about his love of the islands and its people.

Sharing with Sen. Akaka our excitement for Obama is a highlight of the trip. Akaka, with over thirty years of service in D.C., helps us to put it all in perspective. The sacrifices are great, but you can hear it in his voice that working to better the lives of our greater `ohana is truly what it means to be a great politician.

Mahalo again to our own `ohana who have made great sacrifices for us to travel to the inauguration. Mahalo also to our Molokai supporters and our Hawaii constituents who helped to open doors for us along the way. The excitement and hope we have for our nation, state, and island are our own personal ho`okupu to our new president. May all of our collective optimism pave the way for a better world!

Much Aloha, Todd and Noe Yamashita

For photos of the trip, please visit Noelani Yamashita's Facebook page.

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Molokai Masters Are Ready for Blast-Off

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Molokai Masters Are Ready for Blast-Off

Molokai Canoe Club prepares for a historic race full of good times.

By Catherine Cluett

Six men make their way home over rose-tinted waters, paddles splashing in unison, with the sunset at their backs. They pull their wa`a beside the darkening palms, and each grab a beer. “Practice is just starting,” they laugh.

These men are the two-year defending champions of the Master Blasters, a dual-sport event featuring paddling and drinking. They have prepared long and hard for both, and are ready to take the prize again on Saturday, Nov. 22.

“Molokai is the team to beat,” says supporter Luana Kaaihue. Twenty four teams from around the state registered for the race last year, and Molokai team members expect a similar turn-out this year.

“It’s a fun serious race,” laughs team member Ed Misaki. But there seem to be enough regulations to put Olympic rule-makers to shame.

First, there are age limits. Every paddler in the boat has to be at least 40 years old for men, and 35 for women. But you can’t stack your boat with all 40-year olds – the minimum sum age of all team members must be 290 years for men and 250 years for women.

Proper attire can’t be forgotten, either. Each crew dresses in team costume; last year, Molokai’s own became chefs for the day. There is a separate prize for the best-dressed team.

Next, is the drinking. At the start of the course, the wa`a wait unrigged. The men must chug a beer before racing other teams to put their boat together. You think that’s tough? The race hasn’t even begun.

There are four official stops along the six mile course. Each team has their own bar-maid and race official. “The barmaid is to make sure the beers are there, and the official is to make sure you drink them,” says Walter Rawlins, team steersman and captain. At every stop, each crew member must get out of the canoe, run to shore, drink a beer, and run back. Teams who fail to complete the task will be faced with disqualification. Rules vary for the women’s race, which starts 20 minutes after the men’s.

The course, which begins at Kawela Rice Patch and ends at Malama Park, is designed to stay in shallow water for the safety of the paddlers. Three escort boats follow closely should assistance be needed. The Fire Department and paramedics also stand at the ready – with hoses to spray paddlers as they’re nearing the end of the race.

Liko Wallace, President of the Molokai Canoe Club, says this event is the club’s main fundraiser. Each boat pays a $150 entry fee, and the team sells t-shirts and other items.

Afterwards, an all-out party ensues at the finish line with live music, prizes, and of course, drinking. First prize is one gallon of dried squid. “The men catch them, the women dry them, and the winner gets a prize valued at $300 to $400 dollars,” says Misaki.

The trick of the trade for this race, according to Rawlins? “Win; and if you don’t win, drink like you did.”

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