Sports

Final Home Rodeo for Molokai Farmers

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Final Home Rodeo for Molokai Farmers

High School Rodeo Results

Leeward Kenpo Karate Ke Ola `O Molokai

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Leeward Kenpo Karate Ke Ola `O Molokai

Leeward Kenpo Karate (LKK) Ke Ola ‘O Molokai first got its start through the Kaunakakai Community Learning Center (KCLC) at Kaunakakai Elementary School with Alexa (Sausy) Dudoit.

On April 13, LKK Ke Ola ‘O Molokai competed in the 27th Annual Leeward Kenpo Karate Tournament which was held at Halawa Gym. This year, LKK Ke Ola ‘O Molokai brought 14 competitors. Under the supervision of their Sifu (teacher) Lori Nakamoto and Sibak Elroy Mollena (Assistant Instructor), the students brought home a total of 20 trophies as well as 3 fighting spirit awards.

Classes are held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays from 5:30-7:30 pm and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Home Pumehana Senior Center. Call 646-0826 for more information or stop by before class.

Results of the Tournament:

Ichiro Asano – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 6-7)

2nd place Kumite (Novice boys 6-7)

Noel Tancayo – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice girls 6 and under)

3nd place Kumite (Novice girls 6 and under)

Courtney Winfrey – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice girls 7-8)

Jasmyn Davis – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice girls 9-10)

Makana Arce – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice boys 10-11)

Benjamin Aea – 1st place Kumite (Novice boys 10-11)

Nolan Nartatez – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Intermediate boys 12-13)

1st place Traditional Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 12-14)

1st place Kumite (Intermediate boys 12-13)

Misty Mollena – 3rd place Kenpo Kata (Novice girls 15-17)

Eric “Kalei” Sasada – 1st place Kumite (Intermediate boys 14-15)

Punohu Seitz – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 14-15)

3rd place Kumite (Novice boys 14-15)

Ryan Johnston – 3rd place Kenpo Kata (Intermediate boys 16-17)

1st place Weapons Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 15-17)

2nd place Kumite (Intermediate boys 14-15)

Kyle Macmillan – 1st place Traditional Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 15-17)

4th place Kumite (Intermediate boys 16-17)

Wendell “Iopa” Mollena – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 15-17)

1st place Kumite (Novice boys 16-17)

Lance Haraguchi – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Men’s Novice Color Belt 35 and over)

What’s Blowin On

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

What’s Blowin On

Here is a rendering of what the UPC wind farm would look like on Molokai.

Community forum hosts talks about Molokai wind-farm.

By Brandon Roberts

Renewable energy is a Hawaiian value in that it aims at harnessing the gift of nature without depleting it. But is the greater community willing to tap Molokai’s steady wind resources at the sacrifice of building a large scale wind farm?

For the past several weeks, it has been the mission of Molokai youth to gauge the community’s acceptance of the potential wind farm. Forums have already been held in Kilohana, Kaunakakai, Ho`olehua and Maunaloa.

“Ask the hard questions,” youth organizer Matt Yamashita told community members. “What vision are we going to put forth to create a future that fits with what we believe the potential of this island is. We are not representing UPC; we just created the space to have this dialogue.”

Numerous concerns surround this development proposal, and Molokai asked the crucial question: Are there benefits to the community?

Will UPC Hawaii Wind bring jobs to folks on the Friendly Isle? UPC says maybe for the construction, but only a skeleton crew is required for the remaining 20 years. (They did agree to sign a contract not use potable water from the island during construction.)

Will UPC lower electricity rates on Molokai? No guarantee. There are many problems with hooking a variable source, like wind, up to the current diesel plant, and the proposal is a one-way cable to Oahu for Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO).

“There are some big ‘ifs’ with this project; one is gaining control of the lands, second is the undersea cable and third is whether our bid to HECO would be accepted,” said Wren Wescoatt, development specialist.

Would the project prevent access to the land for hunting or recreation? According to UPC, the project would prevent other types of development on thousands of acres while providing a source of community revenue. Pre-existing uses of the land would continue once the construction was completed. At the end of the lease, the windmills would be completely removed.

Can a deal be struck quickly between UPC and Guoco Leisure? There is no guarantee, and UPC has been in discussions since 2006.

How will money come back to the community? UPC has committed $50 million toward Ho`i I Ka Pono (to restore righteousness or balance), a campaign led by the Molokai Community Service Council (MCSC) to purchase all of the lands now owned by Molokai Ranch. UPC would lease the land from MCSC, which could amount to five million dollars per year.

How close would the windmill be to a home? No turbine would be constructed within a half mile of residencies, and the Liberty units have an extremely low noise output, rotating at 21 times per minute, though they are a skyscraping 400 feet tall.

Representative Mele Carroll said that it is “brilliant that young people are doing this; it is creating leaders.” She met with UPC planners earlier and said that the company has many potential opportunities for Molokai.

“UPC combines technology with Molokai island values,” said Noe Kalipi, UPC director of community relations. Statistically speaking, one mega-watt (MW) hour of energy saves 17,000 lbs of carbon dioxide. The power plant on Molokai burns around one million gallons of diesel fuel every year.

Kalipi said there is a seriousness and legitimacy to this project. “We want to have transparency, which is fluid, we want to establish and ongoing dialogue. UPC is a community conscious and a community based company.” UPC began meeting with Molokai leaders in 2006.

The proposed Ikaika (energy) project is under discussion with Molokai homesteaders and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and would use 20 windmills and produce 50 MW. Ikaika II, which would be on 12,000 acres spanning between Ho`olehua and Ilio Point on Molokai’s rugged northwestern coast line. Both projects could produce a combined 350 MW.

Castle and Cook, which is owned by David Murdock, has a wind-farm project that is moving ahead on Lanai, despite failed legislation to fast track the project. They will submit a bid to HECO as well.

“UPC has an incentive to do things right, as we are accountable to the communities we join for the life of our project,” Kalipi said, emphasizing the UPC mission.

“We are creating a future for this island,” said Matt Yamashita, holding onto the idea of finding a common ground.

“We have within us the will, the mana, the smarts, and the commitment to create something we can all be happy with,” said Akutagawa. “And then the scars in our heart will heal, and we can look at each other and say aloha.”

Any questions regarding the community forums can be directed to molokaisolutions@yahoo.com. Information on UPC Wind can be found at www.upcwind.com, and the Molokai Community Service Council can be reached at www.molokai.org.

Celebrating the `Aina

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Molokai comes together for Earth Day festivities.

By Brandon Roberts

It is no surprise that Earth Day is one of Molokai’s biggest community celebrations. Malama `aina is more than words to most residents here; it is a way of being.

This year has been internationally dedicated as the year of the reef, and Molokai perpetuated that theme with “Momona ka papa ke e`ehu ka `aina”, (the reef thrives when the land is healthy). The environmental celebration held on April 18 at the Mitchell Pau`ole Center combined education and entertainment with an ohana atmosphere.

The event began 16 years ago with a group called Molokai C.A.R.E.S., an organization dedicated to recycling. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) grabbed the reigns in 1995, and now Molokai Earth Day has over 1,000 Friendly Isle residents attending annually.

Molokai Earth Day 2008

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Molokai Earth Day 2008

Reggae-Rama

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Reggae-Rama

Ekolu gives Molokai some aloha after their Friday show. 

Paddler’s packs da house for first Reggae Fest.

By Brandon Roberts

Walking through the door, a wave of positive vibrations wash over the body, and island beats fill the ears as Molokai swarms the dance floor to share their aloha at Paddler’s first Reggae Fest.

Three days of choke tropical jams let fans come face-to-face with some of Hawaii’s biggest musical sensations April 18 thru the 20. “This is the first of many, I need to start booking next years bands,” said Kamuela Kamakana, Paddler’s Inn owner.

A small venue meant dancers could groove just feet away from the band, and when the music stopped, the bands were there to kukakuka, and sign cd’s. Friday night kicked off with local boys, Six Pac opening up for Hawaiian phenom Ekolu.

With success surrounding Ekolu, their ha`aha`a (humbleness) is refreshing. The band loves coming to Molokai. “We would have cancelled Japan or Tahiti to come here,” said Lukela Keala, Ekolu front-man.

“We are nothing without the fans, we feed them and they feed us,” Keala said. “If I can leave them with anything, it is love and aloha.”

Saturday, everybody grooved to Billy Kekona, and Sunday saw Katchafire wrap things up. The staff worked hard and kept the festival running smooth.

To check out upcoming bands and weekly events, log on to paddlersinnhawaii.com.

Updated: Ranch Cuts More Than Just Jobs

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008

Updated: Ranch Cuts More Than Just Jobs

Molokai Ranch communications manager John Sabas said they are cutting "older trees that aren’t doing so well." However, many of the palms, including the one pictured, were bountiful with coconuts, healthy, and thriving.

Destructive measures in the wake of closure.

Photo and Story By Brandon Roberts

Kaluakoi residents awoke Wednesday to the sound of rain and falling coconut palms. Up to 30 trees have been killed to make barriers around the golf course, and this has many Molokai residents wondering why.

“This is just so sad, it looks like a war-zone with all the beautiful trees down,” said Jody Canady, Ke Nani Kai resident of 27 years. “They could have at least had the courtesy to tell us.”

She believes that Molokai Ranch is doing this as retribution for the failure of the La`au development.

Canady's husband Darryl, former president of the West Molokai Association, said that the Ranch shutdown and subsequent hacking of healthy trees has been a “festering, ongoing, and growing situation for many years.” Mrs. Canady added that the horrible situation has hope, “it brings us together in the community.”

The Canady’s echoed many West End residents’ sentiments that what respect the Ranch and Peter Nicholas may have had has all but disappeared. One resident of 18 years said that they should be put in jail.

“When the La`au proposal started, I gave the Ranch the benefit of the doubt, but it divided the community, and when I saw Peter Nicholas get ugly, I said, 'this is not the way a business person should act, this is wrong'. I did not respect the way Nicholas treated the members of the community,” Canady said with sadness.

“Walter Ritte was wonderful today,” Canady said. She made a phone call to Ritte, a community leader against the La`au development, the night before to express her concern and emotions about the destruction on the West End.

Ritte told communications manager John Sabas that he would bring the Ranch all the kiawe trees they wanted to barricade the vacant golf course. However, Sabas reportedly said he preferred to use the coconuts.

“They just don’t care, not one ounce,” expressed an emotional Carol Harms, Kaluakoi resident. She pointed toward a standing group of dead coconut trees wondering why live palms were used instead to make the ineffective barriers.

Historically in Hawaii, it was an act of war and disrespect to cut down coconut palms. The trees are a source of life, producing food, water, shade, and holding precious land from erosion.

The Hawaiian Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement said it was on private property and out of their jurisdiction.

"The Ranch is lacking aloha," said Representative Mele Carroll. "It is not about private property, this is our home. It shows where their heart is."

Meanwhile, in Maunaloa, the swimming pool at The Lodge, which just last week held blue waters and happy vacationers, is now full of sand. The Lodge itself has been wrapped in hog fencing, and many now wonder if this is a new definition of “mothballing”.

Many questions arise as to the legality of recent Ranch activities. Did the Ranch need permits for these actions? The back-filling of the pool and the chopping of a healthy Norfolk pine next to the Lodge to clear a path for a dump truck to access the pool, as well as the killing of vibrant coconut palms are all questionable. Many on Molokai are empty and in pain, wondering what motives and intent the Ranch has behind their destructive and disrespectful actions.

Endangered Hawaiian Duck

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

Sightings of Duck on Molokai, first in 115 Years.

Two recent sightings of the endangered Hawaiian Duck, also known as Koloa maoli, has caused a stir in the scientific community. Photo courtesy of Michael Walther, Oahu Nature Tours.

 

 

The last observation of a Hawaiian Duck on Molokai was in May and June of 1893, so the presence of two over the past several months has caused quite a stir in the scientific community. The endemic Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana) or Koloa maoli, is a federally endangered species, with only about 2,000 “true” Koloa remaining.

Unlike other species of Hawaii’s endangered avifauna, it is not habitat loss that poses the greatest threat for this delicate dabbling duck, but genetic extinction from hybridization (cross-breeding) with feral Mallards.

Koloa utilize habitats from coastal wetlands to ponds at 10,000’ elevation, and are known to skillfully maneuver mountain streams and forest canopy. Little else, however, is known about this endangered species, and future research efforts are focused on range, behavior, and the extent of hybridization with feral Mallards.

Scientists at the University of California at Davis and the U.S. Geological Service are studying ways to differentiate pure Koloa from those that have hybridized, and how to prevent the extinction of Hawaii’s Koloa population.

The Mallard was placed on the State of Hawaii’s List of Restricted Animals for importation in the 1980s, however these domestic ducks are often sold within the state and are commonly found released on golf course or public ponds.

Don’t leave the responsibility of saving Hawaii’s endangered Koloa to the scientists… help prevent the Koloa’s hybridization with feral Mallards by being a responsible owner of any domestic duck. Keep ducks penned, pinioned, or clipped, so that they do not leave your property, and do not import, buy, or sell Mallards or their eggs, or release Mallards into the wild.

For a Fact Sheet on how the Koloa is threatened by feral Mallards, visit http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2007/3047/

Winner Takes All

Sunday, March 9th, 2008

The stakes are high at Paddlers free poker tournament.

By Brandon Roberts

The chips await their fate with the flop of the card. It doesn’t cost a thing, but it gets the heart racing. Odds are weighed and the competition eyed, captive to the luck of the draw.

Poker is back at Paddlers and a crowd of 27 players testing their luck at last Tuesday’s opening night. These card sharks are earning points toward a seat at the final table on June 7. This free contest includes one round-trip vacation to Las Vegas, hotel accommodations, and a tournament buy-in of $1,000.

Paddlers provides the Molokai community with a poker tournament that is a legal outlet for fierce card competition. The points are there only for those competing for the grand prize, but any and all are welcome.

Ulua Nui

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Ulua Nui


 

Ulua Nui! Jim Williams called his 69 pound ulua (giant trevally) the “pitbull of the reef.” The fish was to be tagged and released in participation with the state Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), but the ulua just “fought it’s heart out” and could not be revived Williams said.

Williams and his wife Carol have been coming to Molokai around four years, but this was their first time out with Captain Clay Ching of Hallelujah Hou Fishing Charter, who “came highly recommended” the Williams said. “Super trip and a good vibe”

Ching has been participating in the DAR ulua tagging program for 8 years now and had every intention of letting the fish swim to see another day. They tried to revive the ulua for about 10 minutes before making the call, but this spectacular fish was happily donated by the Williams to fill many a Molokai belly.