Sports

Hula Momona

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

Molokai’s past is reborn in the present.

By Brandon Roberts

‘The heartbeat of our culture is dance. It is the essence of ourselves. Every movement in the universe is in our dance,’ wrote the late John Ka`imikaua, Ka Hula Piko founder. Hula dates back to the Eighth Century, where a Molokai wahine named La`ila`i is said to have given birth to the dance at Ka`ana on the hill Pu`u Nana..

In its 17^th year, Ka Hula Piko is creating a new identity. To honor their Kumu Hula Ka`imikaua, the Halau Hula O Kukunaokala’s sunrise ceremony atop Maunaloa was private this year. Kumu Ka`imikaua’s haumana Sulu Tafaoimalo said “we are starting over, please respect that, and next year the ceremony may again be open to the public.”

Posted in Announcements, Education, Letters, Sports

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Kalaupapa Settlement Seeing Growth

Monday, May 19th, 2008

Peninsula designated “dream destination” by Life Magazine.

By Brandon Roberts

Larger airplanes are landing; bigger barges are planned in the harbor, and the National Park Service (NPS) is hiring more employees. There is no doubt, Kalaupapa is expanding.

Kalaupapa residents were informed at the monthly community meeting May 13 that their airport has new requirements due to the larger passenger planes that are now landing on the peninsula. Governor Linda Lingle has also appropriated just over one million dollars for pier construction and harbor facilities that should be completed by the fall of 2009.

Michael McCarten, administrator for the Department of Health (DOH), announced to residents that Life Magazine will contribute to the peninsula’s notoriety with the inclusion of Kalaupapa in a list of top 50 ‘dream destinations’. He said news was a total surprise and that state and federal officials were not informed prior to the designation.

The class three aircraft now using the Kalaupapa Airport can carry over 10 passengers requiring new codes and restrictions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT).

Kevin Funasaki, Airports Division project manager for DOT, told residents gathered in McVeigh Hall that a new perimeter fence will be built around the Kalaupapa Airport within the next year. The fence’s main purpose is to keep animals off the runway. Funasaki reassured residents that archeological sites would not be disturbed.

Completion of the new fence is dependent upon the barge service and new Kalaupapa NPS Supervisor Stephen Prokop informed residents that a one-year contract will be signed soon for continued barge service, and that the next barge will dock on July 19.

Prokop explained that the new contract will not be with Young Brothers (YB), who did not bid with the peninsula this year. Earlier this year, YB decommissioned a smaller barge to service the settlement.

Consultants from Leo A. Daly presented the new Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting plan for the airport, which will consist of a new building to house a fire engine and two firefighters.

Figures from April said the Kalaupapa settlement consists of 27 residents, 46 state Department of Health officials, 40 NPS employees, and one DOT employee. However, according to Prokop, Kalaupapa currently has six positions open, including a Law Enforcement Ranger, an Ecologist, and an Administrative clerk, as well as maintenance workers for the new solid waste facility.

Prokop added that besides the six jobs mentioned, an additional three will be added to the list soon. To accommodate the expanding workforce, 11 new housing units will be finished sometime in July.

Tourism and infrastructure expected to expand - patient pensions will also get a boost from the 2008 legislative session and the Department of Health. Patients can expect increased checks, as well as compensation from 2007, when the bill was introduced but not passed.

The next Kalaupapa community meeting is set for 11:30 a.m. on June 10 in McVeigh Hall. Settlement residents are also invited to a community block party on July 16 at 6 p.m.

Posted in Announcements, Political, Sports

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Hula Mana`o

Monday, May 19th, 2008

By Brandon Roberts

“Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people” – King Kalakaua

Hula is more than dance, it is life, and with the annual Ka Hula Piko, I thought it would be appropriate to ask haumana from Ka Pa Hula ‘O Hina ‘O Ka Po La’ila’i how they incorporate the Hawaiian tradition into their everyday lives.

surrounds us has a story to tell and deserves respect.

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Ranch to Abandon Water Operations

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

County will be left responsible with servicing west end users.

By Todd Yamashita and Brandon Roberts

Molokai Ranch will let funding for West Molokai water operations run dry within four to six months, leaving Maui County responsible for operating the abandoned water system, said the new Director for Hawaii State Office of Planning Abbey Mayer during a community meeting last week.

Most of West End’s drinking water comes from the Ranch’s well 17in Kualapu`u, passing through the Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) in Ho`olehua, and on to a treatment plant in Maunaloa. According to Mayer, Molokai Ranch uses several regulated and unregulated subsidiary companies to manage this and all other Ranch water systems.

Posted in Announcements, La`au Point, Political, Sports

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Life After the Ranch

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

Where is Molokai two months after the shutdown?

By Brandon Roberts and Todd Yamashita

While Monsanto and ex-Molokai Ranch workers rallied with signs drawing attention to job loss on Molokai, lawmakers and community leaders nearby discussed strategies which might help the workers get back on their feet.

The Ranch has opened its doors solely for ex-employees to lease Ranch related businesses and to hunt Ranch lands for subsistence, according to Abbey Mayer, director of the state Office of Planning.

Of the roughly 120 workers laid off by Molokai Ranch only five percent have found employment, according to Mayer.

Representatives from the Molokai unemployment office and MedQuest said they have seen no increase in requests for service, but expect it to increase by the end of the month. Unemployment for Ranch workers will begin May 22.

Posted in La`au Point, Political, Sports

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Mana`e Mania

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

Haliu Kealoha, a second grader at Kilohana, wins a prize at the bean bag toss last Saturday at the Bazaar that will go to fund programs for her throughout the next year.

What’s so bazaar about a fundraiser?

By Brandon Roberts

Hard to have Kilohana without the `ohana who gathered across school grounds to support the school by enjoying a day of food and fun. The East End was alive and full of aloha for the annual fundraiser.

“This is the main fundraiser for the school,” said Margret Makekau, Kilohana alumni and chairwoman of the bazaar. “Everybody works together for the kids.” Makekau is also the president of Kilohana School Community Organization, which organizes and coordinates the bazaar.

Around 400 people flooded the Kilohana campus last Saturday to contribute to student events like the theater group performances, holiday parties, and educational workshops.

April Kealoha has been the entertainment coordinator since 1996, and she provided keiki hula performances by her Halau Hula O Kilohana.

“Student activities depend on what happens today,” said Kealoha. “The whole `ohana benefits, it is a beautiful thing.”

The crowd was wowed with original Hawaiian music by Kanoho Helm and his entourage. Between performances, the appreciative audience laughed along with emcees Shannon Crivello and Kaleo Pilanca.

The bazaar had games for the `ohana, like the ring toss and bean bag throw, as well as booths from local artists and entrepreneurs. The line for laulau always seemed to stretch, and the shaved ice and cotton candy never had a moments rest. There were baked goods and fresh produce in abundance for sure.

Kilohana has a very special program that creates a network of support for students and family. Louise Miguel is a proud alumnus, and is employed as a parent facilitator for the school. Miguel said her role is to “build a partnership between the home, community and school, because partnerships equal student achievement.”

Mahalo nui loa to the Mana`e `ohana and KSCO, that make this amazing event possible, and help fund the haumana to develop a well-rounded education, which is priceless.

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“’A’ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka halau ho’okahi”

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

Not all knowledge is learned in one house. What does that mean? Well, for me, that means that my house is different from someone else’s house, and that’s okay.

I always like to reflect on my hula life, since I am a hula person. As a haumana (student) I was given certain basic foundations and I have been fortunate to have learned hula from several kumu from different halau. Each halau, or house as I’d like to call them, have different styles.

Neither of these kumu hula have a style more correct than the other, just different, distinct, and personal to their respective hula genealogy. It’s fascinating to know that one halau can kaholo (a side step) differently from another. I’ve come to a point where I can look at a dancer’s feet and know what halau, what island, or which kumu their hula originates.

But this saying goes beyond the scope of hula; it can be used in many situations. Fishing for instance. Molokai may fish a little different from Hawai’i Island. Conditions are different but it is how we function and how we see pono in situations that really sets us apart. I believe that everyone’s pono can be different and that’s okay.

My kupuna used to always tell me, “eh, never mind how they’re doing it, do what I ask - it works just as well.”

I used to get nuha and in my mind I would think, “okay, okay, but how come it’s so different?” As I got older and gained better understanding, I finally understood that he was telling me to relax, and not to worry about the differences. He taught me to do things from my na’au (insides) because our na`au knows what’s best. Sometimes I forget to listen to my na’au, but I do my best to see, feel, and hear what it is telling me.

Every year Ka Hula Piko is celebrated here on Moloka’i, the birthplace of hula. It is intriguing to see the many hula styles portrayed, shared and celebrated. People from all of Hawai’i Nei and abroad come to share their hula and to honor Laka, the goddess of Hula.

In the spirit of ’a’ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka halau ho’okahi, let us celebrate and learn from our differences and thus perpetuate our beloved Hawaiian heritage.

Kanoe Davis is keiki o ka `aina Molokai and the proud parent of three beautiful girls. Though she is not a kumu hula, she shares her hula knowledge with a halau young energetic like-minded people. Davis is also a proactive member of an `opio group who is trying to start a culturally based learning center on Molokai.

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Jet Skis on the High Seas

Monday, May 12th, 2008

Molokai reopens debate on the legality of thrill craft.

What are currently coined thrill-craft, jet skis on Molokai are used for gathering rights, access to remote areas, recreation, and safety while surfing said jet ski owners at a town meeting last Thursday.

As the pro-legalization group spoke, a theme emerged; jet skis are being used and will continue to be, regardless of their illegality on Molokai. Supporters say the law needs to change to regulate use instead of keeping the craft illegal. However, opponents argue a lack of enforcement and the potential for thrill-craft based businesses could outweigh any benefits of legalizing the craft.

The 1992 state law refers to any vessel under 13 feet with the ability to carry up to three people as a “thrill-craft” said Nicolas Giaconi, district manager of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreations (DOBOR), adding that jet skis are illegal around Molokai and Lanai because these islands are not mentioned in the law.

Posted in Announcements, Political, Sports

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