Sports

New Restrictions for Upcoming Lobster Season

Friday, August 24th, 2007

In a week, the annual lobster season will begin (September 1) triggering a stampede to catch these crustaceans. This season, fisherman should be aware of a new law which adds restrictions to taking lobster.

On May 6, 2006 Governor Linda Lingle signed into law a bill introduced by Senator Clayton Hee which prohibits the taking or killing of female spiny lobster (to also include female Samoan crab and Kona crab). Therefore, upon the opening of the lobster season on Saturday, September 1, 2007 Molokai fishermen are required to release all wahine lobsters caught in their nets.  For better or worse possession of any female lobster whether dead or alive is now a violation, and hereafter anyone possessing female lobsters will be prosecuted by Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE).

There are two easy ways to distinguish between male and female lobsters.  The easiest way is to examine the tips of the fifth pair of walking legs.  The fifth pair of walking legs are those closet to the tail.  The tips of the male lobster’s fifth walking legs are pointed.  The tips of the female lobster’s fifth walking legs are split to form a claw or pincher.

Another way to distinguish between wahine and kane lobsters is to examine the “swimmerets” under the tail section.  Female swimmerets are much larger than those found on male lobsters.  Additionally, there is a chance that eggs may be attached under the female lobster’s swimmerets.  Please see the illustrations below:

DETERMINING SEX:

Male (top): swimmerets on underside of “tail” (abdomen) each have a single leaf-like segment; end of fifth (last) pair of walking legs similar to other walking legs and not

claw-shaped.

Female (bottom): swimmerets each have two branches – in first set both are leaf-like branches, all others have one leaf-like and one rod-like branches; swimmerets usually larger than on males; end of fifth pair of walking legs claw-shaped (pincher like).

TAKING OF FEMALES PROHIBITED. 

An End of the Year Look into Molokai’s 4-H Club

Thursday, August 23rd, 2007

It has been a busy year for our 4-H participants but as usual, a year’s worth of learning, experiencing and giving back to the community. By the way a little background on what 4-H stands for: Head, Heart, Hands and Health; Head for clearer thinking, Heart for greater loyalty, Hands for larger service and Health for better living…for our community, our country and our world.

This year we have 3 seniors that graduated from Molokai High and have completed their time as a 4-Her; they will be moving on to further their education at different colleges. They are Deisha Pico, Charles Frank “CJ” Borden and Reggie Villa. The 4-H Council and Livestock Committees have presented scholarships of $250 per person once they finished their 4-H Learning Experience essay on banquet night. It was quite interesting to hear what they learned and thought about the program as a whole. Best of luck in your future endeavors and you will surely be missed!

Youth in Motion, 2007 Version

Thursday, August 16th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

The ball was in Molokai’s court this past Saturday. Several University of Hawaii coaches teamed up with local coaches to give Molokai children a one-of-a-kind sports experience.

As a part of a program called Youth in Motion, UH coaches came over to Molokai to give the island’s children sports clinics in basketball, tennis, golf and baseball.

Molokai High School tennis coach Don Whitten was stoked. “It gives the kids the opportunity to play sports they normally wouldn’t,” he said.

Channon Alcon and Lindsay Shosho spent their Saturday coaching the children on Whitten’s turf, the MHS tennis courts. Alcon is the UH men’s tennis team assistant coach. Shosho is an assistant coach at UH, but for the women’s tennis team.

It was Shosho’s first time on Molokai. She said if the clinic was on Oahu, there would have been at least 50 children. Only five children showed up for the tennis clinic, allowing them a more personal experience.

“It’s pretty laid back here, I like it,” Alcon said. It was his second year coaching tennis at the Youth in Motion on Molokai.

For Shosho it was kind of a farewell to the islands. Originally from New York, she moved to Oahu seven months ago to coach tennis at UH. “It has been a wonderful experience,” she said. But an offer from University of Kentucky is taking the young coach away from Hawaii next week.

Just a few yards away, inside the Barn, 14 children bounced the basketball around. Doug Furlong, MHS girls basketball coach, got a helping hand from Jackson Wheeler and Pat Elliot.

Wheeler is the assistant head coach for UH men’s basketball team, and Elliot is the assistant head coach for the UH women’s basketball team. Jackson had already coached the Molokai children in last year’s Youth in Motion. But for Elliott it was her first time on Molokai.

Where there is smoke, there is fire. And where there are children, there is Kauwila Hanchett, from the Molokai Youth Center. The ever-smiling Hanchett brought six children from the center to participate in the basketball clinic.

Down in Kaunakakai, the ball being played was covered in stitches. Four children participated in the baseball clinic. UH assistant baseball coach Keigh Komeigi returned to Molokai to help the Youth in Motion after being here two years ago volunteering in the program.

Letting the laidback island-feeling sink in, hanging out with the children’s relatives afterwards, Komeigi said “it’s really nice to be on Molokai.”

The children were really stoked to participate. Between bites on an orange bigger than his face, the small Riley Tabil said he “learned to catch ball.” His brother, Brandon Tabil, said he learned to heel-click. Makamae Joao learned to improve his backhand, and Korie Dudoit-English learned how to properly hold the bat.

“These are future major-league players,” joked one of the parents. But joke or not, Komeigi remembered Korie from the last clinic he coached, and said the young girl definitely improved her game.

All the way in the West End, little Tiger cubs were hitting the smallest and hardest balls of the Youth in Motion. The three children who participated in the golf clinic at Kaluakoi Golf Club had great time.

Mahalo nui loa to Youth in Motion and all who made this day possible; children, parents, and coaches from Molokai and off-island. Next year the Youth in Motion sports clinic will be on August 16. For additional information please call Clare Mawae at 336-0946 or 553-4227.

Paddling to States

Thursday, July 26th, 2007

Though they were racing the length of the wharf, with every stroke the Molokai Canoe Racing Association competitors were hoping to get closer to Kauai. In the last or four regattas in the season, the canoe clubs were competing for the state championship in Kauai just a few weeks away.

Ka Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai Surf Finals

Thursday, July 19th, 2007

“They gave their boards away to bless other kids,” said Teva Pou. “That way the other kids are able to get better at surfing.”

With the end of Molokai’s Keiki Surf meets for the 2007 season, the little rippers have the rest of the year to prepare for the competition next year.

The Ka Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai is officially recognized by the Hawaiian Surfing Foundation and is sponsored by the Friendly Isle United Way. Other sponsors include O’Neil, Channel Islands, Molokai Surf, Molokai Pizza Café, Friendly Market and Kamo`i Snack n Go.

Molokai Girls Volleyball Brings Home Silver Medal

Thursday, July 12th, 2007

In Friday's pool play, Kime Ka La came in a close second - one of only four teams advancing to Saturday's Women's A semi-finals. Kime Ka La split sets in pool play with Yessiah, Halah and Team Sideout clubs.

In an exciting semi-final game, Kime Ka La beat Team Bud Light in three sets to earn a chance to contend for the championship gold medal. Team Sideout stacked with a powerful offensive attack and years of experience took care of business and beat Kime Ka La in two sets. None the less, Kime Ka La came away winning the silver medal in the tournament. The team also gained important learning experiences that will set the tone for the next club season.

This was the team’s first club season club and these young women have proved that that they are dedicated not only to becoming better players but more importantly, learning essential life skills. Their commitment, work ethic and maturity have opened the doors for many opportunities to succeed and has earned the respect of other clubs, coaches and players across the state. Their successful season record speaks for itself - Women's B 4th place out of 32 teams at the Haili Volleyball Tournament, Women's B Regional Champions at the Moku O Keawe Regional Tournament and Women's A Silver Medalists at the Aloha State Games 2007.

Altogether the club season shined through and was filled with fun, never forgotten learning experiences. What a great start for the next generation of volleyballers! 'Til next season....Let the sun shine through.....

Survivor Molokai

Thursday, July 5th, 2007

Hawaiian youth learn about culture and subsistence.

The program strives to maintain its roots in “Hawaiian culture, values and knowledge.” The program also strives to work with the ohana of the students as they guide them through life and into adulthood. Na Pua No`eau is funded by the Dept. of Education under the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

A Perfect Day at the Races

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007

Molokai Canoe Racing Association enjoys great conditions and tough competition during its second regatta of the 2007 season.

The Molokai Canoe Club hosted the regatta, manning the concession stand and recording the official times.

In addition to beating their Molokai competitors, paddlers were also concentrating on improving their times in order to surpass the records of canoe clubs from neighboring islands. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association times were posted on the fence for paddlers to check out and compare their own times with.

With the conclusion of today’s regatta, paddlers are now half way through the race season. According to Rita Kalihiki, MCRA director, the Molokai canoe clubs have two more races on Molokai, July 7 and July 21, before the top teams head to the state championship in August.

Molokai Youth Football Returns

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007

Ready, set…hike! Molokai youth football players are back in the game. Registration for the upcoming season begins on Thursday June 28, 2007.

After last season’s disappointment of not being included into Maui’s Pop Warner football league, players and coaches are looking forward to a new era in the future of football on Molokai.

“We’re trying to pick it up and move forward,” said Carl Brito, the local organizer of the Molokai program.

The fall 2007 season will kick off during the first week in September, with games ending in mid December. As part of the Oahu Youth Sports League (OYSL), Molokai players will be traveling to Oahu three times for games, while Oahu will also visit Molokai a minimum of three times.

Molokai’s Keiki Take First Drops Toward Surf Stardom

Thursday, June 21st, 2007

Andy Irons and Kelly Slater move aside. The new generation of young rippers is ready to claim the world surfing title. Well, not quite—maybe on two decades from now. But the keiki who competed last Saturday in the Ko Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai surfing contest put on an impressive display of skills for such young riders.

Angelsea said everyone who works in the contests is a volunteer. Friendly Isle United Way is the contest’s main sponsor. Quicksilver, Billabong, BZ and Channel Islands are among some surfing brands that have provided clothing for winner’s prizes. Other local sponsors include Friendly Market and Kamo`i Snack n Go. Anyone seeking information, looking to volunteer or to donate prizes, please call 558-8810.