Honoring Earth Day

Photo by Marissa Motas

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

One of the most attended events on Molokai, the annual Earth Day celebrations, took place last Friday, April 18, at the Mitchell Pauole Center. Approximately 1,000 Molokai residents came through to check out over 30 exhibits along with music, food and a celebration of the Malama Kuleana Honua award.

The long running tradition celebrated 31 years of Earth Day on Molokai, explained Allyson Durkin, program coordinator for The Nature Conservancy and organizer of Friday’s event.

Earth Day on Molokai “is unique,” said Durkin. “We hope you walk away with something that you can implement into your own life.”

The exhibit tables at Earth Day ranged from ‘Aina Momona and Sust’ainable Molokai to the Molokai Hunting Club and Maui County Recycling.

“There’s something for everyone,” said Brian Naeole, returning emcee for the event. Earth Day on Molokai has been supported by longtime, dedicated volunteers like Naeole. This year, The Nature Conservancy honored Mel Paoa posthumously with the Malama Kuleana Honua award for his lifelong dedication to the ethics of Earth Day.

“The people of Molokai have known Uncle Mel as a waterman, a captain of the Hokule’a, a bearer of aloha ‘aina, but also in his role as servant as a paramedic,” explained Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, Ulalia Woodside Lee.

Paoa first sailed on the Hokule’a in 1977 and dedicated almost 40 years to its legacy, becoming the designated Molokai captain of the double-hulled canoe. His exploits on the water included an open ocean sail from Hawaii to Tahiti and then the Cook Islands, covering 12,000 miles. He was also the longest serving paramedic in Maui County, working for 35 years. Paoa passed away unexpectedly in 2015.

At Friday’s event, his wife, Donna, accepted the award on his behalf.

“This is really a testament to the values of our community,” said Woodside Lee, “and the people who have been warriors, advocates and champions of our lands and waters for decades.”