Mahalo for Year of the Tiger

On Monday, January 18, 2010 at 9 a.m. our community witnessed a historic parade honoring the Chinese Year of the Tiger in downtown Kaunakakai. The Molokai Chinese Cultural Club planned this event in early 2009 at the height of a worldwide economic meltdown. It was essentially a determination as well as a formidable challenge for us as a community to try to rise above these bad economic times. A celebration in honor of the arrival of the Year of the Tiger in 2010, a Chinese zodiac icon well known for its strength and energy, could bring new dynamics and a new hope for the fresh New Year.

The Molokai Chinese Cultural Club thanks the following parade units and volunteers for their valuable community contribution. We also express our gratitude for the Maui Chinese Cultural Society’s friendship and participation.

Sons of Hawaii Motorcycle Club, Molokai Branch; Molokai Chinese Cultural Club; Kaunakakai School’s Kumu Adrian Apo’s Third Grade Class; Mel Chung-Gunsmith; Shop 2 and Beauty Salon; The Molokai Dispatch; Maui County Council Chair Danny Mateo and his crew; Molokai Filipino Community Council;  George Aiwohi’s Ukulele class; Real-Hawaii Youth Movement Against The Tobacco Industry; Molokai Middle School Kumu Iolani Kuoha’s Hawaiian Language Immersion Program; Hale Ho`omalu; Alamo Rent A Car; Molokai Community Health Center; Spencer’s Bus Service, Inc.; Maui Chinese Cultural Society; Molokai Youth Center; Maunaloa School; Molokai Veterans; Molokai Outdoor Activities LLC; planner Mrs. Mel Chung; sound systems Sherman Napoleon Jr and Cookie Ritte; parade directors Richard Maikui and Patrick Kawano Jr.; announcer Wayde Lee; Emcees Larry Helm and Karen Holt; chief assistant Clinton Piper; security Moku Buchanan and crew; and legal advisor Rina C.Y. Chung.

The Molokai Chinese Cultural Club thanks the four-honored kupuna – Mrs. Dorothy Mew-Lan Nihoa, Kenneth Yit-Kong Nip, Mrs. Betty Kehaulani Kauka (Lau) Puaa and Oliver Ah-Sun Young – for serving as the panel of judges for “The Year of the Tiger and Me” student art contest and the contribution on prizes.

The editing on the Tiger parade video has been finally completed and will be shown on Akaku, the Maui Community Television Channel 52 during the month of December. If anyone took video during the Tiger parade, please let us make a copy to expand our record. Kindly contact the cultural club at 553-5888

Mrs. Mel Chung