Incumbents Take Stage in General Election

Thursday, November 13th, 2014

Incumbents Take Stage in General Election

Voters put down their signs and picked up their pens last Tuesday, as months of campaigning came to a head on Election Day. In this year’s General Election, Hawaii voters ushered in a new governor, while county and congressional incumbents ruled the day and results on hotly debated issues flip-flopped in a matter of hours.

“When anything happens [in the future], I can grumble, ‘cause I voted,” joked Molokai High security guard Maurice Lindsey at the Kaunakakai precinct polls, referencing the No Vote, No Grumble campaign that encouraged residents to learn about and vote on issues.

Lindsey was among 1,155 Molokai residents who cast their ballots on Nov.…

Molokai Football Finishes Second in League

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Molokai Football Finishes Second in League

In the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL)’s inaugural eight-player football championship, the Farmers brought it all: pinpoint passing, a lethal running game, a hard-charging defense. In the end, however, the Spartans’ record stayed perfect, as Seabury beat Molokai 44-34 to be crowned MIL champions last Thursday. The Farmers took second place.

“I couldn’t have asked for better effort,” said Molokai head coach Mike Kahale. “How can I be disappointed? I’m disappointed in the score but not disappointed in them as a team. … I couldn’t be more proud of the effort that they gave.”

The game was broadcast live on Maui’s ESPN radio channel, which Coach Kahale said was the first time that a Molokai football game was featured on the air.…

Lanterns That Carried Prayers

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Lanterns That Carried Prayers

As the muted colors of dusk overtook a glassy ocean, hundreds of lanterns were set afloat, bearing messages of grief and loss, prayer and gratitude.  Ashore, a crowd lined the water’s edge. Some stood with heads bowed and hands folded, others with arms in embrace, toes buried in the sand, looking out to sea.

“Whatever healing they need, whatever losses they’ve experienced, they can write those messages on the lantern,” said Barbara Helm, bereavement coordinator at Hospice Hawaii Molokai. “It’s an opportunity to grieve openly – everyone’s coming for the same purpose. We’re all there in support of each other, without saying anything.”…

Veterans Corner

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. This Tuesday, Nov. 11, is the 76th anniversary of Veterans Day, when the American people come together as a nation to remember and say thank you to all living veterans for their sacrifices in both peace time and in time of war. On behalf of all my fellow residents of Molokai and myself, we send a sincere thank you to all American veterans for their service, mahalo.

The legislative battles that were fought on this day are often forgotten, and the beginnings of Veterans Day when it was called Armistice Day for 12 years, until 1938.…

Veterans Benefit Workshop

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

MVCV News Release

The Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) are hosting our second Veterans Affairs Benefits Workshop on Molokai on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Hale Mahaolu Home Pumehana in Kaunakakai from 9 to noon.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hopes to have two workshops a year on Molokai.

Several VA benefits personell will be at the workshop to provide information. These include the VA Honolulu Regional Office Director of Benefits, Tracey Betts, and her staff, Rommel Dasmarinas, benefits counselor; Richard McDonald, Vocational Rehab and Employment counselor; and others. They will offer information on topics like medical travel, loan guaranty, death benefits and any other veteran issues.…

Molokai Fitness: Why Are We Getting Overweight?

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Do we get fat because we overeat? Or do we overeat because our fat tissue and our genetics effect our body and cause it to accumulate excess fat? Actually both are true to some extent.  Remember that anything that you eat that’s beyond your immediate need for energy creates new body fat.

A study by Colorado University showed that one third of all women and one quarter of all men in the U.S. are on a diet right now! I could tell you endless reasons why we struggle with our weight, and why being overweight is connected with so many other health problems, but here are a few of them: Increased portion size of restaurant food and grocery products; Mislabeling on the packaged food; Artificial sweeteners; Soft drinks; Consuming many more calories than we need; Sedentary lifestyle; Increased intake of processed food; Increased sugar intake; Using food for our emotional needs, or giving it as a “gift” to our kids; We are not paying attention to our bodies actual need for food.…

Continuing Quest in Sexual Violence Prevention

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Consuelo Foundation, Molokai News Release

The Consuelo Team of Molokai continues to do primary education on the prevention of sexual violence with an emphasis on prevention of child sexual abuse.  In September, we had a two-day training session with the Sexual Abuse Treatment Center facilitated by the Education Coordinator HaeOk Miller.  In lieu of our training, women from different on-island agencies were invited to have lunch on Sept. 5 with HaeOk.  The discussion included on how we all can collaborate as a community to protect our children against this prevalent but quiet issue.

On Oct. 16, Dr. Barry Coyne, state prison psychologist, had an opportunity to meet with both on-island agencies and community members discussing what happens to “sex offenders” and how they are rehabilitated back into the community. …

Featured Farmer

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Featured Farmer

HTFG Molokai News Release

Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG) is a statewide nonprofit organization, dedicated to tropical fruit research, education, marketing and promotion. The Molokai Chapter is made up of members that are home gardeners, small scale farmers and interested community members who meet monthly to share ideas about promoting products, skills and agricultural opportunities.

This month’s featured farmer is Michigan-born Jamie Ronzello who runs her family-owned Barking Deer Farm off Maunaloa Highway. Years ago, her college degree focused on cultural anthropology, and she is right at home farming on Molokai with its rich history. Jamie is a super busy, young farmer who delivers her “Beyond Organic” fresh vegetables to Molokai stores and Paddlers Inn and enjoys being a beekeeper.…

Having a Blast

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Having a Blast

Pirates, dragonflies, clowns and cats all made an appearance at last Saturday’s Molokai Master Blasters, the annual canoe race for the young at heart that involves paddling, drinking and dressing in costume. Pictured here are the Pinao-`ula, or dragonflies, of Molokai, which were among 17 teams from the island and around the state this year. The event – the only one of its kind — is held as a fundraiser for the Molokai Canoe Club.

Each team is made up of six men, age 40 and up for a total crew age of 300 years minimum, or six women, 35 and up totaling at least 250 in age.…

Students Get a Glimpse of the Future

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

Students Get a Glimpse of the Future

Thousands of miles away from the quiet streets of The Friendly Isle, Molokai High students braved crowded subways and the fast-paced lifestyle of New York City. The students experienced both the East Coast and post-high school life during a six-day tour of colleges and workplaces.

“It’s so exciting,” said junior Misty Parker at an Oct. 30 community presentation of the students’ trip. “You always have to be on your guard, because there’s just people everywhere.”

High school educator Ric Ornellas, who lived in New York for 40 years, came up with the idea to visit New York over a year ago and helped form the Molokai College Career Tour Club (MCCTC), a group focused on preparing students for higher education and the workforce.…