No Proof GM Crops are Safe

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Community Contributed

Opinion by Kevin Brown

In 1992, President George W.H. Bush made an executive order stating that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are “substantially equivalent” to ordinary seeds and crops. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) then adopted a policy permitting the production of GM organisms without independent testing.

In the late 1990s, Arpad Pusztai, a molecular biologist and GMO supporter, found that rats fed GM potatoes had “…smaller livers, hearts, testicles and brains, damaged immune systems, and showed structural changes in their white blood cells….”  Pusztai expressed his concerns on a British television program and was promptly suspended and forced to retire from his position.…

Fertilizing Your Garden

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Joe Kennedy

How do you grow a large veggie garden, like a community garden, and get enough fertilizer to make everything thrive? Going to the store and paying higher and high prices for packaged, synthetic, petroleum-based fertilizers that’s been shipped from the mainland is not the answer. So where do we get it? Look around and try to remember the things that have high amounts of nitrogen in them.

Some easy-to-find, high-nitrogen materials include grass clippings from lawns and roadsides, the leaves, seeds, pods and twigs from the monkey pod and koa, and the dirt from under these trees.…

AARP to Tour Fishpond

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Molokai AARP News Release

The Molokai AARP has scheduled a bus trip for Tuesday, Sept. 24 to the  Ka Honua Momona Fishpond.  Lunch will be provided for a charge of $10.  Anyone wishing to go, please call Frances Feeter, 553-9857, for more information.  Reservations for lunch must be made by Thursday, Sept. 19.    The bus will leave from Mitchell Pauole Center at 9 a.m.  Lunch fees will be collected prior to departure.

The September AARP meeting speaker was April Kealoha from Legal Aid. AARP members were informed of the benefits of the organization. To contact Legal Aid for more information, please call 553-3251.…

Rising from the Rocks

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

Rising from the Rocks

Native plants making a comeback

Editorial by Catherine Cluett

We’re bumping along a rocky track, ascending steeply through a landscape some would call lunar. Ahead of us is mostly gray—Kawela’s barren, stony slopes and gulches, topped by a thin line of green where the mountaintops meet the sky. But I can’t help turning in my seat of our all-terrain vehicle toward the view behind us—each bump expands a breathtaking panorama of Maui to the east, Lanai’s slender back, the turquoise fingers of Molokai’s south shore reef, and the slopes of Pu`u Nana to Molokai’s west.

In the years before European contact in the 19th century, these mountainsides were covered in lowland forests, according to historic records.…

Fall Sports Gear Up Continued

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

Fall Sports Gear Up Continued

Steep hills and stiff competition is the theme for Molokai High School’s (MHS) cross country and air riflery teams, yet as another fall season arrives, they are keeping their eyes are on the prize.

Boys Cross Country

The boys cross country team was in the middle of the pack last year. According to 15-year head coach Gandharva “Mahina Hou” Ross, the farmers placed third in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships and 44th out of 160 schools in the state championships.

This fall, the eight-man team is coming back with six returning runners and welcoming two freshmen.

“The returning group is all pretty much at the same level [as each other],” said Ross.…

Catching Invasives

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

U.S. Department of Agriculture Molokai inspector Chevy Levasa said it was just a regular day at work for her, but a finding a fungi last year landed her some recognition. She now holds the first report in the U.S. of a strain of fungi called frog-eye spot, or P. morindae, on a noni leaf on Molokai.

“It’s such a regular part of my job, I don’t think much of it,” Levasa said.

A request went out from the USDA office on Oahu for inspectors on every island to collect noni leaf samples, and Levasa — along with Molokai Invasive Species Committee leader Lori Buchanan and her crew — responded.…

MHS Recognizes Student Success

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

Celebrating success is now a trend at Molokai High School (MHS). The students and staff filled the gym Thursday morning for the first recognition assembly of the 2013-14 school year. Recognition ceremonies were previously held occasionally throughout the year. Now, a monthly assembly will highlight student and faculty accomplishments to provide encouragement for academic and athletic excellence.

“It’s all about the support,” said MHS student activities coordinator Lisa Taka. “Each student should be recognized because it helps with their self-esteem and confidence and [the assemblies] show the school that’s it’s possible to attain and achieve goals.”

Maui County council member and MHS alumni Stacy Crivello presented awards to more than 40 students for excelling in statewide science and engineering competitions as well as last year’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) champions and all-star athletes.…

Youth Water Activities

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

Youth in Motion News Release

Youth In Motion will be starting up on Monday, Sept. 9 with a 10-week program of activities. They include American Red Cross swimming and Stand Up Paddling.  The primary age group is 11 to 15 years old but 10 year olds may join if they can show commitment and are willing to listen and learn. Younger children and older youth/adults who choose to come or help for the Stand Up Paddling will be part of the Steward and Shepherd program and can still sign up. An adult must be present for anyone under 10 years old.…

Molokai Ranch to Host Heritage Rodeo

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

Molokai Ranch News Release

In honor of long-time Molokai paniolo Uncle Jimmy Duvauchelle who retired from ranching earlier this year, Molokai Ranch will host the Molokai Heritage Rodeo. The event, held on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m.,  will feature traditional rodeo activities as well as cultural demonstrations, paniolo exhibits, live entertainment, Hawaiian healing and food booths.

The Molokai Ranch Rodeo Arena will also be dedicated and renamed the Uncle Jimmy Duvauchelle Rodeo Arena during the event.

Admission to the event at the Molokai Ranch Rodeo Arena in Maunaloa will be free and open to the public. Rodeo contestants will pay an entry fee and compete for trophy buckles and cash prizes.…

New Tour and Rental Business

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

New Tour and Rental Business

Molokai Ocean Tours and Outdoor Rentals News Release

A new store has made its debut at the Molokai Center in Kaunakakai named Molokai Ocean Tours and Outdoor Rentals.  Family- and locally-owned, it is primarily the storefront for the custom-designed tour boat, the Manu Ele`ele, and also cater to visitors’ common outdoor rental needs.

The Manu Ele`ele was designed and built on Molokai by the renowned catamaran designer Kirk Clark at Hawaiian Catamaran.  The vessel is uniquely designed for Hawaiian waters and is Coast Guard documented and approved, overseen by the Maritime Consortium with a certificate of compliance ensuring a drug-free captain and crew and each are certified in Heartsaver® First Aid and Adult/Child CPR. …