Flossie: Mixed Impacts

Sunday, August 4th, 2013

While many considered Flossie a flop, the storm’s landfall last Monday still left its mark on Maui County.

The storm caught the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s attention on July 27, with varying near-hurricane wind speeds as high as 70 mph. Those conditions dwindled to a tropical depression before it hit Hawaii, Monday, July 29. However, its rain, lightning and average wind speed of 33 mph still caused damage and inconveniences on Molokai.

East Molokai residents reported impassable flooding on Kamehameha V Highway near Kamalo for a short period Monday night. After lightning struck near the Paalau Power Plant’s generators, an island-wide power outage occurred for about an hour, according to Maui Electric spokeswoman Kau`i Awai-Dickson.…

Peaches on Molokai

Sunday, August 4th, 2013

Peaches on Molokai

Community Contributed

By Alton S. Arakaki, County Extension Agent

Have you ever heard of peaches grown on Molokai? Until recently, such a thing didn’t exist. But research at the Molokai Applied Research and Demonstration Farm has shown that harvesting sweet, juicy, locally-grown peaches is possible.
Apples, cherries, nectarine, apricots, plums and peaches are in a group of fruiting trees called deciduous trees.  Deciduous fruiting trees are plants that drop their leaves in the winter and require exposure to hours of chill below 45 degrees F to break leaf and flower bud dormancy, a necessary physiological change in plants to produce fruit. …

Local Schools Recycled Phone Directories

Sunday, August 4th, 2013

Berry Company News Release

Molokai schools helped a statewide effort to collect nearly 40,000 pounds of outdates telephone directories for recycling during a month-long program called Think Yellow, Go Green. The program was initiated by Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages and its sales agent, The Berry Company, LLC, along with schools on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai. This year marked the fifth annual recycling drive.

The month-long environmental awareness program was driven by strong community support and invited the local schools to compete to collect the most outdated directories for recycling. The schools had the opportunity to win cash prizes for their students’ participation in the program, and award amounts varied depending on the school’s location.…

Honoring a Hero

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Honoring a Hero


Larry Helm, commander of the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans, was laid to rest in the Molokai Veterans Cemetery with full military honors last Saturday. Helm died on June 19 and his life was celebrated on his 71st birthday. Photo by Catherine Cluett…

Aha Moku Revitalization

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Aha Kiole o Molokai News Release

The `Aha Moku began from an ancient Molokai system used on all islands dating from the 9th century as translated from oral histories. Called the `Aha Kiole, this land/ocean resource management system helped each island community maintain its resources through a community consultation process (Kaimikaua).  The konohiki and experts in various disciplines of natural resource knowledge convened regularly in order to assess and deal with needs of the ecosystem.

Today, the system used to manage our resources is a Western approach governed by laws that reach across the state as single purpose. This is very different from the way the `Aha Kiole relied on observations by locals of their own areas, and allowed for adjustments to be made for healthy local ecosystem requirements.…

Awards for Landscape Sustainability

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Awards for Landscape Sustainability

LICH News Release

The first landscape sustainability award in Hawaii is being held to showcase landscape projects that are in harmony with the natural environment, resulting in ecological regeneration with improved social and public health outcomes. The awards are being organized by the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii (LICH) and entries are being accepted online at hawaiiscape.com/awards until August 30.

A big part of sustainable landscapes is incorporating cultural techniques for land management — a form of cultural sustainability, and Molokai has a strong history of understanding the importance and value of cultural landscapes and fighting to preserve what makes Molokai so special, according to LICH president Chris Dacus.…

Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Community Contributed
By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

In about 40 years, the number of older Americans with Alzheimer’s disease—a form of dementia—is likely to triple to nearly 14 million people. That’s why the U.S. government is funding extensive trials to try to get a handle on the disease—especially at its earlier stages.

In the meantime, spotting the signs of Alzheimer’s in a loved one can help you get a handle on what to do next. It isn’t always easy to know the difference between a simple memory lapse and something more serious. After all, everyone has those tip-of-the-tongue experiences once in a while.…

Special Needs Conference

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

LDAH News Release

“What do I do when my child doesn’t fit?” Join us at Kulana `Oiwi Halau on Wed. Aug. 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. to find out. This traveling mini-conference held by Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii (LDAH) will cover health and early identifications agencies, parent to parent networking, activities and play ideas for parents, a free hearing and vision screening for keiki ages 2 to 5, and more.

Everyone from parents and professionals to community and family members experiencing special health care needs are welcome to attend. The conference will also include a look at early intervention laws, transitions from Department of Health to Department of Education services, school readiness and tips for success for your child.…

Summer Surf Results

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Summer Surf Results

Ko Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai News Release

The 2013 Ko Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai summer surf series has come to an end, providing dozens of keiki with an opportunity to spend quality with their families and a fun, safe and drug-free activity during the summer break. The series celebrated its 24th anniversary this year, organized by a not-for-profit group of dedicated parents and volunteers to perpetuate the culture and traditions of surfing for the next generation.

Organizers would like to thank supporters and sponsors Friendly Market, Molokai Drugstore, Volcom, Dennis Kirk-HIC, Mickey Neilson-Quiksilver, Donald and LaVonne Pahia-Quiksilver, Kehau Mckee- Wailua Beach, Pua and Heather Rochlen- Jams World, Aunty Shirley Rawlins- Chevron, Pu`u O Hoku Ranch and Friendly Isle United Fund.…

The Amazing Local Pumpkin

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Community Contributed

By Joe Kennedy

The Filipino/Hawaiian pumpkin is totally a winner for you folks who are growers, gardeners and farmers. It’s easy to grow (just keep watering it) and it’s resistant to insects and drought — even if it gets powdery mildew, it keeps producing. To plant it, dump half a wheel barrow full of manure or, if you don’t have manure, you can use dirt from under the kiawe or koa tree. Spread it around to about three to four inches. After watering it until the ground is soaked, spread newspaper over this area two or three sheets thick.…