Artist Brings Turtles to Life

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Artist Brings Turtles to Life

Artist and Molokai resident Linda Hogan is inspired by turtles. So much, in fact, that that’s all she’s been creating for the past seven years. As a scuba diver, she has spent hours watching and swimming with honu, which motivated her to develop a technique to form life-sized turtles as works of art.

“[Honu are] peaceful, serene, ancient, magical… there’s something about them,” said Hogan.

Now, her pieces of art are sold across Hawaii and in several galleries around the country, including in Molokai’s own Art from the Heart in Kaunakakai. She typically creates honu in three sizes, with the largest about the size of a full grown turtle and weighing about 25 pounds.…

Farming in the Shade

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Farming in the Shade

Along Hua`ai Road in Ho`olehua, there’s a wooded area grown over with weeds and bushes. This area is disguised as a simple, unkempt forest, but within it lays a flourishing garden of fruits and vegetables, all growing in the shade.

Molokai resident Joe Kennedy is the man behind the food forest. He began planting crops there last March, and a year later he has healthy, productive plants that use each other for support and protection. Avocado, taro and spinach are just a few of Kennedy’s crops. He founded the forest based on the idea of permaculture, a conservation theory that reflects his own love for the earth and a desire to preserve the land for future generations.…

Moana Dudoit: A legacy of love, culture and ohana

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Moana Dudoit: A legacy of love, culture and ohana

“One of the best friends I ever had.” “Always helped everyone.” “A legacy of unconditional love.” “Always dreamed big.” “Spiritually strong.” These are just a few of the ways one of Molokai’s most beloved kumu hula, Aunty Moana Dudoit, is described by family and friends.

For more than 40 years, Dudoit’s halau has taught and supported about 300 people ranging in age from 4 to 90-something. Traveling around the world to share the aloha spirit, Hawaiian culture and love of family, Dudoit has touched not only those on her native island of Molokai, but also those on the mainland, and in Japan, Europe and the South Pacific.…

Domestic Violence Leads to Fatal Shooting

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Last Wednesday night, 24-year-old Malia Kahalewai was fatally shot at Kawela Barns in a tragedy that shook Molokai. Police responded to a 911 call around 10 p.m. and found Kahalewai with a single gunshot wound to her chest. She was taken to Molokai General Hospital in critical condition, where she died, according to police.

Crime scenes of fatal shootings like this should be left untouched for the authorities to conduct a thorough forensic investigation and collection of evidence. Then, a clean-up can be done by a company that specializes in crime scene cleanup services. 

Police arrested Kahalewai’s boyfriend, Marlin Lavoie, 33, Thursday morning after he surrendered himself.…

Celebrating Coffees

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

Celebrating Coffees

Coffee, keiki and good causes brought the crowds up to Kualapu`u this weekend as Coffees of Hawaii celebrated 20 years of harvests in the area and 200 years of coffee in Hawai`i.

“She was pretty much abandoned when I came here ten years ago,” Coffees of Hawaii owner Mike Atherton said about the plantation, adding he was proud that he was able to keep the company harvesting coffee through the years.

March 16 was declared Coffees of Hawaii Day at the opening ceremonies Friday. The event led into an afternoon parade and evening festivities, including Project Runway: Plantation Style, where teams competed at the Kualapu`u Center to create the best fashion piece out of burlap and plastic paper without sewing.…

Breaking News: Fatal Shooting on Molokai UPDATED

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Last updated at 3 p.m. March 21, 2013

Last night a 24-year-old female was fatally shot at Kawela Barns Apartments. The 911 call was reported at 9:59 p.m. Police reported the victim, who has been identified as Malia Kahalewai, as having a single gunshot wound in the chest. She was transported to Molokai General Hospital in critical condition, according to a police press release. She passed away as a result of her injuries.

Police have identified the suspect as 33-year-old Marlin L. Lavoie, who fled the scene last night in a small Honda, compact vehicle heading east on Kamehameha V Highway.…

Expansion for Island Air

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Expansion for Island Air

With a new owner and a new plane, Island Air is entering into a period of expansion and growth. Company president Les Murashige, who entered the position in October, shared his thoughts on recent buyer Larry Ellison, the ATR 72 aircraft and Hawaiian Airline’s entrance into the Molokai market.

“We have always wanted to provide service throughout Hawaii,” Murashige said last Thursday. “With our new ownership and their commitment, we can [expand].”

One way the company is expanding and improving is with the addition of new aircraft to their fleet. The ATR 72 turboprop holds 64 passengers, nearly twice as many as the Dash 8 turboprop, which is what the airlines has used.…

Prince Kuhio Day 2013 – UPDATED

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Please note: Location of the Molokai Prince Kuhio celebration this Saturday is at Lanikeha in Ho`olehua, not at Kiowea Park as originally noted. 

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was next in line for the throne when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1894. Though this was when the Hawaiian monarchy came to an end, it was just the beginning of a lifetime of activism and accomplishments for Prince Kuhio.

Prince Kuhio went to prison for treason as he attempted to restore the monarchy. He left Hawaii after being released from prison, and when he returned, Hawaii was a territory of the U.S.…

Mateo’s Mana`o

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Mateo’s Mana`o

 

Danny Mateo’s time as Maui County council chair ended at noon Jan. 2. The next minute he started his work in the Mayor’s office as an executive assistant and liaison for the county and State legislature.

“Retirement for me is not in the immediate future,” he said over coffee at Kanemitsu Bakery Saturday. “I still have a lot to offer. As long as there is fire in the fireplace I will continue what I do.”

This means Mateo will continue to be a voice for the people of Molokai and work to improve the island, something he did for 10 years as a councilmember before he reached his term limit.  …

Class of 2019 Comes Together

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Class of 2019 Comes Together

The class of 2019 got together in lifeboats last Friday morning and decided what items to keep and which to toss overboard. Each group’s decisions had to be unanimous, and they had to work quickly as their lifeboats took on water. These sixth graders from across the island weren’t preparing for Sunday’s heavy rains, though. The lifeboats were picnic tables, and the 104 students were getting ready for middle school.

“As they transition older in life, there’s going to be less boundaries and more decision-making,” said Kekama Helm from the Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center (QLCC), one of the organizations that came to the Kualapu`u Recreation Center for the transition day.…