Drug Busts Highlight Police Efforts

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Drug Busts Highlight Police Efforts

The Maui Police Department on Molokai brought the community both statistics and words of reassurance that they are working hard to fight drug crimes on the island. According to the DWI Guys offering legal assistance in Syracuse drug enforcement remains a top concern for many residents who testified before the Police Commission last week. But police say, while there’s much left to be done, they are making progress. In the last month alone, Molokai officers handled four “drug-related search warrants involving arrests and seizures,” according to Molokai police commander Capt. John Jakubczak.

The Police Commission is a civilian board independent of the police department that acts as oversight to handle concerns, complaints and suggestions, said Gary Yabuta, Maui County chief of police.…

Molokai Boxer to Enter National Competition

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Molokai Boxer to Enter National Competition

Molokai Southside Boxing Club News Release

Three young boxers from Hawaii, including Hunter-Gabriel Manaba of Molokai, made the cross-country journey to the first-ever USA Boxing Junior World Team Open held in Reno, Nevada January 7 to 11. The event showcased many of the nation’s top 15 and16 year old boxers vying for the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the 2013 AIBA Junior Men’s World Championships.

Tournament action began with preliminary rounds on Monday, Jan. 7 and Tuesday, Jan. 8 at the Grand Sierra Resort & Spa with each session beginning at 6 p.m. nightly. Kauai native Kristopher Alcos did not advance to the quarterfinals which took place on Wednesday, Jan.…

Nominate a Big Tree

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Nominate a Big Tree

DLNR News Release

Do you know of a tree you’ve always thought was special? Now’s the opportunity to recognize it by nominating it for the National Big Trees Competition. Anyone can nominate a native or culturally important tree from 21 currently-eligible species in Hawaii. Last year, two coconut trees at Molokai’s Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park were among six trees in the state that gained national titles. For tree services Lynchburg call Viewpoint Tree Service.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to help Hawaii compete in American Forests’ National Big Tree Program. The Big Tree Program seeks the largest trees of their species in the U.S.…

Dual Product Power Plant Proposed

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Aurora Renewable Energy News Release

Aurora Renewable Energy, Inc. (ARE) has proposed the first combined waste-to-energy/waste-to-product plant to the residents of Molokai as a means of becoming energy independent. During I Aloha Molokai’s Energy Festival, attendees on Molokai got a first look at the diagram for a combined 10 megawatt (MW) power plant and compound production plant that would use the island’s combined waste streams as fuel.

ARE’s integrated system gasifies municipal solid wastes, sewage sludge, farm wastes, and other biomass waste streams to their base elements and then reforms these gas if led elements tor electricity generation. The remaining reformed gas — commonly referred to as synthesis gas or Syngas — will be further processed into other usable products such as fertilizer or biodiesel for on-island use.…

Celebrating Energy Alternatives

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Celebrating Energy Alternatives

In the Ocatillo region of southern California, the Quechan tribe of Native American Indians has lived for thousands of years. The bones of their ancestors are buried in that ground, and it’s that earth that holds the prayers of their elders. So when Pattern Energy wanted to build wind turbines there several years ago, tribal leaders came together and decided to fight to protect the land.

At last weekend’s Energy Festival hosted by I Aloha Molokai, several Quechan tribe members were honored guests and panelists. They shared a story with local attendees of their experience with Pattern Energy, the same company currently proposing wind turbines for Molokai — a story many Molokai residents say sounds all too familiar.…

Noted Author to Speak on “the Soul” This Weekend

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Baha`i Community of Molokai News Release

Cook Islander author and artist Johnny Frisbie will speak on “The Soul in Polynesian Tradition and the Baha`i Writings,” Saturday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. at Kalele Bookstore and again on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Baha`i Center, mile 14 east.

Johnny was raised on Puka-Puka, a one-mile square atoll in the northern Cook Islands with a population of about 400 people. Her American father was a writer and Johnny inherited his love of words. When her mother died, they migrated to Rarotonga where she saw her first mountains, rivers, horses, cows and dogs.…

St. Marianne Honored at Home

Monday, January 14th, 2013

St. Marianne Honored at Home

After a week of rain and wind, last Saturday’s sunny dawn was an auspicious start to a special day in Kalaupapa. Hundreds of friends and dignitaries from across the country, as well as community members, gathered to celebrate the sainthood of St. Marianne Cope. While festivities have been held in her honor around the world since her canonization in October, this event brought the celebration home to the place St. Marianne served exiled Hansen’s disease patients for 30 years.

“This day was a surprise,” smiled patient resident Gloria Marks, referring to both the weather and the reason for celebration. “This day is important because she [St.…

Agreement Marks Peaceful Conclusion to Yacht Conflict

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Agreement Marks Peaceful Conclusion to Yacht Conflict

This time last year, a group of Molokai residents greeted the Safari Explorer yacht with protest signs, while the state called for a security zone to ensure the vessel’s safe docking. Last week, the ongoing conflict was peacefully resolved, not only allowing continued visits from the 36-person yacht, but also designating Molokai as future home port of operations for the company.

Amid smiles and hugs, former protesters, state officials and American Safari Cruises staff signed an agreement that’s been called the first of its kind in the state. It’s a positive conclusion to more than a year of struggles that involved community members, yacht company American Safari Cruises (ASC), the state and federal government and local business owners.…

Ua Mau Ke Ea: Sovereignty Endures

Sunday, January 13th, 2013

Alu Like, Inc. News Release

Molokai’s Native Hawaiian Library is sponsoring an Open House and Event, Ua Mau Ke Ea: Sovereignty Endures on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. The library is located on the hill behind Lanikeha and the Ho`olehua Fire station.

The event will be revisiting the history of the 120 years since the overthrow of the Hawaiian government. A guest speaker, Dr. David Keanu Sai, will be doing a PowerPoint presentation from 5 to 6 p.m. The presentation will be based on historical documents to educate the public. (Views expressed by the speaker do not represent the views of the organization.)…

Christmas Bicycles

Friday, January 11th, 2013

Christmas Bicycles

Community Contributed

By Bruddah Frank M. Lawelawe

For the past two years, Pastor Rick, Brother Kyle, my son Brandon and I have been blessed with the comfort of giving back to this community and the families of Molokai. We’ve helped those that are less fortunate during the Christmas season.

An anonymous donor from Maui donates about 40 brand new bikes every year, shipped over on the Maui Princess just days before Christmas. The bikes are distributed at Kaunakakai Baptist Church, and my job is to go out in the community in search of those who need a blessing. I try to find those who didn’t get the year before, just to make it fair.…