Building Bridges

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Building BridgesTeams from Molokai Middle School win Maui County bridge competition

The girls at Molokai Middle School (MMS) are breaking all preconceived notions that boys are better at math and science. Last week, two all-girl teams from Molokai –the Red X and the Smurfettes –won first and third place in the Maui Economic and Development Board (MEDB’s) annual popsicle stick bridge competition, which tests students’ engineering skills. Five teams from around the county competed in this year’s competition, now in its fourth year.

Molokai’s team “Red X,” with Sarai Galam, Gabrielle Aquino and Paula Maroto, won first place. Their popsicle stick bridge withstood 85 pounds, over 50 pounds more than second place, a team from Maui, which held about 30 pounds.…

Ku Ka Lau Lama 2012

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Ku Ka Lau Lama 2012

Under the spreading branches of the banyan tree at the Molokai Community Health Center, Aka`ula School parents and supporters enjoyed a prime rib dinner during the school’s annual Ku Ka Lau Lama fundraiser. The event raises money needed for purchasing school supplies and equipment, as well as funding the financial aid program for Aka`ula students. One of several annual fundraisers for the school, it also featured a large collection of silent auction items and the opportunity for guests to donate school supplies to the giving tree.

“It’s a challenge for nonprofits and schools across the board, so we’re extremely grateful that the community is willing to help support educational choice,” said Victoria Newberry, one of the founding teachers.…

A Christmas for Kupuna

Monday, December 10th, 2012

A Christmas for Kupuna

This year’s Senior Christmas Gala was a night full of food, music and dancing. The celebration last Saturday, hosted at Mitchell Pauole Center, marked the sixth and final Senior Gala dinner, due to budget cuts from the county, according to Barbara Haliniak of the Molokai Island Foundation, which organizes the event. For the first time this year, Molokai High School (MHS) athletes from the girls’ volleyball team volunteered to serve the kupuna dinner. Photo by Caylee Ledesma.…

MHS Athletes Ready for Winter Season

Sunday, December 9th, 2012

As the holiday season nears, most students are getting ready for winter break, but athletes at Molokai High School (MHS) have been busy preparing for their upcoming season. Swimming, Wrestling, Girls’ Canoe Paddling, Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ basketball have all been training hard in hopes of making it to the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships this year.

Swimming

Water sports are a large part of the lifestyle on Molokai, so naturally the Friendly Isle has produced some of the state’s top swimmers, including state-record holder Ilia Reyes, whose time for the 50 meter freestyle qualified him for the Olympic trials last year.…

Why We Must Save Paradise

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Why We Must Save Paradise

Community Contributed

By Mike Bond

Hawaii has changed much in recent years. Places on the Big Island that were narrow country roads in my youth are now four-lane highways. What were taro fields and home gardens on Maui are now parking lots and air-conditioned shopping centers.

Even Molokai is threatened. Mainland energy companies, working with Molokai Ranch, want to turn thousands of beautiful Molokai acres into an industrial zone and construct high voltage cables through Molokai reef and the whale sanctuary. They would bring in hundreds of foreign and mainland workers, and ruin our culture and our aina forever.

So we have to protect what’s left, and malama Molokai, our culture and our greater ohana – which is everyone who loves and tries to protect Hawaii.…

Remote Oral Testimony Now Accepted at Council Meetings

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

County of Maui News Release

On the Nov. 6 general election ballots, Maui County residents voted in favor of an initiative that makes it easier for residents of remote communities like Molokai to give their testimony during county council meetings held in Wailuku. Dec. 6 marks the first time the council and its committees will begin accepting oral testimony from council district offices in Hana, Lanai, and Molokai, for council and council committee meetings.

“Making these remote testimony sites available will allow a broader cross-section of our County’s communities to be heard without having to travel to Wailuku,” said Council Chair Danny Mateo.…

National Recycle Day at Kilohana

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

National Recycle Day at Kilohana

Community Contributed

By Val Hart

To celebrate National Recycle Day on Nov. 15, the Kindergarten and fourth grade students of Kilohana Elementary School presented visual, verbal, and written displays concerning changes humans have made on the world. To support environmental education in the schools and in the community, we are emphasizing the three Rs — Reuse, Reduce and Recycle – and practicing it in our daily lives. Also, by pledging to support positive environmental practices, we are gaining a better understanding about the connections existing between humans, our natural resources, and the natural environment.

Kaua Kaili, and Justice Luafalemana showed a display on erosion, including pictures of the hazardous conditions that develop on our roadways during heavy rains.…

Photos: Parade of Lights 2012

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Photos: Parade of Lights 2012

The faces of hundreds of keiki and ohana lining Ala Malama Avenue lit up as lavishly decorated Christmas-themed floats and marching teams paraded past last Saturday night. The Molokai Island Foundation’s fifth annual Parade of Lights featured 13 floats and eight marching units this year, including entries from Friendly Market, Monsanto, and other local businesses. Just a few of this year’s favorites included Rudolph the reindeer school bus, Poinsettia hula dancers, the Grinch and of course, Santa Claus.

Families and local organizations dedicated hours to designing and decorating their floats in hopes of winning this year’s contest. The Grinch and Whoville float, representing the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, took home the grand prize of $700.…

Molokai Red Cross Volunteers Spread Aloha

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Molokai Red Cross Volunteers Spread Aloha

When Hawaii was hit with a tsunami following the earthquake in Japan last March, Molokai’s seven Red Cross volunteers were spread thin, working around the clock to assess damages and connect residents with the resources they needed. There were 25 cases of damages reported on the island — the highest number in Maui County, according to Michele Liberty, Red Cross Maui director.

“After the Japan tsunami, we realized there was clearly a need… it lit the fire to focus on growing the Molokai team,” said Liberty. Since then, membership on the island has grown to 20, thanks to ongoing training workshops and recruitment efforts.…

Give Input on Electric Utility Planning

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

HECO News Release

Meetings have been scheduled across the state to receive public comment on Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) by Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light Company. The utilities’ goal is to file an Integrated Resource Planning Report for each company with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by June 28, 2013. The Molokai meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center (note the later time than what was earlier announced.)

According to the PUC, the goal of integrated resource planning is to “develop an action plan that governs how the utility will meet energy objectives and customer energy needs consistent with state energy policies and goals.”…