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Molokai Mom on a Mission

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Molokai Mom on a Mission

By Mercy Ritte

As beads of perspiration gathered across my forehead, I realized it was unusually hot for a 7:30 a.m. morning walk. I peeked through the top of my stroller, and thank goodness my little one remained unaffected by the heat. Instead, he babbled gleefully and pointed to nearly everything in sight.

Some mornings I’m faced with a relentless wind or an unexpected rain shower, but with a plastic weather guard over my child’s blue stroller, he remains protected from the elements. As for me, I can stand to be without warmth and feeling uncomfortable, as long as through it all, my child remains unaffected.…

Ka Mo`olelo O Leahi: The Legend of Diamond Head

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Kahuna Lono

In the ancient days, in the island of O`ahu (the offering place) on the coastline of Kaimanahila (directly east of Waikiki Beach), a la`i fish was born. His name was Nahe, and he was unlike any other fish of his species because the maunalua came (big barreling wave) and sucked him out to sea. He knew the deep blue sea as his first home, unlike most la`i that live on the kahakai (reef). He grew up playing with the kohola (whale) in the winter time, and the mano kama`aina (local sharks) were his companions throughout the rest of the year.…

The Rarest of Orchids

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

The Rarest of Orchids

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

You would think the rarest orchids would be found deep in the steamy jungles of the Amazon or even in an isolated island such as Irian Jaya. Although they are found in one of the most isolated areas of the world, it just happens to be right here in our Molokai forest. Hawaii has only three endemic orchids, Ke kino o Kanaloa or the Hawaiian Jeweled Orchid, Awapuhi a Kanaloa or the Hawaii Widelip Orchid, also known as the Hawaiian Twayblade, and Puahala a Kane, the Hawaiian Bog Orchid. Their flowers are not showy, but these plants are precious jewels nonetheless.…

Vandalism at Papohaku Beach

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Vandalism at Papohaku Beach

Newly-installed wooden rails at Papohaku Beach Park were vandalized last Saturday, according to the Molokai Police Department (MPD). Four wooden rails that section off the parking lot from the park were severed by what officials suspect was a chainsaw.

Zach Helm, Molokai District Supervisor for the county Department of Parks and Recreation, was contacted by MPD about the vandalism Saturday morning. The rails, which the parks department had just finished installing in January, were meant to keep ATVs and mud trucks off park grounds to prevent damage to the irrigation system and sprinklers, according to Helm. He estimates that the total cost to install the wooden railing was around $12,000.…

Kiaaina for Congress

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Kiaaina for Congress

Esther Kiaaina News Release

Esther Kiaaina, who has strong family ties to Molokai, is seeking the Democratic nomination for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District seat.

Kiaaina is a devoted and effective public servant who has dedicated her life to the betterment and improvement of society. Her passion for our communities, deep knowledge of issues and proven record of legislative accomplishments set her apart as a leader who is ready to continue fighting for Hawaii’s families as their Representative in Congress.

Family values play an important role in Esther Kiaaina’s life. Through the inspiration of her late father (Melvin Leialoha Kiaaina from Kalihi, Oahu) and mother (Lorelei Haunani Kiaaina from Kalamaula, Molokai), Esther’s core values include respect, hard work, sacrifice, commitment to community, and faith in God.…

Goodbye to Crystal Meth

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Pukanala Alcon

My dearest, most beautiful, most precious, most dependable Crystal Meth or so I thought you were. You and I’ve been together since I was 13 years old. I thought you were meant for me and I was meant for you. When I first started hanging with you, you made me feel like Superman. During my adolescent years there wasn’t a problem I couldn’t handle or a mountain too high to climb. I could overcome anything as long as I had you by my side.

After a couple of years together, you became the most important thing in my life.…

Kawela Bridge Replacement Underway

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

For years, Kawela residents living along the highway about five miles east of Kaunakakai have experienced flooding of Kawela Stream during heavy rains. Now, the year-and-a-half process of replacing the Kawela Bridge has begun, which state Department of Transportation (DOT) officials say should improve water flow and mitigate future flooding.

Construction of the new bridge is scheduled to continue through January 2014, according to a statement from Goodfellow Bros., the Molokai company contracted to complete the work. The $8.4 million project is being paid for with $6.5 million in federal funds, $1.6 million in state money, and some additional funding, according to DOT spokesperson Michael Moscati.…

Ka Hula Piko 2012

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Ka Hula Piko 2012

The annual three-day Ka Hula Piko festival brought locals and visitors together to celebrate the birth place of hula on Molokai. This year’s theme was “Lei `ia Molokai ke aloha hulu mamo,” or “Molokai wreath in the love of the ancestors.” In honor of the kupuna, this year’s first Creative Keiki Contest featured posters, poems and essays expressing what their kupuna means to them. Check later this week for contest winners.

Saturday’s event, held at Mitchell Pauole Center, showcased a variety of halau and traditions.

Dancers of Oahu-based Hula Halau Kukunaokala performed ancient hula centering around Molokai. The halau was founded in 1977 by the late Kumu Hula John Kaimikaua to carry on the hula traditions of this island.…

First-Place Finish

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

First-Place Finish

Molokai’s Carlton Helm wins M2M race

With less than 50 yards left of the Maui to Molokai (M2M) Race to go, Molokai native and one-man paddler Carlton Helm snuck a glance behind and saw two top paddlers –one he recognized as five-time Oahu Crazy Channel Solo Champion Kai Bartlett –and realized he was in first place.

“I got nervous and my hands cramped,” said the 31-year old. “I just put my head down for the last 50 yards, which is all upwind, and whatever I had left I just left it out there.”

Helm paddled into Kaunakakai Harbor, finishing this year’s M2M Race, held April 28, in first place out of 47 paddlers in his division, with a time of 2 hours and 36 minutes.…

Kualapu`u School “Represents” At Honolulu 5K for Kids

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Kualapu`u School “Represents” At Honolulu 5K for Kids

Community Contributed

By Sue Forbes

Kualapu`u School team runners did Molokai proud this past weekend at the Honolulu 5K for Kids by taking two age group titles and placing eight of the ten team members in the top ten for their age group. Leading the boys, Kaina Adolpho, ran a stellar race winning the boy’s 11-12 title in a time of 23:04. Close behind came teammates Rafael Adolpho and Nainoa Kahale placing third and fourth in times of 24:08 and 24:15, respectively. Other standout performances for the boys included Ikena Deponte, fifth in the boy’s 9-10 age division, in a time of 27:18, CJ Adolpho 11th in the boy’s 9-10’s in a time of 28:38, and Ikua DePonte, 13th in the boy’s 11-12’s, in a time of 25:47.…