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Veteran’s Corner

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Veteran’s Corner

Column by Jesse Church

Hello my beloved veterans and people of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans’ news and upcoming events. In the Air Force, for maintainers, three of the best words they can hear are “black-letter initial,” a sign that they have done their jobs the best they can and their airframe is in the best condition to fly. But what does this phrase mean? During an inspection, the inspector marks a red “X” on the paperwork’s status box if there are discrepancies that necessitate the grounding of an aircraft. A red number “l” notes the discrepancies found aren’t bad enough to keep the plane on the ground. When there is not a single discrepancy found on the inspection, the status box is annotated with the initial of the crew chief on duty in black ink, hence the “black letter initial.” The Air Force says these “black letter initials” are rare enough that many crew chiefs can go their entire career without receiving one.

Real life once again takes cues from science fiction. The Army is developing a “cloaking device” that takes its name from the Romulan cloaking device on the 1960s TV show “Star Trek.” On the show, Mr. Spock said the device uses “the selective bending of light.” Mr. Spock’s description is a logical one for the Army’s cloaking device, which is made of meta-material that guides light around the cloaked object so that only the back-ground is visible.

On Oct. 7, 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom began in Afghanistan. The first sorties, flown by 15 land-based bombers, B-18 Lancers, B-2 Spirits and B-52 Stratofortresses, took aim at terrorist targets inside Afghanistan, Air Force General Richard B. Myers said at an initial briefing. Then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters in an early briefing that the strikes were intended to destroy the Taliban’s base of operations, acquire intelligence, establish relationships with opposition groups and provide humanitarian relief to the people of Afghanistan. In addition to strike sorties, U.S. C-17s dropped humanitarian aid and supplies to civilian areas of Afghanistan. While our raids today focus on the Taliban and the foreign terrorists in Afghanistan, our aim remains much broader, Rumsfeld told reporters at the time. Our objective is to defeat those who use terrorism and house or support them. The world stands united in this effort. It is not about a religion or an individual terrorist or a country. Our partners in this effort represent nations and peoples of all cultures, all religions and all races. We share the belief that terrorism is a cancer on the human condition and we intend to oppose it wherever it is.
I want to remind everyone that John Candello will be available on Thursday Nov. 3 and 10 at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment, call 553-3611. Remember that our essay contest on “What does being an American mean to you” ends Oct. 31, so get your essay in. Send entries post marked no later than Nov. 1 to P.O. Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI, 96748 or email editor@themolokaidispatch.com. Good luck! Let’s not forget our military personnel stationed around the world, and especially those in harm’s way. We send them a big mahalo for all they do, and to our veterans at home for all they have done, and to the people of Molokai for supporting them. You are all very special and dear to me, I love you all.

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Kalaupapa Post Office Concerns Persist

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

As financial crisis has put 4,000 post offices on the chopping block nationwide, United States Postal Service (USPS) officials said visiting Kalaupapa residents Sept. 20 bettered their understanding of residents’ needs. Isolated by the world’s tallest sea cliffs, it’s virtually impossible to visit topside post offices for daily mail and banking – and more than 50 community members exited the meeting on a fairly optimistic note.

But by the settlement’s monthly community meeting Oct. 11, that positivity had dissipated. Department of Health (DOH) Administrator Mark Miller announced Kalaupapa Post Office (PO) will slightly reduce its operating hours starting Oct. 23, from 20 hours a week to 15.

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Mission: Kaiwi

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Mission: Kaiwi

How did Darren Miller decide to attempt swimming seven of the world’s most difficult channels – including the Kaiwi Channel, from Molokai to Oahu, which he’ll partake early Friday morning?

In a word, he says, “randomly.”

The Pennsylvanian’s motivation to pursue the so-called “Ocean’s Seven” is the Forever Fund, which he founded in 2010 with his close friend, Cathy Cartieri Mehl. The organization is dedicated to Mehl’s late father, Anthony Frank Cartieri, and helps families pay costs associated with open heart surgery on infants.

Yet while his efforts are meant to raise donations and awareness for the Forever Fund, the way he is doing so – daylong swims in treacherous waters – is the random part. The 28-year-old swam in high school, but quit his college swim team during his sophomore year at Penn State. His first competitive long-distance swim came less than two years ago, at the Tampa Bay Marathon in April 2010. Open water swimming is still “fairly new to me,” he says, and ultra-distance swimming is a “brand new concept.”

Plus, this is no walk in the park – or swim in the pool. On record, fewer than 20 people have successfully swum the Kaiwi Channel. According to Miller’s website, nobody has finished the Ocean’s Seven – which, in addition to Kaiwi, includes the Tsugaru (in Northern Japan) and Irish channels, the Strait of Gibraltar (between Spain and Morocco) and Cook Strait (in New Zealand).

But Miller, a former marathon runner who tours the country giving motivational speeches, enjoys a good challenge. He already completed the first two channels, English and Catalina (in California), in July 2010 and Aug. 3, 2011, respectively. He arrived on Molokai this past Saturday – his first trip to Hawaii – to conquer what he says will be one of the toughest of his seven swims in waters in the 70 degree F range.

“Whereas before I was training for cold water, now it’s the opposite,” he said. “That’s the biggest challenge, is gonna be the heat and how it’s gonna affect my energy levels.”

Miller will try to maintain his energy level through speedy food breaks every half-hour during his Kaiwi attempt, which he expects to last 12 to 15 hours. Sharks and manowar jellyfish – which have denied other swimmers similar feats in the past – could also impact Miller’s success, but he said raising money for less fortunate kids is worth the risk.

“I’m a man of faith,” he said, “and I believe that that’s what I’m put on the earth to do.”

To follow Miller’s Oceans Seven attempt, visit darren-miller.com or like his Facebook Page.

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Shoots, Shooters

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Shoots, Shooters

Online version updated Tuesday, Oct. 18.

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James Corpuz and Kayla Matson are right on target.

Following strong performances at their league air riflery tournament last Saturday, the duo will represent Molokai at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) championship on Oahu this weekend.

Both the Molokai High School boys (1834 points) and girls (1825) squads placed second overall at the meet, which wrapped up the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Div. II season. Seven boys teams and six girls teams participated.

Matson, who took last year’s MIL crown, placed fourth of 41 shooters with 472 points. She returns to states seeking to improve upon last weekend’s performance, she said.

“When we were shooting, we were all definitely really nervous but excited … I guess that pressure kinda got to us,” she said. “I definitely wanna be doing better [at states] … but most of all I wanna shoot how I was at practice back home.”

Corpuz placed sixth of 60 shooters with 482 points. He, too, has high hopes for Oahu.

“I feel good,” he said Sunday. “This is my last year of being in high school and I try my best, and I’m gonna push myself to do better [at states].”

Chelsea Simon also qualified as an alternate shooter at the HHSAA tournament, placing fifth with 463 points. The shooters are some of 12 seniors wrapping up their time with the squad – a 19-person team that will be sad to see them go, said coach Eddie Gorospe.

“Coach Henry Corpuz and I were really proud of them,” Gorospe said. “We’re gonna miss them very much.”

 

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Football Undefeated

Monday, October 17th, 2011

The Molokai High School (MHS) club football team remains undefeated as it enters this Saturday’s season-ending home game.

The Farmers defeated Seabury Hall 58-6 on Maui last Saturday, bringing their record to 3-0.

“It was a well-played game and the boys really executed,” said head coach Mike Kahale.

Keola DeMello rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns (TDs), while Noah Caparida added 110 rushing yards and one TD.

Jayven Dudoit-Tabilangan returned an interception for a 30-yard TD.

The Farmers are in their second year of a three-year plan to become sanctioned by the Maui Interscholastic League. They host St. Anthony at the MHS field Saturday at 11 a.m.

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Lawmakers Plan Wind Talks on Molokai

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Sen. Mike Gabbard and at least two other legislators will visit Molokai Nov. 2 to discuss the so-called “Big Wind” project with local residents, the senator confirmed today.

Gabbard, who chairs the Senate Energy/Environment Committee, is leading the visit with Sen. Kalani English and Rep. Denny Coffman. Rep. Mele Carroll may also attend.

The legislators are finalizing plans to hold listening sessions with various groups on the island, including people who might be for or against industrial wind farms on Molokai and Lanai, between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. They plan to visit Lanai Nov. 3.

Residents interested in scheduling a session may call Gabbard’s office at 808-586-6830.

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Molokai General Goes Pink

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Molokai General Goes Pink

During the month of October, Molokai General Hospital (MGH) is going pink in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. MGH’s Pink Angels will be handing out brochures in front of Friendly Market every Friday this month in attempt to raise awareness and educate our community about the importance of women having a mammogram done annually after the age of 40. The Pink Angels will also be giving out free pink shopping bags during the month of October in celebration of the occasion. So come and visit us this Friday!

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Paddling Power

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Paddling Power

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DLNR Listens Up

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

DLNR Listens Up

Molokai residents brought a bag full of suggestions and concerns to a visit from the head of one of the largest branches of the state government – the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). From discussions about protecting subsistence lifestyles to management of wind, water and other resources, DLNR Chairperson William “Bill” Aila interacted with residents for nearly two hours during his first visit to Molokai. 

Aila, who was appointed DLNR chairperson by Gov. Abercrombie in November 2010, talked story with local residents as part of a statewide series. The meeting was unusual because Aila’s visit was not to address a particular project or issue, but instead simply to listen. The gesture was appreciated by Molokai residents, who repeatedly thanked him for his effort and openness.

a lot more significant” than on other islands, Aila said after the meeting.

Other issues included allowing residents to restore exposed graves in Mana`e, which Aila said he would directly address with the Burial Council during a return visit he’s planning in November; fixing the water supply so that new water meters may be allowed in East Molokai; supporting the Molokai Invasive Species Committee and Plant Extinction Prevention Program; removing asbestos from the old Coast Guard stations at Ilio Point; and formalizing DLNR outreach with `Aha Ki`ole.

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Bye-bye Brushfire

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Bye-bye Brushfire

Crews successfully removed more than 9,800 flammable plants and bushes from Kalaupapa National Park (KNHP) last month in an effort to prevent brushfires. Flown in from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, about 10 workers focused on invasive species including Christmas berry, lantana and java plum within 100 feet of structures. The project was the first of its kind in KNHP in a century, helping to restore the settlement to what it looked like in the early 1900s before invasive species became overgrown and endangered the settlement’s residents, graves and historic structures. At its monthly community meeting Sept. 13, residents thanked workers and project leader Paul Hosten, terrestrial ecologist for the National Park Service, for their efforts.

 

 

Photos at left:

Top, crews from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park work to remove flammable brush from within Kalaupapa National Park. Bottom, the same area after the brush was cleared. Photos courtesy Paul Hosten.

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