Community Unity
.jpg)
.jpg)
Bob Aldrich
.jpg)
.jpg)
Bob Aldrich
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is visiting Molokai to conduct a Listening Session on Friday, Oct. 7. The DLNR Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., First Deputy Guy H. Kaulukukui, and Water Deputy Bill M. Tam from Honolulu, is visiting Molokai to hear community comments, questions and concerns regarding topics under the Department’s jurisdiction. This is part of a series of DLNR Listening Sessions to be conducted statewide.
Community Contributed by Walter Ritte
For the past 15 years Molokai has been seriously trying to stop the decline of it’s near shore fisheries. In 1994 Governor John Waihe’e created the Governors Molokai Subsistence Task Force, which officially recognized the importance of the subsistence economy on Molokai. The task force found that up to 38 percent of our food consumption on Molokai came from gathering in the ocean and on the land. The task force identified three major problems, 1) Off-island people who take to much, 2) Taking of undersized juveniles and 3) Lack of access.
Through state wide meetings, each island has been charged to present their three top issues. The Molokai Aha Kiole presented their top two issues on Friday Sept. 23 to WESPAC. First, the need to lift the federal ban on the Hawaiian Green Turtle to allow for traditional subsistence use, and second, the need to stop the practice of off island escort boats raiding our shorelines during canoe races and other Molokai to Oahu and Maui to Molokai races.
Five years of talks with the Canoe Racing Associations have proven no meaningful results. The issue is alarmingly headed to confrontational solutions.
Molokai residence have taken it upon themselves to monitor and patrol the coast line to “educate” the escort boats and letters have been sent out to explain “nicely” the concerns of the subsistence users of our coastal fisheries. We hope the State and Federal Governments will help resolve this issue since the organizers of these races do not want to recognize their “Kuleana” when they come to Molokai to race.
Subsistence use of our near shore fisheries is not a matter of recreational use, it is a matter of survival.
Community contributed by ‘Aha Ki’ole ‘o Moloka’i
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and their annual walk is held across the nation to raise awareness about mental health issues, reduce stigma and to raise funds. Our Molokai team, called “Molokai Mo Bettah Mental Health,” is walking on Molokai Oct. 1. We will walk from the coconut grove to Molokai Community Health Center’s new Oceanside property. We hope you will join us.
Why We Walk
• Mental illness affects one in four individuals during their lifetime.
• The pervasive stigma of mental illness prevents individuals from seeking treatment for an average of 10 years. Can you imagine if someone with diabetes or heart disease waited that long?

On Jan. 30, I attend

The event was from June 16 to June 21. When I arrived in Omaha, I met up with 71 players from around the United States. It was an awesome experience, especially coming from our small island, where I’m a sophomore at Molokai High School. Everything up there was so big and far apart.
My team was the Gators and we went undefeated through the tournament and brought home the championship. While I was up there, I trained from the time I got up until the time I went to bed.
This event really opened my eyes on setting my goals high and how I need to work really hard to achieve the goals that I set for myself.
This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the entire Molokai community. I want to thank everyone who bought lunch plates, raffle tickets, and to those who made donations.
My parents, Scott and Kim; my siblings, Scottie Jr., Ryan, Aaron, Kyora-Lee, Brittany and Kalamaku; Kiana Simmons; Aunty Lani TSawyer and Uncle Marcuz Gonzales; Aunty Mary and Uncle Nelson Rapanot; Uncle Ronnie Rapanot; Aunty Mariya and Uncle J.J. Poaha; Tiffy and Andrew Cuello; Aunty Jannah and Uncle Solomon Maliu; Uncle Rick Schonely; Six Pac; Uncle Oscar and Aunty Puni; Uncle Michael Helm; Uncle Hano Naehu; Uncle Bruza Paleka; Aunty Ronnie Girl; the Schonely sisters; Papa Ronald and Grandma Gladys Rapanot; cousins Christy and Kahiki Kaahanui; Uncle Dolphin Pawn and ohana; Ms. Janice Espiritu; Eskimo Candy; Uncle Russell Carlton; Aunty Venetta Palmer and ohana; Hotel Molokai; Paddlers Inn; Hayaku Gas & Go; Molokai Fish & Dive; Coca Cola – Uncle Eddie Gorospe; Island Kine Car Rental; Aunty Ruby’s Cafe; Maka’s Korner; Take’s; Misaki’s; Molokai Drive Inn; Subway; Import’s Gift Shop; Righteous Ink; Simon and Friends; HI’s Finest – Paulele Alcon; Lourdes; Big Daddy’s; Coffees of Hawaii; Kualapuu Market; Kualapuu Cookhouse; Uncle David Mikami and Molokai Drug Store; Pepsi – Uncle Pat Kawano; Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center staff; Uncle Ted Takamiya; Aunty Lana and Uncle Homer Turner; Hanzie Kaapuni; Uncle Pete Domingo; Aunty Lani Dudoit; Aunty Meiling Adachi; Aunty Tica Kekahuna; Uncle Larry Helm; Uncle Rudy Toledo; Aunty Ruthie Isnice.
If I missed anyone, I apologize. My next trip will be in January 2012 to Arizona.
Thank you Molokai!
David Rapanot
Molokai resident Chuck Moore was born on Hawaii Island, and was a Marine Corps veteran. He did more for this country than anyone will ever know. He lived as he wanted and he died as he wanted, passing away on Aug. 28, at age 71. He was a gunsmith, lawyer, chopper pilot trainer and trained police on Big Island, among other things. We miss you.
James Kimo Lowe
Today, I watch with a broken heart as the tree butchers cut down two of the healthiest trees anywhere around, and the other day they “trimmed” a tree that’s been dying for years and is just barely alive yet still standing.
More often than not last weekend, when Leenell Hernandez went up for a kill, it was coming down on St. Anthony’s side of the court.
The outside hitter led Molokai High School (MHS) to a pair of wins over the visiting Trojans, tallying 19 kills Friday night in a 3-0 win (25-8, 25-13, 25-23) followed by 12 kills in a 3-1 victory Saturday afternoon (25-20, 25-13, 19-25, 25-16).