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A Day in Molokai’s History

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

A Day in Molokai’s History

Community contributed by Arleone Dibben-Young

Forty-eight years ago, on Sept. 30, 1963, Papohaku Beach was stormed in “Operation Dull Knife,” a military exercise involving 7,000 Marines and 17 Navy ships. The first two waves of the ship-to-shore assault beached without incident aboard LVTP-5 landing crafts, known for their superior surfing capabilities. The following three waves consisting of 21 LCVP landing crafts were not as fortunate and all vessels broached in the large surf, spilling troops into the rough seas.

Fifteen boats were demolished, in some cases the engine blocks being the largest surviving pieces. Marine Helicopter Squadron 161, on hand to support inland maneuvers, rushed to the coast to lift much of the troops, supplies and equipment safely ashore. Remarkably, there were no fatalities.

Remnants of military maneuvers, such as fencing and rolls of barbed wire dating back to WWII, can still be found today beneath the shifting sand dunes of Papohaku. In 2002, the dog tags of a pastor involved in the 1963 exercises were discovered during a native plant dune restoration.

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Kalaupapa Residents Defend Post Office

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Kalaupapa Residents Defend Post Office

More than half of Kalaupapa’s 100 residents turned out in support of their tiny post office last week, when United States Postal Service (USPS) representatives visited the settlement to discuss its potential closure.

The post office is one of four in the state and nearly 4,000 nationwide targeted for review as the USPS faces an unprecedented financial crisis. USPS is currently gathering community feedback and financial information for all post offices under consideration.

think a survey would have answered.”

“There was added value for us to be here,” she said, adding she was “touched” by the strong turnout.

The public now has until the end of the month to mail comments to USPS. Letters, which must be postmarked by Sept. 30, may be mailed to CSDC Manager, US Postal Service, 3600 Aolele St., Honolulu, HI 96820.

Once a local review team develops a proposal for action, it must be posted for 60 days for additional comments before being sent to Nascimento for approval, who may send it to the USPS Vice President of Delivery and Post Office Operations for the final decision. That determination will be posted for 30 days, at which time customers may appeal the decision to the Postal Regulatory Commission.

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Going Green Onion

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Going Green Onion

Commnunity Contributed By Glenn I. Teves, UH County Extension Agent

Green onion is an important flavoring and garnish used in many island delicacies from poke to saimin. Known as the Welsh or foreign onion, it’s a member of the Lily family and also known by its Latin name, Allium fistulosum. Green onion is actually a perennial, but we usually grow it as an annual. What distinguishes the true green onion from other onion species is when cut it has a perfectly round leaf, while other onion species have leaves resembling the other phases of the moon. A good green onion will have a light pungency and a pleasant sweetness to it.

Native to Northwest China near the North Korean border and cultivated in China since 200 BC, green onion is still the most important onion of these areas.  It’s grown in many parts of the world as a home garden vegetable. In Oriental medicine, parts of green onion are used to treat fever, inflammation, headaches, stomach aches and diarrhea. Diluted pressed juice is used to control aphids, a common pest of vegetables in China.

Green onion prefers neutral soil of pH 6-6.5 and higher elevations of 600 to over 2,000 feet for optimal growth, although it’s widely adapted. It likes well-drained soil and is very susceptible to water-logging. They have a fairly small root system and don’t compete well with weeds.

Onion thrips are a major pest causing unsightly silver-white lines on the leaves by piercing and rasping the leaf surface. Difficult to control, they thrive in hot weather and live under the leaf sheath where the leaves branch. Part of the life cycle is also spent in the ground. At high populations, the plants lose lots of water from the damage and can desiccate. Using seed instead of divisions and planting in new areas away from old plantings can help to minimize thrips since they can live in planting material. Other occasional pests include the beet armyworm and the serpentine leaf miner.

Diseases include purple blotch, an Alternaria fungus attacking leaves with its characteristic purple blotch on the stalk. The key in controlling many disease problems is to grow a healthy plant, and make sure your nutrition program is well tuned for the different seasons.

By growing them in close spacing, leaves can be kept small. Seed varieties grown in Hawaii include Koba and Fragrance, while many local types are grown by division. Shallots are sometimes grown for it leaves, including the Hawaiian onion or Akakai and the Filipino shallot. Major green onion production areas in Hawaii include the Leeward Coast valleys of Oahu, from Lualualei to Waianae. Growing them in pots in proximity to your kitchen assures a steady and readily available supply of green onion.

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Veteran’s Corner

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Veteran’s Corner

Hello veterans, old Jesse here with all the veterans’ news and upcoming events.  Each year, the fourth Sunday of September is Gold Star Mother’s Day, honoring women whose children died in service to the U.S.  Why does a gold star symbolize their sacrifice? During World War I, some families hung service flags, or banners, in windows to show their devotion to the nation.  Blue stars on the flags represented family members serving in the military, and gold stars signified members who died in the line of duty.  Mothers of fallen troops eventually came to be known as “gold star mothers,” according to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., a non-profit organization formed in 1928 for mothers of fallen troops to comfort one another, help wounded veterans and keep alive the memories of their loved one.

During the month of October I will be running an essay contest asking veterans and community members, “What does it mean to be American?” The contest is open to U.S. citizens 18 years and older. The essay must be 300 words or less and will be judged based on originality and ingenuity. The winner will receive pizza and soda from Molokai Pizza Café and must agree to have the winning essay and photo printed in the paper. Send entries post marked no later than Nov. 1 to P.O. Box 482219, Kaunakakai 96748 or email editor@themolkaidispatch.com. Good luck!  

Please remember that Joe Thompson will be at the veteran’s center on Friday, Sept. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and John Candello will be at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Oct. 6 and 13 from 8 a.m. to 1p.m., by appointment.  Please call 553-3611 to make an appointment.  Either Joe or John can help you file a claim with the VA.  Please remember all Americans serving in our armed services, and especially those in harm’s way, mahalo to you.  Also, mahalo to all our veterans, and the people of Molokai, you are truly the greatest, and I love you all.

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Community Health Center Moves to New Location

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) made the big move into their newly renovated Oceanside facility Sept. 16.  Staff and patients alike are excited to have the expanded space to better serve our community. 
 
The renovation of the former Pau Hana Inn property, however, is far from complete.  Two more phases to the project remain, including the renovation of the smaller buildings, pool rehabilitation, landscaping, and parking lot expansion.

“We’re in and that’s huge, but we still have some work ahead of us,” said Desiree Puhi, MCHC executive director.
 
Board President Rosie Davis stated, “It was so exciting to see everything come together as planned. The campus came to life right before my eyes.” 

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Coffees of Hawaii Closes Espresso Bar

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Coffees of Hawaii News Release

Coffees of Hawaii, LLC (COH), based in Kualapu`u, Molokai, will be winding down its food and beverage services at its Kualapu`u Plantation Espresso Bar beginning Oct.1. The Molokai airport location will remain open seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will continue to serve their famous Mocha Mamas at the airport. The Blue Monkey Gift Shop at the COH Plantation will remain open and will continue to sell the COH retail coffee brands. Na Ohana Ho Aloha will also continue to play every Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Plantation.

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No Fish, Just Paddle

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Community Contributed by `Aha Ki`ole o Molokai

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Exercising ‘Divine Right’

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Exercising ‘Divine Right’

Get ready to vote – and this time, instead of casting a ballot for the a U.S. government official, you can have a say in the future of the Reinstated Hawaiian Nation.

On Molokai, the Nation has been holding weekly classes to educate the community on the history of the lawful kingdom and how the public can get involved – particularly by voting in the upcoming elections on Nov. 5. Registration ends Sept. 30, though those who register after that will be counted in an unofficial vote, according to kupuna Moke Kim.

Anyone can vote, even if you are not a citizen of the nation or a Native Hawaiian.

“We need a little kokua for elections to see if people are willing to help and [contribute their] mana`o,” said Duke Kalipi, representative for the Molokai district – one of 24 districts in the reinstated nation.

In 1893, under Queen Liliuokalani’s rule, the Hawaiian government was overthrown and went into “vacation” rather than fighting for the cause and losing lives, according to Kim, who helps teach weekly classes on the Nation The Hawaiian government was in exile until it was reinstated in 1999.

Since then, the government has been active, with nine registered “nationals” on Molokai. Statewide citizenship of the Nation has reached about 400 nationals, with another 7,000 citizenship applications in process.

Classes are held every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center and serve as a starting point for those interested in becoming citizens of the nation.

“One of the best ways to learn is to participate and ask questions,” said Kim.

“We’ve been here long enough to see…laws closing in,” said one attendee last week, referencing hunting and land tax laws under the Hawaii state government. “The pressure for us locals is getting bad.”

Kim taught the nearly 20 participants in last week’s class about the divine or God-given inherent right to sovereignty.

“We are all ali`i,” he said. “Is it our right? You bet!” he added, pointing to the chalk-written words “divine rights” on the blackboard. “We should all grow up teaching our children to be ali`i.”

In exercising that divine right on Nov. 5, voters will be casting their ballots on who they believe should be the next prime minister of the nation, and Molokai representative and noble.

“We want people to know that they have options,” said Henry French, filling the current Molokai seat in the House of Nobles.

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Humane Society Welcomes New Vet

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Humane Society Welcomes New Vet

By Dr. Stewart K. Morgan and the Molokai Humane Society

It has been over six years since we began our search for a veterinarian willing to move to Molokai and the Molokai Humane Society (MoHS) is thrilled to announce that we have finally overcome that challenge! MoHS has recently hired our first staff veterinarian, Dr. Stewart Morgan, who will begin working on Monday, Oct. 31. We are looking forward to being able to offer the animals of Molokai more regular care.  

Until Dr. Morgan’s arrival, we have a regular schedule of visiting vets at MoHS; please visit our website molokaihumanesociety.org or call to get the most current visiting vet schedule.

Below you will find a letter to the community from Dr. Morgan. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 558-0000. Thank you for your continued support.


Hello Molokai!
My name is Stewart Morgan. I have accepted a position as veterinarian for the Molokai Humane Society. I met many of you this past August while visiting and working in the container.  I both saw and heard from everyone I spoke with on Molokai how much a consistent veterinary presence is needed here.

I am originally from Baltimore. I attended Haverford College in Pennsylvania for my undergraduate major in Evolutionary Studies. I then attended Stony Brook University, on Long Island, N.Y., for my doctorate in Genetics. Following this, I attended Cornell University, in Central New York, for veterinary school. Since graduating, I have mostly worked for nonprofits, providing care for animals in shelters and in underserved communities (most recently Washington Humane Society).  I have keen interests in animal welfare (including feral cat populations) as well as an interest in internal medicine. I both enjoy teaching and learning from others. I will do my utmost to improve the quality of care for all animals on Molokai and I look forward to working with everyone.


Sincerely,
Dr. Stewart Morgan

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Cut Back Energy Costs

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Kanu Hawaii is pleased to announce the start of the Molokai Home Energy Monitor Program, a new energy pilot project intended to help Molokai renters and homeowners understand and manage their energy use.

The project will invite 100 Molokai households to receive a free whole-house energy monitor that displays real-time, minute-to-minute energy consumption and cost data via a table-stop display about the size of a cell phone.  The display shows up-to-the minute dollar costs for all electricity use in the home, from "phantom" draw from electronics to opening the fridge door or taking a hot shower. As appliances are turned on and off, the monitor shows the changing cost.

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