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DHS Molokai Office Increases Staff

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Returning from the brink of survival last year after proposed Department of Human Services (DHS) cuts were vetoed, the DHS eligibility office on Molokai is now expanding its staff to handle a hefty case load. A recent visit by Rep. John Mizuno and DHS Deputy Director Panjit Bhanot bolstered the confidence of DHS Molokai employees, who say a new administration has made the difference between night and day.

“We were drowning, but we see the light now…” said Molokai eligibility worker Krisha Sahagun.

Bridget Mowat, Molokai supervisor, said she and each of her three employees currently handle up to 600 case loads each, due to lack of staffing and taking on Lanai’s cases after their DHS worker left in June.

“Luckily I have a really good team,” Mowat said.

Posted in Business, Community, Government

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Local Chef Releases Second Cookbook

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Community Contributed by James Temple

Did you know that there are over 45,000 tropical islands around the world? “Tropical Cooking,” the second in a series from Molokai chef James Temple is now being sold on Oahu and Molokai. It is a collection of 122 tropical island recipes featuring cuisine with a fusion of tropical flavors, unique to the culinary world. Take a tour of the world’s islands with hot and spicy appetizers to cool and refreshing desserts and everything in between. Recipes include dishes such as papaya and crabmeat boats, banana crumble muffins, spicy grilled beef short ribs, Aruban citrus chicken, pineapple rum cake, lime-garlic pork roast, coconut crab cakes with avocado mango salsa, coconut shrimp hush-puppies, or tropical island gazpacho, just to name a few.

Temple is a chef, writer and graphic designer who has traveled the world. His love of tropical island cuisine and his passion for the fine art of cooking led him to a degree in culinary arts from the San Francisco Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu Program. He and his wife, Kimberly, have lived on Molokai for the last nine years and previously owned Bamboo Pantry across from Friendly Market. This limited edition cookbook has just been printed in Honolulu and is full of beautiful color illustrations from Temple's "food art" gallery seen at james-temple.fineartamerica.com. You can now buy a copy before they are sold out at local retailers, including Kalele Bookstore, Big Wind Kite Factory, Kumu Farms, Kamakana Country Store, the gift store at Hotel Molokai, or directly from Kimberly Temple who has a booth every Saturday at our local farmer's market in front of Bank of Hawaii. Before you know it you will be enjoying a little taste of tropical island cuisine from around the world without leaving home.¬

Posted in Community, Culture & Art

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Molokai Men Paddle in Long Distance

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Community Contributed by Tammy Castor

On Sept. 3, Kai Opua Canoe Club held its 40th annual Queen Liliuokalani Long Distance Canoe Race at Kailua, Kona on Hawaii Island. The 18-mile race featured men and women competing in their respective divisions. The Molokai men’s crew paddling for Mana`e Canoe Club finished with an impressive 7th place in the men’s iron open division and 9th overall. There were a total of 144 entries in the men’s division. Teammates included (pictured above from left to right) back: Asa Ward, Chad Lima, John Russell Pheifer, Titus Castor; front: Kaeo Abby and Keola Kino.

Posted in Community, Sports

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Aunty’s Corner

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Aloha, Aunty here…well, call me crazy but I’m crazy about the feral chickens we have around the place. We can’t feed them but there are four roosters and a hen that come running when they see us sitting outside! There are several roosters that start jumping up and down and their neck feathers are all fluffed up. I hate chicken fighting but watching these roosters decide who the boss is a hoot.

Speaking of birds, my little Kolea is back. He didn’t get here until early this month. I was so worried I called Arleone to find out why my bird didn’t come back and she told me that the male birds come later than the females. Perhaps the boys had to stop and ask for directions. Tee hee.

Does anyone know anything about the cannon that was moved to the Armory? Anakala Pilipo was asking The Dispatch to get the word out that Maui or the Big Island wants to take it. If anyone knows anything can you give me a call at 552-2781? I’d really appreciate it. I’ve called several people but they didn’t know anything about it. As I learned in an old “Looking for the Cannon” query in the June 15, 1989 Molokai Dispatch, the cannon was possibly part of King Kalakaua’s Austrian battery. In an effort to build up the military arsenal of the Kingdom, King Kalakaua corresponded with Emperor Franz Joseph for the purchase of Prussian arms. As a special favor extended to no other government, the Austrian government allowed His Majesty to purchase a battery of these guns consisting of six pieces as well as mountain battery of four pieces. In 1989, the Iolani Palace began a search for the cannon but nothing has been mentioned regarding it thus far. Please call us if you know anything more about this. Mahalo.

Have you checked out the new General Store? I really recommend it. So many nooks and crannies to look at. I went on a Saturday and there is a lady that works with a quilting machine. Fascinating to watch it work. It certainly makes it faster to quilt. At the Drug Store on the prescription counter is a box that says “Do You Know Who Is in Your Medicine Cabinet?” Open the box, it’s an eye opener!

Well, it seems I’ve rattled on enough. I’ll leave you with this tidbit I found. Butterflies taste with their feet! Hope they’re clean. Pet the dog, feet the cat, hug your children, kiss your sweetie and malama your mama. A hui hou, Aunty Kapua

Posted in Community, Letters

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Services Commended

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Community Contributed by Gladys Brown

The 19th Annual Molokai Employee Recognition Luncheon was held at the Mitchell Pauole Center on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. It was opened by emcee Ella Alcon. Welcome remarks by Mayor Alan Arakawa included current benefits for Maui County workers and Council Chair Danny Mateo offered his greetings to all attendees also.

The awards presentation by the mayor included service anniversary awards for 10, 15, 20, and 30 years of service. Three retirees were given certificates: Timothy Meyer, Sr. Miller Maioho, and Adelina Cera. Twelve employees were given perfect attendance awards.

The highlight of the luncheon was the recognition of the Molokai Employee of the Year. A plaque was presented to Stafford Caparida, Police Officer II, of the Molokai Police Department. Stafford was cited for his conduct of the narcotic investigation on the island. He was active and vigilant in pursing activities resulting in seizure of narcotics, contraband and monies. He is active in community projects in his free time. Lt. Clyde Holokai was there to congratulate him. Stafford’s name will be entered on the perpetual plaque listing former winners from Molokai.

Donna Evans, human resources technician of the Maui Department of Personnel Services, coordinated the morning activities. Also present were members of the Mayor’s department.

Posted in Community, Government

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Money Matters

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Continue funding the MEO bus, several Molokai residents and educators told Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa last week.

Arakawa visited Molokai last Thursday to host a ceremony honoring county employees in the morning, his “County on Your Corner” open community discussion in the afternoon and a community budget meeting with representatives of his cabinet that night.

During the latter, residents and workers showed their support for many of the island’s county-run programs, thanking the mayor and his cabinet for current funding and requesting it continue during the 2013 fiscal year. The MEO bus, many said, is a vital part of the success of other on-island programs.

“Losing [the MEO bus] would greatly diminish our effectiveness” in reaching students through after-school programs, Molokai Middle School Principal Gary Davidson said in a prepared speech read by a student.

Kupono McPherson of Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool said the school “lives off of [the MEO bus system]” and without their service, “we don’t really exist,” while a message submitted by Molokai High School Athletic Director Camie Kimball said that “without MEO, many of our students would not be able to participate” in school sports.

Linda Liddell, a disabled person who uses an electric wheelchair and sits on the Maui County Commission on Persons with Disabilities, also said she depends on MEO for transportation.

After the meeting, Arakawa said he was interested in addressing concerns that the public bus system be as efficient as possible in its schedule.

In addition to MEO transportation, residents expressed support for a wide variety of local operations, including the Molokai Youth Center, Ka Hale Pomaikai substance abuse treatment center and the Kuha`o Business Center. Under the guidance of Annette Pauole-Ahakuelo, the center has helped more than 120 businesses open their doors, said Malia Akutagawa.

A budget plan will be presented to the Maui County Council in March 2012, Arakawa said, and the council will finalize it by mid-June that year.

County on Your Corner
Community members also had the chance to speak with Mayor Arakawa on Sept. 22 during his “County on your Corner” open forum. Residents expressed mana`o on several issues that need county support, including the Molokai Humane Society, 4-H and the Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance. I Aloha Molokai also expressed concerns of future wind turbines on Molokai.

Posted in Community, Government, Political

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Driving Safety

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Community Contributed

By Gladys Brown

AARP is scheduling a Driving Safety class at the Mitchell Pauole Center conference room on Saturday, Oct. 22 beginning at 8 a.m. The class will be taught by Peggy Haake of the AARP Maui Chapter. She has been teaching this class as a volunteer for the past five years. This four-hour meeting will consist of valuable traffic information for all drivers. If you have Hartford Auto Insurance from AARP you will pay $12 for the class fee. The completion certificate will entitle you to a discount on your insurance for three years. If you have other insurance you may call them for information on their discounts. Non-members who are interested will pay $14.

Posted in Announcements, Community, Transportation

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My Fair Church

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

From a hand-fed cockatiel to a two-night stay on Maui, participants in the live auction at the Damien Catholic Parish Country Fair didn’t leave empty-handed. The event, an annual fundraiser for the new Catholic church under construction, has been going on longer than parishioners can seem to remember.

The goal is to raise $20,000 to $24,000 during the event, said Father Clyde Guerrero. The parish has raised about $2.2 million since they began fundraising for the new church in 1995, he said. With the help of a $1.45 million loan, the structure in central Kuanakakai is nearly complete. A dedication service is being planned for Dec. 9 of this year, Guerrero added.

Posted in Community, Faith

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Moloka`i County on Your Corner

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

Mayor Alan Arakawa's "County on Your Corner" on Moloka`i will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.

"It is important to connect with people face to face," says Arakawa. "'County on Your Corner,' which is scheduled in a different location each month, is a good way for myself and members of my cabinet to interact with the community on the issues that are of most interest to them."

Joining Arakawa at this "County on Your Corner" event will be Council Chair Danny Mateo and some members of Arakawa's cabinet.

For more information, call 280-1299.

Posted in Community, Government, Political

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