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Talking Story with Kumu Maile

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Community Contributed

By Olivia Riel

As Kumu Maile Naehu and I waited patiently for families to arrive for our talk story session on Dec. 6, she shared an abundance of information about herself and the literary program she works with under Kamehameha School for Kilohana Elementary.  As she softly spoke I found her story to be quite enlightening and wanted to share some of it.

Maile was born in the Ewa Beach area and spent the majority of her early life travelling between Oahu and Maui.  Her warm and gentle spirit is truly a reflection of the family values she was brought up with.  Such a blessing for the students, staff and families of Kilohana School!

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Food for the Aging Mind

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Memory loss for the 77 million baby boomers can be very worrisome. Remembering friends’ names, or what you did yesterday can put you in a tailspin, but what we eat can definitely help to fend-off memory loss. Serious deficiencies in vitamin B-12 and iron can lead to impaired cognitive functions due to memory and nerve fiber complications. We use our cognitive functions by using simple as well as complex information to meet the challenges of daily living.

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New Flood Maps Announced

Monday, January 31st, 2011

New Flood Maps Announced

County of Maui News Release

Are you ready for the flood? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed new flood insurance rate maps, and your home might be now within a flood risk zone.

A public information meeting will be held on Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Kaunakakai Gym conference room.

Property owners are urged to attend these meetings to get the latest information on how the flood map changes will affect them. The changes are scheduled to take effect sometime during the last quarter of 2011. Options that are available to those whose homes are in a flood zone will be discussed.


Among the areas that will be significantly impacted by the flood map changes are properties adjacent to Kaunakakai Stream and Iao Stream; Hana, and the southern shores of Lanai, Maui and Molokai.

Federal, state and county personnel will be available to answer questions and assist property owners with determining their flood risk, and the county Department of Planning will be on hand to answer questions for property owners who are considering developing in newly mapped, high-risk flood zones.

The public may also preview the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DIRMs) by visiting the Hawai'i Flood Hazard Assessment Tool website, gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat/

For more information, please contact Francis Cerizo or Carolyn Cortez at francis.cerizo@co.maui.hi.us or carolyn.cortez@co.maui.hi.us or by phone at (808) 270-7253.

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Molokai Ranch Seeks Crucial Water Permits

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Molokai Ranch Seeks Crucial Water Permits

UPDATED VERSION
Water is the key to life and has always been a key issue on Molokai. Currently in the spotlight, Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) is attempting to legalize access to state-owned water lines in central Molokai. Although it’s current agreement to use the water lines was deemed null in Sept. 2007, MPL continues to rent Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) pipes at $11,375 per month, transporting water from central Molokai to users on arid west side of the island. MPL’s subsidiary water company, Kaluakoi Water LLC (KWL), needs the go-ahead in order to connect the company’s source well in Kualapu`u, to its users in Maunaloa, west Molokai. MPL has been using the MIS for transmission of its water since the 1975. Because MPL uses state property to conduct its operations, state law requires an environmental assessment (EA). A Matter of Culture In order to satisfy a major requirement of the study, MPL CEO Peter Nicholas was on-island last week to discuss possible cultural impacts associated with use of the irrigation system. Approximately 100 residents participated in meetings held in Maunaloa and Kualapu`u at the invitation of Nicholas and Environet, the company contracted to implement the EA. The MPL rental agreement represents a large stake for the state. With rental proceeds amounting to $136,500 in 2010, MPL is the Department of Agriculture’s (DOA)biggest customer, making the MIS the only profitable state-owned irrigation system in Hawaii, according to state records. MPL is also the only non-agricultural customer using the MIS. From A to B

make it clean again,” said Glenn Teves, homesteader and Ag expert for the University of Hawaii-Manoa. The draft EA could be completed by the end of the year, according to Nicholas. If the draft EA is accepted by the DOA, MPL can renew their six-year lease and continue to use MIS lines legally.

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Sabers Down the Farmers

Monday, January 31st, 2011

The Lady Farmers soccer team was again bested by a Maui team, as the Maui High Sabers defeated Molokai in both of last weekend’s games.

Friday’s match wasn’t easy for the Lady Farmers as they suffered seven goals from the Sabers. The final score of 0-7 marked the eleventh loss of the season.

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Liberty Dialysis Upgrading

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Liberty Dialysis Upgrading

Molokai Dialysis Facility is preparing to upgrade their facilities to better suit special case patients, so they’ll no longer need to travel off-island for dialysis treatments.

“Most people would just move off-island, so this way they can stay on Molokai,” said Kristie Capardia, clinical manager at Molokai Dialysis Facility. The new isolation room will be to serve hepatitis B patients. She added most people require dialysis three times per week, so traveling back and forth for treatment can get expensive and time-consuming.

Dialysis is an artificial filter treatment used to clean blood in people who have acute kidney failure.

Liberty Dialysis-Hawaii has been on Molokai since 2006, and the dialysis center was operated for six years by St. Francis Healthcare System before that.      

To be in compliance with new Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) standards, set in 2009, Liberty Dialysis has filed for a permit and will start building an isolation room as soon as the permit is obtained through Maui County.

“We don’t know when the permit will be approved, but we’ll start construction as soon as possible,” said Melissa Souza, Director of Operations at Liberty Dialysis for facilities in Maui County.

Caparida said she could not share how many patients will benefit from this new service, due to privacy laws. However, patients are in good hands. Liberty Dialysis on Molokai won an award as a “Best Practice Facility” in 2010.

The facility gained that title for performing arteriovenous fistulas on 80 percent of their patients in 2010. “For AV fistulas, surgeons join a vein and artery to draw and purify blood – a preferred method to perform dialysis.

“That type of access lasts many years,” Souza said. “If it’s your own vein it will last many years opposed to a temporary catheter.”

Liberty Dialysis-Hawaii has been active on Molokai for eleven years with the help of the Molokai community, St. Francis Medical Center and David and Judy Mikami. The Mikami’s, who own Molokai Drugs, leased space for free for the first 10 years of business in the Kamoi Center.

“With the help of the community and the Mikami’s, we were able to put this facility together. And it’s truly been a blessing,” Souza said.

Liberty Dialysis has a history of helping patients in rural areas. They have been providing in-home service in the small community of Hana since 2007 – before that, Hana patients had to travel 52 miles to the nearest dialysis care center in Wailuku.


Liberty Dialysis-Hawaii is the only certified communal home treatment facility in the nation. They were recently approached to move forward with home communal service in Kalaupapa and will begin as soon as possible.

“We are currently sending some people to evaluate the area,” Souza said.

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Molokai Cuts it Close on Senior Night

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Molokai Cuts it Close on Senior Night

The Farmers faced off with the Lanai Pine Lads this weekend at the Barn, their last home games of the season, and celebrated Senior Night. Molokai won both games, now 4-0 in Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) season, including an exciting overtime win on Friday night.

David Rapanot was a thief in the first quarter, taking the ball with ease from Lanai and dribbling it down the court untouched for layup after layup.

The Farmers put down 28 points in the net opposed to Lanai’s six points in the first half. Lanai returned a more composed team in the second half by cashing in on multiple fouls made by the Farmers.
The Farmers kept a comfortable lead of 37-24, but that quickly dwindled when Lanai scored 10 unanswered points.

Lanai had the lead 42-44 with a little more than a minute left in the game, causing Molokai fans to get off their seats as the clock ticked.

Hauoli Falealiu, who was not seen much earlier in the game, threw the ball up for a 3-pointer with three seconds left on the clock. His defender tipped the ball slightly, but just enough for the ball to go through the net.

Molokai held their ground and dominated in overtime. The final score was 54-49.

“I guess we showed pe

rseverance and never gave up,” said coach Lester Delos Reyes said.
“I told them in the fourth quarter to keep their heads up, attack the corners and put up a shot.”

After the game, Falealiu was overwhelmed with joy after knowing he led his team to a win.
“I just thought we needed three points. I told David [Rapanot] to pass me the ball and I’d shoot it,” Falealiu said.

Shooting three-pointers can be easy in practice, but can be a different matter when the game is on the line.

“Yeah, I was nervous,” he said.

Saturday’s game had less tension, but the Farmers did not let their guard down as they sent the Pine Lads home with another loss.

Seniors Kamakana Duvauchelle and Ryan Rapanot scored 24 and 11 points, respectively, to help the Farmers win 47-27.

“We came out a lot harder today,” Duvauchelle said.
Along with senior Nainoa Langer, these were Duvauchelle and Ryan Rapanot’s last basketball games played at the Barn.

“We’ll miss playing here in front of family and friends and bonding as a team. We’ll definitely remember last night’s game,” they said.

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Humble Heroism

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Humble Heroism

As we enter the 60th anniversary year of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, those that witnessed the most widespread war in history are becoming few and far between.

Molokai is lucky enough to still have a number of those heroes in our midst, and they have been gracious to share their stories. Now in their 80s, still with sharp minds and cracking jokes, Molokai WWII veterans come from all branches of the military, and each have stories to inspire us.

“You have to appreciate that throughout history, there is a war every 25 years. That’s generational,” said Padraic “Paddy” Evans, who served in the Army Air Corp from 1942-47. “We’re a small, elite group…becoming smaller every day.”

“It was terrible,” said Ben Munesue, who served in 1943. “I feel fortunate to still be alive.”


Call of Duty
The extraordinary stories of WWII are not extraordinary to the Molokai veterans who lived them – eternally humble, many expressed a simple loyalty for joining, and a no-regrets attitude.

“You volunteer because you’re a citizen, it’s your duty, regardless of denomination,” Evans said.

“Whether you’re a combat vet or serving in the North Pole, when you’re called to duty, you do what you’re taught regardless of how you feel,” said Larry Helm, commander of the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans.

This duty for many stayed beyond the Second World War – many of these veterans stayed in active duty or joined the National Guard after the war, and went on to tours of service in Vietnam.

Some WWII veterans on Molokai who were not interviewed include Robert Takeuchi, Noba Shimizu, Mike Misaki and Osamu Murikami, who, with their comrades above, are highly commended for their service to this country, as well as to this island.

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Gertrude Seabury Kaauwai of Kalaupapa, Dies at 78

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Gertrude Seabury Kaauwai of Kalaupapa, Dies at 78

By Ka`ohulani McGuire

Gertrude Roselani “Spitfire” Seabury Kaauwai, known for her determined spirit and “spunk,” died on Dec. 24, 2010 at Straub Hospital. She was 78.

Raised on Maui, Aunty Gertie or “Girlie,” as she was affectionately known, was born on Nov. 26, 1932 at Olowalu. At age 11, Gertrude was sent to Kalaupapa on Sept. 27, 1944 where she was a resident for 66 years. Even though she was free to leave, she chose to remain in the home that she came to love. Known for her mischievous pranks and her spunky attitude, Gertrude earned the nickname of “Spitfire” from one of the Catholic sisters. For Gertrude, being sent to Kalaupapa was a blessing in disguise.  There she found new independence and freedom. Eventually she met and married the love of her life, Barney Kaauwai, whom she credited for having made her a better person.

Aunty Gertie learned the art of la`au lapa`au from older Hawaiian residents at Kalaupapa. Her favorite plant was the hauowi from which she made a tea to treat kidney problems. The leaves were also pounded into a poultice and used to heal broken bones or treat skin problems. Many a resident turned to Aunty Gertie to treat their ailments.

Visitors who spent any amount of time at Kalaupapa knew Aunty Gertie as the “cat lady.” Every afternoon at 1:30, Aunty would start preparing and cooking a gourmet meal for her colony of beloved cats, feeding them steak, hamburger and other delicacies mixed in with dry cat food. Even more amazing was that she had names for all of her cats and could tell them apart. At any one time, Gertrude fed anywhere from 25 to 35 cats at her home, not to mention the numerous other feral cats around the settlement. What a comical sight to see her car driving down the road and the cats running from all directions following after her knowing they would get fed.


But, most of all, Aunty Gertie will be missed at Fuesina’s bar where she played cribbage six nights a week. She was a great teacher and many a visitor learned to play cribbage and got “skunked” by her. Her knack at remembering numbers and instantly knowing the score as soon as she saw your hand was uncanny and remarkable.

Aunty Gertie was a true hulu kupuna. Beloved by all, she will be greatly missed by the Kalaupapa community and everyone who knew her. When reminiscing about the good ole’ days, Aunty liked to use a favorite expression, “I drop tears.” When we think of Aunty Gertie, we will all drop tears for her.

Gertrude is survived by daughters Laura, Debra, Sharon and Cynthia Frasco; stepsons, Charles, Earl, Wayne and Christopher Kaauwai; numerous grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Kahihikolo and Anna Maglinti; and brothers, William and Lawrence Seabury. Gertrude was laid to rest in a private burial at Papaloa Cemetery, Kalaupapa.

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Bobby Cooke

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Bobby Cooke

Bobby Cooke of Kipu died on Oct. 29, 2010 in Honolulu. He was born in Honolulu on Feb. 12, 1943, and attended Hanahauoli and Punahou schools and Montana State University.  He lived and worked in Kipu his entire adult life, raising horses, playing cribbage, reading and doing crosswords. He loved God and Molokai, gave generously to charities, friends and pets. Bobby is survived by his sisters Rie (Bud) Vail and Susie Harrington, son Erick, nieces and nephews Mike, Tim, Robert, Juliette (EJ) Vail Engler, David Harrington and Danielle (Mike) Dixon.
A memorial to celebrate and remember the life of Bobby will be held at the family home in Kipu Jan. 29, 2011 at 2 p.m.

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