Kalaupapa Pleads for Cheaper Flights

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Between cheaper flight rates and a new memorial project, Kalaupapa residents have a lot on their minds these days.

Pacific Wings, the only commercial airline that serves Kalaupapa, sent their rates skyrocketing a year ago. Residents, workers and visitors flying to the peninsula pay between $480 and $550 for a round-trip trip to Honolulu.

Pacific Wings recently applied for an Essential Air Service subsidy, which would lower rates to Kalaupapa to about $200, according to Greg Kalhstorf, CEO of Pacific Wings.

Mark Miller, Administrator for the Department of Health at Kalaupapa, said he wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support the federal subsidy. He asked the FAA for air rates to be subsidized by federal money and extra wheelchair accessibility on all airplanes.

“I want lower airfares. I don’t care how we get them,” Miller said. “I’m here to serve the patients and I’ll do whatever it takes to make life easier for them on Kalaupapa.”

The process for issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) can take 60 to 120 days. Pacific Wings put in their request on Dec. 16, 2010. 

Last week, Kahlstorf informed The Molokai Dispatch he withdrew the Request for Proposal, citing issues with the Kalaupapa administration over wheelchair access of the place used to service the peninsula.

“I want to make sure we’re all on the same page before Pacific Wings goes through with this,” Kahlstorf said.

However, the next day the FAA said the RFP hadn’t been withdrawn and was still in process.

Residents have until Jan. 18, 2011 to suggest any ideas to the FAA or to request any other airlines they feel would be suitable for Kalaupapa.

Go! Mokulele’s general manager, Chris Vandenheuvel, said he is reviewing the RFP documents and considering sending in an application to the FAA.

In the event that a new carrier is designated as with EAS subsidies, Pacific Wings can still serve Kalaupapa without the subsidy.

Kahlstorf said his business is doing fine without subsidies.

Memorial Project
The environmental assessment (EA) for the Kalaupapa Memorial Project has been completed, and is up for public review. Ka Ohana O Kalaupapa and the National Park Service (NPS) have been working on this memorial for several years, to honor the 8,000 Hansen’s disease patients that lived and died on the peninsula. The memorial will be located at the Old Baldwin Home site across the street from St. Philomena catholic church in Kalawao.

The EA is available for public review and comment at the NPS website, parkplanning.nps.gov/ as well as at the Molokai Public Library, Molokai Museum and Culture Center, and office of Historic Hawaii Foundation. You may also call Leslie Kanoa-Naeole at 567-6802 ex. 1101 for assistance. Comments may be submitted online or through the mail (Kalaupapa National Historical Park, P.O. 2222, Kalaupapa, HI 96742) until Feb. 10, 2011.
After that date, NPS will continue with a design.

“We hope to get this started as soon as possible,” Steve Prokop said, National Park Service Superintendent.

Remembering Rizal

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Molokai is awash with cultural and ethnic diversity – and one of the largest communities on Molokai celebrated their national hero late last month.

Dr. Jose Rizal is widely celebrated as a martyr in the Philippines. He was executed by the Spanish Army on Dec. 30, 1896 after being allegedly  to a national secret society.

Although Rizal never had connections with secret society, he had published books educating the general public of the Spanish colonial authorities in power at the time. Two books in particular angered the Spanish elite, “Noli me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.”

The Molokai Filipino Community Council brought a great sense of remembrance to Home Pumehana on Dec. 26, 2010 – in honor of Jose Rizal Day.

Filipinos who now make Molokai home filled Home Pumehana and participated in traditional dances and performed songs and poems in Rizal’s memory. A special guest speaker was also in attendance – Leoncio Cardenas, the Philippines Consul General.

“I am honored to be on Molokai,” Cardenas said. “This is my first time on the island, and when I was invited, I didn’t hesitate. People are so welcoming and friendly here.” Cardneas, originally from Badoc, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, has worked at consulates around the globe.

“We celebrate this day because of Rizal’s efforts,” said Yolanda Reyes, a member of the Molokai Filipino community. “He was a very smart and courageous man. Even when he traveled, he didn’t forget where he came from. He had a lot of Filipino pride.”

Reyes was inaugurated as the new president of the Molokai Filipino Community Council and sworn in by Cardenas at the event.

Rizal was executed by the Spanish Army on Dec. 30, 1896 by gunfire after being accused of conspiring with a national secret society.

These writings were targeted at the core of Filipino liberalism and individuality and ultimately led to his prosecution. But his legacy lives on; in Manila parks, statues and streets adorn his image. He spoke 22 languages, practiced medicine, and was an architect, a farmer, an educator, and a linguist. He wrote a famous poem titled, “Mi Ultimo Adios,” on the eve of his execution.

“We become strong when we go abroad to places like America,” Cardneas said. “As the second largest ethic group in Hawaii, Filipinos have made a lot of contributions to this state. I encourage your kids to take pride in what they are doing.”

Home Runs for a Good Cause

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Christmas was in the air, as well as softballs. Alumni, old friends and family gathered Christmas weekend for the annual Molokai Softball Tournament. Along with happy reunions and ono barbeques, the event also benefited local athletics.

All of the entry fees paid by the 23 teams that participated will be donated to the alumni association and the Molokai High School athletics fund. The $300 tournament entry fee per participating team will help high school sports teams pay for travel off-island games.

“This is a great way for family and friends to see each other, said Melveena Starkey., one of the event’s organizers.“We always plan it around the holidays. And it’s a great way to benefit the high school,”.

Seven women’s teams and sixteen men’s teams participated.

Bragging rights were at stake, but more importantly, having fun was the primary concern at the 3rd annual event. The veterans prevailed and held their ground on the home turf, as the ‘90-‘93 women’s team won their bracket on Christmas Day, with a score of 15-1. The game was called early due to darkness.

The men’s class of ’89 proved they still had softball in their blood, as they beat the class of ’01 in a close battle. They won 16-14 on Dec. 26.

Honda Paleka, class of ’89, was proud of his team as they were crowned the champions of the men’s bracket. They battled it out with the class of ’01 on Dec. 26 for the championship. The younger guys beat them in their first game on the hot Sunday afternoon with a blowout of 32-16. But ’89 came out in round two with a vengeance and beat ’01 with a score of 16-14.

“This is a great way for the community to get together. My favorite part about this is just seeing old friends and having a good time,” Paleka said.

Acts of generosity could also be seen on the field. Noel Motas, a Molokai native, picked up cans and other litter during the games. He’ll donate some profits from the recyclables to the high school athletics fund.

“This isn’t about me. This is about helping the community. I want to set a good example for the younger guys here. And to me, it doesn’t matter who wins these games. It’s about having fun,” he said.

Starkey wants to especially give credit to Kapua Balas, Melani Rawlins and Salina Victorino for their efforts in putting the event together.