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Aunty’s Corner

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Aunty’s Corner

Aloha, Aunty here again. Election times are coming up with the primary in September. There are sure a lot of candidates running. I’ve been calling all of them and have been talking with interesting people.

Abby and I went to the blessing of E. Mo’omomi Road.  We sat with the Alu Like kupuna while they tuned up and practiced their mele.  We then walked over to the tent and listened to the music and the speakers. The MC was Bob Hall.  Poor Mr. Hall, I went up to him and said we might be related because I had an Uncle Bob Hall. He was very gracious and laughed.  I’ll bet he thought I was really off.  I got a kiss from the Lt. Governor but then he kissed all the ladies. I’ll bet its more fun then kissing all the babies.

I had to go to Honolulu for a doctor’s appointment and went a day early to stay with my cousin. I saw Knight and Day with her and her office.  So funny, but then I don’t get to go to movies very often so I really liked it.  I’m not a Tom Cruise fan though. He looks like he’s had too many face lifts.  The young ladies here in the Dispatch didn’t like it.  After the movie we went to Becu di Becco.  I’ve never seen so much food in my life!  They had to take home at least 20 boxes of leftovers, really. It was embarrassing to go to the doctor’s office and be weighed in only to be told I’d gained.  Well, duh, but then she didn’t know about all the food.  While in Honolulu we went to mass at the sweetest church, St. Peters and St. Paul. They had a piano player, stand up bass, ukulele, flautist (flute player), trumpet player and singers. They’ve even have made a cd of their music.

Have you seen the great water fall at the bend in the road going to the east end where the ranch is?  I think it’s the three sisters.  So beautiful I bet that if you could go to the bottom of the fall the ground would be shaking.  We’ve been having some of the most unusual rainbows over the hills looking east from town.  Instead of the arch they are flat like a curtain. I could watch them for hours. I wish I knew the correct chant for rain so I could ask the rain goddess for help with our drought.  The clouds just come over and tease us and then they disappear.  Don’t worry, I won’t do a chant unless I had studied for years before and I have not. I’m just a beginner of things Hawaiian.  My sister started me on my path 35 years ago. 

I thought that I’d be able to have the Hui at Home Pumehana have a bingo fund raising event but was told that it is illegal in Hawaii. So we’re back to the drawing board to raise funds. I was reading in the AARP newsletter that Tony Fisher of the Maui Chapter is interested in coming over to Molokai for the CarFit program.  This program helps you adjust your car for the safest way to drive.  He also wants to come early to offer the Driving Safety Class.  I highly recommend you take this class; I saved a lot of money on my car insurance. It usually costs $20. Also here are recycling tips from AARP that I thought were really good: if you have a water bottle with some left in it use is for your plants or steam iron or car windshield wiper, and keep a fork and a coffee cup in your cloth bag to use instead of foam cups and plastic forks. Also, be sure to bring your cloth bag to the grocery store to save on plastic bags.  If you’ve ever driven from Lahaina to Kahului you’ll notice the tree that has all plastic bags stuck on it. It’s just awful.

Aloha to all the ‘ohana that have lost loved ones this month.  I send you my aloha and prayers.  I think of you often even though I don’t know most of you.  It is so hard to lose a loved one I know. 

Me Ke Aloha Pumehana Aunty Kapua

Puffer fish Dying Across State

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Puffer fish Dying Across State

Community Contributed

By Arleone Dibben-Young

 A mysterious disease is killing striped and porcupine puffer fish. Dr. Thierry Work with the U.S. Geological Survey has received at least 100 reports of dead puffer fish from across the state in the last six months. The sick and dying puffer fish have had lesions on the skin, but what’s been found on the inside has researchers alarmed.

"We're seeing things like enlarged livers and enlarged swim bladders, which is the organ that allows puffer fish to float," Work said. His staff has been able to analyze only 14 sick puffer fish so far and they're baffled as to what is killing them, but are leaning towards a virus or toxicosis.

"We really need to sort out what it is that's killing them. Once we sort out the cause, we can decide if it can affect other fish or not," said Work. "You'll see these fish either floating and can't submerge and they just don't look right, or if they're on the beach, their gills will be moving a little bit.”
"As long as there's a little bit of movement in those fish, they're super fresh and we can use them. If they've been on the beach a while, they're too decomposed and we can't do lab testing with them."

You can help by reporting all observations of dead or dying puffer fish, and if you spot a freshly dead puffer fish place it on ice. Call Arleone at 553-5992 to ship to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.

Radio Cuts Local News

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Molokai’s only radio station will no longer air local news updates. The station’s owner, Honolulu-based Ohana Broadcast Company (OBC), made the decision two weeks ago.

KMKK 102.3, which plays traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, had aired local news briefs three times a day since it began four years ago, though technical problems had kept the news from airing for the last month.

“I’m disappointed that they wouldn’t feel that Molokai needs local radio news,” said former news director David Lichtenstein, who was let go when the decision was made.

Lichtenstein said he suspects OBC is shifting its focus to target listeners on Oahu -- at the expense of those on Molokai. KMKK broadcasts from a tower in Maunaloa and its signal reaches windward Oahu.

Humpback Sanctuary Expanding Past Whales

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

NOAA News Release
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is reviewing its Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary management plan and encouraging public input through a series of meetings from Aug. 10-26. During these meetings, comments on management considerations will be recorded as input to the management plan process.

A meeting will be held on Molokai at the Mitchell Pauole Center, Kaunakakai, on Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.

Sally for the Seat

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Sally for the Seat

The County of Maui mayor’s ballot has the Friendly Isle all abuzz now that Molokai’s own Patricia Hammond is in the running. The vivacious candidate, known around town as Sally Chow, is Molokai’s only contender to step into the race among 12 other hopefuls this election season.

Hammond made it on the ballot in the knick of time – submitting her paperwork just minutes before deadline on July 20. “I wanted to show that anybody can do it, without help,” she said.

Mayoral Plans

While it’s Hammond’s first time entering the political arena, her fiery ambition and love for Molokai are evident, giving her a push over other candidates, she said. She has previous experience with the government, having worked briefly with the U.S. Census Bureau and served as a foster parent.

to get more involved – get ‘em out there to vote!”

Family Affair

Hammond moved from Oahu to Molokai in 1992, a place the mother of five calls home with husband Chris. Since then, Hammond became a licensed massage therapist, and operated Molokai’s Little Grass Shack with her husband, where she sold crowd-pleasing fish tacos and healthy food offerings out of a trailer. Earlier this year, they closed the Shack citing the lagging economy.

Hammond recently set up shop at the old Midnite Inn in Kaunakakai for her campaign headquarters. Delicately painted by her `ohana and supporters, the outside walls have been transformed into a canvas of brightly-painted flowers and a window donning a hopeful message: “Be the Change, Vote Sally 4 Mayor.”

Although Hammond may lack some of the qualifications other candidates possess, she says she makes up for it in her dedication to get Molokai and all of Maui County back on track.
“If anything I want to show how easy it is to get a foot in the door,” she said. “So many people on Molokai would be good for this job. I’m trying to pave the way for them.”

Molokai Is…Photo Contest Winner!

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Molokai Is…Photo Contest Winner!

Congratulations to Molokai Is…Round III photo contest winner – Steve Eminger! He describes Molokai as "culture, place and people" while depicting Molokai's timeless essence.

We are continuing Molokai Is… Photo Contest Round IV next month. Share what Molokai means to you and your photo could be featured on the front page of The Molokai Dispatch. One winner per month will earn a $50 Kualapu`u Cookhouse gift certificate.

Each photo submission must include a caption, as well as the contestant’s full name and phone number. Each contestant may submit up to three photos. Submit entries of all file formats via email (Editor@TheMolokaiDispatch.com), in person at our Kaunakakai office (Moore building suite 5), or by snail mail (PO Box 482219, Kaunakakai, HI 96748). Deadline is Friday, August 27.

Flynn-Hosseini Wedding

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Flynn-Hosseini Wedding

Brian Flynn and Ayme Hosseini of Costa Mesa, Cali., were married on Molokai on May 14, 2010 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Randy Manley. Present were their parents Mike and Garlin Flynn and Morteza Hosseini and Beatriz Rodriguez. The wedding was also attended by their siblings Terri Flynn, Farideh Hosseini and John Magsdziarz. The happy couple truly enjoyed the week on the island. Brian and Ayme Flynn are truly looking forward to what wonderful things life brings their way. They are also expecting a baby girl due in September.

 

MECO Raises Rates to Customer Dismay

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved a interim rate increase for Maui Electric Company (MECO) last week that went into effect Sunday.

MECO applied for a permanent increase of 9.7 percent in September. While the PUC is still considering that application, they issued an interim decision allowing the company to raise rates for customers on Molokai, Maui and Lanai by 3.3 percent for a $10.3 million revenue increase.

The typical household on Molokai will pay $5.21 more per month, bringing the total monthly bill to $187.67, according to a release from MECO last week based on a monthly usage of 500 kilowatt hours. The typical household on Maui will now pay $186.02, while the typical household on Lanai will pay $196.87.

State Seeks Mana`o on Cable Project

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Over the past few weeks, many Molokai residents have received phone calls asking for their mana`o on about some hot-button issues around here – La`au Point, Molokai Ranch and windmills.

The State of Hawaii Energy Office requested the survey as part of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the upcoming undersea cable project.

“We [were] doing an informal telephone survey to obtain community feedback and to better understand Molokai’s community concern, especially the interisland wind issue,” said Alan Kam of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and who is managing the EIS contract.

Molokai Kumu Honored by Senate

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Molokai Kumu Honored by Senate

By Lisa Noelani Robbins

I am a student of `olelo Hawaii with Kumu Manuwai Peters. With the help of Senator J. Kalani English and his wonderful staff, I recently presented Kumu Peters with a Hawaiian Senate Proclamation for Manuwai's contribution and perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and language.

“Kumu Manuwai Peters has enriched the lives of thousands of Hawaiians and Hawaiians at heart by sharing his knowledge and expertise in the Hawaiian language and culture. Among his many accomplishments, Kumu Peters has helped to preserve and spread the Hawaiian language to his many students throughout his teaching career. His various classrooms across Hawaii include Kap`olani Community College on Oahu [and] founding Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawaii immersion school on Molokai.”

He offers classes in New York City and Washington D.C. while earning his master’s degree at Columbia University. In my class were OHA Bureau Chief Tim Johnson; Kathy Suter, media manager of the National Museum of the American Indian; Kuulei Stockman and Leihua Stewart from Halau o Aulani and Kamehameha graduates, and Hawaiians like me and non-Hawaiians as well. Not only did he teach us the Hawaiian language, but he brought people together.

I enrolled in his class, not only for my personal enrichment and to teach my own keiki, but because I am owner of 'Ohana Arts Studio, Polynesian Dance Studio, and Kinderhula. I now teach my students `olelo Hawaii and pass on what Kumu Manuwai has taught me.

Kumu Peters' website is www.portablehawaiian.com