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Carving Out Capital

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Carving Out Capital

Clustered around a small easel with red-stained fingertips, several Molokai artists studied the profile of a man in clay. Their instructor was demonstrating the delicate way to skim away just enough clay to shape a cheek.

These students attended a sculpture workshop last week – not only to expand the skills of already talented people, but also as an innovative boost the island’s lagging economy. The workshop is intended to give artists another outlet to earn money off their art.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development provided a $50,000 Business Enterprise Grant, which provides training and technical assistance to small businesses – in this case, the Molokai Heritage Company through Lokahi Pacific.
 
“Because Molokai so economically depressed, we’re trying new avenues to earn money,” said a workshop student and local artist, Joan Pawlak reed.

,” he said.

Cooperative
Another goal of the workshops is to bring some of Molokai’s many artists together and form a cooperative of commercial artists, Lynch said.

“My hope is, out of this a nucleus of these 14 people, they can form a cooperative or group for bulk purchase supplies,” he added. With a casting shop on Molokai – located by Hayaku gas station – and a group of artists who know how to use it, those involved in the project said this could create a new niche Molokai artists can fill.

Other artists could come to learn – and spend money on hotels, rental cars, and restaurants – boosting the economy even more, Lynch said.

“This could create a magnet to bring other artist from other islands,” Pawlak reed said.

“It would be great to create some sort of art Mecca,” Geng said.

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Keep ‘Face-to-Face’

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Keep ‘Face-to-Face’

The past three months have been a whirlwind of rumors, letters to government agencies and both joy and anger over the Department of Human Resources (DHS) reorganization plan.

Senate Bill 2650, CD 1, which halts the closure of 31 DHS eligibility offices statewide, passed in state congress on April 15. It awaits approval or veto by Governor Lingle by April 29th.

Before SB 2650 passed, hundreds rallied around the state to protest the closure. Molokai held their own rally last Friday evening, with about 30 people attending with protest signs.

DHS Director Lillian Koller has said the reorganization will help recipients get their benefits faster, without having to wait for months just to get an appointment. DHS said the plan would save taxpayers around $8 million, but Koller said efficiency is the purpose of the plan.
(For more on Koller’s views, see her editorial below.)

“This is a year we have to tighten the belts – but how tight are you going to go?” asked Vespoli.

Nearing the End
Senate Bill 2650 does not eliminate DHS’ reorganization plan completely – it sets up a pilot program, where only offices on Oahu will be shut down in lieu of its already-running call center. The bill “sunsets,” or expires, in June 2011, giving all parties time to evaluate how well the pilot program worked.

If the bill is vetoed, the state closures would eliminate 228 positions, including four on Molokai, but those employees with more than two years experience could be “bumped” to different offices within DHS.

Molokai has several offices that offer similar services that would not close, such as First to Work and Childcare Connections.

But many DHS recipients say it’s not over till it’s over, and are rallying until the bill is passed.

Nora Nomura, Deputy Director of Hawaii Government Employees Association – the DHS union – said Lingle could veto the bill, but many expect a Congressional override. If the bill is vetoed, Congress needs a two-thirds majority to override the veto by the end of this Legislative session, Thursday, April 29.

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Finding Beauty Inside and Out

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Finding Beauty Inside and Out

Cynthia Guterries’ beautiful locks were gone.

“My eyelashes were starting to go, same with my eyebrows,” she remembered. “I didn’t know how bad it was going to be.”

Guterries underwent bouts of chemotherapy to counteract her bilateral invasive breast cancer. Since February, she has been administered a new type of chemo – in pill form – that she will be taking for the next five years.

Women like her – some dubbed survivors, others still in treatment – gathered at the Molokai General Hospital last week – laughing and sharing stories of their mutual experiences.

All five were attending a workshop known as "Look Good...Feel Better.” The program, available across the nation, has paired cancer patients with volunteer cosmetologists to help patients cope with skin changes and hair loss associated with treatments, usually chemotherapy and radiation.



During the two-hour session, Suzette Kahana, a licensed cosmetologist on Molokai, led the small group of women through a practical, hands-on experience – teaching them about skin care, makeup application, and how to disguise hair loss with wigs, turbans and scarves.

The women received a free makeup kit – worth about $300 – to use during and after the workshop.

“It’s a very positive experience,” said Lily Napoleon, assistant director of the hospital’s Cancer Patient Navigation program. “Women walk out with smiles on their faces.”

The complimentary program evolved out of a partnership between the American Cancer Society, Personal Care Products Council Foundation and National Cosmetology Association more than 20 years ago, and has been offered on Molokai for the last three years.

The hospital’s Cancer Patient Navigation program, which helps cancer patients navigate the fragmented maze of doctors’ offices, scheduling appointments, lodging, transportation services and support organizations, puts on the intimate class session twice a year.
 
Changing Faces
As each woman sat in front of individual cosmetic mirrors, they began riffling through the red bags bursting with name-brand products like Mac, Estee Lauder, Eucerin and Chanel. Each bag was specifically coordinated to match the women’s skin tone.

The class started with the importance of cleansing and moisturizing the skin.

“Clean faces make you feel good,” Kahana said. “You need to cleanse and remove any impurities.”

“Yeah, the Molokai dirt,” joked Juanita Hulu. The room erupted in laughter.

As makeup application ensued, so did their good spirits. Napoleon said the classes offer a sense of female camaraderie, and heighten the women’s confidence and self image.

After learning how to pencil in the perfect eyebrow, the ladies turned to wigs, scarves and turbans. They found the fun in colors, and even learned a thing or two.

“I heard blondes have more fun, but maybe redheads, too,” said Hulu, a cancer survivor of almost 20 years, as she donned a red synthetic hair wig.

Guterries, who will be returning to work at the end of the month as a nurse for the hospital, was worried about being around people while having very little hair left.

“I feel good with the wig on, I feel great,” she said. “I’m so excited to go back to work and be around people. I’m now going to look forward, and not back.”

To become a volunteer or get involved with the program, contact Lily Napoleon of Molokai General Hospital at 553-3607.

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Kalaupapa Trail Repair Lingering

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

A footbridge damaged by a mudslide on the Kalaupapa pali trail two weeks ago could take up to three months to be permanently fixed – causing further disruption to the settlement’s tourism industry.

While switchback bridge No. 3 has been temporarily repaired to provide emergency access for residents and employees, it will remain closed to visitors, hikers and mule rides until a permanent bridge is erected, said National Park Service (NPS) Superintendent Steve Prokop.

“We’re working really quickly on getting the permanent bridge installed,” Prokop said. “[It will take] about three months, hopefully less.”

NPS closed the trail April 13 after the partially-collapsed bridge was discovered by hikers and rangers.

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Moloka’i Energy Efficiency Incentives and Rebates

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Community Contributed

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News Briefs

Monday, April 26th, 2010

News Briefs

Marching to the Band The Hawaii

All-State Marching Band has been selected to perform in the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The All-State band, composed of high school band students from across the state, will represent Hawaii in the world-famous holiday spectacular with their fantastic musical, marching and cultural artistry. The Hawaii All-State Marching Band is one of 10 bands selected for the 2011 Parade out of more than 150 applicants nationwide. The superior musical ability, marching and performance skills the group has displayed under the leadership of John Riggle and his team won them a slot in the legendary Parade that will see them step into the

Ahoy Pirates!

Thousands lined up in front of the Waikiki Community Center to apply as extras for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Some of them got there as early as 2 a.m. Sande Alessi Casting of California started early last Saturday morning in its call for hundreds of extras in the fourth installment of the Disney action-adventure film series starring Johnny Depp. The film seeks men to play pirates, sailors and stand-ins, including authentic-looking scavenger types ages 18 to 60 of all ethnicities. It seeks men who are thin, tall, short or emaciated as well as those with huge noses, lazy eyes, grizzled and wrinkled faces, odd body types and missing limbs and teeth. The "Pirates" film will be shot on Kauai and Oahu this summer, wrapping up some time in August. The film is slated for release in summer 2011.

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Baseball Finishes Strong

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Baseball Finishes Strong

Molokai High School’s baseball team wrapped up its season last weekend with two wins in its triple-game series against Seabury Hall at Duke Maliu Regional Park – awarding the team second place in the final Division II standings.

The Farmers beat out the Spartans Friday evening by one run, lost by one run the following day, 8-7, and then recaptured the lead in their second Saturday game, winning 18-11.

“It was well played by both teams,” said Coach Steve Trout, a former major league pitcher. “We have respect for what Seabury has done, and they have respect for us.”

In Molokai’s final blowout game on Saturday, the farmers took a 6-0 lead after only one inning, then fell behind 10-7 in the top of the third, only to regain victory shortly thereafter.

“That was a really exciting game,” added Trout. “We showed what we practiced.”

In the last game of the triple header, Molokai's Ehukai Rawlins scored twice and drove in three runs, while Jubilee Tabilangan gained three runs and a ‘runs batted in’, and Shaquille Rapanot scored twice and drove in one run.

is about the same,” Augustiro said. “I’m expecting to see about the same results.”

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1.5 Million for Kainalu

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department approved a $1.5 million grant last week for the acquisition of a perpetual conservation easement on Molokai’s east end. The Kainalu watershed area covers 614 acres and is home to many threatened, endangered and native species.

The proposed acquisition is still in the early stages of negotiation, according to land owner Kip Dunbar. He said an appraisal has not yet been completed, and no agreements or conditions have even been discussed. Negotiations would primarily take place between Dunbar’s family and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Dunbar said. He added he is waiting to find out the land’s value from the appraisal before moving forward.

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Saving Molokai, One Seed at a Time

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Submitted by Ka`ano Seed Project

What are those Molokai seed bank people up to? We have a garden plot established on Joe Kennedy’s farm on the east side of MCC road. Our first crops of cucumber and okra have been harvested for seed. Three kinds of lettuce are ready for seed harvest.
Lima beans, yellow wax beans, cabbage, peppers and tomatoes are growing well and look like a good seed harvest to come.
We try to gather at the garden plot at 4 p.m. on Thursdays to work together – planting, weeding, watering, harvesting and talking story. Join us. Call Jade 553-4843

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End of the Winding Road

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

End of the Winding Road

By Ted Kanemitsu and Lisa Davis

The following is the ending of Ted and Lisa recounting their Trans America Bicycle Route journey last year.
This route basically follows the settlement of the early pioneers as they made their way west. History stared us in the eye as we visited numerous historical sites along the way. We met direct descendents of settlers who have live on the same land since there were still Indians living free. I never realized how little I knew about American history until this trip. I knew more about Kamehameha than I knew about Lincoln. And you’re right, it is embarrassing. It seems that Lincoln did a lot more than just make it on to the face of the penny and the five dollar bill.

Of course there were some scary parts to this journey as well, tension did get pretty high on occasions. I recall sitting in my tent one evening in Kentucky during the worst thunder storm in history. Well, that’s how it felt to me at the time. I knew without a doubt that my life would end that night, no questions asked. The next morning, I asked the camp manager what he thought of the horrendous thunder storm. His reply? “Oh, that’s about normal for this time of the year.” I guess I’ve lived a sheltered life.

Then there was this car that rear-ended an SUV no more than twelve or fifteen feet next to me. Talk about an eye opener. And this was less than a half hour into the ride on the very first day. I also caused a pickup truck to swerve off the road on a winding and hilly climb, nearly catapulting the driver off a cliff when a bus tried to pass me from behind around a blind turn in the pouring rain. The bus didn’t even stop, leaving me to assist the victim.

I was also hit on the head by a piece of coal from a passing truck going 90 miles an hour on a two lane road with no shoulder, thank God for helmets. And did I mention almost being attacked by a bear in the middle of nowhere? He could have been on top me in less time than it would take for me to spell my last name backwards. Then there was the encounter with a rattle snake that I thought was dead, only to have it raise it’s head near inches from my leg as I almost rode over it. Apparently they like to lie on the road to warm themselves up in the morning and evening hours. And beer bottles. It’s a good thing people don’t practice throwing beer bottles at cyclists, or we would have probably been hit ourselves. These are but a few of the near misses we faced. Any way, there is no doubt in my mind, that the Lord was working over time making sure that Lisa and I were safe.

During our adventure, I had managed to take over 5,000 pictures. 5,387 of them to be exact. These will stay with me for as long as I live. I have written a coffee table book on our journey. It’s the only one of its kind in the world, I think. I would be more than happy to share it with anyone who is interested in taking the time to look it over.

After it was all said and done, and the immensity of the whole thing set in. The realization of what we had accomplished sunk in. Yes, it was a big deal. The thousands of miles ridden in preparation, as well as the amount of time and money invested, truly made for a worth while experience. In the end, we traveled a total of 13,055.5 miles via various modes of transportation from the time we left Molokai in May, till our return three months later.

An experience like this changes a person. It changes the way we see things. It reminds us of how fortunate we are to have what we have, and to be able to live in what I consider to be the most beautiful place in the world. We take for granted what God has given us, and complain way too much about little things that don’t even matter. A mountain is only as big as you make
it. And with enough desire, and willingness, we are able to accomplish just about anything. Including, riding a bike across America. We took one day at a time, and stopped often to enjoy what the journey was all about. In the end, it left us wanting more. Thank you so much for sharing our journey with us.

Mahalo Molokai, for all your prayers and support.

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