War on Terror Comes to Kaunakakai Wharf

Monday, February 4th, 2008

Security measures could add to consumer costs.

The War on Terror goes on, and so do the costs to U.S. citizens. Molokai is not isolated as the latest federal security measures will impact the island sometime this year.

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program will require maritime and port workers to purchase tamper-resistant biometric credentials. The program is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard initiative.

The card will be valid for five years, and the price tag, $132.50, includes a background check on the applicant. Those who have undergone a background check will pay a reduced fee of $105.25.

Young Brothers Ltd. will have to purchase around 400 cards for its workers. The company’s vice president, Bruce McEwan, said the cards will cost Young Brothers “tens of thousands of dollars.”

An Aug. 28, 2007 notice from Young Brothers stated that the TWIC program is not limited to employees of the maritime industry, so anyone who visits a designated waterfront facility, like Young Brothers, will be required to have the card. Young Brothers currently screens people by asking for picture identification.

Small-business owners and workers who pick up and ship freight at the harbor say the card is an unfair monetary burden. Adding to the cost, there is no enrollment facility on Molokai, so applicants will have to travel to Honolulu, the nearest place where the cards can be issued.

The TSA contractor Lockheed Martin designated the enrollment sites, which did not include Molokai and Lanai.

“Business commerce will surely be hurt because of this added travel cost, which will undoubtedly be passed on to customers” said Barbara Haliniak, President of the Molokai Chamber of Commerce in a letter submitted to the Hawaii House of Representatives.

“Cruise ship passengers and inter-island ferry passengers will not need the card, because they go through security screening when boarding,” said Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.

An estimated 750,000 individuals will require TWICs. Enrollment and issuance will take place over an 18 month period. Enrollment for a TWIC began in Honolulu on Nov. 7, 2007. To obtain a TWIC, applicants must provide fingerprints, a digital photograph and pass a TSA security-threat assessment.

The New Face of Paddlers

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

By Léo Azambuja

Just a couple months ago Paddlers’ Inn changed ownership. The new owner, Kamuela Kamakana, has already made it clear that the long-standing restaurant and bar will be more emphasized toward families.

Since Kamakana took over the business, he has already implemented several changes; new kitchen and bar equipment, new furniture, new patio covers, and new computer system. The floors will be redone soon, and the bathrooms will go through renovations.

The menus have already changed. Paddlers has three chefs, and everyday there is fresh fish available on the menu. The fish “are literally brought in by the tail,” Kamakana said.

But perhaps the biggest change might just be in the heart of the business. “I really want it to be more like a family oriented place where families can enjoy their meals together.” Kamakana said.

“The main thing is that this is a restaurant, a place to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Kamakana said. But the bar will still be open until 1 a.m. There will still be karaoke nights, concerts, and fundraisers too. Recently Paddlers sponsored a poker tournament on Tuesday nights, and bingo on Sundays.

One of the main concerns that Kamakana has is safety. For that reason he said there will be “zero tolerance” on loitering in the parking lot. He said that if people insist on hanging out in the parking lot, the police will be called.

Kupuna now receive a 20 percent discount just by showing their senior citizen card, and kamaaina will enjoy a 10 percent discount. Even snow birds will benefit from a 10 percent discount.

Kamakana is also planning on accepting take out orders in the future. Customers would call in, place an order, and give a description of their cars. Cameras installed in the parking lot would show when customers arrive, and their orders would be brought up straight to their cars.

On Wednesday nights is Ohana Night at Paddlers. Each child that comes in with his or hers family leaves with a book. In the short time Kamakana has been heading his business, he already distributed about 8,300 to children.

Kamakana was raised between Kaneohe and Seattle, but his family lineage can be traced back to Molokai over a century ago. Hanging on one of the walls, there’s a picture of his great-grandfather Bill Kamakana, dated 1913. On another wall, there are pictures of his grandfather Henry Kamakana Sr., and his uncle, Henry Kamakana Jr., a decorated former tennis pro.

About five years ago, Kamakana was visiting Maui when he decided to hop the Molokai Ferry and came to the island for the first time. He said he felt an emotional connection with the island. The next day he bought property here.

Kamakana’s mother, Haunani Kamakana, is a Molokai girl, who now lives in Washington State. But he said that as soon as he finishes building his house in Kamalo, the local wahine will return to the island.

Molokai’s newest restaurateur has never worked in the restaurant business and will have his work cut out for him. But he is not short of help. The first-time restaurant owner boosted the staff to 43 employees, from only 11.

“It has been challenging,” Kamakana said. But those who already had a chance to visit the new Paddlers can already see positive changes. For those who haven’t been there yet, it’s worth it to check it out, and bring the whole family.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping

Saturday, December 15th, 2007

Those who came in hungry could stuff themselves with a large menu offered by a variety of vendors. All they needed was a healthy appetite to savor a short-rib plate, sushi, lau lau, chili bowl, musubi, ahi poke, or kim-chee crab. If there was any room for dessert, then there were brownies, lollipops, energy bars, mochi, and chocolate chip, walnut or mac nut cookies.

A Perfect Storm

Friday, December 7th, 2007

Large southwest swell and heavy rainstorm cause havoc at the Wharf.

By Léo Azambuja

After a summer in which island residents witnessed a ruthless drought, Mother Nature turned the table and drenched Molokai with a brutal storm that lasted for quite a few days. Adding insult to injury, a “severe southwest swell,” as the State Harbor Agent at Kaunakakai Wharf stated, washed three boats out of the harbor last week Tuesday.

One of the boats seemed to have survived the swell, and was anchored midway between the shore and the wharf. The other two boats weren’t so lucky; the small tugboat “Lahaina Pilot” washed all the way to the shore, while “Satan’s Doll,” a 42-foot sailboat, was reefed nearby. A few days earlier, yet another sailboat had drifted into shallow waters near the mile 19 marker at east Molokai, lodging itself in the reef.

Molokai resident Robert “Stretch” Wilt had been trying to free “Satan’s Doll” from the shallow reef since it got stranded, on Tuesday afternoon. Using his “Dai Nigo,” a 45-foot sampan, Stretch was finally able to pull the sailboat out to deeper waters in the early hours this past Sunday. The only major damage appeared to be a lost rudder.

The owner of “Satan’s Doll,” who resides on the Big Island, told “Stretch” that a 1985 Harley Davidson Sportster is waiting for him as payment for his salvage efforts.

“Stretch” said the “Lahaina Pilot’s” owner, Jim Stagmuller, had passed away in March 2007. After months dealing with the State, his son lost the right to the boat’s slip in Lahaina Harbor. In September, Stagmuller’s son brought the boat to Molokai, where it was moored near “Satan’s Doll.” On Tuesday night, the little tug-boat was beached during the storm.

Although it may seem tempting to play “Pirates of the Caribbean” on stranded boats, “Stretch” said it is illegal. According to him, the law says that no one has the right to take anything from a stranded boat, regardless of its condition. It is theft, he said.

The amount of damage to anchored boats at the wharf may leave some wondering about safety concerns there. However, Molokai’s harbor agent said it was one of the strongest storms he has seen in years. “It’s hard for a boat that’s anchored to survive that kind of violence,” he said.

The storm also swept away one of the harbor buoys. “We’ll just have to purchase another one,” the harbor agent said. The storm also pulled the swim raft out of position, but the harbor master said he was just waiting for the storm to calm down to put it back in its place.

“It’s pretty hectic,” U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Matheny said. “There are many incidents out there throughout the harbors.”

The harbor agent confirmed officer Matheny’s words. “Statewide, each of the harbors has some degree of damage.”

“It’s rare,” the harbor agent said. “One person said it’s the worst he has seen in 15 years.”

Officer Matheny said the Coast Guard does not do salvage. “The owner is responsible for finding the salvage company.” There is no fine for running aground, according to him. However, state law says that costs and expenses of removal, and any damages to property fall upon the owners’ responsibility.

The heavy rains continued to drench Molokai and the rest of the state until Friday. Molokai’s East End lost electricity, and parts of Oahu, Maui and Big Island also lost power.

The ferry that comes twice a day from Maui, the “Molokai Princess,” arrived on Molokai Wednesday morning and was not able to return until Thursday evening, due to the prevailing hazardous ocean conditions.

Not everyone was upset about the storm, some Molokai residents enjoyed it. Rideable waves made a rare appearance on the leeward side of the wharf, and over a dozen surfers enjoyed the 3-foot-plus waves breaking there.

Genetically Engineered Organisms, Are They Safe? (Part II)

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

The presence of Genetically Engineered (GE) crops on Molokai has been a controversial topic for some time. Earlier this year Monsanto, the leading GE company worldwide, expanded its operations on Molokai to include 1,650 acres, raising concerns amongst those who believe GE farming might irreversibly affect the environment. But there are also those who believe GE crops are beneficial and do not pose environmental or health threats.

The Molokai Dispatch has engaged leading scientists and professionals in health and agricultural fields to weigh in on the GE farming issues which could affect Molokai. To be fair, a set of five questions was sent to opposite sides of the opinion field. Last week we present the first set of two questions and their respective answers. In this issue, the Dispatch published the remaining three sets of questions.

The Lingle Factor

Friday, November 9th, 2007

Currently sitting in her second term as Governor, former Molokai resident, Linda Lingle has been lacking when it comes to consistency in her statements concerning land use issues. However, despite conflicting statements, one statement has been clear: her support of the development of La’au Point.

When she visited the Island in August of last year, Lingle had attested that the, “Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) Community Based Master Land Use Plan is not about La`au, but about the survival of Molokai as an economically viable island.”

Molokai Film Festival

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

By Léo Azambuja

Residents and visitors who came to Kaunakakai Park this past weekend enjoyed the music and movies at the Molokai Film Festival.

One of the most inspirational movies shown was “The Heart of a Soul Surfer.” The film was about Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack on Kauai a couple years ago. The resilient teenager, who was one of the most promising surfing talents in the United States, never lost hope. She continues to surf competitively, and winning contests too.

Perhaps the best movie shown was New Zealand’s “Two Cars, One Night.” The movie received an Oscar nomination for short film in 2003. It tells the story of how two boys and a girl meet in a car park in rural New Zealand, and from an adversity based on rivalry they develop a close friendship.

Before the movies were shown, musicians rocked the park, as people slowly took over the lawn. All artists gave outstanding performances.

Molokai’s own, Lono, opened up the festival, playing at his best. It is the third year Lono plays for the film festival. Crowd entertaining is one of the best virtues of the local musician who composes songs with a history background.

Slack-key guitar master Cindy Combs praised Molokai for fighting against La`au Point development. She comes from Kauai, and said the population there is still fighting against the Superferry.

Other performers included Uncle Boy Kanae and Grammy winners Keoki Kahumoku and John Keawe. Ulalena performed hula for the crowd, which was a mix of locals and a few tourists.

The evening turned out to be a perfect family outing. Even the usually hot Kaunakakai weather gave the crowd a break, cooling off a bit.

Children were savoring colorful shave-ice cones, which could be purchased at the Molokai Middle School food booth. Puppies were running around, begging for hot-dog leftovers.

Chris and Patricia brought their food stand, the Little Grass Shack, and were selling their incredible fish tacos and fried ice cream. Next door to them, pretzels were offered at a fair price to die-hard festival fans.

A booth sold festival T-shirts, among with other specially made shirts. Another booth was selling hand-crafted shell jewelry.

The film festival also promoted cancer awareness.

Festival organizer Ken K. Martinez Burgmaier said food booth fees and partial proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go to Molokai Cancer Association (MCA). If anyone wishes to donate to MCA, please contact MauiFest at (808) 573-5530. Burgmaier said he opted to donate to MCA instead of the American Cancer Society because the donations will stay on the island of Molokai.

Burgmaier was stoked about the outcome of the festival. “Everyone was happy, the parking lot was full,” he said. This is the festival’s fourth year, and Burgmaier said he’ll definitely come back next year to Molokai.

The festival’s main sponsors were Maui FestHawai`I, Maui Land and Pineapple, Expedia.com MauiToday.tv and KITV 4. Those who were able to come, for sure enjoyed a great evening with their families and friends.

Learning to Lose to Become a Winner

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007

Contest promotes better health to diabetes patients

By Léo Azambuja

For the second year in a row, the Molokai General Hospital (MGH), in partnership with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, sponsored a heath contest in which the biggest losers are the winners.  

The MGH A1c Las Vegas Challenge promotes lowering hemoglobin A1c levels among diabetes patients. Contestants accumulate points by lowering A1c levels. Winners take home a round-trip ticket to Las Vegas.

Hemoglobin A1c is a blood test that reflects the average blood glucose level of a person over a two-to-three month period. By lowering their blood glucose levels, diabetes patients can improve their overall health and enjoy a better lifestyle.

Nurse Jeanette Bince, the contest director, said MGH diabetes patients go through diabetes education and listen to motivational speakers. The contest lasts for three months. Divided in groups of three, contestants motivate each other with positive reinforcements. Bince said maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a challenge to diabetes patients.

Although winners are announced in the end of the contest, there were no losers. Bince said all of the nine participants decreased their A1c levels and weight, and had improvements in blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

All participants said the challenge was a positive experience, and that they enjoyed it.

Alexander Bishaw, Sr. and his wife Donna Bishaw, and Alexander Puaa, Jr made up the first-place team. Each won a certificate to a trip to Las Vegas, courtesy of Non-Stop Travel.

“I feel better than before,” Donna Bishaw said. She was excited about going to Las Vegas with her husband. But she said they did not enter the contest because of the main prize, it was to better their health.

“I was in denial,” Bishaw said. She had been diagnosed with diabetes just over a year ago, and it was about time she did something to improve her health. “We needed to this, for our family,” she said.

The second-place team earned certificates to local stores. Margaret Makekau earned the most point on that team, and took home a round trip on the Molokai Princess ferry. The second place on that team, Richard Negrillo, Jr, will play 18 rounds of golf at Kaluakoi for free.

Diabetes is a serious disease affecting many Hawaiians. The disease doesn’t have a cure, but can be controlled by lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet and moderate exercise. Pacific Islanders have twice as much chances than Caucasians of developing the disease.

Last year 15 people enrolled in the contest. This year participation dropped to nine. Be sure to keep informed about next year’s contest. You might get a new lease on life, and on the side, go on a free trip to Las Vegas. Please call Bince at 553-3121 for more information.