November 6 , 2013 - Volume 29, Issue 43
The
Molokai Dispatch
When Plants Sweat
Since 1985
Costume Contest Brings Big Crowd
Understanding irrigation
W
e all do it. In mammals, the loss of fluid from the pores of the skin is called perspiration. In plants, it’s known as transpiration. Even the land circulates and loses moisture -- a process called evaporation. Most people don’t think twice about how much plants sweat -- but for farmers, especially those on Molokai where water is scarce -- understanding plant transpiration can make all the difference.
Chieko Mikami “I live my life the Christian way and I love my life.”
The Aki family dressed with a postal service inspired theme, while Thing one and Thing two made an appearance, joined by Mad Hatter, Sherry Tancayo, and her daughter vampire, Meleana Tancayo at the Lions Club Halloween Costume Contest. Photos by Jessica Ahles By Jessica Ahles | Staff Writer
Z
ombies, clowns, giant sweets and superheroes of all ages put on a show and strutted their stuff Thursday at this year’s Lions Club Halloween Costume Contest.
Over 140 costumed contestants presented their scariest, cutest and most original Halloween-wear to Lions Club members on the Kaunakakai Public Library’s front lawn with cash prizes of $10 for first place, $5 for second and an ICEE coupon for third. “This year, more kids are making their own costumes and it’s fun seeing
how creative they can get,” said Lion Linda Mina. This year’s results are still a little fuzzy as Lion member judges viewed a monster mash of costumes, however the recorded winners are as follows: For the baby to preschool category, Liliu McGuire won cutest costume as a lamb; Kileona Kanawaliwali won scariest as a witch; and Lehue Rawlins-Elalins won most original as an aloha float. For Kindergarten to third grade, Kailann McGuire-Grerrer won cutest; Kailani Bicoy was named scariest; and
T
wo Molokai shooters represented the Farmers at the state championships for air riflery two weeks ago. Senior Pono Chow on the boys side and sophomore Pomai Gomes from the girls team gave it their best shot after the Farmers came in third in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championship Oct. 19.
“They’re already champions,” said Molokai girls coach Eddie Gorospe. [They’re two of the] 42 best shooters in Hawaii -- just going [to states] is an accomplishment.” Chow came in 24th place out of 42 male shooters in the state competition with 495 points out of a possible 600. Gomes finished in 27th place with 490 points out of the 42 girls competing. First-year shooter Gomes improved from the 478 points she earned at MILs. “She did really well, she should be proud of herself,” said Gorospe. “Pomai has so much talent in her.” The Farmers air riflery team has had
shooters competing at the state level for the past three years. “Molokai has a lot of hunting, so we gotta show what we got,” said boys coach Henry Corpuz. Besides safety, the most important things in the sport, Corpuz said, are focus and relaxation. “You need to go in and be positive,” he said, saying he tells students they need to leave any stress from family or school when they walk in the door to practice. “They need to come in happy. What they learn in here, it’s good practice for outside [the sport] too.” As they practiced for the state competition, both Chow and Gomes moved slowly and smoothly with quiet precision as they took aim, perfecting their shots in prone, kneeling and standing positions. Targets 30 feet away are graded in a point system, with the bulls eye being 10 points, and shots decreasing in value away from the center. Shooters must hit 20 targets from each position within time limits. “[As I’m competing] I think about
Dispatch Farmers air riflery shooters and coaches at the state championship. Photo courtesy Eddie Gorospe. getting a medal… and [as I pull the trigger] I just think about the target,” said Chow. Chow said he shoots with both eyes open so his face doesn’t squint and tense up. A strap around the upper arm of the shooter attaches to the gun to help stabilize it. Chow said the strap also serves to mute the pulse of the shooter. If the pulse from your upper arm transfers into the gun, the rifle will bounce as you take aim. “If I could stop by heartbeat while I’m shooting, I would,” said Chow.
Molokai, you’re our one and only. Molokai may be the only place we fly from Honolulu, but we do it well. With six round trips daily to topside Molokai as well as daily service to Kalaupapa, we offer more flights at more times than anyone else. You might call us the Molokai Specialists. After all, if you’re going to do just one thing, make sure you do it well. Eight round trips to Honolulu daily. Makani Kai Air | 130 Iolana Place | Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
(877) 255-8532 | MakaniKaiAir.com The
P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Lillian Faker “Always be happy. Greet everyday with a smile.”
This Week’s
Air Riflery Continued pg. 5
Molokai Dispatch
Mary Burgett “Don’t worry about anything. You only live once so smile and laugh often, and make the best of it.”
Costume Contest Continued pg. 5
Farmers Take Aim at States By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
A Home Pumehana birthday bash for those celebrating more than 90 years of life was held last Saturday, honoring 10 young-at-heart nearcentenarians. The Dispatch asked the kupuna for life advice they can give to younger generations. Mattie Lester “Live a good, clean, healthy life. Exercise and walk often.”
By Catherine Cluett | Editor-InChief
Molokai has the highest recorded rate of evaporation in the state at 118 inches per year, according to Alton Arakaki, a University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Humans Resources (CTAHR) Molokai extension agent. Evaporation is caused by a variety of environmental stimulants, such as humidity, wind and sun. It is also closely tied to plant transpiration rates. Evapotranspiration is a combination of the environment’s evaporation rate and the amount of water lost by plants through transpiration from their leaves. In agriculture, it’s important to understand the balance between the evapotranspiration rate and the amount of water needed for irrigation. That balance, according to Arakaki, is best managed through a strategy of applying the same Irrigation Continued pg. 3
Mana`o
Your
M o lo k a i n e w s , M o lo k a i S t y l e - w w w. t h e m o lo k a i d i s patc h . co m
Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Sexual Abuse Pg. 10
Girls Volleyball: Strong Athletes, Strong Students Pg. 2