Molokai Dispatch -- November 27, 2013

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November 27, 2013 - Volume 29, Issue 45

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Molokai Dispatch 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

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In honor of Thanksgiving, the Dispatch asked Molokai residents to share via Facebook who they are thankful for in the community and why. Ross Lynn Tammy

Stones with Stories Archeologist tells Molokai’s history through rocks By Catherine Cluett | Editor-InChief

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n the windy, rocky coastline of northwestern Molokai, Dr. Marshall Weisler picked up a stone. But it wasn’t just any rock; this stone, like many in the Molokai Land Trust’s Mokio Preserve, has a story. Weisler is an archeologist and professor at Australia’s University of Queensland. He’s no stranger to Molokai -- he’s been coming here at least once a year for the past 35 years to study the island’s many historic sites and piece together a picture of how ancient Hawaiians lived. To the untrained eye, the rock Weisler held in his hand looks like any other scattered in this arid landscape. But, as he told a group of 30 residents gathered around him for the first public sharing of his work at Mokio last week, this stone was part of a fishing shrine. “Three quarters of all the fishing shrines on the island are [in this area],” said Weisler. “That means… it was a very important area for fishing.” Among the rocks are a variety of shells whose contents were once left as offerings, or ho`okupu. By testing pieces of coral also found there, Weisler used radiocarbon dating to determine that this shrine was used in the 1620s -- and most of the sites in this area can be dated between 1500 and 1800 A.D. All living

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things are made of carbon, and the process of radiocarbon dating looks at ratios of carbon isotopes, which change over time, said Weisler. Advances in technology have allowed researchers to obtain highly precise dates -- some within about six years -- of remains that contain carbon. The shrine is positioned a few feet from the remains of a vaguely visible stone wall -- the side of what used to be a dwelling. “Sacred to the east and secular to the west” was the general rule of thumb for ancient Hawaiians to arrange their home and shrine areas, according to Weisler. These remains along the coastline of Kaluakoi represent what would have been temporary habitation for several days at a time, he said. Along the stone wall is another loosely-arranged grouping of rocks -- an oven. By testing charcoal bits left in these pits, Weisler has been able to identify the native tree species that used to grow in the area, as well as from pollen particles left in the soil. With the deductive reasoning of a crime investigator, the thoroughness of a historian and the environmental familiarity of a biologist, Weisler told the story behind each rock, shell and land formation. “There’s no one to ask that was around back then – so this is our best guess. That’s what archeology is,” he said. “We’re trying to find out what peo-

Labor of Love

Pg. 3

Rocks with Purpose One of the activities Weisler focuses on studying is the making of adze, or ancient stone tools used for wood carv-

Mokio Continued on pg. 2

By Jessica Ahles | Staff Writer he Kalaupapa airport will soon be receiving a long awaited fire truck garage and services. However, with design discrepancies on where to place the garage and a strict timeline, the project might be delayed further, postponing safety services Kalaupapa residents seek. A team of designers and engineers as well as representatives from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presented a design scheme to Kalaupapa residents Nov. 12, seeking public input and approval to move forward with the project. In 2010, the Kalaupapa airport was scheduled to receive a fire truck and a team of Maui County firefighters who would rotate in 42-hour work shifts, according to Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller. While the $300,000 fire truck currently sits and is operated daily for maintenance at the topside Ho`olehua airport, it still waits for a suitable garage to protect it from Kalaupapa’s weather conditions.

Manolin Santiago I am very thankful for our wonderful island keiki and the parents/ guardians that love them unconditionally. The kids teach me how to be a better teacher every day, and I am grateful for the love given to them by their elders and community, that love gives great hope for a bright tomorrow.

Local Store Mahalo nui loa from the Local Store at Hotel Molokai for the amazing community support not only from the beginning, but especially throughout the last year and a half. Your continued patronage and cheerful alohas bring huge smiles to our faces with every visit you make.

Jennifer Valdez-Herrera I am thankful for all the memories I have growing up in Maunaloa, and for all the nanas and tatas that helped raise us and love us…. I am thankful for my beautiful parents for giving me the gift of life and unconditional love… and I am thankful for all the wonderful children that I grew up with.

Dr. Marshall Weisler.

Photos by Catherine Cluett

Airport Construction on Hold in Kalaupapa

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County Seeks Input for Home Business Bill Pg. 2

ple were doing and how and when they were doing it.”

I am thankful for all the ohana, kupuna, makua and contributing members of the community that help guide and teach our keiki and opio the importance of giving, helping and taking care our kuleana to be better stewards of ourselves, to each other as well as our aina.

Initial design plans for the garage were presented to the community six months ago, which depicted the construction to be on the west side of the airport, separate from the terminal. However, because the FAA is funding the project, the agency rejected those plans due to location restrictions. “We need the fire truck to be next to the terminal in order for FAA to provide funding for this project,” said Louis Fung, president of design firm, Fung Associates, during the community meeting. “There are several good points with this [new proposed] location so we want to ask the community to give us comments and support.” The revised plans show the garage adjacent to the east side of the terminal with an open-air lanai extending from the east side of the garage. Plans also include renovating the terminal’s check-in counter, seating area, and bathrooms, as well as the airport’s wheelchair lift shed. Project designers were hoping to get the settlement’s approval at the meeting in

Airport Continued on pg. 2

See page 3 for more thanksgiving holiday content

County, Monsanto Sign Agreement By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief

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aui County and Monsanto signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week that requires Monsanto to disclose information about pesticide use on a voluntary basis. Monsanto operates on both Maui and Molokai. “Responsible use of pesticides is a concern for us all, especially for those of us who grew up on these islands when sugar cane and pineapples were our main exports,” said Mayor Arakawa. “There must be safeguards and a sharing of information, and I believe the AG Oversight Agreement [MOU] is a proactive step we needed to take….” The MOU comes shortly after bills were passed on both Kauai and Hawaii Island involving restrictions on the use

MOU Continued on pg. 2

Thanks, eh? There’s a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Family, friends, good health. We here at Makani Kai Air are especially thankful for the good residents of Molokai and for your continuing support of our airline. Thank you for getting our air service off to a great start. We’re all taking the day off to spend time with our families and hope that you have the time to do the same. May your holiday be a good one. Sincerely, Richard Schuman

(808) 834-1111 | MakaniKaiAir.com Molokai to Honolulu $50 one way, every flight, every day. Must book online. | Makani Kai Air | 130 Iolana Place | Honolulu, HI 96819

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