July 2, 2014 - Volume 30, Issue 27
The
Molokai Dispatch p Buzzy Sproat T h e i s l a n d ’s n e w s s o u r c e s i n c e 1985
Molokai Joins Opposition to Federal Proposal
A well-loved legend
Photo courtesy of Brandi-Lee Sproat-Tilini
By Bianca Moragne | Staff Writer
A
cross Hawaii, tensions are rising as the federal Department of Interior (DOI) proposes establishing a Native Hawaiian government. Last Saturday, Molokai residents joined in the widespread opposition. The slick floor of Kaunakakai Elementary School cafeteria was strewn with symbolic red ribbons, also pinned to the shirts and blouses of dozens of community members to show their disapproval. Attendees expressed anger and mistrust with the U.S. government on whether and how the process of reestablishing a government-to-government relationship between the U.S. and the Native Hawaiian community should proceed. Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka pushed for federal recognition in Congress for more than a decade, and many Native Hawaiians have urged for such status to protect locally established rights. In response, the Department is hosting 15 public hearings throughout the state. According to the DOI, federal recognition would include Native Hawaiians amid the more than 560 tribes holding this status, and could lead to being recognized similarly to an American Indian tribe. But many Native Hawaiians across the state have offered resounding opposition. Hawaii is a sovereign kingdom, they say, not a tribe. “I know I am a Hawaiian national,” said testified Byron Espaniola of Maunaloa “I stand for independence. I stand for the continuing of our kingdom. I stand against the prolonged occupation by a belligerent, terrible, awful country.” In passionate testimony lasting more than three hours, many of the meeting’s 70 attendees said they opposed this effort by the DOI. Esther Kia`aina, DOI assistant secretary of insular affairs, said the discussion is an opportunity for Native Hawaiians to be heard. “The intent of the Obama Administration was, to the maximum extent possible, give those in the community who have urged the consideration of a government-to-government relationship under domestic law, to have their voices heard,” she said.
‘I’m Not American’ The vast majority Molokai testifiers said a government-to-government relationship would end the quest to restore Hawaii to the status of a sovereign, independent nation, before the U.S. overthrew its government and it became the 50th state. “I’m not American,” Hanohano Naehu, an activist and Hawaiian cul-
DOI Continued pg. 2
By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
U
nderneath the brim of a worn, black Stetson, lived a Molokai legend. Known for his infectious smile and warm laugh, his horsemanship, his love of his family, and his mules, Eldon “Buzzy” Sproat was loved by many. “He touched so many people… he had so much love,” said his daughter Brandi-Lee Sproat-Tilini. The self-described “mule ride trail boss” operated Kalaupapa Rare Adventure for over 40 years and guided thousands of visitors safely down the three-mile cliff-side trail to the isolated settlement. “He was a man among boys,” said community member Waipa Purdy. “It’s not going to be the same without him. He really was the mule
ride.” Along with being the mule ride, he was a paniolo, volunteer community vet and best whistler around, according to Sproat-Tilini. Sproat won statewide acclaim as a cowboy and earned many awards. “He loved rodeo and riding horses. He could ride for hours,” said Sproat-Tilini. “He called himself the mule-riding cowboy.” In a short film about the mule ride created by P.F. Bentley three years ago, Sproat shared his love of his work. “I’ll continue to do this as long as I can. I’ll probably be one of those guys who dies with his boots on,” he said. “It’s been a great life and I wouldn’t trade all this for anything.” Born in Kohala on Hawaii Island, Sproat grew up with horses and hard work. One of his earliest memories is looking between the ears of a mule, said Sproat-Tilini. She said he would tell them stories of when he was 8 years old, and his dad would go hunting in the mountains and kill a pig. He would leave it in the forest and come home and tell young Sproat where it was, “in this valley by this tree.” Sproat would ride for hours until he found it. With the pig too heavy for him to hoist onto his horse or mule by himself, Sproat-Tilini said Sproat would tie one end of a rope to the pig, loop
Sharing Lomi Aloha By Bianca Moragne | Staff Writer
T
he Molokai residents who visited the shaded grounds by Keawanui Fishpond last weekend likely left more relaxed than they arrived. That’s because 15 licensed lomi lomi massage therapists and apprentices performed more than 125 hours of Hawaiian massage treatments free of charge to about 100 community members Friday and Saturday. Under the breezy shade of blooming tress and the soothing sound of buzzing bees, dozens of Molokai community members were treated to 50-minute treatments. The healing massage therapy was made possible by Ho`omana Spa Maui, which facilitated the visit of the therapists. “We’re all here to aloha everyone and part of the lomi lifestyle is about giving back,” said Jeana Iwalani Naluai, spa owner and international instructor of lomi lomi massage. “It’s not just a technique this is a way of life, and it’s always been ohana work.” Lomi lomi is an ancient Hawaiian healing art that has been practiced for hundreds of years by practitioners
it over a tree branch, fasten the other end to the pack animal, and walk the horse away from the tree, lifting the pig into the air and lowering it onto the saddle. Then he’d ride home. “He grew up with hard work and never stopped,” his daughter added. “That’s one of the things he instilled within us.”
Trail Boss a Friend to All Sproat served as a Paratrooper in 11th Airborne Division stationed in Germany, then lived in California before moving to Oahu, where he worked as a truck driver. But mule training was in Sproat’s blood. His grandfather was a muleskinner from Missouri who moved to Hawaii shortly before the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 1973, Sproat’s dad, also known for his work with mules, got a call from a man on Molokai who had bought some mules with the intention of starting a Kalaupapa tour and father and son went to check it out. In Bentley’s film, Sproat tells the story of how the owners offered him a job after he successfully rode a mule down and up the trail. “He was listed as one of the best mule trainers in the world -- ranked at the top,” said Roy Horner, mule ride business partner since 1993. “I feel privileged to be associated with such a guy.” Sproat said he loved meeting people from around the world who
Buzzy Sproat Continued pg. 2
This Week’s
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and kupuna, Naluai said. Therapists assist clients in body alignment with rhythmic movements using their forearms, palms, fingers, elbows, knees, feet and sometime sticks and stones. The massage therapists begin
Fishing as a Family Pg. 4
Lomi Continued pg. 2
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