MAY 6, 2015 - VOLUME 31, ISSUE 18
The
Molokai olokai Dispatch 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
Opening May Day Season
Tips for Cutting Electric Costs
By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
F Photos by Colleen Uechi and Catherine Cluett
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ualapu`u School and Molokai High ushered in Lei Day on May 1 with school celebrations. For the first time this year, Kualapu`u School held its event in the evening, jointly celebrating its 10th year as a charter school. Hundreds of families and community members flocked to enjoy food and craft booths, music and student May Day performances. Pictured top right, Kualapu`u’s Queen Sumiko Ka`akanui Sasada showed her grace, while students in the Kulakaiapuni Hawaiian immersion program, bottom middle, also gave special performances. Kindergarteners and first graders, pictured bottom right, sang a song about hihiwai in Wailau Valley. Molokai High’s program included dances from the royal court and the freshmen and sophomore classes. At left, Lanai Prince Kahanuola Alcon performed with the king and princes. Top left, Molokai High’s kahili bearers and conch shell blowers ushered out the royal court. Other schools are holding their May Day observations later this month, with Kaunakakai School on May 15 and Kilohana, Maunaloa and Molokai Middle schools on May 22.
or electric ratepayers looking to cut down on utility costs, options abound. Outdated air conditioning models can be upgraded for rebates. Extra refrigerators and old freezers can be sent in and recycled for cash. For Molokai residents, however, these and other options don’t always apply, explained Hawaii Energy’s Helen Wai at a workshop on Molokai last week. “On Molokai you need two fridges and a freezer,” said Wai, Community Outreach Specialist for Hawaii Energy. “You hunt, you fish, the barge comes once a week, you go to Costco once a month. … It can be an insult for someone to say, get rid of your freezer. It’s not a luxury." Wai invited the Molokai community to a workshop to show residents ways to save without getting rid of necessary appliances. Hawaii Energy is a program dedicated energy conservation and efficiency. It informs hardto-reach communities and offers residential rebates, all focused on helping reach Hawaii’s goal of decreasing total energy usage by 30 percent by 2030. When it comes to fridges and freezers, said Wai, vacuum under and behind them regularly to clear dust and allow the motors to run more easily. It's also wise to think about what you plan to eat before you open the fridge, said Wai, as it can cost anywhere from $1 to $16 each time you take a peek inside. "The longer you keep the door open, the more it has to work to set itself back to the right temperature," she explained. She added that warm, humid air
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Inaugural Season Success for Judo By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
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or a sport whose name means “the gentle way,” the energetic shouts accompanied by the sounds of bodies slamming on the mat may seem anything but. However, when executed correctly, the sport of judo is a fiercely fluid set of moves that are far less painful than they appear. “The object of judo is to throw the person on their back perfectly,” said Molokai Coach Eli “Lihau” Maioho. “When that’s done, it doesn’t hurt at all.” Molokai athletes are being schooled in the art of throwing hard and falling soft in the high school’s firstever judo season. In only a few meets, athletes have gone from newcomers to
Judo Continued pg. 2
Grassroots Benefit Concert By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
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ast Saturday’s third annual Grassroots Benefit Concert at Duke Maliu Park celebrated homegrown, all-natural products –and the creatures that make it possible. The event’s message was "Mahalo i Na Halihali `Ehu Pua," which means Thank You to the Pollinators, and highlighted the need to protect pollen-carrying creatures like butterflies and bees. "Pollinators are vital to growing food, and we want to just bring that issue to light," said Mercy Ritte, one of the event organizers. U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Pathologist Matthew Goo said that butterflies face the predatory challenges of spiders, crickets, lizards and in particular, the bulbul bird. Goo offered people a way to help through the Pulelehua Project, which seeks to record sightings of the disappearing Kamehameha butterfly, a native species that has yet to be officially documented on Molokai. Sixteen food, craft, health and farming vendors partnered to bring
THIS WEEK’S
Dispatch
Ground Breaking for Kalaupapa Memorial Pg. 2
Photos by Colleen Uechi
homemade, mainly organic products and services. Co-event organizer Jamie Ronzello of Barking Deer Farms, for example, provided COTIGA food truck owner Gene Pike with spiced coffee
2 Sports States-Bound
Grassroots Continued pg. 2
Why I fly with Makani Kai “You don’t have enough room here to print all the things I like about Makani Kai,” says Lani, “You’re going to need a bigger ad.” Aw, come on, Lani, give it a try. “It’s not just the convenience, it’s the service here. It’s sincere, your people are friendly, not just giving lip service. It’s really like the Molokai Shuttle, with that ohana feel.” Lani also appreciates the free parking, “I leave my truck here and there’s no charge.” From topside Molokai to Honolulu or return
$50 online fare, every seat, every flight, every day. MakaniKaiAir.com | (808) 834-1111 The
Molokai Dispatch
P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Lani Pidot Molokai Born & Raised
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