JUNE 10, 2015 - VOLUME 31, ISSUE 23
The
Molokai Dispatch ING
AT T H E I S L A N D ’S N E W S S O EUBRRC E S I N C E 198 5 CEL
KA HULA PIkO 2015 By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
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ach year, hundreds gather on Molokai to honor the grace, beauty, lifestyle and traditions of hula in a place where the culture is still alive and thriving. The 24th annual Ka Hula Piko last week brought together kumu, halau and spectators of all ages from near and far at the legendary birthplace of hula, with several days dedicated to education, preservation and celebration. On Tuesday, the Hula Preservation Society presented a talk story with mo`olelo shared by kupuna hula and rare historical photos honoring the legacy of hula in our
community. Thursday brought a morning cultural excursion to see first-hand where the ancient traditions began. Later, the day closed with a look at this year’s theme, reflecting on Laka, the root of hula, and her twin brother `Olohe, who bore the art of lua. On Friday evening, renowned kumu hula offered their insight, answered questions and shared hula. Saturday brought a culmination of the festival, with a ho`olaulea on Saturday at Lanikeha Community Center. Halau from both Molokai and off-island were joined by musical performances, food vendors and local crafters for a memorable day of cultural celebration. Keiki from Hula Halau O Kilohana began the morning’s show (top right). Halau Hula O Kaleipuaimilia of Waianae (bottom right) shared hula kahiko. Moana’s Hula Halau (left and middle right) danced through rain showers in the afternoon. Other halau joined them throughout the day in honoring the tradition of Ka Hula Piko begun by the late kumu hula John Kaimikaua.
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By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
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By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
Economic Development
olokai’s future is being weighed as a local committee reviews the island’s Community Plan update, a blueprint for the next 20 years. The plan spans 2015-2035 and establishes the goals and policies that residents envision for the island’s development. The 13-person Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) is in the process of reviewing the chapters and is seeking input from fellow residents on issues like community design, water usage, natural resource management and infrastructure development. Last week, the problems facing Molokai’s economy and issues of land use, were on the hot seat, with hours of education and discussion for committee members. For CPAC member Lori Buchanan, the planning process offers an important opportunity for community problem-solving. “We’re planning answers to issues before they become issues,” she said.
One of the topics, according to the plan, is that Molokai’s market isn’t big enough to support the island’s needs. One way of boosting the economy, committee members said, is through short-term vacation rentals. On an island without major hotels, rental homes on the island are a viable option for visitors. However, committee members said the concern lies with preserving neighborhood identities while encouraging growth. “I would advocate that we put in some sort of limitations because we want to retain the flavor of our neighborhoods,” said CPAC Chair Steve Chaikin. “If you get one [short-term rental] and then another and another, all of a sudden it’s no longer a rural neighborhood. It’s a commercial enterprise.” However, committee member Glenn Teves said he felt the land’s main production should come from
fter filming on the Friendly Isle in February, Anthony Bourdain’s award-winning CNN travel show “Parts Unknown” is set to air an episode this Sunday, June 14, featuring Molokai, Maui and Oahu. In his program, the globetrotting chef and author uncovers “the littleknown, off-the-road, and seeminglyfamiliar areas of the world,” according to a CNN blog post. “We using this opportunity for promote how we aloha aina,” said Keawanui Fishpond operator Hanohano Naehu, who spoke with Bourdain during his visit. “… Every generation fought to keep this place like this, so we inherited not only a place that was unchanged, but we inherited that responsibility for keep fighting for this.” Residents said Bourdain wanted to portray an authentic story of Molokai. Before the film crew headed out on Feb. 4, Kanoe Davis did an oli seeking protection while out on the ocean, which she said is appropriate protocol “regardless of filming or not.” Molokai fisherman Walter Naki then took Bourdain diving and taught him how to catch and kill octopus with one swift bite. Naki said Bourdain was successful but got a face-full of tentacles for his efforts. “[Bourdain] was game. He did it,” said Naki, adding with a laugh that “the octopus got him back, too. The legs wrapped around his face.” At a luau later at Keawanui Fishpond, residents showed Bourdain how they use the island’s resources. On a menu that included teriyaki venison, fish, limu, crab, lobster, he`e and pork, Naehu said “nothing was bought.” Over food and beer, Bourdain expressed his admiration for the island’s back-to-the-basics lifestyle. “He was totally amazed that we were able to keep our culture alive with all of the outside influences,” said local activist Walter Ritte. “His statement to me was, ‘I’ve traveled all over the world, and I’ve never seen a place like Molokai be able to keep their traditional values and culture in the busy world that we have today.’” Ritte and Naehu said they shared their thoughts on some of the island’s pressing environmental concerns, including the debate over genetically engineered crops and a December incident in which four Molokai fishermen were charged after confronting an Oahu diver harvesting in Molokai waters. However, Naehu said they’ve been called hypocrites by community members who fear that bringing attention to Molokai will open it up to people looking to capitalize on the island’s resources. Ritte said they made it clear to Bourdain that they didn’t want “busloads of tourists” and just wanted to share a message of protecting Molokai resources.
CPAC Meeting Continued pg. 2
Travel Show Continued pg. 2
Photos by Colleen Uechi, Catherine Cluett and Rick Schonely
Community Plan Raises Dispatch Issues on Land, Economy THIS WEEK’S
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Little League Plays in All-Star Tournament Pg. 4
New Zealand Study Tour for Educators
Pg. 3
Molokai to Feature on Travel Show
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