OCTOBER 19, 2016 - VOLUME 31, ISSUE 41
The
Molokai 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 198 5
New Face for island Animal Care By Natasha McIntosh Westhoff | Community Reporter
RARE ORCA SIGHTING OFF MOLOKAI
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Veterinarian Continued pg. 2
Photos by Tabitha Pupuhi
By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor
M
olokai fisherman Clay Ching and his daughters Katina Soares and Tabitha Pupuhi caught a rare sighting of orcas, also known as killer whales, on camera off the south shore of Molokai last week. The video, posted on social media by Pupuhi, has gone viral, with thousands of views and shares. The three were fishing about 13 miles offshore on Oct. 10 when they spotted four orcas, which came right up to their boat. Pupuhi said there were three larger whales and one smaller one. "We really couldn't believe our eyes!" said Pupuhi. "It was such a treat to see them not just in Hawaii but also in the wild. They're so beautiful!" The distinctive black and white whales are extremely rare to see in Hawaii. Research biologist Robin Baird reported only 21 sighting records in Hawaiian waters between 1994 and 2004. According to researchers, there are no resident populations of orcas in the Hawaiian Islands, and those that are seen are thought to be passing through the area. Very little is known about their population and life cycles, how-
ever, and video and photos of the animals in Hawaii are sought after by researchers trying to learn more about the species. "Since the video I made went viral on the Internet and was on a few of the local news stations, I learned via social media that the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology has been photo cataloging orcas in Hawaii for about 15 years now," said Pupuhi. "I've been in contact with the lead biologist, who asked for the video to add these whales to their catalog. After review of the video, at least one of the whales we saw was a match to one already in their catalog. This is the first confirmed re-sighting of an orca in Hawaiian waters!" In 2013, researchers tagged three orcas off Hawaii Island with satellite tracking devices, making history as the first orca tagging in Hawaii. “Most studies of killer whales worldwide have either been in the Pacific northwest in Alaska or down in
Fueling Fire Prevention
By Rick Schonely | Sports Reporter
T
he Maui Fire Department held its Fire Prevention Week Demonstration last Saturday at Kaunakakai Ball Park. This year’s theme was “Don’t Wait Check the Date,” reminding everyone to replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
the Antarctic,” Baird told the Huffington Post at the time. “There has been relatively little work that’s been done in the tropics.” The video footage provided by Pupuhi may help learn more about this largely undocumented species. Orcas, in the dolphin family, are known to be extremely intelligent. They feed on fish, seals, seabirds, sharks and even larger whales. There have not been any documented attacks on humans by orcas in the wild. "The ocean is such a magical place, you really never know what you re going to find when you re out there," said Pupuhi. "We re all so thankful for such an amazing, once in a lifetime experience."
THIS WEEK’S
Dispatch Photo by Rick Schonely
fter more than a year without a full time veterinarian on Molokai, pet owners can now breathe a sigh of relief: the Molokai Humane Society has a new resident vet at their clinic on Maunaloa Highway. Dr. Eric Jayne, who for the past 10 years has been known as “The Alaska Bush Vet,” has relocated to Molokai to provide his services to animals here. Jayne first came out to the island a year ago, and said he knew right away that he wanted the job, because he was quite ready for a change after so many years living in the Brooks Range of Alaska. “A friend of mine just texted and said they got a foot of snow up there,” he said. “September to the first week of June, it’s just white with snow. Which is fine. But after about 10 years of that? I just don’t even like the color white anymore,” he laughed. Jayne has been a veterinarian for 25 years, having completed more than 100,000 surgeries. He attended veterinary school at Iowa State University, and went on to work in Iowa, Arkansas and Washington. Then, after a memorable trip floating down the Yukon river with his four children, he felt inspired to move to Alaska to work with the rural native communities there who have very little access to consistent veterinary care. “Just going down the Yukon River through those remote villages, the rural people were so nice to us,” he said. “So I just wanted to repay that.” During his years working in Alaska, Jayne became known colloquially as “The Alaska Bush Vet.” He also began operating his own dogsledding business near Denali National Park, and often found himself using dogsled transportation to reach some of his patients in the remote villages. He would hold spay and neuter clinics in the villages, being sure to involve the children of the community whenever possible, in order to teach them basic animal care. The work was often emotionally and physically challenging, but Jayne said he found it rewarding and rarely boring. One patient in particular sticks in his mind. “I was in Nome, and there was this pet caribou," he recalled. "He would ride in the back of a pickup truck around town. He thought he was like a dog or something." Jayne said the caribou had a tumor on his chin. "We had to turn his rack sideways to get him in the doorway, it was so big," he chuckled. "So that was the probably the craziest thing. Just walking him into the little clinic was funny. The whole town was worried about him.” The treatment was successful, and the caribou recovered.
Molokai firefighters educated the public on fire safety and put on a show for the community with rescue demonstrations and a live fire burn. Captain Hanale Lindo was the MC of the event, while Smokey Bear and Sparky Dog also made appearances, and free fire safety giveaways were available for the keiki.
Chris Sugidono/ The Maui News
Sports Wrap Up Fall Seasons
Share in Student NYC Trip
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Why we fly with Makani Kai “It’s convenient, hassle free and everyone’s pleasant,” says Louise of her favorite airline. “And the pilots are awesome.” Louise, who is an education assistant, adds that Makani Kai Air is “affordable,” an important consideration for just about everyone these days. Daughters Sonia and Priscilla agree. And Priscilla, bless her heart, is raising her daughter Debani right by steering her to Hawaii’s homegrown air carrier. Makani Kai Air: Proud to serve the families of Molokai. From topside Molokai to Honolulu or Kahului
$50 online fare, every seat, every flight, every day. MakaniKaiAir.com | (808) 834-1111
The
Molokai Dispatch
P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Priscilla, Louise and Sonia Maliu And young Debani Burrows Molokai Born & Raised