DECEMBER 21, 2016 - VOLUME 31, ISSUE 51
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
A BOATLOAD OF CHEER By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor
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arlier this month, a boat docked at the Kaunakakai wharf loaded with 800 toys and clothes for Molokai keiki. The holiday blessing was brought to Molokai in a partnership between the Coast Guard Station Maui and the Salvation Army. The 45-foot Coast Guard vessel docked at the harbor on Dec. 10, where staff helped to unload hundreds of Christmas gifts. In previous years, the Molokai ferry has assisted the Salvation Army Kahului office in the mission, but after the ferry closed operations earlier this year due to financial hardship, the Coast Guard stepped in to help. Lt. Romelia Howard of the Salvation Army's Kahului office said her division helps more than 600 families in Maui County during the holidays. Coast Guard staff was eager to assist. “The crew really jumped at the opportunity to help out and make this happen,” said Petty Officer 1st Class John Murphy, executive petty officer at the Coast Guard Station Maui, in a press release. “Many of them haven’t been a part of something like this before. We’re pleased to partner with the Salvation Army on this and bring these gifts to Molokai.” The gifts were distributed to Molokai keiki through the Salvation Army Molokai office.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard.
Farmers Rake in Wins By Rick Schonely | Sports Reporter
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he Molokai High Canoe Paddling team had a strong weekend on Maui. The girls' team finished first in their first heat and second in the finals behind Seabury. The mixed crew finished third in their first heat and fourth in finals. Molokai Wrestling head coach Randy Manley took seven wrestlers to Oahu last weekend for the prestigious Officials Tournament on Oahu. Jayse Lalim-Rillon, Jake Samaniego, Caele Manley, Hauoli Capari-
da, Tekoa Torres-Umi, Jarron Boswell and Makananui Kaahanui competed against the top wrestlers in the state. Lallim-Rillion took second at 106 pounds, Caele Manley took fifth at 138 pounds and Kaahanui took third at 220 pounds. "Next to the state tournament, this is the toughest competition that our kids will face all season and they performed well," said Randy Manley. "We are looking forward to good things this season."
Paddling team photo by Lily Jenkins
Local Fighter Shares Pro Talent
By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor
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rofessional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Molokai, Jireh Torres-Umi, helped bring an opportunity for fellow residents to "experience world class talent" at a seminar on Molokai earlier this month. James "The Texecutioner" Vick, an acclaimed pro fighter from Texas, visited the island and shared his wealth of knowledge in the sport. Twenty-six-year-old Torres-Umi has been living, training and fighting
Photo courtesy of Jireh Torres-Umi
in Texas the last two years and met Vick by chance. His dad, Bill Umi, told the story behind their acquaintance. "My wife went to Texas to visit my sons and was at an L&L Drive Inn," said Umi. "This local lady was talking to my wife and said, 'Oh, that girl's from Hawaii,' and it was James' girlfriend. [She and Torres-Umi] started talking and before you know it, they [found out they] lived across from each other."
Torres-Umi said a friendship with Vick developed. "I started training with him, getting ready for a couple fights," he said. "We just clicked, he wanted to come over here and visit, and he said, 'Want to throw a seminar?'" Attended by about a dozen Molokai fighters and hopefuls, Torres-Umi said they went over technique, submissions, defense and striking. He described the attendees as "thankful and happy." As for Vick, Umi said he "fell in love with Molokai, he wants to come back." Since an exhibition fight event held on Molokai in 2011, Umi said there hadn't been anything like that held on the island. "This might open doors for professionals to come to Molokai," he suggested. His son is no stranger to training with big names. Recently living in Arizona, Torres-Umi said he had been training with Henry Cejudo, an
THIS WEEK’S
Dispatch
Molokai Robotics Takes More Victories Pg. 2
Be Fireworks Safe
MMA Continued pg. 3
Why I fly with Makani Kai Juanna hails from a family of 16 and says she was one in Hawaii’s first batch of triplets. “My parents had nine children, then after my mom died my dad had seven more by his second wife.” A mother of seven herself, Juanna says she flies with Makani Kai Air because of the generosity of (owner) Richard Schuman’s dad, Dutch. “He gave my dad, a minister, a 1948 Plymouth just to help out the church.” She says the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree, “Richard has great love for the people of Molokai…you can see it in what he does. Awesome. I love it.””
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
Juanna Naki Piialii Molokai Born & Raised
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