Molokai Dispatch P.O

FEBRUARY 26, 2014 - VOLUME 30, ISSUE 14 The MolokaiTHE ISLAND’S NEWS SOURCE - WWW.THEMOLOKAIDISPA DispatchTCH.COM SINCE 1985 Island Air to End Molokai Hula Under the Service Banyan Tree By Jessica Ahles | Staff Writer By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief “Aunty Moana started this halau hrough a swish of hips, gestures with just a few family members,” said sland Air will discontinue service of graceful hands, shake of the Zhantell Dudoit, emcee of the event. to Molokai after April 1. In a five- Tùli ùli and toss of flaming torch- “It eventually incorporated everyone Isentence announcement last week, es, attendees of Moana’s Hula Halau’s from age 2 to 90 who wanted to dance the airline said all Molokai-based em- annual dinner show were treated to free of charge, taking us all over the ployees will be offered the opportu- a journey of the elements and senses world to share our special land of nity to transfer elsewhere within the through hula and Polynesian arts. Af- Molokai aloha to the people of all cor- company. Customers with confirmed ter the evening of first-class live music ners of the earth.” reservations to or from the island after and entertainment, the full house of The night’s proceeds will go to- April 1 can either transfer their ticket guests offered a standing ovation Satur- wards traveling to Kona for the Mer- to another airline or receive a refund. day at the Molokai Community Health rie Monarch Festival in 2015 where the Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines’ Center. Featuring Tahitian, traditional wahine groups will compete among neighbor island service Òhana by Ha- and modern dances, as well as special the top hula halau across the globe. waiian has announced its plans to begin guests from Maui with fire and haka Zhantell said the halau hopes to raise flying to Molokai starting March 11. performances under the canopy of the approximately $40,000 by next year to “Now that we are certain the island banyan tree, the show was both impres- represent Molokai at the festival. of Molokai will have adequate air service sive and emotional for many. “We are so thankful for your con- to match its needs, we have decided to The event commemorated the life tributions to carry on that legacy and redeploy our aircraft to another route that of Moana Dudoit, who died last March the Hawaiian culture,” said Zhantell. needs more capacity,” Island Air CEO after running the halau for over 40 Paul Casey told the Dispatch via email. years. Several solo dances throughout “The only thing constant in this business the evening were tenderly dedicated is change. And we wanted to make sure to her memory. that the residents of Molokai had adequate service before making any changes Photos by Jessica Ahles to our routes.” He said the company currently has eight full-time and seven part-time em- ployees based on Molokai, the longest of whom has worked for the company more than 25 years. Reactions to Island Air’s announcement have been mixed. Some Molokai residents call it good riddance. The airline has been operating only two flights daily to Molokai since November, while redirecting five flights daily to Lanai. The carrier has also be- come infamous for delayed flights, which caused some customers to avoid the airline altogether. Island Air Continued pg. 2 Collecting Molokai’s Metals This Week’s By Jessica Ahles | Staff Writer Dispatch s your car deteriorates on Molo- kai’s rugged roads, and outdated Aappliances are replaced with newer models, you may find an assembly of rusted-out materials decorating your yard. But if you find yourself going mad over your metal collection, there is now a group you can call to gather your junk cars, appliances and mixed metals. Refrigerant Recycling Inc. (RRI) is here to serve Molokai for the next three Reunion Over Salad years. The Oahu-based recycling and Dressing Pg. 3 refurbishing company is working hand- in-hand with Maui County, dedicated to help make metal disposal less of a head- ache for the community. “We’re holding a community work- day to go around helping rural parts of the island and to assist people who need A Maui volunteer assists in the collection of unwanted metals during a recycling even last Saturday in help with recycling their items,” said Wailua. Photo by Jessica Ahles Molokai-born RRI project manager Mike The round-ups are a county-funded proj- provide convenient access to locals and Diorec. ect traveling across the island to pick up respond to house calls requesting assis- With the help of Molokai-Naiwa metal materials in rural areas at no cost tance with material pick-up. Landfill personnel and Maui-based non- to the public. “From here, some people don’t have Sixth Graders Offer profit Community Work Day Program Last Thursday through Saturday, the means to travel the distance to the Meaningful Messages Pg. 3 volunteers, RRI kick-started a series of RRI set up drop-off locations in Halawa “Metal Round-Up” events last weekend. Valley, Maurice Point and Waialua to Metals Continued pg. 2 Why we fl y with Makani Kai “I’m the kind of person who likes to show up ten minutes before the plane leaves,” says Tarah Horner. “You can’t do that with the other guys.” But you sure can with Makani Kai Air. That’s one of the reasons why Tarah and her husband Noa are regulars with Makani Kai. “It’s convenient and the price is right.” And we like Tarah because she brings us cookies. (808) 834-1111 | MakaniKaiAir.com $50 fare, every fl ight, every day | Makani Kai Air | 130 Iolana Place | Honolulu, HI 96819 Noa and Tarah Horner The Molokai Dispatch P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748 COMMUNITY NEWS The Molokai DispaTch • Feb 26, 2014 • 2 ing through,” said Diorec. “That was one METALS of the first things I told the county--we Winning Values from the Continued From pg. 1 can’t do it on just the collection events.” All of that changed as of last year, when the county Department of Envi- Wrestling Mat ronmental Services Solid Waste Division landfill, especially with the current gas and RRI agreed on a three-year contract By Jessica Ahles | Staff Writer competition they go against,” said assistant prices,” said Alan Domingo, RRI work- to provide an on-going metals recycling coach Bill Umi. “Other teams compete year ing foreman. “So when we have these program for the Molokai community. hough the Molokai Middle School round…so going into it, they’re hungry to events every three or four months, I In August 2013, the Molokai Metals wrestling program has only com- compete and to win.” think it could be a big help to them.” Recycling Facility opened full-time un- Tpeted for two years, young ath- Umi said this season’s success largely Over three days, Domingo and fel- der the supervision of several Refriger- letes walked away with some big titles had to do with Venenciano’s wrestling ex- low workers collected old appliances, ant Recycling crewmembers. Following by the end of this season’s program. pertise and skill. As a MHS alumni, Venen- tires, car batteries, propane tanks and the regular hours of the landfill, the met- Rather than skill, Coach Benny Venen- ciano’s roots are grounded with the Farm- scrap metal, filling three, 30-yard con- als facility is open for drop-offs Tuesday ciano attributes their two, first-place ers wrestling program. Part of the 1987 tainers to the brim. Some residents made to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. tournament wins to passion and soul. team, both Venenciano and his twin brother multiple drop-offs in one day, depositing The reopened facility has already “When you have the will, the beauty were two of the first Molokai wrestlers to years’ worth of lawn mowers, engines, been well-used. According to Dioec, his of this sport is the balance of taking care of win the state championships. and miscellaneous parts. crew collected approximately 1,000 tons yourself physically and mentally, and do- While his experience includes a cham- “It’s a good service and something of materials from September through ing your schoolwork,” said Venenciano. pionship title, his coaching uses a humble good for the island,” said Chuck Miguel, December alone. “At this developmental age, I wanted wres- philosophy. a retired construction worker, utilizing “For a small, rural community, tling to be that sport for them.” “All my life, I considered losing as a RRI’s pick-up service to get rid of some that’s a lot of tonnage,” said Diorec. “It During the winter season, 19 athletes value gained,” said Venenciano. “Losing of his scrap metals in Waialua Saturday shows that people are sitting on these wrestled after school and about half had no is okay if one’s trying their best. As long morning. “But if you clean it, keep it material for ages and an ongoing, collec- prior wrestling experience, according to Ve- as they go out there, perform and try their clean.” tive program is a needed service, espe- nenciano. Three days a week, they would best, that’s a win.” The event will continue moving to- cially on Molokai.” practice alongside the high school team for His approach hasn’t only been suc- wards the west end in the coming weeks. two hours, conditioning for competition as cessful on the mat; it has also grabbed at- While they aren’t collecting larger items Moving Materials well as their future in the Farmers wrestling tention in school.

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