Oct 31, 2012 | Community
On November 6, General Election day, Stacey Moniz will show up at a Maui polling place, just as she has been for the last two decades. Not to vote, but to serve as a volunteer precinct official. “For me it’s the one civic thing I can do besides voting,” she said. As executive director for Women Helping Women, Moniz avoids all conflicts of interest by declining to endorse or campaign for candidates. What she does encourage is voting and volunteering at precincts in need of help with those who come to cast ballots. “Voting is a very, very serious thing and volunteering at a polling place can be enjoyable,” Moniz said.
A volunteer since 1990, Moniz has helped at polling places in Kihei, Paia and Wailuku. “I’m a volunteer at heart,” she said. Training for precinct officials is provided. Moniz said she’s particularly impressed with the state and county officials’ progress over the years in eliminating as many barriers as possible for voters to cast ballots. For example, precinct officials can provide pen holders and magnifying glasses for voters who need the assistance. If a person is physically unable to get out of a car at a polling place, precinct officials can bring the poll book and ballot to the person. “My goal is to help the voters go through the process as easily as possible,” Moniz said.
Qualifications for a precinct official include:
- Be 16 years of age on or before June 30, 2012
- Be able to read and write English
- Be able to lift 25 to 35 pounds; and
- Be able to attend a training session.
A precinct official’s day starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends between 7 and 7:30 p.m. A stipend of $85 for the day is provided to all precinct officials. For more information, call the Maui County Clerk’s Office at 270-7749 or visit: hawaii.gov/elections/volunteers.
Oct 24, 2012 | Community
Madelyne Pascua founded Dance International Production with the intention of perpetuating the Filipino culture on Maui. She continues to do that today, sixteen years after forming her dance troupe. The group’s repertoire also includes Hawaiian and Tahitian dances. Pascua earned a choreographer and director certificate from the Kalihi Palama Arts & Culture Academy on Oahu. She said her passion for dance dates back to the age of nine when she first arrived in Hawaii, learning Tahitian, hula and eventually Filipino folk dance.
She said she prefers an all-female dance troupe, but you need not be Filipino to be a part of Dance International Production. “I always tell my dancers, dance with your heart,” she said. Today, the group has 35 members ages 5 to 22. They perform once a month at the Maui Mall and two to three times a month at Whalers Village Shopping Center. In addition to private parties, Dance International Production has provided free performances at community venues including the Barrio Fiesta, Miss Maui Filipina Pageant, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser and the Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival. Dancers in 2006 traveled to the Philippines to perform in five different towns, and earlier this year they shared Filipino dances at a Barrio Fiesta held at the St. Martin University campus in Washington state.
To be a part of Dance International Production, performers are exposed to dances from several cultures. “This enables the individual to learn and respect different cultures,” Pascua said. In addition, Pascua encourages her dancers to attend college and has awarded $7,000 in scholarships during the last four years to nine of her dancers. Pascua said she hopes to have continuous income from performances so that more college scholarships can be provided. Dance International Production is also aiming to have a studio with a library so that both members and non-members can learn more about world cultures.
Oct 17, 2012 | Community
Four of the nine seats on the Board of Trustees for the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs will go before voters during the Nov. 6 general election. A fifth seat, representing Moloka‘i and Lana‘i, is uncontested, so the incumbent, OHA Chairwoman Collette Machado, has no opponent on the ballot. All registered voters can vote for candidates in this year’s contested OHA races; they are the residency seats for Maui, Kaua‘i-Ni‘ihau, Hawai‘i Island, and one at-large seat. The trustees serving on the O‘ahu seat and three other at-large seats are not up for re-election this year.
Eight candidates are seeking the Maui residency seat on the OHA Board of Trustees. In November 2011, when former Maui trustee and retired 2nd Circuit Judge Boyd Mossman resigned from his OHA seat to take an unpaid position as leader of the Mormon Church in Kona, Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey in January 2012 to serve out the remainder of Mossman’s term. The eight candidates running for the Maui OHA seat in November are: Johanna Ku‘ulei Shin Amorin of Kihei, Glenn G. Au of Wailuku, Rose Duey of Wailuku, Doreen Pua Gomes of Kula, Dain Kane of Wailuku, Ke‘eaumoku Kapu of Lahaina, Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey of Makawao, and Kaulana Mossman of Kula. There are 11 candidates vying for the Kaua‘i-Ni‘ihau seat, three for the Hawai‘i island seat and six for the open at-large seat. For more information, visit http://www.oha.org/ka-wai-ola/decision-2012
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs functions as both a government agency with a strong degree of autonomy, and as a trust. OHA’s own website states that its “purpose is to provide the opportunity for a better life and future for all Hawaiians.” OHA’s mission statement: “To mālama (protect) Hawai‘i’s people and environmental resources and OHA’s assets, toward ensuring the perpetuation of the culture, the enhancement of lifestyle and the protection of entitlements of Native Hawaiians, while enabling the building of a strong and healthy Hawaiian people and nation, recognized nationally and internationally.”
Sep 19, 2012 | Community
With public help and government support, Maui Invasive Species Committee has made inroads in its work to eradicate annoying coqui frogs. Since 2006, 11 of the 17 Maui populations of coqui frogs have been silenced, according to Lissa Strohecker, MISC outreach and education specialist. A crew of five people work weekly from 1 to 11 p.m. staking areas, mostly in East Maui, to eradicate the frogs. “We’ve had quite a bit of success,” she said. “The landowners are always happy when we can get rid of them.” For each populated area of coquis, there are as little as 20,000 to as many as 90,000 frogs per acre.
Experts say the coqui frog was accidentally introduced into Hawai‘i from Puerto Rico sometime in 1988. The coquis’ mating call has become a noise nuisance, reaching up to 90 decibels, equivalent to the sound of a lawn mower. “They start calling in the late afternoon and continue all through the night,” Strohecker said. Aside from the noise, coqui frogs pose a risk to the environment because they eat Hawai‘i’s unique insects and spiders. Scientists have expressed concern that an established coqui frog population could be a food source should brown tree snakes ever make their way into the islands. “It also has an impact on tourism,” Strohecker said. While most reports of coqui findings are in East Maui, MISC worked diligently with Ritz-Carlton Kapalua to get rid of coqui frogs reported by the hotel.
Dale Castleton, owner of Dale Castleton Plant Nursery in Kihei, was one of the first businesses to enroll in MISC’s voluntary coqui-free nursery program. The requirements for participation include agreeing to treatments of citric acid and regular inspections. “It was a lot of work, but it was worth the time to be free of coqui frogs,” Castleton said. To date, there are nearly 40 participants in MISC’s coqui certification program. Strohecker said MISC’s staff depend on visitors and residents to call them at 573-6472 whenever they hear the coqui frog. A location is declared coqui-free one year after callings are silenced.
Aug 29, 2012 | Community
Maui High School senior Cyndi Segundo leaves home for college this fall, but sustains a strong desire to come back one day. “The Youth Alliance inspired me to return to Maui and give back to the community that has nurtured me since I was a small child,” said Segundo, a member of the Class of 2012. She spent four years participating in a wide range of activities with the Youth Alliance, administered by Maui Economic Development Board. “Youth Alliance has been beneficial to me because it helped me develop my leadership skills by designing activities that make me think, ask questions and find solutions.”
Youth Alliance members are encouraged to become leaders for change as they are guided by the Focus Maui Nui vision, values and key strategies for action. In her four years with the Youth Alliance, Segundo has interacted with the Maui County Council. She’s ridden a boat off Ma‘alaea Harbor to view whales and dolphins, taken an overnight trip to Hana and spent a day at The Maui News to see how the island’s only daily newspaper operates. “Each event is a learning experience,” she said. Youth Alliance Project Coordinator Willow Krause looks at what students are interested in and tries to coordinate community service projects and/or educational excursions that will empower them to engage in local events. This past year, students assisted with the annual Maui Food Bank food drive and they provided input at a community forum on revitalizing Wailuku town.
“Students should consider joining Youth Alliance because it’s a way to learn more about the community and what they can do to help,” Segundo said. “Each activity is directed by individuals who are successful in their own fields, which gives students the chance to work with professionals who are willing to share their experiences.” To participate, students must be attending school in grades 9 through 12; the program is also available for home schooled teenagers. For more information, contact Krause at 875-2432, or e-mail: willow@medb.org Deadline to register is Sept. 7.
Aug 22, 2012 | Community
The island’s indigent and uninsured are amongst those being encouraged to take advantage of free health screenings being offered by a group of medical professionals. “Early detection of medical issues can make the difference between life and death,” said Dr. Marcus Griffin, founder of a yearly free screening clinic on Maui. “We are concerned that many people delay visiting doctors because they worry about the cost of a check-up. Our free clinic addresses that concern. It will give people peace of mind and provide early medical intervention for patients who need help.”
The free health screening clinic is set 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Kihei-Wailea Medical Center in the Pi’ilani Village Shopping Center. The clinic will provide cardiology, pulmonary, dermatology, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynecology, and general health screenings. Blood analysis also will be available along with X-rays, physical therapy, and massage therapy. This is the third year the Kihei-Wailea Medical Center has provided the service. More than 100 people have already taken advantage of the free screening clinics. “People without medical insurance are most at risk of delaying or even foregoing check-ups,” Griffin said. “We want to address that need. “It’s all part of wanting to help our community,” Griffin said. “Our medical center’s mission statement is: ‘Working together to care for our community.’”
The Kihei-Wailea Medical Center is located at the Pi’ilani Village Shopping Center, 221 Pi’ikea Ave., Suite A, Kihei 96753. For more information, call 874-8100. The free clinic’s participating providers include: Kihei-Wailea Medical Center, Clinical Labs of Hawaii, Maui Diagnostic Imaging, Bodies in Motion Physical Therapy, Premier Physical Therapy, Kihei Safeway, Maui Chest Medicine, Dr. Melvin Burton, Dr. Peter Muthard and staff, The Women’s Health Center of Maui, Dr. Benjamin Berry and staff, Aloha Eye Clinic, Dr. Jivin Tantisira and staff, Dermatology and Laser Center of Maui, Dr. George Martin and staff, cardiologist Dr. Howard Barbarosh and Erika Oleska, owner of Green Ti massage therapy.
Jul 18, 2012 | Community, Environment
As a young girl growing up on Maui, Laura Souza Paresa remembers her grandma reciting the rosary in Portuguese. “I asked her to teach me but she said, ‘You’re American, you speak English.’” Now as an adult, Paresa and 14 other active members of the Maui Portuguese Cultural Club learn everything they can about their language, their culture, and the history of Portugal. “The more I researched the history, the more I was amazed,” said Paresa, a four-year Portuguese Club president. “I feel honored to be a descendant of these people.”
The Maui Portuguese Cultural Club spent this year baking loaves of white bread and cinnamon bread and making pots of Portuguese bean soup as part of two separate fundraisers that garnered some $7,000. Club members invested the money in sprucing up the Portuguese model home and surroundings at Kepaniwai Park, where Maui’s multi-cultural history is showcased. In the Portuguese model home, a colorful exhibit traces the country’s history and outlines pictures of Portuguese exports such as copper, crystal and linen, and practices such as festivals honoring Catholic saints. “Most of our traditions are centered on the church,” Paresa said.
Paresa said about 10 percent of Hawaii’s population has Portuguese ancestry, yet not many are exposed to the rich history of the culture. She said the club awards college scholarships and it does what it can to educate others about the culture and history of the people. Portuguese Cultural Club members have trekked to Portugal and enjoyed hearing stories about a Portuguese family’s daily life. “They were hardworking individuals,” Paresa said. “In these stories, we’ve found they had a very rich culture and they also had a lot of faith.” The Maui Portuguese Cultural Club plans to be more visible at events in the community and accepts new members any time. “You don’t even have to be Portuguese to join the club. If you’re interested in the Portuguese culture, we welcome you,” Paresa said.
Jul 11, 2012 | Community
Maui High School graduate Marie Alexie Sijalbo visited Hana for the first time this summer. Sijalbo said she liked what she saw as she traveled for the first time to the remote part of East Maui as a member of the Youth Alliance. “I have never gone camping before and this experience has made me see what I have been missing out on,” she said. Accompanied by Maui Economic Development Board staff, Sijalbo joined other high schoolers and rode a bus to Hana as part of the Youth Alliance’s “capstone” event for school year 2011-2012. The trip’s highlights featured kumu Francis Sinenci and his presentation on hale building, swimming at beaches and hiking trails in Hana.
Adam Skelton, a soon-to-be-senior at Kumu Wai Mauloa Academy, said he found a new respect for the Hawaiian culture. “Learning the old ways and how we can apply them to our ways now is a valuable lesson,” he said. Sinenci shared his knowledge of hale building and the use of natural materials including leaves and wood. “When I learned all of these things I realized that hale building is more complicated than I thought,” Maui High 2012 graduate Cyndi Segundo said. “However it is something that the Hawaiians did in the past and it is important for us to preserve it.” Skelton agreed. “It is important for us to pass along this knowledge that we have learned and keep the culture and history alive for future generations.”
The opportunity to swim in pristine water, hike in lush surroundings and bond with other Youth Alliance members made the Hana visit even more enjoyable. A Youth Alliance member of three years, Skelton encouraged others to join. “Not only for the knowledge that you will gain, but the friends that you will make,” he said. Youth Alliance members in grades 9 through 12 gather during the school year to explore facets of the Maui community. The behind-the-scenes look is accompanied by projects and activities that give participants opportunities to see how the Maui community works. For more information about the free program, contact Willow Krause at 875-2432 or e-mail willow@medb.org
Jul 4, 2012 | Community
Principal Randy Yamanuha retired in June after 30 years of service with the State Department of Education. At age 56, he leaves his post to serve as caregiver for his aging parents, Yoshio and Sadae Yamanuha. “I’ve always told my staff, family comes first and so I need to practice that same philosophy,” he said. “It’s with a heavy heart. I’ve enjoyed working and I love the staff and the school.”
Amongst the things Yamanuha is most proud of in his 10- year term as principal is his school’s care and attention to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM education. He said Maui High has built a rigorous curriculum that includes emphasis on science and math with the intention of preparing students for high-tech, high-paying jobs. “In education, we can’t really keep up with all the technology. We need the community to help us out,” he said. That’s where organizations like Maui Economic Development Board provide technical assistance to teachers yearning to learn more about STEM curriculum, and support for students successfully competing in national competitions for robotics, science and digital media. “It brings relevance to why they’re taking the math, why they’re taking the science. Programs, like the ones MEDB supports, lets them see the connection,” Yamanuha said. He’s especially pleased to see how technology-based projects have taught students life lessons in the importance of team work.
As principal of Maui High, Yamanuha has taken charge of a large campus — 1,850 students in grades 9 to 12 — and a staff of 120. “Our philosophy has been to create opportunity for all students,” he said, explaining why as many as a dozen Advanced Placement courses are offered to all students and do not require a teacher recommendation. “We challenge our students and if they’re willing to do the work, we’re going to hold them to that commitment.”
MEDB is holding its annual Ke Alahele Education Fund event on August 18 in part to continue its support of STEM education at Maui High and other schools across the county. For more information, go to www.medb.org.
On November 6, General Election day, Stacey Moniz will show up at a Maui polling place, just as she has been for the last two decades. Not to vote, but to serve as a volunteer precinct official. “For me it’s the one civic thing I can do besides voting,” she said. As executive director for Women Helping Women, Moniz avoids all conflicts of interest by declining to endorse or campaign for candidates. What she does encourage is voting and volunteering at precincts in need of help with those who come to cast ballots. “Voting is a very, very serious thing and volunteering at a polling place can be enjoyable,” Moniz said.
