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‘Silent majority’ speaks up
By David Lichtenstein
4/18/2008 12:03:46 PM
Molokai News : Politics
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Photo By: David LIchtenstein
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Demonstration marks the beginning for a group seeking change and representation
The demonstrators weren’t part of any group, at least not yet. They simply wanted to show their solidarity with the workers of Molokai in light of the recent closing of Molokai Ranch and the hardship that it has brought.
This gathering of over 100 people with about 30 different signs came out Wednesday afternoon at Ki‘owea Park to support each other. They also sought support from passing motorists who would honk approval to the signs lining both sides of Kamehameha V Highway asking for change, aloha, economic solutions and unity.
“Monsanto is thinking of the people of Molokai,” stated a group of four signs held in unison. “We are supporting our sisters and brothers who have lost their jobs,” said Maka, who was holding the Monsanto sign but would not offer a last name.
Molokai Ranch laid off 120 workers when it shut down its entire operation April 5. Molokai Properties Limited, doing business as Molokai Ranch, owns approximately one-third of the land on Molokai. It cited local opposition to its La‘au Point development project as the primary reason for the closure. The project would have created 200 luxury home lots on 500 acres on the picturesque southwest coastline of Molokai.
Vocal opposition came from the group “A‘ole La‘au,” headed by local activist Walter Ritte. Ever since the La‘au development was proposed in 2004, “A‘ole La‘au” has rallied the community against the project. This came to a head in November of 2007 when the final Environmental Impact Statement was withdrawn during a Land Use Commission hearing as it faced imminent rejection.
Ritte has since turned his attention to battling against genetically modified organisms, such as those developed by Monsanto, which grows corn seed on Molokai. Recently, Ritte appeared before the state legislature in support of Senate Bill 958, which attempted to place a 10-year moratorium on the genetic modification of taro. The bill was defeated.
Demonstrators expressed the concern that the fight against GMO development is getting stronger and could jeopardize the future of Monsanto and the 127 jobs it provides Molokai.
“We want people to hear the other side of the story,” said Coco Augustiro, another demonstrator holding the Monsanto sign.
A group from Maunaloa, headed by Aunty Kehau Pule, came out. “When one hurts we all hurt,” said Aunty Peggy, who drove down with Aunty Kehau.
“We came here to show our lokahi, our unity,” said Aunty Kehau. “Molokai is a strong island. We will get up and get together.”
Keoni Lindo, a laid off worker in charge of Molokai Ranch’s management information systems, was one of the organizers of the demonstration. “The legislature has been listening to the same voices for the last 30 years,” said Lindo. “It is time for a change. We want to let the community know we have a voice too — a new change, a new voice … we want people to listen to our voice.
“There is a silent majority that has been silent all this time. We’re here to support them as well,” said Lindo.
When Lindo was asked why people chose to stay silent, another demonstrator, who wished to remain anonymous, chimed in, “intimidation, threatening and harassment.”
After the roadside demonstration, people met in the park to discuss how to give structure to this group. “They are looking for leadership,” said Lindo. The group is looking for broad representation, with the ultimate goal of finding a way to keep Molokai families on Molokai.
One demonstrator, Pearly Eleccion, said she has lived on Molokai all her life and supported Molokai Ranch and its development plan. “Our son called and wanted to come home,” explained Eleccion. “Then Molokai Ranch closed and he said ‘what happened?’ I told him, don’t quit your job at Hawaiian Airlines. There’s no jobs here.”
As of now, this group is unnamed. Lindo said they are trying to schedule a meeting for next week that will create a name and provide a forum for further brainstorming about the future.
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David Lichtenstein
Aunty Kehau Pule with Aunty Peggy with the sign, came from Maunaloa for the demonstration.
David Lichtenstein
Rey Ayau supports workers at Ki‘owea Park Wednesday.
Molokai is in serious economic trouble and can not afford to lose 127 more jobs. Thanks to the majority for becoming vocal before the activists cause the loss of more jobs. The ranch leaving and the failure to open the Kaluakoi Hotel has already cost about 250 jobs. How many more jobs can Molokai afford to lose? Support the now vocal majority and do not allow the activists to cause you to lose your job to.
What is the environmental impact of 8000 people killing the deer and fish on Laau point? Has anyone considered this?
4/18/2008, 4:20:47 PM |
molokai attnention
the day the ranch closed down and laid off 120 works hanohano naeuhau walked in to paddlers in and pointed his finger at the guys from monsanto and told them 'you guys are next to get off the island.'
beware molokai and monsanto walter ritte and his group of bullies is got there target on you now. this guys dont care about work or the island only them.
they killed the ranch plan so they could get upc wind to come to molokai and make a deal that favors ritte and gang with money that goes to them as the chiefs. now tell me whose intrest are they watching out for?
they not hawaiian. its not hawaiian to bully people intimdate people or tear down other peoples signs when they dont agree with youre opinion. thats what walter and hanohano and walter jr. did to molokai.
be aware molokai
4/18/2008, 7:33:46 PM |
Its great to see the fair and decent people of Molokai stand up for what is right in their hearts and for the best interest in Molokai's future. Hopefully this momentum will grow quickly and help steer the island to back to a peaceful balance without activists promoting fear and intimidation.
4/18/2008, 11:31:44 PM |
E kala mai, from the time I was a child I understood balance and aloha to include Aloha ‘Aina. GMO’s and developing on five miles of untouched coastline hardly fit into this balance. I am afraid that this protest is another set up by large controlling powers- Molokai Ranch and Monsanto. Looking at the time of day of the protest it looks like the bulk of these protesters (who work for Monsanto) even got paid to leave work early and come down. Very Pono. In fear we trust?
4/19/2008, 10:59:13 AM |
Obviously this negative comment is from an activist. It is very apparent that they do no care enough about their fellow Hawaiian to even be concerned about them losing their jobs. All they care about is power for themselves and control of all the people on the island. If they were concerned about the island they would ask the homesteaders to remove the acres of abandoned cars. They would ask the homesteaders to pay for the water they use. They would ask the homesteaders to actually get involved with agriculture and use the water for agricultural purposes.
The corporation they favor, UPC wind, is portrayed as a wonderful loving corporation. In reality they are no different from the MPL or Monsanto. They have just offered them more "kickbacks".
Wake up Molokai you enemies are the activists and not the corporations. I have no affiliation with any of these corporations but I am willing to fight to keep ugly wind towers out of Molokai.
I suggest you name the new vocal majority the "Save Molokai Group".
As soon as you are a legal entity, I will contribute to your cause. The problem is with the activists who want you to lose your job if it serves their goals. As soon as Molokai figures that out, the fighting will stop. The activists will not stop fighting until we are completely in their control and they get their way or when we tell them they must stop their intimidation and bullying.
You are on the side of right and have my full support.
4/19/2008, 5:20:20 PM |
Those that you call activists are in reality the majority voice of our island. This has been demonstrated time after time. It is the intent of this majority to preserve our island and keep our traditional culture and its values intact. The intent is not to eliminate jobs. There are a number of independent and large scale produce wholesalers interested in Molokai as a source of organic produce for Hawaii (including Whole Foods). This is where the real future potential for farming lies and has the potential to offer far more permanent jobs than that of Monsanto. The problem is that very few of these companies will tolerate GMOS being grown in the same vicinity as these crops. As far as windmills go, windmills provide an intermittent consistent residual income base without selling off our lands, but if the island community doesn’t want it, no problem, we move on. There is no hidden agenda here.
4/20/2008, 7:31:53 AM |
I do not believe that the activists are the majority. They appear to be the majority because they are loud and will not let others speak.
Without intimidation and bullying they would not appear to be in control.
Why don't we have a fair and secret ballot election to prove you are a majority?
From your posting your goal of driving out Monsanto is obvious. Monsanto workers get ready to lose your jobs.
4/20/2008, 8:27:45 AM |
Those of the community that you refer to as activists have always supported a community referendum if what you are referring to is La’au. I would not worry too much in regard to Monsanto jobs. The job of the activists is to expose the lack of pono of GMO farming and Monsanto in general. The ultimate choice will be up to the workers themselves whether or not they feel working under such a dark element is the correct thing to do.
4/20/2008, 12:34:53 PM |
Isn't this news music to the ear and music to the soul?! You can bet we will be at the next meeting! Let's not keep Molokai, Molokai...Let's Get Molokai Back!" Back to Aloha, back to Friendly,
back to Neighborly, etc. etc. Maybe the Voice of Molokai can now be POSITIVE, HOPEFUL, UPLIFTING.
The activists who have systematically broken up this island...and still plan more, are LOUD and NEGATIVE. Let's drown them out...not with more negativity, but by making a positive NOISE of Aloha and Pulling Together.
Look at the pictures...there are people of integrity and honesty and forthrightness in those pictures. Let's be PROUD, Molokai! The PEOPLE SPEAK!!!
We will not be intimidated, threatened, or bullied. We stand strong for what is RIGHT! That is PONO!
4/20/2008, 1:10:46 PM |
I deeply appreciate your clarification of the Activist position. It would be wonderful to have Organic Farming on Molokai and I definitely support your efforts.
I am sure the Monsanto workers will largely choose to keep their jobs. If the choice is theirs then you have my support.
Mahalo Nui Loa
4/20/2008, 1:14:17 PM |
To "Be Aware Molokai", you are so right!
Aren't we tired of these foul-mouthed bullies?!! Aren't we tired of "war" as they are so proud to declare? It is time for peace. It is time for normalcy.
It is time for Molokai to have job opportunities. This group collects from the government, they don't "need" jobs.
We all can't "live from grant to grant"
as I've seen in print. Enough is enough, already! Don't let this group represent "Hawaiian values" on this island. It is time for authentic Hawaiian values!
4/20/2008, 1:28:19 PM |
eh,
you guys get a post office box and we'll send you some shekels.
somedumbhaole
4/20/2008, 2:32:32 PM |
eco-tourism with individual homes and hosts giving accommodation, tour guiding and teaching of hawaiian crafts and culture may just be one of the answers, small farming and food production, various little businesses from people's homes will employ people working for themselves and ultimately employing one another. but as it stands now, as soon as one tries to eek out a living it's against some law. what is wrong with this picture? is everyone barking up the wrong tree?
4/20/2008, 4:02:53 PM |
it concerns me that the activists are so concerned about being 'pono' but don't treat people in a 'pono' way when those people disagree with them.
is it pono to intimidate, bully, declare 'war' and disrespect uncle jimmy when he respectfully asks for the sign to come down while he speaks? is it pono to vandalize? is it pono to take money from the US government for fish ponds but not have fish for the people? By the way, the grant money comes from the same US government that the recipient so much despises.
is it pono to go on akaku tv and use the "F" word?
is it pono to go to church and ruin the atmosphere by discussing local politics?
It's time the 'pono' activists begin to control people like the hemowai bros and walter ritte and glen teves and karen holt and not let them ruin the whole island in favor of their loud mouths.
4/21/2008, 8:01:05 AM |
scary, like that last comment, we just got back from maui where the locals told us that they don't like the attitude of the moloka'i people because of what was said by them on akaku. it's funny how people form an opinion of a whole population from what they see a few of them say on tv. we had to assure them that we aren't like that. i am surprised that akaku allows this extreme stuff on their channel. looks like they are desparate for content....any content. hopefully people go on akaku with less hatred and more ideas about how to create jobs and businesses.
4/21/2008, 9:40:32 AM |
Hey Walter,
are you reading these comments from the People of Molokai?
4/21/2008, 10:51:26 AM |
WOW, I'm sure glad I don't live on Molokai, things have changed for sure
and I hope not for ever. Good Job Walter and friends, If Walter is such a Hawaiian why did he need the governments money to fix the fish ponds ???
Sounds strange to me, you think he would have done it on his own, now that would have been PONO.
Scott
4/21/2008, 12:03:03 PM |
SURPRISE!! Walter's not enough Hawaiian to even qualify for Hawaiian Homelands.
4/21/2008, 2:50:04 PM |
A lot of old timers are dying of cancer now days. Cancer of the stomach, lungs, pancreas etc.. You know what, a lot of them worked for the Pineapple companies here. Del Monte and Dole were like what Monsanto is today. Everybody needed those jobs back then too. I breathed in a lot of heptachlor while working summers. You think the big companies care? They'll just move on if we protest enough, or if it's cheaper to work elsewhere or if enough workers die! Who is going to watch out for us if not ourselves? When do we say enough already? Sure Moloka'i needs jobs, but at what cost?
4/21/2008, 3:15:41 PM |
and the jobs that were lost paid how much an hour? would that feed a family of four and pay rent of average 1400 per month? my question is if we really lost that much. what was the average take-home pay? was someone being greedy and pay employess more like slaves? i saw the ads looking for help: 7.85 to 9.- per hour.
hmmm, just pondering these questions....
4/21/2008, 4:09:19 PM |
walter wants UPC because he and his sons gets money for doing nothing.
walter was opposed to laau because jobs would have been created and money would have only been earned after work was performed.
Laau and the kaluakoi hotel would have generated jobs for construction, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, roofers, window washers, house keepers, cooks, bellboys, maintenance, bar tenders, extra jobs at the airport on the airlines, car rentals, in town at the stores and restaurants, the list goes on.
Now you tell me, how many jobs are the windmills going to create? 4 weedwackers, full time?
As for the hourly wage of ANY of these jobs... Molokai is not a place where high wages are earned, but if someone like the post previous to this one wants to complain about how little the ranch jobs paid, my only response is that there's more hawaiian pride in earning $8.75/hour washing dishes than taking $1,000/month from the government in welfare.
You get paid an amount equal to the contribution you make - (or in walter's case, he gets paid based on the grants he takes, even though he doesn't give anything back!) That's how life works, and unfortunately people like walter are scamming the rest of us.
4/21/2008, 6:06:28 PM |
To the person who wrote this:
"and the jobs that were lost paid how much an hour? would that feed a family of four and pay rent of average 1400 per month? my question is if we really lost that much."
What do you do on the island? Do you work for the state or federal government? If so, don't be so high maka here! Its people who work in the private industries that pay for the government workers. Molokai cannot be an island that is sustained only by government employment and grants.
The plantation and ranch is where many of our people made an honest living. It paid for many mortgages, vacations, weddings, baby luaus, and bills. It was stepping stones for better tomorrows and it allowed many families to remain on the island rather than move to Oahu or Maui for work.
4/21/2008, 10:46:38 PM |
looks like you completely misunderstood what i was trying to say: the wages should have been better. anyone who works fulltime ought to get enough to LIVE on. and, no, i am anything but high makamaka.
4/22/2008, 7:23:17 AM |
Molokai is a unique island and only a true kanaka's of this island can provide the guidance to bring unity. They are true people who are honest,caring, loving, sharing, and non-bias.The future is ongoing, when you have these people with you they are the ones to look for.
4/22/2008, 8:35:57 AM |
Living on Molokai, we don't look down at the wages everyone makes... If you make minimum wage or $25.00 an hour doesn't make you a better person than the other. Success is based on the values you have like being a good person, having respect for family and friends. That is what Molokai is all about. I respect every single person who works for a living rather than someone sitting on their okole. These plantation and tourist jobs have employed many families for decades and were OPPORTUNITIES. Now look at the children, grandchildren, and great grand children of those people who worked hard at these companies... they have better futures and were taught one of the most valuable lessons in life hard work.
4/22/2008, 8:57:39 AM |
Been working with these crops directly for about 15 years. I feel fine. Haven't met anyone who was injured or got sick from the products made. Most people I try to talk to about learning about trait integration, farm practices, pest managment, etc. gives me the "glazed eye" and is totally dis-interested.
I do not want to be spoon-fed by the goverment.
I'm getting real tired of people trying to make me and my co-workers feel ashamed.
N.O.
4/22/2008, 9:20:45 AM |
Any Cooporate Company, or even a small private business you work for will bring good rewards and success. As long you are a loyal and dedicated worker you will always have work for life. And what anyone else says against them will go unnoticed.
4/22/2008, 9:35:56 AM |
Here's an idea.
Put the windmills on Hawaiian homestead land.
Build La'au Point and Kaluakoi hotel.
Sell the energy from the Hoolehua windmill farm to the Kaluakoi Hotel and Laau point.
The energy would stay on Molokai. The money would stay on Molokai. We would have choke jobs.
How are we going to support OURSELVES if we allow windmills to be built on Molokai to provide energy to OAHU????
DUH!! Cannot think of anything more stupid that that! We make energy for Oahu but get nothing in return but ugly landscape and dead birds and more corruption with the people who get the kickbacks from UPC?
A'OLE UPC!
A'OLE UPC
4/22/2008, 11:16:21 AM |
Sorry La'au is done. Windmills may not be the best route, but someone needs to get the selfish ranch to sell their property. I think anybody could do a better job than those clowns.
4/22/2008, 6:36:52 PM |
HMMMMMM...I wonder what the dedicated
and loyal workers for the ranch think
about corporate loyalty. What happened t
o their "work for life". Get real, its all about the bottom line and "business decisions" with most corporations.
4/22/2008, 6:43:49 PM |
Many large corporations take care of their employees which is why they are large coporations in the first place. But if you can no longer afford to pay your employees, you have no choice but to layoff.
Also, La'au Point is not over yet...
4/22/2008, 7:00:50 PM |
Guocco Lesiure stopped funding the Ranch because they could not turn a profit with the money they were given. The Ranch has proven they cannot make due with what they are given. They would just waste the money from La'au anyway.
The Ranch is not a responsible company in any aspect and Guocco Leisure would be foolish to let them have any more money.
Unless Guocco is trying to sell off La'au to fund their casino build up in England. That is the true investment that Guocca is banking on to make the dough. You can't think the La'au money would actually go towards revamping the west end.
4/22/2008, 7:32:02 PM |
per the previous post and your question:
"You can't think the La'au money would actually go towards revamping the west end."
Yes, per the MPL Plan, portions of the La'au money would go towards restoring the Kaluakoi Hotel on the west end and another $10 million portion of that would go back to the community as well as 26,000 acres of MPL property to a land trust...
4/22/2008, 8:30:18 PM |
Yeah so what if they "promise" to restore the hotel. None of the ranches other projects were able to turn a profit over the last 10 years. So they sell off La'au and get money to restore the hotel and other projects. Guocco will give the ranch a portion of the money but not even close to as much as the ranch would need with their ability to throw away money. That initial money gets the hotel up and running so they can slowly start losing money again with their crappy business models. Then after 3-5 years in the red losing money, they have to propose some other project like support the plan for Ilio Point and kawakio hotels and development just to keep the hotel running. If the community stands against that development, then we have everything shutting down again and this same situation occuring once again.
We must find another way to sustain economic stability on the west end and molokai without the sale of La'au to avoid the irreperable damage.
4/23/2008, 12:16:29 AM |
So if MPL had a better business plan you would support them right? You’re saying that since MPL has a crappy business model, you don't want to support their Plan because in 3-5 years, they are going to start losing money again anyway correct? So rather than have pessimistic outlook on this, why not try to be more positive and help MPL succeed? Do you have a business plan that would help MPL succeed on Molokai? Do you have a plan that will help Molokai become economically successful and provide a future for our Keiki? What is your successful business model? Turn your negativity into a positive solution and we are all ears. The only problem is that others with negative attitudes (activists) will shoot down any idea that involves development, progress, or economic success because that is what they do under false pretense of it being the Hawaiian way which it is absolutely not. This is exactly what this article is about; the good Hawaiians and people of Molokai are standing up and speaking out for change, peace, and a positive economic direction for Molokai.
4/23/2008, 6:24:17 AM |
I'm not trying to be positive or negative. I am being realistic. If you would actually do some research and look at how the ranch has fared with their past business endevours, you will see it has been nothing but failures. That is a fact.
You think the Ranch would give two licks about my ideas to create jobs and economic stability without having to develop La'au.
NO!!! The ranch is not willing to compromosie on their master plan. While I agree their are many good aspects to the plan, the ranch will never budge on La'au, so the war will rage on.
4/23/2008, 10:11:19 AM |
You only answerd part of the question. What about YOUR business plan for the success of Molokai? Whether you are trying to be realistic or not, there are 2-sides to every coin and somethings MPL has done is bad, but they have also done some good things too. Instead of becoming part of the problem you (and I) should strive to become part of the solution with or without MPL.
4/23/2008, 11:53:46 AM |
It would be interesting to see what type of business plans the experts come up with. My ideas would lay in a network of small businesses, home-based, small farming, processing and selling delicious products to other islands. and eco-tourism, accommodating and servicing them. Father Damien's sainthood is near and there will be lots of pilgrimage to maoloka'i.
I predict a building-boom of smaller homes for people who retire here soon from the busy islands, they have bought building lots within the last few years. there will be some jobs in the building trades, and then service jobs to take care of the retirees and their needs.
4/23/2008, 12:45:35 PM |
Now thats what these comments should be about! Solutions and Ideas for Molokai. Not the bickering, doomsday scenarios, and Aole La'au rants..
4/23/2008, 12:54:08 PM |
My ideas would revolve around the ranch leasing off what businesses they currently have established as single entities and offer a buyer or lessor to take over the hotel and/or lodge. Basically business entrepreneur minds of MOLOKAI could be allowed to lease out ranch operations like the theater, golf course, lodge, beach village and kaluakoi hotel/resturaunt/bar. With individual ownership, more concentration could be given on each business to create more profit and sustain business. The ranch could sell or lease the current lodge and kaluakoi hotel to provide more tourism. This would allow other small shops and tourist based business to open and sustain business.
All of this can be possible without the sale of La'au point, if the ranch would be willing to put their current failures in the hands of Molokaians.
4/23/2008, 2:03:46 PM |
Your ideas are excellent. Good for you. Your positive attitude is refreshing and if you can get others to think the same way, Molokai will again be a place of aloha.
If we put away our negative feeling then we can come up with a good solution.
Thanks
4/23/2008, 2:29:19 PM |
Something which deeply concerns me , i am adding this to my post about possible home-based businesses: it seems that any time someone wants to start a business that they cannot get permits. or the rents are outrageous, but it is always something. I call this the "crab pot syndrom" and this needs to stop. (crab pot syndrom: you put live crabs into a pot of boiling water and the strongest ones try to climb out, then the ones on the bottom hold on to them and pull them back into the soup of poverty). so they use some law to do this and nobody gets ahead. what is this b.s.... jealousy? people need to stick together and help each other up. planning departments and the "powers that be" need to realize the problem and provide streamlined applications, asistance and incentives. everytime a person is told he/she cannot make a living at what they do best, there goes an opportunity for a child to go to college, for a medical procedure which is not affordable to them, a trip to see a relative, improvements to a family home and many other important expenditures. we must try to prevent people from giving up trying.
4/23/2008, 3:32:25 PM |
Mahalo to those on either side of the fence who are beginning to speak with their hearts in a more respectful tone. This can be a good place to openly discuss critical issues but only if we treat each other with respect and only if we are really willing to do put in the time to research and really evaluate what is being said without prejudice. As the Bible says, despite our oppinions, may we show unconditinal love to each other.
Mahalo Ke Akua
4/24/2008, 12:15:59 PM |
Will the real Molokai people please speak up?
As a regular guest of your island I have followed the development issue and spoken with my friends there. Molokai find the balance!....a resolution is possible. My co-worker grew up on Molokai, he is a classic example of Molokai's economic situation. He found that he could not support his family by staying home. Here he is in Oregon when his heart is in Hawaii. The policies being driven by the loudest are destroying your most valuable gift! The gift of family and friends. These loudest voices are driving away your people along with businesses that want to be there. You cant stop progress without destroying your economic future.
But you can help govern, control , and most of all preserve your heritage. History repeats itself! If you continue to drive away jobs...Molokai will become the Harlem of Hawaii...no hope, no jobs, no money, and that leads to problems.
I understand about protecting your heritage, Im a Native American. Whose lands have been more raped and stolen then those of my fathers? Hawaii doesnt come close to what happend in the past to my people.
But we have moved on...we have learned to adapt and preserve our ways....before we lost it all.
MOLOKAI...Use what you have and what others want to your advantage!...Shame on those who would pursue their individual views and say they represent the island! Is Walter a native? Would he push for the policies he represents if it negatively effected his home? his family?....I doubt it.
ITS TIME FOR THE REAL MOLOKAI to speak up.
I live in Oregon....we have found the balance....between heritage, customs, the "native way" and progress.
If a business see's an opportunity to make a profit....they will do what ever it takes to make that happen. Stopping the business isnt the way...use them to better your lives, better your future, and most of all provide for your families now and in the future, along with protecting your past.
In Oregon we have our beaches, hundreds of miles undeveloped.....yet we have developments with multi-million dollar homes and the locals who grew up there living side by side. We have forests, that YES we harvest, but we also control and preserve. I can go hunting, fishing, camping in a variety of locations.
You have a precious commodity to bargain with ( your tropical paradise )....something that people want....and will pay for....use it to your advantage!.
Give your children hope, healthcare, and most of all a reason to stay home.
My people have taken an evil thing " gambling " and turned it into something good for us!....The turn around in my old home has been incredible. Instead of drugs, crime, broken homes, and my people leaving...we now have a bright future.
All Im trying to say is....dont deny your families and children ( I think you call them kiki ) a future of hope.
The modern world is not evil..it provides many things that the old ways can not...for me most the important is healthcare! My son lives because of modern medicine! Something I couldnt provide if I had stayed on the reservation, stayed with the old ways!
Im wondering when the real MOLOKAI will speak up.
I have seen the people like Walter in action here on my lands.....they claim to represent the land, the people, or what ever view , or agenda they claim at the time. BUT for the most part they only represent their views...and convince others that their view is the right way. Then under that umbrella (of that view )they do all within their power to make things the way THEY want. And when they cant do it legally....they resort to illegal acts. IS that the voice of the real MOLOKAI? Violence? Win at what ever cost?
I see the posts about dynamite threats and rifle shots to wind generators.
All Im trying to say is...FIND THE BALANCE MOLOKAI.
You are not destroying your land or heritage by allowing development and progress if you control it and get something in return.
My co-worker agrees....he is from Molokai. He believes that a small view are speaking for themselves and not the majority.
The REAL MOLOKAI must step up!
Find the balance and find the middle ground....so all my prosper....in their own way!
SHAME on those who drove the ranch to lay off your brothers and sisters and then celebrate!
You bargained with someone else's family and lives!
5/5/2008, 8:20:59 AM |
How can we keep Molokai, Molokai
without it's people!
No Jobs, No Money, No People!
I lost alot of my family to different islands & states due to "NO JOBS"!
5/5/2008, 11:08:08 PM |
I don't understand the people of Molokai,
if Walter can live off the land why can't the rest of Molokai live off the land.Go ask Walter how to do this Molokai.
Scott
5/6/2008, 9:04:02 AM |
Walter living off the land? I don't see him walking into town. Has he renounced the use of manufactured goods? Does he use a mule to pull a plow? Does he paddle a canoe when he takes his frequent trips to Oahu? Did he refuse the millions in grants the Feds gave him?
5/6/2008, 9:16:23 AM |
I would suggest to Scott that in the future he check facts before making statement about Ritte "living off the land".
5/6/2008, 1:46:44 PM |
So where do these people get there money from ???? for airline tickets, gas and rent ??? Please do tell
Scott
5/7/2008, 1:42:58 PM |
I know my post was long...I am the native American from Oregon who posted below. The main point I was trying to make is "manage your island like a business" and may the REAL MOLOKAI PEOPLE stand up and say " ENOUGH "
DO whats best for the majority of your people....not the the views and ideas of a few. The few who have mislead your people and caused these things to take place.
Shame on those who celebrate at the loss of the brothers and sisters jobs!
What has MOLOKAI gained????
5/7/2008, 2:26:08 PM |
hey wasn't DeGrey Vanderbelt holding signs too?
and now he's totally on the other side.
lolonokaoi
5/25/2008, 7:00:22 PM |
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