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L?na‘i Pokemon Go! Party

noe tanigawa
noe tanigawa
noe tanigawa
Credit noe tanigawa
The new public tennis and basketball courts on a sunny Saturday morning.

  Ever wonder what the summer’s been like on L?na‘i? The weather’s been a little warmer than usual, but otherwise, the Pine Lads finished their softball season as league champs, the Four Seasons Resort L?na‘i at M?nele is nearly done, and the opening for K?‘ele Lodge has been pushed back to next year.  Folks on Lana'i would like it if you'd head over and see how things are going for yourself.  HPR’sNoeTanigawa checked in on preparations for Fifth Friday celebrations, which include a Pokemon Go! Tournament.

L?na‘i’s Fifth Friday celebrations run from 5:30 to 8pm this Friday around Dole Park in the center of town.  

I called Alberta DeJetley because she is the contact for more on Lanai’s Fifth Friday shindig.  She grew up on L?na‘i and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce there.  In Maui Country, each of five very special towns are highlighted once a month.  The Lanai Chamber sponsors Fifths Fridays to encourage  local businesses, especially the home based mom and pop endeavors.

The familiar road to Manele Bay has not changed much. There are fewer chukars along the way!

  ”Since I’m the newspaper lady too I can share some really, really good news!”  In 1986, DeJetley was hired by L?na‘i’s then-owner Rupert Murdoch to start a community newspaper.  She still runs L?na‘i Today, both in print and online.  

“This year for the first time in three years we are starting our school year with a full slate of teachers.  We’re so excited.”

DeJetley says L?na‘i High and Elementary’s Principal Elton Kinoshita and Vice Principals Rhett Parham and Michele Holsomback, doubled down to get the full roster.

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Credit noe tanigawa
Approach to the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay

“We’re doing everything possible from the community side to see if we can retain our teachers and have them stay two years, stay three years, bring their families and make L?na‘i their home.  We want them to be a part of our community.”

It’s a community in transition.  DeJetley says while the resort at M?nele was closed last year, all those employees were assigned to community service jobs.

“There must have been at least 60-70 employees assigned to the schools.  They went out and cleaned yards for senior citizens, they spruced up the lanes, they did a lot of landscaping cleanups, just everywhere.  They were paid their base salaries, of course if you were in tipping categories it hurt a little bit, but they calculated their base salaries and they paid them that.”

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Credit noe tanigawa
View of Manele Bay from the lobby of the new Four Seasons.

  Asked whether there is an unemployment problem on L?na‘i now, De Jetley responds, “Right now people are waiting to be placed at different places, right at the present time.  But I think eventually it will all work out because there are still a lot of jobs available.”

She mentions dental assistant, for example.  De Jetley says the renovated theater is now doubled, 90 seats each side, with first run films and fabulous sound.  You can tour it anytime there isn’t a film showing.  This Friday,Fifth Friday, L?na‘iis having a town celebration.  There’s music, all the shops and eateries participate, plus specials treats like those from  David and Karen Hubin.

“They make the best cotton candy.  It’s just delicious because you’re standing  right there and they’re making it right in front of you and it’s kind of chilly at night and it’s just fun!!!  What’s really exciting this time, we’re going to have a big Pokemon Go Tournament!”  Matt Kawasaki is helping organize the tournament, which is expected to be quite a draw.  As it is, DeJetley says, every evening you can see groups and families roaming Dole Park where there are at least six or seven Pokemon related locations.

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Credit noe tanigawa
Richard's Market, like the other small stores ringing Dole Park, has spruced and updated their appearance and offerings.

De Jetley says here’s an easy way to do a L?na‘i daytrip:   Take the 9:15am ferry from Lahaina to L?na‘i, at the landing, you can ask about the shuttle to L?na‘i City and arrange a time.  Wander to Hulopo‘e Beach Park and enjoy.  When ready, grab the shuttle from the ferry port to town, enjoy Friday’s celebrations, then shuttle back to the special 9:45 late ferry to Lahaina. Alberta DeJetley says to give her a call if you have any questions!  808-649-0808.

noe tanigawa
Credit noe tanigawa
Lana'i homes are a blast from the past in Hawai'i. The diversity of growing things, the trim, well-kept environs beam family pride, not great landscapers as they would on O'ahu.

Noe Tanigawa covered art, culture and ideas for two decades at Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
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