From left: Sam Ford, Lorna Huizinga, Judy Caparida, and Janet and Paul Mullin.

“We see a lot of legal bickering and carrying on, but we don’t see a lot of people telling the people of Molokai how to carry on,” said Paul Mullin, West End resident. He organized the protest held last Thursday because of frustrations he has over a lack of action being taken in the water utility situation on Molokai.

East End resident Judy Caparida passed the demonstration held in front of Molokai Public Library, and decided to pick up a sign to join in on the protest. “I’m over here with my newfound friends. I’m from the east, and they’re from the west.”

Timmy Leong looks at the old Molokai Ranch mountain water reservoir, which is filled by stream diversions in the Kamakou mountain range. 

Editorial by Walter Ritte

This problem will affect ALL of our pocketbooks on Molokai, as the county may one day be responsible for Molokai Ranch’s water companies.

Here are the costs proposed by the PUC now: Kaluakoi will increase from $3.18 to $4.48 per 1000 gallons. Kualapu`u and Maunaloa rates will go way up from $1.85 to a staggering $4.10 per 1000 gallons. These rates are arbitrary, unprecedented, and ridiculous. The state government is siding with big business and putting the solution to this water problem on the backs of the public.

Department of Health says county must prepare emergency response plan as hearings continue.

By Zalina Alvi

Hearings on the ongoing West End water situation were held last week in Honolulu, with the state Department of Health (DOH) clarifying that the county is not being asked to take over water and wastewater services at the end of August.

The clarification came after the DOH issued orders to Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) to continue providing water and wastewater services to 1,200 customers for at least 90 days beyond their proposed walkout date of Aug. 31. At the same time, the DOH also gave orders to the county to begin preparations if the company does not comply.

Local ambassador shares highlights of visit to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

By Jennifer Smith

Molokai’s own Uncle Mervin Dudoit recently shared the honor of being one of only three individuals from the state of Hawaii to share their local expertise with researchers during a trip to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).

“I’m really glad I went,” Uncle Merv said. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience.” While only allowed to bring back memories and pictures from his travels, he said he wants to share the experience with others to help explain the importance of protecting Molokai.

Preparing for the Journey
Uncle Merv joined participants from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Australia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands on his 12 day expedition. 

Possible causes point to Navy sonar exercises and kidney disease.

Marine specialists, local residents and firemen all pitched in to help the Cuvier’s beaked whale as it struggled for hours on the Kawela coast.

By Zalina Alvi

The community was out in full force last week Monday when a Cuvier’s beaked whale was found injured and sick along the Kawela coast, but despite the efforts of many, the day ended with a death.

Planning begins for 75th celebration.
By Jennifer Smith

Molokai High School (MHIS) alumni will soon have yet another reason to proudly celebrate their alma mater. With the 75th anniversary only six years away, the Alumni Association has already begun planning for the momentous occasion.

Unlike the annual luau that hosts every graduating year sharing the last digit of the current graduating class, all MHIS graduates are invited to attend the 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Several exciting plans are underway, and the planning committee is asking alumni to dig through their old boxes and share old pictures, articles, and annuals. They are requesting graduates to submit these memories for a special collection of 75 years of MHIS that will be available at the 2014 celebration.

Proposed DLNR civil system cuts back on criminal cases, and makes handing out a fine for violations possible.

DLNR representative Bin Li gave a presentation on Aug. 1 to propose a new set of rules that will allow officers to hand out fines for natural resource violations.

By Zalina Alvi

New rules proposed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) would make it possible to hand out civil violations for natural resource offenses.

The draft rules were presented last week in Kaunakakai during an informal public information session hosted by DLNR representatives who said the plan would help the department “step up on resource enforcement.”

Public Utilities Commission approves 5.5 percent zone increase.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved Young Brothers, Limited’s application for a 5.5-percent zone increase on all cargo categories effective August 1. Under the PUC Decision and Order number 24139, the company has rate flexibility within a range, called a “zone of reasonableness.”

The proposed zone increase does not include or reflect the increased cost of fuel, which is covered in the company's separate fuel price adjustment. Young Brothers may request a zone of reasonableness rate increase once per year and may adjust fuel prices quarterly.

Hard work and community support helped to send the island’s Catholic youth to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia.

Molokai youth and ministry leaders show their hometown pride as they traveled to Sydney, Australia to join in the festivities of World Youth Day 2008.

By Zalina Alvi

After more than two years of fundraising, the youth of a Catholic parish on Molokai had the experience of a lifetime when they traveled to Sydney, Australia for World Youth Day 2008.

All those who went agreed that it was an amazing opportunity to share in cultural and spiritual fellowship with other Catholic youth from as far as away as Columbia and Poland.

Non-profit helps topside residents learn about their connection to Kalaupapa.

Ka`Ohana O Kalaupapa’s event allowed the community to come together and talk story about those who have became a part of Kalaupapa’s history.

By Zalina Alvi

Laura Tolloefson knew her great-grandfather had been sent to live in Kalaupapa, but she didn’t know his grandmother was also a resident, until she was given an opportunity to talk story with other residents and family members at an event hosted by Ka`Ohana O Kalaupapa last Thursday at Home Pumehana.

The five-year-old nonprofit organization held the talk story session for those who believed they had family members who were sent to live at the peninsula settlement.