Friday, May 17th, 2013

NOAA News Release
Monk seal advocacy groups are asking for the public’s help to locate a sick and severely malnourished Hawaiian monk seal known to frequent the Kalaupapa area in the county of Kalawao, Molokai. Experts are concerned about her health and want to bring the seal to Oahu for assessment and treatment at the Waikiki Aquarium. The seal would be returned to Kalaupapa after recovery.
“The seal we are looking for would appear ill and its ribs or other skeletal features would likely be visible. We are asking people to keep an eye out for this seal in the water or on the beach,” explained Pat Wardell, President of the Monk Seal Foundation, a Hawaii based organization that recently took over management of the monk seal volunteer program on Molokai.…
Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Kana`iolowalu News Release
The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, chaired by former Governor John Waihe`e III, attended the 10th anniversary celebration of Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa at Kalaupapa on April 27 where Kalaupapa residents were given the opportunity to sign the Kana`iolowalu petition along with the descendants of Kalaupapa and friends who came together for the event.
“We felt it was important for Chair Waihe`e and the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission to visit Kalaupapa for support of the Kana`iolowalu petition just like Ahahui Aloha `Aina came to Kalaupapa in 1897 to give our people the chance to sign the Ku`e petition against annexation,” said Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, a resident of Kalaupapa for more than 50 years and President of Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa.…
Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Molokai Public Library News Release
The Cook pine tree growing on the front lawn of the Molokai Public Library needs to be removed soon. Library staff has been consulting with Department of Accounting and General Services on Molokai and Maui and two certified and licensed Oahu arborists, who highly recommend we consider removing the tree for safety reasons.
This huge, aged, 115-foot tree is now showing signs of decline and gradual deterioration. The upper third part is stressed, the trunk has weak stability and is susceptible to root decay and termite damage.
We all feel sad the tree has to be cut down, but unfortunately, it is a safety hazard.…
Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Molokai’s four-legged residents could soon have a new place to take shelter thanks one woman’s love for the island and for animals.
Kathleen Shields, a frequent visitor who planned to retire on Molokai, left funds and a request in her will for a fully-functioning, open-admission animal shelter on the island. In 2009, a year after she died, her friend Debi Buechel formed the Shields Animal Shelter Foundation.
Buechel, executive director of the foundation, and two other foundation workers are making the move to Molokai to make Shield’s wish a reality.
“We’re three people working seriously and sincerely in every respect for the community,” said Buechel.…
Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Papohaku sand dunes protect the water from runoff and nearby homes from high tide swells. Now the system that guards so much could receive some protection from human threats. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) proposed increased protection for the Papohaku dune system. While the changes will not likely bring enforcement of stricter development rules, officials said they hope the protection would raise awareness of the dunes’ value.
A 500-page document dedicated solely to the preservation of the dune system at Papohaku stresses the environmental and cultural value of the system. Molokai wildlife biologist Arleone Dibben-Young, who served as a consultant for the preservation plan, said these dunes shelter homes from high swells and shield the ocean from red dirt run-off that comes with rain from the mauka regions.…