Current weather
Kaunakakai, HI
- Clear sky
- Temperature: 71.6 °F
- Wind: Northeast, 37 km/h, gusts up to 50 km/h
- Pressure: 1022 hPa
- Rel. Humidity: 73 %
- Visibility: 16.1 km
Wed, 2010-03-10 00:54
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This Week's Cover
Business
Zappacosta Appeal Shut Down
Molokai resident moving to a higher authority.
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The Zappacosta development has moved beyond whether to build the 20,000 square-foot farm dwelling, but has shined a light on the rules and the procedures of the Molokai Planning Commission (MPC).Steve Morgan’s last appeal to revoke Zappacosta’s Special Management Area (SMA) permit, made to the MPC, was denied on the basis that the entire process was presented to the wrong body.“Ultimately it’s our decision – and there’s no ambiguity in that,” said vice-chairperson Steve Chaikin.
2 CommentsIsland Air Cancels Mid-Week Flights
Molokai travelers already have a very slim list of options when it comes to getting off-island, but as of this Monday that list grew even shorter. Starting in February, Island Air is no longer offering flights from Molokai to Maui during the middle of the week. The Honolulu-based airline has indefinitely suspended all Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday flights between the two islands. The cutback causes problems for handicapped or elderly passengers who are incapable of riding smaller planes operated by Mokulele, Molokai’s only other airline with regular routes to Maui.
FADs Not Going Out of Style
Local fishermen work to replace an important resource.
Molokai fishermen have been working hard in the last few weeks to find every channel possible to save one of their most important resources. Those who rely on the ocean for a living, also rely on Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) buoys. Recently, the FADs around Molokai and neighboring islands have been disappearing at an alarming rate. While storms and rough surf can sometimes cause the buoys to break loose, more often than not the damage is caused by barges and tugboats. Local fisherman and state officials are teaming up to solve the problem.
Back to Work
USDA hosts job talk.
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As unemployment creeps toward 16 percent on Molokai, more than double the state’s average, government agencies are searching for solutions for a lost generation of jobs.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development office hosted a roundtable discussion last week with Molokai residents, asking for their suggestions. This office’s job is to help create or expand small businesses on Molokai.
Much Appreciated
Over 200 Molokai residents felt the appreciation from Hotel Molokai last week, when free pupus, drinks and raffle prizes were handed out generously at their annual Community Appreciation Party on Jan. 5.The mood was upbeat, matching the entertainment, which included several hula groups and musical acts, such as Moana’s Hula Halau. Their Tahitian dance, pictured above, had the crowd jumping to their feet to better view the high-energy spectacle.
West End Mansion Still Uncertain
Zappacosta appeals stall again.
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Eight months after being exempted from a Special Management Area (SMA) permit, Pierluigi Zappacosta is no closer to building his proposed 20,000 square foot farm dwelling on Molokai’s west end, nor is his opposition any closer to stopping him. The Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) met last week to continue to sort through the tangled web of legal procedures surrounding the controversial project. The commissioners decided they would wait until January to decide whether or not to hear an appeal on their April 22 decision to exempt Zappacosta from obtaining the SMA permit.
Cargo Company Accused of Cherry-Picking
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A California-based company interested in beginning inter-island shipping services in Hawaii is being accused of “cherry-picking” by long-time Hawaii shippers Young Brothers, Limited. Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines currently sends cargo from the mainland to Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo. In March, they applied to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for permission to do in-state shipping at those ports every other week.
Fruits of Their Labor
Coffees of Hawaii expands coffee into a tea.
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If you have ever tasted the generic Pinesol-tasting lemon tea found in hotel rooms, a new tea to Molokai will leave you feeling spoiled. Coffees of Hawaii has created their first original tea, made from the fruit of their coffee plants and blended with flowers and herbs. This kind of tea is called a tisane (pronounced ti-zane), an herbal fusion of different flowers and herbs. This particular infusion is only produced on Molokai, and uses only Hawaiian-grown products – most of which is found on Friendly Isle.
Furniture Festival
Molokai Furniture celebrates six years.
In the past six years, the Kualapu`u Business Center has grown exponentially – which landlord Carol Gartland attributes to Molokai Furniture. Owner Denise Taueetia, left, talks with a customer about the free t-shirts she gives away each year for the anniversary of Molokai Furniture.“On the mainland they have anchor stores,” Gartland said, explaining how business centers or malls have big businesses that attract the crowds, which trickle down into the smaller surrounding stores. “Denise’s store is our anchor store.”
Molokai Harvest
Seventh annual Food & Business Expo.
Attendees of this year’s Food and Business Expo sampled sirloin medallions rubbed with Molokai coffee, sweet prawns marinated with fresh Molokai herbs, spicy tuna adorned by Molokai sweet potato chips, and candied Molokai pumpkin and papaya salad along side cheesecake.