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Hunting & Fishing

Mac Poepoe Gets Conservation Award

Sunday, January 27th, 2013

Mac Poepoe Gets Conservation Award

Uncle Mac Poepoe has spent a lifetime putting traditional fishing practices and resource management into action on Molokai’s northern coast. And for that, he was honored last week with the 2013 Umu Kai Award. Established in 2008 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Pacific Islands Region, the award recognizes Native Hawaiian practitioners’ contributions to modern fisheries conservation.

As a fisherman and educator, Poepoe’s goal is to pass on to youth what he calls “Hawaiian science” — or “the stuff we observe.”

“Ultimately, our success will be determined by the next generation,” said Poepoe. “It’s not about what degree you have but what you teach [youth].”

Poepoe’s efforts in the Mo`momi area have become a statewide example of the success of traditional management practices.…

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Kalaupapa Eradicates Deer Hazard

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

While axis deer have become part of leading a subsistent lifestyle on Molokai, their presence has caused some problems for residents down at Kalaupapa, including damage to coastal vegetation and gardens as well as posing safety issues at the airport and on the road. This week, the National Park Service (NPS) held a two-day deer hunt to eradicate an estimated 20 to 40 axis deer from the settlement.

The process started early Monday morning with the help of 15 to 20 people to help push, or navigate, the deer from the coastal, airport and settlement areas. They were herded to a holding pen in the settlement and then be dispatched using a rifle.…

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NOAA Seeks Community Monk Seal Feedback

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

With only a little more than 1,000 left in the world, the Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals. Studies have shown that there are approximately 200 seals living on or around the Main Hawaiian Islands, with about 40 on Molokai. Even though their numbers are dwindling, their presence has caused conflict with divers and fishermen near shore, some of whom believe the seals are competing with them for fish. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries aims to not only protect endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal, but also to conduct research in hopes of furthering understanding in communities in which they live.…

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Living Local

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Living Local

10th Annual Business and Food Expo highlights Molokai vendors

Molokai is often known as “`aina momona,” or the fat land, because residents have always had the capacity to grow their own food, catch their own fish and hunt their own meat. The annual Business and Food Expo, hosted by Molokai Chamber of Commerce, is an opportunity to highlight vendors who use the bounties of the land to produce award-winning food and products that offer visitors and locals a taste of Molokai. Last Saturday marked the 10th expo, aptly named “A Taste of Molokai,” which featured local food and business vendors, celebrity chef demonstrations, gourmet food samples, prizes, music and entertainment.…

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Caring for Koheo

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

Caring for Koheo

Wetland serves as learning grounds for community

At the end of Seaside Place in Kaunakakai, tucked behind a string of houses along Molokai’s southern shoreline, is what might appear to be a large, vacant lot. For years, this site was used as a dump, but through the efforts of Nene O Molokai, a nonprofit organization led by wildlife biologist Arleone Dibben-Young, the area has been cleaned up over the past 10 years and restored to what it is today –the Koheo Wetland. It is now home to dozens of species of native shorebirds, including one of the rarest shorebirds in the world and Kaunakakai’s official bird, the kioea, also known as the bristle-thighed curlew.…

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County Begins Deer Harvest Cooperative

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

Molokai explores similar options.

Imagine higher agricultural yields, fewer invasive species, and a new economic product that’s as versatile as it is plentiful: venison. That was the vision of the founders of the Maui Axis Deer Harvesting Cooperative (MADHC), a new initiative organized by the County of Maui. Its goal is to help farmers, ranchers and landowners control invasive axis deer on their property while addressing food security with zero waste. MADHC members are a group of certified, trained, hunters who can provide harvesting services to those receiving damage from axis deer. The meat will be shared between hunters and landowners, and in some cases, local slaughterhouses will process meat for resale.…

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West End Security Concerns Addressed

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

Residents of Molokai’s west end say they have been experiencing some troubling issues lately. Reports of hunting in close proximity to residences, leaving rubbish on others’ property and vehicles damaging private land and sensitive beach environments are just a few of the complaints.

“We’ve heard stories of illegal hunting taking place dangerously close to homes and stray bullets coming unbelievably close to residents’ homes and that is unacceptable,” said Dathan Bicoy, operations manager for Molokai Ranch, a neighboring land owner. “The greatest concern for Molokai Ranch is the safety of residents.”

To address these concerns, Molokai Ranch, Ke Nani Kai Condominium Association, Paniolo Hale Condominium Association, Kepuhi Beach Condominium Association, West Molokai Association (WMA), Molokai Police Department (MPD) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) have been working together over the last few months, according to Molokai Ranch Project Manager Nancy Schmicker.…

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County Begins Deer Harvest Cooperative

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

County Begins Deer Harvest Cooperative

The County of Maui has organized the Maui Axis Deer Harvesting Cooperative (MADHC) to help farmers, ranchers and landowners control invasive Axis deer on their property while addressing food security with zero waste. MADHC is made up of a group of certified, trained, hunter- members who can provide harvesting services to those in Maui County receiving damage from Axis deer. The meat will be shared between hunters and landowners, and in some cases, local slaughterhouses will process meat for resale after USDA inspection.

The cooperative began its four-month deer harvesting pilot program on Oct. 1, funded by a $37,500 grant from the Maui County Office of Economic Development.…

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Deer Smugglers Reprimanded

Sunday, August 26th, 2012

Helicopter pilot Thomas Leroy Hauptman pleaded guilty to illegally transporting axis deer from Maui to the Big Island, on Monday. He could be sentenced to over $10,000 in fines and up to a year in prison.

The alleged animal smugglers flew four axis deer from Maui to the Big Island to be used by hunters as living targets, and brought back about a dozen mouflon sheep from the Big Island to a Maui hunting ranch back in 2009.

The owner of the ranch, Jeffrey Scott Grundhauser, is also facing possible jail time for selling wildlife without the proper permit.

Because axis deer and mouflon sheep are not native species to Hawaii, their presence has damaged fragile native ecosystems and farms on the islands where they’ve become established.…

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Mo`omomi to be Gated Soon

Sunday, August 12th, 2012

In an effort to prevent further overfishing, vandalism and overall neglect of natural resources of Mo`omomi Beach, a gate will be installed to restrict vehicle access to the area, according to Halealoha Ayau, Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) acting district supervisor for Molokai. DHHL hopes to have it installed by the end of the month, but because there is only one person on staff who has the skill to build the gate, it may take longer, according to Ayau

“We’re hoping the gate will help promote responsible behavior, because there has been such a high level of vandalism, cutting through fences and fence posts and really irresponsible behavior, at the pavilion especially,” said Ayau.…

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