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Kaunakakai, HI
- Scattered clouds
- Temperature: 75.2 °F
- Wind: Variable, 9.3 km/h, gusts up to 27.8 km/h
- Pressure: 1017 hPa
- Rel. Humidity: 69 %
- Visibility: 16.1 km
Sat, 2010-07-31 17:54
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This Week's Cover
Government
Proposed Council Elections Change Delayed
Single-member district amendment misses November ballot.
Efforts to change how Maui County council members are elected – replacing at-large elections with single-member districts and redrawing district lines -- stalled this month as council members opted to delay a decision until next year.
Add your commentCounty Deems Molokai’s Water Safe
Molokai’s water supply meets all federal and state safety standards, according to the annual Water Quality Report released this month by the county Department of Water Supply (DWS).Tests conducted last year show safe levels of containments and do not raise any concerns, said Cari Sumabat, DWS laboratory supervisor. DWS tested Molokai’s three water systems – Kalae, Kaunakakai and Ualapue.Contaminants that were found in the water were well below allowable limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, the Kalae system’s water contained 0.39 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate, while the EPA’s allowable limit is 10 ppm.
The Road Home
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Newly-paved East Mo`omomi Road in Ho`olehuaFor the six years that Irene Kaahanui has lived on East Mo`omomi Road in Ho`olehua, she has had to maneuver winding ravines carved out from years of flooding just to drive to her house. She dreaded the rain, which would turn the dirt road into a mud pit. “You’d slip and slide,” she remembered.This spring, after decades of lobbying from residents, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) had East Mo`omomi Road paved, replacing its deep ravines with sleek, even pavement. “It’s a joy to drive on the road now,” Kaahanui said.
Worthy Award
MOC gets $50,000 to continue services.
MOC News ReleaseNew funds for the Molokai Occupational Center (MOC) will allow the continued employment of Molokai’s disabled and disadvantaged residents. MOC recently received a $50,000 award from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to be used for their Work Activity Service Program. This program provides work training, rehabilitation and employment opportunities as well as valuable community services in a variety of fields. These include yard maintenance and landscape, janitorial, garment cleaning, car cleaning, and thrift store services. However, these services don’t usually generate enough revenue to pay for their employees.
What’s in Your Water?
Water quality data sent to customers.
Maui Dept. of Water Supply News ReleaseThe County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) sent out its twelfth annual Water Quality Report earlier this month to customers on Maui and Molokai. Following regulations established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Act, the DWS has been preparing the Report annually for customers since 1999. The report includes information on water sources and the results of testing done over the past year. The Report is mailed to all billing addresses and will be posted on the internet at www.mauiwater.org later this month. Customers with questions about water quality may call the DWS Laboratory at 270-7550.
Sirens Tested on Thursday
County of Maui News Release As part of routine maintenance, two Civil Defense emergency warning sirens on Molokai will be tested this Thursday, July 22, 2010. The test will include a two-minute sounding of each siren, the County of Maui Civil Defense Agency announced. The two sirens, which are part of the state Emergency Alert System (EAS), are located at Kilohana Elementary School and at Kamalo. The siren at Kilohana will be tested at approximately 10 a.m.; the siren at Kamalo is expected to be tested at noon. Thursday’s scheduled two-minute siren tones are for maintenance and testing purposes only.
Fishpond Protection Bill Passes
Community Contributed
By Chris CrammerLast week, a state law passed that prohibits the sale of government owned Hawaiian fishponds. The message was loud and clear. Restore and protect our ancient fishponds, don’t auction them to the highest bidder. Whether it was the hundreds of signatures collected on the petition or lobbying in the community and legislature, everyone contributed. Our legislators responded by passing the bill unanimously. Initially, Gov. Lingle placed it on her veto list. However, she reversed her decision at the end and allowed it to pass without signature.
Ancient Land-Caring Councils Make a Comeback
When state legislators passed a law three years ago calling for the creation of regional `Aha Moku councils to help manage Hawaii’s natural resources, many questioned the logistics of the plan. How would it work? Who would be in involved? And would the councils have any real impact on state polices?Finally, some of those questions are being answered. Last Wednesday, Molokai community members again met to continue organizating efforts of an `Aha Moku council on Molokai. The group discussed possible mission statements and objectives for the council and formed a subcommittee to finalize those documents.
Molokai Vets Protest Building Permit Hold-Ups
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Four years after Molokai veterans began the process of building a veterans center, a group of fed-up veterans traveled to Maui last week to protest further hold-ups in obtaining their building permit. The project has been delayed over concerns that not enough water flows through the current waterline in case of fire. The county Department of Water Supply has not signed off on the building permit because the 4-inch waterline serving the site on Wharf Road does not meet their standards. The Fire Department, however, signed off on the building permit on back in December. “All we want to do is put up our building,” said Larry Helm, commander of the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans.
Fishpond Bill in Jeopardy
Lingle threatens veto of protection legislation.
After feeding Hawaii for centuries, the future of many of the state’s ancient fishponds rest in the governor’s hands. Last week, Gov. Linda Lingle issued her intent to veto a bill that would prevent the sale of state-owned fishponds. House bill 1665 was passed unanimously by the state Senate and House in April.In the last 50 years, developers have bought up many fishponds in southeast Oahu. Chris Cramer is the president of Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, which works to restore fishponds there. He worries the first causalities of the bill’s veto would be some of area’s remaining ponds, which could be auctioned off. Cramer warned these are not the only ponds at stake.