Forethought
Harvey James
Maunaloa
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La`au Point
Add your commentAnother Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest!
To the MPL employees, the people of Molokai have empathy for you as you go through the change. MPL is closing and claims it is because of the opposition to the La`au project. Maybe….maybe not.
Questions:
Why would you put all your eggs in one plan and say…..my way only or the highway? Wouldn’t it be better to have a lot of little rather than one big?
Maybe there is no aloha for Molokai from MPL; but in the meantime, how about a little aloha for the business that you do have? My suggestion is to lease the golf course to Sonny Boy, the lodge to….?, Wallace theaters to,,,?, the campgrounds and give opportunity for your Kalua Koi Hotel to be refurbished and restored for time share including the dinning room to Molokai people first, etc. and then off-island people with the stipulation that whoever buys your company renegotiate with the lessees. Hope MPL doesn’t let the property sit for the termites and the rats to kau kau (eat) as did the previous owner.
Maybe the word can be put out to World investors that the red dirt on the West End with a little bit of squeeze, lomi lomi (massage) and manipulation can produce oil and gasoline. Oops, maybe that’s going too far J
Larry Helm
Concerned Citizen
Not “Activist” but “Advocates”
The previous EIS was almost denied by the LUC until MPL withdrew the EIS by the prompting of a LUC member. The "lengthy consultation with the community" concluded Moloka'i community was against the development of La'au Pt. because it would kill our lifestyle, deplete our natural resources, and would not protect our endangered species. Were we expected to close our eyes to these important issues and allow developers destroy the "last Hawaiian island" for their financial gain?
MPL threatened their employees if they didn't push the plan they would lose their jobs. Many employees left beforehand because of these threats. MPL's game plan was to divide and conquer and this is the grand finale. Hard working community members compiled alternatives that would provide revenues to MPL but the compilation was not even reviewed. MPL executive director stated the Molokai community would have the final say in regards to the La'au Pt development and he closed his ears to valuable information from Molokai experts and Kupuna.
"Opponents" are not just fighting for the pleasure of it. We are advocating our rights as a people and protecting our limited resources. Moloka'i advocates are scapegoats for MPL's failures and the "loyal employees" are MPL's pawn. Place the credit where it's due, and don't promise what won't be done.
Aloha to the MPL employees
This is the perfect opportunity for the MPL victims to take advantage of offers that will come their way. On Moloka`i there is a need for educators, nurses, social workers, computer technicians, bookkeepers and entrepreneurs.
For those that are homesteaders use your land and water, get involved in agriculture, whether it is a small garden or large farm. If your 40 acres are fenced, raise cattle for your family or for the Moloka`i Livestock Cooperative. MPL has 500 head; maybe they will donate or sell their young cattle for your self-sufficiency (if they really care about their employees).
The State of Hawaii proposes to assist MPL’s former employees; they should provide scholarships for college, farm/ranch grants for homesteaders, as well as training and funding to become business entrepreneurs. Utilize the Moloka`i Kuha`o Business Center, the Maui/Molokai Community College, the CTAHR agriculture specialist, and other available programs that will development your capacity.
Don’t settle for minimum wage; don’t toil for a company that does not appreciate your true worth. Use this situation as a motivator to improve your life and job skills. Ask the State of Hawaii to provide the resources that will be truly helpful and don’t settle for only an unemployment or welfare check. I know many of you, and trust me; you are capable of fulfilling your own dreams. It’s time to think positive and journey into new ventures. Imua!!! Best wishes to you all.
Kammy Purdy, Entrepreneur
Purdy’s Macadamia Nut Farm
Former business owner of the Kamuela’s Cookhouse and The Travel Shoppe
Administrator of the Molokai Livestock Cooperative
Failure of MPL Cannot be Blamed on the Opposition
MPL operations for the past four years appear to have been supported only by real estate sales: "Between 2003 and 2007, MPL was able to sell enough land in order that it could fund its own operating cash requirements, capital needs, master planning, and entitlement costs" (p.115).
This appears to no longer be the case. The closing of Molokai Ranch indicates its operations are no longer self-sustaining, via real-estate sales or otherwise. Peter Nicholas states that "unacceptable delays caused by continued opposition to every aspect of the Master Plan means we are unable to fund continued normal company operations". He continues to say "without the prospect of an economic future for the company that results from the implementation of all facets of the Master Plan, we are unable to continue to bear large losses from continuing these operations".
However, the "delays" in starting the implementation of the La'au Point development and other "Master Plan" activities are procedural, and not due to unforeseeable, unexpected, or unreasonable opposition to "The Plan". A final EIS has yet to be completed, as well as numerous other proceedings needed to go forward with the project. These are required by law. MPL has (or should have) known the time needed for their completion at the outset of this project. They have nothing to do with the current financial standing of MPL.
MPL blames their current financial insolvency on opposition to La'au Point. Some people have been convinced enough to blame specific individuals vocal and visible in their opposition to MPL's plan, and who are pursuing other alternatives to it. However, blaming La'au opposition fails to acknowledge the actual reasons for MPL's financial woes – a history of operating deficits, depressed real-estate and lending industries worldwide, and a parent company unwilling to continue subsidizing non-performing investments.
The unemployment resulting from the closure of Molokai Ranch operations will have a ripple effect on individuals, families, and the community at large. Emotions will run high – this is evident form the comments posted on the Molokai community newspapers' websites. I am optimistic that unproductive blame and anger can be converted into support, collaboration, and innovation in moving forward with Molokai's future.
Keith Izawa
Molokai High c/o 1999
Machado Should Look in the Mirror
This just shows how out of touch Trustee Machado is with the Molokai people, and with reality.
At the November LUC hearings, nearly 300 Molokai community members protested against the La'au development. These activists were not "loud" (except in clapping after testimonies), nor were their voices ever "angry" or "unreasonable." On the contrary, they were full of aloha for La'au Point and Moloka'i, and their testimonies were extremely thorough and well-informed. Indeed, they spoke with a beautiful combination of knowledge and passion about the issue.
This is what LUC Commissioner Wong expressed (transcripts): “I must say that the testimony was extremely informative. They were well prepared. And more importantly they brought to bear all of the issues. They brought it on the table. And the people of the community expressed their thoughts and their feelings.”
The large majority of Molokai residents (not a “minority”) were against the La’au Point development. No one wanted to see workers lose their jobs; and thus, the community tried to invite Trustee Machado and Molokai Ranch “back to the table” to find acceptable alternative solutions. They never came, and now we have a crisis.
Therefore, Miss Machado really ought to look in the mirror before casting blame on anyone else.
Mahalo nui loa,
Kalani Thompson
Kawela
It Is Not
It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch doesn't know how to run a successful hotel in paradise.
It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch cannot run a successful golf course in the state of Hawaii.
It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch cannot run a successful Cattle operation.
It is certainly not the fault of the people of Molokai that the original purchaser of Molokai Ranch paid so much for the property.
Well Molokai Ranch, made a mistake in thinking that the people of Molokai would fall for an ill-conceived project covered with mirrors and smoke so thick The Governor and Both Senators were all bamboozled into backing this foreign investment company that owns the Molokai Ranch.
And it certainly is not the fault of the people of Molokai that this man cannot admit his mistake instead of acting like a childish brat and taking his ball and going home.
The people of Molokai will not be cowed by greedy little men from somewhere else.
Penny Spiller, Ho`olehua
Forethought
Harvey James
Maunaloa
Another Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest!
Questions:
Why would you put all your eggs in one plan and say…..my way only or the highway? Wouldn’t it be better to have a lot of little rather than one big?
Maybe there is no aloha for Molokai from MPL; but in the meantime, how about a little aloha for the business that you do have? My suggestion is to lease the golf course to Sonny Boy, the lodge to….?, Wallace theaters to,,,?, the campgrounds and give opportunity for your Kalua Koi Hotel to be refurbished and restored for time share including the dinning room to Molokai people first, etc. and then off-island people with the stipulation that whoever buys your company renegotiate with the lessees. Hope MPL doesn’t let the property sit for the termites and the rats to kau kau (eat) as did the previous owner.
Maybe the word can be put out to World investors that the red dirt on the West End with a little bit of squeeze, lomi lomi (massage) and manipulation can produce oil and gasoline. Oops, maybe that’s going too far J
Larry Helm
Concerned Citizen
Molokai Ranch Terminating Operations and Employees
Molokai Ranch, which owns roughly one third of the island, risked it all in an attempt to develop La`au Point (in red). Facing obstacles including a failed environmental impact statement and denied water pumping and transport rights, the Ranch says it now has no choice but to layoff 120 of its employees.
By Léo Azambuja
A bright and sunny Monday turned into one of the darkest days in Molokai’s history, when Molokai Ranch abruptly announced the shutdown of all major operations by April 5 and the layoff of over 120 employees within 60 days.
“They basically gave everybody the pink slip,” said Lester Keanini, general manager of Maunaloa Theater. He said a lot of employees walked out of the meeting in tears.
“Everybody was in shock, trying to figure out what they are going to do now,” Keanini said. “A lot of them are pretty much in the same boat that I am at.” Keanini has to figure out how to pay the mortgage on his new house in Maunaloa.
The Ranch’s CEO, Peter Nicholas said in a press release “the decision is purely a business one.”
As a final blow to the Molokai community, the Ranch blamed the overwhelming opposition to its Master Plan for not being able to continue operating.
“We deeply regret to have taken this step, as the main impact will be on our loyal employees,” Nicholas said.
“Peter Nicholas has only himself to blame,” said DeGray Vanderbilt, Chair of the Molokai Planning Commission. “Under his watch, the Ranch continued to promote an incomplete and misleading Master Plan … and early in the game threatened in writing to bring down its ‘doomsday scenario’ on Molokai if the company didn’t get what it wanted”.
Sen. Kalani English said in a press release that he hopes the Ranch’s actions were based on legitimate financial concerns, rather than “a bargaining chip in their efforts to impose their desire for development on the Molokai community."
“I feel for the people who lost their jobs, but it is not the fault of the people who are against La`au,” said Jonathan Socher, Maunaloa Kite Shop owner.
Socher said the owners of Molokai Ranch “want to blame the people of Molokai for destroying their livelihood, and the workers may believe it, because they have nothing else to believe.”
“Blame Linda Lingle, she’s the one who refused to listen to us,” Socher said. “She sided with the Ranch right from the very beginning. It’s her fault.”
Governor Linda Lingle, worrying about the impact of the Ranch’s shutdown on Molokai’s economy, said in a press release that her office and several state departments are working together to assist the employees.
“The loss of this many jobs in such a small community like Molokai is equivalent to 23,000 people on O‘ahu losing their jobs on the same day,” Lingle said.
The shut down will include the Molokai Lodge, the Kaupoa Beach Village, the Kaluakoi Golf Course, the Maunaloa gas station, the Maunaloa Tri-Plex Theater, cattle-rearing, and the company’s substantial maintenance operations.
Nicholas also said the Ranch will indefinitely close all access to its properties.
Sen. English said the Ranch has a duty to respect the native gathering rights of Molokai’s Hawaiian population. “I hope that the company will act responsibly in respecting the rights of the community," he said.
All of the Ranch’s employees belong to International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142. “This came out of the blue,” said Abel Kahoohanohano Jr., ILWU business agent. “We had no idea.”
“From what I understand, Molokai Ranch has to give us a 60-day notification for the shutdown. That’s the State law,” Kahoohanohano said, explaining that Ranch officials had not notified him of the layoffs ahead of time.
Mayor Charmaine Tavares said in a press release “the impact on the community will be quite serious.” Calling the Ranch’s decision “devastating news,” she said she is concerned for the employees and their families, the ones who will feel the impact the most.
“Finding work on-island for the many people who will lose their jobs is next to impossible,” Council Member Danny Mateo said in a press release. “I’m concerned about potential foreclosures of homes and other immediate impacts.”
Mateo criticized the Ranch’s decision to blame the community for the shutdown. Speaking about a “project that didn’t fit,” Mateo hinted to the proposed La`au Point development.
“It seems to be a mean-spirited conclusion to punish a community that isn’t ready to deal with the type of project the company wanted,” Mateo said. “To subject the community to increased economic hardship is unfortunate.”
Mateo said he is also concerned about the company’s obligation to provide affordable housing, and with the status of existing leases with the County, such as Kaunakakai Ball Park, Papohaku Beach Park, the community center, and others.
Pilipo Solatario, who recently lost his position as the Ranch’s Cultural Director, said the employees should not take this as the end. “We need to move forward, we need to have faith. This is a heavy trial and tribulation for each of us,” he said.
“If you think that you can’t live here anymore, that thinking is negative and it will come to be,” Solatario said. “There is always something to do here.”
Sen.English said Molokai residents “have maintained segments of their historical subsistence economy, with continued reliance on fishing and agriculture to ensure that food remains available despite economic hardships."
Karen Holt, Executive Director of the Molokai Community Service Council, said her staff is concerned about the Ranch's employees, and expects that the community will pull together to support them, as it did when the pineapple plantations pulled out in the 1980s and when the Kaluakoi Hotel closed down.
On April 5, Maunaloa Theater is supposed to screen its last picture-show, Keanini said. He is in contact with Hollywood Theaters, the concession holder, to try to keep the business going. In an eerie coincidence, current movie titles at the Tri-Plex reflect Molokai’s current hardships. This week’s movie listings are “Never Back Down,” “Bank Job,” and “Doomsday.” All contents copyright © 2003-2023. Molokai Dispatch, Inc. All rights reserved. 
