The Molokai Dispatch -

Park would Require Urban Zoning

Zalina Alvi — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:09:04 -0600

Proposed parks baseyard within Duke Maliu Regional Park would require an urban land designation.

by Zalina Alvi

A proposed $1-million parks baseyard within Duke Maliu Regional Park may not be built due to concerns over the location being suggested by county planners.

Changes in land use designation needed to allow construction of the 5,000-square-foot facility would make the area makai of Home Pumehana and east of Kaunakakai School urban land under state zoning. It is currently designated as agricultural land.

Molokai Planning for a Rise in Tourism

Zalina Alvi — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:29:22 -0600

Molokai Councilmember Danny Mateo hosts meeting to prepare for what’s to come.

By Zalina Alvi

When Molokai is hit with the surge of tourism expected to follow Father Damien’s canonization early next year, the community will be the ones in control.

Molokai Councilmember Danny Mateo was on Molokai last Friday to conduct a planning session between members of the Molokai and Maui county communities with a focus on controlling sustainable economic development on the island.

Members of the working group kept the focus on addressing the needs and concerns of the patients in Kalaupapa, and planning for ways to welcome visitors to the island while ensuring Molokai, and Kalaupapa in particular, remain uncompromised.

The working group will be meeting regularly to prepare both topside Molokai and Kalaupapa for what is to come in the following months.

Citizens Take Immediate Action Against Water Rate Increases

By Catherine Cluett — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Meeting results in protest trip to Oahu.

By Catherine Cluett

Hope and optimism were in the air as Walter Ritte gathered a group of concerned citizens for a meeting last Wednesday to address the water crisis on Molokai. The goal of the meeting was to “figure out what we can do as a group, and go do it,” said Ritte. The result? A publicity and protest trip to Oahu on Sept. 8.

Brainstorming
Proposed action included sending letters, signing petitions, making phone calls, and paying visits to all council members. Other ideas included raising money and getting international organizations to match funds, T-shirt fundraisers, and all manner of publicity to raise statewide awareness of the issue.

`Aha Kiole Leaders Sought for Upcoming Election

By Catherine Cluett — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Representatives will advise the state how to manage Molokai’s resources.

By Catherine Cluett

While some skepticism was expressed at previous `Aha Kiole meetings, hope remained the central theme at a meeting last Tuesday night. The meeting was called to look for leadership in each of the five moku on Molokai, starting with Pala’au in the center of the island. Vanda Hanakahi is the chair of the statewide `Aha Kiole and representative for Molokai.

What is the `Aha Kiole?
Hanakahi explains that `Aha Kiole is ancient form of government begun over 1000 years ago. “Aha,” means council, and “kiole” originally referred to a tiny fish that swam in large groups and used as a metaphor for a large body of people. So today `Aha Kiole means just that: the voice or council of the people. The `Aha Kiole’s job is to advise the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and similar agencies in resource management using traditional Hawaiian methods and traditions.

Molokai Residents Get Back to Work

By Catherine Cluett — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Over half of ranch workers find jobs and more to come.

By Catherine Cluett

The Molokai Action Team (MAT) meeting last Monday revealed that former ranch employees show a high level of education, skill, and current employment. The MAT was formed in April to address unemployment and economic development after the closing of the Molokai Ranch. The meeting agenda included a review activities as well as updates from the county of Maui and reports from community members.

A Skilled Group
Alberta Patchen, Molokai manager of the Work Force Development Division, compiled education and work experience statistics about 50 of the 98 displaced Ranch employees. Her findings showed that, the employees form a skilled and educated group. Nineteen graduated from college, 26 graduated from high school and only five did not finish high school.

PUC Rate Increases Investigated

By Molokai Dispatch Staff — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Ombudsman confirms investigation is underway.

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

At least two formal complaints have lead to an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman into the recent water rate hikes approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The hike will affect as many as 1,200 west and central Molokai residents.

Last Wednesday Robin Matsunaga of the Hawaii Ombudsman’s office, who is leading the investigation, held an informational meeting on Molokai for residents to learn about the purpose and procedures of the department.

Matsunaga also addressed a complaint filed last week by an unnamed Molokai resident that sparked the investigation of the PUC’s activities and policies.

Water rights activist Walter Ritte formally handed in his own letter of complaint against the PUC for the water rate increases, and included the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) in the complaint. The DCCA has set a state cap of 25% on utility rate increases but did not take action against PUC in this case. Ritte also volunteered to provide the Ombudsman with any information the community has concerning the PUC increases to aid in the investigation.

Getting Involved in Statehood Celebrations

By Governor Linda Lingle — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Governor Linda Lingle encourages Molokai residents to share their mana`o.

By Governor Linda Lingle

Aloha!

Last year, I was proud to sign into law a bill requiring the creation of a 25-member commission to develop, plan and coordinate activities to honor the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s admission to the United States.

I addressed members of the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission at their first meeting in November 2007 in order to reinforce the importance of organizing culturally sensitive events and programs that honor the past, respect the present and look to the future, and that also invite the participation of both residents and visitors statewide.

My hope is that the comprehensive plan announced by the Statehood Commission last month will engage the public – including Moloka‘i residents – in a lively and thought-provoking discussion about the significance of statehood.

A year-long series of events to commemorate Hawai‘i’s golden anniversary of statehood started in August. The plan’s varied components provide people of all ages with opportunities to reflect on how statehood has contributed to the Hawai‘i of today and the direction we are headed as the youngest and most ethnically and culturally diverse state in America. For more information about how to become involved, Moloka‘i residents can e-mail statehood@hawaii.gov or visit www.hawaii.gov/statehood.

Hawai‘i’s distinctive history inspired commission members to focus their efforts on community education. A major highlight of the programs they’ve planned is 50 Voices of Statehood, a series of radio and television vignettes recorded for posterity by the award-winning Searider Productions of Wai‘anae High School on O‘ahu.

Featuring diverse and personal perspectives on statehood from 50 residents from across the island chain, the weekly vignettes started airing on several television stations and more than 60 radio stations statewide on Aug. 25 and will last an entire year. The commission has also created an interactive, online forum (www.seariderproductions.com/50voices) so that teachers can incorporate the vignettes into their classrooms.

To ensure that events commemorating statehood have a broad reach, each county will host several island-specific events that will be coordinated by the neighbor island representatives to the commission, including Maui County representative Deidre Tegarden.

Working in conjunction with the U.S. Mint, the commission also plans to host simultaneous events on Nov. 10, 2008 for the Hawai‘i state quarter on O‘ahu and the neighbor islands, providing visitors and kama‘āina with an opportunity to complete their 50-state quarter set.

The year-long activities will culminate with a one-day public conference on Aug. 21, 2009 called Commemorating the 50th State: New Horizons for the Next 50 Years, at which local, national and international leaders will gather to discuss topics about Hawai‘i’s past, present and future, including technology in our daily lives, education for the next generation, the 21st century economy, and a break-out session entitled “Native Hawaiians: Cultural Navigation in a Sea of Change.”

I know that Moloka‘i residents offer valuable perspectives on the significance of statehood to Hawai‘i. I encourage you to find information on additional events and learn how to get involved at www.hawaii.gov/statehood. In addition, please feel free to send my office your input on this and other initiatives at governor.lingle@hawaii.gov.

Mahalo,
Governor Linda Lingle

Tutu & Me Ho’olaule’a

By Kanoe Davis — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

By Kanoe Davis

This month’s theme for Tutu & Me’s Ho’olaule’a reflected the many wonders of the sea. Keiki from 0 to 5 years old could be seen running around the grounds at Kualapu’u Recreational Center in their bright orange Ho’olaule’a 2008 t-shirts.

Tutu & Me is a program in which caregiver’s are able to take their children to the different sites to learn and interact with other caregivers as well as children their age. The program focuses in preparing the children for Kindergarten and providing resources for caregivers.

As you walk into the center there were many age appropriate booths set up from face painting, ocean themed balloon animals to even a place where keiki and caregivers could see, touch, and experience live fish, limu (seaweed), and crabs.

Ferry Prices Likely to Increase

By Zalina Alvi — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

If implemented, new costs for ferry customers will reflect gas prices.

By Zalina Alvi

New fuel surcharges for passengers taking the ferry between Maui and Molokai will likely become permanent following a favorable public hearing of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

“Our future is tied to this increase,” said David Jung, captain and president of Sea Link, the parent company of the ferry fleet, at the hearing. He urged PUC Chair Carlito Caliboso to approve the permanent fuel surcharge to ensure that the ferry service can continue operating.

After receiving testimonies from Jung and the state Division of Consumer Advocacy (DCA), and comments from the public, the commission will now make a decision. PUC officials present at the hearing did not have a timeline set for when the permanent increase would be granted or denied.

Paddlers Complete Training Trip Around Molokai

By Catherine Cluett — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Oahu paddlers enjoy a taste of Molokai waters.

By Catherine Cluett

The Lanikai Canoe Club from Oahu visited Molokai on Saturday to complete a training trip around the north side of the island. “This is such a great opportunity for us to come together as a team and practice in a place that is so special,” said Molokai’s Carlton Helm, who now lives on Oahu and paddles with the club.

“I can’t believe how happy and excited we are to be here,” added coach Pat Erwin.

Saturday morning brought sunny skies and perfect paddling conditions, with a tailwind to carry Lanikai on their journey. The paddlers gathered to launch at Yamashita Bay, where two wa`a already awaited them. They pealed back the paper from the newly-minted Bud Light logos on the boats, displaying the company as one of their club sponsors, then Erwin gathered the paddlers together for a few words before the launch.