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Author Archives: Jennifer Smith
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Looking to the Future
National Parks Service taking on more responsibility in Kalaupapa.
By Jennifer Smith
“Are we on the phasing out phase in Kalaupapa?” resident Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa asked at the monthly meeting on the Kalawao peninsula. Several residents shared Kahilihiwa’s concern, noting an increased number of open positions on the peninsula.
State Department of Health (DOH) Chief Michael Maruyama gave a mixed answer at last Tuesday’s meeting in McVeigh Hall. He said the vacancies were the result of a lack of qualified applicants, but that the state is “in the process of transitioning infrastructure to National Parks Services (NPS)” which will eventually take over all operations in Kalaupapa.
NPS currently splits the electricity responsibilities with the Department of Health, and has undertaken several other projects in the past few years, including a grave marker restoration project and a waste reduction initiative.
NPS workers said they hope to begin the extensive grave marker restoration project at the end of the month, with a tentative blessing on April 21. The project will re-set and/or repair 91 markers by October 2009, pending full funding.
NPS hopes the work will lead to the reconnection of families. If successful, NPS project planner Jennifer Cerny said the project “will eventually launch into a larger cemetery management plan.” However, for now the focus is to address immediate safety issues and preservation issues.
“For me I really appreciate you guys picking up these things” because they have been ruined by repeated tidal waves, Kalaupapa resident Gloria Marks said. “What you folks are doing I thank you.”
With the dump closure looming on the horizon, NPS is also looking for ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Student Conservation Association intern Brooke Jarvis has teamed up with NPS to further efforts to reduce the amount of waste that enters the community.
“NPS has been working on ways waste can be dealt with for a long time,” Jarvis said. “We have a lot of potential and a lot of obstacles.”
One obstacle is materials. Workers are currently waiting for the barge to bring supplies to build a recycling and compost facility.
Until then Jarvis has found ways to reduce the amount of junk mail residents receive, eliminate the use of disposable dishware in the main kitchen, and reuse building materials when possible.
Another exciting development may soon be in effect for Kalaupapa residents, as Nui Air plans to begin regularly scheduled flights to the peninsula this summer.
Since the closure of Molokai Air Shuttle, Pacific Wings has been the sole scheduled provider of flights to the peninsula. Maruyama said Nui Air hopes to begin scheduled services this June.
Before closing the meeting Maruyama presented attendees with a copy of DOH’s annual report. The document includes several important developments on the peninsula including the results of three surveys, two concerning patient sponsored child visitations and one about the Ka Ohana O Kalaupapa sponsored patient memorial.
The report also addressed concerns about the retirement of the barge used to provide annual transport of durable goods and the use of ethanol gas in Kalaupapa.
Maruyama has also reminded DOH and NPS employees that the doctors in Kalaupapa have been contracted from the University of Hawaii, School of Medicine to provide services to Kalaupapa patients, and therefore patients receive full priority. Emergencies will be handled on a case by case basis.
Kalaupapa’s monthly meetings will now take place a half hour earlier at 11:30 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 13.
Kilohana Student Showcase
After a grueling week of tests, Kilohana Elementary School students enjoyed some fun art activities during last Thursday’s student showcase.
Mayer Confirmed, With Strong Reservations
New Director of Planning receives mixed reviews in senate confirmation.
By Jennifer Smith
The 13-12 vote echoed mixed reviews received during three hearings held to address the January appointment of the former Molokai resident.
Sen. Kalani English said Mayer failed in a February hearing on Molokai to show his ability to fulfill the requirements of the Director’s position as described in the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The senator said the description requires the Director to develop alternative views and innovative plans for the state.
“Mayer didn’t contribute anything constructive in important planning processes on Molokai,” former Planning Commission Chair DeGray Vanderbilt said. Several other community members expressed similar concerns about how the new Director’s two years of work as the Executive Director of the Molokai Enterprise Community qualifies him to make planning decisions for the entire state.
“Mr. Mayer does not have a background in strategic long based community planning,” or knowledge of protecting Hawaii’s resources, Homesteader Tuddie Purdy said in a written testimony.
Mayer received a recommendation last week Monday during a Senate Committee on Water and Land hearing; however, all four senators’ recommendations came with strong reservations. The senators questioned the authenticity of testimony received supporting Mayer, cited strong obstacles he will have to overcome, and asked him to heed the knowledge of his adept staff.
“My concern is not Mr. Mayer as an individual,” Sen. Carol Fukunaga said. With the islands heading into a difficult time, and important decisions concerning development and innovation needing to be made, the senator said the nominee for such a high position should possess abundant and applicable qualifications.
Fukunaga was among the senators who voted against the confirmation because the nominee does not have a “strong planning background.”
Innovation and alternative plans have become even more important in light of Molokai Ranch’s March 24 decision to close operations. Governor Linda Lingle compared the Ranch’s decision to terminate over 120 jobs on Molokai to the loss of 23,000 jobs on Oahu.
The Governor has appointed Mayer to oversee the newly created Molokai Action Team (MAT) to help address the effects of the Ranch’s decision to close.Mayer will receive his first big test in his new position while heading the team of 14 individuals from state, county, business, and community organizations. The first meeting of MAT was held in the Department of Hawaiian Homelands Conference room on April 7.
A Hopeful Hollywood Ending
Last Maunaloa Town picture show, plans for new theater in works.
The movie theater closure last week coincided with the closure of the Molokai Lodge, the Kaupoa Beach Village, Kaluakoi Golf Course, and the Maunaloa gas station. “I’m personally disappointed by the Ranch’s decision” to close, contractor Glenn Mohn said, explaining that he understands the company’s need to make money, but didn’t feel that the closure would help.
“What theater do you know that let’s you drive your motorcycle into the lobby?” Mohn said, sharing fond memories of the neighborhood theater.
Community members showed their support for the theater by hosting a potluck before the final screening. “I came out to support the people that live here,” former Maunaloa resident Drake Wells said. He reminisced about past theater experiences in Kualapu`u and Kaunakakai and said he is hopeful that the island will have a new theater soon.
“It’s like a family up here, everybody takes care of everybody,” Uncle Butch Tabanoa said. Having lived in Maunaloa since 1974, Tabanoa has seen the island overcome challenges in the past. “It makes Molokai stronger.”
Celtic Music Amuses Library Goers
Band highlights National Library Week celebrations.
By Jennifer Smith
Taking down the quiet signs and opening the doors to a Colorado based band, last Wednesday Molokai Public Library boomed with jokes, laughter, and a whole lot of classic Celtic music.
For nearly half a decade The Muses have led audiences in Hawaii to tap their toes, sing along, and at some points jump out of their chairs to dance. Beginning with a sea shanty, also known as a shipboard working song, the band continued on with lively drinking songs, moving love melodies, and funny riddles and jokes for the audience.
The Muses traveled to the Islands to perform at 15 libraries for National Library Week, and to participate in last weekend’s Scottish games on Oahu.
Matt Gurnsey, Tanya Brody, and Lindsay Jensen make up The Muses musical talents. Listening to the harmonious rhythm of the trio one would never know that Jensen joined the band only two months previous to the Hawaii trip.
Gurnsey and Brody visited Hawaii nearly five years ago on their Honeymoon. Falling in love with the landscape, they made connections with a pub owner to return regularly to perform.
Last week’s Molokai Public Library performance marked the band’s first visit to the Friendly Isle. The band traveled with nearly 16 bags primarily filled with instruments, only a fifth of their reserves. After their performance audience members thanked the band and received demonstrations of the instruments.
Mahalo to the Friends of the Library and University of Hawaii for funding The Muses performance.
Governor Forms Molokai Action Team
Group to focus on workforce, economy.
The Ranch, also known as Molokai Properties Limited, announced on March 24 its decision to close its ranching operations, Molokai Lodge, Molokai Beach Village, Kaluakoi Golf course, the Maunaloa gas station and theater. Approximately 120 employees and their families are affected by the closure and have received 60-day notification of the impending shutdown.
The Action Team will be taking feedback from Molokai Ranch workers and the greater Molokai community on their needs and concerns. Governor Lingle has also asked MAT members to focus on longer-term job creation and rebuilding Molokai’s workforce base.
The 14 individuals on MAT represent state, county, business and community organizations. Governor Lingle has asked Abbey Mayer, interim director of the State Office of Planning, to chair the team. Other team members include: Senator J. Kalani English, Representative Mele Carroll, Colette Machado (Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee), Jo-ann Ridao (Office of the Mayor), Councilmember Danny Mateo, Henry Oliva (Department of Human Services deputy director), Ray Foster (Monsanto General Manager), Stacy Crivello (Molokai Enterprise Community president), Barbara Kalipi (Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center Manager), Kammy Purdy (Ho‘olehua Homestead Association president), Barbara Haliniak (Molokai Chamber of Commerce president), Janice Kalanihuia (Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council chair), and Jimmy Duvauchelle (Maunaloa ‘Ohana Community Association president).
The first meeting of the Molokai Action Team is scheduled for Monday, April 7, 10 a.m. at the DHHL/OHA Conference Room at Kulana O‘iwi.
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the County of Maui will host a job fair in the community on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kulana O‘iwi Halau. The event will include employers from Molokai and Maui, as well as social service agencies.
Audit Aftermath
Water board works on recommended improvements.
By Jennifer Smith
The Water User Advisory Board (WUAB) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA) have returned to the table to begin working on system improvements. The release of last month’s Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) audit report, led to the creation of 27 action items.
DOA Deputy Director Duane Okamoto presented the board at last Tuesday’s meeting with the lengthy list of tasks to improve the MIS. He said many of the items were taken directly from the audit report, and two have already been completed.
“Everything on this list that we can do immediately we are going to do,” DOA Asset Manager Randy Teruya said.
Clean Up Molokai!
Recycle program for excess plastic bags.
Friendly Market, Misaki's and Kualapuu Market will be collecting any used/unwanted plastic bags (including ziploc type, soft packaging, dryclean covers, pallet wrap) on Saturday and Monday to ship to recyclers via Walmart. Walmart will kokua by shipping it out for recycling into lumber, etc.
PLEASE no "hauna" bags and try to remove any paper labels or tags stuck on.
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