Pono Solutions News Release
Mahalo for welcoming Pono Solutions to the island of Molokai and for allowing us to conduct lighting audits for your businesses. We would like to invite all the business owners on Molokai to a town meeting at the Mitchell Pauole Center on Saturday, March 19. We will be conducting a group presentation three times: 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. We also welcome one-on-one discussions from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in between group presentations.
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Community Contributed
Column by Tutu and Me
Children develop social competence in three main ways: initiating interactions, solving conflicts with others (children and adults), and maintaining ongoing friendships. Children are joining social situations, and spending more time with peers at earlier stages in their lives. Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool is a good example.
Recent studies show that the importance of forming friendships ranks second to the forming of family relationships. Friends come in all ages, shapes, colors, nationalities and religions.
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Community Contributed
By Steve Morgan
Do windmills make noise?
A study in Albany County, Wyoming determined that the Siemens 2.3 megawatt (MW) wind turbine, at a speed of 22 mph, generated a noise level of 47 decibels (db) 800 feet away; 40 db at a mile and a half away; and 21 db at 7 miles away. Comparable studies showed little noise variation in winds ranging from 15 mph to 30mph.
Examples of comparable noise levels are: library ambience 30 db; refrigerator hum 40db; air conditioner (20 feet away) 60 db.
According to the EPA, noise levels above 45 db can disturb sleep. The wind itself also makes noise which may compete with or even eliminate turbine noise.
A more controversial noise problem associated with windmills is “amplitude modulation” created by infrasound waves under 20 hertz (Hz). Various studies seem to deny any true medical condition associated with this problem; however, an AWEA report states that “the fluctuating noise created by the up down motion of the blade can be a concern.” Low level frequencies can affect the vestibular system and effect balance and even create dizziness. Some living in close proximity of windmills have reported these types of effects.
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According to both First Wind and Pattern Energy, upon ceasing operation, all windmills would be removed as well as the concretes support bases. Elaborating on this more fully, David Parquet of Pattern stated that his company would bond the dismantling process. Bonding would insure that money would be a set aside at the development stage of the project, in order to cover all related costs of dismantling. Bonding also insures that these allocated moneys could only be used for the sole purpose of dismantling.
Will the Kaunakakai wharf have to be modified to accommodate loading or transportation of turbines?
According to First Wind, the wharf would need modifications to accommodate the large blade and tower pieces. A consultant would be hired to determine the necessary modifications and community input would be brought in to this process.
How many people will the wind farm employ during the construction phase?
The initial construction phase will require 200-300 workers. Some of these jobs will go to local workers, but a significant number of the workers would come from off island.
Where will these people live while they are on Molokai?
Speaking at the Maunaloa Molokai Properties Ltd. meeting, Parquet of Pattern made a suggestion of refurbishing the abandoned hotel(s). He stated that this could accomplish two things 1) the hotel rooms could provide accommodations for transit workers; and 2) upon completion of the project, the refurbished hotel(s) could resume tourist operations and offer employment. Mr. Parquet went on to state, “if this is something that the community wants.”
How many jobs will there be after construction is finished?
According to First Wind, the project would employ three operations and maintenance personnel and three wildlife biologists. Additionally the turbine manufacturer would provide one maintenance technician for every 10 wind turbines. It is possible that qualified residents could be trained at other project sites in order to prepare them for work on Molokai.
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Community Contributed
By G.T. Larson
Nature has an infinite array of wonders to arrest the attention of even the most distracted among us. Along with larger surf, winter time in Hawaii brings more active weather systems. This increase of activity is a direct result of the northern Pacific Ocean awakening from its summertime seasonal slumber. Low pressure systems in the far north Pacific become more numerous and deepen in intensity as fall becomes winter.
This in turn leads to an increase in frequency and size of swells on our north and northwest shores. As these low pressure systems become more intense, they are more likely to travel farther south and southeast from their spawning grounds.
This brings them closer to Hawaii; hence an increase in stormy weather near, over, and across the islands. These lows bring rain to parts of the islands, usually the leeward sides, which get little to none the rest of the year. The remaining areas also have a dramatic increase of precipitation. A weather phenomenon associated with these low pressure systems, encountered on the mainland quite often but experienced in Hawaii rarely, is lightning.
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In a time where state education budgets are slashed and administrators cannot hire teachers, some schools and even parents are enrolling in full-time virtual schools.
Molokai High School (MHS) takes advantage of newly available online course to offer classes they couldn’t otherwise. MHS does not offer foreign language or advanced placement classes, said Principal Stan Hao.
Through the Department of Education’s virtual learning network, the high school offers French, Spanish, Japanese, AP World History and U.S. History, according to registrar Julia DeGeorge. The classes are provided by Myron B. Thompson Academy, the state’s “e-charter” school.
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Marcus Quiniones wanted to tell stories. After working for years in in the arts dancing, writing and acting, he realized getting paid to do all three was inspiration enough to continue.
Quiniones, who was born on Molokai and moved to Seattle during high school, was on-island last week to teach importance of art and performance art to the students of Molokai High School during Future Fest.
A local twist on the traditional high school career day, Molokai High School (MHS) teamed up with five organizations on the island to present traditional and non-traditional career paths.
Around 200 of the school’s 340 students signed up to participate in the all-day event, and broke up into small groups which rotate around 14 various stations.
Local Inspiration
The students at Quiniones’ station listed off their desired careers: musician, chef, something in performing arts. One student asked what Quiniones’ biggest challenge was. “Discouragement,” he said.
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Molokai’s `Aha Ki`ole is beginning to stimulate island participation for its core values: protecting and preserving the island’s resources.
The organization’s po`o alaka`i (executive board) announced they are beginning a registration drive for all residents 18 years of age or older, who have lived on Molokai for two or more years.
“We are much stronger as a whole unit speaking out, than we are as smaller parts,” said Karen Poepoe, one of the organization’s po`o alaka`i.
A Big Issue
Their first act of community service was to take a survey of registered residents on an issue that is undeniably on people’s minds: windmill development on Molokai.
Community Contributed
by Ted Kanemitsu
Boy, what an exciting evening we had, wouldn't you say? Last night I was called upon to open up the Molokai High School gym which is designated an emergency shelter. Working with the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) Maui Division, it is our responsibility to make sure the location is available during such emergencies. However, I am not writing about DAGS; we are public servants, and it is our duty to respond in situations like this. But rather I’m writing how Molokai always seems to come together during times like these.
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UPDATE: Damage was reported on Molokai's east end, and county officials are still taking assessment reports of the area. In some areas, residents reported to the Dispatch the water washing up to their homes makai side of Kamehameha Hwy at several feet; others reported the water washed over the highway in many places.
All islands have been downgraded to tsunami advisory at about 7:30 Friday morning, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), following minor tsunami wave action and no injuries reported Thursday night or Friday morning.
Tsunami waves of up to 6 feet hit Kahului Harbor over night, while Honolulu reported around 2 feet and Hilo nearly 4.5, according to Hawaii News Now. Minor damage was reported at Maalaea Boat Harbor and a few of the boats docked, according to the county website. The Maui News also reported a 9-foot wave hitting Lahaina early Friday morning.
Surges were reported on Molokai’s east and west sides, at waves reaching about 2 feet.
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County of Maui News Release
The last metals collection event was successful in numbers, and the County of Maui will continue to hold collection events for metal recycling on Molokai, at the Naiwa Landfill.
Bring in your vehicles, motorcycles, appliances, vehicle tires and batteries, propane tanks, and miscellaneous metal items such as roofing, gutters, tubs, sinks, faucets, pipes, metal furniture, bicycles, mowers, engine parts, tools, fencing and ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal.
Stop at the landfill scale house before proceeding to the Molokai Metals Facility (MMF). No charge for residential materials.
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