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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol
Add your commentKalaupapa Post Office to Remain Open
The tiny Kalaupapa Post Office, after being earmarked for possible closure by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), will now remain open. The one-woman office, described as a lifeline for the fewer than 100 residents of the remote settlement, was removed from the list of thousands of offices nationwide being considered for closure because of its necessity to the community, according to USPS spokesperson Duke Gonzales.
“We removed Kalaupapa from consideration [for closure] because it was clear that the Postal Service plays a unique role as a necessary lifeline between the isolated Kalaupapa community and the outside world,” Gonzales said.
With no cell phone service and limited Internet access in the settlement, residents rely on the mail to complete bank transactions, receive medications and do business, according to Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller.…
Protecting Our Sacred Places
Community Contributed
Opinion by Lori Buchanan
On Molokai, the Navy is proposing to “re-activate” the abandoned Marine base in Ho`olehua, on the doorstep of homesteaders, and significantly increase military training (primarily at night) in Kalaupapa. These are two of the actions, trainings and construction around Hawaii outlined in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement released by the US Department of the Navy in November 2011.
Intermittent military training has been ongoing at Kalaupapa, the Ho`olehua Airport and along Molokai’s western and northern coastline for many years. Currently, old munitions lie buried along the Kaluakoi and Ilio Point coastlines in large numbers below several years and layers of windblown top soils.…
Bracing for Drought: Molokai Irrigation System planning ahead
With water levels in the Kualapu`u Reservoir reaching concerning levels and little seasonal rain in sight, members of the Molokai Irrigation System (MIS), which serves the bulk of the island’s agricultural and homestead users, are starting to prepare for the worst.
At this time last year, the reservoir held 18 feet of water. Currently, however, the water level is hovering around 10 feet.
Representatives of the six major commercial users of the MIS came to the MIS board meeting last week with some serious concerns: they want to begin preparations for a possible drought crisis in the coming months.
“We are extremely concerned about current reservoir levels and worried about extreme emergency conditions over summer,” said Ray Foster, general manager for Monsanto Molokai.…
Surf’s Up
With high surf advisories around the state for the past two weeks, Molokai surfers and body boarders have been taking advantage of the swells. Papohaku Beach, known for its expanse of white sand, is also known for its treacherous and unforgiving surf. Last Monday, a local youth takes advantage of a smaller, easier-going shore break and pulls into a sandy three foot tube. Photos by Catherine Cluett
New Fire Engine, Promotions
A shiny new fire engine, made specifically to fit Molokai’s needs, has joined the fleet at the Kaunakakai Fire Station. Engine 4 features an extra-large water tank – holding 1000 gallons, about 250 more than average – to efficiently fight fires on Molokai, where there aren’t many water sources, according to Maui County Fire Chief Jeff Murray. It also incorporates state-of-the-art equipment, the design of which was overseen by Molokai firefighters during manufacturing.
“If you think I’m slightly jealous, I am,” said former firefighter Rev. Reynolds Ayau, during the engine’s blessing last week. “You have equipment we only dreamt of.”
The new engine will be added to the three trucks at the Kaunakakai station, allowing an older engine to be retired and used as back-up.…
Catchin’ the Bee
Four Molokai students participated in the Maui District Spelling Bee on Feb. 2, 2012 at Baldwin High School. Eha Kalama and Hepuakea Falealii represented Aka`ula School, and Gabrielle Aquino and Shylene Villa attended from Kuapalu`u School.
“Although Eha says that at first he was nervous because he thought he was going to mess up a lot, now he can’t wait to try out again for next year,” wrote Aka`ula student writer KB Bishaw in the Aka`ula School February newsletter.
The top two students, both from Maui, of the 31 spellers who participated in the District Bee will continue on to compete in the Hawaii State Spelling Bee on March 24.…
Airport, Service Improvements Coming to Kalaupapa
For the first time in six years, Kalaupapa will again have firefighting equipment and staff at their tiny airport. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is providing a “skidmount unit” – a firefighting devise on a flatbed truck – to aid in the case of emergency, along with 24/7 personnel to man it, according to DOT spokesperson Dan Meisenzahl. The equipment should arrive to the settlement in March, he said. Two additional firefighters are being hired by the state, who will rotate service in Kalaupapa.
“If things ever go bad, it would be a collaborative effort,” said Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller at last week’s community meeting, adding that the additional equipment and personnel would greatly aid in the event of emergency.…
Students and Environment Flourishing
Molokai High School students from the Molokai Earth Preservation Organization (MEPO) have been busy this year, planting native species and volunteering on-and off-island.
Last week, students got a head start on next year’s Earth Day celebration by planting native seeds such as ohelo, a`ali`i, olapa and others. Filling trays with dirt, sprinkling seeds, patting them down, and watering with a gentle stream of water, students worked to better the environment by promoting indigenous plants. While the native seeds often take months to sprout, according to MEPO advisor Robert Bento, the plants will be ready to give away at Earth Day 2013.…
Mo`omomi to Be Gated
Ten years ago, Mo`omomi was vibrant, green and healthy, with plentiful fish, according to Molokai-born Halealoha Ayau, Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) acting district supervisor for Molokai. Now, he said, the landscape is suffering, resources are being depleted, and the buildings are facing a high level of vandalism and damage. Because of this, Ayau has made a tough decision: erect a gate at Mo`omomi and initiate managed access to the area.
“You’re not permanently being blocked,” Ayau told attendees at a DHHL meeting held last week to get community feedback on how access should be managed. “We need to let her heal.”…
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