| The Molokai Dispatch

Mobi is Mo Betta

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Three new cell phone towers were recently installed on top of the Wilhelm Center, where Paddlers Inn is located, to ensure better service for Mobi PCS customers.The cell phone towers, which were approved by the Molokai Planning Commission last June, enhanced Mobi’s 3G network through Kaunakakai, Kualapu`u and Kakahai`a, according to a news release.Mobi has been serving Hawaii since 2003, and serves Molokai through Molokai Cellular, located in the G&M Variety building in Kaunakakai.“We like to think we are the local pulse of the community,” Ed Kurzenski said, Chief Technical Officer of Mobi PCS.

Posted in Announcements, Business, Community

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Tutu’s Corner

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

The Nature Conservancy News Release

The Nature Conservancy has received a $10,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund for its conservation work on the island of Molokai.

Thanks to a strong recommendation from Ray Foster, general manager for Monsanto Molokai, the Monsanto Fund awarded the grant to the Conservancy’s Molokai programs to support watershed and stream management.

“On behalf of the Molokai staff, I would like to thank Monsanto and Ray Foster for their continued support of the Conservancy during these tough economic times,” said Ed Misaki, director of Molokai programs for the Conservancy. Monsanto has provided the Conservancy with annual grants totaling $95,000 since 2005.

According to Misaki, the funds will be used for watershed and stream management at its Kamakou and Pelekunu preserves. The two preserves, which total almost 9,000 acres, lie within the greater East Molokai watershed.

The $10,000 gift will also serve as private matching funds for the state Natural Area Partnership Program, or NAPP. The state program provides $2 for every private dollar the Conservancy raises and spends on management activities at Kamakou and Pelekunu. Essentially, Monsanto’s gift will leverage an additional $20,000 in NAPP funding for a total of $30,000.

Posted in Community

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Machado New OHA Chair

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Colette Machado was elected chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) last month, with the full support (7-0) of the OHA board.

Machado has represented Molokai and Lanai on the board since 1996, and has been involved in a number of Native Hawaiian organizations and supports the congressional passage of the Akaka bill.

She replaces longtime chairwoman Haunani Apoliona, who stepped down voluntarily.

Machado did not return calls for comment.

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