Community Members Take Water Concerns to the Capital
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Add your commentWater Rates Protested at Capitol
Fair process demanded of State officials.
By Catherine Cluett
All eyes were on Molokai as over 30 Molokai residents and supporters packed into a meeting room in the state capitol building last Thursday. The words “extortion,”
”unprecedented,” and “crisis” echoed around the room as TV cameras scanned the group, waiting for a press conference to begin.
Resource conservation group Hui Ho’opakale ‘Āina (“Rescuers of the Land”) and supporters, were on a mission: to demand a fair and just process to re-examine soaring water utility rates on Molokai, as well as raise statewide awareness of the situation. Stops included the offices of Governor Lingle, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Ombudsman, and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
After Molokai Ranch threatened in June to cut water services to 1,200 residents, the PUC hastily approved exorbitant rate increases, as high as 178%. State representatives said the unprecedented move was necessary in order to keep the Ranch’s faltering utility companies from going under.
“My parents and other kupuna are on fixed incomes; I don't know how they're going to pay their water bill,” said Byron Espaniola of Maunaloa. He said his mother, Josephine, already pays $200 a month for medical treatment.
Purpose of the Trip
The purpose of the protest, explained activist and Molokai resident Walter Ritte at the press conference, was not to request decreased water rates, but to ask lawmakers to void the original process, and to hold a second hearing. Many Molokai residents feel that the first hearing, held by the PUC on July 15, did not afford them a chance to speak out against the increases and was arranged more as an announcement than a hearing, with the facts presented in a muddled and hurried manner. There was no process on the part of the PUC, argue Molokai residents, to find out what the rate should have been before it was set.
Support
Hui Ho’opakale ‘Āina drew many supporters from ohana and concerned residents of Oahu. Daniel Anthony from Wai’anae brought his two young daughters along on the protest. He said he was there because of them. “I’m raising them to fight for their rights,” he explained. “They’re going to see water prices rise astronomically in their lifetime.”
Manu Mook, also an Oahu resident, joined the group in their march and added a ceremonial presence with the blowing of his pu. He explained he was concerned for Molokai residents, and also about setting a statewide precedent caused by the rate increase.
Representative Mele Carroll and Senator Clayton Hee, both of whom spoke during the press conference, also added well wishes to the group. “The Ranch should not walk away from its legal and moral obligations,” said Carroll. “This is injustice, and I stand in support of the people of Molokai.”
“This land developer could be on any island, it just happens to be Molokai,” said Hee. “This is not magical, this is not complicated. It’s simply about a profiteer on an island that wishes to do what the island is not suited to do.”
Molokai resident Timmy Leong added that the rate hikes could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. “With gas prices on Molokai at $5.16 per gallon, high costs of food, and soaring electricity rates, the water rate increase is just too much.”
Official Reactions
Holding colorful signs up high with messages like “Lingle on the wrong side… again,” “Water is a right,” “Da Ranch should pay,” and “Fight back,” the group marched up the stairs and along the balcony of the capitol building to their next stop: Governor Lingle’s office. The activist group came prepared, bearing letters to each office they planned to visit, stating their goal and complaint.
“I appreciate your taking the time to come here. We’re looking for the same thing, and hopefully we can come to a solution we all agree on,” said Lingle’s chief of staff Barry Fukunaga.
But it’s unclear what that solution might be or whether or not the Governor will support Molokai residents. As Molokai protester Jim Stone points out, Governor Lingle used to live on Molokai. “The governor forgot about us,” he said.
“There are other ways to deal with this than putting the cost on the people,” explained Ritte in the office of the PUC.
A secretary took the message. “I will take the files and make sure the commissioners see them,” she explained with a skeptical smile through the glass barrier, surveying the crowd packed into the small office lobby. None of the commissioners were available to meet the group.
“Well, please give them a message,” Ritte told her. “Watch the news tonight.”
Hawaii State Ombudsman Robin Matsunaga, who is investigating the PUC and DCCA involvement in the Molokai rate increases, told protesters the investigation was not yet complete, and that the office “cannot guarantee the results.” But, adds Matsunaga, “We are acutely aware of how this affects all of you.” He assured them the office is doing its best to complete a thorough examination of the agencies.
Catherine Awakuni, Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy at the DCCA, responded to the protesters’ request for another hearing with her own request. “We also need help,” she said. “This is unprecedented, but we made the best decision based on the information we had. We need more information about what people can pay,” Awakuni added. She was unclear about just how the DCCA planned to get more information.
The rate increase will remain in effect for up to six months until a more comprehensive investigation can be completed.
Awakuni explained that the DCCA normally limits rate increases to no more than 25%, and that an “increase of greater than 25% constitutes rate shock.” But in light of the threat of Molokai Properties walking out, the Consumer Advocate approved the rate, deeming it a better alternative for Molokai residents than a loss of water utilities.
“There was not adequate information at the time for a normal review,” added Awakuni. The DCCA plans to gather that missing information in the next six months.
Mana’o
Hoi Ho’opakele ‘Āina and supporters gathered on the grass under the shade of a spreading tree outside `Iolani Palace after their march to talk story and share their thoughts.
Jim Stone opened the mana’o session by sharing his congratulations to the group for conducting such a “civilized and non-violent protest, working within the system.” “I’m proud to be a part of it,” he added.
Molokai resident Edna Cathcart echoed Stone’s sentiments. “Although we were hurt,” she said, “we held that hurt and conducted ourselves with pride.”
Former Ranch employee `Anakala Pilipo related how difficult it was to challenge Ranch authority and stand up for what he knew was right. “But you have to have pono,” he said. “It starts with the individual.”
Judy Caparida talked about the spirit of Molokai residents. ““Even if you don’t see us, we’re not sitting around doing nothing.”
Future Action
The group certainly isn’t sitting around; neither is it stopping after one trip. A similar protest will likely follow, this time on Maui to push lawmakers to consider the option of eminent domain against Ranch lands.
Legal action on the part of Molokai residents has also been discussed, with a possible law suit against the Ranch in the future. Molokai resident and ratepayer Steve Morgan says his ideal resolution to the situation would be to see Molokai residents manage their own resources. “This isn’t one day,” he said of the protest. “It’s one of many.”
Community Voice in Jeopardy as Akaku Faces Bid
By Catherine CluettAkaku, the public television station for the county of Maui, may be up for bid because of controversy over its funding. Hawaii would be the only state to put its public access organizations up for bid, a decision which some say could disrupt and even jeopardize the future of public access television.
But Akaku isn’t ready to give up, and it hopes Molokai isn’t either. As Linda Puppolo, Administrative Services Director of Akaku, says, “We are fighting until there is no more to fight.”
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What is Akaku?
Akaku is one of four public, education, and government (PEG) access organizations in Hawaii, and services the county of Maui. The private non-profit was created by the State of Hawaii in 1993 as a brand for public access, and has maintained close associations with the community ever since. It is funded by cable subscriber fees, three percent of which go into a fund to support Hawaii’s public access stations.
Ranch CEO Assumes Tighter Control of 13 Molokai Companies
By Molokai Dispatch Staff
Ranch CEO Peter Nicholas continues to control operations from behind the scenes, rarely seen on Molokai in recent months since making a “business decision” to shutdown Molokai Ranch operations.
Nicholas has assumed greater control of at least 13 different Molokai companies affiliated with Molokai Properties Limited (doing business as Molokai Ranch) that deal in, among other things, real estate sales, land ownership and management, water and wastewater delivery systems, water sales and development projects.
One such project is a five mile coastal development in West Molokai known as La`au Point, which is still considered viable by the company. Nicholas recently suspended the entitlement process needed to develop the La`au project.
But the Ranch’s ability to supply water to its properties and to proposed future developments like La`au Point are currently jeopardized by two major legal decisions.
In late 2007, the Hawaii State Attorney General decided the company could no longer use the state-owned Molokai Irrigation System to transport water to West Molokai without undergoing a potentially extensive environmental assessment.
Less than one month later, the Hawaii State Supreme Court ruled that the Ranch’s permit to draw one million gallons per day from Well 17, in central Molokai, was no longer valid and would not be renewed.
The Ranch’s latest business decision anticipates Maui County taking over three of the company’s six utility subsidiaries. The move would forseeably leave the County and its tax payers to make sense of the Ranch’s complicated water and legal issues.
In the mean time, Nicholas has stripped away the officers from many of the Ranch’s subsidiary companies, leaving himself as sole director. Nicholas is President and Executive Director of Molokai Ranch and a Vice President of GuocoLeisure Limited, a Singapore-based billion dollar company which owns 100% of Molokai Ranch.
At the Controls
As of July 18, Nicholas has assumed personal control over Molokai Public Utilities and Waila O Molokai, which delivers water to the Kaluakoi resort and the towns of Maunaloa and Kualapu`u respectively. Both utility companies, subsidiaries of the Ranch, list Nicholas as director and sole officer or each company.
In a PUC hearing held July 2008, Nicholas informed commissioners that, “with regard to the (officers of MPL’s utility companies) Mr. John Sabas, Mr. Dennis Ikeda, and Mr. Roy Sugiyama are no longer employees of the company, and Mr. Daniel Orodencker is not an employee of the utilities.”
Companies managed by Peter Nicholas
Information was taken from current State of Hawaii Business Registration Office records. (Companies listed 1 thru 8 are all subject to recent lawsuit filed by the County of Maui)
1. Molokai Properties Limited (dba Molokai Ranch)
Peter Nicholas -President, Exec. Director, and Director as of July 18, 2008
Daniel Orodenker, General Mgr., Secretary, Director, as of July 18, 2008
Elaine Hammond, Treasurer, as of July 18, 2008
Richard Lim, Director, as of July 18 2008
2. Waiola O Molokai, Inc. (Wholly owned subsidiary of MPL)
Peter Nicholas - President, Secretary and Director as of July 11, 2008
No other officers or directors.
3.. Molokai Public Utilities Inc. (Wholly owned subsidiary of MPL)
Peter Nicholas - President, Secretary and Director as of July 11, 2008
No other officers or directors.
4. MOSCO Inc. (Wholly owned subsidiary of MPL)
Peter Nicholas - President, Secretary and Director as of July 11, 2008
No other officers or directors
5.. Kaluakoi Sewer LLC
Peter Nicholas - President, Secretary and Director as of July 11, 2008
No other officers or directors
6.. Kaluakoi Land LLC
Peter Nicholas, Manager since October 1, 2003
Roy Sugiyama, Manager since November 5, 2007
Dennis Ikeda, Manager since November 5, 2007
Daniel Orodenker, Manager since November 5, 2007
7.. Kaluakoi Water LLC
Peter Nicholas - President, Secretary and Director as of July 11, 2008
No other officers or directors
8.. Cooke Land Company, Inc.
Peter Nicholas, President, Director July 18, 2008
Daniel Orodenker, Secretary and Director since July 18, 2008
Elaine Hammond, Treasurer since July 18, 2008
9. MRL Management Limited
Peter Nicholas, President and Director since July 18, 2008
Daniel Orodenker, Secretary since November 5, 2007
10. Kaluakoi Acquisitions LLC
Peter Nicholas, Manager since November 5, 2007
Roy Sugiyama, Manager since November 5, 2007
11. Kaluakoi Poolside LLC
Peter Nicholas, Manager since October , 2003
Roy Sugiyama, Manager since November 5, 2007
Dennis Ikeda, Manager since November 5, 2007
Daniel Orodenker, Manager since November 5, 2007
12. Kaluakoi Real Estate LLC
Peter Nicholas, Manager since October 1, 2003
Roy Sugiyama, Manager since November 5, 2007
13. Kaluakoi Residential LLC
Peter Nicholas, Manager since October 1, 2003
Roy Sugiyama, Manager since November 5, 207
14. Kaluakoi Roads LLC
Peter Nicholas, Manager since October 1, 2003
Roy Sugiyama, Manager November 5, 2007
Elaine Hammond, Treasurer since July 18, 2008
MPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Limited, and Nicholas is a Vice President of the company and one of its five-member senior management team.
GuocoLeisure is a subsidiary of Guoco Group, headquartered Hong Kong, which operates as a subsidiary company of Hong Leong Group, one of Malaysia’s largest business conglomerates.
Qeuk Leng Chan heads up all three foreign companies, including the one that terminated operations on Molokai, and is one of the world’s richest individuals.
There’s Mahi in his Madness
By Albert Lanier
Amateur and professional fisherman who love catching Mahi-Mahi will certainly love a new DVD entitled Hawaii Fishing Action Blue Water Season #1 subtitled “Mahimahi Madness.”
The 68 minute DVD is a co-production of Molokai based production company Quazifilms Media and local fishing charter boat company Hallelujah Hou Fishing.
In fact, the host of “Mahimahi Madness” is the owner of Hallelujah Hou, Clayton Ching known as Captain Clay.
The Captain takes viewers on a deep sea fishing trek that involves largely catching greenish-yellow MahiMahi, also known as Dorado and Dolphinfish, as well as a few Ahi.
The DVD is divided into a main presentation lasting about 38 minutes with 30 minutes of Bonus features consisting of how to clean and fillet Mahi Mahi, setting your reel’s drag and dressing and rigging lures.
Shot and edited by Quazifilm’s owner Matt Yamashita, the majority of the DVD is lensed on the back of Captain Clay’s fishing boat as he sets up lines and lures, reels in fish, and shares knowledge and advice via voice-over narration.
Clay offers some pearls of wisdom gleaned over 30 years of fishing such as “Fish don’t care what you pay” when it come to lures or “you got to be where the fish are” in order to catch as many as possible.
Although the footage shown on “Mahimahi madness” was shot off the coast of the Friendly isle, Molokai is intentionally neither cited nor stated by Clay during the course of the DVD in order to protect the island’s natural resources.
Highlights capture Clay having to sit on a couple of Mahi after reeling them in and holding one up with a hole in its head like a warrior lofting a sword in victory.
The Captain has a relaxed, conversational tone that is as pleasant to listen to as the ukulele-heavy Hawaiian music composed by musician Lono helps layer the soundtrack.
The weekend fisherman and overall fishing enthusiast should enjoy this DVD as it provides not only engaging fishing scenes but also helpful tips in the bonus section.
To find out more information or to order, go to quazifilms.com or ask Captain Clay next time you see him.
Feds Investigate Molokai Ranch
Union files charges of unfair labor practices.
By Molokai Dispatch Staff
Molokai Properties Limited, doing business as Molokai Ranch, is under investigation by the federal government’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for engaging in alleged unfair labor practices.
According to public documents supplied to the Dispatch last week from NLRB’s Honolulu office, the charges of unfair labor practices were filed against the Ranch on July 7, 2008 by Local 142 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). The Union represents most of the former Ranch employees.
A document filed by the Union lists Peter Nicholas and Roy Sugiyama as representatives for the Ranch in the matter. Sugiyama is no longer employed by the Ranch. Nicholas is President and Executive Director of Molokai Ranch. He is also a Vice President of GuocoLeisure and a member of that company’s five-member senior management team.
According to the public document’s received from NLRB’s Honolulu office, the ILWU alleges that during the last six months the Ranch has refused to bargain collectively with ILWU and has failed to engage in good faith bargaining on the effect of the Ranch’s shutdown of its operations.
The Union also alleges that the Ranch has “interfered with, restrained and coerced its employees” in the exercise of their guaranteed rights.
ILWU seeks to a cease and desist order prohibiting the Ranch from refusing to engage in effects bargaining and from interfering with its employees in the exercise of their rights.
The NLRB has not rendered a decision on the Union charges.
The ILWU is being represented by Rebecca Covert, a partner with the Honolulu law firm Takahashi, Vasconcellos and Covert, according to the document.
The Ranch is currently embroiled in another legal matter trying to defend itself on a lawsuit recently filed by the County of Maui. That lawsuit seeks to prevent the Ranch from walking away from providing waste water and water utility services to approximately 1,200 Molokai customers.
The County is being represented by former Hawaii state attorney general Margery Bronster, who is a partner with the Honolulu firm of Bonster and Hoshibata .
Molokai Ranch is 100% owned by GuocoLeisure Limited, a billion dollar investment company headquartered in Singapore Malaysia. The company recently decided to close down its Molokai Ranch operations and terminate all its employees despite reports to GuocoLeisure shareholders that Ranch operations “continue to remain cash positive.”
Molokai Celebrates Education and Local Resources
Girls of the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble enthrall their Molokai audience with a flourish of color and grace.
By Catherine Cluett
Saturday night, 7 p.m., Kulana O`iwi: a crowd sits on the edges of their chairs, cameras posed, enthralled by the beat of bass, the swish of full, bright skirts, and the rattle of ‘uli ‘uli. It’s the grand finale of an evening of good food, music, hula, and education hosted by Kamehameha Schools. Voices of the Hawaiian Ensemble are raised in singing traditional chants, their feet moving in time, tracing the steps of their ancestors.
The Hawaiian Ensemble is a group comprised of 50 Kamehameha Schools students whose purpose is “community and school service through Hawaiian culture,” says group director Kaleo Trinidad. The ensemble includes Molokai students Kupono Kawa`a and Koal Apuna, both from Ho’olehua.
The Hawaiian Ensemble was not the only entertainment enjoyed by celebration-goers. The evening’s event, E Kui A Lima Molokai, highlighted local educational and cultural resources, along with many Molokai musicians, dancers, and keiki. Other performances included music by the Kamakani Trio, a group featuring Kamakani Kiaha on guitar, Manuwai Peters on ukulele, and Curtis Crabbe on upright bass.
Dinner for the event was provided by Leonahe’s Ono Grindz, a catering company recently started in the Kaunakakai area. Community members honored kupuna by serving them first before standing in line for their own food.
The purpose of hosting E Kui A Lima Molokai, explains Kamehameha Schools Vice President of Community Relations and Communications Ann Botticelli, is to provide the community an opportunity to see what resources are available. This is the first time Kamehameha has hosted such an event on Molokai.
“We visit all of the communities we serve,” says Dee Jay Mailer, CEO of Kamehameha Schools. “We want to thank the communities and highlight the programs and organizations that exist there.”
A large part of the Kamehameha Schools’ program involves collaborating with community educational organizations for both adults and children and providing them with funding and support. Last year, $70 million of the $250 million budget of the school went toward their community strategic education plan.
Booths surrounded the courtyard of Kulana O`iwi, showing off a variety of organizations, from early childhood education such as the Tutu and Me program, to groups aimed at adult cultural and environmental awareness such as The Nature Conservancy. Some, but not all, represented members of Kamehameha Schools’ collaborative community programs.
Captain Clayton Ching, a Molokai resident and 1965 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, says a lot of who he is today is because of Kamehameha. He adds that some of the best students at the school are from Molokai because of the values and cultural education Molokai keiki receive.
Kamehameha Schools is a statewide private education opportunity supported by a trust endowed by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Its mission, explains Vice President for Campus Strategies Rodney Chamberlain, is to improve the capability and wellbeing of native Hawaiians through education. Kamehameha Schools has three campuses -- Hawai’i, Kapalama, and Maui -- which provide kindergarten through 12th grade education to students of Hawaiian decent. The Kapalama campus offers a boarding option for students from seventh through 12th grade from other islands. Over 5,000 students are enrolled statewide. For more information about Kamehameha Schools, visit www.ksbe.edu or call (808) 523-6200.
Getting Involved in Statehood Celebrations
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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‘?ina 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
Citizens Take Immediate Action Against Water Rate Increases
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.
A rate increase of such high proportions (178% approved by the PUC for Wai`ola O Moloka`i) would set a precedent for possible state-wide rate increases. This possible precedent, as Ritte points out, makes the Molokai water situation an issue of concern, not just for residents of Molokai, but for Hawaiians.
One member of the group related how she filed the original complaint against the PUC with the Ombudsman, a legislative office set up to investigate complaints about executive branch agencies. “I came home from the water meeting last week and couldn’t sleep. So the next day I called the Ombudsman’s office, which I didn’t even know existed until then. I told them about our problems and they said they’d do an investigation.” Ritte filed a formal complaint with the office last week, and an investigation of the PUC’s high rate increases is currently underway.
An American Savings Bank account created specifically for funds to purchase the property of the Molokai Ranch currently has a balance of $7,821.25, though no steps are being taken to propose a purchase in the near future.
The group is also looking for a lawyer to assist the effort with understanding legalities and representing the people of Molokai should the need arise.
Immediate Action
Ritte had his own proposal ready: get on a plane, fly to Oahu, and visit the offices of the PUC, the DCCA, the Ombudsman, and the Governor. His plan was to hand each office with petitions signed by concerned individuals and other paperwork to present the issue.
The media will not be left in the dark. Ritte plans to alert TV, radio and newspapers, and to host a press conference with guests including Danny Mateo, the Mayor, and a selection of senators and representatives. The trip would focus on the issue of increased utility rates.
The proposal met with positive group approval and pledges of participation, and the trip is planned for Thursday, Sept 4. Individuals will cover their own travel expenses. If all goes well, another trip will follow to Maui to target a plan for eminent domain.
The meeting also broke into smaller groups to discuss specific further action. The groups addressed T-shirt fundraisers, petition organization, and eminent domain action.
PUC Rate Increases Investigated
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.
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