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MOLOKAI COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Monday, April 7th, 2008

STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO ADDRESS GOVERNOR’S
MOLOKAI COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Kūlana ‘Ōiwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai.   The public is invited.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) representatives will discuss current and future efforts to assist those affected by the recent shutdown of Molokai Ranch’s operations.  Last month, a multi-agency Rapid Response Team led by DLIR met with the affected employees to provide information on unemployment insurance, job training and placement and medical benefits.

The state’s Rapid Response Team is surveying workers to evaluate their job skills and determine how many people need training and what type of job placement assistance is required.  Officials are also reaching out to businesses to identify potential job opportunities.  The team is also working with the Department of Human Services First-to-Work office on Molokai to provide direct employment assistance and the support services necessary to find employment.

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The Molokai Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues on Molokai.  The council also recommends potential nominees for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council are Robert Granger, Janice Kalanihuia, Jersula Manaba, Marlene Purdy and Weldon Wichman.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 586-0034.  For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.  

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Molokai Ranch has finally shown their true colors

Sunday, April 6th, 2008

The swiftness of Molokai Ranch's closure is certainly a shock, but the shutdown itself is not really a surprise. Molokai Ranch has finally shown their true colors. Since they couldn't shove their unwanted development down the throat of this community, they will now take it out on their own workers, while blaming the development opposition for the "need" to do this.
  Indeed, the Ranch states in their press release: "Unacceptable delays caused by continued opposition to every aspect of the Master Plan means we are unable to fund continued normal company operations." But this is simply not true. The community did not object to "every aspect" of the Plan; rather, the community objected to the La'au development aspect of the Plan. Indeed, we have been consistent from the start in saying the there are many good parts of the Plan (which the community itself put a lot of work into creating), but that developing La'au is simply unacceptable.
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Legislatures Pass Bill Compromising the Protection

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

Legislatures Pass Bill Compromising the Protection

Over 6,000 names and letters were submitted in support Senate Bill 958.

Honolulu,  Hawaii- Senate Bill 958, 10-year halt to experimental research of genetically modified taro of all varieties, was watered down to a compromise despite farmers and Native Hawaiian’s hopes today at the Capitol. The Senate Agricultural Committee voted 9-3 on what they are calling a compromise bill: a 5-year moratorium on Hawaii varieties of taro only, despite receiving over 7,000 testimonies in support of the original bill.

 

Many Native Hawaiians and taro farmers stated today that they will continue to request a 10- year moratorium on GM research of all taro varieties.  Genetic engineering modifies the genetic foundation of the plant by inserting genes from other unrelated organisms into the taro. Researchers at the University have been using the controversial technology to insert rice, wheat and grapevine genes into the taro despite public concerns around the cultural significance of taro as well as health and environmental effects of genetic engineering.

 

“We are the ones out in the field, and we don't want any GMO taro,” said Chris Kobayashi, Kauai taro farmer. “The fact is that all varieties of taro are important to us, and they have been known to cross pollinate or get mixed up when farmers trade plants. Why continue GMO research when we say no?”

 

Major pressure from Hawaiian leaders through large events prompted Senators to hear the controversial bill, including a rally on the opening day of the legislative session where over 500 protestors gathered demanding the bill be heard this legislative session.

 

Proponents of the bill have noted that the entire agricultural committee is up for re-election this year and many of the current committee-members’ opponents running are in vocal support of the bill of the original bill.  The main arguments to end GE taro research include the cultural significance of the root crop as a sacred plant. According to many taro farmers in support of the bill GE technology is simply not needed, and money and research could be better spent on alternatives including organic growing and diversifying varieties of the crop.

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Mo`omomi claims opihi picker

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

A 38-year-old Molokai man died last Thursday in Mo`omomi, on Molokai’s north shore.

Christopher Ka`awa of Mo`omomi, was in the company of others, picking opihi at Anahaki Cliffs, east of Mo`omomi. Ka`awa was struck by a large wave and swept out into the open sea at 10:20 a.m. About an hour later, a Molokai fire search-and-rescue crew located the man’s body floating face down about 30 yards offshore, police said.

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Aloha to the MPL Employees

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Aloha to the MPL employees,                                                March 27, 2008                             

I feel that MPL’s selfish decision to close down and lay-off all their employees to prove a point is typical of a wealthy corporate bully. Guoco, MPL’s mother company, made a net profit of six billion dollars last year.

This is the perfect opportunity for the MPL victims to take advantage of offers that will come their way.  On Moloka`i there is a need for educators, nurses, social workers, computer technicians, bookkeepers and entrepreneurs. For those that are homesteaders use your land and water, get involved in agriculture, whether it is a small garden or large farm. If your 40 acres are fenced, raise cattle for your family or for the Moloka`i Livestock Cooperative. MPL has 500 head; maybe they will donate or sell their young cattle for your self-sufficiency (if they really care about their employees).

The State of Hawaii proposes to assist MPL’s former employees; they should provide scholarships for college, farm/ranch grants for homesteaders, as well as training and funding to become business entrepreneurs.  Utilize the Moloka`i Kuha`o Business Center, the Maui/Molokai Community College, the CTAHR agriculture specialist, and other available programs that will development your capacity. Don’t settle for minimum wage; don’t toil for a company that does not appreciate your true worth.  Use this situation as a motivator to improve your life and job skills. 

Ask the State of Hawaii to provide the resources that will be truly helpful and don’t settle for only an unemployment or welfare check.  I know many of you, and trust me; you are capable of fulfilling your own dreams. It’s time to think positive and journey into new ventures. Imua!!! Best wishes to you all. 

Kammy Purdy, Entrepreneur

Purdy’s Macadamia Nut Farm

Former business owner of the Kamuela’s Cookhouse and The Travel Shoppe

Administrator of the Molokai Livestock Cooperative

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Machado Should Look in the Mirror

Monday, March 31st, 2008

project."

This just shows how out of touch Trustee Machado is with the Molokai people, and with reality.

At the November LUC hearings, nearly 300 Molokai community members protested against the La'au development. These activists were not "loud" (except in clapping after testimonies), nor were their voices ever "angry" or "unreasonable." On the contrary, they were full of aloha for La'au Point and Moloka'i, and their testimonies were extremely thorough and well-informed. Indeed, they spoke with a beautiful combination of knowledge and passion about the issue.

This is what LUC Commissioner Wong expressed (transcripts): “I must say that the testimony was extremely informative.  They were well prepared. And more importantly they brought to bear all of the issues.  They brought it on the table.  And the people of the community expressed their thoughts and their feelings.”

The large majority of Molokai residents (not a “minority”) were against the La’au Point development. No one wanted to see workers lose their jobs; and thus, the community tried to invite Trustee Machado and Molokai Ranch “back to the table” to find acceptable alternative solutions. They never came, and now we have a crisis.

Therefore, Miss Machado really ought to look in the mirror before casting blame on anyone else.

 

             Mahalo nui loa,

             Kalani Thompson

             Kawela

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Not the People’s Fault

Monday, March 31st, 2008

It is not the fault of the people.

It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch doesn't know how to run a successful hotel in paradise.

It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch cannot run a successful golf course in the state of Hawaii.

It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch cannot run a successful Cattle operation.

It is certainly not the fault of the people of Molokai that the original purchaser of Molokai Ranch paid so much for the property.

Well Molokai Ranch, made a mistake in thinking that the people of Molokai would fall for an ill-conceived project covered with mirrors and smoke so thick The Governor and Both Senators were all bamboozled into backing this foreign investment company that owns the Molokai Ranch.

And it certainly is not the fault of the people of Molokai that this man cannot admit his mistake instead of acting like a childish brat and taking his ball and going home.

The people of Molokai will not be cowed by greedy little men from somewhere else.

Penny Spiller, Ho`olehua

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Forethought

Monday, March 31st, 2008

If management of MPL (Molokai Ranch) had the forethought to invest in the redevelopment of the Kaluakoi Hotel complex rather than wasting a small fortune in planning, marketing, and defending its passionately unpopular La’au housing proposal, perhaps the revitalized hotel would be generating profits rather than providing food for the termites.

Harvey James

Maunaloa

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Another Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest!

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Del Monte & Libby Pineapple, Sheraton, Louisiana Land, Colony, Tokyo Kosan, and the over 10,000 so called TB cattle was, at one time, Molokai’s economy and they all left.  Their employees got hurt; some left and some stayed.  Molokai survived. 

To the MPL employees, the people of Molokai have empathy for you as you go through the change.  MPL is closing and claims it is because of the opposition to the La`au project.  Maybe….maybe not.

Questions:

Why would you put all your eggs in one plan and say…..my way only or the highway?  Wouldn’t it be better to have a lot of little rather than one big?

Maybe there is no aloha for Molokai from MPL; but in the meantime, how about a little aloha for the business that you do have?  My suggestion is to lease the golf course to Sonny Boy, the lodge to….?, Wallace theaters to,,,?, the campgrounds and give opportunity for your Kalua Koi Hotel to be refurbished and restored for time share including the dinning room to Molokai people first, etc. and then off-island people with the stipulation that whoever buys your company renegotiate with the lessees.  Hope MPL doesn’t let the property sit for the termites and the rats to kau kau (eat) as did the previous owner.

Maybe the word can be put out to World investors that the red dirt on the West End with a little bit of squeeze, lomi lomi (massage) and manipulation can produce oil and gasoline.  Oops, maybe that’s going too far J

Larry Helm

Concerned Citizen

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Not “Activist” but “Advocates”

Monday, March 31st, 2008

It's time those who really are responsible for the closure of MPL stand up and take the jerk. MPL is closing because of financial failures. MPL couldn't provide water to proposed La'au Pt. millionaire community and couldn't adequately provide protection for endangered monk seals, plants and Moloka'i's very limited resources. MPL couldn't get the EIS approved.

The previous EIS was almost denied by the LUC until MPL withdrew the EIS by the prompting of a LUC member. The "lengthy consultation with the community" concluded Moloka'i community was against the development of La'au Pt. because it would kill our lifestyle, deplete our natural resources, and would not protect our endangered species. Were we expected to close our eyes to these important issues and allow developers destroy the "last Hawaiian island" for their financial gain?

MPL threatened their employees if they didn't push the plan they would lose their jobs. Many employees left beforehand because of these threats. MPL's game plan was to divide and conquer and this is the grand finale. Hard working community members compiled alternatives that would provide revenues to MPL but the compilation was not even reviewed. MPL executive director stated the Molokai community would have the final say in regards to the La'au Pt development and he closed his ears to valuable information from Molokai experts and Kupuna.

"Opponents" are not just fighting for the pleasure of it. We are advocating our rights as a people and protecting our limited resources. Moloka'i advocates are scapegoats for MPL's failures and the "loyal employees" are MPL's pawn. Place the credit where it's due, and don't promise what won't be done.

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