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Add your commentBee Happy!
Tests show there are no bee mites on Molokai
Hawaii Department of Agriculture recently visited Molokai as part of a statewide survey to determine how widespread the honeybee parasite is. Prior to this, Hawaii beekeepers have been blessed with one of the few places in the world that had not been touched by this parasite. This allowed local beekeepers to operate without the medications that are popular on the mainland and in other parts of the world.
On Tuesday, April 24, Dr. Mohsen Ramadan, State Exploratory Entomologist along with colleagues, Ron Heu, Survey Entomologist, and Mach Fukada, Maui Entomologist, arrived early in the morning to begin all-day testing on Molokai for the mite. The survey was conducted on six apiaries within a fifteen-mile span on the southern coast of Molokai. Two hives from each location were tested, and samples were taken back to Honolulu for processing.
The official word from Dr. Ramadan came in on Thursday. “No varroa mites… on the south coast of Molokai.” This is great news for island beekeepers!
Similar studies were done the week before on the Big Island where results also tested negative. Now that there are mite-free zones in the state, attention must be directed toward protecting them.
We have a responsibility to keep the mites away from our island. There are a few ways you can help. Spread the word that there is a moratorium on shipping bees and used beekeeping equipment between the islands. If you have any beehives, be sure to check them regularly and maintain the hives. This provides the best environment for them to thrive and resist mite infestation. If you notice small red dots the size of a pinhead in your hives, report it right away to Dr. Ramadan at Mohsen.M.Ramadan@hawaii.gov.
We are grateful for the cooperation of island beekeepers who agreed to take part in the survey and allow their hives to be inspected. We anticipate additional inspections shortly. If you would like your hives to be included in the next survey, please email MolokaiMeli@iglide.net. There is no charge to the beekeepers for these inspections. We also appreciate the dedication of the survey team and their timely inspections. This time Molokai was not forgotten and this early mite-free declaration will be a key factor in protecting our island. Let’s keep Molokai mite free!
Molokai Blossoms
For Kalani Pruet, Aloha is the best business practice
Ho`omau the good times, togetherness
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In regard to Gov. Lingle’s recent contract offer to Hawaii public school teachers
In her current contract offer to the public school teachers of Hawaii, Governor Linda Lingle is requiring that all public school teachers submit to random drug testing in exchange for a pay increase.
First of all, there is no epidemic of public school teachers using or selling illegal drugs. Period. The thought of any state worker interacting with children while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is abhorrent to any sane person. The vast majority of public school teachers in Hawaii do not use, or promote the sale of, illegal drugs, just as I’m quite sure that the majority of state workers, including those in the Hawaii State Legislature, do not use, or promote the sale of, illegal drugs. So if we assume that there is a small fraction of all state workers using, or promoting the sale of, illegal drugs, then why is Gov. Lingle singling out Hawaii’s public school teachers for mandatory random drug testing?
1500 new homes on the West End?
An attempt to get enough votes to stop subdivision of existing Kaluako`i land parcels has been abandoned by the West Moloka'i Association. This is a huge issue for Molokai and it's potential impact can not be underestimated. Without a prohibition on further subdivision, Maui County zoning rules could allow for up to 1500 additional homes to be built in the Kaluako`i area. One property owner on the west end has already exercised the provision to subdivide by dividing a single beach front lot into two lots and is now attempting to sell one of the two lots at a profit of $1,360,000.
In the voting process, 65% of the landowners on the west end voted against subdivision, thus demonstrating that the majority of residents on the west end recognize the potential future harm that extensive subdivision would create, however in order to mandate a new CC&R preventing subdivision, a super majority of 75% would have been required. Despite the efforts of the West Molokai Association and the west end community, this percentage was unattainable.
Captain’s Log with Captain Clay
Guess he didn't need that hamburger after all for dinner that night!
Good going Mike.
Car Craze Comes To Molokai
Gathering Place
Monsanto just announced its purchase of thousands of acres in Central Oahu to test genetically modified (GM) crops, and protests of the Legislature's refusal to hear bills prohibiting genetic engineering of taro and coffee have been in the news. The newspapers publish a steady stream of letters from industry employees suggesting that anyone unwilling to give the industry free reign is an ignorant fear-monger mindlessly opposed to everything "biotech," from aspirin to stem-cell research. Time for a reality check. Here are some facts -- you decide.
In the past six months, three federal courts have ruled that the USDA broke environmental laws when allowing Monsanto and others to grow GM crops that could contaminate other crops or harm the environment, including corn and sugar cane engineered to produce powerful drugs in their cells. Hawaii's Judge J. Michael Seabright found USDA acted in "utter disregard" of the law.
Global Warming is a Local Issue
Molokai residents gather to make a difference
The world imagines Hawai`i is Paradise, and in many ways, it is. The music of Hawai`i is the music of Paradise - it has no dark side. In the center of the Hawaiian Islands is Molokai, the Friendly Isle, filled with music and beauty and all the complexities of a population of 8000. A small group of 45 concerned Molokai residents gathered together on Saturday, April 14th at Coffees of Hawaii in Kualapu’u to express concerns and begin to share education on the issues related to Global Warming. At least 1400 similar events happened simultaneously all over America, encouraged by a grassroots organization called StepItUp2007.
The island of Molokai's populace is becoming aware of the evidence presented earlier this month by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) regarding the likely high human costs of global warming. "We are in agreement about one basic principle: we need quick, dramatic cuts in carbon emissions, cuts that will continue for many years to come. In particular, we need legislation that commits the United States and the World to cut carbon emissions 80% by 2050, an amount which turns out to be about 2% per year", said Molokai artist and conservation activist, Anna Fuernsteiner.
"Even though we are a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, farther away from any continental land mass than any other place on Earth, we know that we are connected to all humanity by the air we breathe, the land upon which we walk and the waters that flow around us. It is our hope to join all humankind in 'unity of purpose', bound by our support of the changes necessary to bring our planet Earth back to health." said one of the rally's organizers.
"Because the risk is so high, and the time to act so short, we are very hopeful that our political leaders won’t make unnecessary compromises in the debates and negotiations that lie ahead. It is a time to 'be satisfied' with what we already have, to be 'celebratory' in appreciation of family and friends, a time to 'share' across political, religious, economic and ethnic lines." spoke George Benda for the musical ensemble, Na Ohana Hoaloha.
"When I saw it on a bumper sticker in Santa Cruz, California, 'Let's Mend our FUELish Ways!', I thought, that's worth rallying around", remembered Dakota Blair, who is visiting friends here on Molokai.
"In Paradise, we share aloha because it's all we really have. It is the lesson of the place and our kuleana." said Pua Naeole, Retail Manager at Coffees of Hawaii and rally organizer. "This is a good turnout for a first rally. Raising awareness will surely be followed by political change, isn't that what democracy is all about!"
"It's great that we can have some new ideas on how to conserve based on Reducing Carbon Emissions. We know that the real polluters are the big corporations. But we need to educate ourselves on what we can do as individuals and families", said Herbert Hoe, local educator and activist.
Flyers on how to change personal lifestyles to significantly reduce impact on climate are available at Coffees of Hawai`i.
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