Author Archives: Jessica Ahles

Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Arleone Dibben-Young, Molokai compiler

The 114th Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will take place on Molokai Thursday, Dec. 19. The nationwide event is an annual count that takes place in established areas during the same time period during the month of December. The information compiled over time provides a useful tool indicating population trends of bird species.

The topside Molokai count is divided into three routes: Seabirds and waterfowl via a northern pelagic route, forest birds at the Waikolu Lookout, and shorebirds and waterfowl along the south shore. The Kalaupapa peninsula is the fourth site in the count circle and requires advance reservations.…

Energy Festival Nixed Over Renewable Project Concerns

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Amid recent concerns over proposed renewable energy project Ikehu Molokai, I Aloha Molokai (IAM) has cancelled its third annual Renewable Energy Festival that was scheduled for January. The nonprofit feared the event would act as a showcase for Ikehu, falsely implying IAM’s endorsement of the project. While IAM leaders say they feel the project has potential for Molokai, they are not ready to support it based on what they consider to be a lack of public input.

“We do not want [the energy festival] to be used to help push a process that does not have community buy-in yet,” said Kanohowailuku Helm, president of IAM, a local nonprofit that supports community-based energy solutions, in an email to Maui County officials.…

Proposal Would Bring 100% Renewable Energy

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

A proposed renewable energy project for Molokai combines solar and stored hydroelectric power with the goal of 100 percent renewable energy for the island and lowered electric rates for local customers. The project, called Ikehu Molokai, is still in the early stages of discussion. It would be a joint endeavor between California-based Princeton Energy Group and landowner Molokai Ranch.

If completed, Molokai would become the first grid in the world to be converted completely to renewable energy, said Princeton CEO Steve Tabor.

“We were on sidelines for the Big Wind project [that proposed industrial wind turbines on Molokai], but we were kind of offended by the project — it was way out of scale,” said Tabor. …

Youth Tackle Invasives

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Youth Tackle Invasives

Students of Aka`ula School tackled some big environmental issues on Molokai, researching, surveying residents and presenting their findings at the school’s 17th annual PRISM Symposium last month. All focusing on public opinions and knowledge about control of invasive plants, mammals, fish and insects, students formed eight groups, which each surveyed more than 100 Molokai residents.

“When Dara [Lukonen] and I started this 18 years ago, someone said it was some of the most academic work on Molokai,” said one of Aka`ula’s founders and teachers, Vicki Newberry, of PRISM, which stands for Providing Resolutions with Integrity for a Sustainable Molokai.

Kaliloa Durant, Malu Duquette , Skylar Kuahuia and Kamaka Adams researched Hawaii’s invasive fish and whether they should be used to make fertilizer on Molokai.…

Egg Essentials for Backyard Farmers

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Egg Essentials for Backyard Farmers

As more Hawaii residents flock towards raising chickens in their backyards, some may not be aware of the state and federal health regulations for selling their eggs to the public. As part of a statewide tour by the Hawaii Departments of Health and Agriculture and the University of Hawaii, a dozen of Molokai’s backyard egg farmers familiarized themselves with these guidelines during an egg workshop last Tuesday.

“We knew of people [on Maui] who were doing backyard egg producing and were trying to sell…to high-end hotels,” said Lynn Nakamura-Tengan, a food safety educator at the University of Hawaii Manoa, during the workshop.…

GMO, a Powerful Technology

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Community Contributed

Opinion by Dennis M Karpiak, MD

Walter Ritte represents a highly vocal activist movement staunchly opposed to GMO foods for various undisclosed reasons that have no scientific basis. The most relentless of these groups are at the forefront of anti-science advocacy using any means at their disposal to disrupt agribusiness and use third party funding to support their activities.

This activism prevents lifesaving foods from reaching market because activists continue to call for more tests, overly precautionary regulations and there are confirmed cases of crop study vandalism (Aug 8., Philippines). The activists impede this product demand by consumers and farmers by constantly demanding “more research” and intimidating politicians along the way.…

Business Careers: Career and Tech Education

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

UHMC News Release

The Business Careers program at University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Molokai offers various levels of opportunity.  Certificates of Competence are designed for students and community members who wish to quickly acquire or upgrade their skills and knowledge.  Earn a certificate in as little as one semester!

A one-year Certificate of Achievement in Business Careers provides essential skills and knowledge in business, communications, writing, and mathematics.  A two-year Associate in Applied Science in Business Careers prepares students for the four-year business programs at UH West Oahu, UH Manoa, UH Hilo, and other institutions in conjunction with the Associate in Arts degree program.…

Share Your Love with a Dove

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Hospice Hawaii Molokai News Release

Once again during this holiday season, Hospice Hawaii Molokai is partnering with Bank of Hawaii to host a special Dove Memory Tree. You may honor the memory of a departed friend or loved one by writing their name on a paper dove, and hanging it from the tree. Donations to Hospice Hawaii in support of our organization’s services for patients and their ohana on Molokai will also be accepted at that time.

Hospice Hawaii Molokai staff and volunteers will greet all visitors in front of the bank on the afternoons of Friday, Dec. 13 and Friday, Dec.…

90 Years of ‘Smiling Through It All’

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Rev. Jean Taloa

“Smiling Through It All” by 90-year-old Molokai resident Lillian Faker is a new book in town. Its purpose is to bring laughter and joy to all its readers.

Many years ago, Lillian began writing about the happenings in her life. Her children were growing and accomplishing new goals. Her life was a pleasure and Lillian wanted to share it with her friends. She bought a computer to put all of her stories on, but she didn’t have the patience to learn how to operate it. So Lillian caller her granddaughter, Barbara, and said, “Will you please come and get this monster out of my house before I pitch a brick at it?”…

Kalaupapa Celebrates Thanksgiving

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St Francis, Kalaupapa

I approached the State kitchen on staff row in my Paddy Wagon for the large annual gathering of our Kalaupapa family. All had been planned and prepared. Tom and Tina Turkey were present in all their delicious splendor and in succulent good taste. Finny the Fabulous Fish was also on display and of course it would have been a yam shame if Miss Sweet Potato had not been featured in this feast. So we all enjoyed a good time and great food at the settlement kitchen, compliments of the State of Hawaii.…