Author Archives: Jessica Ahles

Makani Kai Air Offers $39 Fare

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

Makani Kai News Release

Makani Kai Air is offering a special $39 fare between Honolulu and Molokai as a means of introducing itself to the traveling public. The $39 fare, which is being offered for a limited time only and must be made online at MakaniKaiAir.com, includes all fees and taxes. The airline, which began its topside Molokai service in June of this year, has up to eight daily round trip flights between Honolulu and Molokai.

“This special fare is to thank the local people who have embraced Makani Kai and helped make our entry into the market a success,” said Richard Schuman, president of Makani Kai Air.…

Inspired and Fired Art Show

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) will present an exhibition of new works by local artist Kathleen Mendes from Oct. 5-18 at the He `Ike Lihi Showroom. Called “Inspired and Fired by Kathleen Mendes,” the exhibit will feature ceramic pieces composed with a variety of techniques, including slab, coil, and wheel.

When Molokai’s master potter Dan Bennett opened his studio doors in 2007 to those eager to explore ceramics, Mendes had the opportunity to pick up a ball of clay and turn it into a useful object.  Since then she has been working with this medium, discovering all the exciting possibilities it holds for the artist. …

Molokai Clean Energy Initiative: What’s Next

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

IAM News Release

Last week, we offered an update on the Molokai Clean Energy Initiative (MCEI), a forum for communities, organizations and other stakeholders to meet together, share ideas, and envision an affordable clean energy future for everybody. This is the conclusion of that update.

I Aloha Molokai (IAM) President Kanoho Helm saw early on that energy planning is closely linked with emergency preparedness. Without built-in redundancy and back up, no system is likely to function in a crisis. Several MCEI presenters alerted us to the fact that state disaster plans are incomplete, and that some statewide response sequences have not been established or tested.…

What’s New is Not Good: Biosecurity Challenges in Hawaii

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

What’s New is Not Good: Biosecurity Challenges in Hawaii

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, UH Molokai Extension Agent

Biosecurity is a set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of introduction into Hawaii of infectious diseases, quarantined pests, invasive alien species, and living modified organisms. Each year, approximately 10 to 15 new major insect pests are accidentally introduced onto Oahu. On top of this, many other seemingly unimportant pests are also accidentally introduced, though we may not fully understand their impacts at that time.

Oahu’s major ports of entry — including harbors, airports, and military installations — are the main entry points for these pests, but they can also be sent through mail systems.…

Ulua Tournament Lures in Big Crowd

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Ulua Tournament Lures in Big Crowd

An impressive crowd gathered at Molokai Fish and Dive on Sunday, Sept. 8 as fishermen hoping to win the shop’s first-ever Ulua Fishing Tournament unloaded trucks, bags and coolers carrying their biggest catch.

At 3 p.m. the three-day tournament officially came to a close and each team or participant came forward to weigh their best fish. Many teams revealed more than one ulua to bolster their chance of taking home the grand prize. Ulua were caught island-wide, following state fishing regulations.

After a suspenseful weigh in, an ulua weighing 60.4 pounds was crowned the winner and Daniel Mahiai was awarded the $1000 first place prize.…

State Epidemic Threatens Endangered Waterfowl

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Protecting Hawaii’s wetlands and endangered water birds from modern development and invasive species has always been a concern for state wildlife departments. However, according to the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the leading threat to Hawaii’s native and migrant waterfowl species lies beneath the surface, in a toxin causing epidemic losses on Molokai and throughout the state.

Avian botulism outbreaks are the number one killer of waterfowl, according to DOFAW wildlife biologist Norma Creps. It is extremely important that wetland and wildlife management understands what avian botulism is and how to stop it from spreading because we have a lot of important migratory species and they can all be affected by it, she said.…

Legal Short-Term Rentals on the Rise

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Since a Maui County ordinance creating a procedure to legalize short-term rental houses was passed in May of last year, eight properties have been permitted on Molokai to serve as vacation rentals. The two most recent permits were granted by the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) last week, receiving widespread support from neighbors in the east end Waialua community. Additionally, individuals interested in canary wharf flats to rent can explore various options. In addition, there are many houses for sale in Kauai Hawaii right now.

Before the ordinance, only two Molokai homes were operating as legal short-term rentals, after going through a lengthy permitting process.…

Molokai Electric Vehicle Movement

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Molokai transportation may recharge as eco-energy specialists and community members have begun brainstorming how to introduce more electric vehicles (EV), charging stations, and energy and cost efficient ways to power them on the island.

“Molokai is an absolutely perfect fit for electric vehicles,” said Ethan Elkind, an EV expert and climate policy associate from the University of California Berkeley School of Law.

Elkind met with Molokai residents last Wednesday to discuss the long process of increasing EV drivers on the island. They discussed some of the obstacles Molokai faces including lack of on-island EV dealers, charging stations, and costly energy rates, which inhibit large-scale EV adoption.…

Circus Wows Molokai

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Circus Wows Molokai

From the swish of silk suspending aerial acrobats high above the crowd to the roar of motorcycle engines making dizzying loops inside the “globe of death,” the Modern American Circus came to town last weekend bringing laughter, oohs and ahhs.

“The circus hasn’t been here for a long time, so this is huge,” said Saturday night attendee Orion Niles. “We’ve brought grandpa, son, and grandsons here today to see it.”

The Modern American Circus showcased its first-ever performance last weekend on Molokai as part of its statewide tour. With sold-out shows last Friday and Saturday, the big top boomed with cheers and laughter bringing exciting family fun and entertainment to Maunaloa, hosted by Molokai Ranch.…

Local Filmmaker Receives Worldwide Support

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Local Filmmaker Receives Worldwide Support

Last month, Molokai filmmaker Matt Yamashita set a lofty goal: he wanted to raise $22,000 to fund the completion of a new documentary he calls “the most exciting project I’ve worked on.” The film, called “Return to Halawa,” is about Halawa Valley and the life of Anakala Pilipo Solatorio, one of the last Hawaiians born, raised and still living in the east Molokai valley.

As of Sunday night, 150 backers from around the world had pledged $21,831 to the project on Kickstarter.com, a website that’s been coined the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. Funding on Kickstarter is all or nothing — project creators set a goal amount and deadline, and if the goal isn’t reached, they don’t receive any of the money pledged by backers.…