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“Gift to Landowners”

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

Controversial Senate Bill 2646 passed the Senate last Thursday in a 14-10 vote. Supporters claim the bill is designed to preserve important agricultural lands and promote agricultural production. But opponents say the bill is a major “Gift to Landowners” that paves the way for development through expedited land reclassification, tax credits, and other incentives.

The bill now awaits the Governor’s approval which would put it into effect in July.

SB 2646 has drawn particular criticism for its reclassification incentive which allows landowners to swap classification of 15% of its acreage from agricultural to urban, rural, or conservation as long as they designate 85% of their acreage to “important-ag.”

A 2008 Senate report states that the bill’s explicit intent is “to create incentives that balance the State's interest and desire for the designation of important-ag with the landowners' need and desire for more development opportunities.”

Molokai Minute – Solatario, Skate Park, and Read Aloud America

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

UPC Wind Announces Name Change to First Wind

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

UPC Wind Announces Name Change to First Wind

Boston, MA—May 1, 2008UPC Wind, an independent North American wind power company, today announced that it is changing its name to First Wind.  The name change will not have any impact on the company’s organizational structure or day-to-day operations.  The name change is effective immediately.

“Although our name has changed, our core values remain the same,” said Paul Gaynor, President and CEO of First Wind.  “As First Wind, we remain committed to our community partners, to seeking energy independence, and to finding environmentally sensitive solutions to meet the nation’s growing energy needs.  We look forward to continuing to bring these values to the development, construction, and operation of our wind power projects under the First Wind brand.”

Since its founding in the United States in 2002, the company has remained focused on wind farm development, ownership, and operation with projects primarily in the Northeast, the West Coast and Hawaii.  The company’s ownership is also not affected by the name change. 

In addition to growing domestic energy production and increasing energy security, wind power is considered cost competitive with conventional sources of electricity, such as oil or gas, particularly in First Wind’s key market segments.  Unlike traditional polluting sources of energy, wind has no fuel cost, therefore serving as a natural hedge against volatile fuel prices, which constitutes a significant portion of monthly electricity bills in most markets in the United States.  Wind power also emits no greenhouse gases or other damaging pollutants.

About First Wind
First Wind is based in Newton, Massachusetts.  First Wind is an American-owned company, with a proven track record of developing, owning, and operating well-sited, community-friendly wind farms that increase energy independence.  For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com.

Maui Electric to Talk Renewable Energy on Molokai

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council to host energy discussion.

 

The Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Kūlana ‘Ōiwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai.   The public is invited.

Representatives from Maui Electric Company (MECO) will discuss integrated resource planning for Maui County, including Moloka‘i. The presentation comes as the Lingle-Aiona Administration continues to make progress on the Hawaii Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, an unprecedented partnership between the State of Hawai‘i and the Dept. of Energy which aims to have 70 percent of Hawai‘i’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2030.  

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

The members of the Governor’s Moloka‘i 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.  

May Day

Friday, May 2nd, 2008

May Day

Ho’omau 2008

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Ho’omau 2008

Leeward Kenpo Karate Ke Ola `O Molokai

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Leeward Kenpo Karate Ke Ola `O Molokai

Leeward Kenpo Karate (LKK) Ke Ola ‘O Molokai first got its start through the Kaunakakai Community Learning Center (KCLC) at Kaunakakai Elementary School with Alexa (Sausy) Dudoit.

On April 13, LKK Ke Ola ‘O Molokai competed in the 27th Annual Leeward Kenpo Karate Tournament which was held at Halawa Gym. This year, LKK Ke Ola ‘O Molokai brought 14 competitors. Under the supervision of their Sifu (teacher) Lori Nakamoto and Sibak Elroy Mollena (Assistant Instructor), the students brought home a total of 20 trophies as well as 3 fighting spirit awards.

Classes are held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays from 5:30-7:30 pm and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Home Pumehana Senior Center. Call 646-0826 for more information or stop by before class.

Results of the Tournament:

Ichiro Asano – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 6-7)

2nd place Kumite (Novice boys 6-7)

Noel Tancayo – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice girls 6 and under)

3nd place Kumite (Novice girls 6 and under)

Courtney Winfrey – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice girls 7-8)

Jasmyn Davis – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice girls 9-10)

Makana Arce – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice boys 10-11)

Benjamin Aea – 1st place Kumite (Novice boys 10-11)

Nolan Nartatez – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Intermediate boys 12-13)

1st place Traditional Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 12-14)

1st place Kumite (Intermediate boys 12-13)

Misty Mollena – 3rd place Kenpo Kata (Novice girls 15-17)

Eric “Kalei” Sasada – 1st place Kumite (Intermediate boys 14-15)

Punohu Seitz – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 14-15)

3rd place Kumite (Novice boys 14-15)

Ryan Johnston – 3rd place Kenpo Kata (Intermediate boys 16-17)

1st place Weapons Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 15-17)

2nd place Kumite (Intermediate boys 14-15)

Kyle Macmillan – 1st place Traditional Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 15-17)

4th place Kumite (Intermediate boys 16-17)

Wendell “Iopa” Mollena – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 15-17)

1st place Kumite (Novice boys 16-17)

Lance Haraguchi – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Men’s Novice Color Belt 35 and over)

Not-so-Great Cancellation on Friendly Isle

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

My husband and I have visited Molokai for 13 years and have found the people and the island beautiful.  We stay on the west side because of the golf course.  We have also enjoyed the movie theatre, grocery store and Lodge in Maunaloa Town.  Everyone we came into contact with on the island was so very nice to us.  Molokai is truly the ‘Friendly Isle’. 

We had already secured a condo for next year and had planned to stay much longer this time. We have been following the events in the last few weeks with great sadness. 

Great Stay on the Friendly Isle

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

We just returned from your beautiful island, and I feel obligated to thank you and your fellow islanders for your hospitality. This was our second visit, and certainly won't be our last. We love visiting Hawai'i, but especially Molokai because it's so real.

We stayed on the west end in a privately owned condo at Kaluakoi Villas.

We hiked up on Kalaka Rock to watch whales in the morning, and spent many hours on Popohaku Beach. We made a point to visit Kalaupapa, and met Mrs. Marks, who is a perfectly lovely woman.

We were saddened to hear about the closing of the ranch; especially as it will leave so many individuals unemployed. I do hope that everyone fares well, and I certainly support the islanders' decision to buy the land so they can determine what is done with it, if anything.

Adults to Blame for Violent Youth

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Today while driving through Ranch Camp I had the misfortune of encountering two male students of Molokai High in the midst of a physical altercation. Yes, they were “scrapping”! 

In a panic I stopped my car in the middle of the street, jumped out and tried to separate them. I gave them both an earful and sent one of them on his not so merry way. To my dismay the father of the second boy was in his garage less than 20 feet away instructing the other students to “let them fight”.

When confronted, all this person did was put blame on the other boy. All I heard was “Him, him, him! Not my boy’s fault! You don’t know!”