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Postal Service Offers Tax Night Late Collections

Sunday, April 13th, 2008


Airport Post Office to Remain Open Until 8 p.m.

A total of 27 Post Offices across the state, including Kaunakakai Post Office, will offer late collection of mail from specially marked collection boxes on Tax Day, Tuesday, Apr. 15, to accommodate last-second filers of federal tax returns.

The Airport Post Office will remain open until 8 p.m.in order to accommodate customers who need to purchase stamps or special services. All other offices will be closing at their normal times.

All mail deposited by midnight in collection boxes labeled with a special bright orange sign indicating Tax Mail Drop – Final Pick-Up Midnight will receive Apr. 15 postmarks.  

Due to the declining numbers of citizens who submit their returns by mail (the IRS estimates that 57 percent of all federal tax returns will be filed electronically this year) the Postal Service has discontinued its tradition of providing curbside service to last-second filers of federal tax returns at its drive-by collection boxes.

The Postal Service provides the following friendly reminders regarding the mailing of tax returns:

Not all boxes will be collected late - If you are mailing your return in a blue collection box or a drop slot at the post office, be sure to check the schedule for the last collection time. Except in specially marked boxes at designated locations (see above list), returns deposited after the last collection time will not receive Apr. 15 postmarks.
Beat the rush, mail early - Mail your tax returns early in the day. Post Offices typically become very congested in the late afternoon and evening on the tax day deadline.
·         Ensure proper postage - Be sure to check that adequate postage is applied to your tax return. First-Class postage for one ounce is 41 cents. Weigh any return that feels heavier than one ounce. Add 17 cents for each additional ounce up to 13 ounces. Heavier pieces go Priority Mail. Check the Postal Service web site at www.usps.gov for a postage rate calculator. Tax agencies do not accept postage due mail; tax returns bearing insufficient postage will be returned—meaning taxpayers may be penalized for filing late tax returns.

·         Ensure proper addressing - Use pre-addressed labels where possible. Write clearly. Take special care to ensure that handwritten envelopes are legible. Include a return address. Make sure that bulky envelopes are securely sealed.

Heavy packages require personal drop off - Mail with postage paid by postage stamps (as opposed to postage meter strips) that weighs more than 16 ounces must be presented in person to a clerk at a Post Office. Returns meeting this description that are deposited in collection boxes will be returned to their senders.
Tax forms not available at Post Offices - Most Post Offices do not carry tax forms; only the most basic forms are available in Post Offices that do. Suggestion: Check out the IRS’s web site for downloadable forms.
 

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.

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Molokai-Return to Pono

Friday, April 11th, 2008

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Halawa Tsunami

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

Halawa Tsunami

A photo looking east across the flourishing Halawa valley in November of 1938. (Photo submitted by Anakala Pilipo Solatario.)

April 1, 1946 was no fooling for the people of Hawaii, including those of us living in Halawa. I was only six years old when the tsunami hit Molokai, but I remember it well.

To see houses move, including my uncle’s house with the family inside, was incredible. The scariest part was the sound; the sound of the ocean sucking, tress cracking, nails being pulled from the houses, and the rumble of boulders.

There was a phone call Sunday night, March 31, warning us of the ocean after an earthquake north of Alaska. But not understanding what the tsunami warning really meant, we went on with life as usual.

About 10 hours later, at 7 a.m., my mom was walking the beach as she did every morning before heading to the taro patch and noticed the sea was changing. We heard her yelling and before we knew it, we were gathering up treasured photos, the family bible, valuable papers and certificates, and heading to high ground.

What we saw was so strange, the ocean went way out, and we could see fish flopping about on the sand. Then it came back in, not as a huge wave, as one might expect, but slowly. It just flowed, oozed back in and was white and foamy.

The swell continued, surging in and out until water covered most of the valley. The ocean drowned almost 2 miles of the valley floor and was over 100 feet deep. As the ocean receded, we could see the remains of the poi factory, and many families’ houses. The school and church seemed ok, but the taro terraces were full of salt and sand. The good thing was that no lives were lost.

My kupuna had a mo`olelo of a giant battle fought at the base of the eastern cliffs at Kai Wili Beach, near an old heiau. No one knew for sure if the story was true, but after the tsunami receded, we found many bones and skulls in that area. Maybe there was something to our ancestors’ stories.

The day after, we began to clean up the devastation, and I remember the horrible stink from all the rotting fish. We tried to catch some of the live ones for food, but for some reason they tasted different, not good at all. We buried all the dead ones we found.

Next we started to rebuild and repair the homes and structures and flush the salt and sand from the taro patches. The Halawa poi factory was gone forever, and so was the swing bridge. Some families moved, but many stayed and rebuilt the taro patches.

I remember my mom writing me in 1958 or 59 because I was gone. There was a terrible flash flood; she said the whole back-side of the valley was a wall of water. What it did was flatten the taro patches and the dam. Taro farming was never the same after that.

We, by tradition and nature, don’t look back, we look forward. What is past is past, though April 1 always triggers something in my mind and I can still hear the ocean that day.

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Mo`omomi Acacio

Monday, April 7th, 2008

Mo`omomi Acacio

Mo'omomi Acacio, 16, who died due to a tragic car crash on March 22nd, was taken back to his birthplace at Mo'omomi Bay Molokai. Many came to participate as his ashes was placed into the bay at the spot of his birth by his family. Chants were given and numerous conch sounded, as an unexpected rain appeared for a few minutes only to give way again to a warm bright sun.

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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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