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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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Not the People’s Fault

Monday, March 31st, 2008

It is not the fault of the people.

It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch doesn't know how to run a successful hotel in paradise.

It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch cannot run a successful golf course in the state of Hawaii.

It is not the fault of the people of Molokai that Molokai Ranch cannot run a successful Cattle operation.

It is certainly not the fault of the people of Molokai that the original purchaser of Molokai Ranch paid so much for the property.

Well Molokai Ranch, made a mistake in thinking that the people of Molokai would fall for an ill-conceived project covered with mirrors and smoke so thick The Governor and Both Senators were all bamboozled into backing this foreign investment company that owns the Molokai Ranch.

And it certainly is not the fault of the people of Molokai that this man cannot admit his mistake instead of acting like a childish brat and taking his ball and going home.

The people of Molokai will not be cowed by greedy little men from somewhere else.

Penny Spiller, Ho`olehua

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Forethought

Monday, March 31st, 2008

If management of MPL (Molokai Ranch) had the forethought to invest in the redevelopment of the Kaluakoi Hotel complex rather than wasting a small fortune in planning, marketing, and defending its passionately unpopular La’au housing proposal, perhaps the revitalized hotel would be generating profits rather than providing food for the termites.

Harvey James

Maunaloa

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Another Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest!

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Del Monte & Libby Pineapple, Sheraton, Louisiana Land, Colony, Tokyo Kosan, and the over 10,000 so called TB cattle was, at one time, Molokai’s economy and they all left.  Their employees got hurt; some left and some stayed.  Molokai survived. 

To the MPL employees, the people of Molokai have empathy for you as you go through the change.  MPL is closing and claims it is because of the opposition to the La`au project.  Maybe….maybe not.

Questions:

Why would you put all your eggs in one plan and say…..my way only or the highway?  Wouldn’t it be better to have a lot of little rather than one big?

Maybe there is no aloha for Molokai from MPL; but in the meantime, how about a little aloha for the business that you do have?  My suggestion is to lease the golf course to Sonny Boy, the lodge to….?, Wallace theaters to,,,?, the campgrounds and give opportunity for your Kalua Koi Hotel to be refurbished and restored for time share including the dinning room to Molokai people first, etc. and then off-island people with the stipulation that whoever buys your company renegotiate with the lessees.  Hope MPL doesn’t let the property sit for the termites and the rats to kau kau (eat) as did the previous owner.

Maybe the word can be put out to World investors that the red dirt on the West End with a little bit of squeeze, lomi lomi (massage) and manipulation can produce oil and gasoline.  Oops, maybe that’s going too far J

Larry Helm

Concerned Citizen

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Not “Activist” but “Advocates”

Monday, March 31st, 2008

It's time those who really are responsible for the closure of MPL stand up and take the jerk. MPL is closing because of financial failures. MPL couldn't provide water to proposed La'au Pt. millionaire community and couldn't adequately provide protection for endangered monk seals, plants and Moloka'i's very limited resources. MPL couldn't get the EIS approved.

The previous EIS was almost denied by the LUC until MPL withdrew the EIS by the prompting of a LUC member. The "lengthy consultation with the community" concluded Moloka'i community was against the development of La'au Pt. because it would kill our lifestyle, deplete our natural resources, and would not protect our endangered species. Were we expected to close our eyes to these important issues and allow developers destroy the "last Hawaiian island" for their financial gain?

MPL threatened their employees if they didn't push the plan they would lose their jobs. Many employees left beforehand because of these threats. MPL's game plan was to divide and conquer and this is the grand finale. Hard working community members compiled alternatives that would provide revenues to MPL but the compilation was not even reviewed. MPL executive director stated the Molokai community would have the final say in regards to the La'au Pt development and he closed his ears to valuable information from Molokai experts and Kupuna.

"Opponents" are not just fighting for the pleasure of it. We are advocating our rights as a people and protecting our limited resources. Moloka'i advocates are scapegoats for MPL's failures and the "loyal employees" are MPL's pawn. Place the credit where it's due, and don't promise what won't be done.

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Mayor Tavares And Molokai Council Member Mateo Respond To Ranch Closure

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

Mayor Charmaine Tavares and Molokai Council Member Danny A. Mateo comments on today’s announcement by Molokai Properties that the company will be shutting down a majority of its operations effective April 5, 2008.

Mayor Tavares:

“The impact on the community will be quite serious. I’m concerned for the employees and families that are affected. This is devastating news and they will be the ones who will feel it the most.

While I have great faith in the tenacity and resiliency of the people of Molokai, I am concerned about their economic future.

For an island that has the state’s highest unemployment rate, this adds to an already stressful employment situation. We’ll be looking for ways that the county, state and non-profit community can provide support to the workers and their families. My staff has been informed that the state’s Workforce Development Division and the state Unemployment Insurance Office are expected to send a rapid response team to Molokai in the next few days to meet with the affected employees.

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Lingle Focuses On Molokai Ranch Employees, Island’s Economy

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

Lingle Focuses On Molokai Ranch Employees, Island’s Economy

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today outlined steps the State Administration is taking to assist 120 displaced workers on Moloka‘i following the announcement by Moloka‘i Ranch that it will cease its operations at the end of this month.  

 

“My immediate concern is for the 120 employees and their families who will be affected by this closure,” said Governor Lingle.  “My office and several state departments are working together to assist the employees in the short-term, while minimizing the long-term economic impact.

 

“Because of Moloka‘i’s small population, the closure of one of the island’s largest private employers will have a disproportionate impact on the island’s economy,” said the Governor.  “The loss of this many jobs in such a small community like Moloka‘i is equivalent to 23,000 people on O‘ahu losing their jobs on the same day.”

 

“It is unfortunate that after working with the community and state and local government on developing its master plan for so long, Moloka‘i Ranch is unable to continue its operations,” said Governor Lingle. The company has stated that its net loss from 2001 to 2006 has been approximately $37 million.  “Through all of this, the employees worked hard and made sacrifices.  We want to do everything we can to help the employees and the Moloka‘i community.”

 

On Thursday, state officials will travel to Moloka‘i to meet with the employees to provide information on what type of assistance is available.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ (DLIR) Rapid Response Team, accompanied by officials from the Department of Human Services (DHS), will hold two meetings, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., to provide employees with information on unemployment insurance, job training and placement and medical benefits.  The meetings will take place at the Moanaloa Tri-Plex theatre.

 

DLIR Director Darwin Ching will lead the meeting, which will also include presentations by the administrator of the Unemployment Insurance Division who will explain the process and timeline for filing claims, as well as the administrator of the Workforce Development Division.  Branch managers of the Maui Unemployment Insurance and Workforce Development divisions, as well as staff from DLIR’s Moloka‘i office will also be on hand to assist the employees.

In addition, representatives from the DHS will provide information and help employees determine if and when they are eligible for medical benefits, including QUEST, QUEST Ace and Medicaid.  

 

Over the next few weeks, the Rapid Response Team will survey 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 on Maui and Moloka‘i to identify potential job opportunities for workers who are willing to move or commute.  The team will also work with the Department of Human Services First-to-Work office on Moloka‘i to provide direct employment assistance and the support services necessary to find employment.

Governor Lingle also announced she would convene a Moloka‘i Action Team, comprised of state, county and community representatives to identify additional opportunities to assist the displaced workers in the short-term, while also focusing on ways to rebuild the island’s workforce base.  

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Molokai Ranch Shutting Down

Monday, March 24th, 2008

Molokai Ranch to Layoff 120 Employees 

Molokai Properties Limited is to shutdown its operations on Molokai at the end of March.

The Company will lay-off more than 120 staff on the island over the following 60 days.

Company CEO Peter Nicholas said that staff had been advised of the company’s position at employee meetings on Molokai and in Honolulu today.

He said that MPL (better known as Molokai Ranch) intends to “mothball” the company’s assets on its 60,000+ acre property on Molokai.

“The decision is purely a business one,” said Mr. Nicholas.

“For the past five years MPL has been working with Molokai community leaders and community members on developing and implementing a Master Plan for MPL’s property and the future of Molokai.

“Unacceptable delays caused by continued opposition to every aspect of the Master Plan means we are unable to fund continued normal company operations,” he said.

Operations to be shut will be the Molokai Lodge, the Kaupoa Beach Village, the Kaluakoi Golf Course, the Maunaloa gas station, the Maunaloa Tri-Flex theatre, cattle-rearing, and the company’s substantial maintenance
operations.

As well as shutting these operations, MPL will close all access to its property indefinitely, said Mr. Nicholas. “We deeply regret to have taken this step as the main impact will be on our loyal employees,” he said.

“This will also be a bitter blow to Plan supporters, whose main interests in supporting the Master Plan have been a sustained economic future for Molokai.

“However, as we have mentioned on many occasions, without the prospect of an economic future for the company that results from the implementation of all facets of the Master Plan, we are unable to continue to bear large losses from continuing these operations,” he said.

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Future Reporters, the Making-Off

Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

Kilohana School second-graders learned how to interview famous people, taking an advantage of a hands-on workshop offered by Kamehameha Schools and The Molokai Dispatch. A week earlier, Kaunakakai School second-graders went through the same workshop.

Elementary School students take journalism workshop

By the Dispatch Staff

The Molokai Dispatch staff inspired second-graders at Kilohana and Kaunakakai schools with hands-on journalism workshops. The little students loved to learn about the life of a reporter, and everyone said at the end of the workshop that they want to be a reporter when they grow up.

Todd Yamashita and Léo Azambuja conducted the workshop at Kaunakakai School on Feb. 27. Jennifer Smith and Léo Azambuja conducted the workshop at Kilohana School on March 6. Alestra Menendez and Kilia Purdy, from Kamehameha Schools, organized the workshop.

Prior to the workshop, the children had been learning about reporting and putting together a newspaper. In the workshop, they learned how to ask the main questions during an interview, and also the technical aspects of putting together a newspaper.

In the second half of the workshop, the future journalists paired up with their classmates to play reporter and interviewee. Each child could choose to be whoever they wanted to be. Some decided to be professional surfers, others decided to be hunters, teachers, or hula dancers. There was even a Hanna Montana and a Britney Spears.

Mahalo to Kamehameha, Kilohana, and Kaunakakai schools for providing the Dispatch staff such a fun time. We hope to continue the partnership as much as possible.


 


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