Business

Beefing Up Local Business

Sunday, June 17th, 2012

Molokai Livestock Cooperative processes grass-fed meat for the islands.

Molokai Livestock Cooperative (MLC), the island’s only slaughterhouse, is fostering a shift in the way people think about the meat on their plates. Whereas mainstream meat products come from notoriously cruel feedlots that bolster their cattle with grains and growth hormones, MLC only processes grass-fed, hormone-free animals — making them part of a national trend driven mainly by consumer awareness.

While the average meat-packing plant on the mainland will process between 3,000 to 5,000 heads per day, MLC averages about seven per week. Operating at a smaller scale allows MLC to provide the island and a few off-island vendors with high-quality meats.…

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Community, Sustainability

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No Shrimp of a Business

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

If you buy shrimp in the grocery store, there is a good chance it was grown in Southeast Asia. But that shrimp may be a descendant of a shrimp raised by Steve Chaikin, owner of Molokai Sea Farms. His business is among the lead suppliers of shrimp breeding stock in Hawaii for the booming overseas shrimp industry.

Chaikin remembers selling shrimp out of the back of his truck in Kaunakakai every Friday back in the early 90s. He also stocked wholesale markets all over the state. That is, until his shrimp sales “came to an abrupt stop” in the mid-90s, when Southeast Asia emerged as the shrimp farming capital of the world.…

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Community

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Contended Short-Term Rental Law Passed

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

A bill was signed into law last week that establishes new regulations for short-term rentals, also known as transient vacation rentals, in Maui County. This move aims to address ongoing concerns, particularly on Molokai, where the scarcity of accommodations has led many homeowners to rent their houses on a short-term basis despite previous prohibitions. Platforms like HousingMatchers for rentals can play a positive role in helping homeowners and renters navigate these new regulations while ensuring compliance and providing safe, reliable options for visitors.

The new law was approved by the Maui County Council and signed by Mayor Alan Arakawa last week.…

Posted in Business, Community, Government

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Molokai Ranch: New Leadership, Fresh Perspectives

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

New leadership at Molokai Ranch hopes to get a fresh start with the community as they bring sustainability to the forefront and develop and share their ideas for the island.

Former Castle & Cooke director of engineering and development Clay Rumbaoa took over as Molokai Ranch executive director from Peter Nicholas in November 2011. Now, Nancy Schmicker has taken the position of new Ranch Project Manager, and together, Schmicker said they hope to turn over a new leaf for Molokai Ranch and the community.

“Doing what’s right in the community is a huge part of our approach,” she said, after a visit to the island two weeks ago.…

Posted in Business, Community, Community Development, Energy, Environment

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Kanemitsu Bakery to Appeal $90,000 Fine

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Dept. of Health cites sanitation violations

Kanemitsu Bakery plans to appeal $90,000 of fines in violations issued after failing to suspend operations for two days in March following a Department of Health (DOH) order. Kanemitsu Bakery, makers of the famous Molokai hot bread, distributes its products statewide. Customers have been giving their specialty breads rave reviews for over 75 years, but the DOH’s reaction wasn’t so enthusiastic.

“On March 7, an inspection by the DOH uncovered serious deficiencies in the maintenance and manufacturing practices conducted at the facility,” stated a DOH press release. Violations included improper cleaning of cooking implements, inadequate control of rodents, lack of hot water, and general unsanitary conditions.…

Posted in Business, Community, Health

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Local Produce, Fresh Menus

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Hotel Molokai upgrading food service

A farm to table approach is coming alive at Hotel Molokai’s Hula Shores restaurant under the leadership of Kitchen Manager and Oahu native Gene Pike. With Kumu Farms vegetables, Keawanui shrimp, Kaupu Farms fresh poi and many other Molokai-grown ingredients, patrons can now enjoy fresh, new favorites, while local farmers have an outlet to showcase their products.

“I want to integrate more Molokai products into our menu, and we can do that on an almost daily basis,” said Pike, who has lived in San Diego for the past 20 years and worked in the restaurant industry his whole life.…

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Community

3 Comments

Tweets and Sweets

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

Molokai’s first ever Tweet-Up

While time often seems to stand still here on Molokai, new technologies are becoming more and more prevalent in everyday life. One major force among these new technologies is Twitter, an online social networking service that enables users to network with other users via 140-character posts known as “tweets.” If you want to add graphics to your marketing and social media content, you may click here.

Representatives from Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) visited Molokai last week and successfully held Molokai’s very first “tweet-up” at Kamoi Snack-and-Go. A tweet-up involves Twitter users gathering at a designated place, logging onto their accounts (usually using their cell phones), and “tweeting” what they’re doing and who they’re doing it with.…

Posted in Business, Community

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Kudos for Kumu Farms

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Molokai farm commended for business and service.

As one of Molokai’s longest-standing and most successful farms, Kumu Farms knew they were headed in the right direction. Over the past 30 years, they have become the largest exporter of organic papaya to the U.S. mainland, according to owner Grant Schule. About four years ago, they expanded their market to serve the local community, offering residents and visitors of Molokai a variety of organic produce fresh from the fields of the 120 acre-farm in Ho`olehua.

Their efforts were confirmed last month, when Kumu Farm’s commitment to agriculture and the community won them two awards — Edible Hawaiian Islands Magazine’s Local Heroes farm category, and the County of Maui’s Exceptional Small Business Award.…

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Community, Health

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Crime Prevention Tips

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Outside of Takes Variety Store, a sign posted on the window reads: “FREE Ride in a Police Car if you shoplift.” This sign is one of many examples of how small business owners can aid the Maui Police Department in preventing crime, according to the American Crime Prevention Institute.

With limited police resources on the island, the Maui Police Department is calling upon the community for communication and assistance in response to increasing questions concerning recent crimes on Molokai. When it comes to criminal defense, the importance of choosing a reliable and experienced criminal defense lawyer or attorney cannot be overstated.…

Posted in Business, Community, Education

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Ke Nani Kai Couple Awarded $3.8M in Suit

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

A west Molokai couple was recently awarded $3.87 million in damages when a Maui jury supported claims of harassment, threats and intimidation in a lawsuit against the Ke Nani Kai (KNK) homeowners association. In 2008, KNK residents Jim and Nancy Bevill, originally from California, sued the association, its board of directors, and several individuals, resulting in what has been called the largest monetary judgment of its kind in the country.

The 120-unit low-rise Ke Nani Kai resort on Molokai’s west end is intended to offer homeowners and vacationers a relaxing atmosphere with ample amenities. But for more than six years, “the Bevills found themselves targets… by an unlicensed contractor with a criminal record who was hired to do various tasks around the complex” as well as the resident manager, according to Terry Revere, who represented the Bevills.…

Posted in Business, Community

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Content

To print on:

Business

Beefing Up Local Business

Molokai Livestock Cooperative processes grass-fed meat for the islands.

No Shrimp of a Business

Contended Short-Term Rental Law Passed

Molokai Ranch: New Leadership, Fresh Perspectives

Kanemitsu Bakery to Appeal $90,000 Fine

Dept. of Health cites sanitation violations

Local Produce, Fresh Menus

Hotel Molokai upgrading food service

Tweets and Sweets

Kudos for Kumu Farms

Molokai farm commended for business and service.

Crime Prevention Tips

Ke Nani Kai Couple Awarded $3.8M in Suit

Submission Deadlines

Advertising

Content

To print on:

Business

Molokai Livestock Cooperative processes grass-fed meat for the islands.

Dept. of Health cites sanitation violations

Hotel Molokai upgrading food service

Molokai farm commended for business and service.

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