Announcements

Learn About Land Preservation Incentives

Monday, May 27th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Jean Brokish, Oahu Resource Conservation and Development Council

The public is invited to attend a workshop exploring strategies and financial incentives to preserve and care for Hawaii’s agricultural lands on Thursday May 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the OHA conference room in Kaunakakai.

The Molokai Land Trust has been working with partners from around the state to bring this workshop to Molokai.

“This workshop will be of interest to landowners and people dedicated to caring for Molokai’s agricultural lands,” said Butch Haase, executive director for the land trust.

The morning session includes an overview of land preservation tools, including conservation easements and Important Ag Lands designation, and information on a variety of available funding sources. …

Food Producer Training

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Food Producer Training

Maui Culinary Academy and Hawaii Master Food Preservers News Release

A hands-on training program designed to explore value-added food production to support the skills necessary for a career in the food manufacturing industry. The Value-Added Food Production Cohort Training (VAFP) will engage participants in the development of specialty, niche food products to realize economic gains utilizing Molokai grown produce and farm products as a way to create more competitive “shelf ready” foods  through value-adding. This is valuable training for farmers, food distributors and others in the “farm-to-table” food chain.

“Adding value to crops by processing brings more money to the island and in the pocket of Molokai farmers,” said Glenn Teves, a University of Hawaii Molokai extension agent. …

Help Sought Locating Distressed Monk Seal

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Help Sought Locating Distressed Monk Seal

NOAA News Release

Monk seal advocacy groups are asking for the public’s help to locate a sick and severely malnourished Hawaiian monk seal known to frequent the Kalaupapa area in the county of Kalawao, Molokai. Experts are concerned about her health and want to bring the seal to Oahu for assessment and treatment at the Waikiki Aquarium. The seal would be returned to Kalaupapa after recovery.

“The seal we are looking for would appear ill and its ribs or other skeletal features would likely be visible. We are asking people to keep an eye out for this seal in the water or on the beach,” explained Pat Wardell, President of the Monk Seal Foundation, a Hawaii based organization that recently took over management of the monk seal volunteer program on Molokai.…

Library Tree Removal

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Library Tree Removal

Molokai Public Library News Release

The Cook pine tree growing on the front lawn of the Molokai Public Library needs to be removed soon. Library staff has been consulting with Department of Accounting and General Services on Molokai and Maui and two certified and licensed Oahu arborists, who highly recommend we consider removing the tree for safety reasons. General Tree Service, Inc. does Greensboro tree removal.

This huge, aged, 115-foot tree is now showing signs of decline and gradual deterioration. The upper third part is stressed, the trunk has weak stability and is susceptible to root decay and termite damage.…

Molokai Power Outage

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Maui Electric News Release

At 9:40 a.m. this morning, Molokai experienced an island-wide power outage affecting approximately 3,200 customers. At this time, power to the majority of our customers on Molokai has been restored.

Parts of Kaunakakai were brought back on-line at 11:38 a.m. and Hoolehua, including the Airport, was restored to power at 11:43 a.m. Customers on Molokai’s west end were restored shortly thereafter at 11:51 a.m. and the Kualapuu area was brought back on-line at 12:03 p.m. Remaining customers in Kaunakakai were restored at 12:18 p.m.

At this time, customers on Molokai’s east end remain without power. Maui Electric crews are working hard to bring these customers back on-line as quickly and safely as possible.…

Woman Dies in Traffic Accident

Friday, May 10th, 2013

A 69-year-old Molokai woman died yesterday in a motor vehicle accident involving a motorized scooter and a van in Kaunakakai, according to police. A preliminary investigation indicated that the van hit the rear of the scooter. The woman operating the scooter, who has not yet been named by police, was taken to Molokai General Hospital, where she later died. The van driver, a 60-year-old man from Kaunakakai, was not injured, the police reported stated.

The accident occurred about 2:20 p.m. May 9, while both drivers were traveling east on Kamehameha V Highway near Kapaakea Loop.

The accident remains under investigation, and it is currently unknown if speed or alcohol were factors.…

Big Funds for Organizations Making a Big Difference

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Big Funds for Organizations Making a Big Difference

 

Two Molokai nonprofit organizations have support to “pay it forward” in the community using awards from the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA). Ka Honua Momona (KHM) and Kukui Ahi Patient Program at Molokai General Hospital each received $10,000 from HMSA as part of the health care coverage provider’s 75th anniversary celebration.

HMSA employees chose 10 organizations statewide to receive $10,000 each to make a difference in their communities, according to a press release about the HMSA Pays It Forward campaign.

“Our employees wanted to find a way to really stretch this gift and I’m confident this concept of paying it forward will accomplish that,” said HMSA CEO Michael Gold.…

County on Your Corner: Thursday on Molokai

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Alan Arakawa’s next “County on Your Corner” will be held on Thursday, May 9, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai, Molokai.

“It is important to connect with people face to face,” said Arakawa. “‘County on Your Corner,’ which is scheduled in a different location each month, is a good way for us to interact with the community on the issues that are of most interest to them.”

Joining Arakawa at this “County on Your Corner” event will be Councilmember Stacy Helm Crivello as well as members of Mayor Arakawa’s cabinet such as Housing & Human Concerns Director Jo-Ann Ridao, Mayor’s Executive Assistant Zeke Kalua, and Assistant Communications Director Ryan Piros.…

Increased Protection of Papohaku Dunes

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

DLNR News Release
The Papohaku Dune System in west Molokai has been identified as an important natural and cultural resource of the State of Hawaii. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) will hold a public hearing on Molokai on May 10 regarding a proposed subzone amendment to increase the level of protection for the dune system.

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 10 at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center.

OCCL is proposing to change the state land use conservation district subzone of tax map key (TMK): (2) 5-1-006:156 at Papohaku Beach, Kaluakoi, from the general subzone to the protective subzone.…

National History Day State Competition

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Community Contributed

By Kainoa Pali

This year’s National History Day involved over 8000 students ranging from grades 4 through 12, from Oahu, Hawaii, Molokai, Kauai, and Maui. Throughout the year, these students work tirelessly to develop research essays, interpretive exhibits, performances, documentaries, and websites that ties into the annual theme: “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events.” A few Molokai High students and their teachers attended a state competition on April 20 at the Windward Community College in Kaneohe, Oahu, and two received top honors.

The Hawaii Council of Humanities (HCH) wishes to acknowledge the Molokai students who participated at the 2013 National History Day State Competition.…