Announcements

Updated: Molokai Ranch Says No to Wind Project

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

Molokai Ranch announced it has called off a deal to lease thousands of acres to wind developer Molokai Renewables. The decision likely means the end to a large-scale wind project on Molokai, which would have supplied electricity to Oahu via an undersea transmission cable.

“After much consideration and discussions with Molokai Renewables, we made the decision not to renew the agreement for the proposed wind farm project on Molokai Ranch lands at this time,” said Clay Rumbaoa, Molokai Ranch CEO, in a statement last week.

Molokai Renewables is a joint venture between California-based Pattern Energy and environmental investment company Bio-Logical Capital, based in Colorado.…

Seed Company Provides Local Plants

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

 

Molokai Seed Company News Release

Established in 2008, Molokai Seed Company provides high quality seed and planting material. We sell products to the homeowner, farmer, and home gardener with sustainable agriculture in mind. Our motto is “seed for conservation and sustainable agriculture.”

Currently we have two products available: “Sunshine” Vetiver and “Tropic Sun” sunn hemp. Check our website, molokaiseedcompany.com, as we expand our product base into other seed crops. We are also planning to have additional products like Fu Man Chews, which are of premium quality.

“Sunshine” Vetiver may be the single best method to control soil erosion and provide slope stabilization.…

NOAA Proposal Aims to Save Coral

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

NOAA Proposal Aims to Save Coral

The south shore of Molokai boasts one of the largest fringing coral reefs in Hawaii, providing a home for fish, a draw for tourism, shelter from ocean storms, and sustenance for the local economy. Coral is fragile, though, and biologists fear these valuable organisms could be extinct by the year 2100. This is why the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed to list 66 species of coral as endangered or threatened, an action that could protect the island’s reef.

Of the 66 species that NOAA may soon list as threatened or endangered, three exist in Hawaii, and two – montipora patula and montipora flabellata– call the Molokai area home.…

MHS Student Accepted into Harvard

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

MHS Student Accepted into Harvard

 

Michael Kikukawa’s Ivy League dreams have come true.  With a list of colleges he had yet to apply for, the Molokai High School senior received an acceptance letter to Harvard this past December. The news opened a door for Kikukawa to prestigious school and proved to Molokai students that they too can find pathways to this kind of success.

“Anything worth doing is going to involve a struggle,” he said, noting the challenges he faced in pursuing his goal.

MHS Principal Stan Hao said Kikukawa’s successes exhibit what can be accomplished by setting a goal and working toward it.

“It shows that a great desire can be realized, even in a small rural community like ours,” he said.…

Fish and Dive Refreshes Business

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013

Fish and Dive Refreshes Business

 

After 40 years in the same location, Molokai Fish and Dive is being moved into the gas station next door in a process that will bring several changes to the popular ocean gear and tour provider. Tim and Susan Forsberg, who have owned the shop for 12 years, said it was time to do something different, so they took on the challenge of adding fuel and food to their services for locals and tourists.

When the Forsbergs noticed Hayaku, the gas station next door, was often closed last December, they feared that Molokai would soon have only one gas station again.…

Lady Farmers Score MIL Title, Head to States

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013

Lady Farmers Score MIL Title, Head to States

As the overtime clock ticked down to its final seconds, Molokai High and Seabury Hall were tied for the tenth time and the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL)Girls Division II Championship was anybody’s game.

The Lady Farmers claimed the victory, though, with one solid shot and two successful free throws in the last 29 seconds, securing a 53-49 win. The Lady Farmers claimed the MIL Championship title and sent the fans and players into wild celebration, according to the Maui News’ report of the game, played at Maui High School’s gym. The win brought the Lady Farmers their tenth MIL championship since 1985, when the team first entered the league.…

First Book – Molokai Gives New Books

Friday, February 1st, 2013

First Book – Molokai Gives New Books

First Book – Molokai News Release

First Book – Molokai has awarded book grants to All God’s Children Preschool, Maunaloa Elementary School, Kaunakakai Elementary School fourth and fifth grade classes, the Kilohana    Reading Excel Program and Aka`ula School.  First Book Molokai provides an ongoing supply of new, high quality books to children to start their own home libraries they can share with their siblings and families.  They also receive bookplates on which to place their names celebrating the importance of book ownership.

The book grant we received from the Friends of Hawaii Charities has enabled our program to give enticing new books every month to each child that we serve.  …

Solar Hot Water Molokai Training

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Sustainable Living Institute of Maui News Release
Want to learn about solar hot water installation? Now’s your chance, in an upcoming training program offered on Molokai. The Solar Hot Water Training Program is a hybrid course that combines six weeks of online classes followed by three final days of classes held on-site at the UH Molokai Education Center.

The training provides entry-level training in solar hot water design and installation. The curriculum introduces students to solar thermal applications, theory, safety issues, troubleshooting and monitoring, solar thermal design and installation, and licensing and permitting requirements. The course includes both classroom and hands-on experience.…

Science Students Fair Well at Maui Competition

Sunday, January 27th, 2013

Science Students Fair Well at Maui Competition

Molokai science fair participants slept on mats in a Maui high school gym. They didn’t have their own labs to prepare their projects. They barely came up with the funds to go to the competition. However, they came home from last Thursday’s Maui Schools’ Science and Engineering Fair with many awards and recognitions, including a top honor.

Almost 30 students from Molokai Middle and High schools attended the event, and thirteen projects returned to the island with awards.

Sarah Jenkins, a 10th grader at Molokai High School (MHS), and her project “Artificial Nesting Structures for Hawaiian Coot Nesting Success,” earned the second place merit award.…

Mac Poepoe Gets Conservation Award

Sunday, January 27th, 2013

Mac Poepoe Gets Conservation Award

Uncle Mac Poepoe has spent a lifetime putting traditional fishing practices and resource management into action on Molokai’s northern coast. And for that, he was honored last week with the 2013 Umu Kai Award. Established in 2008 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Pacific Islands Region, the award recognizes Native Hawaiian practitioners’ contributions to modern fisheries conservation.

As a fisherman and educator, Poepoe’s goal is to pass on to youth what he calls “Hawaiian science” — or “the stuff we observe.”

“Ultimately, our success will be determined by the next generation,” said Poepoe. “It’s not about what degree you have but what you teach [youth].”…