Announcements

Island-Wide Aloha

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008

Keiki make the 80th year of Lei Day one to remember.

By Brandon Roberts

“All leis are special, and we all have a favorite lei we like to wear close to our hearts,” Kumu Manuwai Peters said. Elaborating further he said that lei is a metaphor for the ones we love and hold dear in our lives. When a lei is created and presented, it is a gift that holds the mana and aloha from the maker, and is proudly displayed with this spirit.

The Molokai High School (MHS) theme for the 2008 Lei Day is; He Lei Pili i ka Pu'uwai (a lei close to one's heart). Each class gave song, hula and ho`okupu to this year’s Queen Pulamalani Hanaoka, and the packed gym. The junior class shared a tearful mahalo for the classmates that passed away this year.

Molokai Minute – Solatario, Skate Park, and Read Aloud America

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

Mana`o

Monday, May 5th, 2008

In our continuing series with 'O Hina i ka Malama, the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program at Molokai High School, students play Friendly Isle planners. This is their mana`o on what ideas or creative businesses they believe would best benefit or sustain Molokai.

Ku`uleialoha Kahana-Kalua, 17

Kailana Ritte-Camara, 15

'O kekahi mea makemake makou e kukulu, 'o ia no kekahi kula kaiapuni no na haumana `olelo Hawai'i. He maika`i a `oi aku ka hau`oli, ina loa`a ia makou kekahi kula kaiapuni no makou a me na makua no ho'i!

'O kekahi mea a`e, makemake au e kukulu i kekahi hale a'o, he 'ano kula nui no na po`e i loa'a 'ole i ka hana a me na po`e e pono ai ka hana. Hiki ia lakou ke a'o i kekahi makau hou ma ia hale. A makemake pu au i kekahi hale nui no na keiki i hana`ino 'ia e na makua a me na 'ohana paha. He hale ho'omalu paha no ia.

If I had a chance to be a leader, I would like to build a Hawaiian immersion school for people who want to learn Hawaiian like parents, and for our current Hawaiian immersion students.

I would also like to see a training center that is built for people who need training or want to have training for jobs. I would also like to have a center that helps protect kids that are being abused or hurt in any way.

UPC Wind Announces Name Change to First Wind

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

UPC Wind Announces Name Change to First Wind

Boston, MA—May 1, 2008UPC Wind, an independent North American wind power company, today announced that it is changing its name to First Wind.  The name change will not have any impact on the company’s organizational structure or day-to-day operations.  The name change is effective immediately.

“Although our name has changed, our core values remain the same,” said Paul Gaynor, President and CEO of First Wind.  “As First Wind, we remain committed to our community partners, to seeking energy independence, and to finding environmentally sensitive solutions to meet the nation’s growing energy needs.  We look forward to continuing to bring these values to the development, construction, and operation of our wind power projects under the First Wind brand.”

Since its founding in the United States in 2002, the company has remained focused on wind farm development, ownership, and operation with projects primarily in the Northeast, the West Coast and Hawaii.  The company’s ownership is also not affected by the name change. 

In addition to growing domestic energy production and increasing energy security, wind power is considered cost competitive with conventional sources of electricity, such as oil or gas, particularly in First Wind’s key market segments.  Unlike traditional polluting sources of energy, wind has no fuel cost, therefore serving as a natural hedge against volatile fuel prices, which constitutes a significant portion of monthly electricity bills in most markets in the United States.  Wind power also emits no greenhouse gases or other damaging pollutants.

About First Wind
First Wind is based in Newton, Massachusetts.  First Wind is an American-owned company, with a proven track record of developing, owning, and operating well-sited, community-friendly wind farms that increase energy independence.  For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com.

Maui Electric to Talk Renewable Energy on Molokai

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council to host energy discussion.

 

The Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Kūlana ‘Ōiwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai.   The public is invited.

Representatives from Maui Electric Company (MECO) will discuss integrated resource planning for Maui County, including Moloka‘i. The presentation comes as the Lingle-Aiona Administration continues to make progress on the Hawaii Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, an unprecedented partnership between the State of Hawai‘i and the Dept. of Energy which aims to have 70 percent of Hawai‘i’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2030.  

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues on Moloka‘i.  The council also recommends potential nominees for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Moloka‘i 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.  

Molokai Mana`o

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Molokai Mana`o

With the economic uncertainties facing Molokai, I went to the Kula Ki`e Ki`e Hawaiian Language Immersion School at Molokai High to ask the students to play Friendly Isle planners. This is their mana`o on what creative businesses and ideas they believe would best benefit Molokai.

Kuulei Keliikuli-Peters

Ko`u manalo makemake wau ia kakou e ho`i ka malama i ka `aina. Hookanu hou na mea kanu a hooulu ka ulula`au. Pono kekahi mea lai pake malane`i, a he kokua keia no na po`e hou e ha`awi ia kakou i ko lakou mau kala.

I would like more people giving back to the island by rebuilding our fish ponds and replanting native plants to extend our forest and create more greenery for our island. And a restaurant with Chinese food would be a big help and our community and new-comers can give more money to our businesses.

Leeward Kenpo Karate Ke Ola `O Molokai

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Leeward Kenpo Karate Ke Ola `O Molokai

Leeward Kenpo Karate (LKK) Ke Ola ‘O Molokai first got its start through the Kaunakakai Community Learning Center (KCLC) at Kaunakakai Elementary School with Alexa (Sausy) Dudoit.

On April 13, LKK Ke Ola ‘O Molokai competed in the 27th Annual Leeward Kenpo Karate Tournament which was held at Halawa Gym. This year, LKK Ke Ola ‘O Molokai brought 14 competitors. Under the supervision of their Sifu (teacher) Lori Nakamoto and Sibak Elroy Mollena (Assistant Instructor), the students brought home a total of 20 trophies as well as 3 fighting spirit awards.

Classes are held on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays from 5:30-7:30 pm and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Home Pumehana Senior Center. Call 646-0826 for more information or stop by before class.

Results of the Tournament:

Ichiro Asano – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 6-7)

2nd place Kumite (Novice boys 6-7)

Noel Tancayo – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice girls 6 and under)

3nd place Kumite (Novice girls 6 and under)

Courtney Winfrey – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice girls 7-8)

Jasmyn Davis – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice girls 9-10)

Makana Arce – Fighting Spirit Award (Novice boys 10-11)

Benjamin Aea – 1st place Kumite (Novice boys 10-11)

Nolan Nartatez – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Intermediate boys 12-13)

1st place Traditional Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 12-14)

1st place Kumite (Intermediate boys 12-13)

Misty Mollena – 3rd place Kenpo Kata (Novice girls 15-17)

Eric “Kalei” Sasada – 1st place Kumite (Intermediate boys 14-15)

Punohu Seitz – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 14-15)

3rd place Kumite (Novice boys 14-15)

Ryan Johnston – 3rd place Kenpo Kata (Intermediate boys 16-17)

1st place Weapons Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 15-17)

2nd place Kumite (Intermediate boys 14-15)

Kyle Macmillan – 1st place Traditional Kata (Intermediate boys and girls 15-17)

4th place Kumite (Intermediate boys 16-17)

Wendell “Iopa” Mollena – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Novice boys 15-17)

1st place Kumite (Novice boys 16-17)

Lance Haraguchi – 1st place Kenpo Kata (Men’s Novice Color Belt 35 and over)

What’s Blowin On

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

What’s Blowin On

Here is a rendering of what the UPC wind farm would look like on Molokai.

Community forum hosts talks about Molokai wind-farm.

By Brandon Roberts

Renewable energy is a Hawaiian value in that it aims at harnessing the gift of nature without depleting it. But is the greater community willing to tap Molokai’s steady wind resources at the sacrifice of building a large scale wind farm?

For the past several weeks, it has been the mission of Molokai youth to gauge the community’s acceptance of the potential wind farm. Forums have already been held in Kilohana, Kaunakakai, Ho`olehua and Maunaloa.

“Ask the hard questions,” youth organizer Matt Yamashita told community members. “What vision are we going to put forth to create a future that fits with what we believe the potential of this island is. We are not representing UPC; we just created the space to have this dialogue.”

Numerous concerns surround this development proposal, and Molokai asked the crucial question: Are there benefits to the community?

Will UPC Hawaii Wind bring jobs to folks on the Friendly Isle? UPC says maybe for the construction, but only a skeleton crew is required for the remaining 20 years. (They did agree to sign a contract not use potable water from the island during construction.)

Will UPC lower electricity rates on Molokai? No guarantee. There are many problems with hooking a variable source, like wind, up to the current diesel plant, and the proposal is a one-way cable to Oahu for Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO).

“There are some big ‘ifs’ with this project; one is gaining control of the lands, second is the undersea cable and third is whether our bid to HECO would be accepted,” said Wren Wescoatt, development specialist.

Would the project prevent access to the land for hunting or recreation? According to UPC, the project would prevent other types of development on thousands of acres while providing a source of community revenue. Pre-existing uses of the land would continue once the construction was completed. At the end of the lease, the windmills would be completely removed.

Can a deal be struck quickly between UPC and Guoco Leisure? There is no guarantee, and UPC has been in discussions since 2006.

How will money come back to the community? UPC has committed $50 million toward Ho`i I Ka Pono (to restore righteousness or balance), a campaign led by the Molokai Community Service Council (MCSC) to purchase all of the lands now owned by Molokai Ranch. UPC would lease the land from MCSC, which could amount to five million dollars per year.

How close would the windmill be to a home? No turbine would be constructed within a half mile of residencies, and the Liberty units have an extremely low noise output, rotating at 21 times per minute, though they are a skyscraping 400 feet tall.

Representative Mele Carroll said that it is “brilliant that young people are doing this; it is creating leaders.” She met with UPC planners earlier and said that the company has many potential opportunities for Molokai.

“UPC combines technology with Molokai island values,” said Noe Kalipi, UPC director of community relations. Statistically speaking, one mega-watt (MW) hour of energy saves 17,000 lbs of carbon dioxide. The power plant on Molokai burns around one million gallons of diesel fuel every year.

Kalipi said there is a seriousness and legitimacy to this project. “We want to have transparency, which is fluid, we want to establish and ongoing dialogue. UPC is a community conscious and a community based company.” UPC began meeting with Molokai leaders in 2006.

The proposed Ikaika (energy) project is under discussion with Molokai homesteaders and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and would use 20 windmills and produce 50 MW. Ikaika II, which would be on 12,000 acres spanning between Ho`olehua and Ilio Point on Molokai’s rugged northwestern coast line. Both projects could produce a combined 350 MW.

Castle and Cook, which is owned by David Murdock, has a wind-farm project that is moving ahead on Lanai, despite failed legislation to fast track the project. They will submit a bid to HECO as well.

“UPC has an incentive to do things right, as we are accountable to the communities we join for the life of our project,” Kalipi said, emphasizing the UPC mission.

“We are creating a future for this island,” said Matt Yamashita, holding onto the idea of finding a common ground.

“We have within us the will, the mana, the smarts, and the commitment to create something we can all be happy with,” said Akutagawa. “And then the scars in our heart will heal, and we can look at each other and say aloha.”

Any questions regarding the community forums can be directed to molokaisolutions@yahoo.com. Information on UPC Wind can be found at www.upcwind.com, and the Molokai Community Service Council can be reached at www.molokai.org.

Celebrating the `Aina

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Molokai comes together for Earth Day festivities.

By Brandon Roberts

It is no surprise that Earth Day is one of Molokai’s biggest community celebrations. Malama `aina is more than words to most residents here; it is a way of being.

This year has been internationally dedicated as the year of the reef, and Molokai perpetuated that theme with “Momona ka papa ke e`ehu ka `aina”, (the reef thrives when the land is healthy). The environmental celebration held on April 18 at the Mitchell Pau`ole Center combined education and entertainment with an ohana atmosphere.

The event began 16 years ago with a group called Molokai C.A.R.E.S., an organization dedicated to recycling. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) grabbed the reigns in 1995, and now Molokai Earth Day has over 1,000 Friendly Isle residents attending annually.

Molokai Earth Day 2008

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Molokai Earth Day 2008