Community

General news which affects the Molokai community in one way or another.

Agri-Business Workshops for Farmers

Wednesday, August 4th, 2021

UHCTAHR Molokai Extension News Release

Whether you are an experienced farmer, an up and coming market gardener, or find yourself anywhere in between, then this is the workshop series for you! There will be four free workshops offered throughout August and September that will focus on the business side of agriculture and farming. The workshops will be offered both in person and have a Zoom component for those who are unable to meet in person.

The first workshop will be held Thursday, Aug. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the UH Molokai Applied Research and Demonstration Farm Classroom (next to Kumu Farms).…

$10K Reward for Info on Molokai Monk Seal Deaths

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

Poacher Strike Force News Release

A $10,000 reward is offered in exchange for information on the person or persons responsible for the deaths of endangered Hawaiian monk seals on the island of Molokai.

Anyone who has information is urged to call the Poacher Strike Force tip line at 877-773-8477.

Most recently, two monk seals were found dead on the west end of Molokai on April 27, and post-mortem exam results indicated that both seals died as a result of human-inflicted trauma. There have been at least seven suspicious monk seal deaths on Molokai since 2009.

Hawaii’s native seals, numbering around 1,400 left in the wild, are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, as well as under state law.…

MAC Member Art Show

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

MAC News Release

The 10th annual Molokai Arts Center (MAC) Member Show will be virtual again this year! It’s time to put the final touches on artwork created within the last three years (2019, 2020, 2021) for submission.

Artwork must be dropped off with an Entry Form at the MAC studio between Aug. 8-15. The Entry Form with drop-off instructions will be available on the website (or email molokaiartscenter@gmail.com) beginning Aug. 1. A maximum of three works may be submitted by current MAC members. Keiki Affiliates and MAC program school-age participants may also submit work for prizes.

Deadline for submission is Sunday, Aug.…

William Scotland Harris

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

William Scotland Harris

William (Bill) Scotland Harris passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, June 28, 2021. Bill was born Aug. 1, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland where he grew up with his sister, the late Gloria D. (Harris) Moore and brother, the late Clarence J. (Sonny) Harris.

After graduating from high school, Bill served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1952. Bill later made California his home where he moved through the management ranks at the Department of Corrections, Kaiser Steel and California Steel.

In 1967, the late Irene Harris and Bill welcomed their son Scott Landon Harris. In 1976 Bill and the late Dorothy (Dottie) Harris and Chris Harris became a family.…

24th Annual Krazy for Kolea Kontest

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

Nene O Molokai News Release

The kolea, Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), is revered in Hawaiian mythology as Koleamoku, a messenger of high chiefs, and was considered to be the embodiment of the god of healing. On their northern migration kolea may have aided ancient navigators with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands. Within a few weeks the kolea will make a southbound transoceanic migration between breeding grounds in Alaska to wintering locales as far away as
Madagascar. Research using light level dataloggers have tracked kolea at speeds from 36 to118 miles per hour, and with an average flight between Hawaii and Alaska taking 40 hours.…

Share Input on Shared Solar Program

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric is hosting a virtual stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., to collect feedback from Molokai residents and business owners, renewable energy developers, and interested parties regarding Molokai shared solar projects, also known as the Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) program.

Those interested can join the meeting online by going to hawaiianelectric.com/communitymeetings, view it live on Akaku Maui Community TV channel 54, or watch a livestream of the meeting on Hawaiian Electric’s Facebook page. Participants are welcome to ask questions and provide feedback on shared solar for Molokai during the meeting.…

Charity Walk Goes Virtual

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

MHLA News Release

The Maui Hotel and Lodging Association (MHLA) is pleased to announce that after having to cancel the 2020 Visitor Industry Charity Walk event due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 42nd annual event is back this year and completely online.

Instead of a physical event as has been held in the past, the 2021 Visitor Industry Charity Walk will be launched on a digital platform that participants and donors can download on their mobile device. Walkers will have a two week “Walk Window” to track their steps and keep connected to the event.

From Aug. 30 to Sept. 12, online “walkers” will be able to see their progress on a virtual map, as well as take part in fun challenges and be eligible to win prizes, including our grand prize trip to Anaheim, CA.…

Lead in Molokai School Faucets

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

Lead in Molokai School Faucets

By Catherine Cluett Pacol

Water faucets and drinking fountains at schools around the state are being tested for lead content. So far, a faucet at Kilohana School has topped the charts for the highest lead content found in Maui County. Water sources with lead content detected higher than the project action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) are no longer being used while monitoring continues.

About four percent of the water samples collected so far from faucets and drinking fountains at selected Hawaii public schools and child care facilities show elevated concentrations of lead.

The project, launched in February, is a joint effort between the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Human Services (DHS).…

More Water Allocated for Molokai Homesteaders

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

More Water Allocated for Molokai Homesteaders

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Half a million additional gallons of water per day will be available for new and existing uses for homesteaders on Molokai. A decision by the Hawaiian Commission on Water Resources Management (CWRM) last week approved a permit request from the Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands, marking a long-awaited milestone to increase opportunities for Hawaiian Homesteaders.

“This year marks the centennial anniversary of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act,” said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey. “For nearly 30 of these past 100 years, there has been no expansion of homesteading opportunities on Molokai, despite the best efforts of DHHL and OHA to create such opportunities by upholding DHHLʻs priority right to water in a manner consistent with the public trust, and the state water code.”…

Coffee Leaf Rust Found on Molokai

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

Coffee Leaf Rust Found on Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

A pathogen devastating for coffee plants has been confirmed on Molokai among wild coffee plants. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) detected coffee leaf rust (CLR) on June 14 during a survey of feral coffee in Kaunakakai. Further surveys detected more CLR on the east side of the island. The disease is now found on all major Hawaiian Islands.

CLR is a devastating coffee pathogen first discovered in Sri Lanka in 1869. It can cause severe defoliation of coffee plants, and both the leaf and berry growth can be affected and greatly reduced. Long-term impacts of CLR includes severe dieback, with crop losses ranging from 30 to 80 percent, according to HDOA.…