Community

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

Molokai Earth Day

Thursday, April 19th, 2018

TNC Molokai News Release

This Friday, April 20, the 26th annual Molokai Earth Day will be celebrated at Mitchell Pauole Center from 5 to 9 pm. The 2018 Molokai Earth Day celebration theme aligns with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hokulea post worldwide voyage, “Pae`aina O Hawaii, Collectively taking care of Hawaii.” 

Come and see the many exhibits that can show how you can help take care of Molokai and Hawaii.  The 2018 Malama Kuleana Honua Award recipient is Billy Akutagawa, someone who has been taking care of Molokai all his life. There will be great stage entertainers, `ono food, Earth Day T-shirts and many learning experiences for your entire family. …

Mule Ride Evicted

Thursday, April 19th, 2018

Mule Ride Evicted

The Molokai Mule Ride has been evicted from the Kalae barn that served as the business’ base for more than four decades. Last Saturday morning, state sheriffs, Molokai police and representatives of R.W. Meyer arrived to carry out the eviction, leaving the barn’s entrance chained up.

“We are only leaving this place under duress,” said Molokai Mule Ride co-owner Kalehua Sproat-Augustiro in a live video of the eviction she streamed on Facebook. Rising tensions were caught on camera, including a sheriff’s threat to place Sproat-Augustiro under arrest. Her father, the legendary muleskinner Buzzy Sproat, operated the family business for more than 40 years and his wife and children carried it on after his death.…

UH Volleyball Comes to Molokai

Thursday, April 19th, 2018

UH Volleyball Comes to Molokai

 

The Molokai community got the opportunity to experience top notch volleyball at their doorstep last weekend, when the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Volleyball team came to the island. They held clinics for youth players on Friday, and invited to the public to a practice and intra-quad scrimmage at the Molokai High gym on Saturday.

Head Coach Robyn Ah Mow-Santos, a decorated three-time Olympic volleyball player from Oahu, attended UH herself before her Olympic career and previously served as assistant coach for the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team.

“It’s great that we get to bring our girls here to experience this different culture,” she said of Molokai.…

Molokai High Wins FAFSA Challenge

Friday, April 13th, 2018

 

Molokai High School blew away the competition when it came to percentage of students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The statewide organization Hawaii P–20 Partnerships for Education held a Cash for College Challenge for FAFSA completion to help promote postsecondary education. Molokai High finished in first place with a whopping 73 percent of students in the senior class completing the funding application. FAFSA is a required step in applying for federal grants, loans or work-study opportunities, and helps students and families identify their financial aid eligibility.

Not only did Molokai High come in 23 points above the state average for FAFSA completion, it also saw the greatest increase in the state over applications last year — 14.5 percent.…

Proposal for Ranch Purchase

Friday, April 13th, 2018

A company called Lamplighter Energy has proposed the purchase Molokai Ranch to grow and export hibiscus to South Korea. Lamplighter CEO Andre De Rosa said wood pellets from the hibiscus is a renewable substitute to burning coal, and his energy company has the investors and contract with an organization in Korea to sell the product.

Molokai Ranch, owned by Singapore-based land holder owner GL Limited, went up for sale last September at a price of $260 million, and its 55,575 acres represents one third of Molokai.

De Rosa sat down with a small handful of residents last month, filmed by Akaku, and shared his plans, which he says he has been doing on a one-on-one basis with the community.…

Proposed Forest Reserve Rules

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

DLNR News Release

In light of evolving natural resource concerns and the needs of managers and people, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is proposing updates to rules regulating activities within Hawaii’s Forest Reserve System.  DOFAW is now inviting input and comments. 

The Forest Reserve System consists of 55 reserves across the state covering approximately 678,000 acres.  Regulations for the system were first established in 1943 and the last comprehensive update was in 1993. Proposed changes and updates will allow DLNR to streamline and clarify existing rules, improve enforceability, and update allowed uses and activities based on conditions currently facing the forests and their users.…

Temporary Relocation for DMV

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

County of Maui News Release

The Molokai Satellite Dept. of Motor Vehicle and Licensing (DMVL) office will be temporarily relocated to the Mitchell Pauole Center Conference Room while repairs are made to the roof. 

The Molokai Satellite DMVL office will be closed during the relocation from Tuesday, April 3 through Monday, April 9. The office will re-open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10. 

Customers with questions may call the DMVL Call Center at (808) 270-7363. …

Eviction Notice Threatens Mule Ride

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018

Eviction Notice Threatens Mule Ride

Almost two years of legal disputes between the Sproat family — owners of Kalaupapa Rare Adventures mule ride — and landowner R.W. Meyer, Ltd. have come to a head with an eviction notice for the mule operators. Both parties are now claiming ownership to the Kalae property where the mule barn has stood for more than 40 years.

Paul Meyer, President of R.W. Meyer, Ltd., said Kalauapa Rare Adventures’ lease ended in January 2017 and since then, the company has not paid rent and refused to negotiate a new lease. The Sproats say they have a title to the land so they don’t need to pay rent.…

Kuhio’s Homestead Legacy

Saturday, March 31st, 2018

The Molokai community joined Hawaiian homesteaders in celebrating the birthday of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole last Saturday evening. Held for the first at Mitchell Pauole Center, the annual event is organized by Ahupua`a o Molokai, a nonprofit organization that encompasses all Hawaiian Homestead Associations on Molokai.

“The Prince Kuhio celebration on Molokai is probably the most important event for me,” said Kilia Purdy-Avelino, one of event’s organizers. “As a homesteader, it is an honor and a responsibility to help coordinate an event where we can mahalo Prince Kuhio for advocating for his people, leaving a legacy, seven generations and going. We are blessed to be on this `aina where we can live, truly live, by turning our hands to the soil — huli ka lima i ka lepo, ola!”…

Red Cross to Install Smoke Alarms

Friday, March 30th, 2018

Hawaii Red Cross News Release

On Saturday, May 5, a group of Red Cross volunteers will be installing free smoke alarms in homes in need on Molokai as part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Red Cross volunteers will also be sharing fire safety information.

Smoke alarm installations are by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call and leave a message at the Maui Red Cross office at 808-244-0051 ext, 159.

Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster — and the vast majority of these are home fires. In the U.S., home fires kill more people each year than all other natural disasters combined.…