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Community

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

Long Haul for Big Wind

Sunday, July 8th, 2012

Long Haul for Big Wind

The fate of a proposed industrial wind farm on Molokai is currently waiting on Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) to release a Request for Proposal (RFP), which will open up the 200 megawatt (MW) project to other islands and to other forms of renewable energy generation.

Residents concerned about the uncertain future of the state’s energy proposals on Molokai still have to wait some time for a conclusion. HECO spokesperson Peter Rosegg said the RFP will not be finalized until the end of this year — and the utility will not be choosing a contractor from the applications received until late 2014 at the earliest, he said.…

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New Athletic Leadership for MHS

Sunday, July 8th, 2012

New Athletic Leadership for MHS

Athletics at Molokai High School (MHS) will be seeing some new faces this coming school year. With the start of the school year less than a month away, the newly-appointed athletic director, Hokulani Haliniak, is busy assembling her coaches new and old for the upcoming year.

Hokulani Haliniak, Athletic Director

Though originally from Honolulu, Hokulani Haliniak, the new athletic director who will be replacing the recently-retired Camie Kimball, has Molokai roots. Her father was raised on Molokai, and she spent many summers visiting family on the Friendly Isle. She said she had been wanting to return to Molokai for the past 25 years, and she finally got her chance with this position.…

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Aging Exceptionally

Friday, July 6th, 2012

Aging Exceptionally

Recognition for Kaunakakai tree

You’re barking up the right tree if you always believed there was something special about the large banyan behind the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC), former site of the Pau Hana Inn. This spreading beauty is listed in Maui County’s record of exceptional trees — one of 27 listings in the county and the only one on Molokai, according to county arborist David Sakoda.

The banyan has been a landmark in the community for over 100 years. Planted sometime in the late 1800s, according to the Community Health Center’s Cyrus Ciu, the tree’s broad trunk and smooth, upturned branches have offered shade and protection to generations of Molokai residents.…

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Dogs Kill Over 100 Native Birds at Mo`omomi

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Dogs Kill Over 100 Native Birds at Mo`omomi

Community Contributed

By Ed Misaki, TNC Director of Molokai Programs

For the second summer in a row, dogs have invaded the Uau Kani, native wedge-tailed shearwater nesting site at The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Mo`omomi Preserve and have killed 109 nesting birds to date. Wedge-tails are most commonly known to help fisherman detect schools of fish at sea. Wedge-tails live their entire life in the sea, and only come to land to nest.

The event took place between June 7-9, 2012 and eye witnesses report that there are two dogs responsible for the kills. One dog is described as a pit bull type, while the other is described as a “hound” looking.…

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The Last Wave In

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

The Last Wave In

Molokai Surf Shop closes

After 20 years of operation, the Molokai Surf Shop that has provided the island a local venue to purchase surfboards, surf gear and surf-brand clothing is permanently shutting its doors.

“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful experience, watching kids who used to come in in their hanabata days now bringing in their own kids,” said Aunty Caroline Jones, who has worked at Molokai Surf Shop for the past 18 years.

“All the visitors [to the store] give you so much love. They’re not customers, they’re family,” she said.

Owner Jerry Leonard said talks of closing shop – largely due to lack of sales in a faltering economy – have been buzzing around for a few months.…

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Hotel Molokai Bar to Reopen This Friday

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

There’s good news for those who miss a drink at Hotel Molokai’s Hula Shores bar following a fire two weeks ago that demolished the kitchen. The bar is reopening Friday, July 6, and hotel manager Michael Drew predicts the kitchen and restaurant reopening by December of this year.

“I almost guarantee that within 180 days we will be back,” said Drew of the restaurant. “It’s very important to the Molokai community and Maui County to bring back people that were laid off.”

The early morning June 19 fire left 35 Hotel employees without work and caused $650,000 in damages.

The reopenings are made possible by expedited Maui County permits.…

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Kanemitsu Bakery Permit Suspended, Renovations Planned Soon

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

Kanemitsu Bakery Permit Suspended, Renovations Planned Soon

For the second time in four months, Kanemitsu Bakery’s permit has been suspended after a June 20th inspection found “serious deficiencies in the maintenance and manufacturing practices,” according to the Department of Health (DOH). The department says the makers of the famous Molokai hot bread and other sweet specialties won’t be baking until they correct sanitation violations.

The restaurant portion of the business remains open because it operates from a separate, permitted kitchen. Despite what bakery owner George Kanemitsu calls “this heavy bomb [of the] revoked permit,” Kanemitsu remains optimistic for a speedy reopening of the bakery. He said renovations of the facility are scheduled to start this week.…

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A Fond Farewell

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

A Fond Farewell

Friends of Cami Naehu share memories

Just past mile marker 18 on the east end, fresh flowers decorate a section of Kamehameha V Highway in remembrance of Cami Naehu, 33, who died in a motorcycle accident last Saturday. The Molokai native is survived by two sons.

“Her forgiving heart has taught me so much about life, more than she will ever know. She isn’t just my best friend, she is my sister, she is my ‘homie,’” wrote friend Liza-Kay. “She will always be here with me. Cami lived her life to the fullest; she always had a smile on her face with no worries at all, ready for anything.…

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Appeal of Ranch Water Rates Denied

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

In an attempt to aid west end Molokai residents paying some of the highest water rates in the nation, Maui County filed an appeal last year in the state Intermediate Court of Appeals against the utilities of Molokai Properties, Ltd. (MPL), better known as Molokai Ranch. That appeal was recently denied, leaving ratepayers struggling under rates that have been called outrageous.

The appeal, filed last March, contested the Public Utility Commission (PUC)’s decision to approve permanent water rate hikes for hundreds of residents on the west end served by one of the Ranch’s subsidiary utilities, Wai`ola O Molokai. Wai`ola customers in Maunaloa, Kualapu`u, Kipu, Manawainui and the Molokai Industrial Park areas are left paying rates almost five times higher than their bills a few years ago.…

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Meet 2 of Keiki Surf

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Community Contributed

Ko Molokai Keiki `O Ke Kai News Release

Early morning rain and clouds did not keep away 50 keiki surfers, who participated in the second summer surf meet on June 23 at Waialua beach. It was a bit challenging, with conditions including an extremely low tide, a huge sidelong sandbar and the chilly waters of Waialua stream. But the kids all took turns showing their skills riding waves; some catching their own waves, getting rides to the beach and doing awesome tricks. Participants were treated to a bunch of stickers, a bar of wax and even some birthday cupcakes.…

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