Community Development

What is community development? How should community development be governed?

Nation-Building Process

Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Nation-Building Process

Community Contributed

Opinion by Kamana`opono M. Crabbe, Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer for OHA

 

With the May 1 deadline to register with the Official Hawaiian Roll fast approaching, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is moving aggressively to engage its beneficiaries on Molokai in the nation-building process.

We are invigorated by those in the Hawaiian community who tell us that they are ready to begin a process aimed at creating a nation where all Native Hawaiians have an opportunity to thrive.

This nation-building process will begin and end with Native Hawaiians who, for example, believe their children are entitled to an education that allows them to be competitive in the 21st century; believe their families should have access to safe and affordable housing that strengthens communities; and believe we as a people need to become healthier by stepping it up through exercise, a balanced diet and preventive medicine.…

Changes for Parks and Rec

Wednesday, March 26th, 2014

In an effort to streamline the permitting process, create more consistency and improve preventative maintenance for facilities, the county Department of Parks and Recreation will be revamping its procedures in the coming months. From parks and public facilities to leagues and community sports, Parks and Rec is instrumental in running many activities, services and events on Molokai. If you’re in the market to book an event or organize a league, you may notice some changes in the process — all with the goal of making it simpler, quicker and more consistent.

Brianne Savage, deputy director of the department, explained the changes to Molokai residents last week.…

Molokai Parks Community Meeting

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Maui County News Release

A Molokai community meeting organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) this week will include a presentation on the department’s proposed permitting and scheduling improvements for the use of County facilities. Parks officials also hope to gather input from individuals and organizations regarding improvement ideas for a stronger working relationship and partnership with DPR.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 20. The meeting had originally been scheduled earlier in the week. It will begin at 5 p.m. at Coffees of Hawaii, located in Kualapu`u.

Special event coordinators, tournament organizers and officials of adult sports organizations who utilize DPR facilities for their events on Molokai are encouraged to attend.…

Renewable Energy Proposal Changes Direction

Sunday, March 2nd, 2014

Ikehu Molokai — the project proposed jointly by Princeton Energy and Molokai Ranch with the goal of lowering the island’s electricity rates and creating a 100 percent renewable energy source – has changed directions since its inception. Steve Taber, the CEO of California-based company Princeton, now says after community concerns, plans do not include the stored hydro energy system above Manila Camp originally proposed.

Taber said now that meetings have been held with Manila Camp residents and other groups around the island, two major concerns arose with the company’s project. The original intention involved installation of nearly 100 acres of solar panels, an approximately 10-acre water reservoir, and a pumping and turbine station located above or near Manila Camp.…

Long-Overdue Labs

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

Long-Overdue Labs

New Science Classrooms Proposed for MHS

For almost 10 years, ninth through 12th graders at Molokai High have had to learn science without lab facilities.  Students must often watch video simulations instead of performing hands-on experiments, according to the Department of Education (DOE). But that may change within two years.  Molokai High School (MHS) is in the early stages of obtaining permits to build two science classrooms, scheduled for completion by the end of 2015, according to the draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

Since the separation of Molokai High and Middle schools in 2004, MHS’s approximately 340 students have conducted science education in two general purpose classrooms that lack the basic lab requirements, stated the EA.…

Zachary Helm: A Career of Building Services

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Zachary Helm: A Career of Building Services

After spending more than 30 years building dozens of programs and facilities while serving as the island’s first Department of Parks and Recreation District Supervisor, Zachary Helm has retired. From Kilohana to Maunaloa, softball leagues to youth programs, community centers to playgrounds, Helm has left a huge mark on Molokai during his career.

Among his biggest accomplishments, Helm counts the building of a $1.4 million baseyard for the Molokai Department of Parks and Rec at Duke Maliu Park, which now houses a maintenance shop, vehicle and equipment storage, office space and a staff area. Before its completion in 2010, the department has no centralized headquarters and lacked adequate storage.…

Entrepreneurs Receive 3 Years of Resources

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Entrepreneurs Receive 3 Years of Resources

Molokai’s creative thinkers have a tough job when turning their hobbies into businesses. Learning the ins and outs of permitting processes, bookkeeping, and developing a customer following can be a daunting learning curve. But over the next three years, a series of small business workshops, webinars and other resources are set up to make it a little easier.

“You need to have a tough skin and it’s not always easy,” Veronica Hix, executive director of the Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network Inc. (ONABEN), told Molokai entrepreneurs last Friday. More than a dozen seasoned and immerging business owners attended event, which marked the kick-off a series of Native Hawaiian entrepreneurial workshops and training.…

Holomua Junction Open for Business

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Holomua Junction Open for Business

“Holomua” means progress or successful advancement, and that’s just what owners and tenants of the Holomua Junction business and office complex hope for the newly-renovated space. Located at the corner of Maunaloa and Kalae Highways, Holomua now holds two retail businesses — the Tobacco Shack and Beach Break — with more than half a dozen more spaces available to rent, according to land owners Diane and Larry Swenson.

Almost 30 years ago, the Swensons purchased 11 acres of property from Patterson Construction. The land has been previously home to the Holomua School in the mid-1900s. When the Swensons acquired the acreage, the building that now serves as the office for Swenson Real Estate occupied the property, and they built a warehouse for Larry’s Swenson Construction.…

Update on Molokai Animal Shelter

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Shields’ Animal Shelter Foundation News Release

The Shields’ Animal Shelter Foundation continues to make strides to bring an animal shelter to Molokai.  We would like to thank the Molokai community for the positive response at our spring community meeting. Since then we have had some setbacks, but many more successes.

Executive Director Debi Buechel spent the summer on Molokai meeting residents and attending community gatherings. Director of Development and Operations Nevyn O’Kane spent nearly six months on Molokai and the neighboring islands securing business relationships and researching operations at Maui, Lanai, Kauai and Hawaii Island’s animal shelters. Director of Humane Education and Community Outreach Victoria Velinski spoke with educators at these facilities to improve our education program.…

Mitchell Pauole Center Construction to Move Forward

Monday, December 16th, 2013

A slew of proposed improvements to the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai have been approved and construction will begin next year. The changes include expanding the existing lanai and constructing a new freestanding lanai, as well as updating the facility’s kitchen and upgrading the entire building to current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards. The community center is currently scheduled to be closed for general use starting in February through the end of 2014. They find an aerial lifts service to help them with the construction. As one of the top civil construction companies in Sydney, CONO Services have a proven track record of successful projects across the city and beyond.…