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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

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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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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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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Calling Natural Honey Producers Statewide

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Community Contributed

Big Island Beekeepers Association News Release

The Big Island Beekeepers Association (BIBA) invites natural (raw) honey producers state-wide to participate in the Third Annual Hawaiian Natural Honey Challenge. The challenge was begun in 2010 to showcase the quality of the unprocessed, unfiltered honey produced by local beekeepers statewide.

The challenge consists of two parts — a formal judging and a public tasting. At the formal judging the entries are categorized by nectar source and type (liquid, solid, comb), and evaluated by judges recruited for their refined sense of taste and knowledge of honey. Top scorers by category receive awards in this contest.…

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4-H Molokai Livestock Expo

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

Hawaii Farm Bureau News Release

Next month, Molokai youth will have a chance to show off their livestock and agricultural efforts, while community members will enjoy educational demonstrations, live auctions, food and other entertainment. The 4-H Molokai Livestock Expo is slated for Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 at the Kaunakakai Ball Field.

4-H Molokai is partnering with The Hawaii Farm Bureau to educate the youth of Molokai about the many benefits of the 4-H programs established on island and across the U.S.

“Our keiki benefit by broadening their knowledge of good agricultural practices as well as the gaining knowledge of farming in Hawaii, commercially or otherwise” said President Ha`a Kamakana.…

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Reward for Info on Molokai Fires

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

Maui Crime Stoppers News Release

This week the Maui Police Department and Maui Crime Stoppers asks for the public’s assistance in identifying person(s) responsible for three fires that were set in Molokai on June 11 and 12.

On June 11 at about 3:40 p.m., a brush fire was set in the area of Likelike Avenue at Hoomalu Drive in Kalamaula.

The same day at about 3:44 p.m., an abandoned vehicle was set on fire in an empty lot in the area of S.Mohala Street at Seaside Place.

On June 12 at about 11:05 p.m., a wooden shack near the beach at Kamehameha V Highway at mile 11 in Kamalo was burned to the ground.…

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Molokai Mom on a Mission: Eating Organic

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

Community Contributed

 Opinion by Mercy Ritte

What does “organic” mean?
There are basically three ways that crops are produced: using agro-biotechnology, conventional techniques and organic methods. Comparing the three will give us a better sense of what “organic” means.

1. Agro-biotechnology involves genetically engineering or modifying a living organism (GMO) by inserting it with a new gene from another species. This method of farming also uses chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to produce crops.

2. Conventional farming may not use GMO seeds. However chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are used to manage plant growth, pests and weeds.

3. Organic farming uses manure and compost to fertilize the soil, beneficial insects, birds and traps to manage pests, rotate crops, hand weed or mulch.…

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Molokai’s Bright Energy Future

Sunday, June 17th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Peggy Lucas Bond

“Solar is the strongest renewable energy resource for Molokai,” concludes the just-released Life of the Land report, “Wayfinding: Navigating Hawaii’s Energy Future,” by Henry Curtis. “Today Molokai has all of the resources it needs to become energy self-sufficient and to stop exporting cash for transportation fuel and electricity.” Solar water heaters for every residence should be the first step, the report states, followed by concentrated solar power and photovoltaic panels supplemented with micro-wind and hydroelectric.

The Molokai chapter of the report has been posted on the I Aloha Molokai (IAM) website, IAlohaMolokai.com. It suggests that Molokai could sever its relationship with MECO by creating a Molokai Energy Cooperative, or by following the Kauai model and becoming its own county and establishing a municipally-owned utility (MOU).…

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Bracing for Summer Fire Season

Sunday, June 17th, 2012

Bracing for Summer Fire Season

Officials are predicting a potentially dangerous fire season on Molokai this summer. With little rain last winter and ongoing drought conditions, the island has been called a hotspot in the county. Firefighters have responded to four fires in the past week, all of which are considered suspicious, according to Fire Inspector Rick Schonely.

“The conditions for fire are extreme with drought and fuel load but if we don’t have anyone setting fires, we can make it through the summer without a big fire,” said Schonely. “If anyone is setting these, they have to realize how dangerous it is, not only to themselves, but to… the whole community.”…

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