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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Energy Assistance Available in June

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

MEO Molokai News Release

Low income families who need a helping hand paying their energy bills have a chance to get assistance next month. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program through Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) that assists low income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The program is available only once a year in June.

Applications on Molokai will be accepted June 1 through June 30 only. Eligible residents can qualify for either electric or gas payment assistance, or energy crisis intervention.

To apply, you will need to bring the following documents to the office: photo ID, most current gas or electric bill, proof of residence, social security number verification, proof of age for household members 60 and older and 5 years and younger, proof of income, and proof of assets.…

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Help Develop the Historic Preservation Plan

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

DLNR News Release

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is holding community meetings statewide in May on all islands to provide opportunity for public input on the development of the State Historic Preservation Plan for the next five years. The meeting on Molokai will be held on May 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Molokai High School Cafeteria.

“Historic sites are tangible evidence of a colorful, rich heritage and provide the community with a sense of continuity,” said Pua Aiu, SHPD administrator. “The programs and services offered by SHPD are designed to promote the use and maintenance of historic properties for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of Hawaii’s citizens and visitors.”…

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Maui County Gets Natural Disaster Designation

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

USDA News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Maui County and Kalawao County as a primary natural disaster area due to losses caused by a an ongoing drought that began January 1, 2012, and continues.

“Assistance at this point and time is critically important for producers in Hawaii, especially in helping them keep their farmland healthy for the remainder of the year,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I realize that during this time of disaster, federal assistance will be needed until conditions improve and farmers strive to recover from their losses.”

All qualified farm operators in the designated areas are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met.…

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Molokai Ranch: New Leadership, Fresh Perspectives

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

New leadership at Molokai Ranch hopes to get a fresh start with the community as they bring sustainability to the forefront and develop and share their ideas for the island.

Former Castle & Cooke director of engineering and development Clay Rumbaoa took over as Molokai Ranch executive director from Peter Nicholas in November 2011. Now, Nancy Schmicker has taken the position of new Ranch Project Manager, and together, Schmicker said they hope to turn over a new leaf for Molokai Ranch and the community.

“Doing what’s right in the community is a huge part of our approach,” she said, after a visit to the island two weeks ago.…

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Soybeans for Summer

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Soybeans for Summer

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

In a month, summer will be upon us and with it, longer and hotter days. Although most vegetables don’t enjoy this kind of weather, a few will respond favorably to heat and stress, which can enhance their nutrient content. According to research by U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Vitamin E or alpha-tocopherols content of early maturing varieties of soybeans can increase three-fold when under water and heat stress. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant, and most Americans are deficient. Soybeans are one of the most important food crops due to their protein content, in addition to other health benefits, including phytonutrients like phytosterols that lower the “bad” cholesterol that can lead to heart disease and stroke.…

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Kaunakakai Harbor Improvements Meeting This Wednesday

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

DLNR News Release

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will conduct a public
information meeting in Kaunakakai on Wednesday, May 16, to provide information on planned construction activities for improvements to the commuter ferry (Molokai to Maui) and the impact to harbor operations.

“DLNR is the lead agency coordinating the design and construction of this major project, in coordination with the state Department of Transportation-Harbors Division, which manages the commercial harbor side,” said William J. Aila. “Public use of this essential harbor will continue during construction.”

The meeting will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell Pau‘ole Center, 90 Ainoa St.…

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Telephone Outage at Kalaupapa

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Outside communications at the Kalaupapa settlement were strained for over two weeks when telephone lines stopped working intermittently starting April 23. The outage left the already-isolated settlement with few communication options for daily necessities, and in serious trouble in case of emergency, according to residents.

As of last Thursday morning, May 10, service to most phones had been restored, said Kalauapapa Department of Health (DOH) Administrator Mark Miller. Hawaiian TelCom (HTC) sent a repair team into the settlement and topside Molokai last week to replace equipment. However, many residents and patients expressed frustration at last Tuesday’s community meeting as to why it had taken so long for HTC to respond.…

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Molokai Mom on a Mission

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Molokai Mom on a Mission

By Mercy Ritte

As beads of perspiration gathered across my forehead, I realized it was unusually hot for a 7:30 a.m. morning walk. I peeked through the top of my stroller, and thank goodness my little one remained unaffected by the heat. Instead, he babbled gleefully and pointed to nearly everything in sight.

Some mornings I’m faced with a relentless wind or an unexpected rain shower, but with a plastic weather guard over my child’s blue stroller, he remains protected from the elements. As for me, I can stand to be without warmth and feeling uncomfortable, as long as through it all, my child remains unaffected.…

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Ka Mo`olelo O Leahi: The Legend of Diamond Head

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Kahuna Lono

In the ancient days, in the island of O`ahu (the offering place) on the coastline of Kaimanahila (directly east of Waikiki Beach), a la`i fish was born. His name was Nahe, and he was unlike any other fish of his species because the maunalua came (big barreling wave) and sucked him out to sea. He knew the deep blue sea as his first home, unlike most la`i that live on the kahakai (reef). He grew up playing with the kohola (whale) in the winter time, and the mano kama`aina (local sharks) were his companions throughout the rest of the year.…

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The Rarest of Orchids

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

The Rarest of Orchids

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

You would think the rarest orchids would be found deep in the steamy jungles of the Amazon or even in an isolated island such as Irian Jaya. Although they are found in one of the most isolated areas of the world, it just happens to be right here in our Molokai forest. Hawaii has only three endemic orchids, Ke kino o Kanaloa or the Hawaiian Jeweled Orchid, Awapuhi a Kanaloa or the Hawaii Widelip Orchid, also known as the Hawaiian Twayblade, and Puahala a Kane, the Hawaiian Bog Orchid. Their flowers are not showy, but these plants are precious jewels nonetheless.…

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