Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Lanai Solar Farm Generating 1.5 MW

Friday, April 27th, 2012

Lanai Solar Farm Generating 1.5 MW

Castle & Cooke News Release

La Ola, the largest solar farm in the state, is now producing at its full capacity of 1.5 megawatts (MW) DC (or 1.2 MW AC) of clean solar energy on Lanai. The renewable energy generated by La Ola will help to stabilize electric rates on Lanai and reduce Lanai’s importation and burning of foreign oil.

La Ola is the world’s first utility-grade photovoltaic (PV) project to incorporate battery storage. The 1.5 MW large scale solar farm located on the Island of Lanai, is capable of supplying up to 30 percent of day-time peak electrical demand on Lanai, and 10 percent of the island’s total power needs.…

Undersea Cable Impacts and Costs Too Severe, Says National Grid

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

I Aloha Molokai News Release

A high-voltage undersea transmission cable planned for Massachusetts has been killed by one of the nation’s major utilities because it would be a “high-risk” installation, too expensive to construct, with too many severe environmental impacts and too difficult to maintain.

The National Grid, which serves much of New England and New York State, released the findings of its Cable Feasibility Study this week. The cable would have been built using the latest technology called horizontal direct drilling – the same technology planned for sections of the interisland cable proposed by Governor Neil Abercrombie and HECO, and now being considered by the Hawaii Legislature.…

Be Fire Safe: Tips To Prepare

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Be Fire Safe: Tips To Prepare

Community Contributed

By Richard Schonely, Fire Inspector

Recent heavy rains have created new brush growth. Check your house or lot now and take steps to protect your property from fire hazards.

The Department of Fire & Public Safety asks property owners to make sure their land is in compliance with the Uniform Fire Code pertaining to brush as adopted by the County of Maui. Fire personnel will be inspecting parcels yearly throughout Molokai.

Visit the nearest fire station to pick up a brochure on how the parcel should be maintained. You can also visit firewise.org to get tips on making your home safe from a brush fire.…

Kudos for Kumu Farms

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Kudos for Kumu Farms

Molokai farm commended for business and service.

As one of Molokai’s longest-standing and most successful farms, Kumu Farms knew they were headed in the right direction. Over the past 30 years, they have become the largest exporter of organic papaya to the U.S. mainland, according to owner Grant Schule. About four years ago, they expanded their market to serve the local community, offering residents and visitors of Molokai a variety of organic produce fresh from the fields of the 120 acre-farm in Ho`olehua.

Their efforts were confirmed last month, when Kumu Farm’s commitment to agriculture and the community won them two awards — Edible Hawaiian Islands Magazine’s Local Heroes farm category, and the County of Maui’s Exceptional Small Business Award.…

Aloha Honua

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Aloha Honua

Biologist Bill Puleloa receives first ever Malama Kuleana Honua Award.

This year’s annual Molokai Earth Day celebration, hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) marked the beginning of a new tradition –the “Malama Kuleana Honua” (Caring Responsibly for Earth) Honorary award. William “Bill” Puleloa, a recently retired aquatic biologist for the state’s Department of Land and Resources, was its first recipient. He was commended at Earth Day for his work with monitoring the conditions of Molokai streams, collaborating with local fishermen and researching the native honu, or green sea turtles.

“Bill has always been a resource and supporter to conserving our resources,” said Ed Misaki, TNC’s Program Director.…

Molokai Swine Clinic

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

UH News Release

The Hawaiian Home Lands Agriculture Extension Program will host a Molokai Swine Production Clinic/Tour on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop is open to producers who currently produce swine or who are interested in learning more about selection and management.

Special guest will be Dr. Halina Zaleski who serves as the UH CTAHR Swine Production/Management & Reproductive Physiology Specialist. Dr. Zaleski specializes in swine production management, including artificial insemination, livestock waste management, herd health and biosecurity, and swine welfare. Dr. Zaleski is a certified trainer for the National Pork Board’s Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program.…

Looking for Nutrition

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Looking for Nutrition

Community Contributed

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

One of man’s greatest achievements was the domestication of plants for food, but in the words of Jacob Bronowski, “Humans domesticated crops, then crops domesticated humans.” Many of us think we eat a balanced diet, but interestingly enough, we all lack some basic nutrients. Our domesticated crops supply some of our most important nutrients and other health enhancing compounds. A good example is Vitamin C, only found in fruits and vegetables.

At least half of the U.S. population is deficient in Vitamins A, C, K, and probably E, in addition to Calcium, Magnesium, and fiber.…

School Bus Services Face Cuts

Sunday, April 15th, 2012

This fall, Molokai High and Middle School students who ride the bus daily may need to figure out another way to get to school. The state Department of Education (DOE) is expecting its student transportation budget to be cut in half for the upcoming school year — a shortfall of about $20 million.

“For Molokai, it is likely that we will not be able to provide bus services for students going to middle and high school,” said Randy Moore, Assistant Superintendent for facilities and support services. “We are looking on a route-by-route basis to see if we can continue to run a bus from the far ends of the island like Maunaloa and east end.”…

Molokai Student Winners in Poster Contest

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Molokai Student Winners in Poster Contest

Dept. of Water Supply News Release

Kilohana Elementary School Kindergartener Kiara Lima took first place in her division in the county-wide Department of Water Supply’s third annual Water Conservation Poster Contest. The contest drew 543 entries from public, private and home schools around Maui County. Kualapu`u School’s Carly Dudoit also placed third in the Kindergarten division.

The goal of the contest was to educate Maui Nui’s youth on the importance of water conservation and to encourage them to take an active role in ensuring the sustainability of our islands’ water supply. This year’s theme was “Malama I Ka Wai,” or to take care of the water.…

Molokai Kupuna Mervin Dudoit Honored

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Molokai Kupuna Mervin Dudoit Honored

Community Contributed

By Ric Ornellas

A Molokai resident who has volunteered thousands of hours to fishpond restoration was honored by the Hawaii State Teachers’ Association (HSTA) with the 2012 Friend of Youth Award. Mervin Dudoit received the award at the annual HSTA state convention on Saturday, March 30, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu.

The award recognizes countless citizens in Hawaii, nonprofessional educators and volunteers, working in relative obscurity and with limited budgets, who make invaluable and lasting community contributions to the education of children. The award to Uncle Mervin was made after a state-wide search and selection process. Jennifer Tsuji, Chairwoman of the Award Committee, said, “When we reviewed all the applications, Mervin Dudoit’s work stood out so strongly that we knew we had to honor him with this award.”…