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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Training Brings Local Energy Expertise

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

Training Brings Local Energy Expertise

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Through the Molokai’s Ho’ahu Energy Cooperative, nine residents are now qualified to install solar panels and migro-grid technology. 

These newly certified graduates will be essential in reaching the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2045, as well as responding to Molokai’s current energy and economic needs. 

The Molokai trainees attended online and Zoom classes hosted by Arizona State University, before heading off to Arizona for a week of hands-on training. The trainees were all Molokai community members who “had shown an interest in the industry,” explained Ho‘ahu Program Coordinator Liliana Napoleon. 

Molokai trainees were educated in “understanding safety protocols, reading manuals…stringing solar panels together, and understanding all the components of micro-grids.…

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Local Farmer Launches Chicken Feed Experiment

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

Local Farmer Launches Chicken Feed Experiment

By Paul Hanley, Community Reporter

Molokai is experiencing a population explosion—of laying hens. Sust’ainable Molokai’s Poultry Egg Education Project (PEEP) has already helped 35 Molokai ‘ohana get into egg production, for their own use and for sale through the Mobile Market. 

While this is a significant gain for local food self-reliance, Molokai producers are still dependent on imported chicken feed. To be truly self-sufficient, the feed will have to be produced here as well, and Molokai farmer Ehiku Arnold may have a solution. He has launched an experiment to see if laying hens can survive and thrive on feed he produces on his farm. …

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New Land Designations Proposed

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

More Molokai state-owned lands have been proposed for re-designation as Natural Area Reserves and Forest Reserves. 

In addition to ‘Ilio Point and Waikolu Valley, which were discussed in a series of meetings last month, new areas on the East End near Pukoo and Halawa could be included in an effort to re-assign land on Molokai. Currently listed as unencumbered state land, the proposal would allow for more specific Division of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) management of the lands, as well as eliminate the risk of future development, according to Emma Yuen with DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife.  …

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Land Trust Seeks Kahanui Wetland Acquisition

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

The Kahanui wetland is up for sale, and a local nonprofit, Molokai Land Trust, is gearing up for a possible acquisition in hopes of managing and restoring the area. This 45-acre property sits on the southern coast of Molokai about three miles west of Kaunakakai. 

Butch Haase, executive director of Molokai Land Trust, explained that MLT is hoping to “intervene and secure these lands for the community.” 

The Kahanui wetland, which once was intended to be an oyster and pearl farm, plays a critical role in Molokai’s food and water ecosystems, as well as occupies a culturally and historically significant space. …

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Program Brings Local Food to Kupuna

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

Program Brings Local Food to Kupuna

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A new program allows community members to purchase fresh, locally grown food boxes and donate them for delivery to local kupuna in need. The Kupuna ʻAi Box program, launched by Sust’ainable Molokai in collaboration with the Molokai Rural Health Community Association, will provide kupuna who sign up with a weekly assortment of Molokai-produced food items such as kalo, ʻulu, poi, frozen beef, ʻuala, eggs and fresh fruits and vegetables. The boxes are available for purchase for $25 each through Sust’ainable Molokai’s weekly Mobile Market, an online marketplace that connects local farmers with Molokai consumers, and facilitates the sales, packaging and quality of locally grown produce.…

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Molokai Flight Subsidy Proposed

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A proposed flight subsidy program for Molokai that’s currently moving through Hawaii legislature seeks to bring relief to Molokai residents who struggle with the high cost of air travel. Molokai’s Senator Lynn DeCoite proposed the bill to “assist with the cost of airfare for Molokai residents traveling inter island for essential services.”

Senate Bill 784 would require the state Dept. of Transportation to establish a one-year pilot program to provide subsidies for airlines providing service to Molokai. Since January 2021, only Mokulele Airlines flies into Molokai, and the bill seeks to not only lower ticket prices for residents but also incentivize other airlines to serve the island. …

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Stories of the Storm

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The storm that drenched Molokai Jan. 28-29 brought record amounts of rain and heavy flooding not seen in decades to the central south shore region. Those in the Kawela and Kapa’akea areas were among those hit hardest, and recovery efforts are still ongoing.

Donna Paoa said her family has been living in the same Kawela location since 1955. The Kawela area sees periodic flooding during heavy rains, particularly near the Kawela Bridge, which acts as a dam when runoff pours down from the mountains, she said. 

Despite previous flooding, this time was different. 

“It’s happened off and on [in the past] but this was torrential,” Paoa explained.…

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Farming Keeps Social Worker Grounded

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

Farming Keeps Social Worker Grounded

By Paul Hanley, Community Reporter

Brent Nakihei has been working on the ‘aina since he was a child. The youngest of 12, he used to do chores for his grandparents Albert and Agnes Ne on their piggery farm in Kalama’ula. Now 53, he has started farming again on the same land, originally leased by his great grandfather John Pua’a in 1923, the fifth Hawaiian Homestead on the Hawaiian Islands.

Molokai farmers like Kekama Helm inspired Nakihei to get back into farming and to do it sustainably. His initial venture is a 1.6-acre field planted into avocado, soursop, white guava, lichee, ulu, and different types of mangoes — about 50 trees in all.…

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More Hearings for Proposed Forest Additions, Rule Changes

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

DLNR News Release 

Two additional hearings have been scheduled for Maui and Molokai for people to comment on a proposal to protect nearly 100 unencumbered state land parcels across Hawaii as part of the State Forest Reserves, Natural Area Reserves, and Wildlife Sanctuaries systems, including some parcels on Molokai. 

Additionally, comment is being sought to update administrative rules associated with the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS). Both proposals are being shared online and in meetings to collect people’s input. In-person meetings have already been held on Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii Island.  

The proposed parcels are state lands not currently managed for environmental protection or any particular land use.…

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Soil Health Workshops

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

UH CTAHR News Release

Our UH CTAHR Molokai Cooperative Extension Service staff will teach about the importance of soil health and innovative ways to increase the health of soil in a Soil Health Workshop series starting this week. UH CTAHR Molokai Cooperative Extension Service is offering the workshops in partnership with Sustainable Molokai. 

The workshop dates are Thursdays Feb. 9, Feb. 23 and March 9.  Each will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lanikeha Community Center.  This series will include presentations, demonstrations and will have an interactive component.  Participants are encouraged to attend all three workshops as this is a progressive series, meaning each one will build upon the lessons learned the week before.  The…

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