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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

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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Storm Causes Massive Flooding, Damages

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

Storm Causes Massive Flooding, Damages

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Heavy rains drenched Molokai starting last Saturday morning, causing massive flooding not seen in decades. 

Resident reports on social media showed cars stuck in treacherous mud and churning water across the highway, homes flooded in the Kawela and Kapa’akea areas, yards underwater, and homeowners wading through knee-deep, fast-moving water in an attempt to gather belongings and animals from the flood. As state and county workers attempted to clear roadways with tractors, rocks and mud were piled high on either side to make a passable path. Muddy water rushed downstream from the mountains, causing massive erosion and destruction on its way to the ocean or low-lying areas.…

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New UH Molokai Cooperative Extension Staff

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

UHCTAHR News Release 

The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is proud to announce that on Jan. 3, our staff on Molokai doubled in size with the addition of two new agents.

Joining the staff are Kristina “Tina” Cacpal and Kyle Franks.  They join the long-time staff of Glenn Teves, Jennifer Hawkins, and Ag Technician Faith Tuipulotu.

Tina Cacpal was born and raised on Molokai in Maunaloa and is a proud alumna of Maunaloa Elementary and Molokai High and Intermediate School. She recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Grand Canyon University. Most of her career was spent as an Educational Assistant at Maunaloa that nurtured her love for education as well as connecting with the land and her people.…

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E-Bike Business Debuts

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

E-Bike Business Debuts

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Molokai has its first electric bike rental business, recently launched by Glenn Poller. 

Through Molokai E-Bike Rental, Poller is currently renting out five e-bikes. Electric bikes use a small battery-powered motor to assist when pedaling. Riders can choose between pedaling with engine assistance or just using the throttle, depending on how reliant they want to be on the bike’s 750-watt electric engine. 

Poller’s bikes are loaded up with puncture resistant tires, shock absorbers and lights, and come with a helmet, rear storage bags and lock. The e-bikes cover a range of 60-80 miles and top out at about 25 mph, he said. …

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Data Science to Help Revitalize Fishponds

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

Purple Mai’a News Release 

Three local organizations — Purple Maiʻa Foundation, Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo, and Hohonu, Inc. — are launching the Loko Iʻa and Coastal Monitoring Project that will kokua up to 30 Hawaiian Fishpond restoration groups across the state. The project engages local communities in the design process and will work with them to gather insights on the biggest barriers to fishpond restoration for food production.

Hawaii’s fishpond practitioners, coastal communities and local government will have access to real-time environmental data that will support biocultural restoration, climate change monitoring, resilience planning and mitigation. In addition to providing operational support, the sensor and data tools deployed can serve a broad audience for educational outreach and workforce development activities.…

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Shared Solar Projects Moving Forward

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Two renewable energy projects on Molokai are set to move forward in what represents the state’s first community-owned and -designed solar plus battery projects. In a partnership between Ho’ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai and Hawaiian Electric, the projects are anticipated to meet more than 20 percent of the island’s energy usage and serve about 1500 Molokai households. Both are expected to be operational in mid-2025. 

Pala’au Solar and Kualapu’u Solar projects will be the first on the island in a shared renewable energy program under Hawaiian Electric known as community-based renewable energy (CBRE). Molokai subscribers to the program, particularly renters who cannot install their own rooftop solar panels, will benefit from lowered electric bills, according to Ho’ahu. …

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