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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Throwing Away Our Future

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Throwing Away Our Future

Community Contributed By Jill Ross

“If you’re not building soil, you’re not sustainable,” said Geoff Lawton, founder of the Permaculture Research Institute (PRI).

Building healthy soil takes less effort then a trip to the dump, literally. Your used coffee grounds, paper/yard waste and food scraps are soil waiting to happen. By stuffing them into a plastic bag and driving them to the dump you’re interfering with the natural decomposition process, adding to our island’s looming rubbish pile, and wasting gas.

Every household, school and business could use more healthy soil. You don’t need a green thumb to properly apply compost. Each tree and plant in your yard will benefit from simply scattering your finished compost on the ground around them. Feeding our aina rather than our dump creates a sustainable future for generations to come, and it’s a really easy. There are many methods for composting. My family uses the static or passive method.

Start by gathering your kitchen waste every time you prepare food. We use a plastic Folgers’ canister with a lid. My family of four fills and dumps our canister daily (actually the kids do). Larger families can use five-gallon buckets or any container with a lid.

Collect all the paper and cardboard waste your household accumulates and set it aside or add it directly to your kitchen scraps, this will add carbon to the compost, helping things to break down.
Find a place in your yard to create a compost pile. No need for fancy composting bins – placing your pile directly onto the ground allows worms and insects access to the pile. Dump your kitchen waste, and cover with your paper and yard waste.  Composting paperwork with you personal information on it eliminates the need for shredding. If you keep chickens or rabbits, adding their manure to your compost will speed up the process (any non-carnivorous manure will do). Keep adding to the same pile. Water your compost pile to keep it moist. No need to turn the pile, dig into it and you’ll find the bottom is converted into dark, worm-filled soil.

In as little as a month, you’ll have a pile of rich, healthy soil to put in your garden or on your trees/plants. If that sounds like too much work, then simply plant seeds into your pile once your compost is ready. You may also unknowingly create a garden: our compost is currently supporting a huge tomato plant that sprouted independently from an unfinished salad.

By composting all of our kitchen scraps and paper/yard waste, my household has reduced our non-recyclable garbage to three grocery-sized bags a month.  Our garbage doesn’t stink or leak. We’re building soil, not landfills.  Waste materials are resources. We can drive them to the dump and throw away a sustainable future for our children, or we can manage our waste at home and create soil that will sustain life for generations to come. The choice is yours.

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Marlin Party

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Marlin Party

Community Contributed by Matt Yamashita

What lures a fisherman back to the water time and again is the fact that you never know what’s going to happen. It’s also nice to share the ocean’s unpredictable moments with someone else, to have a witness to the otherwise unbelievable.

I have more than a few great fishing memories, but this past Monday tops them all – for now.  I took my friend Chris Hammond 20 miles out on my 15-foot Boston Whaler to try and find the big ahi I’ve been chasing for years.  The water was a little rough and the bite slow.  We got bumped around and barely picked up a dozen three pound tuna.  Not bad, but definitely not what we were hoping for.       

At about 9:30 a.m. we decided to head home.  It was still early and the water was getting nicer so we put some lures out hoping for a mahi-mahi on the way.

Our conversation eventually went to where most conversations go on an uneventful day of trolling – “Would be nice to catch a marlin,” and, “It’s gotta happen one of these days.”  But as often as it is talked about, it usually doesn’t happen.

We were just three miles outside of the Kaunakakai Harbor when our day went from regular to unforgettable.  I just happened to look back to check the lures when I see a big, dark marlin head break water behind our boat.  It’s chasing the lucky lure my wife gave me for Christmas four years ago. “Marlin, marlin!”  I yelled.

I hold our speed and we watch it come thrashing behind the lure two more times before it takes it.  Chris goes to grab the pole, but I yell at him excitedly, “let it run, let it run… clear the other lines!”  I keep the throttle up to insure the hook is set and then begin turning the boat to chase the now jumping beast.

“Brah, that’s a big one!  That’s a blue!  Let’s get it on the boat!”

I have a pretty small boat and I run pretty light gear (Shimano TLD 30s), so I’m thinking we’ll be pretty lucky to land this monster.  But I want to come home with the fish and not just the story, so I remember the good advice of Capt. Clay Ching, “Stay calm, take your time, and trust your equipment.” 

Chris and I spend the next 45 minutes chasing our marlin around, trying to tire it out so we can bring it in safely.  Finally, we get the fish next to the boat, I tie the bill to my rail and Chris sinks the gaff.  This one wasn’t getting away.

So with the tail and head sticking out either side of my boat we proudly head back in to the wharf, adrenaline still pumping.  This is the first blue marlin for my boat and I think the first marlin caught on Molokai in 2011.  It weighed in at 212 pounds and fed a whole bunch of families. 

You never know what’s going to happen when you go fishing.  Sometimes, you get lucky.  That’s why we keep going. 

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Clear Brush to Prevent Fire

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Clear Brush to Prevent Fire

Community Contributed

By Richard K. Schonely, Fire Inspector

Recent heavy rains have created new brush growth. Check your house and lot now!
 
The Department of Fire and Public Safety is encouraging property owners to make sure that their homes and land are in compliance with the Uniform Fire Code pertaining to brush as adopted by the County of Maui.


The Department of Fire and Public Safety will be inspecting vacant lots and large house lots, known as parcels, yearly throughout Molokai. You are encouraged to visit the nearest fire station or the Fire Prevention Office and pick up brochures on how the parcel shall be maintained. You may also visit www.firewise.org to get tips on making your home safe from a brush fire. Please read the following and keep in mind that violators can face a fine of up to $1,000 for each day the violation exists. This does not include the liability that a property owner may face if his/her parcel is responsible for the spread of a fire.
 
Any person owning, leasing, controlling, operating or maintaining any building or structure in a hazardous fire area, or adjoining a hazardous fire area shall at all times:
 
1. Remove and clear all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth at least 30 feet on each side of the building or structure. This does not apply to trees,  ornamental shrubbery or similar plants used as ground covers, provided that they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any structure.
 
2. If the Fire Chief determines 30 feet is not sufficient to provide reasonable fire safety, remove and clear all brush, flammable vegetation or combustible growth from 30 to 100 feet from the building or structure. Grass and other vegetation located more than 30 feet from such building or structure and less than 18 inches in height above the ground may be maintained where necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

3. Maintain any tree adjacent to or overhanging any building, and clear up dead wood.
 
4. Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles or other dead vegetative growth.
 
Please also keep in mind that electrical transmission lines shall also be kept clear of all vegetative growth. Do not attempt to remove hazardous brush near live electrical equipment without proper training. Contact the responsible utility company for information. Keep a 10 foot clearance around telephone and electrical poles, transformers etc. A 10 foot clearance shall also be maintained along all roadways.
 
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and your neighbors will thank you. We must prepare for the next brush fire because it’s not a matter of if it happens but when. Are you prepared? Stay fire safe!

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A Molokai Wind Farm

Monday, February 28th, 2011

A Molokai Wind Farm

Community Contributed

By Steve Morgan

Unlike Molokai, land on Lanai has already been designated for the purpose of the wind farm. As a result, the process on Lanai has progressed further than that on our island. Referencing Lanai issues will hopefully help us in making evaluations for our own island.

How much land will the Lanai wind farm require?
According to Castle and Cooke, majority landowner of Lanai, the maximum amount of land that will be used will be 12,800 acres.

What benefits are being offered to the people of Lanai in return for the construction of a wind farm on their island?

Based on the Jan. 11 presentation given by Harry Saunders of Castle and Cook, a basic summary of the combined benefits being offered to the Lanai community are as follows:
-    Make  Lanai utility rates the same as Oahu rates
-    Make Lanai electric grid 100 percent green by 2020
-    Maintain public access for hunting and fishing
-    Infuse money into weakened tourist industry in order to maintain jobs
-    Improve existing water infrastructure including $500,000 annual investment for improvements
-    $250,000 annual investment into watershed preservation
-    1 percent gross revenue to establish community benefit fund  for broad range of community projects, as decided by the community
-    $100,000 annual investment to Lanai Cultural and Heritage Center
-    Road Improvements
According to Mr. Saunders, these benefits would be included in a Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) making these benefits legally binding.

What is the response of the Lanai community?
According to “Lanaians for Sensitive Growth” (LSG), a 25-year-old community advocacy organization, complete support for the wind farm project is found only within a small percentage of Lanai residents. Combining dozens of small group sessions, and a random survey of approximately 400 homes in Lanai covering a broad demographic spectrum, the survey by LSG determined the following statistics:
-    7 percent in complete support
-    23 percent support with reservation
-    21 percent opposed
-    36 percent need more information
-    13 percent other
The official statement made by LSG at this time is, “We do not feel that the potential benefits outweigh the environmental, cultural, social and economic impacts to Lanai and the community.” At the Jan. 11 Senate hearing, Reynold Gima, president of LSG, requested that the senators at the meeting engage more fully with the Lanai community, concluding “Do with us, don’t do to us!”

Is there a Lanai governing body that will be involved in the decision making process on Lanai?
No, currently there is no such governing body. Using the county process, the intention of LSG is to designate land in the area of the proposed windmills to the zoning categories of “Open Space One and Open Space Two.” According to LSG, through such a designation, the Lanai Planning Commission would have jurisdiction over some areas of the wind farm.

For more info in regard to opposition of the Lanai wind farm go to friendsoflanai.org

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Back to Business

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Back to Business

Nancy McPherson, the recently reinstalled Molokai planner, has returned to ensure projects are done correctly to Molokai standards – and efficiently.

She is knowledgeable about permits, zoning, flood maps, and Special Area Management (SMA), McPherson said.
“Our natural resources are our natural capital, so we have to protect it,” McPherson said.

McPherson’s first stint as the island’s planner began in 2006 and came to an end in 2008 when she was promoted as Maui County planner.


A Plan for Efficiency
McPherson returned to her Molokai position in mid-January, and said she is enthusiastic about being back in the position. She would like to be able to allow people to begin their projects as soon as possible.

“I plan on trying to make the SMA permitting process more streamline. I want to make it more efficient,” McPherson said.

Lori Buchanan, a Molokai Planning Commission member, said she is happy to have McPherson back on board.  “I have always been impressed with McPherson’s experience and academia,” she said.

“I thought we got lucky. I honestly thought she was overqualified. She has a great heart,” Buchanan added.

Sometimes permitting may seem like a daunting task, but McPherson said she wants to assure residents that she is trying to make it less confusing.

Buchanan said she trusts McPherson’s experience as a long-range planner on Maui, and “her ability to see the long-term effects of projects.”

"It’s difficult to balance current projects and long-term projects on Molokai. People want to build now.” Buchanan said.

McPherson said she is planning more cultural assessments of Molokai to ensure nothing is overlooked when permits are handed out for building projects.

Before McPherson began tackling Molokai’s projects in January, the planner position on Molokai was left vacant for four months. Previous planner Mikal Torgerson left in September 2010. The county would not comment on the nature of his departure.

A History of Planning
McPherson has lived in Hawaii off and on since the age of 10. Her family moved to Oahu when her father got a job as a hydraulics engineer for sugar and pineapple plantations.  She moved back to her home state of California when she was 19 to further her studies. She said she had always wanted to preserve the land, and decided to study planning.

She attended Sonoma State University, and earned a double-bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Development and Economic.

She later worked as an urban planner in Novato, California, where she helped implement a new permit tracking system for the city.

Since returning to Hawaii in 2000, McPherson has consulted with farmers on Oahu’s North Shore, in order to provide locational data that is essential to urban planning.
 
She began a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawaii Manoa in 2003. While she was there, she came with a team of eleven people to do cultural research of ancient burial sites at sand dunes on Papohaku Beach. She also did cultural research at Malama Beach Park on Molokai.

Her master’s research includes extensive studies on ahapua`a in North Kohala, Hawai`i Island, including King Kamehameha I’s birth site. They also compiled information for the Office of Hawaiin Affairs. That information has been further utilized to create community plans for North Kohala, she said.

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A Molokai Wind Farm

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

A Molokai Wind Farm

Community Contributed
By Steve Morgan

Why not use solar instead of wind power?
This seems like a reasonable question given the amount of sun that we possess. The simple answer is that solar in considerably more costly. In 2008, a study was done by the Department of Energy to evaluate all alternative energy sources including utility scale solar farms and widespread use of individual roof top solar systems. In regard to both types of systems, the cost was roughly double that of wind. A report demonstrating a comparable renewable energy analysis is expected to be released by the Department of Agriculture in March 2011. This information will also be included in the environmental impact statement (EIS). Nevertheless, solar will play a part of Hawaii’s energy portfolio as tax incentives and net metering encourage the development of independent systems. Furthermore, in the event that an independent renewable energy grid is established for Molokai, solar would be a viable option as one of the components of this system.


Molokai is being asked to help supply Oahu's growing energy demands. What measurable conservation efforts are being undertaken on Oahu?
Over the last five years, due to a combination of various factors including conservation efforts and a weakening economy, Oahu residential customers have cut their average electric usage by 7.2 percent.  From 1996 through 2008, Oahu also saw a reduction in oil consumption of 3.7 million barrels. Recent large scale energy projects on Oahu include a 30 megawatt (MW) wind farm on Oahu’s North Shore and a 110 MW biofuel plant at Kalaeloa.  Plans are also in place for a second wind farm on the North Shore (Kawailoa) which will create an additional 70 MW of power.

Will Molokai be able to receive power from the proposed wind farm?
No, even a single windmill of this size would have too much output for Molokai’s electric grid. Assuming the offer to be the same as Lanai, as part of a benefits package, HECO would offer an independent agreement to ensure that our island’s electric utility would be 100 percent “green” by 2020. In the interim, what is being proposed by HECO would be to guarantee electric rates to Molokai at the same rate as Oahu customers. (approx. 50 percent price reduction)
 
How long would it take to construct the wind farm on Molokai?
According to First Wind, actual construction would be accomplished within a twelve month period.  Without complications, land rights, studies and permits would be accomplished by the end of 2012 and engineering completed by 2013. Actual construction would commence in 2014.
 
Does First Wind have land rights for the windmills on Molokai?
No and the track record thus far has been a resistance from Molokai Ranch to sell land. The tipping point in all of this may be the state itself which is taking a very proactive stance in fulfilling the requirements of HRS 269-92. Peter Nicholas, CEO of Molokai Ranch, recently acknowledged that the pressure from the government is such that if Molokai Ranch refuses to sell, there is a possibility that the state would condemn the necessary Ranch lands through the process of Eminent Domain.

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Not Horsing Around

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Not Horsing Around

Molokai high school students and younger keiki found their inner-paniolo as they trotted and galloped across the red dirt at this weekend’s Hawaii High School Rodeo Association (HHSRA)’s first matchup, at Molokai Ranch Arena.

With cattle mooing in the background, a sunny day and a slight wind, it was a perfect combination for a competitive wrangling.

“I remember when a lot of these kids would have to be walked around the barrels - now they are running around by themselves,” Jimmy said.

The next HHSRA rodeo will be March 26 and 27 at the Molokai Ranch Arena, beginning at 9 a.m.

Rodeo results will be posted at TheMolokaiDispatch.com this week, and be in next week’s Dispatch.


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Putting Water in Local Hands

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

In the midst of a water permit acquisition and an important-agricultural land designation request by Molokai Properties Ltd (MPL), there are many questions remaining for homesteaders who feel bound to Molokai’s water.

Malia Akutagawa is president of Sust `ainable Molokai, a grassroots organization that educates the public on sustainability through traditional as well as modern methods.

Lately, Akutagawa has been teaching homesteaders about their rights to Molokai’s water. “Why are they [MPL] trying to get a permit to draw the water without a permit to pump it,” Akutagawa asked an audience of about 20 Ho`olehua homesteader s at Lanikeha last Wednesday.

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A Crop for All Seasons

Friday, February 18th, 2011

A Crop for All Seasons

The price is food is not getting any cheaper, and as residents buy less, the price climbs even higher. For those of us with some land to spare and affordable water, it makes sense to put some seedlings in the ground and let the rains take care. 

For everything, there is a season, and knowing when to plant a certain crop is key to the success of your plantings. For starters, always plan ahead to the next season. Each season has its own set of characteristics and quirks that favor some crops over other ones, including rainfall, day length and temperature.

In Hawaii, there are at least four distinguishable growing seasons. The fall/winter slot, from September to December, has just past, but is usually a repeat of this season which I call the winter/spring slot.  It’s a perfect time for broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, Chinese cabbages or mustards, leafy vegetables, root crops, and anything else you might want to take a chance on. January can be a time for beautiful warm sunny days one day, and torrential rains the next.

Hawaiians refer to this kind of weather as kaulua or ‘of two minds.’ This season is strongly influenced by the northerly storms, the ones that produce our large waves. Of these, the northwesterly ones are the most destructive because they’re opposite from our prevailing northeasterly winds, and many areas have no wind protection, including farms and residences. In the peak of this season, there are at least two to three new storms each week, and sometimes more. The rain also brings the weeds, and reminds me of the saying, ‘one year of weeds, seven years of seeds!’ This is one of the greatest challenges of gardening in the rainy season, and one in which farmers would like to avoid.

Of the cold season veggies, the safest ones to grow would be the underground crops, such as radish, beets, daikon, carrots, and even kohlrabi. Mustards kai choy, pak choy, and won bok thrive now. Lettuce grows well from October to May, but heavy rains this season can damage some of the thin leaved types. The thick-leaf, cast iron types such as romaine, heads, and hapa types like Anuenue, Concept, Sierra, or Nevada will do well.

Bulb onions, exclusively the Grano and Granex types, can be sown from September to March. These are the Maui onion types, and will grow just as well on Molokai and get pretty sweet, especially above 500 feet. Bulb onions take about 150 days or more to mature so they’ll be ready in May or June if started now. Irish potatoes also grow well during this season, but getting good seed can be a problem. Buying a big bag of small potatoes is one way to start.

The spring slot, starting in mid-March, it’s the last chance for some of the winter veggies, especially the broccolis and cauliflowers. Some of the Chinese mustards can grow all year round, but it’s good practice to have a crop-free period for each crop to break the insect cycle. Spring runs from March to June. April showers bring May flowers, so plant some flowers as well. Melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers can be planted in mid-spring.

Since this is just a generalization of the seasons, it’s always a good practice to take a chance on a new crop. Who knows, sometimes winter never comes, and other times summer just goes on and on and on.

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Save Your Energy

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Save Your Energy

Molokai faces the highest electricity rates in the state, if not the country, and many residents are at a loss for how to cut down on their bill. While the state tries for big-picture projects like wind farms, local companies are giving residents simple solutions.

 “Molokai is a lot more innovative than you’d think it’d be,” said Kalono Ferreira of Pono-Solutions.

Pono-Solutions, a subsidiary organization of the state rebate program Hawaii Energy, is now available on Molokai to help people get the most out of their energy systems by taking advantage of these rebates.

Energy education is available to those are interested in an education on how to be energy efficient. Pono-Solutions work with customers to make homes and businesses more energy efficient – from light bulbs, to air conditioners, to refrigerators and water heaters.

Pono-Solutions will also hook customers up with a local contractor to service their needs.

Dennis Turner, owner of Outpost Natural Foods store in Kaunakakai, wants to stop paying for energy all together.

“We have a goal to get off the grid,” Turner said.

He has built his own custom-lighting to cut down on costs and has advice for others who are interested in saving energy.

“People should keep the condensers clean on their refrigerators. That will allow air to circulate more effectively and not let heat build up,” he said.

Ferreira and his colleagues came from Oahu last week to help audit people’s lighting systems and give advice on how to be energy-efficient.

Lighting the Way

Ferreira said its great more people are using solar; however, before installing solar panels, other energy-suckers need to be changed first, such as incandescent light bulbs.

“Lighting is the first step. It’s cheap to replace and you get a return on your investment,” said Jason Aiana, a Pono-Solutions representative on Molokai. “There’s a huge difference on electric bills when people make their lighting systems more efficient.”

A simple change of a light bulb can decrease electricity bills dramatically. For example, a T12 florescent bulb may cost a little less, but uses anywhere from 40-90 kilowatts per hour. A T8 bulb uses only 25-32 watts per hour.

Residents can take advantage various rebates as well.  Solar water heaters can cost $1,500-2000, but  the annual savings  are around $500, according to Hawaiienergy.com. Rebates of $750 could be granted for this kind of system.

Energy-efficient appliances such as washing machines, ceiling fans and air conditioners also have rebates, up to about $110, and compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) often have instant rebates in stores.

Aianai is confident that sustainability can’t be done alone.

“It’s a kakou thing!” he said, meaning, “We’re all in this together!”

To learn more on how to make your home more energy-efficient and save on energy bills, contact Jason Aiana at 479-9618 or visit www.pono-solutions.com.  For more information about energy use in Hawaii and to take advantage of rebates, visit www.hawaiienergy.com.

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