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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Big Gains in Metal Recycling

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Big Gains in Metal Recycling

While frustrated residents have built up a cache of large metal materials needing to be recycled, the county’s temporary program is almost done – but with a lot of success.

Molokai’s recycling center and landfill used to host a metal recycling facility, but was shut down in Dec. 2009 after reaching its capacity. Patience Gaia, administrator for metals and abandoned vehicles in the county Department of Environmental Management, said hosting metal recycling events is actually more cost effective for islands like Molokai and Lanai.

“The previous facility [was] meant to be temporary,” Gaia said, adding that keeping the equipment and staff for metal recycling was costly. “We get more collection [of materials] in a short time than ongoing.” 

The county contracted Kitagawa Towing to receive and process the material, and the Community Work Day Program (CWDP) to provide assistance cleaning up sites and bringing material to the landfill.


Gaia said more than 120 cars have been received, as well as 200-plus appliances, 100 tons of scrap metal, and over 1,000 tires. After being crushed, the metal is sent to Oahu, and sometimes on to other markets such as China. Tires are shredded and turned into playground material or other rubber-based products, and cars and appliances are melted down to form new metal parts.

Rhiannon Chandler, executive director of CWDP, said they received a lot of calls from residents, and on-island crews were sent out to help clean up.

“It was really overwhelming,” she said. “People had this stuff on their property for a while, unable to get rid of it.”

The county is planning another metals collection event next spring, and Chandler added CWDP is planning on working with a towing company to help bring in large items like cars.

Almost Pau
Metal materials accepted during landfill hours until Sat., Dec. 11:
Tues-Sat 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
No charge for residents; call 658-9029 for more info

Can It Be Recycled?
Regular recycling accepts:
Cardboard, glass jars and bottles, aluminum, tin and steel food and drink cans, paper, newspaper, plastic bottles, plastic bags, yard debris, motor oil, HI-5 Deposit Bottles and Cans
NOT: Styrofoam, aluminum foil, molded plastics, magazines, ceramics, light bulbs, containers with food residue

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The Nature Conservancy Goes Solar

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

The Nature Conservancy Goes Solar

TNC News Release

The Nature Conservancy’s Molokai office is sporting a new look – a large rooftop photovoltaic system that will significantly reduce energy  costs while providing enough power to meet the office’s electricity needs for years.  
 
 “We were able to basically cover all of our energy needs and put a cap on our energy costs into the future,” said Suzanne Case, the Conservancy’s Hawaii executive director. “It’s good for Hawaii both economically and in terms of sustainability.”

The 8.88-kilowatt photovoltaic array was installed by Maui’s Rising Sun Solar at the Conservancy office in the Molokai Industrial Park on the hot leeward side of the island. The PV system, which cost $69,596, will use solar energy to power lights, electronics, air conditioning and other office needs.

“Tapping into the clean, renewable energy resources that Hawaii has in such abundance holds tremendous potential for Molokai, which has one of the highest electrical rates in the nation,” said Matias Besasso, a partner with Rising Sun Solar. “Not only can it reduce costs, but it can lead to job creation and greater energy independence and self-sufficiency for Molokai’s people.”  


The estimated cost of generated power over 12 years is $53,572, compared to $109,295.32 with regular utility power.

Ed Misaki, the Conservancy’s Molokai director, said installation of the new system has been in the works for three years. “Going green is one of our big goals,” he added, noting that the new array will be hooked up and dedicated on Dec. 1, 2010.

Misaki said the Conservancy’s Molokai office will remain connected to Maui Electric’s grid under a Net Energy Metering contract, so that electricity is still available to the office on cloudy days, while excess power can be sold to the utility on days when office power use is low.

After twelve years, the Conservancy will have the option of negotiating a new contract or purchasing the system at fair market value.

“It’s a win-win for us,” said Conservancy Director of Internal Affairs Rico Gomez.  The Nature Conservancy on Molokai has been paying about 41 cents per kilowatt-hour, and under the new arrangement initially will pay 30 cents, he said.

“Every single one of us has to do what we can to reduce our use of fossil fuels – to try to put a limit on global warming, which poses a serious threat to nature and people,” Case said.

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Coffees of Hawaii ‘Back to the Basics’

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Coffees of Hawaii ‘Back to the Basics’

would be an issue,” said Holmes, adding the previous plantation owners already had a liquor license in 2001.

Coffees of Hawaii officially withdrew the liquor license application two weeks ago.

“We’re going back to the basics,” said Holmes. “We can not afford to keep losing money.”

What Could Have Been
Phase one of the expansions – an extended deck for additional seating and entertainment and a kitchen behind the espresso bar for a limited food menu – were completed at Coffees in 2008.

Phase two, scheduled to begin this year, was to include a full, certified kitchen; a small, portable bar and a special area for minors during bar hours. An on-staff chef was going to cook up “plantation-style comfort food,” with dishes such as curried shrimp with fried haupia, pan fried pork chops with grilled Maui onions, and stuffed Molokai waygu beef burger with blue cheese, to name a few. The menu was specifically formulated not to compete with other local restaurants.

Staff hired for the extended food services would have doubled from the current 12 to 25 employees. Holmes said people have even moved home from Oahu in anticipation of a job. Because of the current cuts in hours and services, seven employees will be let go, according to Pua Naeole, espresso bar and gift shop manager.

Holmes said their goal was a farm to table theme, buying locally from farmers, fishermen and the slaughterhouse. The restaurant was to be open seven days a week, open until 9 p.m. and Saturdays until 10 p.m., so as not to disturb the local community and neighbors.

A portable bar would allow service during limited hours – beer and wine from noon to 3 p.m., and full service from 4 p.m. to closing.

Coffee sales and the plantation side of the operation is where the business makes most of its money – Holmes said food brings in little revenue. Jazz night will be discontinued, but Na Ohana Hoaloha plans to take a holiday break to work on new songs and arrangements and be back to entertain beginning Jan. 2, 2011. Holmes said the espresso bar will remain open during their program, but only with drinks and limited food offering. She said the business actually lost money during the Saturday and Sunday music programs.

The gift shop will close at the end of the year. Naeole said she tried to stock local products, keep new products available, and keep them affordable. But with tourism down and local spending decreased, the shop wasn’t paying off. Instead, they hope to lease the space to a local vendor who will run a similar gift shop and “be in harmony with what we’re doing,” Holmes said.

Coffees of Hawaii New Hours
December: Espresso bar: Mon.-Fri. 10-2, Sat. 8-2, closed Sun.
Gift shop: Mon.-Sat. 10-2
Starting New Year:
Bar: Mon.-Fri. 10-2, Sat. 8-2, Sun. 2-5
Gift shop: Closed

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Organic Inspection Training to be Held in Hawaii

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Hawaii Organic Farmers Association News ReleaseA unique opportunity is available for organic inspectors or those interested in working in the organic field, including county extension agents, regulatory agency staff, organic processors and industry activists, in order to better understand the organic inspection and certification process.The Hawaii County Department of Research and Development has provided a grant to enable the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) and Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) to offer Basic Organic Farm (Crop) Inspector Training, to be held January 25-29, 2011, and Process and Handling Inspector Training, to be held February 1-5, 2011, in Hilo, Hawaii Island. Registration deadline is December 12, 2010.
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To Bee or Not to Bee

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Community Contributed

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

The relationship between humans and honeybees is ancient, as demonstrated by cave paintings in Spain, South Africa, and Nepal, depicting honey hunters collecting honey from wild hives. The honeybee was introduced to Hawaii in 1857, but the accidental introduction of the Varroa mite in 2007 puts this relationship in jeopardy and is one example of Hawaii’s vulnerability to invasive species.

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The Life of the Land Part 1 of 7

Friday, November 26th, 2010

“Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono – The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

This, the state motto of Hawaii, is one of the few if not only state mottos that alludes to man’s integral relationship to the natural world. This series will explore the Molokai’s life of the land with a brief history, both natural and human – its ample strengths and clear fragility, our diverse cultures and our common bonds. In our first part we will examine where we are in the broad expanse of the universe.

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Limited Time to Change Hunting Rules

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Conservation Council for Hawaii News Release

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing revisions to Hawaii Administrative Rules relating to hunting and game, and asking the public for their feedback. This is an opportunity to urge the state to change the hunting and game management paradigm to reduce the damage caused by introduced continental feral ungulates and game mammals, and provide more opportunities for hunters to help control animals and bring home the meat. 

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Money Available for Farming Conservation

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Community Contributed

Provided by Wally Jennings

The Ho`olehua Field Office is seeking land owners and managers that would be interested is conservation practices to address resource concern to come sign-up of conservation planning.  This service is free and may offer opportunities for assistance do conservation on farmed and ranched lands.

Through the Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, two programs are available for Molokai farmers to assist in wildlife habitat and erosion and conservation techniques.

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MHS Farmers to Farm Again

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

MHS Farmers to Farm Again

Molokai Farmer without a farm? Not for long.

Molokai High School (MHS) recently celebrated the clearing of farmland adjacent to the school, allowing student to once again bring agricultural learning out of the classroom.

“This year, its like the new era – getting back to the land… and the opportunity to do some agriculture projects in the field,” said Principal Stan Hao.

The lot, which sits between MHS and the Ho`olehua Fire Station, was neglected over the last few years and became overgrown.

saying, ‘Why can’t we go out there?’” Wichman said.

“They’re ag! Now they have a place to plant,” added business teacher Kai Sawyer.
 
But the students aren’t stay-at-home farmers – this year, they took their ag learning on the road. Classes from the Natural Resources Academy visited Kumu Farms, Pu`u O Hoku Ranch and Mycogen Seeds to learn about different types of farming.

Want to help restart the agriculture program? MHS is looking for more companies and individuals to offer community support. Call Kai Sawyer at 567-6950 for more information.

Dear Monsanto Molokai,
Molokai High School would like to express our gratitude for the assistance with the clearing of our agriculture field.
•    Coco Augustiro for coordinating everything, kindly working around our school schedules, having patience with us, and ultimately, “Making it all happen!”  You made everything seem so simple! MAHALO!
•    Dean Place, Gaylan Chang, and Rod Dudoit, for your awesome and exciting operator skills!  It has been almost six years since we last had crops in our agriculture field; this task for us alone would have taken at least a year or two, or even three years to complete.   The work you folks have done saved us valuable time, tons of money, and work.   We enjoyed watching the machines push large trees and overgrown brush to clear our field.  MAHALO!
•    Deluna’s Equipment Services, for your assistance with the hauling of equipment and anything else that was needed, MAHALO!
Your donation to us has excited our students and faculty.  Our faculty and students plan to have many things happening in our fields; the ideas range from native plants, kalo, sweet onions, ti-leaf, various flowers, fruit orchard, and a variety of vegetables.  We are in the process now of strategizing parcels and putting in our irrigation system.
Again, a huge mahalo to you folks for all that you’ve done!  You have helped to create an environment where students are more eager to learn and produce.  Your time, dedication and commitment to us are much appreciated and will not be forgotten.
From all of us at Molokai High School,
Mahalo!

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Molokai Leads State at Hawaiian Gathering

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Molokai Leads State at Hawaiian Gathering

There is a traditional Molokai chant that tells of a prophecy made by the kahuna of Paku`i: After the ali`i have fallen, the common people will come together and hold Hawaii up.

That prophecy, in a way, came true last weekend in Honolulu. Three years after Act 212 set out to reestablish `Aha Moku councils, the ancient resource management system, nearly 200 representatives from each island, including Ni`ihau and Kaho`olawe, met to discuss their progress.

all kinds of issues but where we’re at right now, it’s about building a power base,” Karen Kamalu Poepoe said.

With divisive issues like development on La`au Point and windmills on homestead land fresh in their minds, some see a role for the councils beyond resource management – they are a way to unite the community.

“I really feel this is a mechanism that we can live by,” said Wayde Lee, the Palau moku representative, adding he is anxious to see it in action.

“I’m ready, I’m committed. Come on, let’s go!”

To learn more about Molokai’s moku council and how to get involved, contact Mac and Karen Poepoe at 567-6150 or karenpoepoe@yahoo.com.

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