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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Farmers Union United Molokai Chapter Grows

Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

HFUU Molokai News Release

Hawaii Farmers Union United (HFUU) is a statewide organization of farm owners, foodies, ranchers, gardeners, perma-culturalists, cultural practitioners, landscapers, suppliers, businesses, and policy advocates that are all part of the local food chain. HFUU is a partner of the National Farmers Union. HFUU asserts that a multitude of smallholder diversified family farms that implement regenerative ecological techniques in growing and raising our food will create a resilient, vital, and productive agricultural system to better feed the people of Hawaii. HFUU represents 15-regional chapters across six Hawaiian islands, including Molokai.

Our Molokai Chapter began on Dec. 17, 2021 initiated by a 10-person group of Hoʻolehua homesteaders after visiting Maui HFUU farms and members.…

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The Garden of Easy

Wednesday, November 30th, 2022

The Garden of Easy

By Paul Hanley, Community Reporter

It’s been about 15 years since Nelson Puailihau—aka Easy, aka Honeyboy—gave up his rough and rowdy ways. Three years ago, he began to tend a parcel of land near Kilohana school. From the thicket of bananas, papayas, and taro to the expansive, impeccable lawn, the “Garden of Easy” is the expression of his deep desire to bring life and beauty to the ‘aina.

“Since I got clean and sober and turned my life around,” says Puailihau. “I’ve put my heart and soul into this land.”

Each plant he nurtures symbolizes his commitment to growth, not just in the garden but in his own life.…

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Lightening Show

Sunday, November 27th, 2022

Lightening Show

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai residents watched a lightening storm roll by Thursday night. From bright flashes illuminating the clouds, to bolts extending into the ocean, a light show of nature wowed onlookers. East end also experienced heavy rain, with a flood advisory issued early Friday morning for the island and Kamehameha V Highway getting flooding and debris.…

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Building Relationships for a Brighter Future

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

Building Relationships for a Brighter Future

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Last Saturday, community event Lā Pilina created relationships between community and local organizations’ planning efforts for Molokai. Sust’ainable Molokai hosted the event creating interconnection and rapport, as the meaning of Lā Pilina is relationships. Held at Mitchell Pauole Center, residents engaged in learning about future planning, ongoing efforts and how to live a more sustainable life.

“Growing up on this island, relationships are important,” said Tehani Kaalekahi, executive director of Sust’ainable Molokai. “Culturally it’s part of our kuleana, our responsibility to create these relationships. In many of the things we do here, it’s the relationships we build that helps us get to the end goal.”…

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Banana Management Workshop

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

UHCTAHR Molokai Extension News Release

UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Molokai Cooperative Extension invites you to a Banana Tree Management Workshop on Monday, Nov. 21 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. The workshop will cover insects that affect banana trees in Hawaii and fertility management of banana trees.  Speakers for the workshop include Roshan Manandhar, Kauai County Extension Agent for Invasive Species and Jennifer Hawkins, Edible Crops Agent for the Molokai Cooperative Extension Office. 

To register for the event please contact Jennifer Hawkins by phone at 808-567-6934, or by email at jhawk@hawaii.edu.  Please include the workshop title, your name, phone number, and email address when registering. …

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Molokai Tropical Fruit Growers Awarded

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

Molokai Tropical Fruit Growers Awarded

HTFG News Release 

The statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG) named the recipients of its annual appreciation awards today at the 32nd Annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference at the Royal Kona Resort. The conference returned to an in-person format after two years of virtual gatherings due to COVID.

The annual awards honor individuals who advance—through research, education and practice—the use of tropical fruits to support a sustainable, local food industry. In addition, this year’s accolades include service awards chosen by each island chapter and “Dirty Fingers” Awards.

“The new award format is a way for each island chapter to offer recognition to one who has dedicated themselves to the HTFG mission of promoting all aspects of growing and marketing tropical fruit in Hawaii,” explained HTFG Executive Director Ken Love.…

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Planning for a Flooded Future

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

Planning for a Flooded Future

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

What could Molokai’s community look like in 2100? Flooded. The Climate Change and Sea Level Adaptation and Resiliency Master Plan, spearheaded by Sust’ainable Molokai, is targeted to be completed by July 2023, outlines what we can expect and how we can face this foreboding future. 

The Climate Change and Sea Level Adaptation and Resiliency Master Plan (CCSLAR) is a community-led climate change and sea-level rise plan for Molokai’s future, created and fueled by Molokai’s community. 

Sust’ainable Molokai’s website explains that CCSLAR has an indigenous place-based perspective, meaning the planning process is led by kama’aina and long-time community leaders.…

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Students Help Restore Dryland Forest

Friday, November 4th, 2022

Students Help Restore Dryland Forest

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

High school students are working with local nonprofit Molokai Land Trust to replant dryland forests on the island’s northwest side. Molokai High School’s Natural Resource class has been volunteering since September, and their work isn’t done. They have committed to volunteer every month till December to help reach the goal of reintroducing over 8,000 native Hawaiian dryland forest plants into their natural environment.  

The Kawakiu Watershed Restoration Project is 7.25 acres based at the Mokio Preserve. The first 2.25-acre plot was built in 2010 and planted from 2011 to 2015. It has 95 percent Native Hawaiian plants and is fenced to keep deer and cattle out.…

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Why Save Seeds?

Friday, November 4th, 2022

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UHCTAHR

Our tropical climate on Molokai is unique compared to other parts of the U.S. and Europe, where most of our seeds originate. The warm nights in the tropics are brutal for many varieties developed outside of the tropics. What may grow well in those areas may not grow well here so we need to find varieties that grow well here, or we need to develop them. Tropically adapted seeds are difficult to access, such as those from Southeast Asia, South China and the Philippines. Seeds from Africa, India and South America are even more difficult to access.  …

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Rainy Season Outlook

Friday, October 28th, 2022

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter

Good news: it is going to rain more, at least according to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) most recent predictions for this year’s wet season.   

As Molokai residents know, a drought has persisted on the island, especially on the west and southwestern regions. While these areas of Molokai are currently rated as “severe to extreme drought,” recent rainfall “should result in some improvement,” according to Kevin Kodama , NOAA Senior Service Hydrologist at the Honolulu Forecast Office. 

The U.S. Drought Monitor, a national metric of drought conditions, currently lists western portions of the island as D3 or “extreme drought,” the fourth of five levels of drought.…

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