Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

$2.7M Awarded for Small-Scale Agriculture

Wednesday, January 11th, 2023

HDOA News Release 

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has announced the award of 579 grants, totaling $2,684,350, for small-scale agriculture; including home gardening, herding and livestock operations in areas that are food insecure.

More than 7,400 applications were received this fall under the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP). The applications and project proposals were evaluated and ranked by HDOA’s Market Development Branch (MDB) and final approval was received last week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Funding for this grant program is provided by the USDA under the 2018 Farm Bill. Grant amounts ranged from $750 to $5,000.…

Deer Meat Giveaway

Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

Deer Meat Giveaway

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

On Dec. 10, Molokai Hunting Club held a Holiday Deer Meat Drive to provide venison to the Molokai community and honor the fifth reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, King Kamehameha V, who introduced axis deer to Molokai.  

More than 100 households were reached during the giveaway, held at Project Coordinator Troy Tancayo’s house. 

“The first hour was for kapuna. At La Pilina, many kupuna were saying how they grew up with deer meat, and now they don’t have that in their household anymore,” said Keo Hirata, interim PR at Molokai Hunting Club. “We had a lot of families come and about 20 Molokai Hunting Club members to help to distribute the meat that day.”…

It’s 2040, Do You Know Where Your Water Is?

Wednesday, December 14th, 2022

It’s 2040, Do You Know Where Your Water Is?

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

On an island, water is life. “Ola i ka wai.” So what does the future of this life look like?  

On Dec. 8, Maui County presented a preliminary draft for Molokai’s future water production goals and usage. The plan examined current water demand and production on Molokai and consequently how to meet future water needs. 

The “preliminary” aspect of the draft means that Molokai community members have a chance to comment on it before a “much more detailed” draft which takes into account these comments will be made available. 

The Molokai Water Plan, formally known as the Water Use and Development Plan, is part of a statewide requirement that each county adequately prepare for future water demands and production.…

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.”…

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. …

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.…

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.…