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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Got a Bulb?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Got a Bulb?

The Blue Planet Foundation has given the following locations compact florescent lightbulbs (CFLs) for Molokai businesses and residents to bring in their incandescent bulbs for a one-in-one-out trade. The CFLs will be provided through May 31.

Manae Goodz-n-Grindz (East Molokai)
Exchange Hours:          Everyday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact Person:            Kehau Ward (558-8186)
Kualapuu Market (Kualapuu, Hoolehua & Kalae)
Exchange Hours:          Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Contact Person:            Sonya Yuen (567-6243)
Maunaloa General Store (Maunaloa)
Exchange Hours:          Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - noon
Contact Person:            Nani Pele (552-2346 or 336-1875)
Ke Nani Kai Resort (Maunaloa)
Exchange Hours:          Everyday 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact Person:            Paul Kennedy (552-0325)
Kalele Bookstore & Divine (Kaunakakai)
Exchange Hours:          Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Contact Person:            Teri Waros (553-5112)
Molokai Dispatch (Kaunakakai)
Exchange Hours:          Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Contact Person:            Todd Yamashita (552-2781)
Kamoi Snack-n-Go (Kaunakakai)
Exchange Hours:          Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Contact Person:            Kimberly Svetin (553-3742 or 553-5790)
Shop 2 and Beauty Salon (Kaunakakai)
Exchange Hours:          Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Contact Person:            Mel Chung (553-5888)
Kaluakoi Villas (Kaluakoi)
Exchange Hours:          Every Monday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Contact Person:            Main Office/ Charmaine Augustiro (552-2721)
Molokai Shores (Kaunakakai)
Exchange Hours:          Every Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Contact Person:            Main Office/ Charmaine Augustiro (553-5954)

In-School Campaign:
Through April 30, 2010
Kaunakakai School
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 - 4:30 p.m. in the library during the month of April.  (Heidi Jenkins, teacher)
Kilohana School
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays from 7:15 - 7:45 a.m. or 2 - 3:30 p.m. in room H-102 during the month of April. (Mapuana Hanapi, teacher)
Maunaloa School
- Through Thursday April 8 from 2:15 - 3:15p.m. (Wendy Espanoila, teacher)
Kualapu`u School
- Wednesday April 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 7:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. (Susan Forbes, teacher)
Molokai Middle School
- Monday, April 12th to the end of the month from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. – Room U105 (Kelly Ka’awa Richardson, teacher) or the Health Room T-Wing (Amber Nakihei, teacher) in the health room T-wing from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Molokai High School
- Monday through Thursday 7:45 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the SAC room (student activities room) during the month of April.  (Lisa Takata, teacher).  ***Times are during school hours so visitors will need to sign in at the MHS office before exchanging lightbulbs.
Aka`ula School
- Monday through Thursday from 2:45 - 4:30 p.m. during the month of April (Luke Kikukawa, student)

Community Outreach:
The community outreach plan will be based on appointment only. For further information on community outreach, please contact Sybil Lopez at lopezs808@gmail.com or Harmonee Williams at harmoneew@gmail.com.

Visit http://greenmolokai.org/ for more information.

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Lessons from the Land

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Lessons from the Land

First quarter our main focus was about the different types of limu that grow in Makakupa’ia in Ali’I Fishpond. Second quarter our main focus was about invertebrates (crabs). This quarter, the third, we’re focusing on vertebrates like fishes and anything that has a backbone. At the end of the quarter we create a section of our field guide. Our field guide is made up of four sections, each quarter we submit a section. Now that were at the ending of third quarter we start to wrap up our book including all data from our research.

To me I think this is the best type of learning offered at Molokai High School. The Hawaiian Immersion program is ideal for this place-based learning due to the cultural education.  To me I think out of all my four years in high school my senior year was the one that made it count learning wise. I feel that I have learned a lot through this type of learning, Mahalo to Kumu Mahina Hou and Kumu Manuwai for making this possible for our program. Although I’m graduating this summer I think Kumu Mahina Hou should continue place-based science inquiry for the next upcoming school year.                   

Mahalo no ka heluhelu ana I ka’u mo’olelo a me na mana’o e piliana ka papahana ‘olelo Hawai’i. He papahana maika’I loa! Paipai au ia ‘oukou na haumana ‘o Moloka’I nei e komo a hoa’o I ka ho’ona’auao a me ka ho’oulu Hawai’i.

Makemake au e mahalo nui ia ‘Anakala Mervin Dudoit no ke Kalaiwa ana ia makou I na huaka’I like ‘ole, ‘Anake Noe Yamashita, Na kumu & haumana o HLIP a me Tutu Lei no ka Hiki no o keia makahiki!!

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Happy Planting

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Happy Planting

As spring beckons, so does the aroma of fresh produce. Last Thursday, keiki rolled up their sleeves and dirtied their knees while picking some fresh veggies, fruits, herbs and spices at Kumu Farms.



“We want to educate and inspire other farmers and people,” she said. “Today, we’re showing the kids how to plant and harvest, and get more in touch with the soil.”

For Earth Day, Kumu Farms will be hosting a kapuna day on April 22, filled with much of the same activities.

“We’re starting young and then working our way to the kapuna for Earth month,” Vinciguerra said. “We’ve gone from the future to the past.”

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Community Work Day Program Starts Battery Recycling Program

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Community Work Day News Release

Kicking off the annual Great American Cleanup in Maui County is the Community Work Day Program (CWD), launching a county-wide household battery recycling program.  Fifteen local businesses have partnered on this program to be drop-off sites to recycle household batteries on the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai. 

CWD will be distributing several “Big Green Box” battery receptacles to participating stores and will handle pickup and shipping of the batteries to the mainland for processing.  The “Big Green Box” program offers an easy way for consumers to care for the environment.  Used household batteries on Molokai can be dropped off at Misaki's.

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Beginner Farmers Get New Program

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

Beginner Farmers Get New Program

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent

In Hawaii, we only have about seven days worth of food to feed our growing population. Food and homeland security lies in our ability to feed ourselves. The question for many is, “Who will run our future farms, and how will we maintain and expand agriculture on Molokai?” Our farmers and farm land owners are an aging population.  The average age of our general workforce is 38 years old, while the average age of our farming population is 57 years old.

The Hawaiian Homelands area of Ho`olehua has been identified as a prime farming area with large flat parcels and available water through the Molokai Irrigation System. We realize that farming can be a challenge, and anyone thinking about venturing into farming must do it with both eyes open. However, we believe there’s a bright future for farming if individuals are motivated and committed, and willing to learn the skills necessary to operate an agri-business.

The Molokai Native Hawaiian Beginning Farmer Program is an education and training initiative of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Molokai Cooperative Extension Service. Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), we will be embarking on a major training initiative focusing on 11 homesteaders who will be selected to receive farm business and production training for at least one year. This will be a three-year program, so more homesteaders can benefit in the second and third round, if we make it past the first round successfully.

Participants are expected to attend training workshops, follow-through on all assignments, and more importantly, farm their agricultural homestead or a family’s homestead in accordance with their plan. We want to emphasize ‘family’ because a successful farm requires family involvement and support. We will assist participants in every step in the process from land preparation all the way to the market. Participants will follow steps in planning and completing a business plan that includes strategic planning, production & cost analyses, and a marketing plan for their product.  They will research their crop to gain as much information on this crop, and will become experts in their crop. They will be expected to harvest and sell their crop on a regular basis, and also keep a journal of all their farming and training activities.

In order to be eligible for this education program, you must meet the following conditions: You must be a Ho`olehua homestead agricultural lessee or an immediate family member. You must have access to a minimum of half an acre of agricultural land in Ho`olehua to farm and expand. If you are not the lessee of record, you must secure a letter from the homesteader that allows you to farm on this plot for at least two years. You must be a beginning farmer, which we’ve defined as someone who has not farmed continuously for the last three years. There must be an agricultural water meter ready to use on and near your training plot. Except for mowing and normal field preparation, this land must be ready for farming. We will not do land clearing.

The most important prerequisites for participants are motivation and a commitment to follow-through on a business plan they have developed. A substantial amount of resources, both time and funding, will be committed to selected participants. If you’re interested in participating in this exciting program, please pick up an application packet at our office or phone us and we can mail it to you. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 567-6929.  We’re in the new building next to the Ho`olehua Post Office.

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CFLs at the Dispatch!

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

CFLs at the Dispatch!

The Molokai Dispatch office is now a Go Green & Carbon Clean distribution point! Bring in your incandescent bulbs and we'll exchange, one-for-one, compact florescent lightbulbs (CFLs). It will reduce your energy bill and help out the environment -- and it's FREE!

Come in to the Moore Center, across from Drive-In, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. See you soon!

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Road Maintenance Hitting Barriers

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Road Maintenance Hitting Barriers

As the only road that leads to her home and business, Maunaloa Highway is an essential link for realtor Jill McGowan and other area residents. But in the past few years, part of the highway has started to deteriorate at mile marker 13.

The problem is erosion, said Tammy Mori of the state Department of Transportation Community Affairs office. Drainage, or lack thereof, and soil erosion on both sides of the road are causing it to sink into the ravine.

soils are more prone to erosion than most areas of Hawaii, use of other measures would be needed.  To be cost-effective, methods to re-establish grass cover would be favored over more traditional engineering solutions,” she added.

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Illuminating the Town

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Illuminating the Town

It’s true. The bulbs are here. And upon their arrival were a few Molokai students eagerly waiting to roll up their sleeves and begin the process of distributing and educating.

“With the help of Blue Planet, our goal is to have everybody on Molokai using fluorescent bulbs,” said Luke Kikukawa, a seventh-grade student at Aka`ula School.

The shipment of 44,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) arrived at the Kaunakakai Wharf last Thursday and will be making its way through Molokai as distribution through various schools and businesses begins tomorrow and will continue through May 31.



Keiki have already started campaigning for a more energy-efficient Molokai – and even got their first customer as they were unloading the bulbs.

Last Saturday, three students – Kikukawa and Sarah Jenkins from Aka`ula School, and Moriah Jenkins from Molokai High School – set up shop in front of Friendly Market, distributing bulbs and educating passerby on the harmful effects of carbon emissions.

“We’re passing out flyers and educating people about global warming and carbon emissions,” Kikukawa said. “I’ve learned a lot about how fluorescent bulbs can save you money and energy.”

Seventh-grader Sarah Jenkins added that coordinators of the project are in talks with Councilman Danny Mateo to replace all bulbs in county buildings to help lower the costs for taxpayers.

Kikukawa, Sarah and Moriah, along with various elementary school students, will be out campaigning for the next five Saturdays – until May 1 – urging people to stop by, have a listen and exchange some bulbs.

Participating distribution locations are Molokai schools and businesses – a full list and more information can be found at greenmolokai.org.

The exchange is “one-for-one,” meaning participants must bring in their old light bulbs in exchange for new Energy Star CFLs. Up to 30 light bulbs per household are allotted for exchange.

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Fishing Woes

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Some Molokai fishermen are not happy with proposed changes to the state’s bottom-fishing regulations, claiming they lack research and pose a slew of inconveniences.

“It’s as if it’s a done deal thing already,” one fisherman said in a public hearing last week. “But there’s no concrete evidence showing the regulations actually help.”

In recent weeks, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) held informational meetings and public hearings on the pending bottom-fish amendments. Molokai was one of the last islands to speak on the subject at Mitchell Pauole Center on March 23.

Playing by the Rules

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Ho`ailona Goes to School

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Ho`ailona Goes to School

Ho`ailona is nearly three years old, and is already taking classes at the University of California Santa Cruz. His teachers have been giving him conditioning exercises, so medical checkups – which will be numerous considering his vision – will be easier and even fun. Ho`ailona is one of only 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals left in the world.

The veterinarians and marine mammal scientists working with Ho`ailona, formerly known as KP2, say his training is the same as a “very smart dog.” He is still as curious as ever, checking out all areas of his pool and the deck, and interacting very well with his trainers.

His trainers said on their website that he has learned a chin station and nose target, which points the seal to a specific location for him to touch. This helps him to be shown where to go and helps the trainer-monk seal relationship.

His journal, updated periodically on his website, says the seal has learned many more behaviors: entering the water upon request, staying in the water for trainers to enter and exit, and lying down. The new tricks allow scientists to more easily check Ho`ailona’s eye health, temperature, weight and morphometrics (girth and length). The veterinarians are still determining whether eye surgery for the seal will be needed.

As for creature comforts, Ho`ailona has been listening to the Beach Boys and Hawaiian-style music, and enjoys playing with showering water from a hose according the online journal. Stay updated at http://www.monkseal.ucsc.edu/KP2/Home.html

Ho`ailona spent most of his life around Molokai, but was born on Kauai and abandoned within 24-hours. After a year of rehabilitation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the monk seal known as KP2 was released on Molokai. After many months of bonding with residents in the Kaunakakai Wharf, NOAA attempted to place him in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands but found he had cataracts. He was then sent to UC Santa Cruz for observation and possible surgery.

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