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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

All Lit Up

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

All Lit Up

When it comes to ambitious goals, the dynamic force of the Molokai community and Blue Planet Foundation outshine the rest – literally.

Since launching the “Go Green and Carbon Clean” project three weeks ago, over 4,500 bulbs have been exchanged through schools, businesses and organizations on Molokai.

Island-wide, residents have brought in garbage bags full of their old, incandescent bulbs for new, energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) purchased by Blue Planet Foundation.

Kim Svetin, president of Molokai Drugs, said her business has distributed over 1,780 bulbs through Kamoi Snack-N-Go thus far, and is still going strong.

“The first week we had someone bring 44 bulbs [to exchange],” she said. “And just a couple days ago we had someone bring in 51 bulbs.”

each market day was set up to be purely an informational table with eight to 10 kids,” Svetin said. But, to no surprise, the booths have attracted a plethora of bulb exchangers, as well. On average, the kids have been exchanging roughly 225 bulbs each market day – totaling over 600 bulbs in the last three Saturdays.

Of the 44,000 bulbs shipped to Kaunakakai Wharf on March 25, 14,000 reside at various distribution points while the rest are being stored for future exchange.

Francois Rogers, Special Projects Director at Blue Planet, said he is pleased with the initial dispersal numbers and hopes to see it grow to 100 percent over the next few months.

The team’s next goal is to develop a plan to visit neighborhoods – possibly door-to-door – in higher, less-accessible areas for bulb exchange. Some church groups and other organizations are gathering volunteers to mobilize the process.

Phased Out
Molokai’s newly-established campaign for energy efficiency came at an opportune time. Incandescent bulbs will slowly be weeded out of the U.S. market under a 2007 energy law approved by Congress.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 aims to phase out the use of incandescent bulbs within 10 years – meaning such bulbs will no longer be available for purchase beginning in 2012.

Besides altering the way Americans light their homes, the legislation will also change the cars they drive, fuel they burn and the price they pay for food.

The measure is intended to set higher fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks; require the production of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022; and establish new efficiency requirements for household appliances and government buildings.

For more information on the measure visit www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-6.

Don’t Be a Dinosaur
Aka`ula School supports compact florescent lightbulbs, or CFLs. On Friday, April 16, students Kori-Lee Derouin, Kala Helm, Luke Kikukawa, and Tanner Mosher were found at Home Pumehana for the 2010 Senior Fair, promoting the energy-efficient light bulbs.

By ‘going green,’ the innovative students used their creative talents and built “Savasaur the Dinosaur” by recycling old light bulbs that were turned in by families in the community.

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Mule Tour Offers Options

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Mule Tour Offers Options

While the Kalaupapa Pali Trail is currently closed due to a missing bridge, there are still options to visit the beautiful settlement. Molokai Mule Ride offers their options below.

Due to the heavy rains and a changing water flow from the top, the first bridge at the top of the trail was unearthed and damaged, causing disruption in our service of taking mules and hikers on the trail. We are working together with the National Park Service to assess the damage and to create a plan to put the bridge back into full use for travelling with safety. 

We realize that this situation caused by Mother Nature has caused much pain in that many of our tour patrons have come from all over the world to participate in this wonderful experience. We will do everything that we can to take action in moving forward in having the bridge repaired.

In the meantime, we have “fly down” options from the Molokai Airport and the Honolulu Airport. These are chartered flights which includes round trip air and the Historical Park Tour. Both the Molokai and Honolulu to Kalaupapa Tour Packages will have lunches included.

Molokai to Kalaupapa – Tour: $229 all inclusive; Honolulu to Kalaupapa – Tour: $398 all inclusive. Please note:  Tours will not run every day, it is based on a minimum of five that is necessary to make it work. If you book, we will put your name on the list and try to create a minimum of five with others calling in.  Again, we thank you very much for your patience and aloha.

Brothers Roy, Buzzy and the Trail Guides of the Molokai Mule Ride. 

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Aloha to the Earth

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Aloha to the Earth

Molokai Nature Conservancy News Release

April is a time to honor the earth, and there’s no better way than attending Molokai’s 18th annual Earth Day celebration. The event, organized by the Molokai Nature Conservancy, will be held at Mitchell Pauole Center on Friday April 16, from 5 to 9 p.m.

There will be ono food, door prizes, live entertainment and over 40 educational exhibits from conservation and environmental organizations. This year’s feature band is Molokai’s own Pa`akai, recent winner of Brown Bags to Stardom. The celebration’s 2010 theme is “Aloha `Aina E Ho`ola I Ka Waihona Honua!” “When we aloha the Earth, She in turn gives life to our children!”

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Ko ki`o ke`oke`o

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Ko ki`o ke`oke`o

By Bill Garnett

Hibiscus arnottianua immaculatus. This small tree is found only in lowland mesic to wet forest on Molokai’s North Shore. It is currently known from two populations and was historically recorded from within the boundary of the National Historical Park in the Waihanau drainage.

With the help of school and community volunteers, 160 hibiscus have been planted in the moist drainage at the top of the Kalaupapa trail.

Originally, the wild collected source for our plants – coming from the Botanical gardens on Kaua'i and Oahu, and represented one collection we made in1990 from the Papalaua valley population. Then, in the past year, cuttings were collected using ropes on the slopes above the cliffs just west of Wailau near the location of the last surviving population of Pua ala Brighamia rockii on Molokai.

Plantings can have difficulty due to goats, deer and insect pests: slugs, snails, hibiscus-mites, but more than 90 percent have survived in the plantings area required for planting six to 10 feet squared.

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Kalaupapa Pali Trail Closed

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Kalaupapa Pali Trail Closed

A heavy week of rain created a mudslide and damaged a footbridge on the Kalaupapa trail, forcing the National Park Service (NPS) to close the trail. It is the only land route to the Hansen’s disease settlement, which is also accessable by boat and air.

NSP Superintendent Steve Prokop said the repairs will take “several weeks” and cost around $150,000. The bridge is switchback bridge No. 3, a few hundred yards from the beginning of the trail.

The Kalaupapa settlement is the former home to Saint Damien, and now houses 14 patients. The settlement is administrated by NPS and the state Department of Health.

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Preserving the Land: Kawaikapu Blessed

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Preserving the Land: Kawaikapu Blessed

Molokai Land Trust News Release

The Moloka`i Land Trust (MLT), adjacent neighbors, and guest dignitaries participated on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at the Kawaikapu Preserve land blessing to launch the preserve’s future as a conservation and cultural preserve.

The blessing, conducted by Pastor Cappy Caparida,  honored Auntie Marie Place, Pookela, Molokai Laau Lapau and daughter of “Bamboo “ Davis, who is one of the oldest kupuna in the Kawaikapu-Kainalu Ahupuaa. William “Billy” Akutagawa spoke of Kawaikapu’s historical ownership and significance. Kawaikapu’s name literally translations to “the sacred waters” and is the birthplace of Chief Abner Paki, the grandson of High Chief Kamehameha Nui Ai Luau and the biological father of Bernice Pauahi Bishop. In subsequent years, the area provided homes for displaced residents of the Kalaupapa Peninsula who were forced to move because the newly created Hansen’s disease settlement. Ranching began in the 1850s and continued into the 20th century. Today the 196.4-acre Kawaikapu Preseve will be protected from future development and all historic and cultural sites will be protected and significant biological and ecological resources will be sustained for culture and future spiritual, cultural, and subsistence users.

Maui County Council Chair, Danny Mateo, spoke about the purchase of Kawaikapu, which started in 2004 and was finalized in December 2009, as an example of fortitude, commitment, and partnership among many government and community groups such as Maui County; State of Hawaii Legacy Lands Commission; State Department of Land and Natural Resources: State Historic Preservation Division; the landowner, Greg Gordon; Kawaikapu Community Advisory Committee; Ke Aupuni Lokahi, Inc; and MLT. “Tough challenges are worth it when you see the end result. Kawaikapu is the beginning of preserving and protecting the land for its people and a legacy for today and future generations,” said Mateo.

Abbey Mayer, former executive director of Ke Aupuni Lokahi, said, “Kawaikapu represents an opportunity to re-establish the extensive loi system in the watershed property, nurture the native plants used for cultural purposes, manage subsistence gathering, and protect the native forest. The work begins now for the community to re-establish a cultural and spiritual connection to the land,” said Mayer.

The mission of the Moloka`i Land Trust is to protect and restore the land, natural and cultural resources of Moloka`i, and to perpetuate the unique Native Hawaiian traditions and character of the islands for the benefit of the future generations of all Moloka`i, particularly Native Hawaiians.

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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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