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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

A Time for Nobiles

Friday, March 26th, 2010

A Time for Nobiles

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

For everything, there is a season, and this is definitely the case with Dendrobium nobile, which signals the coming of spring. The Dendrobium orchids form the largest group in the Orchid family. Although Dendrobium nobile is a one of the most prolific bloomers, one problem has been that most nobile need colder weather than we can give them on Molokai to bloom fully. As a result, they only bloom reliably in Kalae.

If you do things right, the plants will reward you with massive blooms from the top to the bottom of the cane. If you don’t get too many flowers because you didn’t follow the recipe, there’s a consolation. You can cut the cane that didn’t bloom and lay it down, pressing it halfway into some potting mix. Keiki will form on the nodes which didn’t bloom. When the roots are strong, you can remove them from the cane and pot them, or you can attach it with staples onto a chunk of hapuu. I recently brought in about 100 of these warm bloomers from the Big Island and made them available through Kualapuu Market so the Hoolehua, Kualapuu, and Kalae hobbiest would have these plants to grow. They include Spring Dream ‘Apollon’ and ‘Kumiko’, Yellow Song ‘Canary’, Himezakura ‘Sanokku’, Sea Mary ‘Snow King’, Angel Smile ‘Kibi’, Fancy Angel ‘Lycee’ and Love Memory ‘Fizz’. Most are patented varieties and also have a light fragrance. With honohono orchids running late this year, the nobiles are an early treat telling us that hopefully, springtime has arrived.

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Fishpond Findings

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Fishpond Findings

By Kailana Ritte-Camara and Ka’imiola Sagario
From a series by O Hina I Ka Malama (Molokai High School Hawaiian immersion students) which focuses on place-based scientific inquiry.

Mai ke kuahiwi ki‘eki‘e ‘o Kamakou a i ke kai hohonu a Ka La‘au, welina mai me ke aloha e ka lehulehu a Moloka’i Nui A Hina. ‘O Kailana Ritte-Camara laua ‘O Ka’imiola Sagario ko maua inoa, he mau pakana maua no ka papa ‘epekema. No keia makahiki holo’oka’a, ua pono maua e noi’i i ka ‘aina ‘o Ka Hina Pohaku i malama ia e ka ‘ohana me hoa a ‘Anakala Leimana Naki.

Aloha e Moloka’i, Kailana Ritte-Camara and Ka’imiola Sagario are our names, we are currently attending the Hawaiian Immersion program called, “O Hina I Ka Malama.” We are both juniors in high school, and recently were assigned to research about the fishpond called, “Ka Hina Pohaku,” located towards the eastern side of the island. We were introduced to ‘Anakala Leimana and his helper Bryson, who are the current caretakers of this fishpond. During our visits to Ka Hina Pohaku we experienced the Hawaiian vibe of working in the footsteps as our ancestors did.

Stepping out of the bus, we started off our visit with the usual protocol that we do, which is to ‘oli kahea (asking to be welcomed into his domain) and being welcomed in with a full hearted, passionate ‘oli komo from ‘Anakala Leimana. Then we had the chance to have a little “talk story” with him about how we as the younger generation should start connecting more with the ‘aina, and our culture, rather then trying to keep up with the technology and the social issues that can impact us everyday, and find a more cultural balance with everyday life. 

We had the chance to gather and study native and invasive limu species while helping rebuilding the stonewall at Ka Hina Pohaku. Some of the students also had the privilege to go diving in the ocean along side with ’Anakala Leimana to experience his lifestyle. After spending a couple hours out in the ocean, some of the students were lucky enough to catch some squid, lobster and some ‘ono fishes such as manini, kala and some weke.

On our down time, we occupied ourselves by paddling the canoe in the loko i’a, cleaning the fish that were caught and just talk story with ‘Anakala Leimana. Going to these field trips, helped us gain more knowledge about the importance about sustainability. We as the next generation need to realize that we are the ones to help guide and deliver the message of continuing the Hawaiian culture, tradition, and language that has been passed down from ancestor to ancestor to the younger youth.

We would both like to thank ‘Anakala Leimana along with his helper Bryson for giving us a great experience at the Loko I’a of Ka Hina Pohaku. We would also like to thanks Uncle Mervin Dudoit for driving us around on these field trips. We know that he has a lot of fun with us! Also to Kumu Mahinahou for setting everything up and giving us the opportunity to learn and experience about the marine life. Mahalo Nui Loa for taking the time to read about our experience at Ka Hina Pohaku!

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The Buzz on Bulbs

Friday, March 26th, 2010

UPDATE: Blue Planet Foundation's 'Go Green & Carbon Clean' website is up and running: http://greenmolokai.org/ Check out their list of distribution points.

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Avoiding Contaminated Drinking Water

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Avoiding Contaminated Drinking Water

Finding out what threatens Molokai’s water sources is mandated by federal law through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But implementing a protection plan is not.

Therefore, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply, working with the University of Hawaii and the state Department of Health, has volunteered for the task. The Wellhead Protection Project, now in its ninth year, acts to protect the groundwater around public-use wells. Eva Blumenstein, a water resource planner, said they are still looking for public feedback on this issue.

an upgrade.”

There are three county wells and nine private wells on Molokai, but the Wellhead Protection Project is looking at wells that serve 25 or more people, said Robert Whittier, a hydrogeologist with UH-Manoa working with the County of Maui. Private areas that fall within public well-source water are Molokai Ranch and Kawela Plantation, as well as the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, Kalaupapa, and residents served by Maui County.

“Molokai has a sole source aquifer, there’s not alternative source to go to,” Blumenstein said.

She said her department will be coming back in May for more public feedback, especially those served by the wells and the Molokai Water Advisory Committee.

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Precarious Catwalk Stays Put

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Precarious Catwalk Stays Put

Although a temporary catwalk has been erected at the Kaunakakai Wharf, a permanent replacement is no nearer completion than after its collapse over a year ago.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) was unable to get funding from the 2009 legislature, said Deborah Ward, information specialist for the DLNR.

“Until construction funding can be secured, we are not able to provide a construction start date for this project,” she said in an email. They were looking to secure funding from the Federal Boating Access grant to pay for 75 percent of the project. The rest would come from state funding.

,” he said. Ching pays $200 a month to launch and operate his commercial boat in the harbor.

The former loading dock collapsed when the steel reinforcements in the concrete failed. Eric Yuasa, boating engineer for the DLNR, said corrosion of steel is common as seawater is able to infiltrate concrete.

The new dock will be made of aluminum framing and fiberglass decking, and will be wheelchair accessible. Yuasa said the new dock will be less costly, lighter and easier to repair. The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) has contracted Arnold Okubo and Associates, Inc. of Waipahu to prepare the dock when funding is available.

Despite the cost issue, boaters like Ching are frustrated about Molokai’s predicament.

“A big factor we have that everybody is overlooking, is this is the one and only ramp of the whole island to serve the people of Molokai,” he said.

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Fire Prevention Public Service Announcement

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Fire Prevention Public Service Announcement

Community Contributed

Spring has arrived and your thoughts may be turning to that dreaded ritual of spring cleaning. In an effort to make this "Spring Cleanup" a fire-safe one, the Molokai Fire Prevention office provides the following safety tips:

-- Clean your garage/carport of stored newspapers or other rubbish that can fuel a fire. Newspapers stored in a damp, warm place may ignite spontaneously.



-- Test your smoke alarms monthly.

-- To help prevent nuisance alarms, gently vacuum your smoke alarm every six months or as needed.

-- Change batteries in smoke alarms, flashlights and carbon monoxide detectors.

-- Never borrow smoke alarm batteries to use for toys or other equipment.

-- Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer

-- Check your electrical box; make sure  it has proper clearance and breakers are labeled.

-- Keep outdoor debris or dead vegetation away from the house.

-- Properly dispose of oily or greasy rags. If these items must be stored, they should be kept in labeled, sealed, metal containers.

-- If you store gasoline, keep it outside your home in a shed or detached garage. Keep only small quantities in tightly sealed containers. Use gasoline only as a motor fuel - never as a cleaning agent.

-- Always store paint and other flammable liquids in their original, labeled containers with tight-fitting lids. Always store them at least 18 inches from appliances, heaters, pilot lights and other sources of heat or flame.

-- Use outdoor barbecue grills with caution. Place in a safe area away from building, windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning units or places with high/dead vegetation.

-- Never use gasoline to start the fire, and don't add charcoal lighter fluid once the fire has started.

-- Use barbecue grills outside only - not under overhangs or balconies, and away from combustibles.

-- Check your propane barbecue grill hose for leaks and cracks; never store propane indoors.

If you have any questions or would like clarification on any fire safety tips please call the Fire Prevention Bureau Molokai Office at 553-8491. Stay Fire Safe!

Fire Inspector Rick Schonely 

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Ono Avocados

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Ono Avocados

Community Contributed by Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Avocados are one of those healthy fruits available year-round in Hawaii. Eaten straight from its’ own bowl or combined in a salad, it’s one of those healthy alternatives for lunch or even dinner. Hawaii farmers produce about half of the avocados we consume through retail markets, but who knows how many avocados are shared, traded, and sold within our communities.

The consumption of avocado in Hawaii has skyrocketed in recent years. From 1999 to the present, avocado consumption increased from 600,000 pounds to over 2 million pounds annually, with most of this increase filled by California-grown avocados. Kona is the major production area in the state, where around 10 avocado cultivars are grown commercially. It’s estimated that there are about 150 avocado farms throughout the state.



Avocado was introduced to Hawaii in the early 1800s, probably by Spanish horticulturalist Don Francisco de Paula Marin. Avocados are native to Central America and the Caribbean area. There are three main races of avocado. The Guatemalan is a winter-spring bearer with its characteristic hard, tough, thick, pebbled skin is medium to large in size with each fruit weighing more than 150 grams. The Mexican race, with its characteristic anise-scented leaves, is a summer-fall bearer with its thin and smooth skin and fruits less than 150 grams in fruit size. The West Indian race is a late summer-fall bearer with smooth, thick, and pliable skin, and is medium to large, with fruits usually larger than 150 grams. Most of the cultivars grown in Hawaii are crosses of these races, and some cultivars can be as large as a football. 

Through the natural crossing of these races, it’s possible to have avocados available year-round by planting cultivars for the different seasons. Sharwil, Kahaluu, Malama, Linda and Nishikawa are fall to winter bearers, while Yamagata, Ohata, Murashige and locally-grown Hass are spring to summer bearers. Almost half of the avocados grown in Hawaii are of one cultivar, Sharwil. A selection from Australia, Sharwil bears well on Molokai and will usually mature around Christmas. It’s easy to determine ripeness due to its drying pedicel or stem.

Avocado prefers cool and moist conditions similar to those found in upper Hoolehua, Kualapuu, Kipu, and Kalae, and also grow well in many of the east end valleys. In drier areas, supplemental irrigation is required or they will die. It’s important that trees get sufficient water after flower set, while too much water will result in a watery or bland taste. Well drained soil is a must due to a disease that attacks the roots.  My grandfather used to tell me when the avocado tree is full of flowers, a windy season would be coming our way. I think it just arrived. Like many tropical fruits, only a small percentage of the flowers will reach full maturity, and this means a fraction of 1%. For more information on growing avocados, go to: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/HC-4.pdf



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Calling Bird Watchers

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Calling Bird Watchers

Community Contributed

By Arleone Dibben-Young

Have you seen this one-legged kolea?

A juvenile female kolea (Pacific Golden-Plover, Pluvialis fulva) arrived in October on the beach at Kanoa Pond in Kawela. Within two months, the bird had lost its left leg due to an impact injury. The bird was captured, banded, and released to document the natural leg amputation and determine the extent of its winter territory so that observations can be made recording its return in the fall upon migrating from its breeding grounds in Alaska. This bird has been observed in the late afternoon three-quarters of a mile to the north at the top of Kawela Plantation Unit II, most likely near its rooting area on a rooftop. Have you seen this bird? It is banded with a green band over a metal band on the right leg. Please report sightings to Arleone at 553-5992 or researchbirds@yahoo.com.

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Mo`omomi Meandering

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Mo`omomi Meandering

By Maluhia Mendes-Medeiros, with Kealakai Alcon
From a series by O Hina I Ka Malama (Molokai High School Hawaiian immersion students) which focuses on place-based scientific inquiry.

Welina mai me ke aloha e na makamaka ‘o Molokai nei. ‘O Maluhia Mendes-Medeiros ko’u inoa. A ‘o Kealakai Alcon ko’u hoa pakana. I keia makahiki pili ko maua pahana ‘epekema I ka ‘aina ‘o Mo`omomi.

Aloha, my name is Maluhia Mendes-Medeiros. With my partner Kealakai Alcon, we focused our project this year on Mo`omomi.

First quarter we did a project, based upon the limu of Mo`omomi. We were required to create a booklet, model, and power point. We had the privilege of taking a field trip to Mo’omomi to gather specimens for our research.

On our field trip we learned that there are many different species of limu all over our island. We observed how we are losing some native limu and gaining invasives.

We have to keep in mind that we should only take what we need, and preserve for our future generations. The removal of invasive limu is an advantage, because it creates a less stressful environment allowing native limu to re-generate and re-populate.

Limu is one of the main food sources for our native fish. Without limu the life cycle of the oceans ecosystem diminish, and native species as well as many others would die off. It is very important to preserve our limu of Hawaii.

Our second quarter project focused on invertebrates of Mo`omomi. On a return visit we observed invertebrates found along the shoreline and collected specimens such as Sea Cucumbers, Wana, and ‘Opihi. In school we dissected them to observe and study their body parts. Overall this quarter we learned about invertebrate diets, habitats, purposes, and uses.

On a third trip to Mo`omomi we studied fish, so we went diving and saw them in their own habitat. We also observed tide pool fish and gathered some of them to bring back to our classroom aquarium.

We enjoy place-based learning because it allows us to be better involved and engaged in the task at hand. Place based learning allows for hands-on activities providing a more fun learning environment for students, and we learn about our culture and develop Hawaiian skills that our kupuna use. Throughout these trips we learned skills that can help us in our future.

We would like to say mahalo to Mac Poepoe, Mervin Dudoit, and The Hui Malama O Mo’omomi for the transportation and access to the facilities.

Mahalo nui loa no ka ho’olohe ana mai. I na he ninau kau, mai hilahila e noe aku. Mai na Haumana ame na Kumu ‘o ‘O Hina I Ka Malama.

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Eco-Students Ignite Action

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Eco-Students Ignite Action

Nothing breaks up a monotonous school year better than a field trip. In the name of science and sustainability, Aka`ula School makes it their business to provide students with three such trips. Their PRISM program provides “real life application” to environmental issues, inspiring kids to tackle a range of issues from illegal hunting to carrying on Hawaiian sailing traditions.

“Kids this age are always told they can’t – can’t drive, can’t vote,” said Dara Lukonen, coordinator for PRISM. “They have a strong sense of social justice that we need to capitalize [on].”



Another part of the symposium is a keynote speaker – a community member who has done their own work in an environmental field for Molokai. This year Penny Martin spoke about her experience sailing in the Hokule`a, a full-scale replica of a Polynesian voyaging canoe, in 1976. She said she discovered how much the ancient Polynesians and Hawaiians knew about nature – stars, tides, botany – and how it helped them sail from Oceanic islands to the Hawaiian islands over a thousand years ago.

“Everything you need is here,” she explained. “If you take care of the land, it takes care of you.”

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