• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    May 22, 2025

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    May 23, 2025

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    May 21, 2025

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Molokai Decides Its Own Energy Future

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Molokai Decides Its Own Energy Future

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Something electrifying is happening on Molokai. The community is taking charge of its own energy destiny. 

Molokai residents have long been known for choosing their own path. Now, another important process of self-determination is taking place: Residents are taking the lead to develop a plan that could save you money, make Molokai’s electric grid self-sufficient and independent of outside resources, create local jobs and better prepare the island for emergencies. 

When you picture how you get your electricity in 10 years, what do you envision? With ever-rising power bills causing increasing hardship for many Molokai families, cost is likely a top priority for everyone.…

Posted in , , , , , commentsAdd your comment

Coastal Cleanup Removes 20K Pounds of Debris

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

Coastal Cleanup Removes 20K Pounds of Debris

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii brought their dedication to Molokai two weeks ago. With a small but impactful team, along with the partnership of community volunteers and local organizations, Molokai’s coastlines were able to breathe a bit freer of coastal pollution. 

Rafael Bergstrom, executive director for Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, said the week was jam packed with marine debris removal. They collaborated with Pu‘u O Hoku Ranch, The Nature Conservancy, Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Kalaupapa National Historic Park for efforts along the east and north shores before heading to Mo’omomi on the northwest side. …

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Planning for Energy Resilience

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A Molokai-initiated energy plan is forming that would increase the island’s renewable energy, sustainable emergency preparedness capabilities and strengthen infrastructure. Facilitated by Sust’ainable Molokai’s Clean Energy Hui, the Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (CERAP) has launched the planning process, identified priorities and begun looking at implementation and funding options. 

“Because Molokai doesn’t have much of an emergency plan, we’re all dependent on imported diesel so this is a priority for hardening our emergency response,” said Leilani Chow, Coordinator for the Clean Energy Hui. “Our number one priority was our water pumps. If we don’t get more diesel, we have seven days’ worth stored on island, and once the electricity stops, we only have seven days’ worth of water stored in the tanks.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

MEO Helps Students Get to School

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

MEO Helps Students Get to School

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity on Molokai has stepped in to offer transportation services to youths who could not be accommodated by the public school bus service.

The state Department of Education sent out an email to families last week indicating that about 17 students on two central Kaunakakai routes were being put on a waitlist for rides on the school bus due to a driver shortage.

To fill the gap, MEO Transportation on Molokai will accommodate students on its 9 a.m. rural shuttle from the Mitchell Pauole Center, which should arrive at Molokai High in time for the 9:30 a.m.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

Electric Rates to Drop

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release 

Hawaiian Electric shared good news last week. Customers on Molokai, Maui, Lanai and Hawaii Island will see lower rates in September that reflect the first significant drop in oil prices since spring. Oahu customers will see a smaller rate increase than expected with the shutdown of the AES coal-fired power plant. 

Hawaiian Electric is forecasting a typical residential bill on Molokai to be down by 14 percent, or about $34, for electricity used in September, which will be included in bills most customers receive in October. Molokai will see the greatest reduction, followed by Lanai down nine percent, Hawaii Island down six percent, and Maui down five percent. …

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Emergency Loans for Deer Impacts

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

HDOA News Release 

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will open an emergency loan program to help farmers with the costs associated with the overpopulation of axis deer on Maui, Molokai and Lanai). At an Aug. 23 meeting, the Hawaii Board of Agriculture (Board) approved the emergency loan program request by the Agricultural Loan Division. Applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.

In March 2022, Governor Ige issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Maui County due to drought conditions. Supplementary proclamations have extended the relief period until Sept. 20. The emergency proclamations include provisions for relief from damages, losses and suffering caused by axis deer, which have decimated agricultural crops and pastural lands as they migrate to seek water and forage.…

Posted in , , , , commentsAdd your comment

Gorilla Ogo Be Gone

Wednesday, August 31st, 2022

Gorilla Ogo Be Gone

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Nonprofits Sust’ainable Molokai and Sustainable Coastlines partnered together with community volunteers for a cleanup of invasive gorilla ogo seaweed at Kaunakakai Wharf last Saturday. Growing in thick mats, gorilla ogo chokes out native limu species, as well as killing coral and other sea life. 

The effort brought about two dozen people to help with the cleanup. They identified the invasive limu, separated it from any native species growing with it, and bagged it for removal. They joined a growing number of regular volunteer efforts that have been successful in reducing the volume of ogo around the wharf area, which sometimes collects along the shoreline in massive quantities. …

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment

$3M in Home Gardening Grants

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

HDOA News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is now accepting applications for the second year of the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP), which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to help produce food in areas that are food insecure.

A total of $3 million will be available in this program, which includes $2 million for this year’s grant funds combined with $1 million that was carried over from the previous year. Last year, a total of 177 grants were awarded statewide. Funding for this grant program is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the 2018 Farm Bill.…

Posted in , , , , commentsAdd your comment

Agriculture Technology and Tools Workshop

Wednesday, August 10th, 2022

UH Molokai Extension News Release

Are you interested in learning the tricks and trades of using small equipment on your farm to become more efficient?  Join us for live demonstrations and a talk story session with farmers using these tools.  Tools include hand tools, cultivation tools, irrigation supplies/tools, walk-behind tractor, soil tilther and more.  

The workshop will be held on Aug. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the UH Extension Farm (old MCC Farm) located just past Kumu Farms at 652 Huuai Road.  Funding for the workshop is provided by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.  Partners for this program include Sustainable Molokai, Go FARM Hawaii, and UH Molokai Cooperative Extension Service.  …

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

New Plane Here, Limited Booking Available

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

New Plane Here, Limited Booking Available

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Mokulele’s new 30-seat plane made its first landing with passengers on Molokai last week Thursday, and limited booking online is currently available at Jettly. 

The twin turboprop Saab 340, operated under Mokulele’s parent company Southern Airways, is the first of two larger aircraft the company is bringing in to primarily serve Molokai and Lanai. Mokulele Chief of Staff Keith Sisson said the second plane will mainly be a reserve aircraft but on special occasions, both may be on the flight line at the same time. 

“We are not going to publish a full schedule until the reserve plane arrives in September,” said Sisson.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment