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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

$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.…

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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. For high-quality and reliable equipment, we recommend checking out athi group, known for their durable and efficient machines.

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. …

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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.…

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Report Surf Damage Online

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

Maui County residents are urged to report significant property damage inflicted by large surf and swells that impacted the coastlines of Maui, Molokai and Lanai earlier this month, the Maui Emergency Management Agency announced.

Residents can use an online form to document and report large surf damage. The form can be found at crisistrack.com/public/mauiHI/request.html. 

“Maui County needs this information from our residents to make the best case possible for federal assistance to help pay for property and infrastructure damage caused by large surf and swells,” said Mayor Michael Victorino. “The Maui Emergency Management Agency will use the information to complete a damage assessment for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to determine whether the County is eligible to receive federal funding.”…

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Kalaupapa Seal Gets Life-Saving Surgery

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

Kalaupapa Seal Gets Life-Saving Surgery

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A young Hawaiian monk seal from Kalaupapa got critical surgery to remove a hook lodged in his throat and has been returned safely to the  shores of the remote settlement. 

The juvenile male seal, known as RP92, was spotted by National Park Service employees at Kalaupapa during a routine survey with fishing gear trailing from his mouth, according to NOAA Fisheries report. 

“We consulted with response partners from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, The Marine Mammal Center, and NPS and determined that the seal was most likely suffering from an ingested hook,” stated the NOAA release.…

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Molokai Homesteader Appointed New Ag Director

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

Molokai Homesteader Appointed New Ag Director

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai’s Kali Arce is the mayor’s appointee for the new Maui County Department of Agriculture. Arce, a Hawaiian homesteader who has been working in a variety of agriculture and conservation positions for over 30 years, will lead the department, pending confirmation by the Maui County Council. 

“I have more than three decades of experience in crop production systems, agricultural and biological education, agroforestry, land conservation and ecosystem restoration,” said Arce. “This will help me with the direction of Mayor Victorino to work with many people with various backgrounds to advocate for farmers and ranchers and serve as their voice. …

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Energy Rebates

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

Hawaii Energy News Release 

 Hawaii Energy, the state’s Public Benefits Fund administrator that focuses on energy-efficiency education and clean-energy initiatives, has launched new rebates for residents looking to lower their energy bills by investing in energy-efficient equipment and installations. Almost all of the rebates have been increased from the previous year, in an effort to keep up with the rising costs of goods. The rebates are available from now until June 30, 2023, or while funds are available.

“We’re announcing our new rebates at a pivotal time when so many in our community are actively looking for new ways to lower their electricity bills as they experience the impacts of increasing fuel and energy costs,” said Caroline Carl, executive director at Hawaii Energy.…

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New Plane is Almost Here

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

New Plane is Almost Here

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A larger plane is on its way to expand Mokulele’s fleet for Molokai passengers. The first of two twin turboprop aircraft, the 30-seat Saab 340, arrived in Hawaii last week. The new plane, being flown under Mokulele’s parent company, Southern Airways, may be making its first landings on Molokai as soon as next week, Richard Schuman, Mokulele’s executive vice president, shared on social media. But that will be during a training phase — tickets are expected to be available starting at the end of the month. 

The plane, brought on board by the company specifically to serve Molokai, will more easily accommodate wheelchair-bound residents and passengers of size.…

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$1.5M Available for Feral Animal Impacts

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

Lokahi Pacific is accepting grant applications from Maui County farmers and ranchers for a $1.5 million assistance program to help with crop damage and other impacts from axis deer and other feral animals.

“I encourage our farmers and ranchers to apply for these grants as soon as possible to help them with damage caused by foraging axis deer and other feral animals,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Maui County is funding this grant program as a good beginning, but solving this problem requires a committed collaboration among the county, state, large landowners and other partners if we are to get this invasive species under control.”…

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Molokai HAMS Needed for Emergency Drill

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Hawaii ARES News Release

Calling all Molokai Amateur Radio operators or HAMS! On Saturday, July 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, the Hawaii Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) will be hosting the Makani ‘Ino Hurricane Emergency Communications Drill.

Molokai residents are some of the most self-reliant people in the state. They have been cut off from each other many times in the past, from dangerous burning wildfires to flooding water, closing roads on the East End.

We also know that cell phone coverage is very limited as we drive around the island. Imagine what would happen if Molokai got hit by a hurricane? …

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