Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Discuss Energy Coop’s Plan to Bid

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

Ho’ahu Energy Coop News Release

Hoʻahu Energy Cooperative Molokai, a new local entity formed to support community-owned energy projects, invites you to join us for our next virtual workshop on Saturday, April 3, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

At this workshop weʻll continue our discussion from last month about renewable energy workforce development on Molokai, including solar training for the Coop’s potential energy development projects. We will also discuss updates about the Coop’s plan to bid a 2.75 MW solar and battery storage project for Maui Electric’s upcoming Community Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) Request for Proposals (RFP).

This meeting will be held over Zoom and is open to all who would like to listen and participate.…

Farmworker Jobs Program

Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity’s National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), an educational, employment and training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, is accepting applications across Hawaii, including Molokai.

NFJP is 100 percent federally funded and serves farmworkers who meet federal poverty income guidelines and selection criteria. Those who receive federal assistance, such as SNAP, TANF or SSI, are categorically eligible.

Other eligibility criteria include being a paid farmworker for at least 30 consecutive days within the two years prior to the application date. Family members of the farmworker may be eligible for services as well. NFJP also can assist farm employees, who recently have been laid off due to the end of harvest season or are part of a separation package for laid off employees.…

Funding for Deer Management

Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns has awarded six grants to assess and manage feral animal populations, including axis deer, throughout Maui County.

“Maui County’s axis deer population has become much more than a nuisance. This invasive species is a threat to the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers,” said Mayor Michael Victorino. “They also cause traffic accidents and damage yards and backyard gardens on Lanai, Molokai and Maui. Left unmanaged, axis deer will suffer and die from starvation and disease. These grants will help to assess the scope of the problem and employ humane ways to keep deer populations in check.”…

MEO Rides for Maunaloa Post Office Customers

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

MEO News Release

The temporary closure of the Maunaloa Post Office prompted Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) to establish bus runs to help Molokai West End residents collect their mail from the Ho’olehua Post Office.

The U.S. Postal Service announced the temporary closure of the post office at 2 Maunaloa Road, Building 2, due to structural and vector control issues on Feb. 24. The leased structure, which had been open weekdays, houses post office boxes for about 240 customers; the post office does not offer street mail delivery, USPS said in a news release.

Maunaloa Post Office mail can be picked up at the back door of the Ho’olehua Post Office, 69-2 Puupeelua Ave.…

Give Input as Energy Coop Proposal Takes Shape

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

Hoʻahu Energy Coop News Release

Hoʻahu Energy Cooperative Molokai, a new local entity formed to support community-owned energy projects, invites you to join us for our next virtual workshop on Saturday, March 20, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

At this workshop, weʻll discuss the coop’s potential microgrid project and our progress in designing a solar and battery storage project for Hawaiian Electric’s upcoming Community Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) Request for Proposals (RFP). We need your input on important upcoming decisions about our project proposal including designing a workforce development and training program for Molokai residents in solar development, installation and maintenance; subscription model benefits for the CBRE project; and land use decisions.…

Hawaiian Electric President Retires

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui County and Hawaii Island utilities, retired from Hawaiian Electric effective March 1.

Retiring after 28 years with Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric, Suzuki served as president of Maui Electric from 2012 to 2019, when she was named to the new position of president of Maui County and Hawaii Island utilities for Hawaiian Electric.

“Thank you for the honor of being able to serve our unique communities on Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island,” Suzuki said. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside our company’s dedicated employees and I am grateful for the years of collaboration with all of our customers, community organizations, renewable energy partners, and business and government leaders.”…

Energy Coop Microgrid Project

Saturday, March 6th, 2021

Ho’ahu Energy Coop News Release

Hoʻahu Energy Cooperative Molokai, a new local entity formed to support community-owned energy projects, invites you to join us for our next virtual workshop on Saturday, March 6 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

At this workshop, weʻll discuss the coop’s exciting new potential microgrid project, as well as our progress in designing a solar and battery storage project for Maui Electric’s upcoming Community Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) Request for Proposals (RFP). We need your input on important upcoming decisions about our project proposal including designing a workforce development and training program for Molokai residents in solar development, installation and maintenance, and subscription model benefits for the CBRE project.…

Funding for Ag Losses Due to Deer

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses at the mouths of axis deer since last summer can now apply for funding to help mitigate the damages. The Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture just announced financial assistance available on a first come, first served basis for axis deer damages on Molokai, with applications being accepted until March 8 at 12 p.m.

“This relief initiative is to provide emergency financial assistance to eligible Molokai [and] Maui farmers and ranchers with sustained economic losses resulting from the loss of pasture forage for cattle, death of cattle, destruction of farms, reduced crop yields, and other agriculture property damages, arising directly from the excessive axis deer population since July 1, 2020,” states the announcement.…

Subscription Benefits for Energy Coop

Thursday, February 18th, 2021

HECM News Release

Hoʻahu Energy Cooperative Molokai, a new local entity formed to support community-owned energy projects, invites you to join us for our next virtual workshop on Saturday, Feb. 20, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

At this workshop youʻll have a chance to hear about our Coop’s exciting new potential microgrid project, as well as our progress in designing a solar and battery storage project for Maui Electric’s upcoming Community Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) Request for Proposals (RFP). We need your input on important upcoming decisions about our project proposal including microgrid location and benefits distribution and subscription model benefits — how to distribute the financial benefits of the project to Molokai residents.…

Two Days of Power Outages Last Week

Friday, February 12th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Loss of generation at the Pala’au Power Plant and a day of gusty southerly winds caused power outages around the island last week Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Feb. 2 at around 2:30 p.m., about 2,500 customers around the island experienced an outages for nearly two hours. Residents in Ho’olehua, Kualapu’u, Kalae, east end, Pu’unana and Kaluakoi were affected.

Hawaiian Electric officials later confirmed the outages was caused “when a loss of generation on the electrical system triggered an automatic load shed.” A load shed is when certain electrical circuits automatically shut off to keep remaining systems operating until replacement generation is brought on, said Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Shayna Decker.…