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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

The Adze Quarries of Kaluako‘i

Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

Community Contributed 

By Marshall Weisler, Archaeologist

If there was ever a perfect name for a piece of land, then surely Kaluako‘i is it. The name means “the adze pit” and the 50,000 acres encompassing this leeward region of west Molokai contains more stone adze quarries than the rest of the Hawaiian Islands combined. The rolling hills and slopes fronted by the rocky coastlines are dominated by the nearly 1,400 foot high, 1.7 million years old Maunaloa volcano. 

Why is Kaluako‘i important? Well, imagine life without your mobile phone. Most people would be at a loss without this essential modern “tool.”  Hundreds of years ago, stone adzes were the most common tools in ancient times.…

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Boat Wreck on Papohaku

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023

Boat Wreck on Papohaku

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, a 50-foot boat ran aground near ‘Ilio Point around 4 a.m. The five-man crew was rescued early in the morning by the Coast Guard and Molokai Fire Department, leaving the damaged boat in the water.  

As of Tuesday, the Coast Guard reported that “the vessel is currently afloat and a hazard to navigation, maritime safety broadcast has been issued to notify mariners in the area,” adding that “there is no visible sheening at this time and the Coast Guard will continue to monitor the vessel.”  

By Wednesday, the boat had drifted down the coast, eventually sucked into shore near the area of Papohaku known as Third Hole. …

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Mahi’ai Moa Project Enters Final Phases

Wednesday, October 4th, 2023

Mahi’ai Moa Project Enters Final Phases

By Maria Angst, Community Reporter 

The Molokai community recently had a great opportunity to increase local poultry production, bolster the island’s economy, and assist farmers and ranchers in achieving their business objectives: the Mahi’ai Moa project. 

This five-month educational program for aspiring farmers focused on commercial broiler chicken production, incorporating a mix of in-person and virtual classes. 

Participants were granted access to informative sessions with J. Ludovico Farm and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). 

In addition, they received field trips off-island, personalized farm business guidance from specialists, a ready-made market for broiler bird sales, a collaborative farmer-to-farmer support structure, and a generous $4,000 allocation for supplies to kickstart their chicken venture.…

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Local Farmers and Producers, Join our Mobile Market Farmers Market!

Friday, September 29th, 2023

Local Farmers and Producers, Join our Mobile Market Farmers Market!

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release 

Sustʻainable Molokai is thrilled to announce our upcoming in-person farmers market, night market style, set to take place on Friday, Oct. 13. Building on the resounding success of our initial farmers market in March, we are responding to the community’s demand for more in-person gatherings that celebrate and support our local farmers and producers.

While we are still finalizing the event’s details and location, one thing is certain: we are extending an open invitation to all local farmers and producers on Molokai, whether they are Mobile Market producers or not, to join our farmers market. No business license is needed!…

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Big Changes Coming for Mobile Market

Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Sustʻainable Molokai is pleased to announce exciting changes to our Mobile Market schedule, aimed at better serving our valued customers across the island. These changes are set to roll out during the first week of October.

We are thrilled to be adding a new pick-up location, making it easier than ever for our Manaʻe community to access fresh, locally-sourced produce. Starting Oct. 1, you can find us at Kilohana Elementary School every Thursday from 2:30-3:30 p.m., to pick up your orders, right after the buses leave. 

For our Kaunakakai and Hoʻolehua customers, we have expanded our pick-up time windows to offer greater flexibility.…

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Can Insurance Providers Help Improve Flight Service?

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Can Insurance Providers Help Improve Flight Service?

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

AlohaCare health insurance services 2,445 Molokai residents. Now, the insurance provider is looking at fixing a critical step in serving Molokai residents: getting to the appointment. 

Lacking most types of medical specialists on-island, Molokai residents often must fly off-island for critical appointments. This past spring was a well-documented nightmare as Molokai patients routinely missed appointments due to unexpected flight delays and cancellations. These concerns led to AlohaCare sitting down with Mokulele Airlines and government legislators to talk about solutions. 

Meetings with State Sen. Lynn Decoite and Rep. Mahina Poepoe resulted in a commitment to collaborate across companies, explained AlohaCare VP of External Affairs Paula Arcena. …

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Grants Available for Forest Projects

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

DLNR News Release 

Molokai organizations are encouraged to apply for grants to protect and enhance our urban and community trees and forests. The funding source is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and grants are made available from the US Forest Service through Kaulunani, the state’s Urban and Community Forestry Program which is part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). Eligible applicants include community groups, schools, and municipal and state government agencies. For-profit organizations and federal entities are not eligible. Examples of eligible projects could include tree planting and tree care projects, developing technological tools for urban and community forestry or supporting professional development, education, and public outreach for urban and community forestry.…

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A’o ‘Aina Professional Development Program

Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

Kupu News Release 

Intermediate and high school educators on Molokai are eligible to apply for a paid professional development opportunity. Kupu, Hawaii’s leading conservation and environmental education nonprofit, recently announced that applications are open for the Aʻo ʻAina Professional Development Program. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 29. Visit www.kupuhawaii.org/aoaina/  to apply. 

In partnership with the Malama Learning Center, this paid professional development opportunity for educators within the Department of Education on Oahu, Molokai, and Hawaii Island is designed to expose participants to careers and topics in natural resources and grow connections between educators and community organizations.…

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New Archaeological Findings

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

New Archaeological Findings

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff 

Along the coast of Molokai, the spiny, purple ha’uke’uke, or helmet urchin, lives among opihi on the wave swept rocks. Although less commonly eaten today, new studies reveal the pivotal role this spiny urchin occupied hundreds of years ago. 

Archaeologist Marshall Weisler has been leading this study of ancient dietary habits on Molokai. Sifting through mounds of 500-year-old-post-dinner trash piles, Weisler has found new evidence for the kinds of foods critical to ancient diets. The study comprises 25 years of work, 10 sites along the north coast of west Molokai, and over 185,000 ha’uke’uke fragments. 

As the distinguished past of the ha’uke’uke is revealed, further details about how these animals were used as food, tools, cultural artifacts and more on Molokai have likewise come to light.…

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The Historical Importance of Hā’uke’uke Sea Urchins

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Marshall Weisler, Archaeologist

Few people routinely eat sea urchins today, but were they important to ancient diets? A new study reports that sea urchins were essential food centuries ago. 

Unlike the long-spined wana, hā’uke’uke or helmet urchin, with its armour-like plates covering its domed shell, is adapted to live amongst ‘opihi on the wave-pounded, windward shorelines of all the Hawaiian Islands.

Walking along the rocky north coast of west Molokai from Hinanaulua past Mo‘omomi to ‘Īlio Point, you’ll notice piles of white, sun-bleached ‘opihi shells, the remains of ancient meals accumulated over the past 500 years. Amongst the ‘opihi shells you will need to look closely to see the short, thick and flat purple spines and the small plate-like body parts of hā’uke’uke. …

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