Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Grassroots Benefit Concert

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

Grassroots Benefit Concert

Last Saturday’s third annual Grassroots Benefit Concert at Duke Maliu Park celebrated homegrown, all-natural products –and the creatures that make it possible. The event’s message was “Mahalo i Na Halihali `Ehu Pua,” which means Thank You to the Pollinators, and highlighted the need to protect pollen-carrying creatures like butterflies and bees.

“Pollinators are vital to growing food, and we want to just bring that issue to light,” said Mercy Ritte, one of the event organizers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Pathologist Matthew Goo said that butterflies face the predatory challenges of spiders, wasps, lizards and in particular, the bulbul bird. Goo offered people a way to help through the Pulelehua Project, which seeks to record sightings of the disappearing Kamehameha butterfly, a native species that has yet to be officially documented on Molokai.…

Tips for Cutting Electric Costs

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

https://lightsandlamps.com/collections/bedroom-lampsFor electric ratepayers looking to cut down on utility costs, options abound. Outdated air conditioning models can be upgraded for rebates. Extra refrigerators and old freezers can be sent in and recycled for cash. For Molokai residents, however, these and other options don’t always apply, explained Hawaii Energy’s Helen Wai at a workshop on Molokai last week.

Kenco Electric is an electrician Triad area. By providing expert guidance on energy-efficient upgrades and smart home technology, they can help you implement practical tips for cutting electric costs, such as optimizing your lighting, using energy-efficient appliances, and conducting regular energy audits to identify potential savings.…

Phonebook Recycling Kicks Off

Friday, May 1st, 2015

Berry Company News Release

The Berry Company, LLC, proud publisher of the Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages, is partnering with schools on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai to launch “Think Yellow, Go Green,” the company’s annual environmental awareness and recycling campaign. The seventh annual program kicked off on Earth Day, April 22, through the end of May, and runs concurrent to the 2015 Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages directory delivery on the neighbor islands.

Local schools on each island will compete to collect the most outdated telephone directories, which will keep the directories out of landfills through recycling. The schools have the opportunity to win cash prizes for their students’ participation in the program, and award amounts vary based on the school’s location.…

Propagation Workshop

Friday, May 1st, 2015

HTFG News Release

On Saturday, May 2, Molokai is proud to host world renowned fruit expert, chef, author and filmmaker Ken Love. Learn his successful propagation techniques in grafting, air layering and seed saving, hosted by the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG) on Molokai. Ken travels the world to learn and teach about growing and producing unique tropical fruits and has looked for rare and exotic fruit in more than 50 countries.  He has at least 150 unusual fruit trees on his family farm in Hawaii Island.

As a chef and localvore advocate, he has a passion for introducing unusual local grown fruits into farmers markets, grocery stores and restaurants with a “Buy Local” message as Hawaii producers compete with Florida, Mexico and Ecuador. …

Beachcomber Of Kalaupapa

Friday, May 1st, 2015

Community Contributed

By Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

I approached the huge log with caution and a degree of awe. There was something majestic about this massive piece of tree, something almost mysterious. How did it get here? When did it get here? Had it been floated from some other location in ancient times, destined to be shaped into a wa`a, a Hawaiian canoe? I stood there looking down at its great length and enormous girth and I thought, “God only knows.” Then I stepped around it and continued to explore the beach.

It was a beautiful sunny and windy Sunday afternoon and I had decided to leave the quiet of Kalaupapa village and explore the outer fringes of this Makanalua peninsula.…

Wild West End: Molokai Ranch Heritage Rodeo

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Wild West End: Molokai Ranch Heritage Rodeo

As the bullriders packed up their protective gear and the last riders led their horses out of the Molokai Ranch arena, cowboy Maka Augustiro beamed with quiet pride. His 14-year-old son Chevy had just braved several long seconds in the ring with a madly bucking bull and won uproarious cheers from the crowd for his efforts. For the Augustiros and many other Molokai families, last Saturday’s Molokai Ranch Heritage Rodeo was a chance to admire each other’s grit and talent – and sometimes compete against each other.

“It gives us a time to come and have what we call a playdate for us, a time where we can make a sport of the work we do on the ranch,” said long-time paniolo Jimmy Duvauchelle.…

Makani Kai Adding Maui Routes

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Makani Kai Adding Maui Routes

Starting June 1, Makani Kai Air’s single-prop Cessnas will be heading east. The company plans to offer flights to Maui, after repeated requests from Molokai residents who enjoyed their services, said airline owner Richard Schuman.

Currently, Makani Kai operates between Ho`olehua, Kalaupapa and Honolulu. In June  the airline will add six daily round trips between Molokai and Kahului and two weekly between Kalaupapa and Kapalua, according to P.J. O’Reilley, the company’s director of sales and marketing.

Makani Kai will kick off the new routes with introductory online fares of $39  one way and $78 round trip between Maui and Molokai. The flights, which will be available online starting May 1 , must be booked by July 1 for travel by September 1.…

Kalaupapa General Management Plan

Friday, April 24th, 2015

KNHP News Release

The Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KNHP) Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement is now available for public review.

“This draft plan is the culmination of years of planning and engagement with the public,” said KNHP Superintendent Erika Stein Espaniola. “We are thrilled to present the draft plan on the eve of the National Park Service’s Centennial in 2016. We are now asking for feedback on the draft plan we can make the best long-term decisions for Kalaupapa in partnership with the State of Hawaii agencies, many stakeholders and the public.”

The purpose of the KNHP Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement is to articulate a vision and overall management philosophy for Kalaupapa that will guide decision-making by current and future management teams during the next 15 to 20 years.…

Earth Day Offers Environmental Education

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

Earth Day Offers Environmental Education

Molokai’s natural resource managers, biologists and those engaged in preserving Molokai’s environment turned their projects into fun and engaging information to share with hundreds of attendees at Molokai’s annual Earth Day Celebration last Friday.

“I’ve always said, our science is only valuable if shared with others,” said Jim Jacobi, an ecosystems research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) who has been participating in Molokai’s Earth Day celebration for more than five years. “I tell people, ‘If you want to go to Earth Day, go to Molokai!’ People here are relaxed and interested. We need to make science understandable.”

That was the goal of dozens of organizations that showcased their work at the event’s booths.…

Keiki Learn Conservation

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

Keiki Learn Conservation

Molokai youth don’t have to wait till they’re older to make a difference in the environment. At Keiki Earth Day last Thursday, elementary students from around the island learned how they can save energy, use natural resources and be on the lookout for invasive species.

“It’s important to know because plants and animals need to stay alive to help our native forests and to help our plants,” said Kilohana third grader Waimoku Pale.

This year’s Earth Day theme, Mai Ke Kupu Mole Hawaii, means “All is found in the Source.” Hokule`a crewmember Mahina Hou Ross said a similar theme applies while voyaging.…