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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Winter Blues

Thursday, March 13th, 2014

Winter Blues

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

Because Hawaii is located on the northern edge of the tropics, winters are much colder here than in tropical areas, and is considered sub-tropical. What does that mean for tropical plants? The word “tropical” evoke visions of hot, steamy jungles, but there are also dry, high elevation areas.

The climate in which each plant species originated from usually determines how they will respond to cold winters. Avocado originated in three different climates in and near Central America, including West Indies, Guatemala and Mexico. Mexican avocado do well in the cooler California climate, while the Guatemala and West Indies varieties do better in Hawaii.…

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Be Fire Safe: Brush Removal

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Richard Schonely, Fire Inspector

Recent heavy rains have created new brush growth. Check your house or lot now and take steps to protect your property from fire hazards.

The Department of Fire and Public Safety asks property owners to make sure their land is in compliance with the Uniform Fire Code pertaining to brush as adopted by the County of Maui. Fire personnel will be inspecting parcels yearly throughout Molokai.

Visit the nearest fire station to pick up a brochure on how the parcel should be maintained. You can also visit firewise.org to get tips on making your home safe from a brush fire.…

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Facts Lacking in West Molokai Plane Crash

Monday, March 10th, 2014

The crash of a small plane on Molokai’s west end on Thursday, Feb. 27 went unreported for days, and information on the event is still missing. Last week, authorities identified the pilot as John Weiser, Jr., owner of Panda Ranch and grass air strip in the Papohaku area.

Weiser was flying a twin-engine Partenavia P68 Observer, reportedly at night, but it is currently unknown whether the crash occurred during take-off or landing, according to Ian Gregor, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pacific Division public affairs manager. A man who found the damaged aircraft reported it to the FAA on Saturday, March 1.…

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Diagnostics: Who Done It?

Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, UH CTAHR County Extension Agent

What came first, the chicken of the egg? Figuring out what’s wrong with a sick plant or animal is both an art and a science. A system of problem solving called diagnostics is used in many industries to detect a problem in hopes of fixing the problem. An auto mechanic will try to determine what’s wrong with your car by going through a mental checklist of possible problems starting with the most basic, and possibly cheapest to correct, while moving to the more complex.

The field of diagnostics was made popular by police investigative shows such as CSI and others.…

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Renewable Energy Proposal Changes Direction

Sunday, March 2nd, 2014

Ikehu Molokai — the project proposed jointly by Princeton Energy and Molokai Ranch with the goal of lowering the island’s electricity rates and creating a 100 percent renewable energy source – has changed directions since its inception. Steve Taber, the CEO of California-based company Princeton, now says after community concerns, plans do not include the stored hydro energy system above Manila Camp originally proposed.

Taber said now that meetings have been held with Manila Camp residents and other groups around the island, two major concerns arose with the company’s project. The original intention involved installation of nearly 100 acres of solar panels, an approximately 10-acre water reservoir, and a pumping and turbine station located above or near Manila Camp.…

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Collecting Molokai’s Metals

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Collecting Molokai’s Metals

As your car deteriorates on Molokai’s rugged roads, and outdated appliances are replaced with newer models, you may find an assembly of rusted-out materials decorating your yard. But if you find yourself going mad over your metal collection, there is now a group you can call to gather your junk cars such as Parramatta unwanted car removal service, appliances and mixed metals.

Refrigerant Recycling Inc. (RRI) is here to serve Molokai for the next three years. The Oahu-based recycling and refurbishing company is working hand-in-hand with Maui County, dedicated to help make metal disposal less of a headache for the community.…

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Molokai Farm Wins in Ag Contest

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Kamehameha Schools News Release

In an effort to increase Hawaii’s food production and help decrease dependency on imported foods, Kamehameha Schools and Ke Ali`i Pauahi Foundation teamed up to create an agricultural business plan contest. The first Mahi`ai Match-Up hoped to attract experienced farmers with innovative ideas to grow food on vacant agricultural lands owned by Kamehameha Schools. The opportunity attracted 148 local farmers.

The organizations just announced the first, second and third place winners of the contest, and Molokai’s Mapulehu Farms placed third. Winning teams receive an agricultural lease from Kamehameha Schools with up to five years of waived rent and money from Ke Ali`i Pauahi Foundation.…

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Historic Preservation Basics Seminar

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Historic Hawaii Foundation News Release

Historic Hawaii Foundation, in partnership with the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division, will offer a community seminar on Historic Preservation Basics on Kauai, Lanai, Molokai and Maui between March and June of 2014.

The Molokai event is on Saturday, May 17 at the Kulana `Oiwi Halau from 9 a.m. to noon.

The seminar will provide an overview of preservation essentials in the context of each island community. The three-hour class will include topics such as what is historic preservation and why does it matter, standards and framework: how does this all work, and historic preservation and the local community.…

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Island Air to End Molokai Service

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

Island Air will discontinue service to Molokai after April 1. In a five-sentence announcement last week, the airline said all Molokai-based employees will be offered transfer elsewhere within the company. Customers with confirmed reservations to or from the island after April 1 can either transfer their ticket to another airline or receive a refund.

Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines’ neighbor island service `Ohana by Hawaiian has announced its plans to begin flying to Molokai starting March 11.

“Now that we are certain the island of Molokai will have adequate air service to match its needs, we have decided to redeploy our aircraft to another route that needs more capacity,” Island Air CEO Paul Casey told the Dispatch via email.…

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Monsanto Hawaii Scholarship Programs

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

Monsanto Hawaii News Release

Applications are now being accepted for Monsanto Hawaii’s two scholarship programs – the Monsanto Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship and the Monsanto Hawaii Agricultural Scholarship.

High school seniors interested in a life sciences degree are invited to apply for the Monsanto Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship. As many as 10 scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded in 2014. This scholarship is open to graduating seniors of all high schools in Hawaii who will be attending an accredited college or university to pursue a discipline related to the life sciences (including agriculture, agronomy, biology, botany, genetics, horticulture, plant physiology, chemistry, crop science and soil science).…

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