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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Regenerative Agriculture

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

Community Contributed

By Kyle Franks, UH CTAHR Jr. Extension Agent, Molokai

When we delve into the subject of regenerative agriculture, we touch upon a holistic approach to farming. This method is gaining traction among Molokai farmers, and it emphasizes various practices that rejuvenate and restore the environment. Some key indicators of successful regenerative farming include enhanced topsoil quality, a rise in biodiversity both above and beneath the soil, increased soil carbon levels, augmented water retention ability, and overall systemic resilience. The essential dynamics and interconnectedness of the system are paramount to its success.

Regenerative agriculture not only revitalizes soil health but also fosters a more resilient ecosystem.…

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Kawela Archeology Site Among Earliest in Hawaii

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Kawela Archeology Site Among Earliest in Hawaii

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

An archeological site in Kawela has recently been found to be one of the earliest known habitations in the Hawaiian Islands. Originally excavated in 1981, the Kawela Mound site has benefitted from advances in technology, radiocarbon dating and sample methods that have led archologist Marshall Weisler — who has been studying Molokai historic sites for nearly 50 years – to some groundbreaking conclusions. 

“At the time [1981], I thought the site was about 500 years old based on two radiocarbon dates processed soon after the excavations,” said Weisler. “However, dating techniques have greatly improved over the years and I redated the site using another 19 samples.…

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Army Corps Hosts Meeting on Harbor Dredging

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers News Release

The Honolulu District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on behalf of the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division, is hosting a community information meeting to present the construction plan for the Kaunakakai Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project. The meeting will take place on June 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Duke Maliu Regional Park Pavilion in Kaunakakai. 

Over the past year, USACE has engaged with members of the Molokai community and stakeholders to hear concerns and ensure any potential impacts on the environment, recreation or fishing were addressed in the plan. Please join us for this presentation to learn more. …

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Citrus Yellow Dragon Disease

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Community Contributed

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

Citrus Greening disease, a bacteria, is one of the greatest threats to citrus worldwide and it has been spreading in the U.S. First reported in Florida in 2005, over 60 percent of the citrus crop has been impacted with over 7000 jobs and $4 billion in revenues lost. Since then, it has spread to Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, California, Texas, and Georgia. In 2015, the disease was found in Guam, and it’s just a matter of time before it reaches Hawaii. It’s important to keep this disease off of Molokai.…

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MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

Thursday, June 8th, 2023

MHS Alumna a Star in Astronomy Research

By Catherine Cluett Pactol, Editor

When she was a freshman at Molokai High School in 2017, Mallory Go set her sights on the stars and proposed astronomy research that would become groundbreaking. She captured the first look at magnetic fields within the iconic and beautiful Horsehead Nebula. Six years later, a paper she co-authored has been published in an astronomy journal.

“[A nebula is] a big cloud of dust and the Horsehead Nebula is a very cold cloud of dust,” explained Go.

At the time, not much research existed on the Horsehead Nebula, which has a district and identifiable shape as its name describes.…

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Molokai Energy Planning Up for Review

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Molokai Energy Planning Up for Review

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The first phase of a revolutionary Molokai community renewable energy planning process is wrapping up. The Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan, facilitated by Sust’ainable Molokai’s Clean Energy Hui, began taking shape in January 2022 and over the past year and a half, its community-driven goals have garnered immense input and support, creating a road map for the island’s energy future. 

“Our vision is to develop a portfolio of clean energy projects that achieve 100 percent renewable energy for Molokai that are technically feasible and economically feasible… in line with our community’s values, our lifestyle, our goals, and are supported by the community,” said Leilani Chow, coordinator of the Molokai Clean Energy Hui.…

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Micro-Grants for Food Security

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

HDOA News Release 

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is now accepting applications for the popular Micro-Grant for Food Security Program (MGFSP). This is the third year of the grant program which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food insecure communities. A total of $2 million is available for this year’s program which was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 Farm Bill.

This year’s program is open to individuals, including backyard farmers, for up to $5,000. Applicants must be a Hawaii resident, at least 18 years old and head of the household.…

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New Book from Bayer

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

Bayer HI News Release 

As part of its ongoing support for education and agriculture, Bayer Hawaii is sharing copies of its “Hawaii’s Farm to Table” activity book for children via online download and to various community groups, including several on the island of Molokai.

Created as an educational tool about the important role that farmers play in food production – from planting seeds and caring for crops to harvesting and delivering fresh products to their customers – this 36-page book is chock full of fun, creative activities that explore where some of our foods come from.

 In April, Bayer’s Molokai team gave away free copies of the book to MEO’s Head Start program, and to fourth graders at Kaunakakai Elementary School as part of the school’s Earth Day celebration.…

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March for Kawakiu Access

Thursday, May 11th, 2023

March for Kawakiu Access

By Catherine Cluett Pactol and Jack Kiyonaga

At 7 a.m. last Saturday, more than 100 Molokai residents stood at the gated entrance to Kawakiu, an area of west Molokai owned by Molokai Properties Limited, also known as Molokai Ranch. For those gathered, Kawakiu represents not only a cultural and historic site, but also generational subsistence grounds.

“We’re walking for our young people so they can go hunting and fishing here… it’s a constant battle to keep your rights alive,” said activist Walter Ritte to the gathered crowd waiting to march the dirt road that is currently blocked to the beach. “Kawakiu is a historic site, there are burials over there, house sites over there, heiau over there.”…

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Tokuda Pledges Air Assistance

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Tokuda Pledges Air Assistance

By Jack Kiyonaga, Reporter 

Congressman Jill Tokuda, the U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s Second District, is in the process of writing a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding Molokai’s airline crisis. 

“I’d like to create a thoughtful letter that really lays out the transportation crisis and vulnerability that exists,” said Tokuda. “Right now, the only constant is that it is inconsistent,” she added. 

Tokuda explained to Molokai residents gathered at her town hall meeting held at Mitchell Pauole Center last Thursday that the FAA needs data on flight delays and cancelations along with personal testimony to make a difference. 

Molokai community members related horror stories of family members passing away without loved ones and surgeries cancelled – all due to flight expense and unreliability. …

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