Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

‘A`ole GMO’

Sunday, March 31st, 2013

‘A`ole GMO’

The main streets of Kaunakakai were closed Saturday morning as people young and old marched through town, carrying signs and shouting protests aimed toward Monsanto and calling for clear labeling of food made with genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Molokai activist Walter Ritte and Oahu resident Dustin Barca organized the series of rallies called March in March that took place across the islands throughout the month. The marches on Maui and Kauai had more than 2,000 participants each.

“This is equal to the other islands because in its own way, it’s making just as much noise and raising just as much awareness,” Barca said about the Molokai rally, which had about 200 marchers.…

Future Scientists Get a Sense of Our Past

Friday, March 29th, 2013

Future Scientists Get a Sense of Our Past

Community Contributed

By Bradford Duval

Every few years, science teacher Erron Yoshioka along with 15 eager science club members and two other teachers travel to Molokai from Moanalua High School on Oahu. During their spring break, they take in Molokai and gain a shared sense of history and perspective on some of the old ways and how it relates to their scientific lessons and explorations.

Sharing knowledge with those willing to learn is a specialty of 2013 Umu Kai Award winner Uncle Mac Poepoe’s, and on the students’ recent trip to Mo`omomi, learn they did.

Starting at the main pavilion, the students were able to learn about pono fishing techniques, and how traditional Hawaiian practices tie in to the science of fishery management.…

Public Shoreline Management Meeting Friday

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Public Shoreline Management Meeting Friday

Community Contributed By Walter Ritte

On Friday March 29, Good Friday, an important meeting is being called by the Pala`au Moku of the Aha Kiole O Molokai. A “Shoreline Management Plan” from Ilio Point to Pelekunu on the north shore of Molokai will be presented.

The plan gives management powers of the shoreline resources to the community. Rules are needed in order to preserve the resources so our children and their children will be able to have free fish, limu, opihi, he`e, lobster, crabs, etc.

Come and learn, and share your mana’o and help manage the Ho`olehua icebox. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.…

GMO March Saturday

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Moms on a Mission – Molokai News Release

Every Saturday during the month of March, thousands of individuals across Hawaii, have been marching to express their love for the land, the ocean, and their desire to protect them from genetically modified organisms (GMO) chemical testing and farming. Participants have included families with their children, local farmers, and advocates for food safety. Marches have already been held in Hale`iwa, Oahu (March 2), Kauai (March 9), Hawaii Island (March 16), and Maui (March 23) and the final march will take place here on Molokai on Saturday, March 30.

Supported by Hawaii SEED, Moms on a Mission – Molokai, Hawaii GMO Justice Coalition, and Aloha `Aina, the Molokai march will focus on moving forward for a safer and healthier today and tomorrow for our keiki.…

Farming in the Shade

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Farming in the Shade

Along Hua`ai Road in Ho`olehua, there’s a wooded area grown over with weeds and bushes. This area is disguised as a simple, unkempt forest, but within it lays a flourishing garden of fruits and vegetables, all growing in the shade.

Molokai resident Joe Kennedy is the man behind the food forest. He began planting crops there last March, and a year later he has healthy, productive plants that use each other for support and protection. Avocado, taro and spinach are just a few of Kennedy’s crops. He founded the forest based on the idea of permaculture, a conservation theory that reflects his own love for the earth and a desire to preserve the land for future generations.…

Celebrating Coffees

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

Celebrating Coffees

Coffee, keiki and good causes brought the crowds up to Kualapu`u this weekend as Coffees of Hawaii celebrated 20 years of harvests in the area and 200 years of coffee in Hawai`i.

“She was pretty much abandoned when I came here ten years ago,” Coffees of Hawaii owner Mike Atherton said about the plantation, adding he was proud that he was able to keep the company harvesting coffee through the years.

March 16 was declared Coffees of Hawaii Day at the opening ceremonies Friday. The event led into an afternoon parade and evening festivities, including Project Runway: Plantation Style, where teams competed at the Kualapu`u Center to create the best fashion piece out of burlap and plastic paper without sewing.…

Expansion for Island Air

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013

Expansion for Island Air

With a new owner and a new plane, Island Air is entering into a period of expansion and growth. Company president Les Murashige, who entered the position in October, shared his thoughts on recent buyer Larry Ellison, the ATR 72 aircraft and Hawaiian Airline’s entrance into the Molokai market.

“We have always wanted to provide service throughout Hawaii,” Murashige said last Thursday. “With our new ownership and their commitment, we can [expand].”

One way the company is expanding and improving is with the addition of new aircraft to their fleet. The ATR 72 turboprop holds 64 passengers, nearly twice as many as the Dash 8 turboprop, which is what the airlines has used.…

Mateo’s Mana`o

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Mateo’s Mana`o

 

Danny Mateo’s time as Maui County council chair ended at noon Jan. 2. The next minute he started his work in the Mayor’s office as an executive assistant and liaison for the county and State legislature.

“Retirement for me is not in the immediate future,” he said over coffee at Kanemitsu Bakery Saturday. “I still have a lot to offer. As long as there is fire in the fireplace I will continue what I do.”

This means Mateo will continue to be a voice for the people of Molokai and work to improve the island, something he did for 10 years as a councilmember before he reached his term limit.  …

Rep. Carroll Speaks Out Against Wind Turbines and Cables

Thursday, March 14th, 2013

Rep. Carroll Speaks Out Against Wind Turbines and Cables

Office of Mele Carroll News Release

Rep. Mele Carroll (13th District) voiced many Molokai residents’ concerns in Honolulu today, urging the Governor and the public utilities commission to find alternatives to proposed wind turbines and undersea cables on the island. Carroll introduced House Concurrent Resolution 189, which urges that island-specific alternatives be considered in order to reduce negative impacts on Molokai and Lana`i.

“The message from both Lana`i and Molokai residents is very clear – no wind turbines, no undersea cables,” Carroll said. “I have been meeting with both islands’ community leaders, and as far as they are concerned, the potential risks that turbines and undersea cables pose outweigh the possible benefits.”…

Letter – Is Pork and Beef Gone with the Wind?

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

Molokai Ranch wants to raise and market pork and beef. Supposedly the wind energy company Pattern Energy cut its ties to Molokai Ranch and is gone with the wind. Is that the real picture?  When will the Molokai Ranch pig farm start?  Can Molokai people partner and grow the feed?  Depends on world economics.  Does it make “cents” for Molokai residents, private business, the State and Maui County to be partners in rejuvenating west end in water, hotels, golf, etc?  A lot of little can make one big.  Raising pigs and beef on Molokai to feed the world is a good idea — just keep the waste smell from blowing down wind.…