Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

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.…

Fighting Fire to Save Coral

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

Fighting Fire to Save Coral

A wildfire blazed across the south slope from Kalamaula to Kawela in 1998. It took over two hours for the first helicopter to respond. There was no command center and no unified radio communication. The fire claimed 15,000 acres of land.

A fire broke out in the same area 11 years later. The first helicopter responded in 40 minutes. There was an effective command center and communication through a single radio system. That fire burnt 8,000 acres of land.

The difference between the fires – the difference that saved 7,000 acres of mountainside – was the Molokai Fire Task Force, an organization of various agencies and groups with a unified mission to prevent and control fires.…

FoodCorps Seeks Volunteers

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

FoodCorps Seeks Volunteers

FoodCorps News Release

The national FoodCorps is recruiting service members throughout Hawai‘i who are passionate about healthy food, farms and kids to help connect our keiki to real food and help them grow up healthy. Sust `aina ble Molokai, the grassroots community organization that educates keiki to bring back Molokai’s legacy of `aina momona, will be a service site for two members.

FoodCorps, a national organization addressing childhood obesity and food insecurity in underserved communities, operates in 12 states and will add Hawai`i, California and New Jersey this year. The Kohala Center will be the Hawai`i host site.

FoodCorps is accepting applications for its third class of service members and is seeking to hire ten service members in Hawai‘i.…

Larry Ellison Buys Island Air

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

Larry Ellison Buys Island Air

 

Island Air News Release
Island Air closed the sale of the airline today to a newly formed holding company owned by Lawrence J. Ellison. The sale secures the future of Island Air and its employees.

There are no planned staff changes and Island Air will continue its operations as usual while developing plans for additional planes, routes and services. All current tickets will be honored and all Cloud9 members will retain their status and benefits.

“This is another major investment and commitment to Hawaii,” said Paul Marinelli, vice president of Lawrence Investments, LLC. “We understand the critical importance of transportation in an island state, and we will ensure that Island Air strengthens its role, capacity and service to the people of Hawaii.…

Food Business Basics workshop on Molokai

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

Food Business Basics workshop on Molokai

Kohala Center News Release

Value-added and specialty foods consultant Lou Cooperhouse will present his “Food Business Basics: Getting Started and Finding Your Niche in the Specialty Foods Business” workshop March 15 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Lanikeha Community Center in Ho‘olehua, Molokai.

The workshop is designed for farmers seeking to develop their raw product into a value-added product that they can bring to markets, entrepreneurs and restraunteurs interested in diversifying their revenue streams with specialty food products and established producers looking to take their food business to the next level.

Cooperhouse will deliver his three-hour “Food Business Basics” workshops, and then Nicole Milne, agriculture business specialist at the Kohala Center, will present two one-hour sessions focused on financial resources available to Hawai`i farmers as well as strategies for marketing agricultural products.…

State of the County Address

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

The following is Mayor Alan Arakawa’s state of the county address, which he delivered February 20 at the Baldwin High School Auditorium at 5 p.m. Check back soon for some comments from Mayor Arakawa about Molokai specifically. 

 

Aloha and good evening.

Please join me in giving Mr. Dean Wong a round of applause. He had some large shoes to fill in taking over emcee duties this year and he’s done a fine job.

Our last two State of the County events were emceed by the late

Martin Luna, a friend to this administration and our community.

Of course it is impossible not to think of Martin now as we begin tonight.…

Coffees of Hawaii Celebrates 20 Years of Coffee on Molokai

Sunday, February 17th, 2013

Coffees of Hawaii Celebrates 20 Years of Coffee on Molokai

This year marks 20 years of coffee production on the island of Molokai. Also in 2013, the entire coffee industry in the State of Hawaii celebrates 200 years of producing the crop. Coffees of Hawaii will host a free two-day festival March 15 and 16 at the plantation in Kualapu`u.

Coffees of Hawaii, Inc. (COH) was formed in February 1984, when the first contracts were negotiated with Molokai Ranch to lease the land and base yard facilities in Kualapu`u. In 1986 the first plantings of coffee were completed in two experimental fields. The company planted 600 acres of Arabica coffee on the former pineapple lands in 1988 and conducted its first commercial harvest in 1993.…