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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

On the Edge

Sunday, January 6th, 2013

On the Edge

Community Contributed

By Ted Kanemitsu

Editor’s note: This photo was contributed by Ted Kanemitsu through the Molokai Dispatch Facebook page, with the caption, “Sometimes getting the best view requires taking risks.”

My reason for sharing my images with viewers of the Dispatch Facebook page is because I know that there are many locals and visitors alike who cannot be here as much as they would like. A glimpse of home, especially during long, hard winter months, warms the heart and the soul. It makes one appreciate what we have even more.

On this particular day, I was hiking along the north shore sea cliff with my dog Pokahu.…

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Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Arleone Dibben-Young, Molokai compiler

The 113th Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will take place on Molokai Thursday, Dec. 20. The nationwide event is an annual count that takes place in established areas during the same time period during the month of December. The information compiled over time provides a useful tool indicating population trends of bird species.

The topside Molokai count is divided into three routes: Seabirds and waterfowl via a northern pelagic route, forest birds at the Waikolu Lookout, and shorebirds and waterfowl along the south shore. The Kalaupapa peninsula is the fourth site in the count circle and is limited to five participants.…

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Molokai Mom On a Mission: Fugitive Dust Storm 2

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Community Contributed

Opinion by Mercy Ritte

A shocking fugitive dust storm invaded Ho`olehua on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 10:12 a.m — the second such occurrence in less than a month.  Winds traveling from the south-east at about 10 to 15 miles per hour blew across Monsanto’s vast exposed land, lifting a disturbing amount of earth into the air and sending it several miles across the landscape.  This chemical saturated dust involuntarily entered and contaminated the homes, yards and vehicles of many residents.  What I found most alarming was the pungent scent of chemicals that filled the air during this occurrence.

Fugitive dust is also known as particle pollution.  …

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National Recycle Day at Kilohana

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

National Recycle Day at Kilohana

Community Contributed

By Val Hart

To celebrate National Recycle Day on Nov. 15, the Kindergarten and fourth grade students of Kilohana Elementary School presented visual, verbal, and written displays concerning changes humans have made on the world. To support environmental education in the schools and in the community, we are emphasizing the three Rs — Reuse, Reduce and Recycle – and practicing it in our daily lives. Also, by pledging to support positive environmental practices, we are gaining a better understanding about the connections existing between humans, our natural resources, and the natural environment.

Kaua Kaili, and Justice Luafalemana showed a display on erosion, including pictures of the hazardous conditions that develop on our roadways during heavy rains.…

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Give Input on Electric Utility Planning

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

HECO News Release

Meetings have been scheduled across the state to receive public comment on Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) by Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light Company. The utilities’ goal is to file an Integrated Resource Planning Report for each company with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by June 28, 2013. The Molokai meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center (note the later time than what was earlier announced.)

According to the PUC, the goal of integrated resource planning is to “develop an action plan that governs how the utility will meet energy objectives and customer energy needs consistent with state energy policies and goals.”…

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The Case of the Mysterious Poll

Friday, November 30th, 2012

I Aloha Molokai News Release

Can anyone solve this mystery?

Over the past month, Molokai residents have received anonymous calls, asking for personal information and personal opinions about Molokai Ranch, about wind turbines, and about possible “benefits.” The pollster is Ward Research of Honolulu. But if you ask “Who’s paying for it?” the callers say, “Sorry, we can’t tell you.”

Some have answered the survey, others have just hung up, but we all have to guess who’s behind it. Is it a local group? Is it Molokai Ranch? Is it a wind developer?
It’s clearly not government. Sen. English and Rep.…

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A Natural Cleanse

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

A Natural Cleanse

Molokai Soaps of Hawaii uses natural, local ingredients

Think about a bar of soap. What probably jumps to mind is a hard, waxy block stamped with a generic brand that you bought in a pack from the grocery store. If you’ve ever bathed with a bar of handcrafted soap produced by Molokai Soaps of Hawaii, however, you’d have a different definition.

Master soaper Patricia Hammond is renowned for her artisanal approach, crafting all-natural products sourced from local ingredients. Her creations not only delight the senses but also promote a sense of well-being. Each meticulously crafted bar of soap bears the hallmark “Molokai” and is accompanied by a note detailing its creation process.…

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Molokai Mom on a Mission: Fugitive Dust Storm

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Community Contributed

Opinion by Mercy Ritte

Friday, Nov. 9th at 12:46 p.m. marked the largest, most disturbing, fugitive dust “storm” ever seen in Ho`olehua. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fugitive dust is dust generated from open sources such as unpaved roads and agricultural tilling operations.

On this particular day, the prevailing trades had picked up, blowing over Monsanto’s recently disturbed and exposed land, lifting massive amounts of dust into the air and sending it miles and miles across the landscape, beginning from the Kualapu`u reservoir to Mahana stretch near the airport. I had never seen anything like it before.…

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Kalaupapa Eradicates Deer Hazard

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

While axis deer have become part of leading a subsistent lifestyle on Molokai, their presence has caused some problems for residents down at Kalaupapa, including damage to coastal vegetation and gardens as well as posing safety issues at the airport and on the road. This week, the National Park Service (NPS) held a two-day deer hunt to eradicate an estimated 20 to 40 axis deer from the settlement.

The process started early Monday morning with the help of 15 to 20 people to help push, or navigate, the deer from the coastal, airport and settlement areas. They were herded to a holding pen in the settlement and then be dispatched using a rifle.…

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Aha Kiole Community Findings Revisited

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

Community Contributed

(printed in two parts)

By the Aha Kiole o Molokai

American Safari Cruises (ASC) will begin visiting Molokai again beginning this month. In the March 14, 2012 issue of the Dispatch, the Aha Kiole presented its findings from a public survey and moku meetings on ASC and the cruise tour industry on Molokai. The results indicated that the community was interested both in protecting Molokai’s ocean resources and small town character, as well as allowing for some commerce for our island vendors. Residents indicated a desire for management to bring a satisfactory outcome for both vendors and local ocean users.…

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