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Sustainability

Two Islands, One Goal

Thursday, May 21st, 2015

Two Islands, One Goal

On a bright and breezy Thursday morning, two men from different parts of the world knelt over a pile of freshly netted weke. One was a Molokai born-and-raised fishpond keeper, the other, a Spanish-speaking Rapa Nui fisherman, each knowing just a few words of the other’s native tongue. Under a shady tree, they pulled out knife and fork and began scraping translucent scales from the fish in the same methodical style. Neither could say very much to each other, but they spoke the common language of men whose livelihoods revolve around fish.

It was this connection to the ocean, to kai, to el mar, that brought a conglomerate of Hawaiians and Rapa Nui together last month at Keawanui Fishpond on Molokai’s east end.…

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Grassroots Benefit Concert

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

Grassroots Benefit Concert

Last Saturday’s third annual Grassroots Benefit Concert at Duke Maliu Park celebrated homegrown, all-natural products –and the creatures that make it possible. The event’s message was “Mahalo i Na Halihali `Ehu Pua,” which means Thank You to the Pollinators, and highlighted the need to protect pollen-carrying creatures like butterflies and bees.

“Pollinators are vital to growing food, and we want to just bring that issue to light,” said Mercy Ritte, one of the event organizers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Pathologist Matthew Goo said that butterflies face the predatory challenges of spiders, wasps, lizards and in particular, the bulbul bird. Goo offered people a way to help through the Pulelehua Project, which seeks to record sightings of the disappearing Kamehameha butterfly, a native species that has yet to be officially documented on Molokai.…

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Tips for Cutting Electric Costs

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

For electric ratepayers looking to cut down on utility costs, options abound. Outdated air conditioning models can be upgraded for rebates. Extra refrigerators and old freezers can be sent in and recycled for cash. For Molokai residents, however, these and other options don’t always apply, explained Hawaii Energy’s Helen Wai at a workshop on Molokai last week.

Kenco Electric is an electrician Triad area. By providing expert guidance on energy-efficient upgrades and smart home technology, they can help you implement practical tips for cutting electric costs, such as optimizing your lighting, using energy-efficient appliances, and conducting regular energy audits to identify potential savings.…

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Propagation Workshop

Friday, May 1st, 2015

HTFG News Release

On Saturday, May 2, Molokai is proud to host world renowned fruit expert, chef, author and filmmaker Ken Love. Learn his successful propagation techniques in grafting, air layering and seed saving, hosted by the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers (HTFG) on Molokai. Ken travels the world to learn and teach about growing and producing unique tropical fruits and has looked for rare and exotic fruit in more than 50 countries.  He has at least 150 unusual fruit trees on his family farm in Hawaii Island.

As a chef and localvore advocate, he has a passion for introducing unusual local grown fruits into farmers markets, grocery stores and restaurants with a “Buy Local” message as Hawaii producers compete with Florida, Mexico and Ecuador. …

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Community Workday

Friday, April 17th, 2015

Sust`ainable Molokai News Release

Sust`ainable Molokai and FoodCorps are hosting a community workday.  Join us Saturday April 25 at our perma-farm at the Molokai High School (entrance directly across the Lanikeha center) from 9 a.m. till 12 noon.  We will work the aina while talking story about the importance of agriculture, local food, and our keiki’s well-being.

We will be having a potluck lunch so we encourage attendees to bring their favorite healthy dish to share.  Seeds and starters will also be available for volunteers. For more information please contact Harmonee Williams at harmonee@sustainablemolokai.org or call us at 560-5410.…

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Support for Independent Electricity

Friday, April 17th, 2015

IAM News Release

I Aloha Molokai (IAM) applauds and heartily supports Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa’s decision to explore the creation of an independent electric utility for the islands of Maui County.

As we understand it, the Mayor’s proposal would involve purchasing MECO and creating either public utilities or co-ops similar to KIUC on Kauai. IAM would be happy to assist with this effort in any way we can.

IAM has followed the melodramatic negotiations between the HECO companies and Florida-based energy giant NextEra with increasing concern. We share the Mayor’s skepticism as to just exactly how this buy-out would benefit Hawaii ratepayers.…

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People of Molokai Protecting the Aina

Friday, April 17th, 2015

Hui Malama O Mo`omomi News Release

On Saturday, April 25, Hui Malama O Mo`omomi is hosting a meeting about the Mo`omomi Community-based Subsistence Fishing Area Designation. This is the second phase of meetings with the public sector.

In the first phase, fishermen and families from Pala`au Moku and other interested residents reviewed the CBFSA proposed rules for resource sustainability at Mo`omomi, providing feedback and adding suggestions. This next phase brings forward the mana`o given by stakeholders in rule-making, for the management of resources by the community.

The meeting will be held on April 25 at Kulana `Oiwi from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.…

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Molokai Weighs In On NextEra Merger

Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

Representatives of NextEra, the Florida-based energy company proposing a merger with Hawaiian Electric, visited Molokai last week with plans to hold an open house to meet residents and answer questions. Concerned community members, however, had other plans.

Standing in a circle amid NextEra’s large, colorful posters and blue-shirted staff, local attendees requested a meeting format in which all their answers could be answered at once and heard by all.

“We want to know what is going on, as a group – that’s Molokai style,” said local activist Walter Ritte.

NextEra officials, joined by Maui Electric representatives, obliged.  With no seating planned for the open house format, everyone stood for the next three hours and discussed the merger and its implications for Hawaii’s energy future.…

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Record Roi Round-Up

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

Record Roi Round-Up

Molokai divers joined forces last month for a cause – to save native fish species by ridding the island of about 1,000 pounds of invasive roi.

“Nowadays everyone is about malama this, malama that. This is really giving back to the reef,” said local diver Dicky Dowling, who organized the second annual Molokai Roi Tournament. “That’s the most invasive species… Somebody gotta do something, you cannot just stand on the side.”

In the 1950s, the Hawaii Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced roi as a game fish for food. However, they have now overtaken the reef and prey on native reef fish.…

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Rebuilding a Tradition

Wednesday, April 1st, 2015

Rebuilding a Tradition

When Sheldon Wright builds walls, his main focus is to listen. He hefts a rock in his hands, flips it, spins it, lets it fall and hears the clack as it hits the stack of rocks in front of him. To construct walls the way Wright does—the same way ancient Hawaiians did hundreds of years ago—he has to tune into the tools of his trade.

“The rocks speak to me,” said Wright. “They tell me where they want to go.”

Wright is carrying on the Hawaiian tradition of dry stack masonry in which the rocks are placed in an interlocking fashion that requires no mortar, he said.…

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