Molokai cannot afford a 6.7 percent electricity rate increase requested by Maui Electric Company (MECO), residents testified during a Public Utilities Commission (PUC) public hearing at Mitchell Pauole Center last week.
MECO filed the request with the PUC in July in order to “cover the cost of improvements to integrate additional renewable energy and improve the reliability of service to its Maui, Lanai and Molokai customers,” according to a press release.
Sust`AINAble Molokai News Release
Join Sust`AINAble Molokai on Saturday, Oct. 23 for a free screening of the award-winning film “Blue Gold: World Water Wars.” Based on the ground-breaking book by Maude Barlow and Tony Clark, the film sheds light on the world’s rapidly approaching water crisis and suggests that wars of the future will be fought over water as they are today over oil. Teri Waros will host the event at Kalele Bookstore beginning at 6:30 p.m. See you there!
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The protection of our natural resources was a big topic during the "listening session" held by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) two weeks ago. The problem of resource depletion became a priority due to the onslaught of escort boats to Molokai all year long and was highlighted by the men and women Molokai to Oahu canoe races. There are some twelve other races of all sorts from Molokai to Oahu that bring hundreds of escorts boats per race to Molokai. Many of these escort boats "raid" our coastline as they come with their expensive boats, high tech gear and long nets to fill their coolers with opihi, fish, lobsters, squid, crabs, etc. to take back to Oahu.
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Sen. Mike Gabbard and at least two other legislators will visit Molokai Nov. 2 to discuss the so-called “Big Wind” project with local residents, the senator confirmed today.
Gabbard, who chairs the Senate Energy/Environment Committee, is leading the visit with Sen. Kalani English and Rep. Denny Coffman. Rep. Mele Carroll may also attend.
The legislators are finalizing plans to hold listening sessions with various groups on the island, including people who might be for or against industrial wind farms on Molokai and Lanai, between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. They plan to visit Lanai Nov. 3.
Residents interested in scheduling a session may call Gabbard’s office at 808-586-6830.
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Molokai residents brought a bag full of suggestions and concerns to a visit from the head of one of the largest branches of the state government – the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). From discussions about protecting subsistence lifestyles to management of wind, water and other resources, DLNR Chairperson William “Bill” Aila interacted with residents for nearly two hours during his first visit to Molokai.
Aila, who was appointed DLNR chairperson by Gov. Abercrombie in November 2010, talked story with local residents as part of a statewide series. The meeting was unusual because Aila’s visit was not to address a particular project or issue, but instead simply to listen. The gesture was appreciated by Molokai residents, who repeatedly thanked him for his effort and openness.
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Blending art, awareness and activism, I Aloha Molokai (IAM) hosted a sunset concert last weekend, seeking donations toward future IAM films and projects.
The organization also called for the people of Molokai to aloha their `aina, which they said would not include building industrial wind turbines.
Dozens of supporters turned out for the show, which featured IAM organizer Kanoho Helm and his band, the Anahaki Box Band, playing in the grassy area next to Kalele Bookstore. Many wore their newly purchased green IAM T-shirts, which are available at the bookstore for a $10 donation.
Part of the money raised will fund promotional films produced by award-winning documentarian PF Bentley, who already created two IAM films pro bono and has plans for several more. One of the films, called “I Aloha Molokai,” can be viewed on fundraising website Kickstarter.com, where Bentley has set a goal of raising $10,000 by Oct. 9 for future IAM projects.
The group’s T-shirt design is based around Kamakou’s Kupuwailani water source, known to be a healer for some, according to a mo`olelo passed out with the shirts. Kupuwailani literally means “heavenly water emerges from within,” stated the mo`olelo.
“Our kuleana is a vehicle to experience the sweetness of this sacred water, namely, the benefits that Molokai bestows for those who malama `aina,” the handout reads. IAM supporter Teri Waros said the symbolism of Kupuwailani reflects IAM’s stance of not only industrial wind turbines, but supporting the protection of the land.
Waros, who owns Kalele Bookstore, said community members may visit for educational information about large-scale wind farms, the proposals on Molokai, and other energy alternatives. They may also view Bentley’s films at the store.
“Nobody needs to be pressured, nobody needs to be scared,” she said, adding, “People have to do their homework … and make decisions. It’s our kuleana to make the right choices.”
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is visiting Molokai to conduct a Listening Session on Friday, Oct. 7. The DLNR Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., First Deputy Guy H. Kaulukukui, and Water Deputy Bill M. Tam from Honolulu, is visiting Molokai to hear community comments, questions and concerns regarding topics under the Department’s jurisdiction. This is part of a series of DLNR Listening Sessions to be conducted statewide.
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Community Contributed by Walter Ritte
For the past 15 years Molokai has been seriously trying to stop the decline of it’s near shore fisheries. In 1994 Governor John Waihe’e created the Governors Molokai Subsistence Task Force, which officially recognized the importance of the subsistence economy on Molokai. The task force found that up to 38 percent of our food consumption on Molokai came from gathering in the ocean and on the land. The task force identified three major problems, 1) Off-island people who take to much, 2) Taking of undersized juveniles and 3) Lack of access.
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Through state wide meetings, each island has been charged to present their three top issues. The Molokai Aha Kiole presented their top two issues on Friday Sept. 23 to WESPAC. First, the need to lift the federal ban on the Hawaiian Green Turtle to allow for traditional subsistence use, and second, the need to stop the practice of off island escort boats raiding our shorelines during canoe races and other Molokai to Oahu and Maui to Molokai races.
Five years of talks with the Canoe Racing Associations have proven no meaningful results. The issue is alarmingly headed to confrontational solutions.
Molokai residence have taken it upon themselves to monitor and patrol the coast line to “educate” the escort boats and letters have been sent out to explain “nicely” the concerns of the subsistence users of our coastal fisheries. We hope the State and Federal Governments will help resolve this issue since the organizers of these races do not want to recognize their “Kuleana” when they come to Molokai to race.
Subsistence use of our near shore fisheries is not a matter of recreational use, it is a matter of survival.
Community contributed by ‘Aha Ki’ole ‘o Moloka’i
Today, I watch with a broken heart as the tree butchers cut down two of the healthiest trees anywhere around, and the other day they “trimmed” a tree that’s been dying for years and is just barely alive yet still standing.
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