Sustainability

Planning for Energy Resilience

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A Molokai-initiated energy plan is forming that would increase the island’s renewable energy, sustainable emergency preparedness capabilities and strengthen infrastructure. Facilitated by Sust’ainable Molokai’s Clean Energy Hui, the Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (CERAP) has launched the planning process, identified priorities and begun looking at implementation and funding options. 

“Because Molokai doesn’t have much of an emergency plan, we’re all dependent on imported diesel so this is a priority for hardening our emergency response,” said Leilani Chow, Coordinator for the Clean Energy Hui. “Our number one priority was our water pumps. If we don’t get more diesel, we have seven days’ worth stored on island, and once the electricity stops, we only have seven days’ worth of water stored in the tanks.…

Developing Resilience Hubs

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Maui County News Release

The Maui County Office of Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability is discussing the formation of Resiliency Hubs in Maui County. 

“Resilience Hubs help communities respond to natural and other disasters to expedite emergency recovery,” said Mayor Michael Victorino. “These hubs work best when they are customized to meet specific community needs. So please participate in the workshop closest to where you live. In this era of climate change and extreme weather, there’s no such thing as being over-prepared for the unexpected.”

Community input will help determine what services will be offered in Resiliency Hubs, but they are envisioned as places, most of the time, for residents, businesses and organizations to come together for workshops, events and training.…

Grants Available for Climate Change and Resiliency

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

The County of Maui Office of Climate Change, Resiliency, and Sustainability is soliciting grant proposals for the fiscal year 2023-24 funding cycle. 

“We welcome proposals for initiatives and programs that will advance Maui County’s efforts to become more environmentally responsible, self-reliant and less dependent on imported fuel,” said Mayor Michael Victorino. “This will require a community-wide effort, and I know we’re up for the challenge before us.”

 Grant applications may be submitted from Molokai by all qualified nonprofit and for-profit organizations with proposals relating to sustainability, natural resource management, climate action, renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrification of transportation, green building, resilient housing and infrastructure projects that support walking and bicycling.…

Art of Trash Exhibit and Trashion Show

Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

Malama Maui Nui News Release

Malama Maui Nui is thrilled to announce that the Art of Trash exhibition and Trashion Show opens April 22 at MalamaMauiNui.org/ArtOfTrash! 

Hosted by Malama Maui Nui and sponsored by the County of Maui’s Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division, the Art of Trash and Trashion Show is an annual juried art exhibition that showcases the reimagination of previously used materials as elements for creative composition. All pieces are original work made from recycled and/or reused material. The Jurors’ Choice Awards are based on the transformation of material, good craftsmanship, and, of course, overall creativity.

Malama Maui Nui is excited to showcase juror-selected pieces by dozens of artists and designers from all over Maui Nui, including Molokai.…

Grant for Local Food Distribution

Friday, February 25th, 2022

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Sustʻainable Molokai recently received a $34,375 grant from the First Nations Development Institute of Longmont, Colorado. This award will support the efforts of Project Hoʻokuʻikahi Aloha Molokai, which distributes locally produced food to Molokai residents through our island’s 22 food pantries.

This project began as a hui of community organizations that rallied together to provide food for our Molokai residents during the outbreak of the pandemic. The name Hoʻokuʻikahi Aloha Molokai means “uniting in love for our people of Molokai.” These and other efforts are covered in this short video, Island in the Pandemic, created by Quazifilms’ Matt Yamashita, which premiered on Oct 16, 2020.…

Inspiring Eco-Champions

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021

Inspiring Eco-Champions

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Over the last year, students from Kualapu’u and Kaunakakai schools in grades four through six showcased coastal ecosystems, climate change, stewardship suggestions and a strong sense of place through digital storytelling. Participating in a program called Champions of Coastal Resilience (CCR), the students learned virtually about Molokai’s coastline areas, creating short video snapshots of a place that’s important to them and their ‘ohana. CCR was funded as part of the 21st Century afterschool program and since COVID, students worked independently to produce their educational videos. Last week, families, students and supporters of the program gathered for the first in-person CCR Film Festival held at Lanikeha to view the students’ work, which was also livestreamed on Zoom. …

Art of Trash and Trashion Show

Thursday, November 11th, 2021

Malama Maui Nui News Release

Malama Maui Nui is excited to announce that submissions are now being accepted for The Art of Trash and Trashion Show slated to open in April 2022 at MMNui.org/ArtOfTrash! If you haven’t already done so, start creating now! Submissions close Feb. 1, 2022.

The Art of Trash Exhibition and Trashion Show are annual, juried events that inspire community members to reimagine our resources, such as previously used materials, as elements for creative inspiration. All pieces are original work made from recycled and/or reused material. 

Residents of Molokai, along with Maui and Lanai, are invited to create art pieces for the Exhibition and/or fashion pieces for the Trashion Show.…

Co-Design Molokai’s Renewable Energy Future

Thursday, November 11th, 2021

Co-Design Molokai’s Renewable Energy Future

Sustʻainable Molokai News Release

Are you interested in learning about clean energy solutions designed by and for the Molokai community? If so, join the Molokai Clean Energy Hui (MCEH) next Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. for a community meeting on the Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (Molokai CERAP).

Today, Molokai electricity remains dependent on expensive and environmentally damaging fossil fuels. While Molokai residents are the lowest electrical consumers in Hawaii, Molokai continues to have the highest electrical costs in the country. Fortunately, there is a way for you, the community, to steer what types of technology and energy storage options we would like to see on Molokai. …

Nonprofit Works to Restore ‘Aina

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021

‘Aina Momona News Release

Aloha Molokai, we are ʻAina Momona, a Native Hawaiian nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of achieving environmental health and sustainability through restoring social justice and Hawaiian sovereignty. Our team of kiaʻi are committed to restoring Molokai ʻAina Momona. 

We are advised by a board of exceptional Native Hawaiians who work in concert with our staff on the ground. Our board members include Dr. Jon Osorio, Dr. Trisha Kehaulani Watson, and Molokai’s own, Dr. Keoni Kauwe, among others. Dr. Kauwe is a graduate of Molokai High and Intermediate (ʻ96) and recently became the eleventh president of Brigham Young University — Hawaii and the first of Native Hawaiian descent.…

Sea Level Rise Walk-Thru Workshop

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

If you care about using our coastal roads, surfing, eating kole, ʻoio, limu, and going to the grocery stores in Kaunakakai, sea level rise affects you!

The sea level is expected to rise approximately 4.07 feet in Hawaii before the end of 2100 if we continue to operate business as usual. Large parts of Kaunakakai town will be flooded with seawater, including major infrastructure. Sust’ainable Molokai is leading the planning process to ensure that our community is prepared to adapt to this already occurring and ongoing change. Coastal communities and waterfront property owners may need to start new seawall construction projects and look for equipment like a bobcat rental to prepare for the rising sea level.…