Government

Lynn DeCoite Appointed District 13 Rep

Thursday, February 19th, 2015

Lynn DeCoite Appointed District 13 Rep

Molokai farmer Lynn DeCoite was named by Gov. Ige to the Hawaii State House of Representatives, District 13 seat and was sworn into office last Friday.

“I know I have a lot to learn,” said DeCoite. “I am committed to setting forth with an open mind and to do the best for District 13, the people of East Maui, Molokai and Lanai.  I am thankful for this opportunity and will not take it for granted.”

DeCoite is the owner of L&R Farm Enterprises and R.J. Snacks.  Along with her husband Russell, they run the largest sweet potato farm in the state. …

Two From Molokai Among Rep Nominees

Tuesday, February 17th, 2015

Three nominees have been selected out of 13 applicants to replace Rep. Mele Carroll. Two of the nominees are from Molokai – Lori Buchanan and Lynn DeCoite – while the third, Lucienne de Naie, is from Huelo, Maui.

The three names have been forwarded to Gov. David Ige, who will make the final selection by April 1. Carroll, who resigned on Feb. 1 for health reasons, had held the District 13 seat, which encompasses East Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokini, since 2005.

Last Saturday, a 22-person committee from Molokai, Maui and Lanai convened using the University of Hawaii’s Skybridge interactive television system and interviewed the 13 applicants for the seat.…

Molokai Candidates Vie for Rep. Seat

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015

Four Molokai residents are among those competing for a State House of Representatives seat left vacant following Rep. Mele Carroll’s resignation last month. The District 13 seat, which encompasses Molokai, Lanai, Paia, Haiku, East Maui and Kahoolawe, has received 13 applications from candidates around Maui County, according to the Maui County Democratic Party.

Molokai applicants are Lori Buchanan, Lynn DeCoite, Barbara Haliniak and Noelani Yamashita. Others include Shay Chan Hodges of Haiku, Scott Crawford of Hana, Alberta De Jetley of Lanai, Lucienne DeNaie of Huelo, David Fry of Haiku, Susan “Netra” Halperin of Haiku, Lance Holter of Paia, Robert Parsons of Haiku and Kay Okamoto of Lanai.…

Gov. Ige Thanks Molokai

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

Gov. Ige Thanks Molokai

Newly-elected Governor David Ige and his family visited Molokai for a mahalo luncheon last week Saturday to thank Friendly Isle residents for their support during his campaign.

“Every time we were here, [my wife] Dawn and I really enjoyed your hospitality and the warmth with which we were received,” said Ige. “Because Molokai is rural, [you] did a lot for our campaign that’s sometimes invisible. We wanted to thank each and every one of you for the hours to sign wave, put up signs and talking to friends and neighbors… that is really what allowed us to be successful.”

Ige, Dawn and their son Matthew greeted a crowd of eager residents and enjoyed lunch and entertainment.…

Grand Re-Opening at Mitchell Pau`ole Center Tuesday

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

County of Maui News Release

A blessing and grand re-opening of the Mitchell Pau`ole Center will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in Kaunakakai, the County Department of Parks and Recreation announced. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the facility, located at 90 Ainoa Street.

The Mitchell Pau`ole Center was closed for improvements earlier this year, to bring the facility into compliance with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible design, with changes including ADA parking and access to center, signage, restrooms, drinking fountain, door hardware, counter and accessible sidewalks and seating by bleachers.

The facility also underwent an expansion, building repairs and upgrades, including a new 2,826 sq.…

Judge Orders Hold on GE Enforcement

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

A federal judge in Honolulu has ordered a temporary hold on enforcement of the moratorium on genetically engineered crops passed by Maui County voters on Nov. 4. Last week, Monsanto and other parties filed a lawsuit against the County of Maui, challenging the moratorium. Judge Barry Kurren granted Monsanto and other plaintiffs in the suit a temporary injunction until Dec. 5.

The county stated last week it was preparing to enforce the moratorium pending the Election Officer’s certification of election results, but the judge’s injunction will put a hold on enforcement until further court action.

Injunction is a court order for a party to do, or refrain from doing, specific acts.…

Incumbents Take Stage in General Election

Thursday, November 13th, 2014

Incumbents Take Stage in General Election

Voters put down their signs and picked up their pens last Tuesday, as months of campaigning came to a head on Election Day. In this year’s General Election, Hawaii voters ushered in a new governor, while county and congressional incumbents ruled the day and results on hotly debated issues flip-flopped in a matter of hours.

“When anything happens [in the future], I can grumble, ‘cause I voted,” joked Molokai High security guard Maurice Lindsey at the Kaunakakai precinct polls, referencing the No Vote, No Grumble campaign that encouraged residents to learn about and vote on issues.

Lindsey was among 1,155 Molokai residents who cast their ballots on Nov.…

County Poised to Enforce GE Moratorium, Lawsuit Expected

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

County Poised to Enforce GE Moratorium, Lawsuit Expected

A highly disputed voter initiative to ban the growing of genetically engineered crops passed in Maui County in last Tuesday’s General Election by a narrow margin of 50 percent to 48 percent, with just over 800 votes’ difference.

On Molokai, all of the island’s four precincts voted no by a ratio of nearly two to one, with 63 percent voting against the moratorium and 34 percent favoring it island-wide, according to stats from Hawaii’s elections website.

The initiative calls for a moratorium until a detailed environmental impact study of the harms associated with growing genetically engineered organisms has been completed and reviewed by the County Council.…

GE Crop Debate Shakes Molokai

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

GE Crop Debate Shakes Molokai

A single initiative on the November election ballot has the Molokai community in such a heated debate that “vote yes” and “vote no” only refer to one thing: whether or not the cultivation of all genetically engineered crops in Maui County should stop while studies are done examining effects on human health and the environment.

The “vote no” campaign opposes the initiative, highlighting the hundreds of jobs on the line that could be lost in Maui County if a moratorium on growing genetically engineered (GE) crops goes through. Supporters of the initiative say they don’t want farming practices they believe are detrimental to land and people to continue without a comprehensive, independent study completed.…

Council Members Visit Molokai

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Council Members Visit Molokai

Six Maui County Council members and one candidate visited Molokai on Oct. 7, giving voters a chance to hear about their plans and passions before the Nov. 4 elections.

Council Chair Gladys Baisa, running for her fifth and final two-year term in office, hosted a luncheon and invited fellow councilmembers Mike Victorino and Don Couch, Jr., who are also seeking re-election, as well a new face to the political scene, Council candidate Ka`ala Buenconsejo.

“I’m delighted that Council Chair Baisa…invited her colleagues to come to Molokai,” said Robert Stephenson, President of the Molokai Chamber of Commerce. “The access to the council is very good, and they’re very receptive.”…