Government

Federal Funds for Conservation Ag

Monday, December 16th, 2013

USDA News Release

As a Molokai farmer or rancher, you may be eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) most common Farm Bill Programs. These include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, Agricultural Management Assistance Program, and Conservation Stewardship Program. Contact the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Ho`olehua to find out if you are eligible for this funding. Applications for the first ranking period of 2014 are due at NRCS offices by close of business on Jan. 17.

“We are encouraging farmers and ranchers to utilize the federal funding available to help improve conservation on private land,” said Shirley Nakamura, NRCS Assistant Director for Programs.…

8 Survivors, 1 Death in Makani Kai Kalaupapa Crash — UPDATED

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

8 Survivors, 1 Death in Makani Kai Kalaupapa Crash — UPDATED

Updated Thursday, 12/12 at 3 p.m.

A Makani Kai flight departing Kalaupapa this afternoon crashed into the water about 3:45 p.m. shortly after take-off about 1/2 mile off the peninsula last night. Eight on board the Cessna Grand Caravan survived, while Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy died in the water after exiting the sinking plane.

The pilot, Clyde Kawasaki, has been flying for Makani Kai for one year. He previously worked as a pilot for Aloha Airlines and has experience working thousands of hours of flight time, according to a Makani Kai representative.

“He’s a pilot that I’ve flown with frequently — he’s one of the best,” said Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller.…

County, Monsanto Sign Pesticide Agreement

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Maui County and Monsanto signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week that requires Monsanto to disclose information about pesticide use on a voluntary basis. Monsanto operates on both Maui and Molokai.

“Responsible use of pesticides is a concern for us all, especially for those of us who grew up on these islands when sugar cane and pineapples were our main exports,” said Mayor Arakawa. “There must be safeguards and a sharing of information, and I believe the AG Oversight Agreement [MOU] is a proactive step we needed to take….”

The MOU comes shortly after bills were passed on both Kauai and Hawaii Island involving restrictions on the use of pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).…

Renovations for Mitchell Pauole Center

Sunday, November 17th, 2013

An expansion and improvement project has been proposed for Kaunakakai’s community facility, the Mitchell Pauole Center (MPC). The changes include expansion of the existing lanai and construction of a new freestanding lanai, as well as updating the facility’s kitchen and upgrading the entire building to current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards. You may also consider hiring Alaska Professional Services for expert remodeling and renovation solutions.

The improvements are valued at $300,000, with approximately 2,288 square foot of renovations. The project description lists the need for ADA improvements to the facility’s restrooms, parking lot, kitchen cabinets and other amenities. It also calls for lighting and electrical systems to be replaced to improve efficiency.…

Airlines Compete to Serve Kalaupapa

Sunday, November 17th, 2013

Kalaupapa is regarded as one of the most isolated communities in the country. With 2,000-foot cliffs separating the peninsula from topside Molokai and no outside road access, the only way to and from the settlement is by foot, mule or plane. As Makani Kai Airlines reaches the end of their two-year federal contract to provide Kalaupapa with affordable airfare, they—along with three other airlines—are bidding to offer subsidized service to the settlement’s residents and visitors beginning in January 2014.

The Essential Airline Service (EAS) is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) program that provides small, rural communities access to major national and international airport hubs though a subsidized commuter airline system.…

Regulating Home Businesses

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui is considering amending a bill relating to home businesses. The purpose of the proposed revisions is to establish standards and restrictions for the regulation of home businesses. It also seeks to establish home businesses as a permitted use in the residential and rural zoning districts and as a special use in the agricultural zoning district, as well as classify parcels upon which a home business is conducted as commercialized residential for real property tax purposes.

A public meeting will be held on Molokai on Nov. 20 at the Mitchell Pauole Center at 6 p.m.…

OHA Chair Expected to Make Full Recovery After Hospitalization

Sunday, November 3rd, 2013

OHA News Release

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Chair Colette Machado, of Molokai, is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a stroke Friday night.

“Mahalo to everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” Machado said, adding, “I feel great.”

Machado is grateful her family and friends who assisted her and called 911 immediately, and for the prayers from her church family. “It is crucial for a people having a stroke to get to the hospital immediately so they can get the right medication. If you think a member of your ‘ohana is suffering from a stroke, call 911 right away.”…

Oceanic Seeks to Continue Maui County Service

Monday, October 28th, 2013

Most people click the TV remote to find their favorite programs every day without thinking twice about it, but there is a lot that goes into that service — provided for Maui County exclusively by Oceanic Time Warner Cable. Oceanic operates under a franchise agreement, renewed approximately every 20 years and regulated by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), and the Maui County franchise expires at the end of this year.

Last August, a hearing was held on Molokai by the DCCA to collect initial feedback on Oceanic’s service. Oceanic took that information and used it to develop an application for their franchise renewal, according to Catherine Awakuni, cable TV administrator for the DCCA.…

Federal Gov. Shutdown Felt on Molokai

Thursday, October 24th, 2013

While the shutdown of the federal government for two weeks earlier this month didn’t affect the daily lives of many Molokai residents, it did have a marked impact on some. The National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other federal agencies with employees on Molokai all felt the federal actions directly.

Across the country, 800,000 federal civilian workers were furloughed for 16 days after the government faced a partial shutdown starting Oct. 1. More than one million members of the military remained on the job, as well as just over one million civilian federal workers involved in operations deemed essential, including air-traffic controllers and TSA inspectors, among others.…

Honoring Sen. Inouye’s Legacy

Saturday, October 19th, 2013

Molokai community members gathered last Wednesday evening to remember the legacy of the late Senator Daniel Inouye, who helped bring millions of dollars in federal funding to support a variety of Molokai programs. Inouye’s wife Irene, son Kenny and former chief of staff Jennifer Sabas visited the island as part of a Hawaii tour to say mahalo to his supporters and celebrate his legacy.

“We’ve been doing a series of thank you events to thank his many contributors and friends,” said Irene Inouye. The tour falls shortly before the first anniversary of Inouye’s death last December.

“This was one of his favorite islands,” said Billy Akutagawa, executive director of Na Pu`uwai and organizer of Wednesday’s event.…