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Government

Marine Corps Consultations to Be Held on Molokai Airport Use

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Marine Corps Base Hawaii News Release
Marine Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii is proposing renewed use of the Molokai Airport as a re-fueling location for MV-22 “Osprey” and H-1 “Huey” and “Cobra” helicopters, as well as increased use of Kalaupapa Airport by the H-1 helicopters. On Tuesday March 27, at Mitchell Pauole Center conference room from 5 to 7 p.m., the Marine Corps is holding National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 consultations to discuss issues and concerns related to potential effects on historic properties in the vicinity of these airports.

MCB Hawaii initiated Section 106 consultations in November 2010, and expanded consultations in December, 2011, to include discussions of other locations in Hawaii outside Oahu.…

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Organic Initiative Funding Available

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

NRCS News Release

Federal funding is available for organic farmers, and now is your chance to benefit from this program. Offered under the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a division of the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Organic Initiative provides a wide array of conservation practices specifically designed for organic production. Practices will help the selected applicants meet many requirements of their USDA Organic System Plans and stay in compliance with USDA’s National Organic Program.

“We are pleased to provide this federal funding to help organic growers in our farming community,” said Mr. Angel Figueroa, NRCS Director of the Pacific Islands Area (PIA).…

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Kalaupapa Munitions Clean-Up

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

Kalaupapa Munitions Clean-Up

Not only was Kalaupapa historically known as a place of exile for patients of Hansen’s disease, but the peninsula was also used as a bombing range during the 1940s. As with other Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDs) around the state, efforts are being made to remove the unexploded ordnance. This fall, crews will be working in Kalaupapa to clean up the area.

A 937-acre region on the northwest side of the peninsula is known as the Makanalua Bombing Range. It was used by the U.S. Navy for bombing and rocket training from 1941 to 1946. Now, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Native Hawaiian Veterans, a munitions response company called USA Environmental and others are spearheading the clean-up.…

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Senate Bill Encourages Remote Air Service

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

Hawaii Senate News Release

The Hawaii State Senate passed Senate Bill 2960 last week that would suspend landing fees for air carriers that provide interisland service to rural airports, which include Kapalua, Hana, Kalaupapa, Lanai, Molokai and Waimea-Kohala airports.

“This measure encourages commercial air carriers to continue service to the remote parts of our State,” said Sen. J. Kalani English, chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs. “In effect, I hope it increase reliability and stabilize air fares.”

According to a Department of Transportation report, flight activity at Kalaupapa, Kapalua, Hana, Waimea-Kohala and Lanai has steadily declined over the last five years.…

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Kalaupapa Post Office to Remain Open

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

The tiny Kalaupapa Post Office, after being earmarked for possible closure by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), will now remain open. The one-woman office, described as a lifeline for the fewer than 100 residents of the remote settlement, was removed from the list of thousands of offices nationwide being considered for closure because of its necessity to the community, according to USPS spokesperson Duke Gonzales.

“We removed Kalaupapa from consideration [for closure] because it was clear that the Postal Service plays a unique role as a necessary lifeline between the isolated Kalaupapa community and the outside world,” Gonzales said.

With no cell phone service and limited Internet access in the settlement, residents rely on the mail to complete bank transactions, receive medications and do business, according to Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller.…

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Protecting Our Sacred Places

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Community Contributed

Opinion by Lori Buchanan

On Molokai, the Navy is proposing to “re-activate” the abandoned Marine base in Ho`olehua, on the doorstep of homesteaders, and significantly increase military training (primarily at night) in Kalaupapa. These are two of the actions, trainings and construction around Hawaii outlined in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement released by the US Department of the Navy in November 2011.

Intermittent military training has been ongoing at Kalaupapa, the Ho`olehua Airport and along Molokai’s western and northern coastline for many years. Currently, old munitions lie buried along the Kaluakoi and Ilio Point coastlines in large numbers below several years and layers of windblown top soils.…

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Bracing for Drought: Molokai Irrigation System planning ahead

Monday, February 27th, 2012

With water levels in the Kualapu`u Reservoir reaching concerning levels and little seasonal rain in sight, members of the Molokai Irrigation System (MIS), which serves the bulk of the island’s agricultural and homestead users, are starting to prepare for the worst.

At this time last year, the reservoir held 18 feet of water. Currently, however, the water level is hovering around 10 feet.

Representatives of the six major commercial users of the MIS came to the MIS board meeting last week with some serious concerns: they want to begin preparations for a possible drought crisis in the coming months.

“We are extremely concerned about current reservoir levels and worried about extreme emergency conditions over summer,” said Ray Foster, general manager for Monsanto Molokai.…

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New Fire Engine, Promotions

Sunday, February 26th, 2012

New Fire Engine, Promotions

A shiny new fire engine, made specifically to fit Molokai’s needs, has joined the fleet at the Kaunakakai Fire Station. Engine 4 features an extra-large water tank – holding 1000 gallons, about 250 more than average – to efficiently fight fires on Molokai, where there aren’t many water sources, according to Maui County Fire Chief Jeff Murray. It also incorporates state-of-the-art equipment, the design of which was overseen by Molokai firefighters during manufacturing.

“If you think I’m slightly jealous, I am,” said former firefighter Rev. Reynolds Ayau, during the engine’s blessing last week. “You have equipment we only dreamt of.”

The new engine will be added to the three trucks at the Kaunakakai station, allowing an older engine to be retired and used as back-up.…

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Airport, Service Improvements Coming to Kalaupapa

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

For the first time in six years, Kalaupapa will again have firefighting equipment and staff at their tiny airport. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is providing a “skidmount unit” – a firefighting devise on a flatbed truck – to aid in the case of emergency, along with 24/7 personnel to man it, according to DOT spokesperson Dan Meisenzahl. The equipment should arrive to the settlement in March, he said. Two additional firefighters are being hired by the state, who will rotate service in Kalaupapa.

“If things ever go bad, it would be a collaborative effort,” said Department of Health Kalaupapa Administrator Mark Miller at last week’s community meeting, adding that the additional equipment and personnel would greatly aid in the event of emergency.…

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Mo`omomi to Be Gated

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Ten years ago, Mo`omomi was vibrant, green and healthy, with plentiful fish, according to Molokai-born Halealoha Ayau, Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) acting district supervisor for Molokai. Now, he said, the landscape is suffering, resources are being depleted, and the buildings are facing a high level of vandalism and damage. Because of this, Ayau has made a tough decision: erect a gate at Mo`omomi and initiate managed access to the area.

“You’re not permanently being blocked,” Ayau told attendees at a DHHL meeting held last week to get community feedback on how access should be managed. “We need to let her heal.”…

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