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La`au Point

Molokai’s Abbey Mayer Appointed State Director of Planning

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

Linda Lingle has appointed Abbey Mayer, a community-based planner on Molokai, to serve as director of the state Office of Planning. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

“Abbey has a strong background in strategic, long-range, community-based planning and he understands the importance of balancing economic growth and development with protecting our natural and cultural resources,” said Gov. Lingle.

Both Lingle and Mayer support Molokai Properties Limited’s (MPL) controversial plan to develop La`au Point. The millionaire’s subdivision recently took a big step backward when the Land Use Commission showed signs of not accepting the MPL’s Environmental Impact Statement.

If confirmed, Mayer will oversee the Office of Planning which represents the state in hearings before the Land Use Commission.

“I am extremely excited about working with Gov. Lingle,” said Mayer. “I am honored to be entrusted with such great responsibility and I thank the governor for her confidence in my abilities in these matters.”

Mayer is currently the executive director for Ke Aupuni Lokahi, the Molokai Enterprise Community. According to the EC, Ke Aupuni Lokahi is the planned recipient of 1,100 developable acres as well as payouts of up to $10 million dollars from MPL should the La`au development go through.

Prior to joining the MEC in 2006, Mayer was executive director and plant manager for the Molokai Livestock Cooperative. In this capacity, he managed and oversaw the financial and operational responsibilities for the cooperative, including developing a comprehensive business plan for the revitalization of the cattle industry on Molokai.

Mayer previously was the resident manager and contractor for the Eddy Foundation, Black Kettle Farm, a private land trust in Essex, New York. He also served as foreman and brokerage manager for Dutch Wharf Boat Yard and Marina in Branford, Conn.

A graduate of Yale University, Mayer recently completed the Executive Accounting Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Mayer replaces Laura H. Thielen, who was confirmed as director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. He starts his new position on Feb. 20.

 

Excerpts of this story are from a press release via Russell Pang, the Chief of Media Relations for the Office of the Governor.

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MPL Submits New Document

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

Molokai Ranch files Draft Environmental Impact Statement  

By Jennifer Smith

 In an almost unprecedented turn around, Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) has submitted a new Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for their proposed La`au Point Development. Similar to their first go around in 2006, MPL found the holiday season a prime time for filing their lengthy document. The Dec. 21 filing with the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) came before the New Year, as promised by John Sabas, MPL’s general manager of community affairs.
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Molokai Ranch (MPL) Withdraws La`au Point EIS

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

Molokai Ranch (MPL) Withdraws La`au Point EIS

Solatario has worked at the Ranch for 27 years and has recently been adamant about his disapproval of MPL’s mistreatment of employees.

“I am not for the plan. I am not for La`au,” Solatario said. “If I don’t have a job tomorrow it is because I am honest. Only honest people they let go.”

Solatario’s defiant presentation brought tears to the eyes of many including several commissioners. Upon his exit, several hundred people in the room stood and applauded.

Withdrawal or Rejection

“The environmental laws are very precise, and they (MPL) chose the options they thought were best for the community and themselves,” Judge said. But at the end of the day, the lack of a thorough EIS proved too much for MPL.

 “I think the EIS was withdrawn because they (MPL) felt it was going to be rejected,” Maui County Planning Director Jeffrey Hunt said.

LUC Executive Officer Anthony Ching said the OEQC will decide MPL’s next step. According to Ching the expected outcome will be for MPL to start the process over again by filing a new Draft EIS.

While MPL faces the task of recreating its EIS for the La`au Point development, it could be forced to concurrently author a separate EIS for water use.

A recent opinion by state Deputy Attorney General Myra Kaichi mandates MPL provide an environmental assessment in order to continue renting use of the state owned Molokai Irrigation System.

Although details of Kaichi’s opinion are forthcoming, disappointed looks from MPL’s corner at the Friday hearing tell of a probable uphill climb for the company.
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MPL to Withdraw Proposed Final EIS

Saturday, November 17th, 2007

By Jennifer Smith and Léo Azambuja

Facing a potential rejection, Molokai Ranch’s legal counsel motioned to withdraw proposed Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the La`au Point development. After nearly two days of public testimony the Land Use Commission (LUC) members were left empty handed. With no document to act upon, the hearing was adjourned before receiving a presentation from the petitioner, Molokai Properties Limited, the Ranch’s parent company.

Organized and respectful nearly 350 people filtered in and out of the Lanikeha Building in Ho`olehua during Thursday’s hearing. Commissioners heard from individuals on all sides of the fence concerning MPL’s proposed Final EIS.

Where some testimonies provided documented environmental reasoning, others played to a more humanistic perspective in discussing potential cultural and social implications.

However, it was the culmination of testimonies on Thursday night that drew the crowds out, leaving standing room only for attendees. An impressive “red sea” of a`ole La`au shirts as one onlooker described it, filled the room.

Appreciative and receptive to the chanting and dancing of testimonies that provided an enhanced cultural perspective, commissioners reminded the public that the hearing was to address the acceptability of the proposed Final EIS, and not whether La`au Point would be developed.

Nearly 12 hours of testimony on Thursday prompted Commissioner Reuben SF Wong to motion for a vote rejecting the proposed Final EIS, before MPL provided their presentation about the document.

It took several recesses until legal counsel on both sides could find documentation in the Hawaii Revised Statutes to allow for the withdrawal of the document. MPL has promised to send written copies of their official withdrawal in the upcoming days to the LUC and Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC).

LUC Executive Officer Anthony Ching said the OEQC will decide MPL’s next step. The expected outcome will be for MPL to file a new Draft EIS, according to Ching.

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MPL’s Racial Remarks Leave Westenders Speechless

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007

Molokai is about `ohana, not segregation.

 

Last Saturday, I attended the Papohaku Homeowners Association meeting at the Maunaloa Cinema.  Prior to this meeting, I had questioned whether to attend any more meetings because of the sometimes unproductive nature of these meetings. I had decided, however,  that before I completely give up on attending any more meetings, I needed to hear some dialogue from other homeowners regarding their concerns and fears about the impact that developing La’au and Kaluakoi Hotel would have for West End homeowners.   What about water standards, quality and allocations for the West End? Issues that I felt had not been properly addressed by MPL.

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UPC pledges $50 million buy out Molokai Ranch

Monday, November 12th, 2007

Molokai Community Service Council views pledge as significant step in preservation.

By Jennifer Smith

UPC Wind, has recently pledged $50 million toward Ho`i I Ka Pono, a campaign led by the Molokai Community Service Council to purchase all of the lands now owned by Molokai Properties Limited, a.k.a. Molokai Ranch. The North American wind power company’s President and CEO, Paul Gaynor, announced his commitment to the community on Nov. 6.

Gaynor commented, “In addition to showing our support for the Ho‘i I Ka Pono campaign, our pledge underscores our commitment to the people of Molokai and their efforts to determine how their lands will be used in the future.”

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Molokai Ripe for the Picking

Saturday, November 10th, 2007

Recently, I was handed a flier with a quote from Molokai Properties Limited's 2005 land value appraisal. I was shocked to read these words: "Molokai is the last undeveloped and unexploited major island in Hawaii. The physical diversity of land forms, it's proximity to Oahu, and the accepted need for economic stimulus in the community make the island a significant 'blank slate' ready for additional development in the near to mid-term."   

Holy Moly! What is particularly disturbing about this quote - besides its obvious greedy and speculative nature - is that it was written sometime in 2005. This means that it was written either during or after the community process which created the Community Based Master Land Use Plan For Molokai Ranch, aka "the Plan." (That 2-year process went from Sep. 2003 - Sep. 2005!)

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OHA Support for La`au and Molokai Land Trust in Question

Saturday, November 10th, 2007

I am writing to clarify a few issues that Bridget Mowat brought up in her October 25, 2007 letter to the editor. 

First, Office of Hawaiian Affiars (OHA) Chairperson Haunani Apoliona should have informed those who attended OHA’s October 17, 2007 Molokai meeting that both Trustee Mossman and I were in New York on official board business dealing with the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund.  Let me assure the Molokai community that, as a statewide at-large trustee, I am deeply concerned with La’au Point and would have made every effort to attend the meeting if it were not for the scheduling conflict.  Chair Apoliona should have also made sure whether the remaining trustees could attend or not and rescheduled the meeting if she didn’t have quorum. 

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State to Hear Public Testimony on La`au Development Plan

Friday, November 9th, 2007

 Public comment sought on the acceptability of MPL's EIS.

By Jennifer Smith

It’s your turn to let the Hawaii State Government know your thoughts about Molokai Property Limited’s (MPL) plan to develop La`au Point. On November 15 and 16, Representatives from the State Land Use Commission (LUC) will be taking public testimony at the Lanikeha Community Center, as well as listening to a presentation by MPL, in order to decide whether or not MPL has in fact done its homework in preparing the final version of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

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LUC Guide

Friday, November 9th, 2007

Preparing for the La`au Point Hearing

Your opinion matters! The impacts of the proposed development will affect the entire community. Everyone has a right to voice their concerns. Whether you are a part of the silent majority or vocal minority, this is everyone’s chance to be heard. Although the following serves as a guide for commenting specifically on the EIS, it is your right to discuss any aspect of the Master Plan or Molokai Ranch at the November 15 and 16 meeting.

 The Line Up

The hearing will begin on Thursday, Nov. 15. Initial signup from 8:00-8:30 a.m., testimony from 8:30 a.m. to noon, break for lunch, testimony from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., break for dinner, testimony from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

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