USDA News Release
Attention Molokai farmers and ranchers! USDA Rural Development is taking applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for businesses looking to create renewable energy or energy-saving improvements. Business owners can receive financing to cover up to 75 percent of their energy efficiency projects.
Molokai Treasures News Release
Molokai’s newest store knows better than anyone that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. A new consignment store on the island named Molokai Treasure plans to recycle items that you no longer need and sell them to those in need.
Molokai Chinese Cultural Club News Release
In the Chinese culture, each year of a 12-year Zodiac cycle is represented by an animal. Currently, this is the Year of the Ox. Next Year, 2010, is the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger represents strength and energy.
The Molokai Chinese Cultural Club has spearheaded a parade in honor of the Year of the Tiger to celebrate its new energy, new strength and new hope.
Enlisting the strength of the Maui Chinese Cultural Society and the energy of our civic-minded community members, businesses and organizations, the Year of Tiger parade is scheduled to occur on Monday, January 18, 2010. This date is also the Dr. Martin Luther King Day which speaks for diversity and unity.
Molokai Lions Club News Release
The Molokai Lions Club will hold its first ever giant garage sale Molokai Community Service Center across from the old telephone company in Kaunakakai on Dec. 5th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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By the County of Maui
The Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) is asking residents of Ho`olehua and surrounding areas to continue conserving water. Repairs to two DHHL water pumps at the Kalae water well that began in early November are not finished. Residents and businesses in the area are reminded to continue necessary water conservation efforts by restricting lawn watering, avoiding washing cars and taking shorter showers. Non-essential water use should be limited.
In order to maintain safe levels in the water reservoir, a temporary four-inch emergency water line was installed. %he line is smaller than normal, so a lesser amount of water is being pumped to residents in the Ho`olehua and Kalamaula areas. As a result, DHHL asked the residents to reduce their usage by 50 percent on Nov. 10 to help lessen the risk of running out of water while the repairs are being completed.
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Fire Department Captain Travis Tancayo headed a county-wide effort to ensure that there is enough water in the event of a fire for both the impacted Ho`olehua area and the surrounding areas currently sharing their water. Tancayo credits the work of many in helping to prevent a dangerously low water supply situation from worsening.
“With the guidance of Pacific Electro’s Marty Johnston, the group was able to collaborate and resolve how to get needed water to the reservoir while DHHL’s pumps were under repair,” Tancayo said.
“Everyone involved worked weekends and nights to develop the response plan, get materials and lay pipes so that people could have water available. We're very grateful for Kualapuu Ranch and ranch owner Kevin Komkowich's assistance. The pipes were laid on the ranch's property and their support and understanding of the urgency were instrumental.
“We were then faced with needing to cut the road to lay the temporary water line and Pedro Ranch stepped forward with heavy equipment to help get this done. By having many people and agencies work together we were able to respond rapidly and help our community and that also includes our residents and businesses that took steps to immediately conserve water. The public’s help is always crucial and appreciated”
Anita Wong, DHHL’s deputy director, gave special recognition to Molokai Properties (also known as Molokai Ranch). The company reactivated its Well 17 in order to provide a needed water source for the Kalae Reservoir. “Molokai Properties’ help with Well 17 was essential,” Wong said. “Rex Kamakana and the water department personnel worked tirelessly to make it happen and we appreciate their hard work these past few weeks.” Wong also commended Monsanto for the company’s help with providing 2,700 feet of a high density four-inch water pipe needed for water to flow to the reservoir from Well 17.
“Monsanto not only provided the needed pipe material, the company also made available a large crew of workers to install the pipe over a 3-day period using specialized tools,” she said.
The County of Maui is providing water to the Kalamaula area and will continue to assist DHHL until repairs to its two pumps are completed.
Repairs are expected to be completed sometime in the first week of December. Impacted residents and businesses in Ho`olehua and Kalamaula are asked to continue conservation efforts until the repairs are completed.
State of Hawaii News Release
The State of Hawai‘i today issued a request for proposal (RFP) from companies and other interested organizations to conduct an environmental impact statement (EIS) for an undersea power cable connecting the islands of Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Maui.
The undersea cable, which would connect the islands into one electrical grid to allow the integration of renewable wind power generated in Maui County for transmission to O‘ahu is part of a comprehensive energy agreement signed one year ago between the State of Hawai‘i and Hawaiian Electric companies to move the state away from its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity and ground transportation.
USDA News Release
Applications are being accepted from farmers and ranchers for three different Farm Bill Programs that are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The three programs include Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), and Agriculture Management Assistance (AMA). Interested farmers and ranchers have until December 11, 2009 to submit their applications to be considered for this ranking period.
"We're focusing our conservation efforts on treating identified priority natural resource concerns on lands being used to produce agricultural products," says Lawrence Yamamoto, Director of the Pacific Islands Area for the NRCS.
Hawaii Centers for Independent Living News Release
For the first time on the island of Molokai, the Social Security administration is holding a workshop for community members to gain knowledge of their benefits for 2009 and 2010.
“A lot of people on Molokai don’t even know their benefits or understand their benefits,” said the center’s independent living specialist and the workshop’s coordinator, Kealoha Laemoa.
The workshop will be held at the DHHL conference room on November 18th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Non-profit, governmental, community and individual agencies are strongly asked to attend this workshop. A sign language interpreter will be provided.
Bring your brown bag lunch, and RSVP to Kealoha at (808) 658-1206.
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Molokai Lions Club News Release
The annual Molokai Lions Club Halloween Costume contest overflowed the lawn of the Public Library with children and adults on Halloween eve. They came to compete in the costume contest, show off their originality or just talk story and socialize. Many were original, made from scratch. No need buy. These are always crowd pleasers. Thank you Molokai community for supporting the Lions Club with your attendance. Special thanks to all the Leos from the Molokai High School Leo Club under the supervision of advisors Julia DeGeorge and Malia Lee.
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Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages News Release
Kualapu`u Elementary School was recognized by The Berry Company with a check for $400 for their first place standing in this year’s Think Yellow, Go Green Telephone Directory Recycling Contest. The contest included more than 50 schools from five neighboring islands including Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai. The recycling program took place in May 2009 and the recycled telephone directories were transferred to participating recycling partners. The directories were ultimately processed into materials which will be used locally for insulation, roofing and mulch.
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