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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Makakupa`ia Section of Molokai Firest Reserve to Remain Closed

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

DLNR Press Release

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife today announced that the Makakupa‘ia Section of the Moloka‘i Forest Reserve will remain closed until further notice as a result of the wildland fire that was first reported on Saturday August 29, 2009.

This past Monday, an announcement was made closing the entire Molokai Forest Reserve as concern arose for the safety of the general public observed in the burning forest area.  As efforts continue to control the fire, it remains necessary to keep the public out of the Makakupaia section of the Forest Reserve.  

“Falling trees, smoldering hot spots and underground burning within the interior of the burned area present extreme danger to persons on foot and vehicles”, said Paul J. Conry, Division Administrator  “Any person entering the fire area is subject to injury, including severe burns or even fatality,” Conry said.

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Molokai Land Trust Open Space Grant Meeting Today

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

County of Maui Press Release

Molokai Land Trust has applied for $480,000.00 from the County of Maui’s Open Space, Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, and Scenic Views Preservation Fund for the acquisition of 196.4 acres on Molokai’s east end at Kawaikapu Ranch. Comment on the acquisition during a rescheduled County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation public meeting on the Molokai Land Trust grant application. The new meeting date will be Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Kilohana Community Center, located at 334-A1 Kamehameha V Highway, Kilohana, Molokai.

The County of Maui’s funds are intended to be used as a match with the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources funding of $767,976.00 from their Legacy Lands Conservation Program for the purchase of this specific property. If approved, the County of Maui will hold a perpetual Conservation Easement on the property.

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Court Rules Against Molokai Properties, Ltd. In Utilities Dispute

Friday, August 14th, 2009

MPL is held legally responsible for the actions of its utilities. 

County of Maui Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2009

The First Circuit Court ruled on July 15, 2009 that Molokai Properties,
Ltd. (MPL) is legally responsible for the actions of the Molokai utility
companies whose stock MPL owns. The appeal arose out of MPL's threat
last year to shut down water and wastewater utilities providing service
to some 1,200 Molokai residents.

On May 8, 2008, MPL notified the State Department of Health that MPL
would not continue to operate water and wastewater utility systems in
Molokai beyond August 2008.  On July 21, 2008, the Director of the State
Department of Health initiated administrative proceedings against MPL
and the utilities to avoid a public health crisis that would have
occurred if MPL had made good on its threat.  MPL responded by claiming
that the Department of Health did not have any jurisdiction over MPL
because MPL was merely a stockholder in the utility companies. After an
evidentiary hearing, in which the County of Maui participated as an
intervenor, the Department of Health's hearing officer ruled that
although they had been set up as separate corporations, the utilities
and MPL were ignoring the necessary corporate formalities and were
operating essentially as one company controlled by MPL. As a result, MPL
could be held legally responsible for the actions of the utilities. The
hearing officer's decision was based on an "alter ego" theory,
sometimes known as "piercing the corporate veil." 
  
MPL appealed the hearing officer's ruling that MPL was the alter ego
of the utilities. The appeal was assigned to Judge Eden Elizabeth Hifo
of the First Circuit Court and following oral arguments on July 15,
2009, Judge Hifo ruled in favor of the State and the County, and against
MPL. Judge Hifo held that no due process rights of MPL had been
violated, and she affirmed the hearings officer's rulings on the alter
ego issue.

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County Announces Precautionary Closures, Shelter Preparations

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Maui County Press Release

In light of the approaching tropical storm, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced that as of 4 p.m. today, several rural, east-facing parks were closed, including Honomanu, Keanae and Kipahulu Point Light Station. Other County parks may be closed as needed, pending weather conditions.

Other closures include:
● All County campgrounds will be closed by noon Monday: Kanaha and Papalaua on Maui, and One Alii and Papohaku on Molokai.
● All County-sponsored recreation programs will be canceled for Monday afternoon and evening.
● Swimming pools will be closed by noon Monday; Waiehu Golf Course may close pending weather conditions.
● Other County parks will be assessed for closure on Monday, based on public safety concerns from flooding, high surf, winds, falling trees and branches. Closures may also need to be extended to clean up debris and make safety assessments after storm conditions have passed.

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Public Access Plan for Mokio/Pu’u Kaeo Lands

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Molokai Land Trust Press Release

On July 1, 2009, the Molokai Land Trust (MLT) initiated an access management plan for the 1,600 acres of the Mokio/Pu'u Kaeo Lands in northwest Molokai for which it holds a 99-year lease.  

Reservations for non-commercial hunting of Axis deer and day time fishing and ocean gathering on weekends and holidays can be made over the phone to the MLT Office (553-5626).  Waiver of liability and permit forms can be filled out during MLT office hours (8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday). 

Those seeking access for fishing, gathering or hunting, need to have 4-wheel drive vehicles and be familiar with the landscape.  All access roads are unpaved and rough and slippery after rains.  Trails are steep and undeveloped.  The area is remote, steep, dry and subject to flash floods, sharp or slippery objects, landslides, gusty winds and rough surf.  There is no potable water, bathroom facilities, telephone coverage or shelters.  There may be unexploded ordnance in the area which should be avoided and reported if found. 

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Meet the Author

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Meet the Author

Hawaii Public Library Press Release

Meet Molokai author Gaellen Quinn in a free presentation at the Molokai
Public Library on Wednesday, August 12 at 6 p.m.      
  
Quinn, author of "The Last Aloha" (2009), will discuss her new novel which creates a moving, vivid picture of a vanished time - the final days of the Hawaiian monarchy when descendents of American missionaries plotted to topple the throne.  Set in 19th century Hawaii, "The Last Aloha" suggests that there are certain powers more effective than political and material
powers, which can restore the human spirit in a turbulent world. 
  
In 2008, "The Last Aloha" was a Texas manuscript winner in historical
fiction in the Texas Writers' League contest.        
  
This one-hour presentation is recommended for adults, and will include a
question-and-answer session.   
  
Contact the library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed. 

For more information, please call the Molokai Public library during its normal hours at (808) 553-1765.

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Donate Blood for Ice Cream

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Blood Bank of Hawaii Press Release

The Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) invites Molokai residents to give a pint of blood and get ice cream in return on August 3.

Donors who give a pint of blood on August 3 will receive a free double-scoop ice cream coupon redeemable at Kamo’i Snack-n-Go. This “Double Scoop” drive will take place (schedule is subject to change):

• Monday, August 3: Molokai General Hospital, special procedures room, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The promotion aims to heighten awareness of the need for blood and to inspire people to give during a traditional period of low donor turnout.

Every day in Hawaii, hundreds of patients count on volunteer blood donors for their very survival. Typical uses for the donated blood include surgical procedures, treatment of accident victims, ulcers, anemia, mothers and newborns during delivery, and cancer therapy. 

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Rate Increases Approved

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Public Utilities Commission passes Molokai and Lanai exceptions

Young Brothers Press Release

Young Brothers received approval from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a rate increase for regulated inter-island cargo services on July 28. The average overall rate increase will be 13.46 percent. The newly approved rates include a 9.66 percent increase for containerized cargo, a 9.22 percent increase for automobiles and “roll-on, roll-off” cargo and a 21.26 percent increase for less than container load (LCL) cargo, except for Molokai and Lanai, for which the LCL increase is 12 percent. The rate increases become effective for cargo booked on barges sailing on August 1.

“The revenue from this rate case is needed to finance new investments in vessels and other cargo equipment, and to pay for costs associated with maintaining reliability of service and the same number of sailings, despite falling cargo volumes,” said Roy Catalani, Young Brothers’ Vice President of Strategic Planning and Government Affairs.

Last December, Young Brothers submitted a request for an average rate increase of 17.9 percent to the PUC, including a 15 percent increase for containerized cargo, a 10 percent increase for automobiles and “roll-on, roll-off” cargo and a 25 percent increase for LCL cargo.

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Molokai Receives Donation to Athletic Department

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Press Release

Athletic budget cuts have hit schools hard around the state, but for the neighbor island schools of Molokai and Lanai, it means traveling to off-island league games will be nearly impossible. Much of the athletic budgets of these schools go toward travel costs, according to Molokai High School Athletic Director Camie Kimball. But help is on its way.

Keith Amemiya, Executive Eirector of Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA), announced Tuesday he and his wife, Bonny, have made a personal donation of $20,000 to help the athletic departments of Molokai and Lanai high schools', according to the Maui News.

''As the HHSAA executive director, I feel an obligation to do as much as I can to support our high school athletic programs,'' Keith Amemiya said. ''Even if it means donating from our personal funds.”

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Solar Scholars

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

Renewable energy system installed at Kualapu`u School.

ProVision Solar Press Release

When Lydia Trinidad, principal of Kualapu’u School, saw the school’s electricity costs go through the roof last year, she knew it was time to do something. Last year, the average electricity rate at Kualapu`u School was the highest rate in the United States. With the prospect of that cost going up even higher, the school’s local advisory panel decided to install a net energy metered photovoltaic solar system.

“We knew we needed a way to keep our costs in check and invest in a system that would keep our costs stable, as the price of power fluctuates,” said Trinidad.

After receiving a number of bids for the project, Trinidad chose to work with ProVision Solar, a company based in Hilo. ProVision president Marco Mangelsdorf said the system should produce about 20 percent of the daily power needs at Kualapu`u School. The system has the capacity to cover over half of the school’s daily power needs if the school chooses to expand the system. It is the largest renewable energy system of its kind for any public school in the state of Hawaii.

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