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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

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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Water Conditions Remain Fragile, but Improving

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Water Conditions Remain Fragile, but Improving


Maui County Press Release

With the help of Kaunakakai and Kalae residents and businesses, the level of water in the Kaunakakai water tank has somewhat stabilized. However, the situation remains very fragile. Until the repairs to the water well pump are completed, efforts must continue to avoid unnecessary water use that can cause the water level to drop. Saving the water that is in the tank is critical because it helps meet hospital and dialysis center needs and provides water to fire hydrants. Contractor crews and personnel from the county’s Department of Water Supply are continuing to work days and evenings to expedite repairs. 

Kaunakakai and Kalae residents and businesses are advised to take the following actions:
•    Continue to avoid unnecessary water usages
•    Alert your family, friends and neighbors
•    Use water from the water tankers provided

The water tankers are located at Kaunakakai Regional Park. The potable drinking water tanker is available 24 hours per day. The non-potable water tanker is available daily from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Residents should bring their own containers, labeling separate containers for potable drinking water and non-potable water for everything else.


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Ala Palaau Trail Project Meeting

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

There will be a community meeting on Saturday, August 1 to update everyone and request input on the planning process for the Ala Palaau trail project. The meeting will be at the Palaau Park Pavilion at 10 am and will be followed by a potluck lunch. Seating is limited in the pavilion, so the meeting organizers are requesting that people bring chairs or blankets to sit on. 

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Immediate Kaunakakai and Kalae Water Conservation Required

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

Maui County Press Release

A mechanical breakdown affecting a water pump will severely affect residents and businesses in Kaunakakai and Kalae on Molokai. Until repairs can be completed, residents and businesses in the areas of Kaunakakai and Kalae should make every effort to immediately conserve water and limit usage to minimum requirements needed for health, safety and hygiene. Water customers will experience low water pressure or no water as water tank storage levels diminish. The county is working with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to utilize a second DHHL well.

The county of Maui has mobilized a 5,000 gallon water tanker which is located at the intersection of Ala Malama Avenue and Kukui Place near the post office in Kaunakakai. It will be available in the evening and daytime until repairs are completed. Residents are encouraged to fill personal containers at this location should water service diminish.
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Sust-AINA-ble Molokai

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Sust-AINA-ble Molokai

Future of a Hawaiian Island Conference

Sustainable Molokai Press Release

Artwork by Alex Gilliland

The Sust-AINA-ble Molokai: Future of a Hawaiian Island Conference is here. The conference will take place Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18. From Hawaiian voyaging and navigation to eco-friendly building, there is a little of something for everyone. See you there!   

To view the schedule of events at the conference, follow this link:
http://www.themolokaidispatch.com/downloads/Molokai_2009_Conf.pdf

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Krazy for Kolea Kontest

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Krazy for Kolea Kontest

Prizes offered for sightings of annual migratory birds     

Nene O Molokai Press Release   


The fall migration of the Kolea has begun. Also called the Pacific Golden Plover and scientifically known as Pluvialis fulva, the birds are returning from their breeding grounds in the Alaskan tundra. Kolea are territorial and live for twenty years or more, annually returning to Hawaii. Many Molokai residents have named their distinguished winter guests, noting their arrival and departure dates on calendars.

The Kolea is a swift flyer. In around 40 hours at speeds averaging from 56 to 60 miles per hour, the Kolea performs an incredible nonstop migration across the Pacific Ocean. The Kolea spends most of its daylight hours foraging, and can be recognized from a distance by its peculiar ‘run-stop-run’ feeding behavior.   

The Kolea is a prominent figure in Hawaiian folklore. It was considered to be the embodiment of Koleamoku, the god of healing, and a messenger of high chiefs. The northern migration of Kolea may have aided ancient navigators with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands.

If you report the return of your Kolea, you could win a prize. The observer of the first confirmed Kolea sighting will win a Kolea research t-shirt from the Hawaiian Audubon Society. The first ten confirmed observations will receive a gift certificate for a scoop of ice cream at Kamoi Snack-N-Go in Kaunakakai. Any individual reporting a banded Kolea will receive $20 cash, after the sighting and location have been confirmed.

The Kolea is easily recognized by its bold black and white breeding feathers. However, this ‘alternate’ plumage is lost by winter when the bird molts back to ‘basic’ plumage.
Kolea banded on Molokai have a green or yellow band over a silver metal band. Also, be on the lookout for birds banded with a combination of three colored and one metal band. Bird bands are read as if reading a book, from left leg top to bottom, then right leg top to bottom.

To report your Kolea sightings, call Arleone at Nene O Molokai at 553-5992, or send an email to researchbirds@yahoo.com. Include the date, time and location of each sighting with your report. Molokai sightings are collected at Nene O Molokai and emailed to Peter Pyle, an ornithologist who compiles the information for the Bishop Museum.   

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Welcoming Hokule`a – UPDATED

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Welcoming Hokule`a – UPDATED

Sustainable Molokai Press Release

UPDATE: The approximate time of arrival has been changed Wednesday afternoon before nightfall.

The Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hokule`a will arrive to Kaunakakai Harbor on Wednesday morning, July 15. The exact time will depend on water and weather conditions. The crew is visiting Molokai to attend the Sustainable Molokai: Future of a Hawaiian Island Conference and participate in various other activities. Hawaiian immersion students will be doing oli to welcome the crew, and the public is invited to attend. With the help of the community, food is being prepared for the occasion.        



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Kaunakakai Water Customers Urged to Conserve

Friday, June 26th, 2009

UPDATE: Kaunakakai Water Customers Urged to Conserve

 Maui County Press Release

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) is urging all customers in Kaunakakai and Kalae, Molokai to use water for health and safety purposes only while the Department of Water Supply replaces the pump and motor at the Kualapuu Well, which is the County’s only water source for the area.

Water levels at the Kaunakakai tank have fallen rapidly since the Kualapuu Well was shut down on Monday, June 22, 2009 for the repair work.  Customers may experience low water pressure or no water if storage levels continue to drop.  The State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is supplying water to the County system while the well is out of service but cannot keep up with the additional demand.

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