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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

NEW RULES FOR LAY GILL NETS IN EFFECT

Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announced that Governor Linda Lingle has approved amendments to rules that regulate the use of lay gill nets and prohibit their use in certain state waters. The rule changes are now in effect.


“The signing of these rules by Governor Lingle is another significant step in the Administration’s ongoing efforts to protect our near shore resources and ensure we will have fish for the future,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.

Young noted that a recent study entitled The Case Against Lay Gill Nets, July 2006 (John E. Randall, Ph.D., Charles Birkeland, Ph.D., Richard L. Pyle, Ph.D., Randall Kosaki, Ph.D.) found that over fishing has led to the decline in reef fish in Hawai‘i waters, and responsible fishing practices are needed to sustain the fish population.  

“The total biomass of reef fishes in the Main Hawaiian Islands is less than a quarter of what it was a century ago,” the study said.  “While pollution, development and alien species are possibly all contributing to this loss, over fishing is the primary factor in the precipitous decline of our near shore fisheries.  When done responsibly, there are many ways to fish sustainably, such as pole and line, handline, throw net, and breath-hold spearing.”

Lay gill nets have shown to be indiscriminate and can catch nearly anything swimming by, including protected species such as Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles; are wasteful and violate the value of taking only what is needed; and can damage coral reefs and other fish habitat.

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Sierra Club Press Release

Tuesday, March 6th, 2007

Maui Sierra Club criticizes La`au Point Development plan, urges county to consider long-term impacts of rezoning.


In a letter addressed to the Maui County Planning Dept. and Molokai Planning Commission The Sierra Club Maui Group last week urged planning professionals to “seriously question” the conclusions of the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment for La`au Point and asked that the Sierra Club be considered as a consulting party on the matter. The Sierra Club Maui Board in December voted unanimously to submit official comments stating their opposition to the development of La`au Point. The conservation group finds fault with the DEIS’ claim that marine resources at La`au will be better protected and managed under the proposed development plan (which includes buffer areas and regulated access) than they are now, and argues that the “remote location of La`au Point is providing a natural management tool for these resources, which include the limu, kohu, ophihi, pipipi, and aama crab that help sustain the subsistence lifestyle of Molokai residents. Lucienne de Naie of the Sierra Club Maui’s conservation committee says that the La`au Point DEIS “makes the same promises of marine resource protection being compatible with development of a formerly remote area that citizens of Maui have heard over the last three decades.” Such a statement, she says, should be treated with a high degree of skepticism. “If there is one site on Maui or Molokai island that can be shown to have improved marine resources or marine environment conditions as a result of past developments, this study should provide evidence…” she says.

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MPL Press Release

Tuesday, February 6th, 2007


-->Throw netting.

The marine biology study notes, “Preservation of offshore and shoreline resources for subsistence gathering is of great importance to the people of Moloka‘i. Therefore, perpetual right to subsistence gathering will be noted on the titles of the areas to be preserved. Protections to subsistence gathering will be specified in the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) for L?‘au Point. The CC&Rs will establish policies that permit subsistence gathering and cultural practices, as well as permit the hiring of resource managers to maintain the subsistence lifestyle.”

— MORE —

The EIS also states, “Based on the community-proposed access plan, protection of the offshore coastal resources at L?‘au Point would best be achieved by controlling access to the area so that the community can retain the area for subsistence gathering. A management plan will be developed and adopted to regulate the use of the land and ocean resources to ensure the continuance of the resources for future generations.”

John Sabas, General Manager of Community Affairs for Moloka‘i Ranch, said, “Those who claim that the proposed development and the Community-Based Master Plan will jeopardize our ocean resources are mistaken. It is the status quo—which allows unrestricted commercial fishing and gathering, and the absence of an alternative plan to end the negative effects of sediment in Molokai’s coastal waters—that have resulted in the decline of marine resources and negatively affected those who practice a subsistence lifestyle.”

Sabas added: “I believe that people who read the plan and the environmental studies in the EIS will see that there are very good reasons to support what is being proposed.”

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MPL’s vision for the future: a house on every rock, and a seal on every lawn

Tuesday, February 6th, 2007

Every now and again, one ought to just step back and marvel at the bravado with which big business presents its ideas.

Take the MPL press release following the most recent Environmental Impact Statement as a textbook example of top-notch spin-doctoring:

“It is likely that sediment discharge from runoff to the ocean will be significantly less with the Lā‘au Point project compared with existing conditions.” This conclusion is based on several measures planned for Lā‘au Point that will protect near-shore waters from increased degradation of water quality, such as drainage control systems, regulation of the use of fertilizers and pesticides, re-vegetation as a means of permanent erosion control measures throughout the developed areas, and fencing to keep deer and other animals from disturbing the soil.”

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Victory for Molokai

Tuesday, February 6th, 2007

The EC vote on Wed. Jan 31 was a victory for Molokai. It is part of a great story of an Island that participated in a democratic process in large numbers without the influence of government. It was a grass roots effort by a community determined to express their choices. Those on both sides of the issue worked hard to create a safe place for all to participate, and participate we did. The election is the talk of the island.

The Save La'au candidates delivered a landslide victory and in the process ousted well known politician and OHA trustee Colette Machado. Also on the losing end was Claude Sutcliff who called the elections a "community referendum" on the issue of whether to develop La'au Point.

The ‘silent majority’ had a chance to speak, and it was a deafening NO! to the La'au development project. Those who won were against La'au Development, and the two encumbants who lost were in favor of the development, which begs the question: "How much more does this community have to say and do before Peter Nichols keeps his word about having the community decide whether La'au will be developed?”

Congradulations Molokai- you made yourself proud...KU'E!

Walter Ritte

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Airfares Price War Comes to Molokai

Monday, January 22nd, 2007

On Tuesday, Pacific Wings Airlines announced plans to launch a new discount carrier to offer flights from Honolulu to Lanai and Molokai for only $29 plus taxes. A few days later, Island Air announced more drastic reductions as a reaction to their competitor.
PW Express will start flying those routes in February and will offer $29 one-way fares, matching other island routes and competitive with Island Air, the state’s main carrier flying those routes.
Pointing out that The Pacific Wings rate comes to $34.90 with additions, Island Air will now offer those tickets for $32.10 with taxes and fees.  The price applies to nine seats on Island Air flights from Honolulu to Molokai and Lanai as well as on its service from Honolulu to Kapalua.  Island Air offered flights for $54 until last month when it offered a $12 return fare for passengers who purchase roundtrip tickets. 
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Kite Factory Joins Artists & Crafters Guild & Launches New Product

Monday, December 4th, 2006

You won’t have to drive to Maunaloa to sample a taste of the Bigwind Kite Factory’s fantastic kites and unique windsocks.

When the Standards Committee of the Molokai Artists & Crafters Guild recognized the Kite Factory’s creativity and excellence, they invited them to join the Guild.

Naturally, Jonathan S ocher (the kite master) accepted. It is not only an honor and credential to be a Guild Member, but it also allows Master Members to market their work at the Guild’s Gallery & Gift Shop, located above American Savings Bank in downtown Kaunakakai.

The timing couldn’t be better as it’s just in time for the Kite Factory’s launch of their new Hawaiian Petroglyph Kite Collection. Honoring Hawaii’s proud culture, they feature Paddlers, Fish, Canoes and Turtles.

If you like what you see at the Guild Gallery downtown, check out the Kite Factory’s full array of kites and windsocks in Maunaloa. If you have the time, it’s worth the trip to see their exotic treasures and unique furniture from Bali.

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Koa Logs Arriving at Kaunakakai Harbor for Molokai koa canoe

Sunday, December 3rd, 2006

Coffees of Hawaii has partnered with the Molokai Canoe Racing Association (MCRA) to bring Molokai its first koa outrigger canoe. There will be a formal welcoming at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Young Brothers Facility in Kaunakakai Harbor.

The logs were generously donated by the Umikoa Ranch on the Big Island of Hawaii and John Kekua assisted with the cutting and hauling from the ranch to Hilo Harbor. The logs were shipped courtesy of Young Brothers, Ltd., and will be hauled to their new carving site at Coffees of Hawaii in Kualapu’u by Makoa Trucking and Services. The planning and coordination between the MCRA board members, Coffees of Hawaii and the Umikoa Ranch management began in January 2005.

It’s been the desire of Dan Kuhn, General Manager of Coffees of Hawaii to adopt one Molokai community organization that would truly benefit and develop into an educational and traditional Hawaiian project. Coffees of Hawaii agreed to pay for the cutting and hauling on the Big Island and provide a covered warehouse for the logs to dry under at their Kualapu’u, base yard on Moloka’i. Once the logs are dried, a hull design and master canoe carver will be chosen by the Molokai Canoe Racing Association. The owners of Coffees of Hawaii are thrilled and they’ve agreed to build a traditional canoe hale at the Plantation for the canoe to be housed in while it is being carved. “Working with the community on such a traditional project is an honor, and it is our intent to provide a venue for young men and women of canoe paddling on Molokai to learn the art of canoe building” said Dan Kuhn.

The event happening on Tuesday, December 5th is like no other for generations of Molokai people, especially the young. The accumulated years of growth of the Koa trees, nestled in the forest proximity of Hawaii's active volcano, speaks of old Hawaii thru the majestic rings of its trunk. It took well over 90 years for these two koa trees to mature to their fullest. As the leaves fell off, in its cycle of life, the tree celebrated it’s journey to Molokai, and will now be caressed by many hands, smoothed, molded and shaped for future Molokai’s Keiki's to paddle across Hawaiian waters, as their ancestors once did. The people of Molokai are eager for the day when the canoe meets the water, boldly and proudly connecting to the past. A community project such as this is truly exciting and deserves proper filming and documentation, so Coffees of Hawaii has retained Molokai born and raised Film Director and Editor Matt Yamashita of Quazifilms to cover this story. Documentation has already begun with the planning and cutting phases and each phase will be filmed until the canoe launches in the water for its inaugural event sometime in 2008.

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Customer Service Excellence – New Course at MCC Molokai

Sunday, December 3rd, 2006

The Molokai Rural Development Project is pleased to announce a tuition-free course for Molokai’s workforce in hospitality and customer service-based industries. The course, HOST 90V- Customer Service Excellence- is scheduled from 6:00 – 9:00 PM on Tuesdays from January 9- May 10, 2007. The instructor selected for the course is Ms. Tanya Will.

A variety of topics will be discussed including general customer service, dealing with difficult customers, human resources, communications and telephone etiquette, travel industry components, sales and marketing, and cultural sensitivity.

Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis and is limited. To allow the employees of as many businesses as possible to participate, we ask that each employer initially send only two employees to the course. Employers should contact MCC Molokai at 553-4490 ex 21 as soon as possible for information.

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MauiFEST Hawaii-Molokai Film Festival Information

Wednesday, November 29th, 2006

Join the third annual MauiFEST Molokai Film Festival on Dec. 9 for a celebration of culture and the arts at Kaunakakai Ball Park. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. and music begins at 4:00. Films start at sunset under the Molokai stars. Admission is free! No coolers please.

This year’s festival features award-winning films, filmmakers and an all-star lineup of world renowned musicians. Scheduled to appear are Grammy and Hoku winner John Cruz, 2006 Grammy winner and slack key master George Kahumoku, Maui’s own Tita – Kathy Collins, multi Hoku winner Dennis Kamakahi and Molokai’s own Hawaiian Prime Time led by Zack Helm.

Hawaiian style food booths will also serve up grinds, and there will be cancer awareness booths by the Molokai Cancer Fund and the Molokai Community Health Center.

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