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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Jet Ski Public Meeting

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

DLNR TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON JET SKI USE AROUND MOLOKAI

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold an informal public meeting on Molokai on Thursday, May 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room to hear from community members regarding the use of jet skis (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) around Molokai.

“We understand a petition is being circulated on Molokai to demonstrate public support for legalizing jet ski riding,” said Thielen. “The purpose of this public meeting is to hear directly from residents regarding concerns or questions they might have about the use of jet skis in Molokai waters.”

Residents can also provide comments in writing to the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, or at subsequent meetings.

Commercial or recreational use of controlled ocean sports equipment, such as jet skis, is currently prohibited around the islands of Molokai and Lana‘i.

“In recent months we have received complaints from island residents about noise and disturbance to reef animals from an increase in illegal jet ski riding in nearshore waters of Molokai,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. “After our enforcement division officers followed up on these reported cases, we saw a decrease in jet ski use.”

A similar public meeting will be planned for Lana‘i in the near future.

Legalizing jet ski riding would require a change to the administrative rules of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. The process would involve public hearings on a draft rule change, approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, review by the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and Department of the Attorney General, and final signature by the Governor, before the new rules can take effect.

In addition, Hawai‘i Administrative Rule Chapter 13-256-16 requires all personal watercraft operators to be certified in the safe use of their watercraft, by completing a class offered through the University of Hawai‘i Community College System.

Under its administrative rules, thrill craft operations may be curtailed in certain designated areas as necessary, to avoid possible adverse impacts on humpback whales or other protected marine life; provide for increased public access; reduce user conflicts; and promote overall public safety.

Any person requiring accommodations for special needs (i.e. sign language interpreter, large print documents, etc.) may contact harbormaster Bernard Strehler at Kaunakakai Harbor (808) 553-1742 to make arrangements for assistance.

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UPC Wind Announces Name Change to First Wind

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

UPC Wind Announces Name Change to First Wind

Boston, MA—May 1, 2008—UPC Wind, an independent North American wind power company, today announced that it is changing its name to First Wind.  The name change will not have any impact on the company’s organizational structure or day-to-day operations.  The name change is effective immediately.

“Although our name has changed, our core values remain the same,” said Paul Gaynor, President and CEO of First Wind.  “As First Wind, we remain committed to our community partners, to seeking energy independence, and to finding environmentally sensitive solutions to meet the nation’s growing energy needs.  We look forward to continuing to bring these values to the development, construction, and operation of our wind power projects under the First Wind brand.”

Since its founding in the United States in 2002, the company has remained focused on wind farm development, ownership, and operation with projects primarily in the Northeast, the West Coast and Hawaii.  The company’s ownership is also not affected by the name change. 

In addition to growing domestic energy production and increasing energy security, wind power is considered cost competitive with conventional sources of electricity, such as oil or gas, particularly in First Wind’s key market segments.  Unlike traditional polluting sources of energy, wind has no fuel cost, therefore serving as a natural hedge against volatile fuel prices, which constitutes a significant portion of monthly electricity bills in most markets in the United States.  Wind power also emits no greenhouse gases or other damaging pollutants.

About First Wind
First Wind is based in Newton, Massachusetts.  First Wind is an American-owned company, with a proven track record of developing, owning, and operating well-sited, community-friendly wind farms that increase energy independence.  For more information on First Wind, please visit www.firstwind.com.
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Maui Electric to Talk Renewable Energy on Molokai

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council to host energy discussion.

 

The Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Kūlana ‘Ōiwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai.   The public is invited.

Representatives from Maui Electric Company (MECO) will discuss integrated resource planning for Maui County, including Moloka‘i. The presentation comes as the Lingle-Aiona Administration continues to make progress on the Hawaii Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, an unprecedented partnership between the State of Hawai‘i and the Dept. of Energy which aims to have 70 percent of Hawai‘i’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2030.  

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues on Moloka‘i.  The council also recommends potential nominees for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council are Robert Granger, Janice Kalanihuia, Jersula Manaba, Marlene Purdy and Weldon Wichman.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 586-0034.  For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.  

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Hawaii’s Agriculture Could be in Big Trouble

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Agriculture is in BIG trouble if certain provisions of SB 2646, HD 1 passes this week  In one of the most brazen moves by the House and Speaker Say in recent memory is the ploy to hold the mandatory solar heating bill (SB 644) hostage to what the House has spun as the Ag "Incentives" bill (SB 2646, CD 1), so the latter can get out of conference committee for a floor vote.  The story is as slimy as it gets - see details below from Sierra Club (esp. section highlighted).

In short, the bill provides landowners a huge potential windfall.  The two most notorious sections would open up current Ag District lands for Urban and/or Rural District uses, either of which could negatively impact ag and lead to the kind of abuses currently illegal in the Ag District, but to which counties have been turning a blind eye.  This bill would legitimize such uses in the future. Some major features:

(1)  Allow landowners to reclassify their 15% of their lands to urban or rural under an expedited Declaratory Ruling Petition if they designate 85% of their lands as "important agricultural lands" (IAL).  The implication of using this procedure is to avoid contested case procedures, which would otherwise apply, in favor of only public hearings. 
 

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Kaunakakai Filipino Association Membership Drive

Monday, April 21st, 2008

Kaunakakai Filipino Association Membership Drive

The Kaunakakai Filipino Association would like to welcome its newest members, Summer and Von Santiago and keiki, Jocelyn Kepa, and Elizabeth and Omer Merkel.

The association's objective is to strengthen family ties between members and families and provide financial aide to families with a passing member to help ease their burden. A special invitation goes out to the next generation of young, community minded citizens.

The next meeting is July 17 at 6:30 pm at the Mitchell Pau`ole Center conference room. For more information contact Wanda Diorec at 553-5642.

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Kalaupapa Harbor Improvements Funded

Friday, April 18th, 2008

The total project cost is estimated to be $1,112,240, which includes $87,240 in unused funds from a previous project.

Bidding for this project is scheduled to begin in June 2008. On-site construction is estimated to begin in spring 2009 – following the rough ocean months of October through March – and be completed in September 2009.

In June 2007, Governor Lingle released $595,000 for emergency repairs to the harbor’s bulkhead wall, which had deteriorated due to lengthy exposure to winter waves. That project was successfully completed in September 2007.

 

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MOLOKAI COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Monday, April 7th, 2008

STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TO ADDRESS GOVERNOR’S
MOLOKAI COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Kūlana ‘Ōiwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai.   The public is invited.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) representatives will discuss current and future efforts to assist those affected by the recent shutdown of Molokai Ranch’s operations.  Last month, a multi-agency Rapid Response Team led by DLIR met with the affected employees to provide information on unemployment insurance, job training and placement and medical benefits.

The state’s Rapid Response Team is surveying workers to evaluate their job skills and determine how many people need training and what type of job placement assistance is required.  Officials are also reaching out to businesses to identify potential job opportunities.  The team is also working with the Department of Human Services First-to-Work office on Molokai to provide direct employment assistance and the support services necessary to find employment.

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The Molokai Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues on Molokai.  The council also recommends potential nominees for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council are Robert Granger, Janice Kalanihuia, Jersula Manaba, Marlene Purdy and Weldon Wichman.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 586-0034.  For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.  

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Mo`omomi claims opihi picker

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

A 38-year-old Molokai man died last Thursday in Mo`omomi, on Molokai’s north shore.

Christopher Ka`awa of Mo`omomi, was in the company of others, picking opihi at Anahaki Cliffs, east of Mo`omomi. Ka`awa was struck by a large wave and swept out into the open sea at 10:20 a.m. About an hour later, a Molokai fire search-and-rescue crew located the man’s body floating face down about 30 yards offshore, police said.

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Mayor Tavares And Molokai Council Member Mateo Respond To Ranch Closure

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

Mayor Charmaine Tavares and Molokai Council Member Danny A. Mateo comments on today’s announcement by Molokai Properties that the company will be shutting down a majority of its operations effective April 5, 2008.

Mayor Tavares:

“The impact on the community will be quite serious. I’m concerned for the employees and families that are affected. This is devastating news and they will be the ones who will feel it the most.

While I have great faith in the tenacity and resiliency of the people of Molokai, I am concerned about their economic future.

For an island that has the state’s highest unemployment rate, this adds to an already stressful employment situation. We’ll be looking for ways that the county, state and non-profit community can provide support to the workers and their families. My staff has been informed that the state’s Workforce Development Division and the state Unemployment Insurance Office are expected to send a rapid response team to Molokai in the next few days to meet with the affected employees.

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Lingle Focuses On Molokai Ranch Employees, Island’s Economy

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

Lingle Focuses On Molokai Ranch Employees, Island’s Economy

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today outlined steps the State Administration is taking to assist 120 displaced workers on Moloka‘i following the announcement by Moloka‘i Ranch that it will cease its operations at the end of this month.  

 

“My immediate concern is for the 120 employees and their families who will be affected by this closure,” said Governor Lingle.  “My office and several state departments are working together to assist the employees in the short-term, while minimizing the long-term economic impact.

 

“Because of Moloka‘i’s small population, the closure of one of the island’s largest private employers will have a disproportionate impact on the island’s economy,” said the Governor.  “The loss of this many jobs in such a small community like Moloka‘i is equivalent to 23,000 people on O‘ahu losing their jobs on the same day.”

 

“It is unfortunate that after working with the community and state and local government on developing its master plan for so long, Moloka‘i Ranch is unable to continue its operations,” said Governor Lingle. The company has stated that its net loss from 2001 to 2006 has been approximately $37 million.  “Through all of this, the employees worked hard and made sacrifices.  We want to do everything we can to help the employees and the Moloka‘i community.”

 

On Thursday, state officials will travel to Moloka‘i to meet with the employees to provide information on what type of assistance is available.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ (DLIR) Rapid Response Team, accompanied by officials from the Department of Human Services (DHS), will hold two meetings, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., to provide employees with information on unemployment insurance, job training and placement and medical benefits.  The meetings will take place at the Moanaloa Tri-Plex theatre.

 

DLIR Director Darwin Ching will lead the meeting, which will also include presentations by the administrator of the Unemployment Insurance Division who will explain the process and timeline for filing claims, as well as the administrator of the Workforce Development Division.  Branch managers of the Maui Unemployment Insurance and Workforce Development divisions, as well as staff from DLIR’s Moloka‘i office will also be on hand to assist the employees.

In addition, representatives from the DHS will provide information and help employees determine if and when they are eligible for medical benefits, including QUEST, QUEST Ace and Medicaid.  

 

Over the next few weeks, the Rapid Response Team will survey workers to evaluate their job skills and determine how many people need training and what type of job placement assistance is required.  Officials are also reaching out to businesses on Maui and Moloka‘i to identify potential job opportunities for workers who are willing to move or commute.  The team will also work with the Department of Human Services First-to-Work office on Moloka‘i to provide direct employment assistance and the support services necessary to find employment.

Governor Lingle also announced she would convene a Moloka‘i Action Team, comprised of state, county and community representatives to identify additional opportunities to assist the displaced workers in the short-term, while also focusing on ways to rebuild the island’s workforce base.  

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