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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

1500 new homes on the West End?

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

An attempt to get enough votes to stop subdivision of existing Kaluako`i land parcels has been abandoned by the West Moloka'i Association. This is a huge issue for Molokai and it's potential impact can not be underestimated. Without a prohibition on further subdivision, Maui County zoning rules could allow for up to 1500 additional homes to be built in the Kaluako`i area. One property owner on the west end has already exercised the provision to subdivide by dividing a single beach front lot into two lots and is now attempting to sell one of the two lots at a profit of $1,360,000.

In the voting process, 65% of the landowners on the west end voted against subdivision, thus demonstrating that the majority of residents on the west end recognize the potential future harm that extensive subdivision would create, however in order to mandate a new CC&R preventing subdivision, a super majority of 75% would have been required. Despite the efforts of the West Molokai Association and the west end community, this percentage was unattainable.

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Maui Economic Opportunity – Struggling for Shelter in Maui County

Wednesday, April 18th, 2007

An Affordable Rental Forum

Wailuku, Maui (April 12, 2007)    Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) will hold an Affordable Rental Forum on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at the MEO Classrooms at 99 Mahalani Street, Wailuku.  Registration starts at 8:00 am with the forum beginning at 8:30 am and it will end by 1:00 pm.  Lunch will be served for this free forum and it is open to the entire community.  Seating is limited and interested participants are asked to contact Kai or May at 249-2990 by April 26, 2007 to pre-register for this event.  

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EC Gets it Wrong

Wednesday, March 14th, 2007

Enterprise Community board attempts to set voting results straight with misinformation.

On March 6, the Molokai Enterprise Community (EC) Board of Directors attempted to respond to what they call “numerous misstatements of facts” regarding the recent EC elections. EC Board President Stacy Crivello and EC Executive Director Abbey Mayer issued a press release (shown below) in an attempt to set the Molokai community straight.

The problem is that the information included in the EC press release is misleading and inaccurate. The press release compares voter turnout numbers between the recent EC election and the 2006 General Election. But the numbers that the EC uses are in error because they include outer island vote totals from the 2006 General Election. The document also fails to identify any of the alleged “numerous misstatements of facts” that the release is said to clarify.

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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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