Political

Plenty of Questions

Tuesday, March 4th, 2008

By Brandon Roberts

With the Abbey Mayer confirmation hearing held simultaneously across town, the Feb. 27 Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) agenda was short and sweet.

The bi-weekly meeting held at the Mitchell Pauole Center had one main item on the agenda, approval of a renovation on the future business of Maka’s Takeout, on the corner of Mohala and Alohi Streets. The commission voted unanimously to approve a ventilation system for the new building.

During Maka’s hearing, questions about permit distinctions and standard procedures were raised by the commissioners.

“It is a learning process for us all,” Chairman DeGray Vanderbilt said.

Molokai Votes Obama

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

By Brandon Roberts

This year’s Democratic candidates inspired Molokai to get its vote on in a big way. Polling places island-wide were bursting at the seams with democratic enthusiasm.

Molokai voters came out in record numbers to share their strong mana`o with the rest of the nation.

“I vote, I have a voice,” said Obama supporter Harriet Fukuoka. Obama “looks like a man of honesty.”

Democratic hopeful, Barack Obama rode a political tsunami, catching 549 of 638 Molokai votes (86 percent). U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton came in with 85 votes (13 percent). Four years ago, less than 50 people voted in the caucus.

District 13 had the highest voter participation in the state. It includes East Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Hana and Keanai, Obama swept all 51 districts in Hawaii and helped to bring out a record 37,426 voters.

Precinct 11 (Ho`olehua, Kalae, Kualapu`u) delivered one of the highest percentages of support for Obama in the state. Obama received almost 92 percent of all votes.

Though the Mainland had its own Super Tuesday earlier in February, Molokai made sure that Feb. 19 was Super Tuesday Hawaiian style.

Many reasons exist for the record turnout; unique candidates, and paramount issues such as health insurance, the war on terror, and education. Top it off with a too-close-to-call campaign between Clinton and Obama that put Hawaii in the Democratic spotlight, and now there is a recipe for records

“This is history,” Molokai Democratic caucus organizer Beverly Pauole-Moore said. “Seeing this turnout, I have to pinch myself.”

Following the national trend of record voter turnout this election season, Pauole-Moore was prepared for the best. As voters arrived, there were plenty of volunteers and resources available for assistance.

“It is a Molokai stampede,” one Caucus volunteer said,

Volunteer Gladys Brown enjoyed the “good enthusiasm” as she admired the growing crowd from her voter registration desk. “Molokai is looking for a change,” she said.

“This is the most important vote of our lifetime,” said Danny Mateo, Vice-Chair of the Maui County Council. “Our actions are the beginning of a new change.” Mateo spoke to the eager audience waiting to drop their votes into the ballot boxes.

Within the crowd was first-time voter Sarah Nartatez, 21, who made it an ohana event by carrying her infant son Enzo Kansansa. Nartatez embodies youthful inspiration alive in the new generation of voters. She cast her vote for a “strong leader with the reassurance of a better future.”

Ben “Benny Boy” Ragonton’s ballot was the last to be cast. Ragonton, another first-timer, voted because of policy issues. “Stopping the war is the most important thing,” he said.

A total of 10 delegates from Molokai will attend the Democratic State Convention May 23-25 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu. At the state convention, the precinct delegates nominate the 29 state delegates that will go on to vote at the Democratic National Convention in August.

The Democratic Party of Hawaii estimated that Obama would get 14 of the state's 20 delegates, leaving Clinton with six. The remaining nine are superdelegates, who remain unpledged until the national convention.

The Democratic nominee needs 2,025 delegate votes to get the party nomination. Currently Obama has 1,192 pledged delegates, and Clinton trails with 1,036.

Mahalo nui to all the volunteers who make it possible for Molokai to exercise its freedom to vote and to Pauole-Moore for her organization on a smooth Hawaiian Super Tuesday.

Wetlands Going Dry

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Disappearing Mana`e wetlands cause concern.

By Brandon Roberts

The lack of zoning enforcement on Molokai’s wetlands may bring serious environmental problems and cultural violations. Community leaders met with Mana`e (East End) residents to discuss development which is potentially damaging the wetlands in the area.

The lo`i (irrigated terrace) and the loko i`a (fishpond) are intrinsic with the culture and represent a living balance between the po`e (people) and the `aina (land). Some of the development may be irresponsible and indiscriminate.

The non-profit organization Malama Pono O Ka `Aina hosted the meeting last Saturday at the Kilohana Community Center, to gather input from the residents. Guest speakers included Rep. Mele Carroll, DLNR Branch Chief Randy Awo, and cultural specialist Vanda Hanakahi. Community members also gave valuable testimony.

“Indigenous knowledge cannot be ignored,” kumu `Opu`ulani Albino said. “Best practices are found in the people who live with the land.”

Carroll revived the ‘Aha Kiole advisory council on Molokai and across the Hawaiian Islands The `Aha Kiole exists as a bridge between the farmer, the hunter, the homesteader, the community, and state legislators.

Hanakahi, chairwoman of the `Aha Kiole council, made a cultural presentation, explaining why the Mana`e coastal lands are a vital part of the Hawaiian culture.

“We want to create a Hawaii that Hawaiians would like to see,” Hanakahi said.

Prior to the meeting, Carroll, along with Awo and other officials took an ocean excursion to survey the development on the wetlands in Mana`e.

The meeting was a chance for Carroll to listen to residents’ concerns and receive public comments on hb2788. The bill seeks to prohibit wetlands development that did not include a “public informative meeting”before a permit is issued.

“What do you want to see in your community?” Carroll asked. “My role is to convey the message of the people.”

Awo gathered notes on community concerns, from jet skis on the reef to zoning infractions on the wetlands . He reassured the attendees that he would speak with the proper agencies and follow up on these concerns.

Possible zoning infractions were photographed by Malama Pono O Ka `Aina and presented at the meeting in a slide show. The photographs show homes that speckle the Mana`e shoreline, some with Ho`olehua red dirt piles intended to fill the wetlands.

This imported earth may contain heptachlor, an insecticide used on the old pineapple plantation fields. Many residents fear water contamination. Exposure to heptachlor has been linked to liver damage and is associated with an increased risk of cancer.The Environmental Protection Agency banned heptaclor in 1978, yet it still lingers in the environment.

Other wetland residents may have illegal sea walls, boat ramps, and roads through the loko i`a. In some instances, shoreline trees were cut and bulldozed right into the ocean.

Attendees were frustrated with the lack of consistency and communication between various governmental agencies, as well as inadequate enforcement. Currently there is no zoning enforcement agency on Molokai, and meeting attendees feel this is one reason why there is wetlands abuse.

Malama Pono O Ka `Aina President Linda Place wants to “work together to protect the wetlands.” She said this is possible through a “management swap,” which would transfer sensitive coastal lands into the protective custody of an appropriate governmental or non-profit entity.

Malama Pono O Ka `Aina strives to “assure development that is lawful and respectful of the environmental health and historical culture of Mana`e, Molokai,” according to its mission statement.

Malama Pono O Ka `Aina will host its next meeting March 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kilohana Community Center. All interested persons are encouraged to attend and share their mana`o.

Molokai Ranch Denies Extension Requests

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

Public comment period on EIS to close Feb. 22.

By Jennifer Smith

Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) denied requests for an extension on the deadline for public comments on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for its proposed La`au Point development.

“We came to the conclusion that 45 days is really sufficient,” MPL General Manager John Sabas said during a Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) meeting last week Wednesday. “We are not going to change the deadline. It still remains at Feb. 22.”

MPL, otherwise known as Molokai Ranch, filed a new draft EIS for its proposed La`au Point development on Dec. 21, after withdrawing a Final EIS last November. The development would require the reclassification of over 600 acres of conservation land to allow for the sale of 200 multi-million dollar rural residential lots.

Requesting More Time

Senator Clayton Hee, Councilmember Danny Mateo, the Maui County Cultural Resources Commission, the MoPC, and EIS consultants Glenn Teves and Steve Morgan were among the numerous organizations, government officials and community members requesting an extension on the 45-day comment period.

“It’s too bad the Ranch elected not to grant the short 30-day extension request,” MoPC Chairman DeGray Vanderbilt said. “The decision is not going to sit well with a lot of residents and government officials.”

Extension requests cited concerns regarding the EIS filing four days before the holidays, the lack of a user-friendly electronic format of the document, and that hard copies were not provided to the parties on MPL’s distribution list.

“MPL has not been forthcoming in coming up with information,” Teves said, holding up a hard copy of the document he received in the mail that day. “I think this is grounds for some legal action in not getting hard copies in a timely matter.”

Testimony

The specially scheduled night-time MoPC meeting also allowed community members to provide testimony on the draft EIS.

“I believe water is the biggest issue,” Teves said. “MPL is on shaky ground with pieces of a water system and remaining pieces exposed to litigation.”

MPL has a history of distorting water figures, as well as irresponsibly managing the well 17 water system it is currently in charge of, according to Teves.

“It’s important that MPL comes back to the table and shares their information regarding water,” Ahupua`a Homestead Association President Kammy Purdy said. “Homesteaders are not going to give up their water.”

Teves said MPL is misinterpreting a Kaunakakai water study. He recommended the commission invite U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist Delwyn Oki to clarify the study’s findings.

Executive Director of the Molokai Community Service Council Karen Holt said MPL had previously agreed to make the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) unchangeable within the EIS. The CC&Rs would provide guidelines and rules for property owners of the proposed development.

However, according to the new draft EIS, future residents can change the CC&Rs as long as they are the property owners, Holt said.

Community member Chris Hammond found fault with the document’s protection of the Hawaiian monk seal. La`au Point is a well-known habitat of the endangered monk seal, Hammond said, and development in the area would push the monk seal out of its home.

Other concerns raised during testimony included a need for additional analysis of project alternatives, issues of project segmentation and issues concerning the enforcement of land easements.

The MoPC will hold a special meeting on Feb. 19 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss which comments to send MPL. However, the community is encouraged to send their own testimonies directly to MPL, to ensure that all comments are heard and addressed.

Letters between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and MPL concerning the potential impacts on the Hawaiian monk seals from the proposed development are on file at the Molokai Planning Commission Office, located at the Mitchell Pauole Center.

Get Your Vote On

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

Molokai will choose their Democratic presidential candidate on Feb. 19.

By Brandon Roberts

With a Democratic dead heat after last week’s Super Tuesday presidential primary, Hawaii may have the rare opportunity of deciding the nation’s Democratic nominee during next weeks Democratic Caucus.

“What the people need to know is that Feb. 19 is the day that Molokai voters choose their Democratic presidential nominee,” Molokai Democratic Volunteer Coordinator Beverly Pauole-Moore said.

“Molokai (voters) are the movers and shakers,” Pauole-Moore said. “Every single vote counts; we can make a difference.” Molokai will send 10 delegates to the State Convention based on this poll.

Water Issues Flood Planning Commission

Monday, January 28th, 2008

Proposed developments march on, with or without water.
By Brandon Roberts

Lori Buchanan's mana'o

The MoPC sent a formal letter to MPL submitting these community requests and asking for additional copies to be made available to the public. Currently there is only one public copy at the library.
Last January a similar EIS comment deadline extension was submitted by the MoPC. MPL general manager John Sabas said at that time, “(the project) is extremely important to the people of Molokai and we want to ensure there is sufficient time for … review.”
With a deteriorating water infrastructure and the recent Hawaii Supreme Court ruling on Well 17, MPL has many Molokai residents wondering “how can this development continue with no water?” The Supreme Court overturned a decision to grant a water permit to MPL, which draws 1 million gallons of water a day from well 17. The MoPC has tentatively scheduled its next meeting for Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. If the 30 day public review extension is denied then Feb. 13 will be the last time for MoPC to hear public testimony on the La’au EIS.

ClearCom Not So Clear

Monday, January 21st, 2008

Communication company comes up short on promises.

By Brandon Roberts

After assuring the community that no Molokai water would be used, ClearCom consumed up to 44,000 gallons of Homesteader’s drinking water everyday of drilling to make a special mixture of mud to push the undersea drill.

“They (CC) are infringing upon my Native Hawaiian rights to water,” Molokai homesteader Wade Lee, said.

“We could have done this better in hindsight,” admitted Healii Kihune, ClearCom Project Manager to Lee.

The community meeting was held three days before the drilling was to be completed, at which time the water had already been drawn from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) supplies. Meeting attendees said that the community had been taken advantage of.

Kihune told Lee “We do not want civil disobedience, but the drilling is done so this is a moot point.”

Maui County denied ClearCom a permit to use the county’s water. However, the company was given permission to use DHHL drinking water by George Maioho, DHHL Molokai District Supervisor.

ClearCom ran drilling operations for 16-20 days, and used up to 44,000 gallons of homesteaders’ water daily. Kihune said the company had instructed its contractors to have “no direct impact or infringement on community with regards to using their water.”

But community members felt otherwise. “The things we discussed did not happen,” said Noelani Lee, Ka Honua Momona (KHM) Executive Director. “KHM supported ClearCom on good faith and what we thought to be true is turning out to be untrue.”

KHM is the steward of Ali’i Fishpond, the site chosen as the landing point for the undersea fiber optic line. The permit to use this site was obtained in 2004. In previous meetings KHM requested specifically that no water was to come from Molokai.

“We asked for these promises in writing,” Lee continued. Her demands were echoed throughout Tuesday’s meeting by other concerned citizens.

ClearCom concluded drilling operations on Jan. 18, three days after the meeting. A permit extension was filed to use additional water needed to conclude the drilling phase. However, addressing community concerns, ClearCom purportedly used DHHL agricultural water rather than drinking water.

“After the fact is too late. It has permanently affected us here,” said a concerned community member voicing frustrations.

At the community meeting ClearCom representatives confirmed that a promise to landscape the construction site at Ali`i Pond would be honored. The landscaping plan presented by Noelani Lee on the night of the meeting showed that the area would be reclaimed and restored with irrigation system, kukui trees and other native plants.

The fiber optic line being installed by ClearCom was financed with Federal dollars. The terrestrial portion, estimated at over $160 million, was financed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Federal Communications Commission granted another $400 million to the project. This money came from a Universal Service Fund which is a mandatory tax that all phone subscribers, including Molokai residents, pay on a monthly bill.

There are currently 5,400 Homestead lots leased to Native Hawaiians. With over $500 million in Federal funds, the fiber optic network costs approximately $100,000 for every connected homestead lot.