Molokai General Goes Pink
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DLNR Listens Up
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Molokai residents brought a bag full of suggestions and concerns to a visit from the head of one of the largest branches of the state government – the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). From discussions about protecting subsistence lifestyles to management of wind, water and other resources, DLNR Chairperson William “Bill” Aila interacted with residents for nearly two hours during his first visit to Molokai.
Aila, who was appointed DLNR chairperson by Gov. Abercrombie in November 2010, talked story with local residents as part of a statewide series. The meeting was unusual because Aila’s visit was not to address a particular project or issue, but instead simply to listen. The gesture was appreciated by Molokai residents, who repeatedly thanked him for his effort and openness.
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Other issues included allowing residents to restore exposed graves in Mana`e, which Aila said he would directly address with the Burial Council during a return visit he’s planning in November; fixing the water supply so that new water meters may be allowed in East Molokai; supporting the Molokai Invasive Species Committee and Plant Extinction Prevention Program; removing asbestos from the old Coast Guard stations at Ilio Point; and formalizing DLNR outreach with `Aha Ki`ole.
Bye-bye Brushfire
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Crews successfully removed more than 9,800 flammable plants and bushes from Kalaupapa National Park (KNHP) last month in an effort to prevent brushfires. Flown in from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, about 10 workers focused on invasive species including Christmas berry, lantana and java plum within 100 feet of structures. The project was the first of its kind in KNHP in a century, helping to restore the settlement to what it looked like in the early 1900s before invasive species became overgrown and endangered the settlement’s residents, graves and historic structures. At its monthly community meeting Sept. 13, residents thanked workers and project leader Paul Hosten, terrestrial ecologist for the National Park Service, for their efforts.
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Photos at left:
Top, crews from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park work to remove flammable brush from within Kalaupapa National Park. Bottom, the same area after the brush was cleared. Photos courtesy Paul Hosten.
Stay E. Coli Safe
Community contributed by Molokai Oompa Loompas
Veteran’s Corner
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Column by Jesse Church
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The Navy’s sub fleet entered the nuclear age Sept. 20, 1954, when the service commissioned its first nuclear-powered submarine. The service was able to produce Nautilus thanks to the development of a nuclear propulsion plant by Navy scientists, according to the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Conn. The 319-foot sub could dive to 700 feet and stay underwater for more than two weeks, a far cry from the 12 to 48 hours that World War II subs could remain submerged. Nautilus quickly became a star in the sub fleet, shattering a number of submerged speed and distance records. It also became the first ship to ever cross the North Pole in 1958, during a top secret mission dubbed Operation Sunshine. Nautilus was decommissioned in March, 1980, after 26 years of service and more than 500,000 miles. The historic sub is on display at the Submarine Force Museum and is Connecticut’s state ship.
The Veterans Affairs Department (VA) now offers phone counseling for veterans’ family members and friends to help them encourage their loved ones to get medical and mental health care if needed. The “Coaching into Care” service, run by professional counselors, helps callers “find the right words” to convince their veterans to seek help, according to VA. A pilot program launched last year as “Families at Ease” helped 50 veterans and family members in its first year. Rebranded in March as “Coaching into Care,” the service has drawn 650 calls and helped 175 veterans, according to VA. Coaching into Care is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday at 888-823-7458. The line is connected with the VA Veterans Crisis Line, Caregiver Support Line and the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans in case of an immediate crisis, and veterans who need immediate help anytime can dial the VA Crisis Line at 800-273-8255.
Rosalie Schreiber, the nurse practitioner that has been coming to Molokai through the Home Based Primary Care Program, has been re-assigned. Our new nurse practitioner is Kate Hansen-Schmitt. She will be taking over all of Rosalie’s duties here and see the veterans that Rosalie was helping. You can reach Kate at 808-442-2001, email Katrina.hansen-schmitt@va.gov, or 808-871-2454, ext. 3696.
Don’t forget our essay contest, “What does being an American mean to you?” Send your entries via email to editor@themolokaidispatch.com, and good luck to all. Please let’s not forget our men and women in uniform around the world, especially those in harm’s way, and all they do for us. When you’re out and about and you see a veteran, thank them for their service, it would make their day. To all our active duty military personnel, our veterans at home, and all the people of Molokai we send a big Mahalo, for you all are truly very special, and I love all. If anyone has any news, or wants to talk, or needs help, give old Jesse a call at 553-3323.
OHA Announces Search for New CEO
With anticipation and sadness, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Board of Trustees announces today it will begin the search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). OHA’s current CEO, Clyde Namu`o, will be leaving OHA on December 30, 2011. The process to initiate a search for a new CEO is anticipated to unfold over the course of the next three to five months.
Naturally Speaking
Community contributed by G.T. Larson
Who is the Cooperative?
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Community contributed by Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent
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Hikiola Cooperative was formed in 1976 by fledgling Ho`olehua homestead farmers. Anticipating the closure of pineapple production on Molokai, and seeing the need to start farming their homesteads individually, they knew access to affordable farming supplies was a vital component to farming. Prior to this, a breakdown in your farm operation could force you to fly to Honolulu to pick up key parts or risk losing the crop. First organized as a supply and marketing cooperative, Hikiola shifted to making supplies available. Hikiola has undergone major changes during its history, weathering many storms, including a downsizing about 20 years ago.
Without Hikiola, small farmers would have a very difficult time starting up. Hikiola has extended credit to worthy members, which comes in handy when expanding operations or when money is tied up in the field until harvest. The purpose of a supply cooperative is to order supplies for farmer-members based on their requests. Although Hikiola is not a store, it appears to have morphed into one based on the needs of farmer-members and the greater community. However, anytime a product is sitting on the shelf, it’s not making money and is losing money. By cooperative law, over 50 percent of the purchases must come from the members, and this has been a challenge in some years as more people, including construction companies, depend on Hikiola for key supplies.
Cooperatives are operated on an at-cost basis as opposed to non-profit or for-profit. This means that any income over and above the cost of operation is allocated back to the members based on patronage, called patronage refunds. Patronage refunds can be used to expand the cooperative. In this way, the cooperative can borrow its own money instead of taking out a loan. If the cooperative no longer needs the money, it can allocate this money back to the members. Only members are eligible for patronage refunds.
Who is the cooperative? The cooperative is made up of farmer-members who elect board members who hire a manager. The board approves the budget, and the manager executes on this budget and also hires staff to provide the services. We, as members, are the cooperative. I’ve heard members question, “What is the cooperative doing for me?” The right question should be, “What can I do for the cooperative so it can better assist me?” Presently, aside from the board of directors, very few members are involved in assuring the success of the cooperative. This is not how it should operate. Members may have good ideas on how to improve the cooperative, and can attend monthly board of directors meetings or even volunteer to be on a special committee. Each member makes up the cooperative; there’s no entity out there that stands alone called Hikiola Cooperative.
As members, we are each responsible to help the cooperative function efficiently so the cooperative can keep us on the farm. I can only imagine how it would be if Hikiola Cooperative was no longer operating. It would be a sad day for small farmers, and the community who benefit greatly from it.
What’s Up Maunaloa
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Column by Aunty Kehau Pule
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