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Shark Gathering

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Shark Gathering

Kalele Bookstore hosts first film screening.

By Melissa Kelsey

Shark attacks are rare on Molokai, but their mysterious nature may have been one thing that allured residents to Kaunakakai last Tuesday to watch a film about great white shark facts and myths. As popcorn was passed around in a plastic bucket to seated viewers, Kalele Bookstore & Divine Expressions was packed full with guests attending its first film screening. The 24-minute film, entitled “White Shark Café,” was created by The Molokai Dispatch Staff Writer Sean Aronson during his time as a graduate student studying film at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism in California.

The film challenged the traditional image the media has portrayed of great white sharks as mindless, ferocious killers. Contary to common depiction of shark attacks, sharks usually just bite humans once, mistaking them for seals, and can test the fat content of their prey from that one bite, according to Aronson. The movie’s title, “White Shark Café,” describes a region of the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California that is a seasonal gathering place for great white sharks.

“All I have to say is, respect the ocean,” said community film viewer Mervin Dudoit. “If we get more things like this, we will understand the situation better.”

The event was attended by more than 30 viewers, and included pupus and a discussion after the film. Kalele Bookstore & Divine Expressions plans to host more films and presentations in the future to bring people in the community together in the store’s space, according to store owner Teri Waros.

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Mount Opala

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Mount Opala

New cell under construction at Naiwa landfill

By Melissa Kelsey

Slowing Accumulation
There are currently no plans by Maui County to ship Molokai opala off the island, according to Martin. However, Maui County occasionally hires private vendors to ship certain items off-island. A $1 million contract between Maui County and SOS Metals allowed trashed vehicles and appliances to be sent off Molokai last year, according to Martin.

Maui County also hires private vendors to take recycled materials, according to Martin. As a result, Molokai residents can help keep trash from piling up in the landfill by carefully sorting household waste and bringing recyclables to the recycling facility located on the same property as the landfill. Items stamped with “5¢ HI” can be redeemed for five cents each.

Plans to convert trash management on Molokai to the Herhof Stabilat system where trash is converted to electricity are not currently making progress, according to Kamehameha Environmental LLC board member Billy Buchanan. To create energy through this system, solid waste is put through a heat exchange unit after its moisture has been removed.

“It seems to be stuck in bureaucracy and no one is making decisions. Everything is about being green and saving energy and fossil fuels, but when we have a proven technique and technology and very little happens, that is a problem. This project is pretty much at a standstill,” said Buchanan.

In the meantime, Molokai residents should do everything they can to reduce the island’s waste accumulation.

“The community needs to know that Maui County is not only expanding the dump, they are also recycling and working with the community to prevent things from going into the landfill,” said McPherson.

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Water Fight

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Molokai residents faced with proposed water rate increases as high as 500 percent.

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

For Molokai residents paying water rates that had been called outrageous, another “rate shock” may be on the way, in the words of Molokai Properties Ltd (MPL), parent company of subsidiary water utilities Wai`ola O Molokai and Molokai Public Utilities (MPU). Both utility companies have filed their general rate increase with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), requesting rate increases as high as 500 percent of what ratepayers on the island’s west end were paying last August.

How It Started
In June last year, MPL threatened to cut water utility services to over 1,000 central and west Molokai residents after claiming that its subsidiary utility companies did not have the financial resources to continue service. The announcement caused panic among island residents and lawmakers in both the state and county. Emergency plans were made, lawyers were hired, and a heated discussion ensued over who would be responsible for keeping water flowing. The State put pressure on the County, and the County filed a lawsuit against MPL, pointing to the binding agreements the water utility companies had signed with the County to provide residents with water services.

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Clean Slate

Saturday, March 28th, 2009

On health and safety, GM foods’ record speaks for itself.

Opinion by Paul Koehler, Monsanto Scientific and Community Affairs

Genetically engineered foods, also known as biotech foods, were first commercialized in the mid-1990s, well over a decade ago. Since that time, people have eaten billions of servings of food containing one or more biotech ingredients, and there has not been a single substantiated instance of illness or harm associated with the research and technology that went into developing those foods – not one.

It’s an incredible record that speaks to biotech’s high level of safety. One reason for this tremendous accomplishment is that biotech crops are the most extensively studied and strictly regulated foods in the world. Before any biotech food crop is approved for commercialization, it must successfully pass rigorous testing for potential health hazards. Any crop that fails to meet federal standards for food safety is not allowed to even go to market.

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Burger Boom

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Burger Boom

Opening of Molokai Burger creates 26 jobs.
By Melissa Kelsey

Molokai might seem like a difficult place to find a job, but the family-run Molokai Burger is doing its part to change that image. After lengthy bureaucratic hold-ups, they recently introduced Molokai’s first drive-through fast food option, and lowered the island’s unemployment statistics as well.

When Molokai Burger opened for its first day of business in Kaunakakai last month, the sparkling clean fast food restaurant introduced 26 jobs to Molokai’s economic scene, according to owner Rod Felt.

The brightly tiled eatery has been a project in process for the last two years by Mr. Felt and his wife Kerrie Felt, who wanted to create a place where Molokai’s young people can find jobs.

“This is a place for our local young people to come and work,” said Mr. Felt, a Latter Day Saints bishop who taught seminary for four years to youth at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kalamaula.

“I hear their ambitions and hopes,” said Mr. Felt, speaking of youth who attend his church who want to stay on Molokai, but are worried about finding jobs. “They want to know, ‘Can I live on Molokai?’”

Molokai Burger offers a straightforward menu of burgers, French fries, milkshakes and ice cream. A vegetarian burger option and a keiki meal are also on the menu, which is displayed digitally on large screen monitors over the counter.

“We just wanted a simple business plan that we could run easily,” said Mr. Felt.

Burgers at Molokai Burger are made from grain-fed Iowa beef because Mr. Felt says he prefers the flavor over locally grown grass-fed beef. French fries are served with French fry sauce made from a recipe from Utah, where Mr. and Mrs. Felt are originally from and where French fry sauce is a big deal, according to Mr. Felt. But it’s the fries themselves that seem to meet a critical eye on Molokai. At first, some did not like the fresh potato French fries served at Molokai Burger, so they decided to change to frozen Stealth French fries, according to Mr. Felt.

Mr. and Mrs. Felt want Molokai Burger to be a space where employees are safe and can plan for their future, said Mr. Felt.

“This is a friendly, family-oriented environment,” said night manager Maile Auwae on her work experience at Molokai Burger.

Mr. and Mrs. Felt moved to Molokai from Utah in 2003 where Mr. Felt had been an architect-builder. It took them one year to obtain zoning approval for the business and one year to obtain a permit to remodel the building, according to Mr. Felt. This is their first experience operating a restaurant.

“I have invested every fiber of my being in this,” said Mrs. Felt. “I love our employees.”

 


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People of Molokai Good-hearted

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

A response to Senator Kalani English’s March 5th contribution, “The View from Outside”
Opinion by Senator Fred Hemmings

I would gladly meet with Senator English in an open and honest debate to discuss his recent comments made in the Opinion Section of the Molokai Dispatch.

The people of Molokai are overwhelmingly a good hearted and hard working people. I know Molokai as I know all our islands. I've slept under the stars at Hale O Lono and sought refuge in a cave at Papalua Valley where I have heard the winds whisper of ancient Hawaii. I've paddled a canoe from Molokai to Oahu in the most tumultuous seas. My friendships with many of the wonderful people of Molokai are deep and enduring, hence, my aloha for them, but not for the handful of malcontents that are destroying many good lives on Molokai.

Molokai suffers a disproportionate amount of social and economic problems. December 2008 statistics from the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services show that there are 2088 people on Molokai receiving Financial and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance. With an approximate population of 7,000, this means that roughly 30 percent of the people living on Molokai are receiving public assistance. The many other problems the people of Molokai face are due in large part to a lack of economic opportunity.

Unfortunately, I continue to believe that a handful of rebels and malcontents are holding the people of Molokai hostage, resulting in these economic and social hardships. Certain politician's tactics and failures to address these issues throughout the years continue to sustain the status quo. It is my belief that we cannot yield the future of Molokai to a small group of rebels and political antagonists. Life could be so much better for all the people of Molokai. I truly believe we can advance our mutual interest by enlightened leadership, change, and rekindling the passions of hope.

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Perfect Timing

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

New growers market exceeds organizers’ expectations.
By Sean Aronson


With the possible change in the Young Brothers delivery service, the need for fresh, local produce is more important than ever.  And an upstart growers market could be just the thing to make that produce available to fellow Molokai residents.

The Aina Momona Grower’s Market began last week and looks to establish itself as a weekday compliment to the Saturday Farmer’s Market.  It is held Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 3:30 to 6pm of each week.  The market occurs in the parking lot of Molokai Community Service Council, across the street from Molokai Burger.

Organizer P.J. White said their first day was a resounding success with a steady stream of people buying products from plants to corn to wood.  

The event was so successful that everything was sold in less than an hour.  And the Tuesday market was canceled because there was nothing else to sell.  At least 25 people were turned away on Tuesday because everything had sold the day before.

White said they need lots more contributors, and it seems there is clearly a market for a variety of products.  And if the first week was any indication, vendors will have no trouble selling everything they bring.

The Growers Market is also expanding to include fish and shrimp, according to White.

As of now, the market has 12 local growers, selling a variety of produce and herbs.  The growers include medium sized farms like Beach Boy and Kumu as well as individuals such as Mana`e resident Mike Kelly, who sold keawe wood.

“We have a good selection of items,” said White.  “We just need more of everything.”

White said with the proposed barge schedule changes limiting the amount of perishable food that will come from Maui, buying and selling Molokai-grown produce is a great idea.  She hopes it will put an even greater emphasis on getting local food from the tree to the dinner table.

“People like to have to fresh stuff and what better way of getting in than from your neighbor,” said White.

If you would like to sell your extra produce, please contact P.J. White at 567-6713.

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Front and Center

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Molokai’s reef remains in focus for many residents and scientists.
By Sean Aronson

Molokai’s southern coral reef has been here for millions of years, and while local residents have known of its value for generations, many are again waking up to its importance thanks to a United States Geological Survey report.

The recent publication of the USGS report has spurred interest, and scientists and residents alike are hoping to capitalize on this to get financial support for the reef’s preservation.  

“Molokai has reefs that are dead – they just don’t know it yet,” said Robert Richmond, marine biologist from Kewalo Marine Laboratory at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Richmond spoke to the Molokai Governor’s Advisory Council last week.
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Checking In

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Molokai bills stay active in the Hawaii Senate and House.
By Sean Aronson

There continues to be legislation that will have an impact on Molokai in the Senate and House.  Issues that range from GMO’s to fisheries to Molokai Ranch have all seen the light of day in the past few weeks.  Here’s a run-down of the action.

GMO’s

There are two separate bills addressing the use of genetically modified organisms, commonly known as GMO’s.  One seeks to ban their use, while another hopes to take away the power of the legislative bodies to prohibit their use.

House Bill 1663 would ban the use of GMO’s for taro only. It “prohibits the development, testing, propagation, release, importation, planting, or growing of genetically modified Hawaiian taro in the State.”
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Island Honors

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Island Honors

Molokai resident recipient of state business award

By Catherine Cluett

Molokai has many things to brag about, and one Molokai resident in particular has been added to the list. Last week, Barbara Haliniak was recipient of the United States Small Business Administration’s State of Hawaii 2009 “Minority Small Business Champion” award.

Haliniak traveled to Honolulu to receive the award from the entire Senate and House. Each legislative body honored her with a plaque outlining her accomplishments, complete with official signatures.

“Barbara Haliniak has been a true advocate of the citizens of Molokai,” the Senate plaque reads.

Haliniak was honored for her service to the Molokai community through the Molokai Chamber of Commerce and her own business that she founded, The Business Depot Inc., which provides services including bookkeeping, payroll, income tax preparation, and assists entrepreneurs in setting up their own businesses.

According to the Senate plaque, Haliniak started the Molokai Chamber of Commerce in 2001, an organization that consisted of about 25 members. Today, the Chamber is comprised of 101 members, and has become a respected and vital organization in the Molokai community.

In addition, Haliniak has volunteered her time to promote economic growth on Molokai by participating on several boards and committees within the community.

Haliniak said in order to receive the award, she was nominated then had to fill out a Small Business Association application form. She said there are nine award categories at the state level. She was the only Molokai recipient.

Haliniak also received the Community Leader and Business Advocate Award in 2007 from the United Filipino Council of Hawaii.

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