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Kaunakakai, HI
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Sat, 2010-07-31 21:54
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This Week's Cover
Environment & Ecology
County Deems Molokai’s Water Safe
Molokai’s water supply meets all federal and state safety standards, according to the annual Water Quality Report released this month by the county Department of Water Supply (DWS).Tests conducted last year show safe levels of containments and do not raise any concerns, said Cari Sumabat, DWS laboratory supervisor. DWS tested Molokai’s three water systems – Kalae, Kaunakakai and Ualapue.Contaminants that were found in the water were well below allowable limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, the Kalae system’s water contained 0.39 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate, while the EPA’s allowable limit is 10 ppm.
Add your commentAncient Land-Caring Councils Make a Comeback
When state legislators passed a law three years ago calling for the creation of regional `Aha Moku councils to help manage Hawaii’s natural resources, many questioned the logistics of the plan. How would it work? Who would be in involved? And would the councils have any real impact on state polices?Finally, some of those questions are being answered. Last Wednesday, Molokai community members again met to continue organizating efforts of an `Aha Moku council on Molokai. The group discussed possible mission statements and objectives for the council and formed a subcommittee to finalize those documents.
A Historic Opportunity for Lingle to Protect Ancient Fishponds
By Chris Cramer This week Governor Lingle has an opportunity to leave a historic legacy for Hawai’i. HB 1665 protects Hawaii’s history by prohibiting sale of government owned Hawaiian fishponds. Her signature on the bill is needed because of a State Department of Transportation proposal to auction Honolulu’s last fishponds. The sale of publicly owned fishponds would set a scary precedent for ancient fishponds statewide. This potential shift in State policy could also have many future implications for the numerous government owned fishponds on Molokai.
Ranch Says No Wind Negotiations Underway
Letter from MPL’s Peter Nicholas clarifies position.
Below is a letter that clarifies the Molokai Properties Limited’s (MPL) position on wind turbines on their property. The letter, dated June 28,2010, is written by Peter Nicholas, Executive Director of MPL, addressed to Colette Machado, President of the Molokai Land Trust. Kekoa Kaluhiwa, First Wind director of external affairs has "nothing additional to say." Nicholas also had no further comment when contacted by Dispatch staff. Dear Ms. Machado, Re: Molokai Properties Limited and Wind Turbines
No Place for Metal
County tries to re-open Molokai’s metal recycling site.
Junk cars, old appliances and other scrap metal have been piling up in Molokai yards more than usual lately. After nearly seven months without a metal recycler to dispose of such material, Maui County officials have finally closed a second bid that seeks a new contractor to run the operation.“Molokai needs this service,” said Gregg Kresge, deputy director of the Department of Environmental Management. “We’re working diligently to get this going – we ask that residents hold on a little longer.”In its struggle to find a new contractor, the county had to open a bid twice – the first one in March, resulting in no interested applicants, and this last one in May. During this time, residents have had no alternative method to discard of metals.
Buried Treasure
New business touts benefits of worms.
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“How many people have pet worms?” Susie Grabski asked, standing over a row of four or five bins housing Jon and Aubrie Gross’ precious bunch.Jon and Aubrie Gross of Molokai Worms explain how worm bins work at their first Wormshop on Saturday.Pets? Not quite. The Grosses put their Eisenia Fetida, affectionately known as red wigglers, to work breaking down food scraps into castings – worm poop that is all natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer. For the Grosses, what began as a hobby three years ago has grown into a business. They started Molokai Worms in May and plan to hold regular workshops, sell supplies, and teach residents about the benefits of worm farming.
Fishpond Bill in Jeopardy
Lingle threatens veto of protection legislation.
After feeding Hawaii for centuries, the future of many of the state’s ancient fishponds rest in the governor’s hands. Last week, Gov. Linda Lingle issued her intent to veto a bill that would prevent the sale of state-owned fishponds. House bill 1665 was passed unanimously by the state Senate and House in April.In the last 50 years, developers have bought up many fishponds in southeast Oahu. Chris Cramer is the president of Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, which works to restore fishponds there. He worries the first causalities of the bill’s veto would be some of area’s remaining ponds, which could be auctioned off. Cramer warned these are not the only ponds at stake.
Murky Waters
USGS tracks sediment on Molokai’s reef.
Ever looked at the muddy water off Molokai’s south shore and wondered what it would take to clean up the reef? That’s the question researchers from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) looked to answer last month with a study on the reef’s turbidity, or murkiness.The study is part of a larger ongoing study that examines the effects and possible solutions to erosion mauka-side that results in sedimentation of Molokai’s reefs. “Anyone who lives on Molokai knows how brown the water gets,” said lead researcher Mike Field, a marine geologist with USGS. In 2008, Field co-authored “The Coral Reef of South Molokai, Hawaii: Portrait of a Sediment-Threatened Fringing Reef,” a nearly 200-page full-color report.
Native Calls
Keeping track of Molokai’s rainforest birds.
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Billowing mist drifts through moss-hung branches, and the air – cold and fresh – slips past your face like ghost fingers. It’s 7 a.m. and the rainforest oozes with life – from the imperceptible movement of a myriad bugs to the morning chatter of birds echoing through the forest canopy. It’s those birds that have brought experts from around the state to the Molokai Forest Preserve for a study that could determine future management tactics for Hawaii’s forests that are home to native species. Sam Aruch cocks his head, listening to each bird call. His trained ears decipher and identify every whistle in the cacophony of chatter as he scribbles in a mist-moistened field notebook. He records what species he hears, as well as location and weather conditions.
1.5 Million for Kainalu
Federal grant approved for proposed east end easement.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department approved a $1.5 million grant last week for the acquisition of a perpetual conservation easement on Molokai’s east end. The Kainalu watershed area covers 614 acres and is home to many threatened, endangered and native species. The proposed acquisition is still in the early stages of negotiation, according to land owner Kip Dunbar. He said an appraisal has not yet been completed, and no agreements or conditions have even been discussed. Negotiations would primarily take place between Dunbar’s family and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Dunbar said. He added he is waiting to find out the land’s value from the appraisal before moving forward.