The Molokai Dispatch - Political

PUC Hears Debate on Proposed Rate Increases

By Zalina Alvi — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -0600

Molokai Ranch appears despite objecting to being included in hearing

Agency representatives and members of the community packed the Maunaloa Elementary School cafeteria to hear about the proposed rate increases as MPL’s Aug. 31 deadline looms closer.

By Zalina Alvi

West end water users are holding their breath as the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decides whether or not to raise fees in an effort to keep the water running past the end of August.

While the County of Maui seeks legal action against Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) and its subsidiary utilities (collectively, Utilities), the PUC and the state Division of Consumer Advocacy (DCA) are making plans to move ahead with “unprecedented” increases to water charges.

Elections Begin for `Aha Kiole

By Zalina Alvi — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

State advisory committee picks up momentum and some criticism..

The distinguished Vanda Hanakahi presided over last week’s `Aha Kiole meeting where she announced how Molokai residents can become council members to represent their moku.

By Zalina Alvi

The time has come to begin electing council members to the Molokai Pae Moku of the `Aha Kiole Advisory Committee.

When the council members are chosen, the committee will be able to use their collective `ike, or knowledge, to ensure that our natural resources are taken care of for future generations. `Aha Kiole will do so by representing all the local practitioners in Hawaii in advising the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and related agencies in managing the state’s natural resources using ancient Hawaiian practices.

Should Molokai Ranch be Responsible for Its Utility Companies?

By Molokai Dispatch Staff — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

MPL and utility officers are the same making it difficult to distinguish the difference between companies.

For the past three years Molokai Ranch has reported to its shareholders profits from its Molokai operations. Yet the company is now claiming its subsidiary utility businesses (Utilities) can’t afford to continue supplying water and sewage services to roughly one quarter of Molokai’s population.

The Ranch, also known as Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) has said that if rates are not raised by as much as 178 percent for Wai`ola O Molokai and similar increases for two other utilities, they will abandon water and wastewater operations by Aug. 31.

Mayor Stands Firm on Water Issue

By Jennifer Smith — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Molokai Ranch strongholds information, community looks to state for next move.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares stood firm on placing the impending water crisis on the shoulders of the state.

By Jennifer Smith

Mayor Charmaine Tavares set the record straight last Tuesday night by clarifying that it is not the county’s sole responsibility to take over Molokai Ranch’s utility services. The majority of the Molokai community stood behind the mayor, arguing that Molokai Ranch should not be let off the hook, and the governor needs to intercede in the matter.

State Proposes Water Limits on Molokai

By Zalina Alvi — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Plan to include sustainable yields for all of the island’s water resources.

Roy Hardy, representative from the state Water Commission on Water Resource Management, presented a plan on July 10 that proposes to set caps on how much water can be taken out of groundwater resources on Molokai.

By Zalina Alvi

By the end of August, the state may be regulating how much water can be taken out of the island of Molokai and the rest of Hawaii.

A representative of the state Commission on Water Resource Management presented a revised draft of the Water Resource Protection Plan (WRPP) at a meeting of Molokai’s Water Advisory Committee on July 10. The proposed plan analyzes data on current and future water demands in order to put caps on how much water can be taken out without jeopardizing our resources.

Molokai Ranch Barring Access to Records

Molokai Dispatch Staff — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:50:39 -0600

MPL wants to raise water rates 178%.
Molokai Dispatch Staff

It is reported that MPL employees were ordered to burn massive amounts of company files from Maunaloa offices shortly after the ranch announced its plans to shutdown operations. Policy makers have recently complained about impeded access to MPL’s water records.

Figuring out how to continue water service to central and west Molokai users has remained difficult and frustrating for State and County policy makers who have not been provided access to necessary information.

A June 24 Maui County letter to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) claims that only “sparse information” was provided by Molokai Properties Limited (MPL), also known as Molokai Ranch. It also reads that MPL was “not responsive to each of the PUC’s requests (for information).”

New Council Members Sworn In

By Zalina Alvi — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The Lt. Governor pays a visit to the Friendly Isle to welcome new appointees.

Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr. poses with the newly sworn in members of the Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Board, (from left to right) Janice Kalanihuia, Jersula L. Manaba, Robert Granger and Marlene Purdy.

By Zalina Alvi

Community members received a big welcome and mahalo from Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr. as he officially swore in 21 appointees to several state boards and commissions last Tuesday.

The official ceremony took place at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs conference room and included a warm welcome from Jonah Kaauwai, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The Lt. Governor thanked everyone for donating their time and effort to making a difference in the community, and stressed the importance of their continuing involvement.

Ranch Won’t Budge on Water

Jennifer Smith — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Details of MPL’s utility pullout continue to trickle in.

By Dispatch Staff

Proposed rate increases for west and central Molokai residents, will not ensure continued water and sewer services from Molokai Properties Limited (MPL).

In an attempt to buy time until another service provider could be located, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) took the unprecedented move of suggesting that MPL hike its rates for utility users. However, MPL CEO Peter Nicholas said in a June 23 letter to the PUC, that the proposed 121% increase and 41% increase for two of its three utilities, “will not create the necessary resources” in order for the company to continue services.

Aloha from the Governor's Office

Governor Linda Lingle — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Governor discusses possible constiutional convention.

Aloha!

On November 4, Moloka‘i voters will be able to vote for, against or leave blank their response to the ballot question, “Shall there be a convention to propose a revision of or amendments to the Constitution?” This con con question is arguably one of the most important decisions facing Hawai‘i voters this general election.

Briefly put, a constitutional convention is an organized gathering of publicly elected delegates for the purpose of reviewing and putting forth revisions to our existing state constitution. Any proposed amendments approved by the constitutional delegates would then be voted on for ratification by the public electorate during the next general election.

Huge Hikes in Water Rates Planned for West Molokai

Jennifer Smith — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

As resources run low, residents may bare the brunt.

By Jennifer Smith

In the midst of a face-off to see who will have to take over utility services on Molokai, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has been forced to propose staggeringly high rate increases for West End users. While, the proposed increase is meant to be a short-term fix for a potentially long-term problem, many are left wondering whether or not residents will be able to foot the bill.

The PUC is proposing a 121 percent increase for Wai’ola o Molokai users and a 41 percent increase for Molokai Public Utilities, Inc., users. Both companies provide water utility services to the central and west end of the island. In March, Molokai Properties Limited (MPL), who owns the companies, announced its plans to abandon both subsidiaries in addition to its regulated sewer utility Mosco, Inc.