Business

County will be left responsible with servicing west end users.

By Todd Yamashita and Brandon Roberts

Molokai Ranch will let funding for West Molokai water operations run dry within four to six months, leaving Maui County responsible for operating the abandoned water system, said the new Director for Hawaii State Office of Planning Abbey Mayer during a community meeting last week.

Most of West End’s drinking water comes from the Ranch’s well 17in Kualapu`u, passing through the Molokai Irrigation System (MIS) in Ho`olehua, and on to a treatment plant in Maunaloa. According to Mayer, Molokai Ranch uses several regulated and unregulated subsidiary companies to manage this and all other Ranch water systems.

Where is Molokai two months after the shutdown?

By Brandon Roberts and Todd Yamashita

While Monsanto and ex-Molokai Ranch workers rallied with signs drawing attention to job loss on Molokai, lawmakers and community leaders nearby discussed strategies which might help the workers get back on their feet.

The Ranch has opened its doors solely for ex-employees to lease Ranch related businesses and to hunt Ranch lands for subsistence, according to Abbey Mayer, director of the state Office of Planning.

Of the roughly 120 workers laid off by Molokai Ranch only five percent have found employment, according to Mayer.

Representatives from the Molokai unemployment office and MedQuest said they have seen no increase in requests for service, but expect it to increase by the end of the month. Unemployment for Ranch workers will begin May 22.

Haliu Kealoha, a second grader at Kilohana, wins a prize at the bean bag toss last Saturday at the Bazaar that will go to fund programs for her throughout the next year.

What’s so bazaar about a fundraiser?

By Brandon Roberts

Hard to have Kilohana without the `ohana who gathered across school grounds to support the school by enjoying a day of food and fun. The East End was alive and full of aloha for the annual fundraiser.

May 12-17 TWIC registration all day in front of Kuha`o Business Center.

May 14, Members Only. Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting 11:30 am at Hotel Molokai.

May 14, OHA meeting open to public at Kulana `Oiwi Halau at 6 pm

Currently the Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Transportation Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC) registration in front of the Kuha`o Business Center on Kamoi St. (across from the Molokai Drive in). Along with a Lockheed-Martin representative, they will be registering individuals and businesses all week, May 12-17. You can call the Chamber at 553-4482 to schedule an appointment, or try for a walk-up. Must have proper identification and payment at time of registration. This is only for registration, the card will be activated at a date to be determined. The TWIC program will be instituted no later than April 15, 2009.

Controversial Senate Bill 2646 passed the Senate last Thursday in a 14-10 vote. Supporters claim the bill is designed to preserve important agricultural lands and promote agricultural production. But opponents say the bill is a major “Gift to Landowners” that paves the way for development through expedited land reclassification, tax credits, and other incentives.

The bill now awaits the Governor’s approval which would put it into effect in July.

SB 2646 has drawn particular criticism for its reclassification incentive which allows landowners to swap classification of 15% of its acreage from agricultural to urban, rural, or conservation as long as they designate 85% of their acreage to “important-ag.”

A 2008 Senate report states that the bill’s explicit intent is “to create incentives that balance the State's interest and desire for the designation of important-ag with the landowners' need and desire for more development opportunities.”

In our continuing series with 'O Hina i ka Malama, the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program at Molokai High School, students play Friendly Isle planners. This is their mana`o on what ideas or creative businesses they believe would best benefit or sustain Molokai.

Ku`uleialoha Kahana-Kalua, 17

Makemake au e hahai holoholona me ka pilikia `ole. 'O kela wale no ko'u makemake. Mahalo.

Well, being a Molokai resident since I was born, I don't want anything to change; leave it as is. But what I like to do is be able to hunt legally all over the island. To bring back what we had before.

Here is a rendering of what the UPC wind farm would look like on Molokai.

Community forum hosts talks about Molokai wind-farm.

By Brandon Roberts

Renewable energy is a Hawaiian value in that it aims at harnessing the gift of nature without depleting it. But is the greater community willing to tap Molokai’s steady wind resources at the sacrifice of building a large scale wind farm?

For the past several weeks, it has been the mission of Molokai youth to gauge the community’s acceptance of the potential wind farm. Forums have already been held in Kilohana, Kaunakakai, Ho`olehua and Maunaloa.

Ekolu gives Molokai some aloha after their Friday show. 

Paddler’s packs da house for first Reggae Fest.

By Brandon Roberts

Walking through the door, a wave of positive vibrations wash over the body, and island beats fill the ears as Molokai swarms the dance floor to share their aloha at Paddler’s first Reggae Fest.

Three days of choke tropical jams let fans come face-to-face with some of Hawaii’s biggest musical sensations April 18 thru the 20. “This is the first of many, I need to start booking next years bands,” said Kamuela Kamakana, Paddler’s Inn owner.

Annual Senior Fair brings resources within reach.

By Brandon Roberts

Lines stretched at the Molokai General Hospital booth, which offered light massages to kupuna during the sixth annual Senior Fair at Home Pumehana Saturday April 19. Over 20 booths gave kupuna information from assisted living to identity theft and nutrition to exercise.

“Kupuna are our island’s treasures that we love and respect,” said Councilman Danny Mateo. “They need to take advantage of the services here.”

The morning opened with a pule from Aunty Ruth Domingo, and the fair was highlighted with music and hula lead by Kauwila Reyes.

Job fair lets community know what is available now.

By Brandon Roberts

It was a fair weekend for the Friendly Isle, with the senior and job fairs in town. The fairs brought a variety of characters with it; including county council members, the mayor, and multiple businesses and service providers.

Spurred by the closure of Molokai Ranch, a job fair held Saturday at the Kulana `Oiwi Halau presented over 20 tables; ranging from job application and unemployment assistance, to ILWU union representatives, as well as various island and off-island employers.

“Before we focus on outside businesses, we need to expand the services to business already on Molokai in order to meet today’s needs.” Councilman Danny Mateo said in regards to the urgency facing the island. “The county is ready to move.”