The Molokai Dispatch - Business

Molokai Mini-Mart is Great, Even Late

By Andres Madueno — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Kaunakakai’s newest store wants to make sure you get what you need all the way until 11 p.m.

Curious first-time customers filled the mini-mart on opening day for free goodies and to see what the new store on the block has to offer.

By Andres Madueno

There are not many options for those on Molokai who have empty cupboards and late-night munchies. But on July 19, the new Molokai min-mart on Mohala St. in downtown Kaunakakai made history being the first store to stay open until 11 p.m.

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).”

The Business Next Door

Jennifer Smith — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Island planners discuss possibility of allowing home-spun businesses.
By Jennifer Smith

How would you feel if your neighbor decided to set up a small business in their home? Commissioners and community members discussed the potential of Service Business Residential (SBR) zone’s on Molokai last week Wednesday during the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) meeting.

“We’ve got to be very careful,” said Judy Caparida, Molokai resident. She described the attempt to bring SBRs to Molokai by referring to it as “Maui’s mongoose” trying to sneak into Molokai.

The biggest concern from commissioners came over how to enforce SBRs. Commission Chairman Steve Chaikin compared SBRs to art, in that they are interpretational, and therefore difficult to regulate.

Getting Molokai in the Right Zone

Press Release — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

County brings zoning inspectors to the island.

In an attempt to simplify and streamline the often confusing zoning process, the County of Maui will bring zoning inspectors to the island once a month.

"These visits will provide additional access to department staff for residents in these distant communities," Mayor Charmaine Tavares said in a press release.

Visiting inspectors will be available to answer questions regarding zoning and enforcement, as well as conduct on-site property inspections. The inspectors will also be available by appointment during each visit, and the department anticipates an initial schedule of eight appointments per visit.

Typical zoning and enforcement issues that are investigated include non-permitted uses under Title 19 of the County Code, such as setbacks, non-permitted TVRs and doing business on properties that do not allow such uses; signage (under Title 16); and doing work in Special Management Areas without prior approval.

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.

Ex-Ranch Employees Get Back to Work

Jennifer Smith — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

A fifth of laid-off workers have found jobs.

By Jennifer Smith

Months after the devastating closure of Molokai Ranch in April, displaced workers persevere in the face of a tough job market. With over a fifth of the workers with new employment, steady progress continues to be made in the effort to get people back to work.

“So far they’ve been in really good spirits,” said Alberta Patchen, manager for the Kaunakakai Workforce Development Division (WDD). The WDD is one of several government agencies busy trying to assist nearly 60 former Molokai Ranch employees find work.

Of the 98 employees on a list released from Molokai Ranch, 23 are back to work, 8 are still working for the Ranch, 10 haven’t filed unemployment claims, 1 has filed a temporary disability insurance claim, and 1 has filed a workman’s compensation claim.

The Valley of Sufficient Life

Brandon Roberts — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:18:16 -0600

Halawa has undergone drastic changes from 1939 (right) to 2008 (left).

Halawa, then and now, from the Kumu’s eyes.

By Brandon Roberts

An entire valley of lo`i stretches before him, kalo thriving in the fertile soil. The April sun crests over the eastern cliffs, shedding its life giving light across the valley floor – shining through the kalo leaves, illuminating the surface beneath a vibrant green.

The Binding of Past and Present

Brandon Roberts — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:37:48 -0600

Aunty Vanda Hanakahi believes the ahupua`a of Pala`au will be the first on Molokai to re-implement the ancient management system of `aha kiole.

Molokai’s ancient resource management system is reborn.

By Brandon Roberts

Molokai’s historic bounty is sleeping, awaiting its awakening. Once the fertile land, (Molokai he `aina momona no), groves were planted to hold the soil and summon the rains and vegetation was not forced to survive where it was not happy. Each ahupua`a (traditional land division) had its own resources that inhabitants took responsibility of. Thus the `Aha Kiole, a people’s council founded on resource management, was born in the Eighth Century by Paepaeko`a Kuhuna `Umoumou.

Tide Turning for Molokai Water

Jennifer Smith — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Molokai Properties Limited fails in attempt to abandon water responsibilities.

By Jennifer Smith

State and county lawmakers are frantically trying to pick up the pieces after Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) announced it would abandon company-wide water and sewer operations by the end of August. The news has left 1,200 west Molokai customers worried about the possibility of losing water.

“The immediate worry is that it’s hard to get by without water. If they cutoff water, the (government) would have to declare a state of emergency,” said west end resident Gerry Anderson. “It would be an absolute disaster.”

But the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) released a statement on Thursday ordering MPL not to abandon its water utility services on Molokai.

Saved By a Seven

Brandon Roberts — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:52:47 -0600

Paddlers’ Poker highlights skills and thrills.

By Brandon Roberts

Lee Derouin was all in, hoping to stay afloat on the river competitive card playing. Looking across the table, Kahealani Maliu had the strong hand and was statistically favored to push Derouin out of the running. But there is unpredictability in the cards, an essence of luck – defying stats and probability.

Derouin did just that, he rebelled against the numbers and picked up a full-house on the final flop, the river, to split the pot and keep him in championship contention at Paddlers’ second poker tournament last Saturday. At play were 50,000 in chips, divided by point percentage amongst the top eight.