Veterans Center: Fight to Finish

Seven years after Molokai veterans began the process to construct a center to call their own, the building is finally nearing completion. The group was granted a County of Maui building permit in May 2011 after years of permitting delays, lawsuits, protests and jumping through bureaucratic hoops. With the permit finally in hand, frustration turned to relief — but little did veterans know that two years later, the building still would not be complete.

In this photo from May 2010, veterans gather around a cross erected on the ground of the then-future Veteran’s Center. The cross honored Molokai vets who died since the effort to build the center began in 2006. Photo by Catherine Cluett

“Many veterans will not have the chance to be able to see the Veteran Center,” said Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans Commander Larry Helm, who has spearheaded the effort to build the new center. “So many Molokai Veterans will not be alive to be able to see its completion and use it, including me.” Continue reading →

Ko Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai News Release

The Ko Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai summer surf series celebrate its 24th anniversary this year thanks to the generosity of donors like you. This event is more than just a fun activity. It provides a way for families to spend quality time with their children and promotes a safe, drug- and alcohol-free activity for youth during the summer break. A total of 75 children, age 12 years and younger, participate on a yearly basis.

This year, the surf meet series will be held on Saturdays, June 15 and 29, wrapping up with an awards luncheon on Saturday, July 13.

Each year, this summer surf series is organized and held by a not-for-profit group of dedicated parents and volunteers that perpetuate the culture and traditions of surfing for the next generation. We are humbly asking for donations to give as prizes to the participants. All donations are given to the children as incentives to pursue the joy of surfing. All donors are acknowledged in the local papers and during our awards ceremony.

On behalf of our Molokai keiki, mahalo for your contributions and encouragement. It really makes all the difference!

Ko Molokai Keiki O Ke Kai
C/O Molokai Plumeria Farm
5211 Maunaloa Hwy
Kaunakakai, HI 96748

By Michelle Magdirila

Since I was a teenager, I have been involved in tobacco control. Currently I’m a young adult leader and Molokai organizer for a statewide youth movement called REAL: Hawaii Youth Movement Exposing the Tobacco Industry. During my six years with REAL, I’ve advocated for laws, trained hundreds of youth about what the tobacco companies are doing to recruit the youth generation as customers, and helped organize big tobacco control youth events. One of the most incredible things I’ve ever done was travel to New York City to demonstrate at the annual Philip Morris Shareholders Meeting two weeks ago. Philip Morris International is not a person; it’s one of the largest tobacco companies in the world that produces Marlboro cigarettes, the world’s most popular cigarette brand.

More than 40 other youth advocates came from around the country to demonstrate. During training, we learned the history of Philip Morris International and what they are doing around the world. We also learned about the incredible profits they make every year based on addiction and death. Continue reading →

HECO news relese

Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light Company have scheduled meetings to seek public comment on draft five-year action plans. Molokai’s meeting will be Wednesday, June 19 at the Mitchell Pauole Center from 6 to 8 p.m.

The action plans are part of the Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process, which looks at how the utilities will meet future energy needs. The Hawaiian Electric Companies intend to file an action plan for each company with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by June 28.

The Hawaiian Electric Companies will consider all comments in developing plans that will guide the utilities in coming years.

Continue reading →

An electric bill refund is on the way for Molokai customers of Maui Electric Company (MECO). A recent decision by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Maui County electric rates will result in an estimated $39 to $49 refund.

Last year, MECO applied for a rate increase with the PUC. An interim rate of 3.16 percent in annual revenues, or $13.1 million, was approved by the PUC and charged to customers in their bills since June 2012. In a final rate decision issued last week, however, the PUC approved a MECO revenue increase of about half that — 1.29 percent revenue increase, or $5.3 million.

Continue reading →

A new flight service is landing on Molokai, bringing in a small business attitude that has already proven successful in Kalaupapa. Makani Kai Air is offering five flights daily to Honolulu and back, which began June 8, while keeping its twice daily Kalaupapa flights.

The decision to expand its service came after an agreement to provide aircraft and staff to Mokulele Airlines fell through, said Makani Kai President Richard Schuman. He said he was not going to lay off his employees, so he found a way to keep everyone working while providing flights to an area receiving decreased air service.

“I read the paper where Island Air was backing off its runs and Pacific Wings announced its departure,” Schuman said. “I decided since I serve Kalaupapa so well, I wanted to specialize in Molokai only.”

Continue reading →

County of Maui News Release
If you have a locally-made product you would like to showcase in the “Made in Hawaii” festival but do not have the funds to pay for an exhibit, assistance is available. Funding is being offered for locally-made product companies in Maui, Molokai and Lanai to exhibit at the Made in Hawaii Festival, announced the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and INNOVATE Hawaii. The festival will be held August 16-18 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall & Arena on Oahu.

The festival is a three-day showcase of “Made in Hawaii” products including food, books, art, gifts, fashions, plants, crafts, produce and more. The festival provides high visibility to producers of local products, and regularly attracts over 30,000 attendees each year. This year marks the 19th annual festival and is expected to be another record year for attendance. Continue reading →

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Hawaiʻi
Friday, June 14, 2013, 12:30 p.m.

ORDER OF BUSINESS
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda

PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDIZED ITEMS

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
C-1     Update of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands – Green Energy Team Negotiations (For Information)
C-2     Review of Strategic Plan Priorities (For Information)
C-3     Proposed Action on Hawaiian Homes Commission Revocable Permit Review & Response (Resolution)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT

1. Next Meeting - June 17, 2013, Kapolei, Hawaiʻi
2. Other Announcements
3. Adjournment

Special Accommodations (such as sign language interpretation, large print, taped materials) can be provided five days prior to meeting. Please contact the Information and Community Relations Office (ICRO) on Oʻahu at (808)620-9590.

• Please see the Hawaiian Homes Commission Meetings Page for more information