December 11, 2013 - Volume 29, Issue 47
The
Molokai Dispatch M o lo k a i n e w s , M o lo k a i S t y l e - w w w. t h e m o lo k a i d i s patc h . co m
Energy Fest Nixed Over Renewable Project Concerns
By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
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mid recent concerns over proposed renewable energy project Ikehu Molokai, I Aloha Molokai (IAM) has cancelled its third annual Renewable Energy Festival that was scheduled for January. The nonprofit feared the event would act as a showcase for Ikehu, falsely implying IAM’s endorsement of the project. While IAM leaders say they feel the project has potential for Molokai, they are not ready to support it based on what they consider to be a lack of public input. “We do not want [the energy festival] to be used to help push a process that does not have community buy-in yet,” said Kanohowailuku Helm, president of IAM, a local nonprofit that supports community-based energy solutions, in an email to Maui County officials. In the past, the festival has hosted vendors, speakers, and public discussion of energy options for the island and state. Ikehu Molokai is a proposed project that would use a combination of solar and hydroelectric to generate enough energy to make Molokai’s electric grid 100 percent renewable and lower electric rates. The project is a joint effort between California-based alternative energy company Princeton Energy Group and landowner Molokai Ranch. Nearly 100 acres of solar panels, an approximately 10-acre water reservoir, and a pumping and turbine station would be located above or near Manila Camp residential area outside of Kaunakakai, according to Princeton CEO Steve Taber. While the solar panels charge during the day, energy would be used to pump about 19 million gallons of water uphill through four miles of pipe to Molokai Ranch’s existing reservoir in the Forest Preserve area, according to Taber. At night, the water would run back down through the turbines to generate a constant flow of electricity. Despite the potential benefits the project might have for Molokai, IAM officials said they feel adequate community feedback has not been received before moving forward with the proposal. Though still in the early stages of the project, Taber has stated he does not plan to hold meetings with the entire community.
County Endorsement Two weeks ago, Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa wrote a letter of support for Ikehu. The letter stated that the mayor had not yet sought input on the project from the County Council, and that the letter did not serve as a substitute for the permits and approval required for such a project under county code. “We are supporting this project because we believe it is realistic to think that solar pv [photovoltaic] installed… [with federal] tax credit could provide power at a lower cost than the existing
Energy Continued on pg. 6
Since 1985
Lighting the way for Christmas By Jessica Ahles | Staff Writer
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s darkness fell over Kaunakakai last Saturday, the town transformed into a festive wonderland of lights. Moving to the beat of seasonal tunes and decked with colorful costumes and light displays, a parade of 22 community groups and organizations announced the arrival of Christmas, Molokai-style. Kaunakakai’s main street closed for a few hours as the community crowded the streets for the seventh annual Parade of Lights.
“I’ve watched the parade almost every year and this year was the most beautiful I’ve seen,” said resident Sally Trinidad. The parade began by Rawlins Chevron and travelled to Mitchell Pauole Center. Spectators of all ages smiled and waved at their favorite holiday-themed floats, with this year’s standouts including Friendly Market’s ohana-themed float complete with a pig cooking on a rotating spit, Monsanto’s gift-wrapped tractor and the Church of Latter Day Saints’ Nightmare Before Christmas float. “I liked watching the floats,” said Jordyn Magdirila, age 7. “I liked Friendly Market’s the best because my dad works there.” Last but not least, Santa Claus rolled through Kaunakakai in style in his lit-up convertible, waving and throwing the shaka to keiki.
Sponsored by the Maui County Office of Economic Development, Barbara Haliniak, Lynn DeCoite and Gayla Haliniak-Lloyd organized the event, assisted by 100 volunteers. Cash prizes went to first through fourth best parade floats and marching groups. Kualapu`u Public Conversion Charter School won first place for their song performance of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” while the Nightmare Before Christmas float topped its category. “We worked on the float since Halloween and all church volunteers and friends helped us. ” said Kelvin Keanini, from the Church of Latter-day Saints. “We’re just trying to share the gospel, share Christmas and make everyone feel good about it. It was all worth it.” The night’s festivities continued at the Mitchell Pauole Center, where the community enjoyed food, live music from groups including the Molokai Community Choir, free books for keiki, and a visit with Santa. There were also Christmas contests for best decorated tree, wreath and stocking. For full parade and Christmas contest results, visit The Molokai Dispatch website at themolokaidispatch.com. Top: Decorated floats set Kaunakakai aglow during the parade. Top Right: Keiki got to meet with Santa at the event. Photos by Laura Pilz Bottom: The Church of Jesus Christ of L.D.S. won first for their themed float. Photo by Jessica Ahles.
Warming Up with Winter Athletics By Jessica Ahles | Staff Writer
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he end of the year brings a new winter athletic season. Though most students are getting ready to take a holiday break, Farmer athletes are fired up, training hard and ringing in the New Year with new coaches, new competition and new goals for state championships.
Boys and Girls Swimming For MHS swimming, some athletes have been training all year through the Molokai Chapter of Maui Dolphins Swim Club (MDSC) -- a swimming program for all ages that began in August -- prepping for the season. “Every year we’ve gotten a little bit better and our team has grown,” said fourth year coach Jess Ford. Twenty-one students came out to test the waters and after several hard practices, 18 stuck with it to make the roster. For each meet throughout the season, the swimmers will compete in 10 events--seven individual races and three relays--all competing against the clock to qualify for states.
“Last year we did pretty awesome,” said Ford. “Our relay team went to state, which was our first state appearance in 10 years.” Ford said she wants to continue that record by training hard and adding additional practices with ambitious goals during Christmas break. “We’ll have double practices during the day,” she said. “My goal is to break 6,000 meters a day with those two practices combined.” After seeing the team’s dedication in and out of the water combined with fundraising and year-round training, Ford said she the team has taken the MHS swimming program to a new level. She said the team is excited to see their hard work pay off at their first MIL competition Saturday, Dec. 14, at Maui’s Kihei Aquatic Center. “They are working much more as a coordinated team with more sophisticated sets and more discipline than I’ve seen before,” Ford said. “They’re also self-driven and support each other, and I think they are just a neat group of kids.”
This Week’s
Dispatch
Molokai Students Visit College Pg. 3
Molokai in Business: Barking Deer Farms Pg. 3
Winter Sports Continued on pg. 2
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