JULY 15, 2015 - VOLUME 30, ISSUE 28
The
Molokai Dispatch EB CEL
'Fishing Pono' Film Now Online
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Summer is a time for being outdoors and enjoying Molokai’s rich natural resources. Here, Molokai’s Mickey Pauole captured an aerial of the reef at Honouliwai on the island’s east end.
Mac Poepoe, left and Mauna Kea Trask. Photo courtesy of Teresa Tico
By Molokai Dispatch Staff
A
Summer Trip to the Southwest
half-hour documentary film featuring Molokai resource manager Mac Poepoe is now available for free streaming online through the end of July. “Fishing Pono: Living In Harmony With The Sea” tells the story of declining fisheries and how some Native Hawaiian communities are using traditional conservation practices to restore their fishing grounds. The film, which premiered on PBS last summer, explores the exploitation of commercial fishing, in contrast with the sustainable resource management taught by Poepoe. “I was drawn to Mr. Poepoe's story because of the success of his program,” said filmmaker and producer Teresa Tico of Kauai. “In the beginning, no one wanted to work with him. But over time, he convinced the community that they had to take charge of their resources and not wait for government to restore the fishing grounds. His story gives hope to future generations." Poepoe’s community based man-
Fishing Pono Continued pg. 3
THIS WEEK’S
Dispatch
Vet Center Grand Opening Next Month Pg. 7
Poetry Workshop
Four Aka`ula School students recently traveled to the Southwestern U.S. and experienced some opportunities of a lifetime. Here are some photos of their trip; see page 2 for stories written by the students.
Pg. 7
Proposed Rules Would Clarify Land Trust Processes By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer
L
ast Thursday, former U.S. Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa met with the Molokai community to discuss rules on Hawaiian Home Lands Trust proposed by the U.S Department of the Interior (DOI). Hanabusa, who came unaffiliated with any government entity, said that as the years have passed, some of the information that is important for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries to know has been forgotten. “It’s a long journey for the beneficiaries as a total group, basically from 1920 till now,” she said. In 1921, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA) set aside 200,000 acres of land into trust, overseen by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. However, today’s administrators acknowledge ambiguities when it comes to executing the act. According to the DOI, the rules, which were published on May 8, are meant “to clarify” the department’s processes of reviewing Hawaiian home land exchanges as well as stateproposed amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The department is looking to add two parts, Part 47 and 48, to the Code of Federal Regulations. Part 47 would clarify the procedure the DOI follows for land exchanges. Among other things, it details in length the documents required for a land exchange, how land is appraised, what factors the Secretary of the Interior takes into account when analyzing exchanges and how land will “advance the interests” of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Part 48 deals with the process of approving amendments to the HHCA. If the State of Hawaii wants to propose an amendment, the Secretary of the Interior must review it and determine whether the amendment requires federal review and approval. Part 48 explains how the Secretary determines this. Hanabusa said some people fear the rules will lead to unprecedented land exchanges. However, she pointed out that these rules have been in law since 1996. “It’s not something new that people are gonna have to do. It really is already there,” she said. “But what the rules give people the opportunity to do is to tweak the process if they see something in the process that they don’t like.” Hanabusa encouraged beneficiaries to voice their opinions on the rules and the criteria the government uses for determining land exchanges and amendments. The DOI will review the comments and possibly make changes. “This is where you each individ-
DOI Continued pg. 3
Why I fly with Makani Kai “I fly with Makani Kai because it’s more comfortable and the people here are friendly,” says Zenda. But how could we be more comfortable when we fly the same airplanes as the other guys? “The pilots make me comfortable,” she says, “I’m afraid to fly and your pilots, Sean and Andy, always take the time to make me feel better.” And Arthur? Well, he just smiles. He knows the truth of the old adage: happy wife, happy life. From topside Molokai to Honolulu or return
$50 online fare, every seat, every flight, every day. MakaniKaiAir.com | (808) 834-1111
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Arthur & Zenda Kaupu Molokai Born & Raised