Molokai Dispatch -- August 5, 2015

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AUGUST 5, 2015 - VOLUME 30, ISSUE 31

The

Molokai Dispatch T H E I S L A N D ’S N E W S S O U R C E S I N C E 198 5

Mokulele Adds Direct Flight to Kona

Picking Up

Plastics

By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief

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The rubbish collected on Molokai’s coastline that’s not recycled into usable items will be burned in Oahu’s wasteto-energy facility, said Pacarro. In addition to organizing the cleanup effort, SCH visited local schools last week and spoke to about 200 Molokai youth about plastics pollution. “We need to refuse single-use plastics and become stewards of our coastlines,” said Pacarro. “Don’t be afraid to speak up about what you’ve learned. Parents say their kids came home and talked about [plastic pollution], so it’s working.” Gary Trenner, who came out to the cleanup with his two kids on Saturday, said that’s exactly what happened when his seventh-grade daughter Madison came home from Aka`ula School after the SCH presentation. “She was the driving force behind us being here today,” said Trenner. “Madison said, ‘Dad, I really want to do this.’ She didn’t want to miss it. It’s nice doing something good for the environment.” Madison exuded enthusiasm as she

olokai residents traveling to Hawaii Island will have a much easier option starting in September. Mokulele Airlines is adding a direct flight between Molokai and Kona, eliminating the need to stop on Oahu or Maui en route to Hawaii Island. The airline will be offering two round trip flights daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, according to Mokulele representatives. “Primarily this service is being offered because of the feedback we were given from the community,” said Mokulele President and CEO Ron Hansen. “We realized that the residents of Molokai were looking for a fair price for travel to the Big Island. As well it would further help them with their employment opportunities on the Big Island and save them time and money with their commutes.” Booking is now available through the airline’s website for travel beginning Sept. 8. Airline representatives said fares for the flight start at $79 one way, though currently Mokulele’s website shows $128 to $138 for the route. The flight time is about 55 minutes, compared to the hour-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hour trips with a layover, which are priced around $150. The direct flight between Molokai and Kona is a new route for the company since Mokulele changed

Mo`omomi Continued pg. 2

Mokulele Continued pg. 2

Photo courtesy of Kahi Pacarro At right, photos by Catherine Cluett

By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief

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o`omomi Beach has long been considered one of Molokai’s richest areas for natural resources. However, it’s also one of most Hawaii’s most debris-laden beaches, and last Saturday, more than 150 volunteers did what they could to remove thousands of pounds of bottles, rope and plastic rubbish of all shapes and sizes from the area. The north-facing coastline is the first stopping point in the state for marine refuse floating from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, according to Kahi Pacarro, executive director of Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (SCH). The nonprofit’s mission is to inspire local communities to care for their coastlines through hands-on beach cleanups, and for the second year, they gathered manpower and momentum at Mo`omomi to fulfill that mission. Molokai’s geography and northern exposure to open ocean make Mo`omomi a hotspot for marine debris. Last year, Molokai residents and SCH volunteers removed about 6,000 pounds

of rubbish. As of Sunday, Pacarro estimated another 6,000 was gathered this year, though a final weight won’t be available until next week. All the trash that’s collected is transported to Oahu through a partnership with shipping company Matson, where it gets sorted. Hard, opaque plastics – which accounted for about 60 percent of last year’s poundage – will be turned into soap bottles, shoes, clothing and other usable materials. Pacarro said his organization works with Method, a California-based company that produces nontoxic, biodegradable natural cleaning supplies with a focus on sustainability. Some of Mo`omomi’s debris will become soap bottles. Other trash from the beach will get a second life as clothing from recycled materials. G-Star Raw, a brand codesigned by musician and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams, creates denim from recycled plastic. Adidas, in partnership with international organization Parley for the Oceans, is using recycled marine debris to make shoes and will be another recipient of Mo`omomi’s trash.

Cleanup Brings Back Making School Meals 'Old Grove' Healthier, Cheaper J

Before photo by Gayla Haliniak-Lloyd After photo by Colleen Uechi

By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer

By Colleen Uechi | Staff Writer

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ith the start of a federal free breakfast and lunch program offered in public schools island-wide and recent trends toward local, healthy eating, Molokai students are set to benefit in both the cafeteria and the classroom. Last month, five Molokai schools were selected to receive free meals for all students regardless of household income through a U.S. Department of Agriculture pilot program called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). While principals of most schools said making sure all students had lunch wasn’t a major issue in the past, they said it would still be a significant financial relief for many families. For example, at Molokai High School, a

ust weeks ago, Molokai’s historic Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove was thick with shrubs, piles of dead fronds and manmade trash. Now, after a thorough weeklong overhaul, the ground is bare and smooth, the fallen tree trunks are stacked neatly and Molokai residents see what many of them said they remember growing up: an unobscured view of the ocean between the towering palms. “We’re happy it’s clean. It’s like we got back the old Coconut Grove,” said Kalamaula Homestead Association President Gayla Haliniak-Lloyd, who said the last clean-up was about four years ago. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), which owns the property, organized the cleaning in response to community meetings in May and June during which many Kalamaula residents pointed leaves and natural debris. out the grove’s deteriorating conditions. “Most of [the workers] are homesteadDHHL contracted Molokai company Aka- ers,” said Halealoha Ayau, DHHL Molokai mai Tree Trimming to uproot the abundant acting district supervisor. “You can see the haole koa shrubs, and clear fallen coconuts,

School meals Continued pg. 2

Coconut Grove Continued pg. 3

THIS WEEK’S

Dispatch

Join in Planning Molokai's Future

First Molokai Club Swimmer at State Meet Pg. 3

Why I fly with Makani Kai This is the first time we’ve featured twins and, although they look like they’re ready for a UFC smack down match, they’re really sweet kids. Uh, we mean they’re delightful young men, about to enter their freshman year at Molokai High School. So why do they fly with Makani Kai? “I like the fish tank,” says Kaniela, the older of the two by a few minutes. “Plus the place is clean and convenient and there’s no TSA.” Proving that you don’t have to be adult-aged to appreciate a good deal.

From topside Molokai to Honolulu or return

$50 online fare, every seat, every flight, every day. MakaniKaiAir.com | (808) 834-1111

The

Molokai Dispatch

P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748

Pg. 2

Kaniela & David Kaupu Molokai Born & Raised


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