Zip into the future

Published on November 28, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Sugar Cane.

Mike Atherton’s employees call him “Coach” for good reason. Since he bought Maui Tropical Plantation in 2006, the affable entrepreneur has been overseeing a comprehensive game plan to re-energize the 26-year-old attraction.

“We’ve painted the buildings, pruned the trees, spruced up the landscaping, basically given the grounds a complete makeover,” Atherton said. “I’m an outdoors, hands-on guy; I get as dirty as my gardeners do, and I love it!”

A native of Stockton, Calif., Atherton comes from a distinguished family. His maternal great-grandfather was Benjamin Holt, founder of the Caterpillar equipment company. His paternal great-grandfather, the Rev. Isaac Warren Atherton, was a missionary in the Hawi-North Kohala area of the Big Island from 1878 to 1880. His paternal grandfather, Warren Atherton, was an attorney, judge and politician who’s best known for authoring the G.I. Bill.

Atherton and two partners have owned and operated Jesus Mountain Coffee Co. in Nicaragua for 30 years. They acquired the Coffees of Hawaii plantation on Molokai in 2002, and Atherton came to Maui three years later, seeking land to start a similar venture there.

“At the time, C. Brewer & Co. was shutting down and selling all its assets, including Maui Tropical Plantation,” Atherton recalled. “The plantation was an agri-tourism attraction that had been open since 1984, so it had a lot of established growth. It also had a big parking lot, a store, a restaurant, dedicated employees and a good reputation. It was perfect; it just needed some tender loving care.”

Armed with enthusiasm and fresh ideas, Atherton and his hui bought the 60-acre plantation and the surrounding 1,940 acres. Continue reading ‘Zip into the future’

Limited Time to Change Hunting Rules

Published on November 26, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes, Hunting, Invasive Species and Native Hawaiian Plants.

Conservation Council for Hawaii News Release

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing revisions to Hawaii Administrative Rules relating to hunting and game, and asking the public for their feedback. This is an opportunity to urge the state to change the hunting and game management paradigm to reduce the damage caused by introduced continental feral ungulates and game mammals, and provide more opportunities for hunters to help control animals and bring home the meat. Continue reading ‘Limited Time to Change Hunting Rules’

2010 Molokai Stampede Results

Published on November 26, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Livestock.

2010 MOLOKAI STAMPEDE RESULTS

Keiki Dummy Roping 2-4 yrs. Buckle donated by Friendly Market Center
1st Place – Ramie Faye Domingo Buckle Winner
2nd Place- Ashton Dudoit

Keiki Dummy Roping 5-9 yrs. Buckle donated by Friendly Market Center
1st Place Meleana Pa-Kala Buckle Winner
2nd Place Lindsey Ann Domingo
2rd Place Noel Tancayo
2th Place Kaya Feldsinger

Keiki Dummy Roping 2-4 yrs. Buckle donated by Friendly Market Center
1st Place Jayden Dudoit-Tabilangan Buckle Winner

Keiki Barrel Racing 2-4 yrs. Buckle donated by Friendly Market Center
1st Place Meleana Tancayo Buckle Winner

Keiki Barrel Racing 5-9yrs. Buckle donated by Friendly Market Center
1. Meleana Pa-Kala Buckle Winner
2.Lane Kamakana
3. Noel Tancayo

Keiki Barrel Racing 10-12yrs Buckle donated by Friendly Market Center
1. Kapua Lee Buckle Winner

Calf Scramble- Buckle donated by Friendly Market Center
1. Noel Tancayo Buckle Winner
2. Kaya Feldsinger
3. Bubu Kamakana

Wahine Barrels Buckle donated by Kapualei Ranch
1. Ryanna Cambra Buckle Winner
2. Real Dudoit Continue reading ‘2010 Molokai Stampede Results’

Habitat Completes First ‘Off-The-Grid’ Home

Published on November 5, 2010 in Alternative Energy, General Ag News and Notes and Sustainability.

Habitat Completes First ‘Off-The-Grid’ Home

Molokai Habitat for Humanity News Release

With the help from Hawaii’s leading residential solar company, RevoluSun, Molokai Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce the dedication and blessing of its 19th completed home for the Kaai `Ohana. This will be Hawaii Habitat’s first “off-grid” home on Hawaiian Home Lands, as well as the first home built by Molokai Habitat with a renewable energy system.

“We are so excited because this is the first home for Habitat for Humanity nationally that is off-the-grid,” said Emillia Noordhoek, Resource Development Director for Molokai Habitat. “Molokai has the highest cost of living in the state and we are one of the most isolated islands. We wanted to build a home that would be affordable for the family and be best for our ‘aina.”

The journey to this projects completion was one of sweat, love, commitment, and of course, genuine hard work. The high cost to install the house’s electrical infrastructure – quoted by MECO at $30,000 – led to the opportunity of using renewable energy.

It was then that Molokai Habitat realized this was the opportunity they needed to build a simple, decent, and affordable home which included its own renewable energy. How can housing be affordable to the homeowner if the hidden cost of utilities is $300-$500 per month? The blessing and answer to this question came through Oahu’s Solar Contractor RevoluSun.

RevoluSun generously donated their time and labor for the design and installation of the solar system. Continue reading ‘Habitat Completes First ‘Off-The-Grid’ Home’

DLNR Proposes Hunting Rule Amendments

Published on November 5, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Turkey.

In regard to hunting rules for game birds and mammals, DLNR will hold statewide public hearings, starting November 8, on amendments to update hunting rules for game birds and game mammals.

A public information meeting will be held at the Mitchell Pauole Center on Monday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m., followed by public hearing at 7 p.m.

The proposed changes relate mainly to re-establishing the stamp, tag and application hunting fees in place before 2008, providing for permits for disabled hunters, and updating descriptions and maps of public hunting areas. This includes removal of some Natural Area Reserves from public hunting, and adding public hunting areas such as the Pu`u Mali Mitigation Area on Hawaii Island and agricultural lands on Kauai.

The full text of the proposed rules with amendments can be found at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/rules or at DOFAW district and administrative offices.

DLNR Proposes Hunting Rule Amendments | Molokai Dispatch

Wetland Restoration Approved Despite Contention

Published on November 3, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes, Invasive Species and Native Hawaiian Plants.

It started simply enough: transform an overgrown wetland into a habitat for endangered water birds. But after three years of seeking approval from federal, state and county officials – and enduring objections from the community over his plans – Kip Dunbar is anxious to begin work.

Dunbar plans to restore about an acre of deteriorated wetland on the east end, skimming the water’s surface down 18 inches to remove invasive vegetation and building a fence around the perimeter to keep out predators.

“Slowly but surely this wetland has narrowed and narrowed,” Dunbar said. “Once you take the vegetation out of there and it stops transpiring all the water, it’ll be a wetland again.”

Last week, Dunbar received permission from the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) to begin work, the last in a series of regulatory hurtles. The project has already been signed off on by the Army Corp of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the state Historic Preservation Committee.

Arleone Dibben-Young, a local water bird researcher, created a similar wetland on her property near Kawela 10 years ago, which is now home to Bristle-thighed curlews and endangered Hawaiian Stilts and Coots. Dibben-Young testified to MoPC in support of Dunbar’s project. Continue reading ‘Wetland Restoration Approved Despite Contention’

Mo`omomi-Anahaki Protection in the Works

Published on October 20, 2010 in Alternative Energy and General Ag News and Notes.

DHHL to host two beneficiary meetings.

Department of Hawaii Home Lands News Release

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is considering re-designating Mo`omomi-Anahaki as a “Special District,” which would protect resources, provide stewardship opportunities and preserve the unique sense of place.

Mo`omomi-Anahaki current land use designation is “General Agriculture,” but at a beneficiary meeting in July it was clear the community is concerned about the potential for wind turbine development there.

DHHL will host two meetings to discuss the re-designation. The first will seek beneficiary input on land use and is scheduled for Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lanikeha Community Center. The second meeting, where beneficiaries can review the proposal and provide feedback before it is sent to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, is scheduled for Nov. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lanikeha Community Center.

For more information, contact Kaleo Manuel at the DHHL Planning Office at (808) 620-9485.

Mo`omomi-Anahaki Protection in the Works | Molokai Dispatch

Growing Dryland Taro Part I

Published on October 6, 2010 in Banana, General Ag News and Notes and Taro.

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent,
UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service

Molokai is blessed with many Hawaiian taro varieties, in part due to the vision of the late Martha and Cowboy Otsuka in seeking out and preserving these legacies. Also, under the direction of Alton Arakaki and Faith Tuipulotu in making huli available each year at the annual Molokai Taro Field Day.

With the advent of drip irrigation and water distribution systems, taro can be grown in areas where it could never grow before. In the past, dryland taro was only grown in the uplands in mulch where seasonal rains were sufficient to bring the taro to harvest.
Most varieties will mature between eight and 12 months, and keeping plants actively growing is the key. Taro loves water, and along with fertilizer, will flourish before your eyes. Dryland taro is distinguished from wetland taro in that the latter grows in water ponds or lo`i. Different varieties were selected for these two conditions. Taking a soil sample of your planting area is the first step in growing upland taro. Call our office at 567-6932 for more information on taking a soil sample.

The biggest challenge in growing taro is weeds Continue reading ‘Growing Dryland Taro Part I’

Deer Damage Molokai Crops

Published on October 3, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes, Invasive Species and Water.

Drought is a farmer’s worst nightmare. But imagine the few plants that make it through the summer are then eaten by something other than your family or customers.

On top of a dry summer, the Molokai agriculture community is facing a deer problem – lack of water and food in their usual habitat has driven deer into the fields for nourishment at the farmer’s expense.

“The problem is there’s not a whole lot you can do about it,” said Rick Tamanaha, owner of Kaleikoa Farms in Ho`olehua. “They’ve actually stopped me from planting for 2010. They’ve shut me down.”

Tamanaha said he will be installing an electric fence to ward off the deer. This is one of many problems that come with farming that he prepares for.

“If it’s not deer it’s going to be something else,” he added. “You take the good years, and you [have] to take the bad years.”

Farmer Testimony

The number of deer heading into farms and people’s gardens may be disturbing, but the problem isn’t overpopulation, according to a few hunters familiar with the west end. A contractor for the Molokai Ranch said at last count two years ago, there were 8,000 deer on the west end.

The dry summer has caused the worst deer pressure for many farmers in recent memory.

“All these years, we’ve never had a deer problem,” said Grant Schule, owner of Kumu Farms. His plan of attack: “We’re just kind of moving crops around…basically we’re running from them.” Continue reading ‘Deer Damage Molokai Crops’

Kelp Waits to Take Its Place in America’s Stomachs

Published on September 29, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes.

The leaves resemble brown lasagna noodles when they wash ashore on coasts around the world. Like many other seaweeds, sugar kelp has all sorts of uses. The leaves of Saccharina latissima provide a sweetener, mannitol, as well as thickening and gelling agents that are added to food, textiles and cosmetics.

But some believe its most important potential is largely untapped: as an addition to the American diet.

Seaweed is widely cultivated and consumed in Asia. However, in North America, where it sometimes is rebranded as a “sea vegetable,” it is cultivated rarely and eaten infrequently. To proponents, this is the unfortunate oversight, considering it is a crop that can clean the water in which it grows, needs no arable land, and provide a nutritious food with traditional roots. Continue reading ‘Kelp Waits to Take Its Place in America’s Stomachs’

Mango Season Not Pau

Published on September 16, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Mango.

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

Mango is called the King of Fruits for good reason. Nothing could be better than an ice cold mango on a hot afternoon. Native to South and Southeast Asia, mango has been cultivated for over 4,000 years, and was introduced into Hawaii in the early 1800s from Mexico. Molokai has an ideal hot, dry growing climate, and the best area is a belt running from Kalamaula to Kamalo. Unfortunately, the further east you go, the windier it gets, and nothing can be more damaging to a potentially great crop of mango than wind blowing off flowers and fruits. On most islands, mango season runs from June to October with the peak in the earlier half of the season, but for Molokai if you look hard enough, you can probably find mango 9 months of the year especially around the Kaunakakai area.

Mango is not without its problems. Of the tens of thousands of flowers it bears, less than a fraction of 1 percent will actually make it to harvest. With the challenges of four to five months of growing from flower to mature fruit, they face serious diseases and other maladies along the way. Continue reading ‘Mango Season Not Pau’

Organic Program Chopped

Published on September 15, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Organic Ag.

The state’s only organic-certifying body, the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA), will suspend its program this month, forcing organic farmers in Hawaii to look to the mainland for certification.

Rising costs and a limited client pool prompted the Hilo-based group to end certification, which it began in 1993. HOFA certifies a bounty of products – from coffee to herbs to beer.

“Part of the reason HOFA is not surviving is that we didn’t charge enough,” said Sarah Townsend, HOFA’s certification coordinator. “We’re not big enough to sustain ourselves.”

Some organic farmers on Molokai worry certification from the mainland will come at a higher cost.

“It’s hard enough trying to make a living farming and now we have to go to the mainland?” said Rick Tamanaha of Kaleikoa Farms, an organic papaya farm in Ho`olehua.

Tamanaha’s farm was certified organic by HOFA in October 2007, and he has renewed his certification through the organization every year since. The organic label, he said, allows his farm to compete with non-organic farms that sell at lower costs. Continue reading ‘Organic Program Chopped’

Rural Hawaii to be Heard

Published on August 13, 2010 in Alternative Energy, General Ag News and Notes and Sustainability.

Hawaii Rural Development Council News Release

As a part of a nation-wide movement, a rural community-improvement council is asking Molokai’s mana`o for how to increase economic opportunities.

The Hawaii Rural Development Council (HRDC) seeks your input, concerns, success stories, and ideas on issues related to rural communities in Hawaii. State Rural Development Councils nationwide are gathering input to be presented to Partners for Rural America and the USDA. This is an opportunity for Hawaii to voice our concerns and successes locally to build on a national action plan to promote enhance rural development strategies. Continue reading ‘Rural Hawaii to be Heard’

Costs piling up two years into Molokai water lawsuit

Published on August 8, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Water.

WAILUKU – Two years into the county’s legal battle with Molokai Properties over who should manage utilities set up by the now-defunct Molokai Ranch, county officials estimate that the parties have spent well over $1 million in legal fees, which could go even higher if a settlement isn’t reached before a planned October trial.

At the same time, some Molokai residents are paying four times as much as they used to for water – a painful burden for a community struggling with double-digit unemployment. And just how much those residents will have to pay in water rates long term is still awaiting final approval by the state Public Utilities Commission.

“You can’t get blood from a turnip,” said Maui County Chairman Danny Mateo, who holds the council’s Molokai seat. “People will suffer.”

But Molokai Properties attorney Jim Bickerton said the company’s proposal is for a “break even” rate in the face of rising fuel and other costs.

He said the company is proposing a rate hike in the 50-percent range, which would come on top of a rate increase last year.

Meanwhile, the county’s suit against Molokai Properties is heading toward a risky – and expensive – trial now scheduled to start Oct. 25 before 2nd Circuit Judge Joel August.

The county has already paid $500,000 for former state Attorney General Margery Bronster to serve as outside counsel, in addition to the time spent by county attorneys on the case.

When asked if the county could reach a settlement with Molokai Properties before the case goes to trial, Bronster said Saturday that she “can’t say anything more, but probably something will happen before the end of the month. It’s premature to talk now.” Continue reading ‘Costs piling up two years into Molokai water lawsuit’

Monsanto grants help county schools, 4-H’ers – The Maui News

Published on January 17, 2010 in General Ag News and Notes and Seed Crops.

KIHEI – Three Molokai and Maui schools plus Maui 4-H’ers received a total of $4,620 from the Monsanto Hawaii Science Education Fund for science and robotics programs.
The Maui County grants were part of $12,000 distributed statewide to 14 schools and organizations.

"It’s gratifying to see how excited our youth get as they learn about their world – how it works, how it touches our lives each day, how much there is to know and explore," said Paul Koehler, community affairs director for Monsanto Hawaii."Through this grant program, we hope to open up wonderful experiences for dynamic learning."

Continue reading ‘Monsanto grants help county schools, 4-H’ers – The Maui News’

Drought puts Big Isle and Maui on federal disaster list – Hawaii News – Starbulletin.com

Published on December 12, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

By Helen Altonn
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 12, 2009

Hawaii and Maui counties have been designated primary natural disaster areas because of losses caused by drought this year, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced.

"President Obama and I understand these conditions caused severe damage to these areas and serious harm to farms in Hawaii, and we want to help," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "This action will provide help to hundreds of farmers who suffered significant production losses to warm season grasses."

Some parts of Hawaii had a lot of rain the past month, but it fell mainly in places that do not have serious drought conditions, says Kevin Kodama, senior service hydrologist at the Honolulu Forecast Office.

DROUGHT IN THE ISLANDS

Hawaii County
» Extreme drought: South Kohala
» Severe drought: Kau, North and South Kona
» Moderate drought: Lower Kona slopes (Honaunau to Kalaoa)
Maui County
» Severe drought: Central and West Maui, West Molokai
» Moderate drought: East Molokai, Lanai

Source: National Weather Service

Portions of the Big Island did not receive much rain, and they are still hurting from drought, said the National Weather Service meteorologist.

Hawaii’s wet season is from October through April, but Kodama and Jim Weyman, meteorologist-in-charge of the Honolulu Forecast Office, said in October it would be drier-than-normal from mid-December through April because of El Nino conditions.

An El Nino is a weather phenomenon in the equatorial Pacific with unusually warm sea surface temperatures that affect climate worldwide.

The Big Island’s South Kohala district had the sixth consecutive month of extreme drought in November, Kodama said. Some improvement occurred with rain in the early part of the month — from extreme drought to severe drought, he said.

Then it got windy, and farm agents said the winds "dried things out quick," Kodama said.

That window of opportunity to pull out of the drought is closing, he said.

Climate models have been pretty consistent in predicting drier-than-nomal conditions through the spring, Kodama said.

Continue reading ‘Drought puts Big Isle and Maui on federal disaster list – Hawaii News – Starbulletin.com’