Molokainews's Blog

When the Molokai Planning Commission meets for the first time in February, new member Sherry Tancayo will be seated in the place formerly occupied by Don Williams.

Sherry Tancayo will begin serving on the Molokai Planning Commission in the first meeting in February.

A self-proclaimed “rodeo mom” of two who volunteers with Molokai 4H and other local organizations, Tancayo decided it was time to step up. “Instead of just sitting and bitching, I wanted to do something about it.”
While working with Na Pu’u Wai’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force, Tancayo noticed many Molokai High School youth remain in a “limbo state” without clear goals or motivation.

The answer? “We need different types of jobs that blend into our island,” she said. “The Planning Commission can be involved (in attracting new jobs) without wrecking the overall mana of our island.”

Tancayo is “absolutely against large cruise ships,” but does support American Safari Cruises in its efforts to bring the Safari Explorer with its 36 visitors to Molokai. “We need this shot in the arm, desperately.”

Although pro-business, Tancayo emphasized that she opposes the Big Wind proposal to bring an industrial wind farm to Molokai’s West End.

She does, however, support local renewable energy projects such as solar farms. “If we can put up windmills on our own then Oahu can buy the electricity from us; we need to make it a community project.” Tancayo emphasizes the need to create jobs for locals, not off-islanders, like those who would construct and maintain the large-scale wind project proposed by Pattern Energy.

“The unemployment rate leads to alcohol and drug abuse and violence,” she said. New business would ease these problems while also keeping Molokai families from splitting up when one spouse takes an off-island job, she said.

One simple way to create jobs, says Tancayo, is to ease the Maui County restrictions on bed and breakfast operations. She believes the Transient Vacation Rental rules for Maui County are too restrictive and don’t necessarily apply to Molokai.

The bulk of the work for the Molokai Planning Commission is to consider permits and exemptions for land use and construction on Special Management Area land. For the most part, Tancayo thinks SMA rules “work OK,” but need to be “personalized for Molokai.”

Before coming to Molokai in 1988, Tancayo worked for the California Highway Patrol. She then worked for three years on airport security at Molokai Airport before becoming a full-time mom.

Tancayo will only be in office until March of 2013 before she needs to reapply for the appointed position.

Admittedly not a person who attends a lot of MoPC meetings, Tancayo said she “wants to go in and see how things are going … we need to listen to people.”

In the past, the MoPC — the only Maui County political representation that actually meets on Molokai — has had a problem in meeting quorum. At least five of the nine members must be present for the twice-a-month meetings to take place. In December, the MoPC was forced to cancel a meeting for lack of quorum. It was Williams’ failure to attend meetings that led to his recent resignation from the MoPC.

“Attendance is a key factor,” said Tancayo. “You have to be involved and take it seriously,” she said about the regular meetings and public forums.

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The Kaunakakai Harbor security zone can be enforced anytime between Jan. 20 and May 15, 2012. Notification of specific enforcement times will be provided via a broadcast notice to mariners and the display of a red flag at the Kaunakakai Harbor Master's building.

The U.S.C.G. announced Friday it will establish a temporary security zone for the harbor “during potential non-compliant protests involving the passenger vessel Safari Explorer to its intended berth in the harbor.”

Protesters who blocked the Safari Explorer on Nov. 26 had agreed to not interfere with the arrival of the boat this Saturday. As part of the agreement, American Safari Cruises would wait until after the last of four moku ‘Aha Ki’ole meetings to consider the island’s position on this 36-passenger cruise boat and tourism in general.

William Aila, chairman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, explained his position outside the Mitchell Pau’ole Center. “We felt this was the prudent thing to do. We have to make public health and safety number one.”

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Joanna Nunan and DLNR Chair William Aila field questions and defend the enforcement of a security zone around Kaunakakai Harbor.

Several residents expressed concerns about this security zone violating their rights. “We have to balance rights with public safety,” Aila responded.

Any unauthorized vessel in the zone will receive a warning. If it stays in the security zone, the vessel will be subject to civil penalties of up to $40,000 or criminal penalties including imprisonment for up to 10 years and forfeiture of the vessel.

Kanoho Helm, an organizer of the group I Aloha Molokai, stood up to say how this zone will interfere with boats and canoes used for gathering and fishing. Aila asked Helm when he plans to use the harbor area and they would try to accommodate him. “I practice my traditional Hawaiian rights all the time and without a $40,000 fine.”

Molokai Planning Commissioner Lori Buchanan said the state and the federal government are both in violation of their own processes in creating this security zone, which, she said, could lead to lawsuits. “This is not pono,” said Buchanan. “You are stepping up the aggravation in the community. This is the Superferry all over again.”

A designated area for protesters will be open along the fence line bordering Young Brothers. Once the security zone is set at 6:30 a.m., no additional protesters will be allowed in this area.

Concerns about invasive species coming to Molokai in the rubbish brought from Kona by the Safari Explorer were also raised. Aila said he would talk to Captain Dan Blanchard of ASC about returning the opala to the Big Island.

Local activist Hano Naehu said this security zone “makes us feel like terrorists … I feel like I’m being raped.”

“No one can guarantee that nothing is going to happen,” said Aila, “so this is a prudent action.”

Even supporters of the Safari Explorer questioned this action. “I don’t believe we need to go to these drastic measures,” said Clare Mawae, whose company Molokai Outdoors will provide ground transportation for the visitors. “There has always been a trust in this community.”

When asked if a simple patrol would work, Aila said it is difficult to enforce the area without a security zone in place. “That’s just the way it is … This vessel has the right to fair passage and that’s what we’re here for.”

Neither the DLNR nor the Coast Guard would say exactly how long this security zone would remain in place. While Safari Explorer has cruises planned until May, the security zone may be abandoned before then. “We don’t know for how long (it will remain),” said Aila. “Once the community is OK with it (the Safari Explorer) we can dial it back.”

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