Label It Hawaii seeks support for GMO food labeling legislation

Posted on April 23, 2012 by molokainews

Walter Ritte protesting GMOs on Molokai two years ago at the Lanikeha Center. Ritte will be on Oahu Wednesday to rally for a bill to require the labeling of GMO products in food.


For several years, Hawaiian rights activist Walter Ritte has studied and fought against the development of Genetically Modified Organisms on Molokai.

Ritte has campaigned for legislation to ban the genetic modification of taro and for all other proposed anti-GMO laws. Now he has teamed up with the statewide group Label It Hawaii in an effort to require that all foods containing genetically engineered products be labeled as such.

“Molokai is paying the true cost for this ‘cheap’ GMO food,” explains Ritte in his written statement. “Our best farm lands are being turned into dust bowls. Soil is not only blowing out into the sea but is being washed by rain down onto our reefs. In the dust are powerful chemicals, which are blowing into our cars, schools, kupuna housing, daycare center, county baseball park, Molokai Community College, and hundreds of homes. If this is happening to our island, it must be happening on other islands, we all have na’au to aloha ‘aina, and kuleana, to malama ‘aina.”

With the ultimate goal of getting a state GMO labeling law in front of the 2013 state legislature, Ritte will be on Oahu Wednesday when the City and County Council of Honolulu will hold a hearing in Kapolei regarding resolution 12-57, “urging the State of Hawaii and the FDA to require the labeling of GMOs.”

According to a recent editorial in the Star Advertiser, submitted by Label It Hawaii, “The FDA’s anti-GMO labeling policy rests on the antiquated doctrine that only those changes in food that can be detected by taste, smell or other senses need to be labeled.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration supports this position by stating that the National Research Council Committee has concluded that assessing food safety based solely on how the food was produced is scientifically unjustified.

Label It Hawaii compares this current effort to ban GMOs with the work to ban the use of the pesticide DDT in the 20th Century. While it was recognized that DDT had adverse health and environmental impacts, it took almost 100 years after it was first produced for the EPA to ban DDT in 1972.

Monsanto workers on Molokai place paper bags over the GMO corn pollen to prevent its spread into other fields. Monsanto is the largest private employer on Molokai.


Like the manufacturers of DDT who fought its ban, Monsanto — the worldwide leader in the production of GMO seeds and Molokai’s largest employer — has resisted any type of government regulation. For example, the National Academy of Sciences has called for regulation that would make the process of testing GMO food products more transparent and rigorous. Monsanto has strongly lobbied against this type of regulation.

Label It Hawaii believes consumers have the right to know what is in their food products. “Mandatory labeling would also give akamai consumers the ability to choose whether the foods they consume are produced in a sustainable manner.”

While federal GMO-labeling has been introduced and failed on the federal level, there are currently 55 members of Congress, including Senator Dan Akaka, who have signed a letter of support to label GMO products.

Hawaii is one of 14 states seeking mandatory labeling of GMO foods. This is evidence of the unprecedented groundswell of support for labeling across the nation, according to Label It Hawaii. “Hawaii prides itself on leading the nation in efforts to protect the safety of our food and the health of our environment.”

The group has identified seven members of the City and County Council who are either on the fence or are opposed to the labeling legislation. To get the additional five votes needed to pass the resolution, Label It Hawaii is asking supporters to contact the following members:

Ernie Martin: A supporter of GMOs, 768-5002; Ikaika Anderson: “Kailua and Waimanalo guys need to talk with him,” 768-5003; Stanley Chang: “He is on the fence (voted yes with reservation at committee level),” 768-5004; Ann Kobayashi: “She is budget chair and must be influential on the Council,” 768-5005; Romy Cachola: Kalihi is his district, 768-5007; Breene Harimoto: “He did turn around and vote yes at the committee level,” 768-5008; Nestor Garcia: Kunia and Kapolei is his district, “He also needs a lot of persuasion,” 768-5009.

Label It Hawaii is also asking supporters to submit testimony, online or in person; or to join them at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Kapolei with labeling signs for a “support rally” prior to the public hearing.

Filed under: Biotechnology and Monsanto, News | 11 Comments »

Undersea cable impacts and costs too severe, says National Grid

Posted on April 20, 2012 by molokainews

I Aloha Molokai News Release

A high-voltage undersea transmission cable planned for Massachusetts has been killed by one of the nation’s major utilities because it would be a “high-risk” installation, too expensive to construct, with too many severe environmental impacts and too difficult to maintain.

The State of Hawaii is now seeking to build an undersea power transmission cable to move electricity to Oahu from industrial-sized wind farms on Molokai and Lanai.


The National Grid, which serves much of New England and New York State, released the findings of its Cable Feasibility Study this week. The cable would have been built using the latest technology called horizontal direct drilling — the same technology planned for sections of the interisland cable proposed by Governor Neil Abercrombie and HECO, and now being considered by the Hawaii Legislature.

The giant utility has just released an executive summary of its Cable Feasibility Study, stating that an underwater high-voltage cable is, “a high-risk installation, has increased environmental impacts, has increased project costs, and poses adverse long-term maintenance/reliability issues … As such, this project alternative has been deferred from further analysis and consideration.”

Undersea drilling also poses even more environmental risks, National Grid said, because of the environmental impacts of a large platform necessary for cable laying. It added that if there were a problem, locating and repairing an undersea cable failure would be time-consuming, very costly and destructive to marine life.

The governor’s and HECO’s proposed multi-billion-dollar interisland cable would substantially increase Hawaii electric rates and taxes. It would be constructed through the Hawaii Humpback Whale National Sanctuary, the world-famous Molokai Reef, and the Penguin Banks, one of the most significant marine environments in the Pacific. No environmental or economic analyses of this project have been done, and the governor is attempting to exclude it from such studies and public review.

The cable’s staggering cost and environmental impacts parallel a recent analysis by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who terms Hawaii’s high electric rates as one of the three barriers to the state’s economic growth. Rather than build huge and wasteful wind and cable projects, Stiglitz stated, Hawaii should concentrate on expansion of rooftop solar, which would reduce our electricity rates “to a fraction of what you are paying today.”

I Aloha Molokai has repeatedly stated that the Hawaii interisland cable proposal must be subjected to full public, economic and environmental review before it can be considered by the Legislature. With Hawaii’s electricity rates already the nation’s highest, to continue this colossal and environmentally destructive boondoggle is unfair to all Hawaii ratepayers and residents.

Filed under: News, opinion, Sustainability | 7 Comments »

Josie Mawae wins long course in Makani Ikaika O Molokai stand-up paddle race

Posted on April 19, 2012 by molokainews

Josie Mawae pulls hard on her way to taking first place in the long course race on April 7.


By Clare Seeger Mawae

The second race in the Makani Ikaika O Molokai stand-up paddle race series took place April 7 on the both the long and short courses.

The Stand-Up Paddle Association of Molokai held the race under conditions that were less windy than previous weeks but still a steady 25 knots at the start. During the race the wind dropped to 10-15 knots for the last few miles.

The wind made a big difference for the competitors. Leading youth racer Josie Mawae paddled a personal best of 50 minutes over the first five miles and then the winds dropped and so did her speed. She was still able to reach the finish at Kaunakakai Wharf in first place.

Runner-up youth champion from 2011 was Kekai Adachi, winning the short course in a credible time of 41.23 in the surfboard division. Solana Adachi followed shortly after.

Josie Mawae took honors in the 10-mile long course from Kamalo to Kaunakakai, along with Kavin Kuwamura who entered in the last minute.

This was another great event especially for those preparing for the Waikiki Paddle Festival, the Olokai, the Molokai Holokai, the Maliko Gulch Races, channel events, and other major events around the state.

SUPAM would like to thank Chris Cheney for volunteering to this series.

SUPAM encourages those interested in racing, volunteering or just to have some fun come join us for the rest of the season.

Contact Clare Mawae for more information at 808-336-0946 or go to the website supmolokai.org.

Upcoming races/training sessions:

2. Saturday, April 21, 1:00 p.m. (1.1 ft.) start rising tide till 3:52 p.m. (2.0 ft.).

3. Saturday, May 5, noon start (1.0 ft.) rising tide till 3:15 p.m. (2.4 ft.).

4. Saturday, May 19, noon (1.2 ft.) rising tide till 3:04 p.m. (2.2 ft.) – Molokai Holokai Race, Kamalo Harbor to Hotel Molokai (8.5 miles) – both divisions, and bonus points for the series – contact the Ohana Surf Club for more information.

5. Saturday, June 2, 11 a.m. (1.1 ft.) rising tide till 2:20 p.m. (2.5 ft.) – This event is pending confirmation.

Filed under: News, Sports | 4 Comments »

Finding the way to energy self-sufficiency: Life of the Land report offers solutions for Molokai

Posted on April 18, 2012 by molokainews

On March 31, Life of the Land published a report on the potential for renewable energy in Hawaii, including 1,400 words on how Molokai can become energy self-sufficient.

Life of the Land logo


The non-profit organization Life of the Land, founded in 1970, serves as a Hawaii-based environmental and community action group. Its stated mission: “To preserve and protect the life of the land through sustainable land use and energy policies and to promote open government through research, education, advocacy and, when necessary, litigation.”

While the State of Hawaii has set a goal of providing 70 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, Life of the Land believes the state “should generate 90 percent of its electricity from distributed energy resources by 2025.” This is the central thesis in the report titled, “Wayfinding: Sowing the Seeds for Transforming Energy Futures,” by Henry Curtis.

To do this, the report says, the state needs to change its focus. Instead of working toward a “Smart Grid” solution which offers a top-down, centralized energy system distribution, the state would be better off with a “Distributed Generation” model.

“The essence of Distributed Generation …” states the report, “is to balance supply and demand by relying on small-scale, dispersed power generation systems located adjacent to where the power is needed.”

For Hawaiian Electric Company, one of the problem with this model is that as the fixed costs for renewable energy go down, more customers will choose to leave the interconnected electrical grid. This means that HECO must raise its rates as fewer customers will be paying to maintain the grid. In anticipation of this problem, HECO has already sought and received the approval of the Public Utility Commission to maintain its current level of profits through a process called decoupling.

To avoid these inevitable rate hikes, Life of the Land suggests … “communities should find ways of leaving the grid now. In the process they can save money, increase the amount of revenue that stays and circulates within their local communities, while creating local jobs, and decreasing the environmental, social and cultural impacts associated with energy production, transmission and use. Since each island has different resources and different values it only makes sound social and economic sense to design each island system differently.”

“Today Molokai has all of the resources it needs to become energy self-sufficient and to stop exporting cash for transportation fuel and electricity,” begins the chapter on Molokai.

Transportation is the first issue addressed for Molokai in the report. To be self-sufficient, the island must develop infrastructure to support rechargeable electric automobiles. This includes building community charging stations at Maunaloa, Kaunakakai, Kualapuu and Manae.

The report identifies five different types of renewable energy sources that can be effective on Molokai: expanded use of photovoltaic systems, wind power (using micro turbines, not industrial-sized windmills), hydropower, biomass/biofuels and fuel cells powered by natural gas.

One example given is the use of hydropower, which can help stabilize the energy fluctuations of solar and wind. The 1.4-billion gallon fresh water Kualapuu reservoir, as well as Meyer Lake and Maunaloa Reservoir, could be used for pumped storage hydro. In-line hydro systems can be developed using an 85-kW mini-hydropower plant to provide a water delivery pipeline that is both technically and economically feasible.

To make all this work, the report recommends creating a Molokai Cooperative, which could work with the ‘Aha Ki’ole Advisory Committee to advise it on native Hawaiian resource management practices. A non-profit public-interest cooperative can, “secure grants and donations from governmental agencies and foundations to fund the transition from exporting cash for fuel to island self-sufficiency.”

The report continues: … “A cooperative can pool money, secure long-term financing for renewable energy projects, and employ local residents to assist in the transition. An on-bill financing program allows a cooperative to finance the purchase of renewable energy systems and energy efficient devices through energy savings provided by such systems or devices. That is to say, photovoltaic systems cost a lot of money up front, but if the cooperative rather than the resident buys the system, the ratepayer can make payments that are less than their current bill and after the system is paid off, they would own it.”

Implementing these ideas would make Molokai self-sufficient and return its nickname “`aina momona,” the bountiful land. Until this happens, Molokai will simply need to continue to rely on its single power plant in Pala’au with its nine diesel units and one combined cycle generator.

Filed under: Business, News, Sustainability | 10 Comments »

Editorial: Political correctness in the Egalitarian Age

Posted on April 18, 2012 by molokainews

Editor’s Note: The following letter was recently submitted to the Honolulu Star Advertiser newspaper. Longtime Molokai resident Steve Morgan explains his reason for writing:

“ … It is an issue that I find disturbing as the political climate in opposition to traditional religion seems to be growing. Despite our many challenges on Molokai I am happy to say that such antagonism is rare and, for the most part, our local papers have historically covered religious and cultural events in a fair manner.

“Even more concerning is the growing violence against Christians abroad, recent examples being that of the Coptic Church in Egypt and the dire situation in Nigeria, these events receiving only modest attention in mainstream media.”

By Steve Morgan

Steve Morgan


As a regular subscriber to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, I found myself dismayed two Sunday’s ago when I found no mention within the Star Advertiser announcing that it was Easter Sunday. In contrast to the lack of Easter coverage, the following week covered in detail the Merry Monarch festival and without surprise full front page coverage of the Dalai Lama’s visit was featured in both Saturday and Sunday editions of the paper.

I am not knocking the coverage of the Merry Monarch Festival or of the Dalai Lama, certainly these were significant religious and cultural events. But, how is it that what is considered the most important religious holiday for Christians and a holiday observed by so many people in Hawaii lacked any coverage at all?

Ultimately I have no horse in this race, as my own religious tradition does not include the observance of Easter, but what my religious tradition does deem extremely important is justice. This type of selective recognition certainly is unjust and has become too commonplace.

Filed under: opinion | Leave a Comment »

New Saint Damien sculpture to receive pope’s blessing

Posted on April 17, 2012 by molokainews

A Saint Damien sculpture created by a Maui man will receive a blessing from Pope Benedict XVI tomorrow in Rome.

The three-foot tall sculpture of Saint Damien, as created by Dale Zarrella of Maui. Photo courtesy of dalezarrella.com.


The Maui News reported that artist Dale Zarrella, along with Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva and other high-ranking Hawaii clergy, are now traveling to the Vatican.

Zarrella’s three-foot tall, 90 pound replica of a young Saint Damien will receive the pontiff’s blessing Wednesday morning. The statue will become part of the Vatican collection. Zarrella says a second statue will be installed and blessed at a Vatican City seminary school.

Zarrella will be presenting the bronze sculptures as gifts from the Diocese of Honolulu and the people of Hawaii.

As described on Zarrella’s website, dalezarella.com, “Saint Damien with Leper Child” depicts Father Damien as he first arrives on the Kalaupapa peninsula.

Maui artist Dale Zarrella works on the details of his sculpture of Saint Damien. Photo courtesy of dalezarrella.com.


“He is standing with an orphaned leper child, observing the loneliness and suffering of the many hundreds of outcasts who were abandoned there,” Zarrella writes. “Like Michelangelo’s David looking toward the giant he was facing, Damien stands on the cliff looking toward the leper colony of Kalawao, knowing in his heart that everything in his life to this moment has prepared him for the task of bringing comfort, hope and dignity to these unfortunate souls.”

The website goes on to explain that the sculpture, “captures both the humanness and saintliness of this extraordinary man in a beautiful celebration of his compassion, his commitment and his love.”

It was Oct. 11, 2009 that Father Damien de Veuster became Saint Damien. The Sacred Hearts priest spent 16 years ministering to the leprosy patients in Kalaupapa before succumbing to the disease himself in 1889.

While on Molokai, Saint Damien also built four churches topside, two of which are still standing. He built Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Church in Kaluaaha in 1874 and St. Joseph Church in Kamalo in 1876 along with the two churches built on the Kalaupapa peninsula.

Filed under: Kalaupapa and Father Damien, maui county, News | Leave a Comment »

Volleyball boys secure second place after split with Hana

Posted on April 16, 2012 by molokainews

After defeating the Molokai boys in straight sets Friday night at The Barn, the Hana Dragons entered into a tie for second place in the Maui Interscholastic League Division II standings.

The Farmers' Royce Calairo, shown here playing Kamehameha Maui, had a strong performance Friday against Hana.


Top performers for the Farmers volleyball team were Brahunson Kaai with eight kills and three blocks, Roycee Calairo, eight kills and two blocks and Paka Adolpho with six kills. But the Dragons, behind the leadership of Hunter Perry with 32 assists, swept Molokai 25-23, 25-16 and 25-19.

But the second place deadlock would last less than one day.

On Saturday, the two teams, tied with 5-3 MIL records, played again at The Barn starting at noon. This time the Farmers got the best of Hana, beating the visitors in four sets: 25-14, 26-24, 21-25, 25-23.

Adolpho had a strong match recording 13 kills while Kaai finished with 12 kills and six blocks.

With a 6-3 record, Molokai now stands along in second place behind Seabury Hall with an 8-2 record.

Filed under: News, Schools, Sports | Leave a Comment »

Bill to aid financing of undersea cable passes House

Posted on April 13, 2012 by molokainews

Update April 17, 2012: The office of Representative Mele Carroll did offer a response after being contacted Friday. Here is the response:

“I voted YES with reservations on Senate Bill 2785 SD2 HD2 Relating to Interisland Electric Transmission Cable Systems because I felt that the language in the bill that we were voting on at the time didn’t include a process for the public to participate and determine the decision on whether or not each island would like to see the connection of an interisland cable system,” said Representative Mele Carroll. “We need more community input and data collection on the matter before implementing any Interisland Electric Transmission Cable System.”
***

A bill that will aid in the financing of an undersea high voltage electric transmission cable linking the islands was approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday by a vote of 45-6.

Could the passage of SB 2785 pave the way for an industrial-scale wind project on Molokai?


Language that would have allowed Lanai and Molokai to be excluded from the legislation was removed at the urging of Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Rep. Cynthia Thielen and Rep. Gil Riviere tried to have this language put back into the bill but the amendment failed.

A story on SB 2785 in the Honolulu Civil Beat quoted Thielen as saying, “If we’re not going to be pointing the gun at the islands of Lanai and Molokai to be our industrial wasteland to provide power to Oahu, let’s say it up front.”

Other legislators argued that this bill is not connected to any specific renewable energy project and no island should be allowed to opt out. Lawmakers also made efforts to distance this bill from the controversial Big Wind projects that have raised strong opposition on both Lanai and Molokai.

The bill, as written, will create a mechanism to reimburse Hawaiian Electric Company for its potential costs in the “installation and implementation of an interisland high voltage electric transmission cable system and for the construction of on-island transmission infrastructure.” The Public Utility Commission would have to review and approve HECO’s request for a customer surcharge for reimbursement.

This bill will allow a wind farm development company or HECO to receive cheap financing rates because the repayment of the loan would be guaranteed by utility ratepayers. In other words, customers will repay the cost for improving the infrastructure through a surcharge on their utility bill.

Opposing this bill were representatives Hanohano, Marumoto, Riviere, Thielen, Ward and Wooley.
Mele Carroll, the 13th District representative whose district includes East Maui, Molokai and Lanai, voted in favor of the bill with reservations.

Filed under: Business, News, Sustainability | 15 Comments »

Two local kindergartners recognized in Maui County Water Conservation Poster Contest

Posted on April 12, 2012 by molokainews

Kiara Lima, a kindergarten student at Kilohana Elementary, won first place in the county's Department of Water Supply Water Conservation Poster Contest with this poster.


With over 540 entries from grades kindergarten through 12, Molokai students took two of the top three places in the kindergarten category for the Maui County Department of Water Supply’s third annual Water Conservation Poster Contest.

Kiara Lima from Kilohana Elementary School on Molokai’s East End, took first place among kindergarten entries. Winning third place for kindergarten students was Carly Dudoit from Kualapu’u Elementary School, the island’s only charter school.

Carly Dudoit of Kualapu'u Elementary School took third place in the Maui County poster contest.


The goal of the contest was to educate Maui Nui’s youth on the importance of water conservation and to encourage them to take an active role in ensuring the sustainability of our islands’ water supply. This year’s theme is “Malama I Ka Wai,” or to take care of the water.

The contest entries were evaluated based on water conservation message, originality, visual effectiveness, neatness and creativity. The first through third place winners will receive U.S. Savings Bonds; $100 for first place, $75 for second, and $50 for third. A total of 543 students from across Maui County entered.

Winning entries and honorable mentions will be featured in the 2013 DWS Water Conservation Calendar, on the county website at www.mauiwater.org, and will also be honored on Monday, May 7, at 3 p.m. in the Mayor’s office on the 9th floor in the Ka Lana O Maui Building in Wailuku. The public is invited to attend.

The posters are currently on display at the Department of Water Supply Water Resources and Planning Office at One Main Plaza, 2200 Main Street, Suite 102 in Wailuku.

The contest’s three–judge panel included: Ms. Nalani Caulford, teacher at Kamali’i Elementary School, Ms. Maria Graham, Director of Lahaina Art Gallery and Mr. Rob Parsons, County of Maui’s Environmental Coordinator.

Filed under: maui county, News, Schools, Sustainability | Leave a Comment »

Slack-key guitarist John Keawe performs today at Molokai Public Library

Posted on April 11, 2012 by molokainews

A video of one of the songs from John Keawe’s performance on Wednesday can be viewed here.

In honor of National Library Week, April 8-14, the Hawaii State Public Library System will host free programs through the month of April.

John Keawe performs today at Molokai Public Library, 3 p.m.


The HSPL helps level the playing field by making both print and digital information available and accessible to everyone statewide — from keiki to kupuna. The state libraries provide a variety of free services such as Internet access with a valid library card, wi-fi, downloadable e-books, audiobooks, and e-music; performances, programs, displays, and exhibits for all ages; Toddler and Preschool Storytimes, 24/7 remote access to online databases and our Public Access Catalog, and much more.

Among the featured performers this month award-winning slack key guitarists John Keawe and Jeff Peterson, Balinese music and dance performers I. Made Widana and Anna Reynolds, and the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble.

John Keawe performs today at Molokai Public Library at 3 p.m.

Keawe is known for his work, “A Tribute to Slack Key.” Keawe, a self-taught slack-key guitarist, is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano and Hawaii Music Awards recipient and a contributing artist on Hawaii’s first Grammy winner, “Slack Key Guitar Volume 2″ (2005).

Keawe will offer a tribute to the slack key style and include selections from the music of Raymond Kane, Leonard Quan, and others, in addition to presenting his original compositions at seven selected Big Island, Maui and Molokai libraries.

This will be the only special performance at Molokai Public Library this month. Visit www.librarieshawaii.org for a complete listing of National Library Week programs or call your local library to find out what programs will be offered.

Filed under: Hawaiian Culture, News | Leave a Comment »

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