Molokai Ranch closing operations

[Konaguy]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

There was a letter to the editor in WHT about the Molokai Ranch closure. Below is my rebuttal letter to the editor which I submitted to WHT today.

I was blown away by the arrogant letter editor written by Herb Dayton about the Molokai Ranch closure. I really believe that he has no understanding of the bigger picture here. In my view, the Molokai Ranch debacle is a completely different beast than the other projects he mentioned delayed by obstructionists.

Firstly,a huge difference between the other projects and the Molokai Ranch debacle is the fact the community at large expressed their opposition to developing La'au. Building up to 200 McMansions on that land would've negatively changed Molokai forever.

But it seems people have forgotten the latter facts. Instead the news media blame the residents of Molokai for the closure of Molokai Ranch. When they should be blaming the foreign owners of Molokai Ranch for doing this. In my opinion, what GuocoLeisure Ltd did is akin to a toddler who starts to cry when their toy is taken away. They couldn't get their entitlements due to community opposition.So they unilaterally decided to shut everything down as retribution.

I already know that some people will be calling me a hypocrite based upon my other opinions I've expressed about Hokulia, etc after they read this letter.But quite honestly I really don't care. When I visited Molokai last year with my girlfriend (who is from Molokai), I felt the mana of the land speaking to me. I literally got chicken skin as we were making our approach to Ho'olehua Airport. I would urge Mr. Dayton to visit Molokai to see the island up close and personal. Maybe then he won't be writing such arrogant letters in the future about such a special place in our state.

Aaron Stene
Kailua-Kona

[joshuatree]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

*blink blink*

JT, look at the data again:

They own 1/3 of the island. They employ a mere 1.5% of the residents. Many of those "activists" are the employed families themselves. What were their compromises? Low wages and accepting them while realizing that the company holds title to the isle's throat. Not unionizing, nor "workman comping" the company dry. But doing their jobs and accepting their fate, as long as the MK made their profits and did their end to keep Moloka'i country.

PM, no offense, but this doesn't address my question. What did the activists offer on the table as a compromise? This debate about MR's plan to build 200 homes wasn't done and over in a day, it was a couple years. So I'm just asking a fair question to see how much of the fallout was MR's fault and how much was the activist. Your reference to data can also suggest to me that people could have worked and stayed on the other 2/3 of the island if they didn't like the low wages or working conditions.

[Konaguy]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

Because as a company, they no longer wish to bleed even though they can afford to bleed, that's considered "my way or the highway"? That interpretation is truly socialistic and autocratic.

Well I do find it awfully convenient that Molokai Ranch is shutting down operations shortly after their La'au point plans get stonewalled. On the surface it seems like its foreign owners are doing retribution against all the island residents.

To me its akin to a toddler who starts to cry when his toy is taken away.

On a related note, even up to 6 months ago Molokai Properties was cash positive.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

But I ask again, what compromises were suggested by the activists? I tried looking for this info to better understand the situation but so far, haven't really found anything. I get the impression the activists simply said "my way or the highway"???

*blink blink*

JT, look at the data again:

They own 1/3 of the island. They employ a mere 1.5% of the residents. Many of those "activists" are the employed families themselves. What were their compromises? Low wages and accepting them while realizing that the company holds title to the isle's throat. Not unionizing, nor "workman comping" the company dry. But doing their jobs and accepting their fate, as long as the MK made their profits and did their end to keep Moloka'i country.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

Because as a company, they no longer wish to bleed even though they can afford to bleed, that's considered "my way or the highway"?

I've got no clues as to the details, but wasn't there some part of the operation that made money? Why wouldn't they keep that and shutdown the money looser? What was it that made it an "all or nothing" deal business-wise?

[joshuatree]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

Actually Molokai Ranch has taken more of that tact of "my way or the highway."
Even though Molokai Ranch was financially solvent (they made 12.7 million
profit off of land sales last year), they made the unilateral decision to cease operations.

Because as a company, they no longer wish to bleed even though they can afford to bleed, that's considered "my way or the highway"? That interpretation is truly socialistic and autocratic.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

My question is what is Molokai's plans for the future of the island. They'll have to do something to bring money into the island to pay for the things they want.

As one resident indicated, "subsidence hunting won't pay my mortgage."

[Konaguy]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

But I ask again, what compromises were suggested by the activists? I tried looking for this info to better understand the situation but so far, haven't really found anything. I get the impression the activists simply said "my way or the highway"???

Actually Molokai Ranch has taken more of that tact of "my way or the highway."
Even though Molokai Ranch was financially solvent (they made 12.7 million
profit off of land sales last year), they made the unilateral decision to cease operations.

[joshuatree]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

"Fatigue caused by activism" isn't warranted here. That company has the west end by the balls. We aren't talking Anaheim here where one Mouse owns everything in the neighborhood, but you can get on the freeway and commute to a different job. This showdown was bound to happen.

But I ask again, what compromises were suggested by the activists? I tried looking for this info to better understand the situation but so far, haven't really found anything. I get the impression the activists simply said "my way or the highway"???

[Random]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

Hey Random, I've no problem with a wind farm. Did I say that? But what the hey is a "working cultural village"? Or just avoid the question.

Okay. Consider avoided.

[Random]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

It should be set aside as a public trust. Remember when it comes to pristine lands on Molokai, Laau is about as good as it gets for West Molokai.

This is why I think Walter Ritte should go that route instead of activism to the level he's taken it.

Problem is, I don't think he can trust Colette Machado, OHA trustee in favor of the Master Plan, who just so happens to be President of Moloka'i Land Trust.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

Nothing on Molokai is affordable to people who have no income. What???? You expect the government to give the money for folks to build or buy a home? Or maybe just cut some palm fronds and chiave trees and build a thatch hut?

Don't you fn get it????? So ignorant.

I will hammer this thread until admin gets tired. Or any liberal fesses up to the fact that they subscribe to, and believe in, a totally stupid way of thinking.

Molokaʻi residents voted for Bush and pray for their soldiers.
Have a higher % of residents who love God and put family first.
Resist change in a mighty way.
Are happiest when they farm, fish and hunt.
Hardly qualify as a liberal community.

Well 68-eldo does have a point. Perhaps people use the defense that a certain place is sacred one too many times? Because if everything is sacred, then everything's not very sacred to begin with.

I guess I'm just activism fatigued. Have these people suggested anything else that MK could do or did they just simply c*ck blocked every thing MK tried to do? If it's the latter, I think the activists have destroyed Molokai's livelihood.

To put this in perspective:
MK ranch owns 1/3 of the isle.
It employed 1.5% of the isle's residents, reserving the highest paying jobs for flown-in help.

"Fatigue caused by activism" isn't warranted here. That company has the west end by the balls. We aren't talking Anaheim here where one Mouse owns everything in the neighborhood, but you can get on the freeway and commute to a different job. This showdown was bound to happen.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

Hey Craig, Laau is on the southwestern part of Molokai. So if it's good enough for rich folk, why is it not good enough to set aside for public trust?

This just reenforces my point about Laau being marginal land in the first place.

It should be set aside as a public trust. Remember when it comes to pristine lands on Molokai, Laau is about as good as it gets for West Molokai.

This is why I think Walter Ritte should go that route instead of activism to the level he's taken it.

[Konaguy]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

Yes the land on western Molokai is marginal land. But that really isn't the point.
I'm sure if MRP tried to develop up to 200 McMansions somewhere else on the
island there would be equal opposition.Building that many houses would dramatically negatively change the socio-economic fabric of Molokai.

[Konaguy]

Re: Molokai Ranch closing operations

My views on Hokulia are completely separate from La'au. I was angry that Judge Ibarra enjoined Hokulia AFTER investors spent 350 million on the project, blocked landowners from building their homes, and blocked completion of the
Hokulia bypass road.

La'au on the other hand is a completely different situation. La'au has not been developed. It is still a pristine, sacred, culturally significant area. Lands like this
should remain open space forever.