The Molokai’s Enterprise Community moved forward eighteen projects outlined in its 10-year strategic plan. The EC Governance Board continues to focus on seeking strong, committed task leaders. It has also acted as task leader for two major projects, while providing substantial administrative support for a third: 1) the reopening of the Kaluakoi Resort, 2) the creation of a conservation land trust involving nearly one third of the land area of the island of Molokai’s, and 3) the publishing and implementation of the Molokai Responsible Tourism Initiative. EC funds have been used by all projects to leverage funding from other partners, with $4.8 million dollars leveraged in 2006 and 30 jobs created. Activity highlights include:

• The Community-Based Master Land Use Plan for Molokai Ranch was finalized.
• The Molokai Land Trust (MLT) formed out of the EC’s Land Trust Steering Committee, creating Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and operational policies and procedures. The MLT successfully incorporated within the State of Hawaii and received its IRS determination as a 509 (a) 3 Supporting Organization to KAL’s 501(c) 3 status. This enables the MLT to legally accept the 50,000 acres of land and easements offered by Molokai Ranch under the Master Land Use Plan. KAL also helped the MLT to build capacity by participating in its strategic planning sessions with a nationally-renowned land trust consultant and through attending the Land Trust Alliance’s National Land Trust Rally.
• A Community Development Corporation (CDC) Steering Committee formed in efforts to incorporate a Molokai CDC as a component of the Master Land Use Plan. The Molokai CDC will be tasked with providing for affordable housing, community facilities and economic development, sustaining the efforts begun by the Molokai EC after the designation expires.
• KAL published and began implementing the Moloka’i Responsible Tourism Initiative. Recruitment for a Visitor Coordinator, a position outlined by the Initiative, took place late in 2006, with a hire expected in early 2007. KAL received a $50,000 SDA-RD RBOG grant to help with operational and project costs.
• A full-time Executive Director was hired to oversee the administration of Moloka’i EC status, while preparing for the sustainability of the EC’s programs after the expiration of the Molokai’s EC status.
• Meeting the health needs of the community while creating skilled jobs through the expansion of the Community Health Center to include a dental facility and behavioral health services, which both opened in 2006. The center, opened in 2004, currently brings approximately 3 million dollars per year into Molokai’s economy and is expanding at a rate of 40 new patients per month.
• Through EC funding Aka’ula School has been able to open and operate into its third year. An RBEG awarded to the EC seeks to support the development and long-term sustainability of this project. Aka’ula continues to serve as the only private middle school on the island and has enjoyed recognition statewide as providing a quality education. EC projects leveraged $4.8 million in funding, historically one of the Moloka’i EC’s most productive years. Economic Progress EC projects resulted in the creation of 30 jobs, of which 87% have been sustainable.

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