2007 Annual Report Executive Summary
Molokai Enterprise Community
In its ninth year of operations, the Molokai 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 three major projects, while providing substantial administrative support for a fourth: 1) the reopening of the Kaluakoi Resort, that once employed over 130 residents; 2) the formation of a Molokai Community Development Corporation (CDC) that will provide affordable housing, community facilities and economic development; 3) the implementation of the Molokai Responsible Tourism Initiative, through the hiring of a Visitor facilitator; 4) the creation and support of a conservation land trust involving nearly one third of the land area of the island of Molokai.
EC funds have been used by all projects to leverage funding from other partners, with $7.2 million dollars leveraged in 2007 and 33 jobs created. Activity highlights include: The EC Board held firm in its support of the Community-Based Master Land Use Plan for Molokai Ranch -- a planning process with the island’s largest landholder that has involved over 130 community meetings and over 1,000 individual participants. Molokai Properties Limited (MPL) continued to seek the necessary legal entitlements to implement the Plan, including the publishing and re-submittal of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement with the Hawaii State Land Use Commission. The Molokai Land Trust (MLT) built on its successful incorporation and receipt of IRS determination as a 509 (a) 3 Supporting Organization to KAL’s 501(c) 3 status in 2006. KAL has assisted the MLT in its fundraising and financial management, having brought in over $300,000 to the MLT in 2007. KAL assisted with due diligence efforts in preparation for the transfer of the 1,600 acre Molokai parcel from MPL to MLT, scheduled for early 2008. KAL also spearheaded fundraising and negotiations for the fee simple acquisition of Kawaikapu Ranch, a perennial stream watershed on East Molokai, to protect these lands from future development. 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 was successful in raising approximately $250,000 to support the creation of a Molokai CDC. KAL began implementing the Molokai Responsible Tourism Initiative, a community-based plan to expand the island’s visitor industry in ways compatible with local culture. A Visitor Facilitator, a position outlined by the Initiative, was hired in February 2007. In its initial year of operating, focus was placed on the creation of a website, including a centralized, island-wide calendar of events; partnership building with the local visitor industry; and additional fundraising.
Community participation has been exercised through the continued restoration of Kalanianaole Hall, a historic gathering place for the community since the 1930’s, in
danger of being lost to deterioration. This included the securing of a $500,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to project partner, Lokahi Pacific. KAL has agreed to act as local project manager to assist with the provision of matching funds and to oversee all renovations of the Hall.
Progress continues in the area of meeting health needs of the community while creating skilled jobs through the expansion of the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC). This Center now includes a dental facility and behavioral health services.