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Business

Molokai Pharmacist Receives Award

Thursday, November 1st, 2012

Molokai Pharmacist Receives Award

Molokai Drugs Pharmacist Kelly Go was honored in a state-wide award for outstanding community service from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association. She was named the recipient of the 2012 Bowl of Hygeia Award — one of the profession’s most prestigious awards — which honors one pharmacist from each state annually.

“It’s an honor to be chosen for this year’s award representing Hawaii,” said Go. “I’m blessed to be in a community I grew up in and can now serve in this capacity.”

“She was nominated by one of the pharmaceutical representatives [on Oahu] who heard about what Molokai Drugs has done and is doing on Molokai, including Kelly’s role in making sure that there are resources for our community,” said Go’s father and fellow Molokai Drugs pharmacist, David Mikami in a letter to store staff.…

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U-Haul Rentals Available at Rawlins Chevron

Thursday, November 1st, 2012

Need a truck or van for the weekend? Rawlins Chevron has you covered. They’re now offering U-Haul rentals, in a partnership with the national company. Service station owner Shirley Rawlins said U-Haul approached her about offering the rentals, and the venture has been successful so far.

“It was not in the plan, but we decided to give it a try,” said Rawlins. “It’s moving pretty good now.”

Currently, Chevron has one truck and one van for rent, which customers must reserve online through U-Haul’s website, said Rawlins. She called the rates “very reasonable,” with the truck renting for about $20 per day.…

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Hula Shores Renovations to Begin in 2013

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Hula Shores Renovations to Begin in 2013

Four months after a fire in June destroyed Hotel Molokai’s kitchen, rebuilding is scheduled to begin in January, according to the hotel’s General Manager Michael Drew. The Hula Shores restaurant has been closed since the fire, which caused approximately $650,000 in damages and left 35 unemployed. Since then, staff and crews have been busy with demolition and clean-up of the building’s charred remains and drafting plans for the new construction.

“The kitchen, bar and dining room will have a new look,” said Drew. He said the renovation design will be a “complete make-over, but keeping the Hawaiian theme,” with features that will be “more user friendly for kitchen and dining staff.”

After the fire, Drew estimated the facility would be rebuilt and opened by December of this year, but he said the timeline has been delayed.…

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Molokai Internet Survey – How’s Your Speed?

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Molokai Internet Survey – How’s Your Speed?

The State of Molokai’s Broadband Internet

High speed Internet can allow residents of rural areas like Molokai to participate in economic and civic life far beyond the geographic boundaries of our shoreline. Broadband technology can eliminate logistical constraints of regionally-based business, foster greater social interaction, and allow quick transmission of news and information. However, these economic and social advantages depend on the reliability and speed provided by Molokai’s limited Internet service providers.

In the spirit of community-building, The Molokai Dispatch is polling local customers of a variety of broadband providers to find out the quality and user satisfaction of Molokai’s Internet service.…

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Bakery Remains Closed After Another Inspection

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

Bakery Remains Closed After Another Inspection

Kanemitsu Bakery’s ovens will remain cold after failing to pass another Department of Health (DOH) inspection last Wednesday. Following a complaint in June alleging foreign substances were found in the baked goods, the bakery’s permit was suspended pending the completion of a lengthy list of sanitation improvements. Bakery owner George Kanemitsu called for Wednesday’s inspection to verify the changes had been made. While many improvements had been completed, the state inspector found that some of the necessary changes were still lacking.

“I really thought they would let me open up and fix it as we go along, but it didn’t go like that,” said Kanemitsu.…

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One Sweet Bzzzness

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012

One Sweet Bzzzness

Family operation produces honey with a wide reach.

The Kaneshiro family knows the value of hard work — and so do their bees. The saying “busy as a bee” is not just a cliche.

“It takes the lifetime of 12 bees to make one teaspoon of honey,” said Brenda Kaneshiro, whose family operates Molokai Meli, the only commercial apiary, or collection of bee hives, based on the island. “Every drop of honey is like gold.”

What began in 2004 as a hobby to produce enough honey for their son’s salad dressing business turned into commercial operation producing over one ton of Molokai honey annually at its peak just three years later.…

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Kanemitsu Bakery Looks at the Options

Sunday, August 12th, 2012

Kanemitsu Bakery Looks at the Options

The ovens of Kanemitsu Bakery remain cold since June, when the Department of Health (DOH) suspended their permit after a complaint was filed. Since then, the bakery has been making some of the sanitation improvements stipulated by the DOH. The operation has not been able to reopen as soon as owner George Kanemitsu had originally hoped, and now he said he’s looking into additional options — including establishing a bakery on Oahu.

In the meantime, work on the Molokai facility continues. The restaurant portion of the business remains open because it operates from a separate, permitted kitchen.

Kanemitsu said he anticipates a visit from DOH inspectors, accompanied by a governor’s representative, in the next couple weeks, after which he said he will have a better idea of a date to re-open.…

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New Business in Town: Lanakila Designs

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

Lanakila Designs News Release

Lanakila Designs has opened its doors right in the center of Kaunakakai. Located with Simon & Friends Pet Shoppe, Lyndon Dela Cruz has set up his studio creating and cutting custom decals. He can create any shape and size, for your windows, canoe paddles or signs.

Because of the increasingly poor economy of Molokai, Lyndon wanted to supplement income with a new business plan, accommodating both visitors and island residents. Not only does he use his artistic talents as a licensed tattoo artist for Righteous Ink, but now his designs will also be available in vinyl for you to take with you or send anywhere in the world.…

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Misaki’s Grocery Celebrates 90 Years

Sunday, August 5th, 2012

Misaki’s Grocery Celebrates 90 Years

For 90 years, Misaki’s Grocery and Dry Goods has served at least six generations of Molokai residents in a family-operated business that itself spans four generations. From a tiny candy store in the present-day Molokai Fish and Dive building in downtown Kaunakakai to one of Molokai’s largest grocery stores, Misaki’s has been vital to island life and economy for nearly a century.

Family Legacy

It all started in 1922, when Uta Misaki, a seamstress, opened a 10-by-20-foot shop to supplement the family income. Along with sewing services, the store sold candy, ice cream and a few other items. Uta was soon joined in the business by her husband, Masataro, said his grandson Kevin Misaki, present-day Misaki’s general manager.…

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Hotel Molokai Bar to Reopen This Friday

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

There’s good news for those who miss a drink at Hotel Molokai’s Hula Shores bar following a fire two weeks ago that demolished the kitchen. The bar is reopening Friday, July 6, and hotel manager Michael Drew predicts the kitchen and restaurant reopening by December of this year.

“I almost guarantee that within 180 days we will be back,” said Drew of the restaurant. “It’s very important to the Molokai community and Maui County to bring back people that were laid off.”

The early morning June 19 fire left 35 Hotel employees without work and caused $650,000 in damages.

The reopenings are made possible by expedited Maui County permits.…

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