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Health

Breaking the Barrier: Bringing disability awareness to town

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Most people in Kaunakakai probably do not notice that the painted stripes of crosswalks are raised thickly from the street. They may not think too much about the front of their car reaching over the sidewalk when they park. But an awareness activity last Friday aimed to shed light on barriers that people with disabilities face as they try to make it around town independently.

The activity, an effort by Hawaii Centers for Independent Living (HCIL) and Home Pumehana, paired community leaders with people with disabilities and assigned them a route through Kaunakakai. Molokai High School Athletics Director Hokulani Haliniak took a power scooter through town and expressed the fear she felt as she tried to navigate and stay balanced.…

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March in March: What We Love, We Will Protect

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

March in March: What We Love, We Will Protect

Community Contributed

By Mercy Ritte

The statewide “March in March” event was inspired by professional surfer and MMA fighter Dustin Barca, in partnership with the Hawaii GMO Justice Coalition. Barca’s intention was to bring awareness to GMOs and chemical testing conducted by Monsanto and other biotech companies throughout Hawaii, pointing out that “everything we love is in serious danger — our children, our land and our ocean.”

Thousands gathered to voice their concerns; the five-island demonstration opened on Oahu, continued on Kauai, Hawaii Island, Maui, and concluded here on Molokai.

“I felt a sense of togetherness like nothing I have ever been a part of before,” said Molokai father Jay Duquette.…

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MHS Students Qualify for National Competition

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Sue Forbes

Two Molokai High students, Paul Parker and Luke Kikukawa, have qualified for the national Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competition that will be held in Nashville, Tenn. from June 25-30 this summer.  The teammates advanced to nationals after placing fourth in the recent HOSA state competition that was held at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu on Feb. 20-21.  Their competition category at the national HOSA event will be CPR and First Aid.

Molokai High mentor and health careers teacher, John Van Ornum, credited the two young men with their hard work and effort in this their second year of competition.  Van Ornum wished the boys success at the national event and thanked their Molokai General Hospital mentors, Cora Harris, Melony Parker and Dino Fontes for the long hours they spent preparing the boys for their competition.…

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Occupational Therapy Position Available

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Pakolea Rehab News Release

Jobs on Molokai are scarce, and unless you open your own business or work in agriculture, the future may seem bleak to the residents of our small island. However, there is a glimmer of hope for a dedicated individual interested in the healthcare field. Pakolea Rehab is offering a unique opportunity for a Molokai resident interested in pursuing a career in healthcare as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, or COTA.

Pakolea Rehab is offering a paid position upon graduation. We are looking for dedicated, caring, and hard-working individuals willing to attend Kapi`olani Community College in Fall 2013 to complete this two-year program for an Associates Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.…

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Meth Project Hosts Community Forum

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

 

Former meth users stood before community members last Thursday night and shared how the drug affected them, what led them to recovery and how they are working to reduce the drug’s presence on Molokai.

Georgianna Decosta of The Hawaii Meth Project said she used meth until Honolulu police arrested her in the mid-1990s. Now she goes to schools across Hawaii, educating youth about the dangers of using meth, even just once.

“We’re all about the kids and saving the next generation from this horrible drug,” Decosta said about The Hawaii Meth Project. “When you do this drug, people are left to die.”

Decosta spent Thursday at Molokai High School, presenting information to students, stressing the message “not even once.” That evening she offered the presentation to adults, sharing what they tell youth and explaining the organization’s mission.…

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Sunshine in a Bag

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Sunshine in a Bag

Initiative addresses child hunger

While most children on Molokai fall asleep every night with a full stomach and go to school well-nourished, there are some who don’t. To help combat child hunger, the St. Damien Catholic Parish is spearheading an effort to provide food to elementary students in need, as well as assist families in creating a sustainable backyard garden.

Starting last Friday, the Sunshine Backpack and Ohana Garden project, or Kukunaokala, will distribute backpacks of food twice a month to selected students at Kilohana, Kaunakakai and Kualapu`u schools. Students are chosen for participation based on referrals from school staff, and parents must give permission for their children to receive a backpack.…

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Walk for Dental Implants

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Walk for Dental Implants

Community Contributed

By Boki Chung, DDS

Want to win a teeth whitening kit or electrical toothbrush? Join the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (Maui HLA) Charity walk on Saturday, May 4 at 7 a.m. and you will be eligible to enter the raffle. More importantly, walking will raise money for MCHC and its dental services. This year, we hope to be able to provide dental implants. The more walkers we have representing MCHC, the more funds we can bring in, and the better the chances of us obtaining funding towards our community that ends up benefiting you.…

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County Offers Molokai Counseling Sessions

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

Maui County News Release

In light of the recent tragedies faced by Molokai families, the County of Maui wants to offer support. Counselor Mark Nowicki and county staff will be available on Friday, April 12 at the Mitchell Pauole Center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to talk with groups or individuals about how these events have affected them. This opportunity is open to everyone from elementary school students to families and friends of county employees.

“We’ve been getting feedback from county employees who are deeply affected and are concerned for others, and we would like to help” said Karin Phaneuf, administrative officer for the Department of Public Works.…

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Managing the North Shore

Sunday, April 7th, 2013

Traditional fishing practices along Molokai’s north shore could soon be supported by law if a new proposal is approved by the state.

The Mo`omomi area, which provides food for Ho`olehua homesteaders through its ocean resources, is closer to receiving official state designation as a community-based subsistence fishing area (CBSFA). Conservation group Hui Malama O Mo`omomi organized the official proposal for the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)  and has presented it at a series of meetings with fishermen, homesteaders and the public. After the group has allowed time to receive public comments and questions, they will present it to the DLNR at a public hearing.…

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Health Practitioners Share ‘Talking Circle’

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Health Practitioners Share ‘Talking Circle’

“Close your eyes,” began Molokai Kahupono Francis Wong.

Young and old, patient and practitioner followed suit and allowed Wong to guide them in an exercise to empty their minds and let go of their problems.

Wong explained that our emotions guide us throughout our day and it’s important to calm that emotion sometimes to prevent injury to yourself and others.

Hawaiians have long believed that thoughts and words can become a reality, manifesting in our daily lives and affecting those closest to us. Wong’s exercise was a lesson in meditation and ho`oponopono, a Hawaiian practice used to restore and maintain good relationships within a family or group.…

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