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    February 6, 2015

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    February 4, 2015

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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Veterans Designation for Drivers License

Friday, October 17th, 2014

DOT News Release

Veteran designation will now be available for Hawaii driver’s licenses, state IDs, and instruction permits effective Oct. 1, 2014, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) in cooperation with the counties of Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui are pleased to announced.

Persons who served in any of the uniformed services of the U.S. and received a discharge other than dishonorable are eligible.  Applicants must provide proof of qualification.  Acceptable documents include:

DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
NGB Form 22 (National Guard Report of Separation from Active Duty)
Prior to January 1, 1950 – WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO, 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, NAVCG 553
Discharge Certificate reflecting characterization of discharge
Verification letter issued by the Veterans Administration
Verification letter issued by the Office of Veteran Services

Applicants requiring a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge, or other Military Documents to verify Veteran and Military eligibility status may go to archives.gov/veterans/military-services-records/  and follow the steps outlined for either an online application request or follow procedures to print, populate, and mail out a Standard Form (SF) 180 request.…

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Federal Funds for Ag Conservation

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

USDA News Release

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds potential applicants to contact their local NRCS office to find out if they are eligible for the agency’s most common Farm Bill Programs (Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and Agricultural Management Assistance Program). On Molokai, contact the NRCS Ho`olehua Field Office at 808-567-6868.

Applications for this ranking period are due at the NRCS office by close of business on Oct. 17. Applications received after this date will be considered in the next ranking period. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, but ranked according to specific application cutoff periods.

“We are encouraging farmers and ranchers to utilize the federal funding to help improve conservation on private land,” said Dr.…

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It’s Wedgie Season

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

It’s Wedgie Season

Nene O Molokai News Release

Drawing by Michael Furuya

October and November is fledging season for wedge-tailed shearwaters. “Wedgies,” as they are affectionately called by wildlife biologists, are part of a mixed flock of seabirds that commercial fishermen rely upon to locate schools of ahi and other marketable fish. Young birds fledge from burrows excavated into coastal cliffs to life at sea. The uau kani, or wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), is 17 inches in length from bill to tip of tail, with a wingspan of 38 inches. Adult birds leave coastal colonies at dawn to feed on fish and return after dark.…

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Changes to Cesspools and Wastewater Systems

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

DOH News Release

There are changes to rules about cesspools and wastewater systems taking place, and the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is soliciting public comments and holding meetings around the state, including Molokai.

Proposed changes include prohibiting the installation of new cesspools and requiring connections or upgrades of existing cesspools to septic systems within 180 days after sale of property.

There are roughly 90,000 cesspools statewide in Hawaii, with nearly 50,000 located on Hawaii Island, almost 14,000 on Kauai, more than 12,000 on Maui, more than 11,000 on Oahu, and more than 1,400 on Molokai. The untreated wastewater from cesspools can contaminate ground water, drinking water sources, streams and oceans with disease-causing pathogens, algae-causing nutrients, and other harmful substances.…

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East Molokai to Hold Recycling Event

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

County of Maui Solid Waste Division, Abandoned Vehicles and Metals Section News Release

County of Maui Department of Environmental Services and Molokai Metals Facility will be holding a metals and electronics collection event in east Molokai Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.  The collection site will be located at 8483 Kamehameha V Highway at Mile Marker 15. Items accepted include scrap metals, appliances, tires, auto batteries, propane tanks and electronics such as computers, monitors, printers, televisions and microwave ovens. No vehicles, non-metal furniture or household hazardous waste will be accepted. Residents will be assisted and directed at the site upon arrival.…

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Newspaper Staff Changes

Thursday, October 2nd, 2014

Molokai Dispatch News Release

We’d like to keep our readers and advertisers in the loop by announcing some changes to our staff at The Molokai Dispatch and welcoming Sarah Ching as our new sales manager. Sarah has a background in finance and account management, as well as family ties on Molokai, and we are happy to have her joining our team.

Sarah’s work experience includes American Savings Bank here on Molokai, and most recently, working with mutual investment and retirement funds on the mainland. She looks forward to using this knowledge to assist our clients and advertisers to help grow both their businesses.…

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Krazy for Kolea Kontest Winners

Thursday, October 2nd, 2014

Nene o Molokai press release

This year marked the 17th annual Krazy for Kolea Kontest, and a kolea reported by Joe Kitagawa proved to be Molokai’s early bird, marking the beginning of the fall migration of the Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva). At 11:21 a.m. on July 29, a kolea flushed from a pasture at the Kamakou Preserve. Joe wins a Kolea Research Hawaii T-shirt from the Hawaii Audubon Society and a gift certificate for one scoop of ice cream at Kamoi Snack-N-Go.

The kolea is a swift flying shorebird and has been clocked migrating at 118 miles per hour, although an average of 56 to 60 mph is more typical.…

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Molokai Fire Promotions

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

Molokai Fire Promotions

Greg Jenkins.

Maui Fire Dept. News Release

Two Molokai firefighters, Greg Jenkins and Jorgen Busby, have recently been promoted.

Greg Jenkins joined the Maui Fire Department on April 1, 1996 and was promoted to the rank of Captain this month on Sept. 16. After recruit class in 1996, Captain Jenkins was first assigned as a Firefighter to Molokai at the Ho`olehua Fire Station on Engine 9, B Watch. At various ranks throughout his career, Captain Jenkins has also worked at the Kaunakakai and Puko`o Fire Stations on Molokai, as well as on Maui, at the Napili Fire Station and in the Hazardous Materials/Training Bureau.…

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Former Kualapu`u School Clerk Sentenced for Theft

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

Dept. of the Attorney General News Release

A former clerk at Kualapu`u Public Charter School was sentenced on Sept. 18, to three counts of second degree theft by Maui Circuit Court Judge Joseph E. Cardoza, according to state Attorney General David M. Louie. Sonja Domingo pled guilty to the charges on July 8.

Domingo was charged with three counts of Theft in the Second Degree, a class C felony, for stealing $12,478.65 from Kualapu`u School between Aug. 28, 2012 and Jan. 14, 2013. At the time of the thefts, Domingo was employed as a clerk at the school and was responsible for collecting and depositing payments from students and parents for meals, fundraisers, and a book sale.…

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Kalaupapa Photo Exhibit Opens

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

Kalaupapa Photo Exhibit Opens

Danny Hashimoto pauses as he delivers the community’s mail and newspapers, 1985. Photo by Wayne Levin.

Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

“A Reflection of Kalaupapa: Past, Present and Future,” an exhibit of about 100 photographs of Kalaupapa and her people will open at the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center in Kalae on Saturday, Sept. 27, with a blessing at 10 a.m.

Opening day festivities, open to the public, will run through 2 p.m. The museum will waive entry fees on that day only. The exhibit will be on display at the museum through Aug. 29, 2015.

The exhibit was produced by Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa, a nonprofit that includes Kalaupapa residents, family members/descendants and friends of the community.…

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