Announcements

Dr. Tina Gaines provides care for the island’s animals. 

Dr. Tina Gaines, visiting veterinarian at the Molokai Humane Society until Sept. 12 

By Catherine Cluett

Dr. Tina Gaines is a visiting veterinarian on Molokai until Sept. 12. Gaines says she has been performing mostly spaying and neutering operations on cats and dogs on Molokai, but is ready to perform any services necessary.

Gaines graduated from Ross University in St. Kitts in the Caribbean. She has worked previously on two other Hawaiian islands, completing her residency training there. When she’s not working as a visiting vet, Gaines specializes in ultra sound, and is currently based in New York. She says her previous experience working on islands has prepared her well for working on Molokai.

Group will represent Molokai in 2009 in Kona.

Molokai’s own award-winning Na Kupuna O Moana Hula Halau is postponing its entry into the 2008 Hawaii Kupuna Hula Festival due to changes required in festival programming. The Halau’s recent successful fundraising campaign will be used to support the halau’s entry into the 2009 Festival held each year in late September in Kona.

Na Kupuna O Moana Hula Halau has been awarded major recognition at past festival events and looks forward to representing Molokai in 2009. The halau is indebted to the many individual supporters and business donors in the community who have given their aloha and generously contributed to the halau’s fundraising efforts.

Kumu Moana Dudoit said, “We cherish the aloha that the community gives to us and next year, in 2009, we’ll come back bigger winners than ever.”

School-based flu vaccinations begin in October.

Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona.

As a new school year begins on Molokai, our Administration has turned its focus to protecting students ages 5 to 13 from seasonal flu.

It is part of our state Department of Health’s “Stop Flu at School” program, a voluntary effort intended to make vaccinating children fast and easy for hundreds of families in Molokai.

Last year, 544 school children in Molokai participated in the program aimed at reducing illness in schools and communities by preventing the spread of the flu among them and their families.

8.8.08 marks the date for newlyweds.

Photo courtesy of Chris Pala.  

The Molokai Dispatch owner and editor-in-chief Todd Yamashita wed Ka Honua Momona executive director Noelani Lee on Aug. 8, 2008. In cultures throughout the world, especially China, the symbol “8” represents luck, wealth, and fortune. We wish all of these things for the happy couple.

Aloha,

The Molokai Police Department has recently received complaints from our community about lifted pickup trucks with protruding tires, and pickup trucks that are traveling on the highways with passengers riding improperly within the bed of the truck. A Maui County Ordinance is being provided to make the Molokai community aware of the law and to keep Molokai’s roadways safe for everyone.

MUDGUARDS REQUIRED $72.00 (fine)
 
No person shall operate on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer unless equipped with fenders, covers or devices, including flaps or splash aprons or unless the body of the vehicle or attachments thereto afford adequate protection to effectively minimize the spray or splash of water or mud to the rear of the vehicle.

New campaign to spread anti-meth message.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Maui County and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America are working together to bring an anti-methamphetamine campaign to Maui County.

The Meth360 campaign kicked off last week Tuesday on Maui, with a press conference featuring several key figures including Mayor Charmaine Tavares.

“Our goal is to attack it from all angles,” said Jazmin Tinsley, BBBS Project Manager.

The campaign is targeting drug awareness by focusing on youth, caregivers, and parents. Workshops will provide professionals and parents with the necessary skill sets to help youth in dealing with exposure to drug use.

Public Utilities Commission approves 5.5 percent zone increase.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved Young Brothers, Limited’s application for a 5.5-percent zone increase on all cargo categories effective August 1. Under the PUC Decision and Order number 24139, the company has rate flexibility within a range, called a “zone of reasonableness.”

The proposed zone increase does not include or reflect the increased cost of fuel, which is covered in the company's separate fuel price adjustment. Young Brothers may request a zone of reasonableness rate increase once per year and may adjust fuel prices quarterly.

Planning begins for 75th celebration.
By Jennifer Smith

Molokai High School (MHIS) alumni will soon have yet another reason to proudly celebrate their alma mater. With the 75th anniversary only six years away, the Alumni Association has already begun planning for the momentous occasion.

Unlike the annual luau that hosts every graduating year sharing the last digit of the current graduating class, all MHIS graduates are invited to attend the 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Several exciting plans are underway, and the planning committee is asking alumni to dig through their old boxes and share old pictures, articles, and annuals. They are requesting graduates to submit these memories for a special collection of 75 years of MHIS that will be available at the 2014 celebration.

The race begins for the 2008 Primary Elections.

By Zalina Alvi

Candidates in the 2008 Primary Elections have been announced, and Molokai has four familiar faces and two new names on their ballot.
 
Those looking to return for another term are Molokai Councilmember Danny Mateo, OHA Trustee Island of Molokai Colette Y. Piipii Machado, State Representative District 13 Mele Carroll, and State Senator District 6 J. Kalani English.

New to the elections are Waipa Purdy running against Machado for OHA Trustee Island of Molokai, and John Blumer-Buell running for State Senator District 6.

Voting will take place on Sept. 20 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can contact the Office of Elections by phone at 453-8683 or (800) 442-8683, or by email at elections@hawaii.gov.

Maunaloa-based company recognized for lowering building energy costs. 

Chelsea Group Ltd. CEO George Benda with Governor Linda Lingle
Photo Courtesy Office of the Governor

Press Release

Developing a way for commercial building owners to cut energy costs and meet national efficiency standards has earned Chelsea Group, Ltd., recognition by the State of Hawaii. Governor Linda Lingle honored the Molokai-based firm for its “ingenuity and commitment to developing creative ways to improve Hawaii and help the state meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

Presenting the Governor’s Innovation Award to Chelsea CEO George Benda, Gov. Lingle praised the firm for developing “an innovative way to use virtual technology to help its customers around the nation become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.”