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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

6th Monk Seal Dead on Molokai This Year

Thursday, September 30th, 2021

6th Monk Seal Dead on Molokai This Year

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

On Sept. 19, a resident found and reported a young female seal dead on the south shore of Molokai. The death of the seal, known as L11, marks the sixth seal death on Molokai since the beginning of the year – “an unprecedented number of deaths over a 9-month time period,” according to officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). An investigation is underway. 

L11 was born last year in Kalaupapa. Hawaii Marine Animal Response Molokai Outreach Coordinator Todd Yamashita said she had been known to haul out on lawns and sandy parking lots on the east side of Molokai, describing her as curious and healthy.…

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20 New Cases Last Week

Thursday, September 30th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, Molokai had 20 new COVID cases between Friday, Sept. 17 and Friday, Sept. 24, peaking last Tuesday with six positive cases. As of Sunday, there were 49 active cases on island in the last two weeks. 

There were no new cases reported at Molokai schools last week. 

The Dept. of Health has authorized Pfizer booster doses for those over the age of 65 and individuals age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions, in line with CDC recommendations. First priority remains ensuring access for those who are unvaccinated. 

“As the science and the virus evolves, DOH will continue to make evidence-based decisions to ensure those at highest risk for severe illness have access to vaccines,” said Director of Health Dr.…

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Science Education Fund Grants

Thursday, September 30th, 2021

Bayer News Release 

Applications are now being accepted for the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund. This Bayer Fund grant program is open to public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai.

Established in 2005, the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund helps provide Hawaii public schools with programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance science education in the schools, and encourages today’s students to consider a future career in the sciences. To date, nearly $320,000 has been awarded to schools in Hawaii.

The next grant application deadline is Friday, Oct. 15. To download an application, visit hawaii.bayer.us/education/…

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Molokai High SCC Holds First Meeting

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

Community Contributed

By Mele Kaneali’i

New school year, new discussions! The Molokai High School Community Council held its first meeting on Aug. 25, on Google Meets and covered topics like the budget, latest safety precautions, new staff and school celebrations to kick off the first meeting of the year. The meeting was attended by the five stakeholders of the school community: two students, two parents, two community members, four teachers, two classified staff, and the principal, Dr. Katina Soares.

The council welcomed new teachers, Jason Elder, Building and Construction teacher, and Geneva Castro-Lichtenstein, counselor, and the new student representatives, Mele Kanealiʻi and Quedin Bumatay.…

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A Time to Remember

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

Community Contributed

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

I threw on my Savers dark dustcoat, stepped out into the rain, and headed for my Paddy Wagon. I must have looked like Wyatt Earp or Doc Holliday on the way to the O.K. Corral that morning, but I was not heading to a corral, not even the mule corral. By this date the topside Molokai mules had been “on furlough” since the bridge on the Kalaupapa trail had collapsed at Christmas due to a landslide. This was before the pandemic and I was actually on my way to our Kalaupapa “International” Airport to meet Bishop Larry and his 26 pilgrims.…

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2,000 Pounds of Food Distributed

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

2,000 Pounds of Food Distributed

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Those in need on Molokai received more than 2,000 pounds of food in a distribution at the Maui Economic Opportunity office last Thursday. Every third Thursday monthly, MEO runs distribution of the federal surplus food, which is a part of SNAP. The Maui Food Bank ships food over to the island, along with fresh produce grown by farmers on Molokai and Maui. 

Pictured here, Nani Maikui helped with the drive-thru distribution of more than 1,100 pounds of nonperishable food items and about 1,000 pounds of fresh items, which included fruit, veggies and cheese. Additionally, more than 50 boxes of food were given to kupuna. …

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Free Bike Giveaway and Repair Event

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

Free Bike Giveaway and Repair Event

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Get ready to get riding! Krank Cycles Maui, a bike sales and repair business in Makawao, is coming to Molokai this Saturday to repair and give away dozens of bicycles for free. It’s part of their Maui Bike Mission, an idea Krank owner Aaron “Moose” Riechert had to use his business to help folks during the pandemic. His team has traveled to communities around Maui, as well as Lanai, to repair and donate bikes and now they’re headed to Molokai on Sept. 25. 

“We’re going to be repairing and giving away as many bikes as we can,” said Riechert.…

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31 New Cases Last Week

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021

31 New Cases Last Week

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week was a high case-count week for Molokai, with between one and six new COVID positives each day for a total of 31 new cases between Friday, Sept. 10 and Friday, Sept. 17. Friday, Sept. 10, the Dept. of Health reported five new cases for the island, Saturday had two, Sunday had five, Monday had three, Tuesday had four, Wednesday had one, Thursday had five and Friday closed the week with six new cases. The island is averaging four cases per day, according to DOH, with a total of 202 cases since the pandemic began, as of last Sunday. …

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Irene Kimie Iwane

Thursday, September 16th, 2021

With great sadness and love, the family of Irene Kimie Iwane announces her passing on Sept. 6, 2021. 

Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure forever in our hearts.…

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Elmer Kaihehau Chu

Thursday, September 16th, 2021

Elmer Kaihehau Chu was born Nov. 1, 1930 on the Kaai Homestead in Kalamaula, Molokai. He passed peacefully in Los Angeles on July 21, 2021. Elmer was the oldest of five children of Lihue Kaai Chu and Arthur K. Chu, DDS.  After attending Holomua School he attended Kamehameha School for Boys and graduated in 1948. He and his friends enjoyed caring for their horses and spending free time roaming Kalamaula Homesteads, Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove and the shoreline of Kalamaula. He spoke of exciting and enjoyable days working in the pineapple fields as part of the teen “hoe Hana” gang under Grandpa David Kaai’s supervision each summer.…

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