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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Heartfelt Condolences

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

I am writing this as a means to communicate our heartfelt condolences to Anakala Pilipo, Greg and family on the passing of Dianna.

We came to Molokai for the first time six years ago, fell in love with the island but especially the people. They have brought us back year after year until COVID grounded us. We miss so many friends there and it is especially hard to lose a dear soul so far away.

We always went to Halawa every year and we felt a real bond with the Solatarios — I blew conch with Greg and had some nice moments with the family beyond the usual tourist visit.…

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Improvements for Kualapu`u Rec Center

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

County of Maui News Release 

The Department of Parks and Recreation announced last week that, with ongoing repairs and renovations at the Kualapuʻu Recreation Center, the facility’s basketball/volleyball court will be closed from Monday, Sept. 20, through Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, for the construction of the Kualapuʻu Recreation Center Court Improvements project.

The court renovation project will include the removal and replacement of existing court equipment, resurfacing and restriping of the court, and an accessible route along the court to the existing walkway. The construction contract was awarded to Site Engineering Inc.

As part of the ongoing improvements to the Kualapuʻu Recreation Center, the renovation will also focus on upgrading the facility’s entrance and interior areas to enhance accessibility and security.…

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80 Businesses Supplied with PPE

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

80 Businesses Supplied with PPE

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Two, 40-foot containers of personal protective equipment (PPE) was distributed by volunteers last Wednesday to about 80 local businesses and organizations. The PPE came to Molokai from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, organized by Molokai dentist Boki Chung. 

Thirty-eight pallets stacked high with masks, disinfectants, gloves, face shields, hand sanitizer, gowns and other items were sorted by county employees with the assistance of Stacy Helm Crivello, along with community volunteers. 

Chung said the Maui County Dental Society originally reached out to her regarding PPE distribution earmarked for dentists but after speaking with HiEMA, Chung was able to coordinate for any Molokai business in need. …

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$950K for Na’iwa Subdivision

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Improvements to the Na’iwa Subdivision on Molokai Hawaiian Home Lands are moving forward with the release of an additional $950,000 in capital improvement funds, Sen. Lynn DeCoite announced last week. The funds are allocated for design and engineering services for roadway access, water and electrical service for the subdivision area. 

After years of waiting, the Na’iwa agricultural subdivision in Ho’olehua near the airport, which encompasses 341 acres and 58 lots, is getting infrastructure improvements including access roads, driveways, electrical connections and potable and irrigation water lines. Site inspections and field work for the improvements began in February and March.…

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Volunteers Search for Missing Woman

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

Volunteers Search for Missing Woman

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

More than two dozen community members gathered last Saturday to search areas surrounding Pala’au State Park for Gianina Reid, a woman who has been missing since June 24. She was last seen at the Kalaupapa lookout parking lot, where she abandoned her car and belongings and presumably fled on foot after hitting the park caretaker with her vehicle. Though diagnosed with bipolar disorder and known on Molokai for unusual behavior, the circumstances and reasons behind her disappearance remain a mystery. Friends and family haven’t heard from her and there have been no confirmed sightings of Reid since June 24.  …

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Free COVID Testing at Molokai Schools

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, Molokai had seven reported new cases of COVID, with three on Monday, Aug. 30 and four on Thursday, according go the Dept. of Health. The island is now at 181 total cases since the pandemic began and 16 active in the last 14 days, as of Sunday. 

Molokai schools have seen a fair share of cases as well, which officials say are mostly from community spread, rather than transmission within the school setting. Molokai High School has had 12 positive cases between Aug. 10 and Aug. 23, according to information released by the Dept. of Education.…

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A Year on Molokai

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

As a 74-year-old I treasure the memories of past lives, one of which was a lifetime spent on Molokai in one year. It was 1982 and I had lost my job in Washington state due to an economic downturn. I traveled to Koloa on Kauai and after working and living there for a month, I recalled a friend-of-a-friend had a charter sailboat business on Molokai and said he would take me out, so I took the next plane to the Molokai airport. I remember it was difficult to find a ride to Kaunakakai so thankfully most of my walk was downhill.…

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Search for Gianina Reid

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

By Kimberlyn Scott

My name is Kimberlyn Scott and I advocate for families of the missing since my own pregnant daughter, Charli Scott, went missing seven and half years ago on Maui. It was the community of Maui that searched for Charli and found what was needed to get some answers.

I now am writing to the Molokai community on behalf of the family of Gianina Reid. Gianina has been missing from Molokai since June 24 under disturbing circumstances. Gianina has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder which influences her ability to make rational decisions and impacts her social behavior. Gianina was seen by three witnesses just before she abandoned her vehicle and all her personal belongings in the parking lot of Kalaupapa Lookout.…

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Kalaupapa General Management Plan Released

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

NPS News Release

The National Park Service (NPS) released the Kalaupapa National Historical Park General Management Plan last week after years of planning and public input.

The plan provides broad guidance for the management of the park. It will navigate the NPS and its many partners in the protection of the Hansen’s disease community at Kalaupapa and its legacy. With malama i ka ‘aina (care for the land and waters) at its core, the plan provides direction for the preservation of Kalaupapa’s cherished resources and future visitation over the next 20 years and beyond.

“We are especially grateful to the many people who provided their mana‘o to the development of the general management plan over several years,” said Amy Sakurada, Acting Superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park.…

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MCHC Offers Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for COVID

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased to announce access to monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb), Regeneron, at its facility. This one-time therapy is highly effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalization caused by COVID-19.

In high-risk COVID-19 patients, this medication can be given up to 10 days after the first onset of symptoms or positive test. The earlier in infection Regeneron is given, the more effective it is likely to be. This medication is also approved to be used by high-risk patients who have not tested positive for COVID-19 as soon as possible after a known COVID exposure.…

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