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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Kualapu’u School Gets $20K for Science Ed

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

Kualapu’u School News Release

Kualapu’u Public Charter School received a grant for $20,000 from Bayer Fund, which will be used to continue our science education program in Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Life Science. The grant will also support island-based field trips so students will learn these science concepts in action and in their own community.

Principal Lydia Trinidad reports, “Our students love field trips and we are excited we can continue our science instruction outside the walls of the classroom,” said Principal Lydia Trinidad. “This year, especially after COVID-19 restrictions, we want to take our students outside! This is our fourth year of receiving support from Bayer and we have all the curriculum to implement our science program.…

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Structure Fire Leaves One Displaced

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

Structure Fire Leaves One Displaced

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

A structure fire in Kawela along Kamehameha V Highway just before 8 p.m. last Friday night destroyed a small cottage occupied by one person. The highway was closed for about 30 minutes while crews got the blaze under control.

The 10-by-12-foot studio cottage was fully engulfed when fire crews arrived, according to the Maui Fire Department (MFD).

The occupant of the house, Christi Feeter, said it all happened in a matter of seconds.

“I saw a spark by the outlet, grabbed my laptop and phone, and the flames were already up the wall,” she said. “I ran outside to grab my dog and a few seconds later when I looked back, it was just engulfed in flames, 20 feet high.”…

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OHA Awards $1.77M in COVID Response Grants

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

OHA News Release

Programs helping to mitigate learning struggles endured by young learners during the pandemic, provide psychiatric services to Native Hawaiians and provide food to vulnerable Native Hawaiian communities are among the grant awardees announced today by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

A total of 15 Hawaii nonprofit organizations on five islands will receive a total of $1.77 million in grant awards through OHA’s COVID-19 Impact and Response Grants. The grant program is being offered for the first time to help the community address the multiple impacts of the global pandemic.

On Molokai, KUPU was awarded $55,042 for its “Conservation Leadership Development Program” to provide employment opportunities for early and developing professionals (17 years or older) who want to commit to a career in conservation.…

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Variant Spreads, Restrictions Lifted

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

After the first case of a COVID-19 variant known as the Delta variant was reported in Hawaii two weeks ago, cases of the variant have now been found in all counties, with a total of 13 cases as of last Friday.

“The rapid spread of the Delta variant is troubling, but not surprising,” said State Laboratories Division Administrator Dr. Edward Desmond. “Cases of this particular strain of COVID-19 have doubled every two weeks in other jurisdictions so we expected it to move quickly after it was first detected on Oahu earlier this month.”

The Delta variant is more transmissible than the original SARS-CoV-2 and preliminary research shows that it results in a higher rate of severe illness than other SARS-CoV-2 variants, according to the Dept.…

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Wildland Fire Training This Week

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

MFD News Release

From Wednesday, June 30 through Friday, July 2, the Maui Fire Department will be conducting a series of live fire wildland training exercises on Molokai. The training will be taking place on a parcel of DHHL land southeast of the intersection of Maunaloa Highway and Pu’upe’elua Avenue in Ho’olehua. The training will occur daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during this time.

During the training, Molokai residents can expect to possibly see smoke and flames in the immediate area.

These training evolutions give Maui Fire Dept. fire fighters on Molokai an opportunity to train in realistic conditions to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season, while at the same time eliminate some of the wildfire fuel loads.…

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Super Strawberry Moon

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

Super Strawberry Moon

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

The full moon on June 24, called a “super strawberry moon,” was captured here by Rick Schonely with his Kodak camera with zoom lens from Wavecrest Resort.

This month’s full moon is known as a supermoon, which occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. June’s supermoon was the last supermoon of the year.

The term “strawberry” moon sometimes refers to the pinkish hue the moon can have in late June as it sits lower in the sky and shines through more of our atmosphere, according to NASA.…

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Chattanooga Choo Choo

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

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

“When you hear the whistle blowing eight to the bar, Then you know that Tennessee is not very far. Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep rolling, Woo, Woo, Chattanooga, there you are.”

When you hear the whistle of a train, your thoughts may turn back in time to the voices of the Andrew Sisters or the strains of the Glen Millar Band bringing back memories of the Chattanooga Choo Choo train. If the Chattanooga Choo Choo were to blow its whistle today, it might well toot its salute to a baby just born to Julia Aleszczyk and her husband, Ryan Poland, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.…

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DeCoite Appointed as Senator

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

DeCoite Appointed as Senator

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai’s Lynn DeCoite, who formerly served as State Representative, was appointed last week to fill the State Senate District 7 seat left vacant by Sen. Kalani English’s May 1 retirement.

Gov. David Ige selected DeCoite to serve in the position from three names put forward to fill the vacancy by the Democratic Party of Hawaii. A homesteader from Ho’olehua, she will become the 10th woman currently serving in the State Senate.

“Lynn has served her constituents well in the House, and she’s remained in touch with the community. She understands the issues people are facing and will represent the residents in this district well in the Senate,” said Gov.…

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Molokai Teachers Renew National Board Certification

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Molokai Teachers Renew National Board Certification

NBCT News Release

Molokai High School Librarian Diane Mokuau and Student Services Coordinator Laura Peterson are two of thousands of teachers across the United States to renew their certification as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT).

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is excited to celebrate these teachers along with the more than 20,000 teachers currently pursuing Board certification – seen as the profession’s mark of accomplished teaching.

“The pandemic truly tested the mettle of anybody working in a school setting — including teachers and their students,” said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, President and CEO of The National Board. “Those teachers who renewed their Board certification this year voluntarily chose to challenge themselves, reflect on their practice and confirm that they are teaching to the highest standards.…

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Patricia “Tisa” Sanchez-Pagay

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Patricia “Tisa” Sanchez-Pagay

Patricia “Tisa” Sanchez-Pagay, 77 years old, passed peacefully on April 23, 2021, at Queens hospital on Oahu, after a long battle with illness. Patricia was born in Kohala on Nov. 27, 1943 on Hawaii Island to Minnie and Patricio Sanchez, Sr. She moved to Molokai in her early childhood and graduated from Molokai High in 1961.

Patricia worked in the late 60s for Dole company in Maunaloa, where she met her late husband Joseph Pagay, who preceded her in death in 2006. She also worked many years for Molokai Ranch and spoke fondly of the old Maunaloa community in which she was raised.…

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