Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Rain Brings Flooding, Power Outages

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021

Rain Brings Flooding, Power Outages

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Heavy rains brought dangerous flooding and intermittent island-wide power outages to Molokai last week Monday, Jan. 18. Officials warned residents to stay home and off the roads, as several feet of fast-flowing water covered the road in several areas between Kaunakakai and Mana’e, as well as near the sewage treatment plant in Kaunakakai. Police and fire personnel were stationed near the ford areas to warn drivers of the dangerous conditions, and county highway employees worked to clear debris once the water receded.

Molokai’s Pu’u Ali’i rain gauge collected the most rainfall of anywhere in the county — 13.6 inches over a 24-hour period ending Monday evening.…

Transforming Trash to Art

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021

Malama Maui Nui News Release

The Art of Trash is an annual juried exhibition that includes an art gallery and a Trashion Show, which inspires people to reimagine our resources, such as previously used materials, as elements for creative inspiration. Hosted by Malama Maui Nui and sponsored by the County of Maui’s Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division, the Art of Trash 2021 Virtual Exhibition will be live in April at MalamaMauiNui.org/ArtOfTrash.

Submissions from Molokai, Maui and Lanai will be accepted virtually from Feb. 1 to March 1. To submit an art piece for the Art Gallery and/or a fashion piece for the Trashion Show, visit MalamaMauiNui.org/ArtOfTrash

Vaccine Rollout Continues on Molokai

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021

Vaccine Rollout Continues on Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai General Hospital administered about 700 COVID-19 vaccines last Thursday and Friday after receiving a shipment of 1000 doses last week, according to MGH President Janice Kalanihuia.
The hospital began Thursday working its way through residents in Dept. of Health vaccine phases 1a and 1b, which included healthcare personnel, residents over the age of 75 and frontline essential workers.

No appointment was needed, and the vaccines were administered on a first-come, first-served basis within the priority groups. Hospital staff directed residents to a special clinic set up where residents were screened to ensure they were part of phases 1a or 1b and answered basic health screening questions to receive the vaccine.…

New Veterans’ Board

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

Happy New Year! Mahalo to those that showed interest in volunteering for the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans Board. According to our current bylaws, adopted by resolution of membership on May 25, 2013, Revised 09-10-2020, Article II – Board of Directors, officers and Appointees, Under Section 2, it states, “…If an officer or director is unable to complete a full term, the Board of Directors may appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term.” Also stated in the bylaws is that, “Each officer and director shall serve a term of two years.”

The departing board has only been in office since Oct.…

Sust‘aina ble Molokai Launches Clean Energy Hui

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

Sust’aina ble Molokai News Release

The newly formed Molokai Clean Energy Hui (MCEH) is an independent community-led group committed to help Molokai become the resilient, clean energy community we all want to live in. Launched and facilitated by Sust‘aina ble Molokai, which also runs the popular Hui Up appliance exchange program, MCEH wants to help our community understand and engage effectively with the often complicated processes and project proposals surrounding renewable energy. The group also offers early vetting and input to potential energy developers and other organizations to help them understand Molokai’s priorities, questions and concerns regarding the impacts and benefits to our island.…

Rotary Scholarships Open

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

HRYF News Release

Scholarships through the Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation (HRYF) are now open for applications. HRYF is a nonprofit charitable corporation founded in 1976. Its main objective is to provide scholarships for Hawaii youth to further their education after high school. The 10 Rotary Clubs in Maui County are now accepting applications for this scholarship award. Each Maui County Rotary club will select a deserving high school student to receive the $5000 scholarship award.

This award is non-transferable and can only be used for the first year of school. Funds are mailed directly to the school of choice and cannot be deterred for future use.…

Molokai’s Energy Coop Selects Developer

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

Ho‘ahu Energy Coop News Release

Ho‘ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai invites you to join us for our first virtual workshop of 2021 on Saturday, Jan. 23, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

At this workshop you’ll have a chance to hear about the coop’s two important milestones over the last month: applying for incorporation for the cooperative and selecting an additional energy development partner. We also need your input on important upcoming decisions about our project proposal including:

Subscription model: setting goals and guidelines for who can sign up to save money on their energy bills from the project and

Physical project design: deciding where the project will go and what it will look like.…

Participate in Affordable Housing Plan

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

HCA News Release

Maui nonprofit Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) will partner with Akaku: Maui Community Media to launch a months-long series of community meetings that will inform the County of Maui’s Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan.

Community meetings will be held for residents in the County’s eight community plan areas with follow-up meetings in plan areas determined most suitable for the building of 5,000 units of affordable housing over the next five years. Meetings will be limited to 100 attendees and held via Zoom to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Community area residents will be able to participate through online and phone call-in options with feedback managed through chat functions and facilitated discussion.…

Vaccine Distribution Continues, County Amends Rules

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai logged no new COVID-19 cases last week, as vaccine rollout continues, now including residents 75 years and older, along with healthcare and frontline essential workers.

Molokai General Hospital officials said they are “in the process of finalizing plans for immunization based on the Department of Health tier system.”

“At this time we will be focusing on anyone in Phase 1a and 1b,” read a statement from the hospital last week. “These phases are for health care personnel, adults 75 years or older, and frontline essential workers. We plan to quickly move to Phase 1c, Adults 65-74, persons aged 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, and essential workers not recommended for vaccination in Phase 1b.”…

‘Ohana’s Last Flight

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

‘Ohana’s Last Flight

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

It was a heartfelt farewell for ‘Ohana by Hawaiian last Thursday at Molokai’s airport as the airline departed on what may be its final flight from Molokai. Kupuna in wheelchairs held signs begging the airline to continue flying, while crew and Molokai ‘Ohana employees hugged and the airport fire department showered the plane with an arch of water as it taxied away.

The airline first announced last October it would suspend service to Molokai and Lanai on Nov. 1 after low travel demand caused by the pandemic “triggered a labor provision in Hawaiian’s pilot contract affecting the carrier’s ability to provide ‘Ohana by Hawaiian service.”…