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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Aging Water System Gets $37M Upgrade

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

Aging Water System Gets $37M Upgrade

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Repairs and improvements to the 80-year-old Ho’olehua Water System kicked off with a small groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday that marks the beginning of a multi-phase, $37 million project that will last about two years. The water system serves more than 2,400 customers, including about 500 homesteads in Hoʻolehua, Palaʻau, Kalamaʻula and Moʻomomi, as well as provides water to the post office, schools and airport.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) capital improvement project will include improvements such as the installation of a 200,000-gallon storage tank, upgrades to automation systems, a new warehouse, and a new emergency generator diesel fuel tank.…

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Kalawao Last County With No COVID

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As the rest of the county sees unprecedented rises in cases, Hawaii has the lowest case counts of any state in the U.S. over the last seven days as of Sunday, according to the Center for Disease Control. Kalaupapa — which is its own county of Kalawao — is reportedly the last county in the U.S. with no confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Kalaupapa community — managed by the Dept. of Health and National Park Service — has taken rigorous steps to insure the health and safety of the remaining patient residents living there.

Statewide as of last Friday, Hawaii had an average of 85 cases per day, according to the Dept.…

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$2.5M in Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino is urging Maui County farmers and ranchers to apply for reimbursements of expenses for losses related to COVID-19 and for food sustainability.

“This program has $2.5 million in CARES Act funding to provide Maui County farmers and ranchers with an urgent lifeline to help them with reimbursement of their expenses,” Mayor Victorino said. “I would like to thank the Maui Chamber of Commerce for partnering with the County of Maui to help sustain our agricultural community through these difficult times.”

Farmers and ranchers can apply reimbursement on allowable expenses of up to $25,000 for those who meet program qualifications.…

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Temporarily Closure of Molokai Property Assessment Office

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The Molokai Real Property Assessment office is temporarily closed due to staffing shortage from Friday, Nov. 13, through Friday, Nov. 20. The office is located at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.

The office will reopen on Monday, Nov. 23, during its normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For property tax payments and circuit breaker questions, please call the Real Property Treasury Office at (808) 270-7697.

For all other property questions, please call the Real Property Assessment Office at (808) 270-7297, visit its website at mauipropertytax.com, or send an email at rpa@co.maui.hi.us.…

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County Food Distribution Friday

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

A drive-through food distribution event will be held on Friday, Nov. 20 for Molokai residents in need, announced Mayor Victorino.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai.

Volunteers will pass out 150 boxes of produce on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients are required to wear face masks.

To maximize social distancing, food distribution will be done in a grab-and-go drive-through (no walk up). Motorists will have the option of getting boxes placed in their vehicle’s trunk or rear cargo area.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped set up this food distribution event, including Molokai Community Liaison Stacy Crivello,” Mayor Victorino said.…

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Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Coastline Cleanup Efforts

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

Pandemic Doesn’t Stop Coastline Cleanup Efforts

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Despite the large annual Mo’omomi marine debris cleanup being cancelled this year due to the pandemic, a recent effort spearheaded by Hawaii nonprofit Sustainable Coastlines removed more than 25,000 pounds of trash from Molokai’s north shore. Using helicopters to airlift enormous sacks of rubbish from remote areas that had previously been collected, along with limited volunteer efforts to gather more debris, millions of pieces of plastic that had washed ashore will now be removed from the island and recycled or properly disposed of.

The effort represented a collaboration with Sustainable Coastlines, global clean ocean movement Parley, Windward Aviation, along with Molokai conservation organizations, Uncle Mac Poepoe, and a few local families.…

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Shop Local, Support Molokai

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

Shop Local, Support Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

This season of giving, local businesses and entrepreneurs are relying on us more than ever to support them by shopping and gifting Molokai-made or -purchased items. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting local gift sources and hope you’ll share your favorites with us too.

Jewelry has always been a timeless and meaningful gift, and a beautifully crafted ring is no exception. Whether it’s a delicate gold band, a bold statement piece, or a personalized design, rings symbolize love, connection, and individuality. A carefully chosen ring can reflect the wearer’s personality and style, making it a cherished keepsake for years to come.…

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Residents: Travel Rules Appear to Favor Visitors

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As Hawaii’s COVID-19 numbers continue to level off averaging around 100 new cases per day and no new recent cases for Molokai, daily cases across the mainland have reached all-time highs. The U.S. surpassed 11 million cases on Sunday, and one million just in the last week alone, according to the latest data.

Meanwhile, Hawaii residents continue to live under strict travel regulations, as visitors from mainland are welcomed by the state. As officials seek to balance safety with economic recovery, some locals say they feel visitors are being prioritized over residents. And as many in the Molokai community continue to hunker down and avoid travel, partly due to the many hoops of paperwork, testing, quarantine rules and regulatory hassle, some are getting fed up.…

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Kalae Holiday Art Show and Sale

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

Kalae Art News Release

This year, due to the corona virus pandemic, the Kala’e Holiday Art Show and Sale will have a new structure to keep the community safe and prevent spread on Molokai. Dan Bennett, of Bennett Pottery, and Paula Scott, of Molokai Girl Studio, will present their work for viewing and sale by hosting open studio days from Saturday, Nov. 22 through Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bennett creates stoneware and porcelain utilitarian ware for the home. It is durable, oven and dishwasher safe as well as suitable for the microwave. There will be a wide variety of ware available including mugs, tea pots and cups, baking dishes, salt jars, bowls, plates, jars, platters and vases.…

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Mail-In Voting for Veterans Board

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

MVCV News Release

Due to the COVID restrictions for Maui County, we are not allowed to physically hold gatherings to no more than 10 people for both indoor and outdoor activities. Because of this the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) is not able to hold our general membership meeting for veterans. We were hoping that these restrictions would be lifted by now, but since we are forced to deal with these unusual circumstances, we have decided to hold a mail-in election for new board members.

We are looking for veterans from any branch of service who want to volunteer as board members for Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans.…

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