Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Keani is the Effective Candidate

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

For the past two years, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez has served as Molokai’s member on the Maui County Council and what she has accomplished in that short time is quite remarkable. When the Navy proposed military training in the nearshore waters of south Molokai, Keani immediately drafted, championed and passed a resolution opposing the proposal to protect the area for subsistence gathering. When short-term vacation rental homes threatened to consume rural neighborhoods, Keani managed to pass a zero cap for Molokai, protecting our lifestyle and our housing inventory and affordability for residents.

As the Budget Chair, Keani led the council through two successful sessions resulting in the delivery of balanced, equitable, and diversified budgets reflective of community needs and innovative ideas such as: $2.5million in microgrants to small farmers, a smokeless incinerator for the Molokai Landfill, and $500K for a climate change and sea level rise master plan for Molokai.…

Mahalo Mikami Family

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

Congratulations to the Mikami family for providing 85 years of pharmaceutical services and for always being there for the people of Molokai.

This past week, Molokai Drugs took care of the staff in Kalaupapa by providing the flu vaccine, the supplies, and support. With the help of Glauco Puig-Santana and Dr. Brady, we were able to administer the flu vaccine to 20 of the Dept. of Health and National Park Service staff who were not able to leave Kalaupapa at this time.

Mahalo to the Mikami family.

Sister Alicia Damien Lau, osf…

Why I’m Voting For Keani

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

I remember well the 2018 campaign of Keani Rawlins-Fernandez for the Molokai seat on the Maui County Council. It was uplifting to see a progressive candidate introduce ideas that reflected her kuleana to better the island on which she was born and raised. She addressed issues such as climate resiliency, affordable housing, food insecurity, environmental justice, Native Hawaiian rights, and access to a responsive and accountable government.

Keani won that election, and now that she is seeking reelection, it is incumbent upon the voter to review her performance during her first term. What we find is a council member who followed through on her promises.…

Free Grab-and-Go Meals for All Youth

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

HIDOE News Release

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) Grab-and-Go school meals program will be returning for the fall semester at 203 public schools beginning on Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Dec. 18, to provide free meals to children ages 18 and younger. The meals are available to children regardless of whether or not they are enrolled at the distribution site, are public school students, or are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program.

On Molokai, distribution sites are Kaunakakai, Kilohana and Maunaloa elementary schools, as well as Molokai Middle and Molokai High School.

Unlike during the summer, meal distribution will be at lunchtime only.…

$5M to Support Small Businesses

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

If you’re the owner of a small business on Molokai, you may qualify to receive a portion of the $5 million that Mayor Michael Victorino announced for the Maui County Adaptability Fund to help local small businesses recover and survive the impacts from COVID-19.WHY DO I PAY HIGH-RISK FEES FOR MY MERCHANT ACCOUNT? search can answer all your questions related to e-commerce.

Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB) is administering the Adaptability Fund, a program funded by the CARES Act.

The grant program started accepting online applications on Sept. 25.

“The purpose of the Adaptability Fund is to provide grants to help Maui County’s small businesses comply with health and safety guidelines, as well as adapt to the ‘new normal’ amid COVID-19,” Mayor Victorino said.…

Downed Pole Caused Power Outage, Road Closure

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

Downed Pole Caused Power Outage, Road Closure

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Electricity was out across the island last Saturday morning after a utility pole fell across Kalae Highway in Kualapu’u shortly before 7 a.m., causing downed power lines to lie over the road, which was closed for about nine hours.

“Preliminary assessments show that after a utility pole came down along Kalae Highway, it caused a fault on the electrical system and triggered a loss of power generation at the Palaau baseyard,” said Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Shayna Decker.

The outage affected all 3,200 electric customers on Molokai. A majority of the island’s electricity service was restored by crews around 11 a.m.,…

Virtual Concert Brings Kalaupapa Music to Life

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

Virtual Concert Brings Kalaupapa Music to Life

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Music has a long history in Kalaupapa — a history of healing, bonding, and yes, quarantine. A virtual concert, “The Music of Kalaupapa,” sponsored by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, will bring that music into listeners’ homes on Oct. 17, offering tribute to the settlement’s often-forgotten musicians and composers of the past.

“I have long been amazed at how music has been such a constant thread throughout the history of Kalaupapa, from earliest days to now, and I believe it helped people to heal,” said Valerie Monson of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, a nonprofit of Kalaupapa residents, their family members and friends honoring the legacy of those who were exiled to the settlement.…

Voting in the General Election

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Election Day is fast approaching on Nov. 3 but with Hawaii’s fully mail-in ballot system in place this year, the deadline to cast your ballot is coming even sooner. Maui County ballot packages will be mailed to Molokai residents on Thursday, Oct. 8, according to County Clerk Kathy Kaohu.

In this general election, Molokai voters will be helping to decide the new U.S. president and vice president, along with a number of local political representatives and proposed amendments to the Maui County charter. Unlike in the primary election, voters can cast their ballot for any candidate, regardless of political party.…

Molokai Case Increase Slows, Schools Prepare for 2nd Quarter

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai had one new COVID-19 case last week on Sept. 29, logging a total of 19 cases during the pandemic to date.

Molokai schools are on fall break this week but as the second quarter of the school year begins, some schools will continue face-to-face learning while others will stick with a virtual model.

Kilohana and Maunaloa Elementary schools will continue face-to-face learning into the second quarter. Kualapu’u School will resume with a mix of full day, half day and virtual instruction on Oct. 12 after break. Kaunakakai Elementary, Molokai High and Molokai Middle schools will begin second quarter with fully virtual learning.…

Hole in One

Wednesday, September 30th, 2020

Hole in One

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Celeste Furey got her first ever hole-in-one on the first hole at Ironwood Hills Golf Course on Sept. 8. She used her 9-wood and got her ace on her first shot of the day. Witnesses were her husband, Pat, and Chris Herse. Congratulations Celeste!…