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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Treasures in the Hold

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

Treasures in the Hold

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

It appeared on the horizon at about 7:30 a.m. Then at 8 a.m, it had arrived in the inner harbor, and by 9 a.m. had settled in next to the pier at Damien’s Landing. Looking at it from my front porch brought to mind these lines from a Girl Scout camp fire song, “Barges, I would like to go with you, I would like to sail the ocean blue. Barges, have you treasures in your hold? Do you fight with pirates brave and bold?”

No, I was not in the Girl Scouts and for that matter, I was not in the Boy Scouts.…

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Help Form a Community-Owned Energy Coop

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

Shake Energy Release

On Saturday, Sept. 5, from 9 to 10 a.m., we will host another virtual public meeting to further our progress on formation of a cooperative to design and own renewable energy projects on Molokai. This follows in a series of community workshops hosted on Molokai about Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE). At these workshops, community residents expressed the desire for CBRE projects to be owned and managed locally by a cooperative entity. These meetings will be held regularly every two weeks to continue the effort to formalize this energy cooperative.

At this meeting, we will define and assign steering committee roles, draft a milestones timeline for incorporating the cooperative, draft a sources and uses budget, review site selection information and draft a rubric for vetting partners.…

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GT Auto Closes After 40 Years

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

GT Auto Closes After 40 Years

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Forty years and thousands of car repairs later, Glenn and Karen Takata, owners of GT Auto Repair in Kaunakakai, have closed their business to retire.

They opened GT Auto in 1980 together with Car Repair Lynchburg by an experienced auto repair shop, renting a space now occupied by Maka’s Korner. Glenn grew up on Molokai and went to school on Oahu to be a mechanic, saying he always wanted to own his own shop back home. Over the years, Glenn earned a reputation in the community as an efficient auto mechanic, known for his honest work and dedication to quality service.…

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Another Positive Case, Kualapu’u School Closed

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

A second recent COVID-19 case was confirmed last Saturday, bringing the island’s total to four since the pandemic began. Kualapu’u School is closed for five days as a result of a student being exposed.

It was unclear as of Sunday whether the new case was connected to last week’s positive case.

Lydia Trinidad, principal of Kualapu’u School, wrote in a letter to the school community Saturday that at that time, that no students or staff at the school had tested positive.

“In light of the specific information available to us and out of caution, Kualapu’u School campus will be closed for at least five days, beginning Sunday, Aug.…

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Virtual Veteran Benefits Counselors

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

MVCV News Release

Aloha veterans and families, according to the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Counselors have not traveled to Molokai and are now doing virtual interviews. This is due to the COVID -19 cases in the state. To make an appointment, please do the following:
1. Email the Honolulu Public Contact (PC) mailbox at: pctc.vbahon@va.gov
2. Call the Honolulu PC office and leave message at (808) 433-0505
3. Include the following info:
a. Your email and phone number
b, First and Last name
c. Reason for contact
For security reasons, do not include social security number in email/phone call.…

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Reading Program Makes a Difference in Mana’e

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

Reading Program Makes a Difference in Mana’e

By Marina Lafaele

During this pandemic, we can all agree that COVID-19 has taken a toll on our state, our community and mainly our keiki who are still adjusting to numerous changes. Some of those changes are hard to adjust to, but with help from a dedicated teacher and inspiring advocate, Cynthia Luafalemana, the best is yet to come.

Mrs. Luafalemana’s efforts align with the collaboration of Gary O. Galiher Foundation and Kilohana Elementary School to preserve the Kilohana Surf Reader Program. This innovative program has been dedicated to the Kilohana Elementary School pre-K to sixth grade students for over 20 years.…

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Improving Kupuna Health Through ʻAi Pono

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND and Miki Wong, RD, Na Pu’uwai

There are multiple social and health disparities Native Hawaiian kupuna face such as high rates of life-threatening diseases, financial hardship, disability, shorter life expectancies and underutilization of services. As a result, it should be no surprise that data suggests the health care needs of Native Hawaiian kupuna far exceed that of their non-Hawaiian counterparts. This leads to health equity problems. Learn how you can improve health equity at https://about.me/whitneyperkinswitt.

Hawaiian culture emphasizes care for kupuna. However, many adult caregivers are less available to care for their aging loved ones because of competing work and ʻohana responsibilities.…

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Our Lives Are Special

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

Humble, careful conversation. Let’s all support, love, care and use the word aloha to help get rid of this deadly coronavirus disease. Say to yourself, “My life, family, community. All our lives are very valuable and special. I’m going to follow and do the right thing to save all of our lives.”

The beach, the park, is not going to disappear. Alcohol will always be here, but more lives will disappear if we all don’t follow and care. If we go to the beach or the park, be aware what we all supposed to do. Put on your mask, keep your distance.…

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Pursuing Careers in Healthcare

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

By Daylen Casino, former HOSA club president and student recruiter

“Through HOSA, I got connected with and trained by health professionals at the Molokai General Hospital, gained hours of health-related community service, met fellow health-pursuing students, and most surprisingly had fun while achieving all of this,” said Misty Parker, who graduated from Molokai High School in 2016 and spoke as a former member of the MHS HOSA – Future Health Professionals Club.

Established in 2005, the MHS HOSA has created opportunities for students who are interested in the health field, and for those who want to explore their career options. Students who are interested in health field can also look into  LAC Healthcare Solutions, a leading healthcare business solution firm.…

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Hawaii Craftsmen Exhibition Still On

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Hawaii Craftsmen is still planning to hold its annual statewide exhibition and is doing everything they can to make sure that it will be a successful and safe experience for all of Hawaii’s artists. Hawaii Craftsmen has developed contingency plans that take into account different levels of social distancing and travel restrictions. As it gets closer to the exhibition date, some adjustments may need to happen, so please keep that in mind, keep an eye out for any email announcements, and check the prospectus page on the website for updates.

At this point, one thing that is certain is that the statewide jurying will be an all digital review, so be sure to take stellar images of your entries.…

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