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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Your May Day

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Your May Day

Mahalo to all who sent us your photos for our May Day contest! We couldn’t choose just one, so here are a few of our favorites, with some words from the photographers.

 

Submitted by Jessica Sanchez:
Aloha from Kalaupapa! Jessica Sanchez and Albert Espaniola with dogs Hulali and Hooch.

 

 

Submitted by Eugene Santiago:
I’d like to submit this photo I took on the beach… to recognize the Hinahina for its subtle beauty that gets overlooked many times, just because it’s a ground cover. I discovered its beauty after being curious and getting on my knees to get a real close up look and what I saw was truly amazing.…

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Local Food for Local Needs

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As the effects of COVID-19 continue and many families face financial hardship, the Molokai community is coming together to make sure everyone stays fed. Last week, an effort spear-headed by nonprofit Sust’aina ble Molokai, through the Maui Food Bank’s Molokai food pantry organizations and many volunteers, brought 400 pounds of Molokai-grown kalo, 340 pounds of locally caught fish, 400 pounds of Molokai-raised shrimp, and 50 pounds of Molokai-grown egg-plant, beans and papayas to those in need.

“On the one hand, it’s sad to see people out of work and more people in need, but it’s exciting to see the community coming together, to see all the resources we have on island being put to use,” said Harmonee Williams, Sust’aina ble Molokai executive director.…

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Reopening Discussions Begin Cautiously

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Coronavirus cases across the state have declined significantly, with single digit new cases being reported for several days as of Sunday, while the Molokai count remains at two. Leaders across Hawaii and the U.S. are discussing the phasing and timing of reopening businesses and activities, and though Hawaii has among the lowest number of deaths nationwide at 17 as of Sunday, the state remains cautious.

“As the discussion occurs all over the world discerning when the right time will be to re-open… it’s imperative that we, in Hawaii, heed the lessons from other places, and employ the things that have worked and avoid repeating the things that haven’t,” wrote County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez on social media.…

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Molokai May Blood Drive Cancelled

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

BBH News Release

Due to the continuing public health risk caused by COVID-19 and the special state and county government mandates, Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) will continue its modified collections plan. All May neighbor island blood drives are canceled, along with all drives on Oahu that are hosted by LifeSaver Clubs organizations. Canceled neighbor island drives include Molokai’s May 12 scheduled drive. Donors who registered are being notified.

“Although collections are currently limited to Oahu, the commitment remains as strong as ever to send blood supplies needed to every neighbor island,” said Todd Lewis, Blood Bank of Hawaii chief operating officer.…

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Your Immune System, Part 1

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Ayda Ersoy Page

Most of us know how we can strengthen our immune system by eating high nutrient foods, getting regular exercise, getting enough vitamins, and so on. We are living in a very toxic world and we need to protect ourselves and eliminate any disease by taking better care of ourselves. Sometimes it takes an extreme situation like we have right now to make us more aware of our health.

Viruses and bacteria are two types of potentially disease-causing (pathogenic) particles. Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and can be transmitted in a variety of ways. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause mild illnesses, such as the common cold.…

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Cheerleaders Excel at Molokai High

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Cheerleaders Excel at Molokai High

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Everyone needs someone to cheer them on, especially when life is challenging, and hope is at a minimum. Knowing that to be true, Melinda Yamashita and Louise Manley, coaches of the Molokai High School Cheer and Dance Squad, seek to instill a philosophy of cheer that they trust will have lasting impact long after the senior game is done and the pompoms are all put away.

Though the squad focuses on fall sports, they practice year around and normally make appearances at home volleyball games in the spring. Like all other sports, their year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…

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Transmission Rates and Social Distancing

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND

Dr. Opunui is the Medical Director of Na Puʻuwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System serving the communities of Molokai and Lanai. He and the staff of Na Puʻuwai will be regularly contributing to an ongoing health column in The Molokai Dispatch.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the good news is that it does not appear to look nearly as catastrophic as once believed. The numbers of new cases and deaths both nationally and locally appear to be either plateauing or declining. To date, Molokai remains at two cases islandwide, with no indication of community spread.…

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May Day Photo Contest

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

May Day Photo Contest

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

With schools closed and May Day celebrations this year cancelled, we still want to see how you’re observing Lei Day! Maybe you made a spectacular lei to gift, maybe you’re wearing one with your mask. Maybe your dog is even sporting some pua! Whatever it is, share it with us for a chance to have your photo featured on our front page. Please email us your photo to editor@themolokaidispatch.com or tag @molokaidispatch in your Facebook post by Saturday, May 2 at 4 p.m. and show us your Lei Day celebrations!…

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Free Cloth Masks

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

I am very proud of the people of Molokai for the low number of coronavirus cases we have. Protection is the important part of prevention. Keep up the good work! Stay safe.

I am making cloth masks so if you need them, call me and put in your order. They are free. A donation of fabric would be helpful.

I’m so busy sewing these days that I am not answering the phone as much. Please leave me a message, how many you need and your phone number and I will get back to you.

Love and blessings,

Carolyn Havens
553-5782…

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Farmer Relief Program

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

HDOA News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) mailed out the first batch of checks under the COVID-19 Emergency Farmer Relief Program last week. Four Molokai grants are among the recipients. HDOA received 333 applications for the grants and was able to award 106 proposals that ranged from $2,000 for individual farmers and ranchers and up to $10,000 for nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, and agricultural associations that have experienced financial damage due to the COVID-19 emergency.

The total funding for the program was $250,000 which was drawn from the State’s barrel tax fund (Agriculture Development and Food Security Special Fund) and made available through Gov.…

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