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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

COVID-19 Forces Businesses to Adapt, Close

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As the threat of coronavirus intensifies, so does the impact to Molokai’s small businesses. From restaurants to gift shops, grocery stores to realtors, businesses are adapting or being forced to close, at least temporarily. Many are adjusting hours and taking it one day at a time.

“We been through hard times but nothing like this,” said longtime Molokai businesswoman Denise Taueetia, who owns Makana Nui Gift Shop. “We are in the beginning of trying to figure out, what do we do now and how long it’s going to last. It’s survival time!”

Jana Sasada recently took a leap to open her own business on main street in Kaunakakai, Haleola Essentials.…

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Volunteer Efforts Deliver COVID-19 Testing Booth to Molokai

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Volunteer Efforts Deliver COVID-19 Testing Booth to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

If and when COVID-19 makes its way to Molokai, medical staff on island now have an extra tool in their toolbox — a drive-thru testing booth that allows quick swab testing with minimal exposure for providers and patients alike and eases the burden on healthcare facilitates. The booth was airlifted to Molokai last Saturday through volunteer efforts, and though it won’t go into immediate use, it will be available if needed.

Molokai dentist Boki Chung is a member of the Hawaii COVID-19 Healthcare Providers Taskforce, a grassroots effort to unite healthcare workers across the state in fighting COVID-19 and provide them with needed resources.…

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Participate in Online Artist Marketplace

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

CNHA News Release

Are you a Molokai artist or entrepreneur whose business has ben affected by COVID-19? The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and our community partners are launching an online Pop-Up Makeke to support our local artists and small business owners in Hawaii impacted by COVID-19.

As we witness nearly all community events, gatherings, craft fairs and farmers markets get cancelled or postponed, we recognize the impact that this will have on Hawaii’s economy, especially our many Native Hawaiian-owned businesses who depend on these activities to feed their families.

We are looking for businesses interested in being a part of this online makeke.…

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New Unemployment, Job Website Launched

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The American Job Center – Maui has launched a website with information to help Maui, Molokai and Lanai residents file for unemployment insurance or register for job searches from the safety of home in the wake of impacts from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

The Maui American Job Center website is at mauiamericanjobcenter.com. You can take the help of storefront seo to help you come first in search engine results and your prospects find you easily without the help of expensive ads. Contact a memphis web design agency to help design a business website that will attract potential customers.…

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Invasive Species Team Changes

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

MoMISC News Release

Aloha kakou! We hope that this message finds you and your ‘ohana well and healthy. We want to inform the Molokai community of the adjustments made to the Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC) operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All MoMISC employees are currently “out of office” and will be working remotely until further notice. Phone calls to our main office line will not be picked up. In the meantime, if you need any invasive species information, advice or need to report a pest, please email MoMISC at molokaiinvasive@gmail.com or call Lori Buchanan, MoMISC Coordinator at (808) 336-0625.…

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MHS Team Competes in Esports

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

By Ric Ornellas

Along with math and literacy, Molokai High School (MHS) is developing 21st century competitive skills. Esports!

MHS research shows engaging students in esports and pikakasinotsuomi games can help them build critical thinking skills, encourage teamwork, foster innovation, and promote self-directed learning, all elements of Hawaii DOE’s six general learning objectives (GLOs).

With learning objectives as a focus to bolster core math and literacy skills, DimensionU, a leading educational program used in over 40 U.S. states, was acquired January 2020, through the efforts of MHS Principal, Dr. Katina Soares, and Librarian and Curriculum Coordinator, Diane Mokuau. Math and english language arts (ELA) teachers earlier tested and endorsed the program objectives.…

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Hospital Reduces Risk to Patients and Staff

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

MGH News Release
Molokai General Hospital is committed to the safety and well-being of our patients and employees. Effective immediately, we are taking the following steps to help reduce the potential of exposure at our clinics to protect patients and all clinic staff.
We have made the decision to cancel all elective well-care appointments, including but not limited to, annual physicals, well woman exams, and other preventive exams effective Tuesday, March 17 through May 16. Patients with scheduled appointments have been, or are in the process of being, notified about their appointment cancellation.
MGH providers will be reviewing all other upcoming in-clinic patient appointments to determine what visits may be medically appropriate to be conducted as a Virtual Visit or telephonically.…

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Community Health Center COVID-19 Response

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

MCHC News Release
Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) is announcing several updates to the operations of their facility in response to the COVID-19 outbreak including Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, WIC and Ka Hana Pono programs and services, effective immediately.
MCHC is an active COVID-19 testing site. Testing is administered via our onsite Acute Care Treatment (ACT) Clinic. Hours of operation for the ACT Clinic are Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Hours are subject to change. Only people with flu-like symptoms should visit these locations. Those who are healthy and not feeling ill should not come to these facilities for COVID-19 testing.…

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Survival on Molokai

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

I share the vision and belief for survival of our life on Molokai. Farm, plant coconut, ulu, kalo, banana from our Polynesian heritage. King Kamehameha V’s vision and message to all of us was to farm, plant coconut trees, the tree of life and survival.

Look around – what is happening to life in the world?

Farm, plant our Polynesian heritage food. Create art: beautiful edible landscaping, happy fun financial hobbies. All lands are sacred, same time our survival depends on using them. That’s what the earth is all about for mankind. With care and respect, Molokai, recognize what you have.…

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Library Closure and Resources

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

HSPLS News Release

All public library locations in Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS), including the Molokai Public Library and bookmobile services, will be closed until April 7. Please know that we are working diligently to navigate the ongoing changes in guidance and requirements from local, state, and federal authorities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Given the most recent information, as of March 19, all book drops will be closed. We are asking everyone to hold on to our library materials until we open again.

While we are closed, we don’t want for you to worry about fines and due dates during this stressful time.…

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