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Author Archives: layout@themolokaidispatch.com

Community Ownership of Molokai Ranch Meetings

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Sustʻainable Molokai News Release

Please join us this month for meetings regarding community ownership of Molokai Ranch. There are five upcoming meetings about this project each with different purposes. Three subcommittee meetings will focus on technical research about funding options, community ownership models, and spirituality. These meetings will be followed by a working group meeting to synthesize the progress made by subcommittees into material that is easily understandable and empowers our community with the information to make informed choices.

Lastly, a community meeting will provide distilled updates on working group progress and serve as an opportunity for broad community input. Please see the dates below and in the new Dispatch community calendar to join us.…

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Electric Discount for Medical Issues

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric has established a permanent program that offers a discounted rate to customers with special medical needs, including those dependent on life-support equipment at home. The rate is available to 2,000 residential customers. 

Hawaiian Electric recognizes that some customers are dependent on special equipment or have increased cooling or heating needs due to a medical condition, increasing electricity bills. To assist, the company established the pilot Special Medical Needs Rate Program in 2017, which received several extensions. Regulators approved a permanent program effective April 1. 

As the demand for reliable heating continues to rise, especially among individuals with special medical needs, ensuring an efficient and safe heating system becomes essential.…

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Remembering Moke Kim, Jr.

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Community Contributed

By Lisa Kim, spouse

The ‘ohana of Moses Soo Chun Kamana’o’i’o Kim, Jr., (Uncle Moke/Kumu Kim) extends a heartfelt mahalo to the Molokai community for their love and kokua. He was born on April 26, 1945 and passed away a year ago, on April 17, 2021. 

Uncle traveled, lived, and worked in many places in his life, but he loved living, teaching, and serving on Molokai for 35 years the most. He had endless aloha for this island, especially the keiki. He enjoyed coaching and mentoring students during his time Molokaii High and Intermediate, and on his homestead, Na Mala o Hana Kupono, which served as a home for continued Native Hawaiian aina-based education.…

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Mahalo, Uncle Moke

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

As we approach the first anniversary of Uncle Moke Kim’s death on April 17, please join me in reflecting on his words from an interview he gave years ago:

“On Molokai, we need to be our own county. We need to start our own mala (gardens), to wean our dependence from the stores. We need to start walking and riding bikes more so we’re not dependent on oil. We need to start building the big double wa’a (canoe) so we’re not dependent on the airlines. We want to be independent, we want to be self-sustaining, we want to be sovereign. Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Every household, take care of yourself first.…

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County Recruiting Leadership for New Ag Dept.

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Maui County News Release

In November 2020, Maui County voters approved the establishment of a Department of Agriculture. Throughout 2021, an agricultural working group established by Mayor Michael Victorino set forth a draft of the new department’s mission, goals and objectives, and community meetings were held to get feedback on the direction and budget priorities of the new department. 

The Department of Agriculture will open on July 1, 2022. The County is recruiting a Director and Deputy Director of Agriculture.

Prospective candidates should carefully evaluate the roles, responsibilities and qualifications for each position and apply only for the position that best matches their qualifications.…

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Draft State Budget Includes Molokai Projects

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

HI Senate News Release 

With the State’s economy rebounding and significant increases in tax revenues, Maui County’s Senate delegation is in full support of the supplemental operating budget for fiscal years 2022-2023 as recently passed out of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. 

“With funding set aside for infrastructure, education, housing and health on the Valley Isle and statewide, we are heartened in anticipation of the needed work that will be done to improve the lives of our neighbors and friends on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai,” Senators Gilbert Keith-Agaran (District 5 – Wailuku, Waihe‘e, Kahului), Rosalyn Baker (District 6 – South and West Maui), Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kaho‘olawe) said in a joint statement.  …

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New Store Brings the Bling

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

New Store Brings the Bling

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

From a jewelry-making hobby to an online shop to a Molokai storefront, Nakita Coelho-Villiarimo has experienced all sides of running a business before opening the doors of HI-Bling in Kaunakakai earlier this year. 

The shop, features affordable Polynesian inspired jewelry and apparel. You can also find loose emerald gemstone for sale here. Buy sterling silver jewelry and Wholesale Jewelry with confidence. Visit a reputable shop for classic and lustrous jewelry designs.

“Our mission is to offer a wide range of everyday products, at reasonable prices so that as many people within our community can afford them,” said Coelho-Villiarimo of her store.…

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Softball Hosts Lanai

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

Softball Hosts Lanai

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

In a nailbiter tie that was called to an end by darkness, the Molokai High Softball team hosted Lanai at home last weekend. Friday’s game was recorded as a 16-16 tie after the sixth inning. 

On Saturday, Lanai beat Molokai 13-3 in five innings.

“Our Lady Farmers did great this weekend, and although the outcome was not what we expected it to be these young ladies gained valuable game experience,” said Coach Kalei Pastrana. “Either we win or we learn, and our Lady Famers worked hard and we are happy to see the progress that they’ve made, as they continue to trust in the process and allow themselves to grow in the sport of softball.”…

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Robotics Team Goes to Regionals

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

Robotics Team Goes to Regionals

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai High’s Robotics team built their own robot over the past few months and last weekend, took it to the regional First Robotics Competition (FRC) organized by Hawaii First Robotics, a nonprofit that fosters STEM learning and competitions. Along with other Hawaii teams, the event, held at Oahu’s Stan Sherriff Arena, also hosted teams from Japan and Australia. 

Molokai teamed up with ‘Iolani and St. Louis high schools, an alliance that got them to the semifinals, according to ‘Iolani parent and Molokai resident Jeannine Rossa.

“Going into this event, we never actually got to test our hanging mechanism properly since we didn’t have the space to build the hanging bars,” posted Coach Edwin Mendija on social media.…

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2 Wins for Baseball

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

2 Wins for Baseball

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai High Baseball team traveled to Lanai last weekend, where they won Friday’s game 13-3 and Saturday’s game 15-0, both in five innings. Rainy conditions caused a delay in Friday’s start but the boys managed to begin their season strong with a 2-0 record. 

“[A] short rain delay allowed the boys to settle down and play some quality ball,” said Head Coach Keahi Rawlins on Friday. Solid pitching and timely hits allowed us to separate ourselves.”

Saturday’s game went even smoother for the Farmers. 

“Today was a more complete team effort win,” said Rawlins on Saturday.…

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