Author Archives: Bianca Moragne

Molokai Student to Intern with Sen. Hirono

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Molokai Student to Intern with Sen. Hirono

Sen. Mazie Hirono News Release

Molokai graduate Michael Kikukawa will intern with Sen. Mazie K. Hirono’s Summer Intern Class this year in Washington, D.C. He is one of seven Hawaii interns selected for Hirono’s Hawaii and D.C. offices.

“It’s a privilege to have bright Hawaii students intern in my office,” said Hirono. “Meeting with students and hearing their stories often reminds me and my staff of the importance of pushing for more opportunities for our young people, including making college more affordable, strengthening our economy, and ensuring everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream. Mahalo to Michael, Madison, Shannon, Alex, Sarah, Caitlin, and Lana for their service to our office and Hawaii.”…

Molokai Summer Praise Concert

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Diane Abraham

Music is part of the human experience, from a mother’s lullaby to a newborn, to a heavenly anthem, to a rock concert. We are all touched by music in one way or another, and often in multiple ways, especially here in Hawaii where music is a valued tradition. On July 19, the people of Molokai are going to be treated to a very special outdoor concert, free of charge.

In its fifth year, the Summer Praise Concert is being put on by churches here on island. This concert is at the Kaunakakai ball field from 6 to 10 p.m.…

OHA Trustees Talk Nation Building

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

A standing-room-only crowd gathered at Kulana Oiwi on Wednesday evening, as Trustees from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) gathered concerns and highlighted efforts to improve conditions within Hawaiian communities.

During the meeting, the Board of Trustees heard testimony relating to community concerns, beneficiary achievements, Hawaiian Home Lands and issues relating to federal recognition of Native Hawaiians.

Government-to-Government Relationship?

In response to requests from the Native Hawaiian community, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) announced last week that it is moving forward on a rule-making process for re-establishing a government-to-government relationship with Native Hawaiians.

“The vision of the OHA is to rebuild and establish a beloved Native Hawaiian nation that is recognized nationally and internationally,” said OHA CEO Kamana`opono Crabbe.…

Molokai Student Named HMSA Distinguished Scholar

Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Molokai Student Named HMSA Distinguished Scholar

Molokai High School graduate Xrystina Bicoy was selected by HMSA as one of 21 students in the state to receive the company’s Kaimana Scholarship, as well as one of five recipients of their Distinguished Scholarship.

“This is for students who do well academically, as well as show great sportsmanship in athletics and service to their community,” said Molokai High Vice Principal Daniel Espaniola. “We’re very proud of Xristina’s accomplishments.”

The Kaimana program started in 2005 and recognizes all-around accomplishments of high schools, and offers scholarships to individual student athletes, administered by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

Bicoy received a $3,000 scholarship, and was one of five named distinguished scholars to receive an additional $2,000 each.…

New Health Director Vows to Serve Kalaupapa

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

New Health Director Vows to Serve Kalaupapa

For the first time as the state’s new Department of Health (DOH) Director, Dr. Linda Rosen visited the Kalaupapa settlement last week and was warmly welcomed by residents.

“I want to tell you all how delighted I am to be here, what a privilege it is to be the director, especially because of the special role that the director plays for the community of Kalaupapa,” Rosen told patients and employees at a community meeting in the settlement. “I’m very lucky that the governor appointed me. I… thank [Kalaupapa] for welcoming me so graciously. I look forward to helping in any way that I can.”…

VA Benefits Workshop

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

Department of Veterans Affairs News Release

On July 12, 2014 the Department of Veterans Affairs will host a workshop on VA Benefits at Hale Mahaolu Home Pumehana from 9 a.m. to noon. All veterans, family members, widows and community providers are welcome to attend. The workshop will cover VA Benefits, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation and employment and death benefits. For more information please contact the VA Honolulu Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000 or email pctc.vbahon@va.gov.…

Molokai Lomi Treatments

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

Ho`omana Spa Maui News Release

Molokai residents will have an opportunity for healing through lomi lomi massage June 27 and 28, when a group of licensed therapists will be offering free treatments on island.

Ho’omana Spa Maui in Upcountry Maui is sponsoring 15 therapists led by Jeana Iwalani Naluai, Spa Owner and International Instructor of Lomi Lomi Massage and Hawaiian Spiritual Teachings to Molokai. The Ho`omana team of licensed therapists and lomi lomi apprentices will be offering more than 125 hours of free Hawaiian massage treatments to local residents and Molokai kupuna. This is a dream come true that began more than two years ago when Justin Kekiwi, a student raised in Molokai, was awarded Ho`omana Spa Maui’s Native Hawaiian Scholarship to attend their year-long training to obtain his Hawaii massage license.…

Summer School Immerses Students in Language and Culture

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

Summer School Immerses Students in Language and Culture

If you visited Ali`i Fishpond last week, you would have found a group of students twisting ti leaf lei using their toes as anchors, speaking to each other quietly in `Olelo Hawaii under the branches of a hala tree. Meanwhile, another group of students learned lomi massage techniques, while seated beneath the shade of the hale overlooking the fishpond, giving each other treatments.

This was the third annual Kula Kaiapuni Kauwela summer school, a Hawaiian immersion program for one month in June and July. This year, for the first time, students spent one week at Ali`i Fishpond as part of the program.…

Makani Kai Re-Selected for Kalaupapa Service

Friday, June 20th, 2014

The Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Makani Kai Air the Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidy to service Molokai’s isolated settlement of Kalaupapa for the next four years.

“Kalaupapa Settlement is thrilled to continue in the Makani Kai ohana and look forward to four more years of excellent on time service as we have enjoyed for the past two years,” said Mark Miller, the Department of Health Kalaupapa administrator.

Makani Kai was originally awarded the Kalaupapa EAS at the end of 2011 for two years, and filed for renewal to continue serving the settlement last year. Mokulele Airlines and two mainland companies also applied.…

Tips from the Vet for Your Pet: Leptospirosis

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Stewart Morgan, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Leptospirosis is a disease that can make both people and their pets sick and can result in death. It is found worldwide and is present on Molokai. Leptospirosis is spread by a bacterium (species of bacteria) that infects animal kidneys. The bacterium is released in the urine of infected animals. People and most common pet and farm animal species can catch this disease; cats are one species that is resistant to leptospirosis.

Animals and people can become infected with the disease through cuts in their skin, or through oral (mouth) or venereal (sexual) contact.…