Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Mayor Announces Emergency Rules for Maui County

Wednesday, March 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a number of Public Health Emergency Rules effective as of 7:45 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, directed toward limiting the gathering of groups of people and curtailing vehicular transportation except for essential activities or operation of essential business or government functions, such as travel to and from work and medical appointments.

 “We need to take dramatic action to limit the spread of this infectious virus,” Mayor Victorino said. “We cannot do this alone, so we’re asking our community to follow these rules and look out for one another as we face this unprecedented crisis.”…

Molokai Community Health Center COVID-19 Response

Tuesday, March 17th, 2020

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center 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.

VISITOR POLICY:

1 visitor per patient is welcome Children under 12 years old are not allowed unless receiving care as a patient

TESTING LOCATION / ACT CLINIC:

Hours of operation for the Acute Care Treatment (ACT) Clinic: Monday thru Friday – 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

MCHC is an active COVID-19 testing site. Testing is administered via our onsite Acute Care Treatment (ACT) Clinic.…

Molokai General Hospital COVID-19 Protocols

Sunday, March 15th, 2020

Molokai General Hospital News Release

Molokai General Hospital has been working hard to keep on top of the ever-changing advisories and protocol related to the Covid-19 virus.  We want to assure you that we are able to provide testing to those needing testing and care to those who need care.  We have adequate supplies and medicines to handle patients presenting to our clinic or emergency department.

We have been preparing to continue offering excellent health care to our community. There have been many rumors circulating. Here are the facts:

There are currently no known cases of Covid-19 on Molokai. The hospital has not been on lock-down No one was being held in isolation We have a yellow emergency tent and it may be used to offer additional screening areas if needed.…

Molokai Hemp Operations to Begin

Wednesday, December 18th, 2019

Molokai Hemp Operations to Begin

The new year will bring a new crop to be grown on Molokai. A company called Archipelago Ventures has announced it will begin hemp production on the island, under the local leadership of Adolph Helm, who is serving as general manager. The hemp will be grown for extraction of cannabidiol, or CBDDY: cbd pure hemp oil, for its medical qualities, which is licensed in Hawaii by the state Department of Agriculture.

“Operations will mainly consist of the production and manufacturing of hemp,” said Helm. “Hemp is a specie of cannabis that has many beneficial uses… Within the next upcoming months, plans are in place on Molokai to grow our first small scale production field.”…

Lantern Ceremony Brings Grieving Families Together

Thursday, November 7th, 2019

Lantern Ceremony Brings Grieving Families Together

The Molokai community gathered last Saturday evening to remember the 20 lives lost 30 years ago when Aloha Island Air flight 1712 crashed in the mountains of east Molokai on Oct. 28, 1989. Family members and friends of the victims released glowing lanterns onto the water at twilight, joining other residents in remembering loved ones they’ve lost at the sixth annual Floating Lantern Ceremony.

“Sometimes in grief, you feel that if you push it away, it will make it easier, but in reality we need to remember their names, remember their faces, remember their lives and the ways that they impacted our lives,” said Barbara Helm of Hospice Hawaii Molokai, one of the event sponsors, along with Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission.…

Concerns Rise Over Community Health Center

Saturday, October 26th, 2019

Frustrations over staff shortages, concerns about a medical clinic closure in August and what has been called “gross mismanagement” by organization leadership have left a path of broken trust in Molokai’s federally funded Community Health Center. Tensions have recently come to a head, and many community members and politicians are calling for the resignation of Health Center leadership.

Patients and family members have recounted how a clinic closure for four days on Aug. 22, 23, 26 and 27, as well as failures to refill prescriptions, make timely appointments and other issues with the Health Center have left them and their families in challenging or potentially life threatening situations.…

Gerry Anderson: ‘A Wonderful Life’

Thursday, September 5th, 2019

Gerry Anderson: ‘A Wonderful Life’

Longtime Molokai resident and former owner of The Molokai Dispatch, Gerry Anderson, has passed away at the age of 83, leaving a legacy of travel, science, kindness and a newspaper. He and his wife, Edie, lived in West Molokai since 1987, 18 years of which he battled lymphoma, while they pursued their love of world travel.

“When he was in the last few days, he looked at me and said, ‘You know, I’ve had a wonderful life,’” Edie recalled. “He meant it… He had a traumatic childhood but he didn’t dwell on it. Everything he did, he was self-made.”

Gerry was born in China in 1935 and grew up in New Jersey.…

Halawa Church Has Collapsed

Thursday, September 5th, 2019

Halawa Church Has Collapsed

Portions of the iconic lerusalema Hou Church in Halawa Valley fell to the ground last week after sitting vacant since 2015. Tucked into the lush valley, the church was built in 1948 and at more than 70 years old, it had fallen into disrepair. The church’s Kahu Reynolds Ayau said in 2015 that the church was closing its doors for services because “dry rot and termites have made it a total hazard.”

Pilipo Solatorio of Halawa said he recalls helping to build the church when he was a kid. His grandparents, along with other families, worked to erect the structure and it had seen many services, celebrations and community losses in its 70 years.…

Kalaupapa Pavilion Gets a Facelift

Thursday, January 17th, 2019

Kalaupapa Pavilion Gets a Facelift

 

For 53 years, a small building has stood at the edge of the ocean in Kalaupapa, holding many special occasions and happy memories for residents. The Ocean View Pavilion, built in 1965 by members of the Kalaupapa Lions Club, recently underwent long-awaited renovations and was reopened in a dedication ceremony on Dec. 19. “After years of sea spray, rain and trade winds, the building needed repairs, specifically a new roof, some structural beams and a painting,” stated a Kalaupapa Lions news release last year. “ [It] stands as a testimony to the strength and fortitude of the residents of this tiny settlement.”…

Ho’olehua Veterans Center Stirs Controversy

Friday, November 30th, 2018

Ho’olehua Veterans Center Stirs Controversy

A proposed, controversial $4 million veterans center in Ho’olehua is moving forward, amid high emotions among veterans and confusion about the project’s origins. The proposed 7,000 square foot building to be located behind Lanikeha Community Center will house Veterans Affairs services, as well as a meeting room, classroom and office spaces, a kitchen and covered outdoor gathering area and serve as a joint facility with the Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands.

Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) board members say they sought $400,000 in funding a few years ago to complete the Kaunakakai Center parking lot and other remaining projects. The 3,000-square-foot structure on Wharf Road was finally completed in 2015 after a long struggle through permitting hoops and funding woes.…