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Author Archives: Catherine Cluett Pactol

Changing Times for the Molokai Ferry

Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

Changing Times for the Molokai Ferry

Community Contributed

By Dave Jung, Molokai Ferry General Manager

The Molokai Ferry has been running a fixed schedule for the last 27 years, operated by Sea Link of Hawaii. However, last year, airline travel from Molokai dramatically changed, and single engine aircraft are very fuel efficient and cheap to operate. With air fares down to $39, the ferry just can’t compete in this current price war.

A new ruling by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) allows the ferry to change our schedule on a monthly basis and may cancel a voyage when the number of reservations is below 20 passengers on either segment of a round trip 48 hours before departure.…

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Mayor Signs Emergency Proclamation, Urges Preparedness

Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Mayor Signs Emergency Proclamation, Urges Preparedness

County of Maui News Release

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa signed an emergency proclamation effective 11:00 a.m. Saturday, in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Ignacio. The National Weather Service (NWS) has advised that although Ignacio’s track is still uncertain, the system has the potential to cause widespread damage throughout Maui County.

The proclamation recognizes the need for government agencies and representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services to our island residents and to mitigate hazardous situations in advance of the weather effects from Tropical Cyclone Ignacio such as sustained tropical storm force winds and the potential for hurricane force winds, heavy rains, potential lightning, flooding, and extremely high surf and storm surge.…

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Join in Planning Molokai’s Future

Monday, July 27th, 2015

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

An important process is taking place: a community plan for the next 20 years of Molokai’s future is being developed and your input is requested. Each community within Maui County has a blueprint plan that guides decision-making and that plan is updated periodically. Right now, the County of Maui Planning division is facilitating the development of Molokai’s Community Plan over a period of six months.

The Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) is comprised of 13 Molokai residents and is currently reviewing and offering recommendations to the plan. The next meeting is Tuesday, and the public is invited to each meeting.…

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Community Meeting For Proposed Waikolu-Pu`u Ali`i Fence Project

Thursday, June 25th, 2015

DLNR News Release

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)  invites the  Molokai community and interested parties to an informational meeting concerning a proposed fencing and management project in the Waikolu Valley and Pu`u Ali`i Natural Area Reserve areas.  The purpose of the proposed project is to protect the natural resources of the Pu`u Ali`i Natural Area Reserve (NAR) while improving hunting opportunities within the Molokai Forest Reserve hunting units.  The fence will help to prevent entry of pigs, goats and deer into the NAR and help to prevent erosion into nearshore waters, protect fisheries and water supplies, and conserve native Hawaiian plants and wildlife.…

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Molokai Drive Inn Closes

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

Molokai Drive Inn Closes

 

A landmark for more than 50 years, local fast food restaurant Molokai Drive Inn is closing on Wednesday, June 17. Following a legal battle between landowners Friel Enterprises and operators Molokai Services Inc. (MSI) over the amount of rent being charged for the property, the conflict was never resolved and the current lease expires on June 30. In an announcement of the closure on Facebook, MSI said it hopes to open again in a new location.

“It’s going to be sad,” said restaurant manager and 15-year employee of the Drive Inn, Annie Cariaga. “We will miss the kupuna who come here every day.…

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Shriners Hospitals Brings Services to Molokai on Tuesday

Friday, April 17th, 2015

Shriners Hospitals News Release

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu will be holding an outreach clinic for prospective and current orthopaedic patients on Molokai. Patients will be seen by pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Pellett, who is the 2014 Healthcare Association of Hawaii Physician of the Year. The clinic will be held on Tuesday, April 21 at Molokai Public Health Nursing Office in Kaunakakai from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Shriners Hospital team conducts clinics on Molokai twice a year. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care at Shriners Hospitals for Children if the physician determines that a child can benefit from care at the hospital. …

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Wind Quintet Coming to Molokai

Thursday, March 26th, 2015

Chamber Music Hawaii News Release

Molokai will get a musical treat on March 30. The Spring Wind Quintet, recognized as one of the country’s leading wind quintets, will be playing a concert at Kaunakakai Elementary School Cafeteria at 6 p.m.

The Spring Wind Quintet has been a major force in the development of chamber music in Hawaii, and many new works have been composed and arranged especially for the group. The quintet has an extensive and varied repertoire earning several national grants and offers educational programs for all ages.

Please join us for an exciting program featuring a variety of music including Hawaiian Songs, Songs from the World War 1 era, and late romantic/early 20th century music for the Wind quintet.  …

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Obituary: Jane Yuen Chang

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

Obituary: Jane Yuen Chang

Jane Yuen Chang, the last surviving member of Y.K. Yuen’s family, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2015 in Maunaloa, Molokai. She was fondly known as “Aunty Jane” throughout the Friendly Isle.  Jane endeared everyone with her kind, gracious and gentle spirit. She was 91.

She was born in Honolulu on Jan. 24, 1924 to Lin Tai and Y.K. Yuen.  Her father opened the first pineapple plantation store on Molokai in the early 1920s, and eventually operated four grocery stores on the island.  Jane survived her sisters, Lilyan and Marybeth, and brother, Sonny.

Educated in Honolulu, Jane attended Hanahau`oli School and graduated from Punahou in 1941.…

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Damien Mosaics a Labor of Love

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

Damien Mosaics a Labor of Love

Community Contributed

By Maria Sullivan

Four mosaics, depicting Father Damien and his life’s parallels with Jesus’s life, were recently installed next to the front door at St. Damien of Molokai Church in Kaunakakai. They were created by Sister Dorothy Santos during a long and spirit-filled journey and as a labor of love and devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the order to which both she and St. Damien belong.

In 2011, Saint Damien Parish former pastor Father Clyde Guerrero was in the homestretch of supervising the construction of the long awaited Saint Damien of Molokai Church. Aware of her work in making beautiful mosaics of Father Damien and other holy persons, Father Clyde asked Sister Dorothy if she would create the mosaics.…

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Financial Woes May Suspend Ferry Route

Sunday, March 22nd, 2015

Financial Woes May Suspend Ferry Route

In the face of falling ridership, the Lahaina Cruise Company (LCC) is planning to suspend the Molokai Ferry’s daily round trip between Molokai and Maui, pending approval from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), according to the company’s President and Senior Captain David Jung.

“What’s happening with the ferry right now, is that we’re hemorrhaging money because of low ridership,” said Jung. “We’re trying to come up with a solution right now, but in the meantime we [plan] to cut back one trip a day. It’s better to have reduced service than no service.”

The route, which departs from Kaunakakai Harbor at 5:15 a.m.…

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