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Veterans Get a Dose of Technology

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Long after the war wounds heal and scars fade, veterans in rural areas see a gap separating them from the proper medical care they need.

“It can be difficult when veterans need care and have to go off island because they can’t get it here,” said Larry Helm, commander of Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans.

In an effort to provide all veterans with adequate health care, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is becoming a major adopter of mobile health technology – also known as telemedicine. Last week, board members of the VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System (VAPIHCS) visited Molokai to discuss these innovations and how they could eventually service Friendly Isle vets.

Air Force Airman Thomas F. Brown

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Air Force Airman Thomas F. Brown

Air Force Airman Thomas F. Brown graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Lorna Brown of Gibson Hill Road, Sterling, Conn., and grandson of Cresencia Cabael of Kaunakakai, Hawaii. Brown is a 2006 graduate of Plainfield High School, Conn.

Growers Market Growing

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Community Contributed

By PJ White

The Aina Momona Growers Market is inviting crafters to join them on their regularly scheduled market days – Mondays and Wednesdays – for the first time.

The goal is to make jobs for people, not just farmers, but artisans and crafters as well.

The market is set up across from Hawaiian Telcom, nice and cool under the tree, from 1:30 – 5ish p.m. two days a week. Cost for a space is $15 a month, and market organizers are open to more suggestions for products. But please – not baked or cooked foods unless from a certified kitchen (like a business).

Call PJ at 567-6713 for more information.

Immigration Benefits Made Easier

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) News Release

For the first time, the USCIS has proposed a standardized form to waive fees for financially disadvantaged individuals seeking immigration benefits.

The proposed fee waiver form is the product of extensive collaboration with the public.  In meetings with stakeholders, USCIS heard concerns about the criteria for applying for benefits.

Why I Am Not Voting for Neil Abercrombie

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

In the early 70s, while on Oahu, I knew an individual doing government surveillance of a radical group known as the SDS (Students for a Democratic Society). In the spirit of adventure, when this individual lacked the usual companion, I volunteered to dress up in hippie garb and go to an SDS meeting.

This turned out to be an important meeting where a long term plan was set forth to 1) set up a task force to infiltrate the high schools in the state of Hawaii, 2) obtain an office/copy machines, etc from which to propagandize, 3) change from the radical hippie image to a clean cut suit and tie image and 4) put people who supported Marxist philosophy into positions of power. Two of the names I remember well were John Witeck and Neil Abercrombie.

Can Someone Step Up to the Plate?

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Agree or disagree: President Obama and Congress in less than two years put into law a 30-year debated health care reform, and in two months Wall Street and financial reform. Two years ago the Dow, the Jones and the Mary was 6,000 and the country was on the brink of financial depression – and today it’s over 10,000. The automobile industry and banks were on the verge of collapse, and have a better outlook today. There have been two wars and a very fragile economy to manage, etc., etc., etc.  Yes, one can walk and chew gum at the same time. 
 

County Deems Molokai’s Water Safe

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Molokai’s water supply meets all federal and state safety standards, according to the annual Water Quality Report released this month by the county Department of Water Supply (DWS).

Tests conducted last year show safe levels of containments and do not raise any concerns, said Cari Sumabat, DWS laboratory supervisor. DWS tested Molokai’s three water systems – Kalae, Kaunakakai and Ualapue.

Contaminants that were found in the water were well below allowable limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, the Kalae system’s water contained 0.39 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate, while the EPA’s allowable limit is 10 ppm.

Two Molokai Schools Make the Grade

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Even in the face of furloughs, two Molokai schools – Maunaloa and Kualapu`u Elementary – met adequate yearly progress (AYP) benchmarks in math and reading scores this year. Kaunakakai Elementary landed on the cusp, missing its goal by only 1 percent.

“All the schools worked really hard,” said Complex Area Superintendent Lindsay Ball. “It was nice to see some improvements made.”

Every year, public schools across the country are given assessments mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act to measure reading and math proficiency, graduation rates and other criteria. Schools must meet a higher standard each year to show they are making progress toward the goal of having 100 percent proficiency in reading and math by 2014.

Aunty’s Corner

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Aloha `auinala! Bingo fever has hit Home Pumehana.  Keep an eye out for our bingo fundraiser that is just getting planned.  We are raising funds to take everyone out to dinner at the hotel for Christmas.

Healthy Keiki

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Healthy Keiki

It was nothing short of an eventful day for the island’s new and only pediatrician, Dr. Kawika Liu. Last Thursday marked his first full day at Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC), complete with stuffy noses, upset tummies and check ups.

Liu, a native Hawaiian himself, comes to Molokai with a can-do attitude and an esteemed career in pediatrics and internal medicine. He first ventured to the Friendly Isle in the 1990s and came back in 2006, where he practiced for a short time at the MCHC before moving back to Oahu. Liu said what brought him back was the island’s close-knit community.

“It’s a great place to be,” he said. “I hope to make a difference and improve the health of the people.”

needs,” he said.

As a health care provider, Liu said he believes in open access to the public when medical attention is needed, and same-day walk-in appointment availability. He also hopes to help boost MCHC’s vision of servicing Molokai by creating more jobs and career opportunities within the health care field.

“We want to serve as an engine to the community by coming up with new ideas and new ways of developing health care in the future,” he said.