Author Archives: Jessica Ahles

Grassroots Benefit Keiki Design Contest

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

2014 Grassroots Benefit Committee News Release

A Second Annual Grassroots Benefit event will be held on Saturday, July 5 at the Kaunakakai Ballpark. This family oriented, educational, community event raises funds for the Ho`ola Hou Community-Based scholarship  — 100 percent of ticket proceeds are donated to the fund. The event also promotes local, organic farmers, and emphasizes healthy environment, lifestyle, food, and families – from keiki to kupuna.  This year’s theme is Aloha `Aina.

The purpose of the 2014 Grassroots Benefit – Keiki Design Contest is to inspire keiki to express and demonstrate an understanding of the Hawaiian concept “Aloha `Aina” through art, and to establish a theme design for the 2014 Grassroots Benefit event.…

Patient Portal Puts Patients at Forefront

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

MCHC News Release

The Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC), in an on-going effort to provide patient-driven care, has spent the past year investing in the development and implementation of the best technological tools to better service our patients.

Initially, our Electronic Medical Records (EMR) were introduced to provide a quick and efficient way for our providers to access patient information as well coordinate services with other Providers on behalf of the patient.

With this same focus in mind — to provide quality care based on quality information — MCHC would like to announce the newly developed Patient Portal designed for the patient’s needs first.…

Student Leaders Take Senator on Campus Tour

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Student Leaders Take Senator on Campus Tour

Molokai Middle School Press Release

Molokai Middle School (MMS) students showcased their school with pride to an unlikely visitor last month. Sen. Mazie Hirono took a one-hour tour led by the MMS Student Council. Hirono’s initial interest in the school’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and Garden Bed programs got her attention and prompted her visit.

Noteworthy programs offered by teachers and partnerships with the Molokai community all played an important role.  Highlights of Hirono’s visit included a tour of the school’s Vegetable Garden Beds, Activities and Assemblies Program (a clothes drive to aide the victims of the Philippines), O’ Hina I Ka Malama Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (Mo`omomi Project), STEM (VEX Robotics), The Girl’s Bridge Team, History Club, Media Broadcast Wheel, Restored Greenhouse, and the newly constructed Halau that sits mauka of the school.…

Monsanto’s Science Education Fund

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Monsanto Fund News Release

Molokai High School was among 14 Hawaii public schools and educational organizations recently awarded more than $12,000 in grants from the Monsanto Hawaii Science Education Fund. The program was established by The Monsanto Fund to support science education in Hawaii’s public schools.

Funds went to support a variety of programs at the schools including robotics, renewable energy projects, a watershed service learning fieldtrip, composting project, and equipment and supplies for chemistry and science classes.

Monsanto’s grant program is available on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai where Monsanto employees live and work. Public schools serving students in intermediate grades through college for educational purposes related to science are encouraged to apply for Monsanto Hawaii Science Education Fund grants.…

Ikehu Molokai Project

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Princeton Energy News Release

It is our goal to keep island residents informed of the progress of the Ikehu Molokai project.  As everyone knows, the grid on Molokai has some problems, like high costs for Molokai residents and businesses, blackouts and brownouts, and a high carbon footprint.  The Ikehu Molokai project aims to address these problems by converting the island’s electric system to renewable energy. The project is a joint effort between Princeton Energy and Molokai Ranch.

Maui Electric Company (MECO) has done their part to solve these problems, taking financial losses to minimize rate hikes, and working with the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) to install a battery system to stabilize the grid. …

Metal Recycling Services Are Here to Stay

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Community contributed

By David Powell

It seems that securing the proper place to store or dispose of materials made of metal on Molokai has been a challenge over the years. From Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., you’ll find Michael Diorec’s locally-owned, certified reclaimer company ready to assist you in any way possible. I found it a big relief when they aided me in cleaning up my little eye sores and junk areas. They have been at the Molokai Metal Facility for about a year now and their contract with the county runs for two more. We now have the means in place to do some serious clean-up in regard to all metal junk, year round, and for the next two years for sure.…

Excused or Unexcused is Not the Issue

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Laura Peterson, Molokai Resource Teacher

You may be hearing more about the importance of consistent attendance in school these days.  Attendance in school is critical for keeping up with academics that are increasingly rigorous.

Many schools are taking research-proven steps to reach out to students who are absent.  An example of this would be a short face-to-face conference with a student upon return.  Another would be an offer to help students catch up on missed work, or a peer-to-peer tutoring program where a buddy is assigned to help the student catch up.  A home visit by school personnel or the school social worker is important if the concern needs to be personally delivered to the home.…

GMO- – a Powerful Technology??

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

Dr. Karpiak, I was dismayed and disappointed  by the rhetoric you submitted to the Dispatch recently.

For you to allege that those on the island oppose GMOs for undisclosed reasons is ludicrous and seems disingenuous.  I believe there has been much specificity to the concerns and opposition raised. Have you actually listened and read the concerns? And to say that the concerns expressed are anti-science is both deceptive and absurd.  Rather, it seems to me these large chemical companies – for that is their foundation rather than agriculture — have manipulated the political and legal systems to circumvent serious scientific scrutiny and caution.…

Hawaiian Airlines to Serve Molokai This Year

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Hawaiian Airlines plans to begin service to Molokai and Lanai this year, and the certification process to launch its new subsidiary, Ohana by Hawaiian, has resumed. After 2013 budget sequestration caused delays in certification through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Hawaiian officials say things are back on track.

In the fall of 2012, Hawaiian Airlines announced its plans to add Molokai and Lanai to their itinerary, anticipated to begin in 2013. The start date was pushed back several times, and there is still no estimated timeframe.

Alison Croyle, director of external communications, confirmed that the airlines is in the third of four phases in the certification process.…

Girls Basketball Enjoy Undefeated Season

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Girls Basketball Enjoy Undefeated Season

With an undefeated Maui interscholastic League (MIL)Division II record this season, the Lady Farmers took to their home court last weekend, looking to add another win under their belts against Hana. Today, they sit at a record of 8-0 after their final scores of 46-11 Friday night and 37-22 on Saturday.

“They are the only [Division II] team in the MILs [this year] with that record,” said Hoku Haliniak, Molokai High School (MHS) Athletic Director.

Girls basketball coach Lee DeRouin said Molokai has a history of strong athletes and a good basketball program and praised the team’s defensive skill—getting turnovers, transition points and easy baskets.…