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Author Archives: Tirzah Pactol

Hawaii Votes by Mail

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020

Community Contributed

By Kathy Kaohu, Maui County Clerk

Aloha Molokai! Beginning with the 2020 Elections, all registered voters statewide will automatically receive their ballot packet at the mailing address associated with their voter registration. Molokai voters are encouraged to participate in this important process.

Kalaupapa was the first community to go to an “all mail” voting system many years ago, have a high ballot return rate per capita and were trail-blazers in voting by mail. Let’s follow their lead!

Ballot packet delivery will be conducted via Hawaii’s election partner, the United States Postal Service and can be expected to arrive in mailboxes as early as July 15.…

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Molokai Youth to Compete at National Rodeo

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020

Molokai Youth to Compete at National Rodeo

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai’s Kahiwa Augustiro, an incoming freshman at Molokai High, earned a spot to compete at the world’s largest rodeo with the Hawaii rodeo team at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma July 17-23. Augustiro qualified for the event, along with two Maui County teammates, while competing in bull riding and team roping at the recent Hawaii High School Rodeo Association Maui District show.

Rodeo runs in Augustiro’s family. His older brother, Chevy, was also a rodeo star and football player. He trains with his uncle, Sale Sproat, who is a professional cowboy. Augustiro’s roping partner for the national competition, Daniel Miranda, is a rising junior on Maui.…

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Travel Quarantine Extended, Schools Prepare to Reopen

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last Monday, Gov. David Ige announced a delay in reopening trans-Pacific travel to Hawaii, now set for Sept. 1. Previously announced to open Aug. 1, Ige called it “a very tough decision” that was made based on record numbers of new cases in Hawaii, as well as large, uncontrolled outbreaks in mainland states.

“On one hand we could continue to move forward and re-open the economy but face an uncontrolled surge in COVID-19 cases. On the other, we can delay the pre-travel testing and risk further damage to the economy,” Gov. Ige said.

Until then, returning residents and visitors coming from outside the state are required to abide by the 14-day mandated quarantine.…

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Homeowners Sue County for Molokai Rental Ban

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020

Homeowners Sue County for Molokai Rental Ban

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Four homeowners on Molokai along with the Maui Vacation Rental Association (MVRA) have filed a federal lawsuit against the County of Maui for its bill banning short term rentals on the island.

Bill 22 became effective on March 10, when county lawmakers signed into law Ordinance 5059, making Molokai the first island to put a zero cap on short term rentals (STRs). The ordinance rules that the 17 existing STR permits will remain valid until Dec. 2020, after which they will not be eligible for renewal.

The complaint states the county’s decision affected the rental operations of 17 families, many of which had operated legally for 15 years or more.…

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Cases Continue to Spike Statewide

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Though many residents on Molokai have noted fellow community members appearing to have become nonchalant in the wearing of masks and social distancing, elsewhere in the state, new COVID-19 cases have reached an all-time record. Hawaii had its highest number of new cases on July 7 since the pandemic began, with 41 new cases that day. July 9 had 36 new cases reported.

“It is the highest we’ve had, and it is concerning,” said Gov. David Ige. “fHowever, as we re-opened our economy, we expected this. We are tracking this very closely and it is manageable right now.…

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Molokai Business Resumes for Many, Closure for Some

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

Molokai Business Resumes for Many, Closure for Some

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As Hawaii seeks to reopen its economy, many Molokai store owners are getting back to business after shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dine-in restaurants like Paddlers and Hiro’s Ohana Grill have resumed serving food, while many non-essential businesses that faced temporary closures are getting back to previous business hours.

“We have been operating with very limited days and hours since mid March,” said Wailani Tanaka, owner of Something for Everybody, which offers locally made products, custom clothing and food to order. “We are finally opening back up this week.”

 

Most businesses are requiring masks and hand sanitizing for entry, and limiting the number of customers in the store at one time.…

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Hawaiian Electric to Hold Virtual Molokai Community Meeting

Friday, July 10th, 2020

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric will host a virtual community meeting to provide updates on energy plans for Molokai on Thursday, July 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Due to ongoing pandemic safety precautions that include social distancing, the public is invited to join this live virtual meeting by going to www.hawaiianelectric.com/communitymeetings. The meeting will be done via WebEx, an online video platform, accessible from a landline telephone, mobile device or computer.

The discussion will feature Hawaiian Electric panelists who will discuss upcoming energy plans for the island, including upgrades to the electrical system and renewable energy projects. They will be Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui County and Hawaii Island utilities; Mat McNeff, director, Maui County utility; Rebecca Dayhuff-Matsushima, director, renewable acquisition; and Colton Ching, senior vice president, planning and technology.…

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Summer Reading for Prizes

Friday, July 10th, 2020

Molokai Public Library News Release
Are you a reader? Are you looking for things to keep you busy on Molokai this summer? Would you like to win four roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines?
If you said yes to any of these questions, then you should join the Summer Reading Challenge at Molokai Public Library! Read to win prizes by going to librarieshawaii.org/summerreading to sign up, find virtual programs and learn more.
The Summer Reading Challenge is free and open to all ages from June 15 to Aug. 31. Read 1,000 minutes to receive a prize pack at the end of summer.…

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Flowers on the Water     

Friday, July 10th, 2020

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

“To hear your voice, to see you smile, to sit and talk to you awhile.

To be together the same old way, that would be our greatest wish today.” -John Williamson

People were gathering at the Kalaupapa Pier (I call it Damien’s Landing) which is a stone’s throw from my front porch… that is, if one has a good arm. I watched as some vehicles pulled up in that vicinity and I wondered what was happening. Had someone caught a giant fish? Was one of the newly born monk seals frolicking in the water next to the dock?…

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Higher Education on Molokai

Friday, July 10th, 2020

UHMC Molokai News Release

Earn a Certificate, Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree right here on Molokai! Courses are available through Distance Education. Learn more about Distance Learning Programs offered throughout the University of Hawaii campuses online at uhonline.hawaii.edu/programs.

Explore one of many certificates and/or degrees in fields that include business, education, human resource management, information and computer science, interdisciplinary studies, medical or health care, social sciences, hospitality, public administration, psychology and many more.

Come join our ‘ohana of UH graduates. Apply now for the Fall 2020! For more information, contact Theresa Tamanaha Distance Education Specialist at 553-4490 Opt 5.…

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