Author Archives: Tirzah Pactol

Business Conference ‘Inspirational’

Wednesday, October 30th, 2019

Molokai’s sixth annual Business Conference brought resources, information and inspiration to the fingertips of local entrepreneurs two weeks ago. Whether aspiring business people seeking startup basics or established shop owners looking to sharpen their toolboxes, attendees got to learn from experts in the field, both from Molokai and around the state.

“The Molokai Small Business Conference was truly inspirational,” said Kay Fukomoto, director for the County’s Office of Economic Development, which helped put on the event. “Hearing successful business owners attribute their success to the workshops offered at the conference and at the Kuha’o Business Center speaks volumes of the power of education.…

Structure Fire Caused Traffic Delays

Wednesday, September 11th, 2019

A structure fire near Hotel Molokai on Tuesday, Sept. 3 temporarily blocked traffic along Kamehameha V Highway. The Fire Department got the alarm around 6 a.m. at a one-story, multi-unit building known as “Old Misaki Hotel.” Firefighters worked to control flames in the structure as well as a small brush fire which ignited nearby. It was fully extinguished by 9:20 a.m.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire and there were no injuries. But the building suffered major damage, as well as the storied contents both inside and outside the structure, according to the Fire Department. Damage estimates are still being calculated, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.…

Molokai Volunteer Assists with Mainland Hurricane Relief

Wednesday, September 11th, 2019

Molokai resident and Red Cross volunteer Lester Keanini has deployed to the East Coast along with 16 other Red Cross workers from Hawaii to assist with Hurricane Dorian. The storm hit the Bahamas as a Category 5 hurricane on Sept. 1 and made its way up the East Coast of the U.S., making landfall in North Carolina on Sept. 6.

The Red Cross reported that more than 9,000 people stayed in 140 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as the storm approached. More than 1,900 trained Red Cross responders from all over the country are helping to support relief efforts.…

Captain’s Corner

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

Community Contributed

By Captain Gregg Okamoto, MPD

On Thursday and Friday, Aug. 22 and 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Molokai police officers went up on scaffolding in front of the Molokai Public Library to bring awareness and raise funds for the Special Olympics program on Molokai. The public was invited to soak the officers using water pumps and buckets after making a donation. Special Olympics athletes stood curbside with nets and collected donations from passing motorists. Donations ranged from a dollar to a few hundred dollars. In the end, a total of more than $8,200 was raised.…

Celebrating a National Holiday

Wednesday, August 7th, 2019

For the first time at Keawanui Fishpond, the Molokai community gathered last Wednesday to celebrate a holiday that became one of the first national holidays of the Hawaiian Kingdom: La Ho’iho’i Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day.

“I returned five days prior from Mauna Kea, where we were able to teach at Puuhuluhulu University,” said organizer Maile Naehu of the event. “Upon returning, I realized that we were only five days away from La Ho‘iho‘i Ea. I decided even if it was last minute, a celebration was in order. With the rising of our Hawaiian nation, it seemed so appropriate to hold an event on July 31, La Ho‘iho‘i Ea, our kingdom’s first holiday.…