Political

Molokai Votes

Thursday, November 14th, 2024

Along with millions of voters across the U.S., Molokai residents participated in the Nov. 5 U.S. elections. Incumbent women came out strong in this year’s local elections. Here’s a breakdown of how Molokai voted for some of its most crucial representatives.

Voter turnout overall for Molokai was 56.6 percent, only slightly behind the state average of 60.5 percent, but ahead of the county average, which was 55 percent. Mana’e led the way for topside Molokai precincts with 60 percent of registered voters turning out. Kaunakakai was next with 57.2 percent participation, followed by Ho’olehua and then Maunaloa. Kalawao County had slightly higher participation rate with 18 of their 28 registered voters, or 64.2 percent, participating in the election.…

Candidate Response: Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

Thursday, October 31st, 2024

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

Running for Maui County Council – Molokai Councilmember 

My priorities include continuing the work of relocating our firefighters from the Puko‘o Station to the future ‘Ualapu‘e Station, increasing the number of firefighters in Mana‘e, improving our air ambulance service, and supporting the Molokai Community Health Center. Likewise, working to ensure equitable funding for Molokai, particularly for capital improvements, equipment, and competitive grants to nonprofits and economic development opportunities.

My priorities also include promoting food sovereignty with grants, such as Farmers Microgrant and HFUU-Molokai Chapter and deer management, through partnership with the Molokai Hunting Club, keeping the county council accessible and transparent, continuing to malama our keiki with grants to support travel, Boys and Girls Club, and kupuna services through grants to Molokai Rural Health Care , and advancing our initiatives in climate action, ‘aina-back, and energy independence.  …

Candidate Response: John Pele

Thursday, October 31st, 2024

John Pele 

Running for Maui County Council — Molokai Councilmember 

I would like to reach out to the community to see if there is a need for housing options for our

residents. However, we must build in a way that insulates us from outside speculation. Land

trusts and leaseholds are good examples of this. I would also seek continued funding for our

keiki and kupuna programs as well as try to expand services for mental health and substance

abuse. Programs dealing with environmental issues and invasive species should also be

considered for funding.…

Candidate Survey Response:Gabby Macaraeg (R)

Thursday, October 31st, 2024

Gabby Macaraeg (R)

Running for State Senator, District 7 

My goals are health care, especially for the kupuna, dependable and reliable inter-island transportation, lowering the cost of living, and higher education that establishes high paying jobs.

I would follow up with the current pilot program proposal pertaining to ferry transportation from Molokai to Maui. There should be consistent updates from start to finish with the project. With technology today, the ferry should be able to provide high quality resources such as equipment, services and good paying jobs for locals. …

Primary Election Results

Thursday, August 15th, 2024

Saturday, Aug. 10 was primary election day in Hawaii. Residents mailed in and dropped off their ballots to select candidates for each party to represent them in November’s general election. Overall, voter turnout statewide was poor, at just 32 percent. For Molokai, that number was even lower, as just 28 percent of Molokai’s registered voters participated.

In the race for District 7 State Senator, current senator Lynn DeCoite ran unopposed in the Democratic Party, and will face Republican challenger Gabby Macaraeg in the general election.

Current state representative Mahina Poepoe handily defeated challenger Linda Clark by almost 40 percent in the race for the Democratic nomination for the District 13 State Representative seat.…

Get Ready to Vote

Wednesday, July 31st, 2024

Are you a registered voter who’s already received your ballot in the mail? Are you a Molokai resident who’s never voted before? Either way, it’s time to vote! Now is the time to participate in this important part of community-building and voice your preference for candidates who align with your values and vision for the future. Along with candidates statewide, six Molokai residents appear on the ballot running for key seats in this election.
Overview: The primary election is held to nominate candidates who will represent each political party in November’s general election.
What: 2024 Primary Election
When: If you are already a registered voter, you already received your ballot in the mail and can mail it back now.…

Bissen Introduces Mayoral Agenda to Molokai

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

On Jan. 24, Molokai greeted its new mayor Richard Bissen with song, lei and a wide selection of residents and representatives. 

Bissen, a former judge, accompanied Maui County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez to her Molokai townhall meeting at the Mitchell Pauole Center. 

The evening was both an opportunity to “warmly embrace our new mayor” and to outline new mayoral policies and information, explained Rawlins-Fernandez. 

These townhall gatherings, started by Rawlins-Fernandez back in 2019, “make sure that information is being shared and that there is a two-way dialogue” between government officials and the community, she said. 

Bissen used the opportunity to concisely lay out his department and agenda. …