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Business

Videoconference Workshops Linked

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

County of Maui News Release

The Kuha`o Business Center (KBC) on Molokai and the Maui County Business Resource Center (MCBRC) at the Maui Mall have successfully been linked via video conferencing. For the first time, Molokai residents and business owners can take advantage of the great workshops produced on Maui without traveling. Conversely, Maui residents will be able to sign up for the Molokai workshops.

“This is a great day for our small businesses and entrepreneurs on Molokai,” Mayor Alan Arakawa said. “This kind of government collaboration is just what we need, and it makes it so much easier for residents to gain the knowledge and skills they need to build their businesses.”…

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Small Business Grant Awards Announced

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

County of Maui News Release

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and Lokahi Pacific recently announced that a total of $48,303 in Small Business Revitalization grants has been awarded to businesses in Hana, Molokai, and Lanai. These areas have been identified as the areas in Maui County hardest hit in their ability to recover from the economic downturn of the past few years.

The matching grant program requires the business owner to contribute 40 percent to the project, with the grant covering the remaining 60 percent. The grant awards are intended to provide assistance to businesses for projects they did not have funding for, such as purchasing new equipment, renovating, creating or enhancing websites, purchasing marketing materials and other purposes that will help the businesses grow, prosper and sustain jobs.…

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Island Air to Decrease Molokai Flights Again

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013

Air carrier Island Air is once again decreasing the number of flights the carrier offers to Molokai — this time to two per day, starting in November.

“The decision is pretty simple,” said Island Air CEO Paul Casey, who took the position two months ago. “We’re matching capacity with demand.”

In March, the company cancelled all its flights between Molokai and Maui, and in May, decreased flights between Molokai and Honolulu from five to three per day.

At that time, then-president Les Murashige told the Dispatch the Molokai schedule reduction was temporary.

“Our intent is to put additional flights back [between Molokai and Honolulu] in August or September,” said Murashige in March.…

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Circus Donates to Molokai Schools

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

Circus Donates to Molokai Schools

Molokai High School (MHS) and Maunaloa Elementary School received donations from the Modern American Circus during their visit on Molokai Friday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 15.

MHS received $500 and Maunaloa received $1,000 after Molokai Ranch agreed to sponsor the circus, providing land and utilities and requested that the circus donate to two local schools, according to a Molokai Ranch news release.

The circus also provided an opportunity for the MHS football team to help clean up after the shows to raise an additional $500 for MHS athletics. Vice Principal Daniel Espaniola said the school will receive a total of $1,000 after the three-day event.…

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Local Filmmaker Receives Worldwide Support

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Local Filmmaker Receives Worldwide Support

Last month, Molokai filmmaker Matt Yamashita set a lofty goal: he wanted to raise $22,000 to fund the completion of a new documentary he calls “the most exciting project I’ve worked on.” The film, called “Return to Halawa,” is about Halawa Valley and the life of Anakala Pilipo Solatorio, one of the last Hawaiians born, raised and still living in the east Molokai valley.

As of Sunday night, 150 backers from around the world had pledged $21,831 to the project on Kickstarter.com, a website that’s been coined the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. Funding on Kickstarter is all or nothing — project creators set a goal amount and deadline, and if the goal isn’t reached, they don’t receive any of the money pledged by backers.…

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Local Business, International Success

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Local Business, International Success

Molokai local Suzette Kahana has collected vintage fabrics, buttons and jewelry for decades. She never dreamed it would evolve into an international venture through the business she created with her daughter Amber Andrade nine months ago.

Kahana said she has always sewed for her family — from Halloween and dance costumes, to prom dresses, wedding and beauty pageant gowns. After 30 years of collecting and cramming storage rooms of vintage material, one of her dresses, made for Andrade, caught the eyes of passersby in Oahu.

“So many people stopped her that day saying, ‘Beautiful dress, where did you get that,’” said Kahana.…

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New Tour and Rental Business

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

New Tour and Rental Business

Molokai Ocean Tours and Outdoor Rentals News Release

A new store has made its debut at the Molokai Center in Kaunakakai named Molokai Ocean Tours and Outdoor Rentals.  Family- and locally-owned, it is primarily the storefront for the custom-designed tour boat, the Manu Ele`ele, and also cater to visitors’ common outdoor rental needs.

The Manu Ele`ele was designed and built on Molokai by the renowned catamaran designer Kirk Clark at Hawaiian Catamaran.  The vessel is uniquely designed for Hawaiian waters and is Coast Guard documented and approved, overseen by the Maritime Consortium with a certificate of compliance ensuring a drug-free captain and crew and each are certified in Heartsaver® First Aid and Adult/Child CPR. …

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Local Store Celebrates 1 Year

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

Something for Everybody News Release

On Aug. 5, Something For Everybody celebrated its first year of business in Kaunakakai town.  The store was buzzing with excitement as customers old and new made their way in for the store’s “First Birthday” deals.  Each customer got $1 off their purchases with complimentary mahalo goodies and snack bags.

“It’s been a whirlwind of a year,” said first-time business owner Wailani Tanaka. “I know that I couldn’t have made it without the continued support and business from my community which I am ever so grateful for!”

To honor the store’s loyal customers, Loyalty cards and Daily Discounts made their debut on the anniversary. …

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Affordable Housing in Manila Camp

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

A new apartment complex proposed for Manila Camp is in its initial planning stages and seeks to fulfill a need for affordable housing in central Molokai. The Chopra Hale apartments would consist of 16 units and occupy 1.04 acres located at 190 Makaena Place, according to project manager Luigi Manera.

The proposal was presented to the Molokai Planning Commission last week and commissioners voiced several concerns about its impact on the community. Some questioned the project’s goal itself.

Currently, the closest affordable housing options are in Kilohana and Maunaloa, Manera said. The apartments will provide more affordable housing closer to town; however Commissioner Billy Buchanan recommended that a study be conducted to ensure the apartment rates are reasonably priced for Molokai.…

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Funding for Community Tourism Projects

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

County Office of Economic Development News Release

The County of Maui is soliciting proposals for tourism programs on Maui, Molokai and Lanai for 2014 under the County Product Enrichment Program (CPEP). The intent of the program is to diversify and enrich Hawaii’s tourism product by developing new and enhancing existing community-based events, experiences, and projects related to the niches of agriculture, culture, education, nature, health and wellness, sports and technology. The program is supported through a partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).

From heritage festivals to music series to programs that interpret our unique environment, CPEP supports a wide range of activities created by organizations throughout Maui County.…

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