Business

Island Air Reduces Molokai Flights

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

One of Molokai’s primary air carriers, Island Air, has made changes to their flight schedule that have raised concerns among local customers. The airline has cancelled all flights between Molokai and Maui, and as of May, will decrease flights between Molokai and Honolulu from five to three per day.

“My concern for the decrease of Island Air travel to Honolulu is for our island population,” said Molokai resident and county councilmember Stacy Crivello. “Molokai people travel to Honolulu for specialized medical needs or hospitalization that may not be provided by Molokai’s health care providers. Molokai families also utilize Island Air… to visit and care for our sick `ohana and be part of our loved one’s celebration of life.”…

Occupational Therapy Position Available

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Pakolea Rehab News Release

Jobs on Molokai are scarce, and unless you open your own business or work in agriculture, the future may seem bleak to the residents of our small island. However, there is a glimmer of hope for a dedicated individual interested in the healthcare field. Pakolea Rehab is offering a unique opportunity for a Molokai resident interested in pursuing a career in healthcare as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, or COTA.

Pakolea Rehab is offering a paid position upon graduation. We are looking for dedicated, caring, and hard-working individuals willing to attend Kapi`olani Community College in Fall 2013 to complete this two-year program for an Associates Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.…

Tiki’s Serves Local Flavor

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Tiki’s Serves Local Flavor

Tiki’s Coffee Shack, a new business in Kaunakakai, combines the urban coffee shop vibe with Molokai’s laid back attitude and a menu that highlights local ingredients.

Co-owners Kaua Lester and Tyrah Ka`apuni, both Molokai High School graduates and first-time business owners, opened Tiki’s on Valentine’s Day. Lester decided to go into business after he returned home from college in Oregon. He decided in order to get work on Molokai, he would open his own business.

“We noticed we didn’t have a coffee shop in town, and we wanted to offer a healthier choice for people,” Ka`apuni said.

Tiki’s features a wide selection of drinks and sandwiches, including the panini, an Italian-inspired grilled sandwich on thick bread that’s popular on other islands and the mainland.…

Health Practitioners Share ‘Talking Circle’

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Health Practitioners Share ‘Talking Circle’

“Close your eyes,” began Molokai Kahupono Francis Wong.

Young and old, patient and practitioner followed suit and allowed Wong to guide them in an exercise to empty their minds and let go of their problems.

Wong explained that our emotions guide us throughout our day and it’s important to calm that emotion sometimes to prevent injury to yourself and others.

Hawaiians have long believed that thoughts and words can become a reality, manifesting in our daily lives and affecting those closest to us. Wong’s exercise was a lesson in meditation and ho`oponopono, a Hawaiian practice used to restore and maintain good relationships within a family or group.…

Big Journey for Small Paper

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Big Journey for Small Paper

Each week, 4,000 copies of the Molokai Dispatch appear across the island. Free for local readers, the paper is found in island shops, businesses, organizations and schools.

It may seem that something so readily available is created with ease, but the small weekly publication first takes around 200 hours of work to write and layout on island. It then makes an impressive journey to Maui and back each week before it is distributed to the community.

Since 1900, Maui News has owned and operated its own printing press. Today, the bright red DGM Advantage II Press is the biggest and most versatile press in Hawaii, printing over 20 publications, including the Pacific Business News, Maui Weekly, Honolulu Weekly, Kauai Penny Saver, and even the Hawaiian edition of the Wall Street Journal.…

GMO March Saturday

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Moms on a Mission – Molokai News Release

Every Saturday during the month of March, thousands of individuals across Hawaii, have been marching to express their love for the land, the ocean, and their desire to protect them from genetically modified organisms (GMO) chemical testing and farming. Participants have included families with their children, local farmers, and advocates for food safety. Marches have already been held in Hale`iwa, Oahu (March 2), Kauai (March 9), Hawaii Island (March 16), and Maui (March 23) and the final march will take place here on Molokai on Saturday, March 30.

Supported by Hawaii SEED, Moms on a Mission – Molokai, Hawaii GMO Justice Coalition, and Aloha `Aina, the Molokai march will focus on moving forward for a safer and healthier today and tomorrow for our keiki.…

Artist Brings Turtles to Life

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Artist Brings Turtles to Life

Artist and Molokai resident Linda Hogan is inspired by turtles. So much, in fact, that that’s all she’s been creating for the past seven years. As a scuba diver, she has spent hours watching and swimming with honu, which motivated her to develop a technique to form life-sized turtles as works of art.

“[Honu are] peaceful, serene, ancient, magical… there’s something about them,” said Hogan.

Now, her pieces of art are sold across Hawaii and in several galleries around the country, including in Molokai’s own Art from the Heart in Kaunakakai. She typically creates honu in three sizes, with the largest about the size of a full grown turtle and weighing about 25 pounds.…

Celebrating Coffees

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

Celebrating Coffees

Coffee, keiki and good causes brought the crowds up to Kualapu`u this weekend as Coffees of Hawaii celebrated 20 years of harvests in the area and 200 years of coffee in Hawai`i.

“She was pretty much abandoned when I came here ten years ago,” Coffees of Hawaii owner Mike Atherton said about the plantation, adding he was proud that he was able to keep the company harvesting coffee through the years.

March 16 was declared Coffees of Hawaii Day at the opening ceremonies Friday. The event led into an afternoon parade and evening festivities, including Project Runway: Plantation Style, where teams competed at the Kualapu`u Center to create the best fashion piece out of burlap and plastic paper without sewing.…

Mateo’s Mana`o

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Mateo’s Mana`o

 

Danny Mateo’s time as Maui County council chair ended at noon Jan. 2. The next minute he started his work in the Mayor’s office as an executive assistant and liaison for the county and State legislature.

“Retirement for me is not in the immediate future,” he said over coffee at Kanemitsu Bakery Saturday. “I still have a lot to offer. As long as there is fire in the fireplace I will continue what I do.”

This means Mateo will continue to be a voice for the people of Molokai and work to improve the island, something he did for 10 years as a councilmember before he reached his term limit.  …

Chamber of Commerce Offers Scholarship

Sunday, March 17th, 2013

Molokai Chamber of Commerce News Release

Molokai Chamber of Commerce will award two scholarships of $500 each to Molokai High School and University of Hawaii Maui College Molokai Campus students who are in good standing this year and will attend an accredited college or University to pursue a post-secondary education in business or related studies.

The deadline to submit completed applications is April 15.

Applications are available at Molokai High School through counselor Alanna Kahoohanohano (808-567-6950 ext 281), at MCMC through Molokai advisor Nahiwa Naki (808-553-4490 ext. 23) and online at http://molokaichamber.org/scholarship.

For more information, contact info@molokaichamber.org. Mahalo and best of luck!…