Business

Unemployement Rates: The Story Behind the Numbers

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Unemployement Rates: The Story Behind the Numbers

So, the unemployment numbers are in. Things are looking bright for the statewide average, with 5.2 percent unemployment ringing in the lowest rates since October 2008. But the numbers on Molokai are dismal, with a percentage of 12.7 doubling that of the rest of the state. And numbers can’t lie, right? Well, that’s not always true. We wondered why Molokai was such an outlier in the stats and contacted the state Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), which released the recent data, to find out. It turns out there are a couple of explanations. Phyllis Dayao of the DLIR’s research and statistics office offered us an enlightening explanation as to why the numbers don’t tell the whole story for Molokai.…

Agreement Marks Peaceful Conclusion to Yacht Conflict

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Agreement Marks Peaceful Conclusion to Yacht Conflict

This time last year, a group of Molokai residents greeted the Safari Explorer yacht with protest signs, while the state called for a security zone to ensure the vessel’s safe docking. Last week, the ongoing conflict was peacefully resolved, not only allowing continued visits from the 36-person yacht, but also designating Molokai as future home port of operations for the company.

Amid smiles and hugs, former protesters, state officials and American Safari Cruises staff signed an agreement that’s been called the first of its kind in the state. It’s a positive conclusion to more than a year of struggles that involved community members, yacht company American Safari Cruises (ASC), the state and federal government and local business owners.…

Kanemitsu Bakery Permit Reinstated, Open Tonight

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Kanemitsu Bakery Permit Reinstated, Open Tonight

Kanemitsu Bakery, after having been closed for five months, will be open in time for Thanksgiving this year. The bakery’s permit was reinstated today after the facility passed a Department of Health (DOH) inspection this morning.

Bakery manager Blossom Poepoe said staff will begin baking immediately, with the famed hot bread opening tonight starting at 8:30 p.m.

Inspectors visited the bakery Wednesday and found a few minor sanitation deficiencies, which contractors worked yesterday to correct.

“The improvement is tremendous [since the permit was suspended],” said Peter Oshiro, DOH environmental health program manager, who flew in for the Wednesday inspection.

While most of the violations had been corrected, DOH inspector Dean Kagawa said today he would reinstate the permit based on the understanding that several aspects of the facility, including the floors and some areas of the ceiling, would continue to be repaired.…

Aha Kiole Community Findings Revisited

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

Community Contributed

(printed in two parts)

By the Aha Kiole o Molokai

American Safari Cruises (ASC) will begin visiting Molokai again beginning this month. In the March 14, 2012 issue of the Dispatch, the Aha Kiole presented its findings from a public survey and moku meetings on ASC and the cruise tour industry on Molokai. The results indicated that the community was interested both in protecting Molokai’s ocean resources and small town character, as well as allowing for some commerce for our island vendors. Residents indicated a desire for management to bring a satisfactory outcome for both vendors and local ocean users.…

Get Savvy with Social Media

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

High Tech Maui News Release

There’s a lot of social media activity around Hawaii these days.  Usage of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ are at an all-time high.  On Nov. 16 and 17, local businesses are invited to attend two Social Media workshops to be held on Molokai.  The workshops are being offered by High Tech Maui, a program of the Maui Economic Development Board.  Both workshops will take place at the University of Hawaii Maui College –Molokai Education Center in Room 107.  Snacks and drinks will be provided.

The first workshop, Social Media Boot Camp for your business, will be on Friday, Nov.…

Living Local

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Living Local

10th Annual Business and Food Expo highlights Molokai vendors

Molokai is often known as “`aina momona,” or the fat land, because residents have always had the capacity to grow their own food, catch their own fish and hunt their own meat. The annual Business and Food Expo, hosted by Molokai Chamber of Commerce, is an opportunity to highlight vendors who use the bounties of the land to produce award-winning food and products that offer visitors and locals a taste of Molokai. Last Saturday marked the 10th expo, aptly named “A Taste of Molokai,” which featured local food and business vendors, celebrity chef demonstrations, gourmet food samples, prizes, music and entertainment.…

Molokai Pharmacist Receives Award

Thursday, November 1st, 2012

Molokai Pharmacist Receives Award

Molokai Drugs Pharmacist Kelly Go was honored in a state-wide award for outstanding community service from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association. She was named the recipient of the 2012 Bowl of Hygeia Award — one of the profession’s most prestigious awards — which honors one pharmacist from each state annually.

“It’s an honor to be chosen for this year’s award representing Hawaii,” said Go. “I’m blessed to be in a community I grew up in and can now serve in this capacity.”

“She was nominated by one of the pharmaceutical representatives [on Oahu] who heard about what Molokai Drugs has done and is doing on Molokai, including Kelly’s role in making sure that there are resources for our community,” said Go’s father and fellow Molokai Drugs pharmacist, David Mikami in a letter to store staff.…

U-Haul Rentals Available at Rawlins Chevron

Thursday, November 1st, 2012

Need a truck or van for the weekend? Rawlins Chevron has you covered. They’re now offering U-Haul rentals, in a partnership with the national company. Service station owner Shirley Rawlins said U-Haul approached her about offering the rentals, and the venture has been successful so far.

“It was not in the plan, but we decided to give it a try,” said Rawlins. “It’s moving pretty good now.”

Currently, Chevron has one truck and one van for rent, which customers must reserve online through U-Haul’s website, said Rawlins. She called the rates “very reasonable,” with the truck renting for about $20 per day.…

Hula Shores Renovations to Begin in 2013

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Hula Shores Renovations to Begin in 2013

Four months after a fire in June destroyed Hotel Molokai’s kitchen, rebuilding is scheduled to begin in January, according to the hotel’s General Manager Michael Drew. The Hula Shores restaurant has been closed since the fire, which caused approximately $650,000 in damages and left 35 unemployed. Since then, staff and crews have been busy with demolition and clean-up of the building’s charred remains and drafting plans for the new construction. If you’re curious to learn more about the kitchen remodeling service for this kind of project, click here to know more about it. Hire the best kitchen designers Auckland to ensure that they will make your dream kitchen a reality.…

Molokai Internet Survey – How’s Your Speed?

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Molokai Internet Survey – How’s Your Speed?

The State of Molokai’s Broadband Internet

High speed Internet can allow residents of rural areas like Molokai to participate in economic and civic life far beyond the geographic boundaries of our shoreline. Broadband technology can eliminate logistical constraints of regionally-based business, foster greater social interaction, and allow quick transmission of news and information. However, these economic and social advantages depend on the reliability and speed provided by Molokai’s limited Internet service providers.

In the spirit of community-building, The Molokai Dispatch is polling local customers of a variety of broadband providers to find out the quality and user satisfaction of Molokai’s Internet service.…