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Business

Funding for Ag Losses Due to Deer

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses at the mouths of axis deer since last summer can now apply for funding to help mitigate the damages. The Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture just announced financial assistance available on a first come, first served basis for axis deer damages on Molokai, with applications being accepted until March 8 at 12 p.m.

“This relief initiative is to provide emergency financial assistance to eligible Molokai [and] Maui farmers and ranchers with sustained economic losses resulting from the loss of pasture forage for cattle, death of cattle, destruction of farms, reduced crop yields, and other agriculture property damages, arising directly from the excessive axis deer population since July 1, 2020,” states the announcement.…

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Ho’olehua Post Office Reopens

Thursday, February 18th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

After nearly a week-long closure because of structural concerns, the Ho’olehua Post Office was cleared to reopen last week Tuesday.

“We want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during the temporary closure” said USPS Manager of Post Office Operations Gary Logan, who oversees all neighbor island postal operations. “The safety and security of our customers and employees is our top priority.”

The post office on Pu’upe’elua Ave is a leased structure on land owned by Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands, according to tax map records. Safety concerns at the building were identified by a team of staffers from Honolulu that oversee neighbor island operations, according to USPS spokesperson Duke Gonzales.…

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Energy Relief Grants

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Hawaii Energy News Release

Hawaii Energy has awarded more than $1,000,000 in funding to 251 nonprofits and small businesses in Oahu, Maui and Hawaii counties, through its Energy Relief Grant program. Hawaii Energy launched the program in August 2020 to help fund energy efficiency improvements for nonprofits, small businesses and other qualifying organizations experiencing economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A handful of the awarded businesses are on Molokai.

“We recognize the hardships that many local businesses and nonprofits are facing during these unprecedented times,” said Brian Kealoha, executive director of Hawaii Energy. “With the funds provided through the Energy Relief Grant program, business owners will have the resources to reduce energy costs by $2,800 annually, on average, and pivot these savings to other business costs.…

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No Passenger Weight Limit for Mokulele

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Mokulele Airlines, the only air carrier left serving Molokai, has removed their weight limit for passengers, when previously, those weighing more than 400 pounds were restricted from flying on their aircraft.

“In response to the need to fly passengers-of-size, Mokulele has worked with engineers to provide a special double-seat, capable of carrying a passenger weighing over 400 pounds,” stated in the airline in a press release last week. “The seat is twice the size of normal seats and will be installed prior to each flight on an as-needed basis.”

Passengers weighing more than 400 pounds must travel on flights prior to 8 a.m.…

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‘Ohana’s Last Flight

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

‘Ohana’s Last Flight

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

It was a heartfelt farewell for ‘Ohana by Hawaiian last Thursday at Molokai’s airport as the airline departed on what may be its final flight from Molokai. Kupuna in wheelchairs held signs begging the airline to continue flying, while crew and Molokai ‘Ohana employees hugged and the airport fire department showered the plane with an arch of water as it taxied away.

The airline first announced last October it would suspend service to Molokai and Lanai on Nov. 1 after low travel demand caused by the pandemic “triggered a labor provision in Hawaiian’s pilot contract affecting the carrier’s ability to provide ‘Ohana by Hawaiian service.”…

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‘Ohana by Hawaiian Halts Flights

Wednesday, January 13th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

‘Ohana by Hawaiian air service will indefinitely suspend flights to Molokai and Lanai on Jan. 14, the airline told employees in a letter from a company official last week. The move leaves Mokulele Airlines as the sole air carrier serving Molokai.

“Our low levels of inter-island flying, caused by depressed demand across our network due to travel restrictions, triggered a provision in our labor contracts that prevents us from offering this third-party passenger and all-cargo service,” wrote Executive Vice President and COO Jon Snook in the letter that employees received last Wednesday, Jan. 6.

In October, the airline announced it would suspend flights on Nov.…

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Buy Local for Last Minute Gifts

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

Buy Local for Last Minute Gifts

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Need last minute Christmas gifts? Shop local! Want to help out fellow Molokai residents and small business owners who have been hit especially hard this year? Shop local! From food items and gift certificates, to crafts, clothing and toys, you can find something for everyone on your list right here on Molokai. Shop local!

What are your go-to Molokai artists, creators or businesses to support? Why do you shop local? Email us at editor@themolokaidispatch.com or visit our Molokai Dispatch Facebook page to suggest a local highlight or join the shop local conversation.…

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Uechi Promoted to Leadership at Maui News

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Former Molokai Dispatch reporter Colleen Uechi has been named to the top editorial leadership role at The Maui News. Uechi began her journalism career as an intern with The Molokai Dispatch in 2014, and worked on staff until the end of 2015, when she joined The Maui News team as a reporter. She was promoted to assistant city editor last year. She now replaces Lee Imada as managing editor, who worked at the publication for 40 years.

Originally from Oahu, Uechi is originally from Oahu and graduated from Hawaiian Mission Academy in Honolulu. She studied intercultural communications and Spanish at Pacific Union College in California and after her 2013 graduation, taught English in Kazakhstan for five months.…

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Buy Local, Support a Family

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020

Buy Local, Support a Family

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales may be past, but every day is Small Business Saturday on Molokai! Finish your Christmas gift shopping list on Molokai by sup-porting local businesses. Whether it’s products brought in for sale from Molokai Drugs, Take’s, Molokai Wines and Spirits or Imports Gifts, or buying directly from a local entrepreneur, local gifting keeps the resources on Molokai and helps local families at the same time. Along with other holiday sales, a handful of locally, mom-owned businesses at a Holiday Popup event at Paddlers Restaurant on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.…

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$2.5M in Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino is urging Maui County farmers and ranchers to apply for reimbursements of expenses for losses related to COVID-19 and for food sustainability.

“This program has $2.5 million in CARES Act funding to provide Maui County farmers and ranchers with an urgent lifeline to help them with reimbursement of their expenses,” Mayor Victorino said. “I would like to thank the Maui Chamber of Commerce for partnering with the County of Maui to help sustain our agricultural community through these difficult times.”

Farmers and ranchers can apply reimbursement on allowable expenses of up to $25,000 for those who meet program qualifications.…

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