Business

Bayer ‘Health Care’

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020

Regarding some of the statements in the Bayer News Release in last week’s issue (July 22), the facts need clarifying. The company, which used to be called Monsanto, claims to be a “global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition.”

Currently Bayer faces a court order to pay $20.5 million in damages to Dewayne Johnson, the groundskeeper who was sickened by Bayer products and technology. The jury found that Monsanto (Bayer) “ ‘acted with malice and oppression’ by failing to acknowledge glyphosate as a cancer-causing agent.” That jury awarded $289 million — was reduced at appeal.…

Public Works Gets New Baseyard

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020

Public Works Gets New Baseyard

By Catherine Cluett Pactol
A long-awaited, new baseyard for the Maui County Highways Division was completed and blessed last week, located in the industrial park area near Maui Electric’s power plant. The $7.7 million building includes a 2,560-square-foot administrative building, a 7,440-square-foot maintenance building, a 3,960-square-foot vehicle storage building and a new garage with pole lifts and an overhead crane from the crane hire in Perth company.
The old Highways baseyard was located in a tsunami inundation zone in Kaunakakai that frequently flooded, and workers operated out of an aging garage and container offices. The new facility is at higher elevation out of the flood zone and will serve as a safe base for Molokai Public Works staff to respond to emergencies.…

Molokai Business Resumes for Many, Closure for Some

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

Molokai Business Resumes for Many, Closure for Some

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As Hawaii seeks to reopen its economy, many Molokai store owners are getting back to business after shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dine-in restaurants like Paddlers and Hiro’s Ohana Grill have resumed serving food, while many non-essential businesses that faced temporary closures are getting back to previous business hours.

“We have been operating with very limited days and hours since mid March,” said Wailani Tanaka, owner of Something for Everybody, which offers locally made products, custom clothing and food to order. “We are finally opening back up this week.”

 

Most businesses are requiring masks and hand sanitizing for entry, and limiting the number of customers in the store at one time.…

Help with Utility Payments

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

DHS News Release

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides heating and/or cooling assistance to needy Hawaii households by assisting with a one-time payment towards their utility bill (electric or gas) in two ways.

Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) program assists needy households in crisis, the electric or gas service has been disconnected or will be terminated as the household has been notified via a disconnect notice from utility company. Applications for ECI are accepted year-round, but the amount of approvals each month are limited and fill quickly.

Energy Credit (EC) program assists needy households who are not in crisis but need assistance with bill payment for the heating and cooling of their residence.…

Young Brothers Seeks State Help for Barge ‘Crisis’

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Interisland shipper Young Brothers has declared an “impending cash crisis” and is now seeking help from the state to continue operations, the company announced last week.

YB officials said the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a 30 percent drop in cargo volumes and the company reported losing nearly $8 million through April and projects mounting losses totaling approximately $25 million by the end of the year. In a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC), YB called its financial situation “extremely dire.”

The company claimed it will no longer receive cash infusions from its parent company as of June 1.…

Most Businesses and Services Can Reopen

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Most businesses and services on Molokai and around the county are now allowed to reopen. Mayor Michael Victorino announced last week that as of June 1, dine-in restaurants, fitness and recreational facilities, massage therapists and other personal services can accept customers. Officials say social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitation practices must continue, along with health and safety modifications in some cases.

“We are reopening Maui County cautiously and safely,” Victorino said. “While new COVID-19 cases continue to remain low, everyone needs to do their part to follow social distancing and sanitization practices, so we can maintain the good position we’re in today.”…

Molokai Library Bookdrop Open

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

HSPLS News Release

The Hawaii State Public Library System is pleased to announce that all library bookdrops, including Molokai Public Library, are now open to return library materials. The reopening represents the beginning of a phased-in approach to providing library services to support the health and safety of our communities. No book donations will be accepted at this time.

To ensure the health and safety of our staff, all returned items will be placed into quarantine for a minimum of four days before checking those items in. Depending on the date of return, and the location’s hours of operation, it may take a few days for your library account to reflect the return.…

More Molokai Farmers Awarded Grants

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

HDOA News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will be issuing a second round of grants totaling an additional $200,000 under the COVID-19 Emergency Farmer Relief Program to assist farmers, ranchers and growers who have experienced financial damage. In this second round, 96 grants were issued ranging between $2,000 and $4,000 each and will provide stop-gap financial relief to help agribusinesses during the COVID-19 crisis, including seven grants on Molokai. The funds may be used to help utilize an oversupply of agricultural products resulting from decreased demand due to closures of restaurants, schools and other businesses.

Last month, HDOA issued 106 grants totaling $270,000, of which $250,000 came from the State’s barrel tax fund (Agriculture Development and Food Security Special Fund) and made available through Gov.…

First phase of DMV Reopening

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The first phase of reopening of its Division of Motor Vehicle and Licensing offices for limited walk-in services beginning Monday, May 18. All DMVL locations will be open for limited services from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This is a step forward in offering in-person customer services to residents,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “However, operations will be modified to ensure the safety of both customers and employees.”

Social distancing rules must be followed, including wearing face coverings.

From Monday, May 18, to Friday, May 22, DMVL will be open for the following renewals:

• Driver license and permit renewals – ONLY if it expired prior to March 16, 2020.…

Nurse of the Year

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

Nurse of the Year

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

In a surprise announcement at Molokai General Hospital last Thursday morning, Jeanette Oshiro, BSN, RN, OCN, was named Queen’s Molokai Nurse of the Year.

The award is given annually from Queen’s Health Systems and Molokai General Hospital.

In her nomination, Oshiro was called an “outstanding leader, professional, mentor to staff, and colleague, [and]… an outstanding nurse.”

“Patients, families and the healthcare team consistently benefit from Jeanette’s wisdom, caring and creativity,” her nominator wrote. “Jeanette inspires everyone at Molokai General Hospital to strive to provide innovative, evidence-based care, and to pursue excellence every day. She is a strong patient advocate and has a strong desire to continuously improve systems with simplification in mind….…