Announcements

Hemp, Health Houses and a Greener Future

Friday, January 3rd, 2014

The MOM hui and Sust`ainable Molokai News Release

Hemp with lime is a non-toxic and energy-efficient building matertial; it is also resistant to mildew, fire and pests. The drawback – industrial hemp is currently illegal to farm in the United States. However, industrial hemp, a non-psychoactive plant, is grown in 31 other countries. It can also be used to make thousands of sustainable products, and it offers many solutions for global warming, nutrition, and deforestation.

To learn more, we invite you to the documentary film premier of “Bringing it Home” – a film that depicts the story of a father’s search to find the healthiest building materials, leading him to the completion of the nation’s first hemp house.…

Students Learn Computer Code

Monday, December 16th, 2013

MEDB News Release

STEMworks™ students across the state are learning to write computer code as part of a nationwide campaign embraced by President Obama and featuring free tutorials designed to get students interested in computer science. Molokai Middle and High schools are two of 13 schools participating statewide.

The Hour of Code is an initiative developed by Code.org to spark interest among young people across the U.S. and help address the increasing demand for computer programmers in many fields.

According to Code.org, the number of computer programming jobs is growing at a rate twice the national average of computer science students.…

UH Funds MHS Student’s Research

Monday, December 16th, 2013

UH Manoa News Release

The University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Engineering and its Hawaii Center for Advanced Communications (HCAC) are supporting a Molokai High School student in her efforts to protect Hawaiian wildlife.

Sarah Jenkins, a junior at Molokai High, has already received recognition for her strong commitment to protecting Hawaiian endangered birds.  She placed second overall at the 54th annual Maui Science and Engineering Fair and later won first place for best Senior Research Project in the Animal Science Category from the Hawaii Academy of Science.  Her successful work is focused on improving the reproduction environment of the Hawaiian Coot and involves creating artificial floating nesting structures in Pipio Pond in the Mapulehu area. …

Molokai Science Fair

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Molokai Middle and High School students presented their work in science, technology, engineering and the environment last week at the island’s Science Fair. Winners from both divisions will be representing Molokai at the 55th Annual Maui District Science and Engineering Fair in February.

Molokai High School had 14 students participated in the local judging process. MHS winners going to the county competition are: Sarah Jenkins, grade 11 with “Hot Biology- Hawaiian Coot;” Lily Jenkins, grade 9, “Effects of non-native lettuce on removal in land at Puko`o Road;” Shellamarie Keahi and Kilo Ka`awa Gonzales, grade 12, “Bioremediation using Vetiver Grass;” Cendall Manley, grade 9, “Lending a helping hand;” Kea`aokahonua Davis, grade 10, “The Keirsey Temperaments: Type  Distribution of Teachers;” Giesha Nunez, grade 10, “Innocence to Adolescences: Drug Impulse Growth;” Erik Svetin, grade 9, “The Effect of an Additional Stitch on a Baseball’s Movement;” Dathan Decker-Lee Bicoy, grade 9, “Soak up the Sun;” Sabrina Curtis, grade 10, “Rooting For a Cleaner Environment: Vetiver Grass vs.…

Prolotherapy for Pain Relief

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Sheila Mohammed, MD, PhD

In response to widespread interest in an article printed a few weeks ago about prolotherapy on Molokai, I will share more information on various facets of this therapy. Prolotherapy is a permanent cure for painful conditions, and I will be offering appointments on Molokai Dec. 22 through Jan. 4.

There are different kinds of prolotherapy and the procedure is customized to the individual patient and the presenting musculoskeletal conditions.

One type, called simple prolotherapy, uses dextrose to stimulate the healing process combined with dilute lidocaine used as a numbing agent for patient comfort.  Dextrose stimulates the body to bring in fibroblasts and cytokines to injured cartilage, tendons and ligaments to give a spurt of healing. …

Native Hawaiian Scholarship Workshops

Monday, December 16th, 2013

UH News Release

The University of Hawaii (UH) is reaching out to Native Hawaiians who are interested in pursuing a college education.  The effort is part of a statewide initiative to bring Native Hawaiian scholarship and financial aid opportunities to underserved communities across the state.

In that spirit, the UH is partnering with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, GEAR UP Hawaii, Pacific Financial Aid Association and the Native Hawaiian Education Association to present the 2013-2014 Native Hawaiian Scholarship `Aha.  The series of free presentations is open to high school students, parents, teachers, current college students, adult students, counselors or anyone interested in learning about the resources and financial aid available to Native Hawaiian students, the criteria and eligibility requirements.  …

Mateo Appointed as County Clerk

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Maui County Council News Release

Former Maui County Council Chair and Molokai representative Dennis “Danny” Mateo has been appointed as the new County Clerk. After serving as a councilmember for 10 years, Mateo has recently worked as Executive Assistant to Mayor Alan Arakawa.

“He is a consummate professional,” Council Chair Gladys Baisa said. “He dedicates every ounce of himself to the job. Let’s get going, we have lots of work to do!”

Mateo addressed council members’ concerns about a potential conflict of interest about being a former elected official and currently working for the administration.

“I don’t see a conflict and in fact, I think it helps,” Mateo responded.…

Habitat for Humanity Partnering for Solar

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Habitat for Humanity Partnering for Solar

Molokai is making steps towards becoming a clean energy community as 163 homes will be receiving free photovoltaic (PV) solar units while cutting their energy bills in half. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has granted $32,600 to Molokai’s Habitat for Humanity in support of their partnership with solar company Kala Power Inc. and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL). The deal will combine affordable housing and renewable energy solutions for low-income Native Hawaiian families living on homestead land.

“Electricity is one of the highest costs all Molokai residents and businesses have to contend with so projects to help alleviate the high costs of fuel as reflected in electrical rates is a tremendous positive for Molokai,” said Halealoha Ayau, DHHL’s acting district supervisor for Molokai, via email.…

Reef Rules

Monday, December 16th, 2013

State Amends Law Protecting Coral Reefs

Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems extend more than 5,000 square miles and make up 60 percent of coral reefs in the U.S., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. With today’s global human impacts damaging or threatening 70 percent of the world’s coral reef systems, losing 80 percent of coral species within the Caribbean alone, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Aquatic Resources is thinking of new ways to better protect and restore one of Hawaii’s most culturally valued resources.

The DLNR came to Molokai earlier this month as part of a statewide public hearing process, announcing amended Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) relating to the protection of stony coral and live rock.…

HI Boaters Must Complete Boating Education

Monday, December 16th, 2013

DNLR News Release

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is reminding Hawaii boaters they now have less a year’s time to take a boating safety course approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators and the State of Hawaii.  Hawaii Administrative Rule 13-244-15.5 requiring operators of motorized vessels in state waters to take a safety course became effective on Nov. 10, 2012.

Enforcement of the new rule will begin on the second anniversary of the rule’s effective date, on Nov. 10, 2014. After that date in 2014, boaters will be required to show proof of successful completion of an approved boating safety course.…