Announcements

MAUI COUNTY SHELTER STATUS

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Maui County Press Release 

As of 2:30 pm Monday, August 10, 2009

The National Weather Service has reported a change in expected onset times of Tropical Storm Felicia. In response to a forecast of a later arrival to Maui County, the scheduled opening and list of emergency shelters on the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai have been revised as follows:

SCHEDULED SHELTER OPENINGS 

MAUI:Hana School Gym, Hana
War Memorial Gym, Wailuku
Kihei Community Center, Kihei
Lahaina Civic Center, Lahaina
Eddie Tam Gym, Makawao
Haiku Community Center, Haiku

MOLOKAI: Molokai High School Gym
Mitchell Pauole Community Center

LANAI: Lanai High School Gym

County Announces Precautionary Closures, Shelter Preparations

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Maui County Press Release

In light of the approaching tropical storm, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced that as of 4 p.m. today, several rural, east-facing parks were closed, including Honomanu, Keanae and Kipahulu Point Light Station. Other County parks may be closed as needed, pending weather conditions.

Other closures include:
● All County campgrounds will be closed by noon Monday: Kanaha and Papalaua on Maui, and One Alii and Papohaku on Molokai.
● All County-sponsored recreation programs will be canceled for Monday afternoon and evening.
● Swimming pools will be closed by noon Monday; Waiehu Golf Course may close pending weather conditions.
● Other County parks will be assessed for closure on Monday, based on public safety concerns from flooding, high surf, winds, falling trees and branches. Closures may also need to be extended to clean up debris and make safety assessments after storm conditions have passed.

Pau Hana Inn Bought By Molokai Community Health Center

Friday, August 7th, 2009

By Dan Murphy

Molokai has seen its share of ups and downs and the Pau Hana Inn has weathered many of them. Now, it is about to experience another transformation – one that will foster both good health and economy for the island. The Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) purchased the old Pau Hana Inn from New Hope Christian Fellowship on July 31 for $2.75 million.

MCHC’s Executive Director Desiree Puhi spearheaded the effort to complete the sale. Puhi took over at the Health Center in July 2008 and immediately recognized a need for more space. The 5.9 acre plot, located makai of King’s Chapen in Kaunakakai, will be a major increase in space from the 2,400 square foot office that the MCHC has used since its opening in 2004.

“We were too cramped to meet all of our patients’ needs and we also needed more room to continue to grow,” MCHC Financial Director Cyrus Siu said.

Siu estimated that the process to convert the retreat center into a medical facility will take almost a year. He said they hope to be fully functional by July 1, 2010, but that date may change based on how quickly they can acquire Special Management Area permits and begin the renovations.

Possible Budget Cuts for Kalaupapa

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Submitted by the office of Senator J. Kalani English

As the state budgets tighten and dwindle, law-makers like Senator English lobby to protect the communities they serve. The Department of Health in Kalaupapa does not appear to be exempt from the chopping block.

July 9, 2009
Dear Governor Lingle:

The purpose of this letter is to request an exemption of the Hansen Disease Branch within the State Department of Health (DOH) from any possible budgetary cuts that may be imposed. I feel that the patients of Kalaupapa have endured enough hardships and to induce further deprivation upon them would be detrimental to their welfare.

The State of Hawaii has statutory commitments to all persons forced into exile by the DOH for Hansen's disease to insure them adequate health care, medical treatment, and other services for the remainder of their lives. Moreover, the patient residents of Kalaupapa are entitled to the same health care and services regardless of whether or not they have been successfully treated.

Meet the Author

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Meet the Author

Hawaii Public Library Press Release

Meet Molokai author Gaellen Quinn in a free presentation at the Molokai
Public Library on Wednesday, August 12 at 6 p.m.      
  
Quinn, author of "The Last Aloha" (2009), will discuss her new novel which creates a moving, vivid picture of a vanished time - the final days of the Hawaiian monarchy when descendents of American missionaries plotted to topple the throne.  Set in 19th century Hawaii, "The Last Aloha" suggests that there are certain powers more effective than political and material
powers, which can restore the human spirit in a turbulent world. 
  
In 2008, "The Last Aloha" was a Texas manuscript winner in historical
fiction in the Texas Writers' League contest.        
  
This one-hour presentation is recommended for adults, and will include a
question-and-answer session.   
  
Contact the library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed. 

For more information, please call the Molokai Public library during its normal hours at (808) 553-1765.

Molokai High Hires Principal and Vice Principal

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

By Melissa Kelsey

After last school year closing in leadership limbo, Molokai High School has hired a new principal and vice principal, after the June 31 retirement of both former Principal Linda Puleloa and former Vice Principal Earl Nakamura.

Meet the Principal
New Acting Principal Denise Kelly has a long history of working with Molokai schools. Previously, she worked as Acting Principal of Kilohana Elementary and as a District Educational Specialist, overseeing special education at Molokai and Lanai schools. Kelly said two of her goals for Molokai High are to ensure that that the school meets standards for No Child Left Behind and to prepare students for college. Her title will change from Acting Principal to Principal after she completes the state-required Administrator Certification for Excellence (ACE) program.

Donate Blood for Ice Cream

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Blood Bank of Hawaii Press Release

The Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) invites Molokai residents to give a pint of blood and get ice cream in return on August 3.

Donors who give a pint of blood on August 3 will receive a free double-scoop ice cream coupon redeemable at Kamo’i Snack-n-Go. This “Double Scoop” drive will take place (schedule is subject to change):

• Monday, August 3: Molokai General Hospital, special procedures room, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The promotion aims to heighten awareness of the need for blood and to inspire people to give during a traditional period of low donor turnout.

Every day in Hawaii, hundreds of patients count on volunteer blood donors for their very survival. Typical uses for the donated blood include surgical procedures, treatment of accident victims, ulcers, anemia, mothers and newborns during delivery, and cancer therapy. 

Rate Increases Approved

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Public Utilities Commission passes Molokai and Lanai exceptions

Young Brothers Press Release

Young Brothers received approval from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a rate increase for regulated inter-island cargo services on July 28. The average overall rate increase will be 13.46 percent. The newly approved rates include a 9.66 percent increase for containerized cargo, a 9.22 percent increase for automobiles and “roll-on, roll-off” cargo and a 21.26 percent increase for less than container load (LCL) cargo, except for Molokai and Lanai, for which the LCL increase is 12 percent. The rate increases become effective for cargo booked on barges sailing on August 1.

“The revenue from this rate case is needed to finance new investments in vessels and other cargo equipment, and to pay for costs associated with maintaining reliability of service and the same number of sailings, despite falling cargo volumes,” said Roy Catalani, Young Brothers’ Vice President of Strategic Planning and Government Affairs.

Last December, Young Brothers submitted a request for an average rate increase of 17.9 percent to the PUC, including a 15 percent increase for containerized cargo, a 10 percent increase for automobiles and “roll-on, roll-off” cargo and a 25 percent increase for LCL cargo.

Molokai Receives Donation to Athletic Department

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Press Release

Athletic budget cuts have hit schools hard around the state, but for the neighbor island schools of Molokai and Lanai, it means traveling to off-island league games will be nearly impossible. Much of the athletic budgets of these schools go toward travel costs, according to Molokai High School Athletic Director Camie Kimball. But help is on its way.

Keith Amemiya, Executive Eirector of Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA), announced Tuesday he and his wife, Bonny, have made a personal donation of $20,000 to help the athletic departments of Molokai and Lanai high schools', according to the Maui News.

''As the HHSAA executive director, I feel an obligation to do as much as I can to support our high school athletic programs,'' Keith Amemiya said. ''Even if it means donating from our personal funds.”

Commissioners Defer on Credit Union

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Commissioners Defer on Credit UnionExpansion plans raise concerns for neighborhood residents.

By Melissa Kelsey


The general consensus at the Molokai Planning Commission meeting today was that the Federal Credit Union remodeling project would be good for Kaunakakai. However, the site designated for the new paved motor vehicle entrance is currently a play area for children who live in the nearby teachers' cottages.

The Molokai Community Federal Credit Union is a vital center of island commerce, helping residents of the Friendly Isle collaborate to obtain loans and financing. Inside its worn-out, pink building on Ala Malama Street, the Federal Credit Union (FCU) is cramped for space. As a result, the organization is seeking permits to expand its facilities, according to Molokai Staff Planner Nancy McPherson.  

Last Wednesday, the Molokai Planning Commission (MoPC) voted to defer making a motion on whether or not FCU can go ahead with its remodeling plans. McPherson said FCU hopes to expand the front of its building closer to the sidewalk and move the parking lot to the back of the building, making a rear entrance to the parking lot from Kukui Place Road.

“This will bring vitality to the community,” said MoPC Vice Chair Steve Chaikin. “There is no question this will be a great improvement.”

McPherson said FCU has an agreement with St. Sophia Church to share the proposed parking area. As a result of elderly and handicapped church patrons struggling with inadequate parking at St. Sophia, the church needs the new parking lot to function well, according to an architect representing the church.   

However, several community members present at the MoPC meeting expressed concern about the proposed location for the new parking lot, and the increased traffic it would generate for Kukui Place Road. The site of the proposed parking lot entrance is currently a common play area for neighborhood keiki.     

“There are many small children playing in front of the road right in front of the teachers’ cottages,” said community member Melvin Chung, who welcomed the expansion, but worried about the specifics. “If it is approved, it will be added congestion, inconvenience and a safety problem.”

Jonathan Smith, manager of the teachers’ cottages on Kukui Place Road, suggested that the FCU entrance remain at its current location in the expansion plans.

“Our community really needs this project,” said Chaikin. “We have to come up with some kind of solution that is good for both parties.”

Requesting more time to review the expansion plans, the commissioners voted unanimously to delay making a decision on the project until the August 5 MoPC meeting.

“We have got a bunch of smart people here,” said Chaikin. “I would like to see people come up with some various best case scenarios so that we have a chance of moving this thing forward.”