Announcements

Statewide Program Takes Aim at the Flu

Thursday, August 21st, 2008

Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona.

As a new school year begins on Molokai, our Administration has turned its focus to protecting students ages 5 to 13 from seasonal flu.

It is part of our state Department of Health’s “Stop Flu at School” program, a voluntary effort intended to make vaccinating children fast and easy for hundreds of families in Molokai.

Last year, 544 school children in Molokai participated in the program aimed at reducing illness in schools and communities by preventing the spread of the flu among them and their families.

The school-based flu vaccinations will begin October, when all Hawai‘i public and private schools qualify to participate. Consent forms have been sent home to parents through schools. They are due Sept. 5.

And we encourage all parents to allow their children to participate if they are not already getting flu vaccinations from their own physicians.

Few illnesses have as great an impact on Hawai‘i’s health and economy as the seasonal flu, which can result in countless school and work absences, hospitalizations, and even death.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu has been linked to more than 80 deaths among children across the country in the first six months of the year. None of those deaths occurred in Hawai‘i.

Through this program, we have an opportunity to continue protecting our children from the flu.

In fact, Hawai‘i became the first state in the nation last year to institute this program statewide for elementary and middle school children. And more than 60,000 school children received free flu vaccinations through this program last year.
 
That represents about 45 percent of all school children in our state between ages 5 and 13. This year, our goal is to vaccinate at least 50 percent of our students in that age group.  We strongly believe that vaccinating children against the flu not only protects them, it also safeguards their community.

A Match Made on Molokai

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

8.8.08 marks the date for newlyweds.

Photo courtesy of Chris Pala.  

The Molokai Dispatch owner and editor-in-chief Todd Yamashita wed Ka Honua Momona executive director Noelani Lee on Aug. 8, 2008. In cultures throughout the world, especially China, the symbol “8” represents luck, wealth, and fortune. We wish all of these things for the happy couple.

New Maui County Ordinance

Saturday, August 9th, 2008

Partnership Raises Drug Use Awareness

Saturday, August 9th, 2008

New campaign to spread anti-meth message.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Maui County and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America are working together to bring an anti-methamphetamine campaign to Maui County.

The Meth360 campaign kicked off last week Tuesday on Maui, with a press conference featuring several key figures including Mayor Charmaine Tavares.

“Our goal is to attack it from all angles,” said Jazmin Tinsley, BBBS Project Manager.

The campaign is targeting drug awareness by focusing on youth, caregivers, and parents. Workshops will provide professionals and parents with the necessary skill sets to help youth in dealing with exposure to drug use.

A workshop held on July 22 on Molokai drew interest from law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, and individuals who work with youth. According to Tinsley, the attendees were key people in the community “with a lot of passion” towards combating drug use on the island and supporting the local youth.

BBBS Maui will be holding trainings on Maui from August 19 to 21, and will be setting dates for Molokai trainings soon. By employing positive prevention strategies that are provided in nurturing skills trainings, BBBS is hoping to help to support youth in combating drug use.

This is the first time BBBS has been outwardly involved in issues relating to substance abuse.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has long recognized the epidemic proportions of substance abuse among our youth including tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana,” said Melissa Ross, BBBS Maui Executive Director in a press release. Working with youth on a daily basis, she added that with education and the support of partners, BBBS has the opportunity to show kids that crystal meth use “is not normal, or cool.”
For more information contact Jazmin Tinsley at 808-242-9754 ext. 204, or email jazmin@bbbsmaui.org.

MHIS Gears Up for Landmark Anniversary

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Molokai High School (MHIS) alumni will soon have yet another reason to proudly celebrate their alma mater. With the 75th anniversary only six years away, the Alumni Association has already begun planning for the momentous occasion.

Unlike the annual luau that hosts every graduating year sharing the last digit of the current graduating class, all MHIS graduates are invited to attend the 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Several exciting plans are underway, and the planning committee is asking alumni to dig through their old boxes and share old pictures, articles, and annuals. They are requesting graduates to submit these memories for a special collection of 75 years of MHIS that will be available at the 2014 celebration.

The planning committee is also asking the Molokai community to begin spreading the word now. With travel prices on the rise, it is important that friends, family, and perhaps a favorite former MHIS faculty member can begin saving now to ensure they will make it to the event.

While the anniversary may seem ages away, planning an event of this magnitude will take a community effort, and the Alumni Association invites anyone interested in participating in the preparations to please call Melody Alcon at 553-3443.

Keep a look out for the alumni link on Molokai High School’s website at http://www.molokai.k12.hi.us/.

Young Brothers Increases Cargo Rates

Monday, August 4th, 2008

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved Young Brothers, Limited’s application for a 5.5-percent zone increase on all cargo categories effective August 1. Under the PUC Decision and Order number 24139, the company has rate flexibility within a range, called a “zone of reasonableness.”

The proposed zone increase does not include or reflect the increased cost of fuel, which is covered in the company's separate fuel price adjustment. Young Brothers may request a zone of reasonableness rate increase once per year and may adjust fuel prices quarterly.

At the time of its application, Roy Catalani, vice president of strategic planning and government affairs for Young Brothers, noted that Young Brothers will maintain a “good value” for inter-island shipping.  With the rate increase, for example, shipping 2,000 pounds of locally grown cabbage (shipped via refrigerated pallet) will go from $59 to about $63, 2,000 pounds of frozen chicken will go from $85 to about $90, 40 cubic feet of canned goods (about 1,920 cans of soup) will go from $29 to about $31 and a 60-cubic foot pallet of beverages (about 495 six-packs) will go from $39 to about $41.

 “Young Brothers has kept increases to its operational expenses low despite cost pressures in many sectors,”said Catalani,in June when Young Brothers filed the application. “Among other things, we will pay higher labor costs in 2008 while we remain committed to our long-term $186 million capital reinvestment plan to develop and maintain essential transportation infrastructure.”

Reinvestment efforts include making substantial investments in vessels, containers, cargo handling equipment and information systems.

In 2008, Young Brothers will embark on several major customer service enhancements,
including placing into service its second and third new barges (with the fourth new barge coming
into service in 2009). These four state-of-the-art barges are expected to be in service over a period of 25 to 30 years and will be 40 percent larger than the older barges. The new barges have new, more fuel efficient hull forms that allow for increased cargo load and cargo growth without increasing fuel consumption for the towing tug and also will substantially reduce air emissions. These vessels are part of Young Brothers’ larger strategic plan that includes partnering with the state on plans to improve and create more efficient facilities in ports statewide.

Young Brothers, Limited provides inter-island cargo service throughout the State of Hawaii with ports in Honolulu, Kahului, Molokai, Lanai, Nawiliwili, Hilo, and Kawaihae. F or more information visit
Young Brothers at www.youngbrothershawaii.com.

Health Care for Keiki

Saturday, August 2nd, 2008

Temporary assistance for children from families impacted by business closures.
Press Release

The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and the State of Hawaii are working together to ensure local keiki are taken care of increasingly difficult economic times. On August 1, HMSA began enrolling children from families affected by Hawaii business closures, and who have no other health insurance coverage, under the existing Keiki Care Plan. The coverage will be effective through the end of this year.

“With all the stresses that come with losing a job, I think what hits families hardest is concern over their children continuing to get good health care,” said Senator Roz Baker (Dist, 5 - South and West Maui, Kapalua, Ka’anapali, Lahaina, Ma’alaea, Kihei, Wailea, Makena), Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “While we are confident that we will overcome the economic impacts and loss of jobs that came with these closures it is good to know that Hawaii’s keiki will be covered in the meantime.”

Innovation on Molokai

Saturday, August 2nd, 2008

Maunaloa-based company recognized for lowering building energy costs. 

Press Release

Developing a way for commercial building owners to cut energy costs and meet national efficiency standards has earned Chelsea Group, Ltd., recognition by the State of Hawaii. Governor Linda Lingle honored the Molokai-based firm for its “ingenuity and commitment to developing creative ways to improve Hawaii and help the state meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

Presenting the Governor’s Innovation Award to Chelsea CEO George Benda, Gov. Lingle praised the firm for developing “an innovative way to use virtual technology to help its customers around the nation become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.”

Benda said he “was extremely pleased and honored” to receive the award. He added, “We have shown that sustainability is not a pie-in-the-sky concept. It is achievable and within the means of most companies today.”

The Maunaloa-based Chelsea Group is a consulting group that helps building owners and property managers make their commercial and industrial properties more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Its online tools for the rapid assessment of key sustainability factors also assist property owners achieve LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Existing Buildings) certification. LEED-certified buildings offer high-quality indoor environments; minimize waste to sewer and landfill, and use water and energy efficiently.

By using information systems technology the company conducts business through a virtual office platform in Honolulu, Phoenix and Chicago. Benda noted that “doing away with the need for bricks-and-mortar infrastructure dramatically reduces the need for business travel and commuting.”

Governor Linda Lingle also recognized two other innovators in the state of Hawaii. “These Innovation Award recipients once again demonstrate how prevalent innovation is among Hawaii residents and the diversity of work that is being done throughout our state to strengthen Hawaii’s future,” said Governor Lingle.

Last month’s other Governor’s Innovation Award recipients are Stop Flu at School Program, for its collaborate public-private partnership that is leading the nation in keeping keiki healthy (Innovation in Government) and Jeff Piontek, for using his passion for science, technology, and math to prepare Hawaii students for the global economy (Innovation by an Individual).

For more information on Chelsea group visit www.chelsea-grp.com.

Governor Lingle initiated the Governor’s Innovation Award to acknowledge and encourage innovation across all sectors statewide. The awards, which are presented monthly, recognize deserving individuals, companies, nonprofits, organizations and government agencies that are developing innovative products, services and processes.

For additional information about the Innovation Award or to submit a nomination, visit www.hawaii.gov/gov/innovation-award.

Father Damien on Doorstep to Sainthood

Friday, July 11th, 2008

Pope’s approval clears way for canonization.

What residents of Kalaupapa have known for over a century, has now been confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI. The pope approved last week Thursday, Father Damien de Veuster’s second miracle, finally allowing for the priest’s canonization to sainthood.

“The response was wonderful,” Kalaupapa’s Father Felix Vandebroek said, explaining how his parishioners have responded. “They are elated that their hero, Father Damien is going to be a saint.”

Damien was beatified in 1995 after being linked to the 1895 miracle recovery of a Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary nun. Then in 1999 a Honolulu woman credited her recovery from terminal lung cancer, to prayers she made to Father Damien. The recovery could not be explained medically.

The pope’s confirmation of this second miracle allows for the recognition of Father Damien as a saint. A date for canonization, to make the declaration official, is expected in February 2009.

Kalaupapa Residents Rejoice
Father Felix presides over St. Francis church in the peninsula, and said his 20 parishioners have followed Father Damien’s process to sainthood closely. The small community discussed initial plans for a celebration during last Sunday’s mass, but they have until February when the pope sets a date for canonization to decide on specifics.

“I am thrilled,” said Gloria Marks, Kalaupapa patient. She is sad that many of the patients who prayed for years for Father Damien’s canonization have since passed, but added that she is excited for those who will get to travel to Rome or Honolulu to celebrate.

“There is a lot of joy, everyone here is looking forward to celebrating the day,” said Steve Prokop, National Parks Service Superintendent in Kalaupapa.

The Making of a Saint
Born in Belgium in 1840, Father Damien joined other missionaries of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Honolulu in 1864. He voluntarily relocated to minister to and serve Hansen’s disease patients who were forcibly placed in the Kalaupapa peninsula.

Father Damien eventually contracted the disease, and died in Kalaupapa after over a decade of service to the patients and community.