Announcements

Postal Service Offers Tax Night Late Collections

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Airport Post Office to Remain Open Until 8 p.m.

The Airport Post Office will remain open until 8 p.m.in order to accommodate customers who need to purchase stamps or special services. All other offices will be closing at their normal times.

All mail deposited by midnight in collection boxes labeled with a special bright orange sign indicating Tax Mail Drop – Final Pick-Up Midnight will receive Apr. 15 postmarks.  

Due to the declining numbers of citizens who submit their returns by mail (the IRS estimates that 57 percent of all federal tax returns will be filed electronically this year) the Postal Service has discontinued its tradition of providing curbside service to last-second filers of federal tax returns at its drive-by collection boxes.

The Postal Service provides the following friendly reminders regarding the mailing of tax returns:

Not all boxes will be collected late - If you are mailing your return in a blue collection box or a drop slot at the post office, be sure to check the schedule for the last collection time. Except in specially marked boxes at designated locations (see above list), returns deposited after the last collection time will not receive Apr. 15 postmarks.
Beat the rush, mail early - Mail your tax returns early in the day. Post Offices typically become very congested in the late afternoon and evening on the tax day deadline.
·         Ensure proper postage - Be sure to check that adequate postage is applied to your tax return. First-Class postage for one ounce is 41 cents. Weigh any return that feels heavier than one ounce. Add 17 cents for each additional ounce up to 13 ounces. Heavier pieces go Priority Mail. Check the Postal Service web site at www.usps.gov for a postage rate calculator. Tax agencies do not accept postage due mail; tax returns bearing insufficient postage will be returned—meaning taxpayers may be penalized for filing late tax returns.

·         Ensure proper addressing - Use pre-addressed labels where possible. Write clearly. Take special care to ensure that handwritten envelopes are legible. Include a return address. Make sure that bulky envelopes are securely sealed.

Heavy packages require personal drop off - Mail with postage paid by postage stamps (as opposed to postage meter strips) that weighs more than 16 ounces must be presented in person to a clerk at a Post Office. Returns meeting this description that are deposited in collection boxes will be returned to their senders.
Tax forms not available at Post Offices - Most Post Offices do not carry tax forms; only the most basic forms are available in Post Offices that do. Suggestion: Check out the IRS’s web site for downloadable forms.
 

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.

A Healthier Hawaii

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

The ho`olaule`a makes healthier choices easy to swallow.

By Brandon Roberts

Molokai was in for a nutritional treat when the Health Ho`olaule`a (celebration) came to the friendly isle last Saturday. Participants filled-up on snacks, informative booths, and energetic presentations.

Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) partnered up with Na Pu`uwai Native Hawaiian Health Care Center to host Molokai’s first free Health Ho`olaule`a on April 5 at the Kulana `Oiwi halau.

HMSA offers a variety of programs, services and support to help improve the health and well-being of our members and community, according to their Web site.

“We hope to promote health solutions,” said Aloha Kim, HMSA coordinator. “It is not just about eating healthy, but also living healthy.” This ho`olaule`a is part of the Eat Healthy campaign that kicked off earlier this year.

Community and State organizations set up tables so attendees could taste healthy food choices, as well as gather information on health and fitness services. Representatives from Molokai General Hospital were available to discuss a plethora of services, including Kukui Ahi, a local cancer treatment provider.

Kukui Ahi is a non-profit organization that is federally funded until 2010, but is currently seeking grants to establish a long-term cancer service here on the island. The program has been on Molokai for two years, focusing on patient navigation.

“We act as an extra family member,” said Lily Napoleon, a patient navigator who has been with the program since it was established on Molokai in 2006. A navigator assists cancer patients with a variety of needs, including care options and filling-out paperwork.

Across the halau, the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) was providing free blood pressure tests. MCHC is an outreach program that uses a sliding fee scale to “help people get the services they could not get elsewhere,” said Debora Eala, an outreach education worker. Eala is working closely with exiting Molokai Ranch employees to help with health insurance questions and individual needs.

Sheri Yamashita was the solo exercise booth at the ho`olaule`a. “Jazzercise is a fun, energetic way to stay fit, and it compliments HMSA’s promotion of a balanced living,” Yamashita said.

HMSA proposed an insurance rate increase of almost 13 percent, which is pending approval from the state Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt. If enacted, it will be the largest hike in 19 years and impact thousands of Hawaiian families and businesses.

HMSA, established in 1938, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and the largest heath insurance provider in the state. Over half of Hawaii’s population has HMSA for their health care coverage.

Mo`omomi Acacio

Monday, April 7th, 2008

Mo`omomi Blaze

Monday, March 31st, 2008

By Brandon Roberts

High winds and dry vegetation helped spark Molokai’s first brush fire of the season near Mo`omomi. The Molokai Fire Department acted swiftly to contain approximately 350 acres of flames before it could get out-of-hand.

The Mo`omomi blaze was reported around 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. With the help of two helicopters dumping buckets of water, heavy equipment from the Public Works Department, and all the island’s fire resources, the blaze was contained by 2 p.m. the same day.

Area residents were kept on stand-by for evacuation, however this action was not necessary as crews effectively extinguished the flare-up. There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Mahalo loa to the Molokai Fire Department and the Maui choppers for the quick containment.

Drive-Thru Vet

Monday, March 24th, 2008

`Ele`Ele had a bad cough checked out in the bed of his truck. Dr. LaMarche ran a test, diagnosed him with kennel cough, and provided medicine within minutes.

Photo and Story By Brandon Roberts

Dr. Rebecca LaMarche, along with the Molokai Humane Society (MHS) volunteers, administered vaccinations to pets that never had to leave their vehicles. Like a classic 1950’s drive-in, LaMarche went car to car, but without the roller skates.

The Molokai Humane Society (MHS) was giving free vaccinations to dogs and cats March 22. The vet also performed several on-the-spot pet check-ups for relieved owners.

Mariah Jenkins, a 12-year-old from Aka`ula School, was one of the volunteers. She had spent the first week of spring break with MHS. Jenkins was preparing vaccinations for Dr. LaMarche’s and petting some of the patients after their shots.

“Most people think I should be an astronomer,” she said. However, Jenkins is trying her hand with animals and really enjoying it. Her mother thought Jenkins should have the experience to see if being a vet is a future opportunity.

Dr. LaMarche has a veterinary practice in Oregon and must return, though she has hinted at making Molokai home.

Dr. LaMarche will return May 12, and be available through the 17. Before that, Dr. Sterling Thomas will be on Molokai from April 23 until May 7.

MHS treasurer, Koki Foster, said once Molokai gets a permanent vet, MHS can focus on other services to owners and pets. Foster became involved after she had to take her cat to Maui for medical services. She said this gave her empathy for pet owners who have to travel. Foster now has over a thousand organizational volunteer hours for MHS.

Jeanette Kahalehoe, on behalf of the MHS, would like to thank Dr. LaMarche for all her hard work, as well as Councilman Danny Mateo, Maui Humane Society C.E.O. Jocelyn Bouchard, and all the MHS volunteers and donors.

MHS is located on Kamehameha V Highway near Ho`olehua and can be contacted at 558-0000.

Kawela Automobile Accident Ends in Tragedy

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008

A 16-year-old Ho`olehua boy has passed away, after being critically injured in a single car crash in Kawela, Molokai. Nakai`imoku Acasio died at Queen's Medical Center from injuries he sustained in the crash.

The accident happened around 4:50 a.m. Saturday.

A resident in the area was awoken by the sound of the crash and called the police.
According to Maui Police report, the vehicle involved was a stolen Pontiac convertible from the Kualapu`u Business Center. The owner has been notified.

Police Captain Jody Singsank said speed may have been a factor in the crash. However, the cause of accident is has not been determined yet, as the investigation is still pending

Three other boys, ages, 14, 15 and 16, from Kualapu`u and Ho`olehua, were passengers in the vehicle. They were taken to Molokai General Hospital in stable condition. They were treated and released.

Clean Up Molokai!

Friday, March 21st, 2008

Recycle program for excess plastic bags.

Friendly Market, Misaki's and Kualapuu Market will be collecting any used/unwanted plastic bags (including ziploc type, soft packaging, dryclean covers, pallet wrap) on Saturday and Monday to ship to recyclers via Walmart.  Walmart will kokua by shipping it out for recycling into lumber, etc. 

PLEASE no "hauna" bags and try to remove any paper labels or tags stuck on.