Announcements

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.

Upcoming Community Meetings

Saturday, March 8th, 2008

The Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Kulana O‘iwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai. The public is invited.

Michael Formby, deputy director – harbors, Department of Transportation, will update the council on the state’s six-year, $842 million system-wide Harbors Modernization Plan and other issues relating to Hawaii’s harbors and maritime industry.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 586-0034. For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.

Confirmation Hearing on Molokai

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Senators travel to Friendly Isle to receive testimony concerning the appointment of Abbey Mayer to the position of Director of the Office of Planning.

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, 11 a.m. at Kulana ‘Oiwi Halau - Molokai

Persons wishing to testify at the Feb. 27 hearing on Molokai should submit testimony no later than 11:00 AM on Tuesday, Feb. 26 via one of the following formats described below.

Late testimony – testifiers should bring 12 copies to the hearing and hand them to the Committee Clerk prior to hearing.  Late testimony will be posted on the legislature's website after the hearing.

·         In person:  1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 228, State Capitol.

·         By fax:  Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.  When faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing.

·         By Email:  Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov.  Please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing. Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted. 

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made.

Please note:  Documents made available through the Testimony hyperlink(s) above may not be posted until the start of the hearing.

Public Folder.  A folder labeled “Public Folder” containing the measures and testimonies for the hearing will be available for shared use by members of the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-7330.