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Community

General news which affects the Molokai community in one way or another.

Mahalo from an Exchange Student

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

This is Johnson Harris and you probably know me as the kid who rides his bike all around.  Well, I am from Liberia. I came to Molokai as part of the American Government Culture Exchange Program for this past school year.  I was hosted by the James and Vicki Boswell for the past school year while attending Molokai High School as a junior.

Living on Molokai has been a wonderful experience!  Thank you for befriending me, teaching me the culture of Hawaii and also of America.  I am writing this to extend my appreciation to the people of Molokai. You enriched my Hawaiian experience by your friendliness and generosity.…

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Exemptions Will Help More Disabled Veterans

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

This year, the Maui County Council made positive changes to homeowners exemptions resulting in tax relief for many, however, a 1980s era law allows only 100 percent disabled veterans to qualify for a disability exemption. This law is limiting and does not address the needs of other severely disabled veterans.

With this in mind, Maui County Council colleague Gabe Johnson and I are co-sponsoring legislation in the County Council that will lower the qualifying percentage to 70 percent. This would allow more of our disabled veterans on Molokai, Lanai and Maui to become eligible to receive this important exemption and will be retroactive for widows of veterans with 70 percent or more, service-related disability as well.…

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Noe Ornellas Cluney

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

Noe Ornellas Cluney

Noe Ornellas Cluney, 98, of Hoolehua passed peacefully on December 9, 2021. She was born on Oct. 5, 1923 in Honolulu.

Aunty Noe was a Ho’olehua homesteader for 72 years and was employed by the Hawaii DOE serving as the school secretary at various times over 32 years at all of the public schools on Molokai. An often-repeated story from her days at Maunaloa School was when truant children were found at home and led to school in line behind an officer on horseback.

Lydia Kamakanoe Paikuli Ornellas Cluney is survived by her sons William “Billy” Ornellas, Richard “Ric” Ornellas and Fred Ornellas, deceased; stepson Raymond Ornellas; and stepchildren Loy Cluney, John Cluney, Mark Cluney, Sarah Cluney and Will Cluney, deceased.…

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‘Cherish This Place’ – Molokai High Class of 2022 Celebrates Their Island and Accomplishments

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

‘Cherish This Place’ – Molokai High Class of 2022 Celebrates Their Island and Accomplishments

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

With their May 21 ceremony held for a second year outdoors on the football field, the Molokai High School Class of 2022 celebrated overcoming the challenges the past few years have brought and looked toward a bright and diverse future. 

Nearly half of the 77 members of the class have already taken college courses. Two students — Shia Bush and Summer Stone-Sardinha  — not only received a high school diploma but also already graduated with their associate degrees from the University of Hawaii Maui College. Six students received the Seal of Biliteracy, showing proficiency in both English and Hawaiian languages. …

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Planning for Molokai’s Water Resources

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Planning for Molokai’s Water Resources

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A plan is being developed to analyze Molokai’s water resources and project how future water needs will be met. Public mana’o is currently being gathered on this important topic and planners are asking the community to share their voice. 

State of Hawaii Water Code requires each county to develop a Water Use and Development Plan, and Maui County is developing separate plans for Molokai, Lanai, and Maui to better address the unique needs of each island. The goal of Molokai’s plan is to provide a balance between the preservation and management of the island’s water resources, and sustainable ground and surface water use and development to service present users and future generations, according to planners. …

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County Gets New Rescue Chopper

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

County Gets New Rescue Chopper

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

On May 20, Molokai’s Hanale Lindo, Maui Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations, conducted the blessing of a new rescue and firefighting Air 1 helicopter on Maui that will also serve Molokai during emergencies. 

The Eurocopter BK117-850G2 aircraft, named “Iolani” (royal hawk in Hawaiian), will begin service on July 1. The pilots and air crews have already begun training on the aircraft. The twin engine helicopter will bring more safety elements for both responders and the public, said Fire Chief Bradford Ventura. The aircraft has increased hoist capability to lift victims and rescuers from the ground into the aircraft, as well as increased personnel carrying capacity, according to a Maui Fire Dept.…

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Ranch Community Ownership Discussions Continue

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Please join us this month for meetings regarding community ownership of Molokai Ranch. Each meeting has a different purpose. 

Subcommittee meetings will focus on technical research about funding options, community ownership models and spirituality. These meetings will be followed by a working group meeting to synthesize the progress made by subcommittees into material that is easily understandable and empowers our community with the information to make informed choices. 

Lastly, a community meeting will provide distilled updates on working group progress and serve as an opportunity for broad community input. 

Please see the dates below and in the community calendar to join us.…

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Let’s Make One Thing Clear

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Community Contributed

Opinion by Todd Yamashita

There’s no room for violence or racism in this community, or in any other. Racism is corrosive to the soul of our community and a distraction from the hard work others are doing to raise Molokai up.

It’s true, Hawaii and Hawaiians exist in a colonized state. Financial and societal pressures continue exasperating the struggle for survival for a large portion of our population, if not most of us.

For anyone shielded by privilege, it is a vastly unseen force: the ugly and heavy burden of injustice, inequity and oppression that no one here has been asked to shoulder.…

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The Heart of the Matter

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Community Contributed

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

I had been attempting to entertain the accompanying nurses when the anesthesiologist stuck this gadget in my mouth, presumably to keep me quiet. Then he told me to take a deep breath and then to exhale which I did. He then repeated the command which I obeyed and I swiftly slipped into the land of nod, trusting my heart to my lovely cardiologist, Dr. Carol Lai. She would zap my ticker back into a normal rhythm and would take pictures of that same ticker. When I returned to wakefulness, she had disappeared but I saw an angel hovering over me in the person of a most tender, loving care nurse.…

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Mahalo for Wrestling Support

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Mahalo for Wrestling Support

We, Kalia Luafalemana-Haney, Marina Luafalemana-Haney, Hila’i Kapuni, Kendra Kaulili, Kaimaile Stone, and Enakai Hue Sing, expresses our sincere gratitude to Molokai community for the immense support on our journey to the State Wrestling Club Tournament in Lahaina, Maui.  

Mahalo Moana’s Bus Service/Aunty Raquel for the head gear, Kupu A’e for Aloha Collection bags, Moanalua HS for singlets, Aunty Rennie/Uncle Greg Kapuni for hospitality, Uncle Kumu Kapuni/Uncle Kealoha Kalima for boat trip, Coach Randy Manley for the registration, Richard Schuman/Mokulele Airlines for creating flights, Molokai Hunting Club for shirts, Mana’e Goods and Grindz/Ward ‘Ohana for lunches, and many more.    

Special mahalo to Coach Ponciano Raguindin and Coach Benny Venenciano for training us to prepare mentally and physically. …

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