Community

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

Mixed Results for Girls Volleyball

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Mixed Results for Girls Volleyball

By Sage Yamashita | Intern Reporter

The Lady Farmers Volleyball team showed strength in their first games of the season the past three weekends. 

The girls launched their season with away games against Lanai Aug. 26-27. They lost both games to the Pine Lasses. Back home two weeks ago, the Lady Farmers hosted St. Anthony and brought themselves back from the loss. 

Friday night, Sept. 2, the Barn was filled with the family and community of the Lady Farmers. St. Anthony took set one, 25-20. The second set came up with a supportive crowd and loud cheers to bring the Farmer spirit.…

Remembering Dr. Thomas

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Remembering Dr. Thomas

MGH News Release

On Sunday Sept. 4, 2022 Molokai lost Dr. William Thomas, Jr. Dr. Thomas came to Molokai over 20 years ago to “pay back” a Native Hawaiian student loan and quickly saw that he perfectly fit into this community.

Dr. Thomas’ entry to medicine was an interesting one. In his early 30’s working as a restaurant manager he decided to try to move into the medical field. That led to admission to John A. Burns School of Medicine and his eventual position as Medical Director of Internal Affairs at Molokai General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Thomas was instrumental in governance at MGH and was key to the ongoing strength of our oncology program.…

Volunteers Sought for Community Emergency Response

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Volunteers Sought for Community Emergency Response

Maui County News Release 

The Maui Emergency Management Agency is seeking community volunteers in Maui County to be a part of the Community Emergency Response Team, also known as CERT. MEMA sponsors and administers this national program designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Maui Fire Department provides training for all CERT volunteers, including basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations, along with access to a comprehensive medical for firearm certificate.

“The CERT program is a critical component to our emergency response network,” said MEMA Administrator Herman Andaya.…

Health Center Welcomes New Full-Time Family Dr.

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Health Center Welcomes New Full-Time Family Dr.

MCHC News Release 

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) announced the addition of Dr. Raquel Cisneros, whose background in bridging healthcare gaps through regional partnerships has already made waves, to its clinical provider team. Dr. Cisneros is a board-certified family and community medicine physician with extensive experience working in underserved populations, often collaborating with local economic pillars to extend outreach. She earned her medical degree at the University of Arizona and completed her family and community medicine residency training at the University of New Mexico as its chief resident, during which she coordinated wellness clinics by drawing from the New Mexico casinos list to serve employees and nearby residents in those culturally significant sites.…

Arizona Aki

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Arizona Aki

Arizona Aki was born on Sept. 6, 1948 and passed away on Aug. 23, 2022. She was an Army Captain, registered nurse, certified school teacher and my wife. She loved her Jesus and the people and island of Molokai.

She is survived by her husband John Lee Aki; brothers William and Lee Ronald Henderson; sister Virginia Powell; sons Gregory Henderson, Morris Staton and Lonnie Henderson; and daughters Natasha Arizona Cox and Laura Novella Bryant. 

Services planned at a later date.…

Obituary: Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Obituary: Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams

As the sunset slowly into the sea on August 20, 2022 Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams took his final breath. Like the flash of green seen just as the sun makes its final descent he left his earthly presence to join his kūpuna.

Surrounded by his wife Mayumi Momilani Takeda-Adams, his mother, Sylvia AuHoy Adams, his children; Kealaokamaileawakea, Kawehihuneokawailani, Kamahinakalae, Kaulupamakealahou, Kamakahoominoaka and his sister Roxanne.

He is also survived by his brother Cole, his nieces; Malia and Eliana, his beautiful grandson Leimana and his many Uncles, Aunties, cousins and friends from across this pae ʻāina and the
entire honua.

Kaʻuhane was born to Walter Scott Kaʻuhanehonokawailani Adams and Sylvia Ann Mililani Sun How AuHoy Adams on May 23, 1967.…

Coastal Cleanup Removes 20K Pounds of Debris

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

Coastal Cleanup Removes 20K Pounds of Debris

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii brought their dedication to Molokai two weeks ago. With a small but impactful team, along with the partnership of community volunteers and local organizations, Molokai’s coastlines were able to breathe a bit freer of coastal pollution. 

Rafael Bergstrom, executive director for Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, said the week was jam packed with marine debris removal. They collaborated with Pu‘u O Hoku Ranch, The Nature Conservancy, Department of Land and Natural Resource’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Kalaupapa National Historic Park for efforts along the east and north shores before heading to Mo’omomi on the northwest side. …

Planning for Energy Resilience

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A Molokai-initiated energy plan is forming that would increase the island’s renewable energy, sustainable emergency preparedness capabilities and strengthen infrastructure. Facilitated by Sust’ainable Molokai’s Clean Energy Hui, the Molokai Community Energy Resilience Action Plan (CERAP) has launched the planning process, identified priorities and begun looking at implementation and funding options. 

“Because Molokai doesn’t have much of an emergency plan, we’re all dependent on imported diesel so this is a priority for hardening our emergency response,” said Leilani Chow, Coordinator for the Clean Energy Hui. “Our number one priority was our water pumps. If we don’t get more diesel, we have seven days’ worth stored on island, and once the electricity stops, we only have seven days’ worth of water stored in the tanks.…

Molokai Paddlers Get Golds at World Sprints

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

Molokai Paddlers Get Golds at World Sprints

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai’s Penny Martin and Camie Kimball won three gold medals with their team last month at the International Va’a Federation’s Va’a World Sprints held in the United Kingdom near London. The two paddled with the Island Masters crew, a group of women from around Hawaii, in the Womens 70 division. Between races, the event village buzzed with sponsors and vendors, including one from an international online casino non UK companies had backed to promote broader streaming coverage of the event. They earned first place in the 500 meter straight race, the 500 meter with one turn, and the double hull events.…

MEO Helps Students Get to School

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

MEO Helps Students Get to School

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity on Molokai has stepped in to offer transportation services to youths who could not be accommodated by the public school bus service.

The state Department of Education sent out an email to families last week indicating that about 17 students on two central Kaunakakai routes were being put on a waitlist for rides on the school bus due to a driver shortage.

To fill the gap, MEO Transportation on Molokai will accommodate students on its 9 a.m. rural shuttle from the Mitchell Pauole Center, which should arrive at Molokai High in time for the 9:30 a.m.…