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Community

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

New Molokai Case, New Variant in HI

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai logged a new COVID-19 case last week, bring the island’s total to 28 cases since the pandemic began. The Dept. of Health reported the new case last Friday. No further details were publicly available.

A highly transmissible variant was detected in Hawaii last week, causing concern among health officials. The new strain is called B.1.351 and is sometimes referred to as the South African variant. It was found in an Oahu resident with no travel history, according to the DOH.

“This is concerning because B.1.351 has a mutation that makes it more transmissible from one person to another, and a separate mutation that might make it less responsive to the antibodies we form when we have COVID or get vaccinated,” said DOH State Laboratories Division Director Dr.…

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Spring Sports Given OK to Practice

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Athletic workouts for high school spring sports can begin on Monday, March 8, Maui Interscholastic League executive board president Jamie Yap confirmed last Thursday. The status of when and if competition can commence will be determined by the MIL athletic directors soon. Yap said he expects MIL executive director Joe Balangitao to convene a meeting of athletic directors soon.

Yap is very encouraged by the news. He said he feels it is crucial to get the spring sports onto the field in some sense because that season was the first to be canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic last March.…

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March Ace

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

March Ace

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Longtime Molokai Middle School Science Teacher Scott Hemenway was named the March Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Hemenway shot 39-33 for a gross total of 72 and with his 11 handicap his 61 net score secured the victory at Ironwood Hills Golf Course.…

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Outstanding Older Americans Nominations

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

Maui County News Release

The Maui County Office on Aging is seeking nominations for Maui County’s 52nd annual Outstanding Older American Male and Female of Maui County. The recognition program is held each May in conjunction with Older Americans Month to recognize elders across the nation for their extraordinary efforts and contributions to society.

Nominees for the awards must be 65 years of age or older and a resident of Maui, Molokai or Lanai. Any individual, club or organization may nominate candidates for the award. Previous winners are not eligible for nomination.

Nomination forms are available by calling 270-7755, visiting mauicountyadrc.org…

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Thankful for Vaccines at MGH

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

Big mahalo to our Molokai General Hospital, Administrator Janice Kalanihuia and all her staff, from the parking crew, sign up crew, vaccination crew, the cleaning crew to the holding area crew before leaving the hospital. We got our two vaccines and are so thankful to have such efficient and courteous people here at our Molokai General Hospital. Thank you to Administrator Janice, and all her staff for taking care of us, the people on Molokai, with the vaccinations.

Longie and Lorna Dudoit…

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Microloans for Food Producers and Small Businesses

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

The Kohala Center News Release

Food producers and small businesses in Hawaii seeking financial support now have a local ally to help them secure no-interest microloans through one of the world’s leading crowdfunding platforms.

The Kohala Center, an independent nonprofit organization based on Hawaii Island, was recently designated by Kiva as the regional Kiva Hub for the Hawaiian Islands.

From helping Mother Nature’s Miracle on Hawaii Island acquire a greenhouse to enabling Molokai Livestock Cooperative to invest in marketing, more than 60 food producers and small businesses on six islands, including Molokai, have partnered with Kiva and The Kohala Center to secure more than $510,000 in no-interest loans to grow and expand their operations.…

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Hawaiian Electric President Retires

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Sharon Suzuki, president of Maui County and Hawaii Island utilities, retired from Hawaiian Electric effective March 1.

Retiring after 28 years with Hawaiian Electric and Maui Electric, Suzuki served as president of Maui Electric from 2012 to 2019, when she was named to the new position of president of Maui County and Hawaii Island utilities for Hawaiian Electric.

“Thank you for the honor of being able to serve our unique communities on Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island,” Suzuki said. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside our company’s dedicated employees and I am grateful for the years of collaboration with all of our customers, community organizations, renewable energy partners, and business and government leaders.”…

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Michael Kikukawa: From Molokai to the White House Team

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai’s Michael Kikukawa graduated from Molokai High in 2013 and became the first Molokai student to attend Harvard. He didn’t stop there. He worked on the communications team for the Democratic National Committee and now has what he calls his dream job — White House press assistant. In the first 45 days of President Biden’s term, Kikukawa has already flown on Air Force One and stepped foot in the Oval Office.

“The best thing about Michael is his genuine heart, good intentions and his character,” said his dad, Phillip Kikukawa. “He’s polite and respectful. I’m proud of him, but I’m more than proud — I’m really happy for him.…

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Aloha, Uncle Boogie

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kalaupapa’s Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa will be remembered by many around the world for his big smile, even bigger presence and his life of advocacy for patients of Hansen’s disease in Kalaupapa. Uncle Boogie passed away on March 5 at the age of 79, following an illness.

Uncle Boogie served as president of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, an organization for patient residents and their families and friends, since 2011, as well as a member and former president of the Kalaupapa Lions Club. He retired from his job as a painter with the state Dept. of Health and managed the Kalaupapa Bookstore, a popular visitor stop on the Kalaupapa tour.…

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Vaccinations for Everyone

Saturday, March 6th, 2021

We on Molokai have been rather successful avoiding significant COVID infections. Approximately 24 percent of the adult population has already been vaccinated. However, if we wish to return to a “normal” life on our island, we need to increase vaccinations to nearly everyone, especially the adults.

Unfortunately, there are many who are refusing to be vaccinated or are reluctant. Putting it bluntly, such people are selfish and are endangering others, as well as being foolish. We all have a civic and moral duty to develop an immune island. I hope our political, religious, medical and other leaders will set an example by being publicly vaccinated and actively promote vaccination for all.…

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