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Community

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

COVID Spikes Statewide

Wednesday, July 21st, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai had one new COVID-19 case confirmed by the Dept. of Health last Wednesday, the first since May 26.

Statewide, numbers have spiked, with last Saturday marking the third day in a row of triple digit numbers. Hawaii logged 166 new cases last Thursday and 147 on Friday. Lt. Gov. Josh Green attributed the rise in cases to gatherings over the 4th of July weekend.

He also said the new cases are almost exclusively among those who are not vaccinated, the Star Advertiser reported. According to Green, 95 percent of COVID-19 hospital admissions are unvaccinated people.

Health officials report that 59.1 percent of the state’s population is now fully vaccinated, and 65 percent have gotten at last one dose.…

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Giant Fruit and Vegetable Contest

Wednesday, July 21st, 2021

UH CTAHR Molokai Extension News Release

The Hawaii County 4-H program Giant Fruit and Vegetable Program is expanding to Molokai and Oahu this year.

“The Hawaii County Contest got its start back in 2012, as part of a collaboration with a local farmer and is sponsored through the Hawaii 4-H Junior Master Gardener Program,” said Oahu County 4-H Agent Christine Hanakawa. “It first started as a giant pumpkin contest, but over the years has grown to include many other giant fruits and vegetables.”

Beck Settlage, Hawaii County 4-H Agent, who started the Hawaii County Program, said, “Although we started as a giant pumpkin contest, Hawaii County has expanded to include giant tomatoes, giant watermelons, giant bushel gourd, long gourds, giant sunflower heads and in 2021 has added giant cabbage and giant field pumpkins.”…

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‘Not On Bread Alone’

Wednesday, July 21st, 2021

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

Just this morning I received an email from a friend on one of our family islands, asking me whether I would be writing an article this week for the newspapers. I responded that I felt uninspired to do so at this time and that the dry weather might be at fault, drying up my thought process. Furthermore, my brain might need some rain moisture. Well, no rain has fallen so far this morning, yet here I am penning this.

You are probably familiar with the phrase, “Not on bread alone does one live.”…

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Woman Disappears at Pala’au Park

Tuesday, July 20th, 2021

Woman Disappears at Pala’au Park

By Catherine Cluett Pactol, Editor

On June 24, after hitting the park caretaker with her vehicle in Kalae, 25-year-old Gianina Leilani Reid abandoned her car and other possessions at the Kalaupapa lookout, fled into the woods on foot, and hasn’t been seen since.

Described by family and friends as smart, artistic and diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Reid is originally from Pennsylvania and has lived on Molokai for about three years.

A missing person report released by the Maui Police Dept. on July 9 describes Reid as Caucasian, 5-foot-8, weighing about 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has a tattoo of a crescent moon shape on her forehead.…

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Your Dream for Molokai Energy

Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

Molokai Clean Energy Hui and Hoahu Energy Cooperative News Release

The Molokai Clean Energy Hui (MCEH) will begin an island-wide, community-led renewable energy planning process this year. When you dream about renewable energy in the future, does it include electric planes, electric tractors, 4×4 pickups that do not need gas, cheaper power bills, or solar battery backup so you are not affected by blackouts? What is your dream?

Molokai’s renewable energy plan’s success is dependent on community participation. MCEH’s first Zoom community meeting is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 4. Plan to attend because renewable energy affects your ohana’s future, and join the “Molokai Renewable Energy” Facebook group for updates and information.…

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Golf Ace

Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

Golf Ace

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Steve Garnin is the July Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Garnin shot 46-47 for a gross score of 93 and with his 25 handicap his net 68 got him his first ace!…

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County Gym to Reopen

Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is preparing to reopen gymnasium facilities that have been closed for recreational use since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Molokai’s gym in Kaunakakai.

It’s great to welcome our residents back into County gyms for basketball, volleyball and more,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “The special tri-annual permit process offers a fair way for leagues and others to reserve recreational athletic use of our County gym facilities. This is another step toward normalcy for Maui County, and for seamless transitions in managing gym equipment during these activities, consider the services offered by Gym Equipment Removals.…

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Mokulele Pet Policy

Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

The “What’s Happening Molokai” Facebook page has multiple examples from residents attempting travel with a pet on Mokulele Airlines. The latest policy requires 48 hours notice for a pet to travel or pay a fee of $120.00. The pet must also be in an enclosed carrier to sit on your lap.

This policy has not been consistently addressed by Mokulele Airlines staff so many customers are not told of the policy when making a reservation. This leaves a pet owner scrambling to comply when they arrive at the airport for their flight.

Will The Molokai Dispatch please reach out to Mokulele Airlines to provide clear policy information for pet travel?…

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Molokai Wins at Makawao Rodeo

Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

Molokai Wins at Makawao Rodeo

By Rick Schonely and Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai paniolo came home well-decorated from the 4th of July Makawao Stampede rodeo on Maui. Sale Sproat was named the weekend’s coveted All Around Cowboy after a series of wins in various events, Kahiwa Augustiro placed third in bull riding and third in steer wrestling, while his brother Chevy Augustiro earned second place in steer wrestling, Sproat’s daughter, Bailey Sproat, won the second heat of steer undecorating, and Lane Kamakana competed as well.

After spending the first few days of the rodeo in roping events, Sunday brought five events for Sale Sproat. He won his first event of the day, Po’o Wai U, and gained a personal best of 17.26 seconds, before moving on to Ranch Bronc Riding, winning the event with an eight-second ride.…

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Mahalo for Car Assistance

Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

At midday on Wednesday, June 7, on a very hot sunny day, my car, a dark green ‘97 Honda CR-V, stalled from overheating on the west end Kalua Koi Road. I let the engine cool down then started again. After several seconds it quickly overheated and stalled again. Three for four times as I was trying to continue on my way, I had to stop along and requested a gallon of water each time to fill the radiator. When I realized it was futile because I discovered the radiator was leaking profusely, I had to call for help. Fortunately, I had my cell phone with me and made a call to get emergency towing near me.…

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