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Community

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

New Roof and Bleachers Coming for Kaunakakai School

Thursday, February 18th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kaunakakai School, along with other schools on island, will be getting improvements as part of the state’s Capital Improvements Project (CIP) funds. Last week, Gov. Ige released $750,000 for Kaunakakai Elementary to receive roof and gutter replacements for buildings B and D, along with construction of bleachers and School canopy installations.

Gov. Abercrombie said the funding will help schools and benefit Hawaii’s students by maintaining and upgrading school facilities. “These projects continue to fulfill our commitment to a new day for the people of Hawaii and stimulate the economy,” he said.

When it comes to gutter installation, it’s just as important to ensure they are functioning properly.…

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New Molokai Case Last Week

Thursday, February 18th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week brought a new COVID-19 case on Molokai, reported by the Dept. of Health on Feb. 11, bringing the island’s total cases since the pandemic began to 26.

Kaunakakai Elementary School closed last Friday for sanitation due to two students’ exposure to COVID-19.

“I was made aware today of COVID-19 cases involving two of our students from the same household,” wrote Principal Daniel Espaniola Feb. 11 letter to school families. He added he was “awaiting documentation confirming their diagnosis.” It was unclear as of Friday whether the two students’ exposure was related to the case reported by the DOH, or separate.…

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Ho’olehua Post Office Reopens

Thursday, February 18th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

After nearly a week-long closure because of structural concerns, the Ho’olehua Post Office was cleared to reopen last week Tuesday.

“We want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during the temporary closure” said USPS Manager of Post Office Operations Gary Logan, who oversees all neighbor island postal operations. “The safety and security of our customers and employees is our top priority.”

The post office on Pu’upe’elua Ave is a leased structure on land owned by Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands, according to tax map records. Safety concerns at the building were identified by a team of staffers from Honolulu that oversee neighbor island operations, according to USPS spokesperson Duke Gonzales.…

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Egusa Wins Ace

Friday, February 12th, 2021

Egusa Wins Ace

By Rick Schonely, Sports Repoter

Longtime and famous Molokai golfer Jeff “The Head Pro” Egusa is the February Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Jeff shot 37-37 for gross total of 74 and with his 10 handicap his net score of 64 secured him the win.…

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Soup ‘R Bowl Reimagined

Friday, February 12th, 2021

Soup ‘R Bowl Reimagined

MAC News Release

Due to current COVID protocols, the Molokai Arts Center’s 2021 fundraiser will be more streamlined with the same featured ceramic Soup ’R bowls made by Molokai artists. Instead of a sit-down dinner, the event will be a walk-through, take-out event. A highlight will be a “Meet the Artist” hour for premium ticket holders. Details on purchasing tickets online coming soon. Go to molokaiartscenter.org/news and sign up or join our Facebook page to be the first to know. Save the date for Saturday, March 6.

This year the pandemic has prevented many annual visitors from joining our annual Soup ‘R Bowl fundraiser.…

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Puanani Janet Kazuko “Kachan” Kawano

Friday, February 12th, 2021

Puanani Janet Kazuko “Kachan” Kawano

Puanani Janet Kazuko “Kachan” Kawano, 83, of Kaunakakai, Molokai died on Dec. 21, 2020. Kachan passed away in the comfort of her home with her family by her side, under the care of Navian Molokai. Kachan was born to the late Agnes and Harry Kawano on April 3, 1937 in Kaunakakai.

Preceding her death was her brothers William “Willie” Kawano, the late Councilman Patrick Kawano (Puanani), and Richard “Dao” Kawano. She had one hanai daughter, Rietta Kaupu Tollefsen (Harry), one grandson, Reese Kaupu Tollefsen and one granddaughter, Ella-Janee Kaupu Tollefsen. She is survived by her brother Nelson “Aki” Kawano (Marlene), sister-in-law Caroline “Carol” Benedito Kawano, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.…

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Two Days of Power Outages Last Week

Friday, February 12th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Loss of generation at the Pala’au Power Plant and a day of gusty southerly winds caused power outages around the island last week Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Feb. 2 at around 2:30 p.m., about 2,500 customers around the island experienced an outages for nearly two hours. Residents in Ho’olehua, Kualapu’u, Kalae, east end, Pu’unana and Kaluakoi were affected.

Hawaiian Electric officials later confirmed the outages was caused “when a loss of generation on the electrical system triggered an automatic load shed.” A load shed is when certain electrical circuits automatically shut off to keep remaining systems operating until replacement generation is brought on, said Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Shayna Decker.…

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Ho’olehua Post Office Temporarily Closed

Friday, February 12th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Mail for Ho’olehua residents is being distributed out of a pop-up tent in the Kaunakakai Post Office parking lot after the Ho’olehua Post Office had to be vacated within hours last Tuesday due to structural concerns.

The Ho’olehua building, which served 450 mail customers, is now temporarily closed pending results from a structural assessment completed last Thursday, according to Duke Gonzales, a spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service in Honolulu.

All Ho’olehua mail customers are now asked to pick up their mail in the back parking lot of the Kaunakakai Post Office between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.,…

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Highly Transmissible COVID Variant Found in HI

Friday, February 12th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai has done no new reported positive COVID-19 cases since the first week of January, and statewide, the average daily number of cases has dropped slightly to 85. However, the presence of new COVID-19 variants in Hawaii is causing officials concern.

One variant, L452R, has been confirmed in nine samples. Four samples have been found “that exhibit a molecular clue associated with the UK B1.1.7,” with two confirmed cases of the B.1.1.7 variant and the other three samples awaiting results, as of Saturday.

The B.1.1.7 variant, originally detected in the United Kingdom, is highly transmissible and leads to a more rapid spread than other common COVID-19 strains.…

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Lawrence “Dada” Reyes

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Lawrence “Dada” Reyes

Lawrence “Dada” Reyes, 79, of Kalae, Molokai, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 at home surrounded by his family. Dada was born on Oct. 14, 1941 to Carlos and Christita Reyes. He grew up in Maunaloa, went to Maunaloa Elementary School and graduated in 1959 from Molokai High School. Dada attended trade school on Maui, then returned to Molokai and worked for Libby, McNeil and Libby in Maunaloa. When the plantation closed, he opened his own business “Dada’s Body and Fender Shop,” in business for over 40 years.

His fondest memories and fun times were going to Las Vegas, playing baseball, and getting together with family and friends.…

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