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Community

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

Electric Walk-in Payment Centers Permanently Close

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric’s walk-in payment centers in Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo, Kona and Molokai, closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, will permanently shut their doors due to declining use and customers adapting to other payment options.

The company is encouraging customers to enroll for online services through its Online Customer Service Center or mobile app. Online, customers may start, stop or move service requests, request payment arrangements through an authenticated channel, report payment, submit billing inquiries, schedule one-time or automatic bill payment, as well as report and check status on outages.

The payment centers were closed in mid-March to keep customers and employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have remained closed.…

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Community Solar Proposals Take Shape

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

By Dayanti Karunaratne, Community Reporter

It is an exciting time for renewable energy on Molokai as the community awaits details of what will be the island’s biggest ever solar energy project. Unlike past solar projects that involve in-stalling rooftop panels on private property, this project will involve the building of a large solar plant to generate energy — and reduce electricity bills.

Projects under the Community-Based Renewable Energy Program (CBRE) platform, set up by Hawaiian Electric (HE) and approved by the Public Utilities Commission, will be selected through a bidding process called a Request for Proposals (RFP). The CBRE model involves a “community solar” installation that allows customers who cannot put solar panels on their roof to still reap the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy.…

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Kalauapa Gets First Case, 3 More for Topside Molokai

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kalaupapa recorded its first COVID-19 case last week, after being reportedly the last county in the U.S. without the virus. Separately, Molokai had three additional positive cases, bringing the island’s total to 22 since the pandemic began, not including the Kalaupapa case.

On Dec. 8, the Dept. of Health reported the three Molokai cases today as household contacts. One person had travel history, but it is unclear whether the transmission of the virus was from the traveler of as a result of community spread. The investigation is ongoing as of last week, according to the DOH.

In the Kalaupapa case, the individual received their positive test result after returning on a local flight to the Kalaupapa settlement and was in self-isolation with no symptoms, the DOH reported on Dec.…

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Lighting Up the Holidays

Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Lighting Up the Holidays

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Though the annual Christmas light parade was cancelled this year due to the pandemic, many businesses and residents have lit up the holidays with elaborate, glowing decor. Pictured here, Molokai Community Service Council erected a giant tree structure and rooftop display. Paleka’s shave ice stand, which serves funnel cake some nights, is also decked out for the holidays.…

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Education for Essential Careers

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

UHMCM News Release

We have all grown a new appreciation for our health care professionals, grocery workers, educators, transportation specialists, and all other workers who put their lives at risk during this pandemic. Today, we send our gratitude and thanks to each of them.

We invite you to become a professional in one of these many aspiring jobs. Higher education is available locally here at UH Maui College Molokai campus. Learn more about the many degrees available through distance learning. For more information, visit us online at uhonline.hawaii.edu/programs or contact Theresa Tamanaha at 808 553-4490 Opt 3. Happy Holidays!…

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Schonely Wins Ace of Aces

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

Schonely Wins Ace of Aces

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Molokai Dispatch’s own Sports Reporter is this years Hui O Kukui Golf Club’s Ace of Aces. Rick Schonely won the end of the year club championship and will have his name engraved on the Carl Puhi perpetual trophy as the 2020 Club Champion and the Ace of Aces for the club.

Schonely shot 42-39 for a gross total of 81 and with his 16 handicap his net was 65 and he secured the win. The winner of the Hui O Kukui club championship at the end of the year is officially named the president of the club for 2021.…

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New U.S. Citizen

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

New U.S. Citizen

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Mike Prewitt arrived on Molokai in 2001 at the age of 62 as a citizen of the United Kingdom. Last month, he became a U.S. citizen.

“At that time [2001], I knew that Molokai was where I wanted to live,” he said, saying for the next nine years, he stayed on a six-month Visa that required him to return to the UK twice a year to renew. In 2013, I got married to my wonderful wife Maria Watanabe. After a few years I was determined to become an American citizen as I have always admired the American way of life.…

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Get Local Gifts at Plant and Pot Sale

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

Get Local Gifts at Plant and Pot Sale

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center will hold its annual Holiday Plant ‘N’ Pot Sale on Saturday, December 12 from 9am to 3pm. This year however, the MAC will partner with Kamakana Country Store in historic Kalama’ula Homesteads.

The fundraiser will feature Art created by local artists including orchid pots by master potter Dan Bennett, sculptures by this year’s Member Art Show Best of Show winner Nena R. Evans, tree ornaments by studio manager/instructor April Maddela, succulent pots by instructor Betty West, vases by co-founder Kim Markham, cards by Debbie Delatour, planters by Steve Turk, pots by Lil MacMillan, photo calendars and cards by Betts Cruz, cups, bowls, platters, kitchen pots, soap dishes and more!…

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Mahalo for Thanksgiving Lunch Success

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

Topside UCC Churches Community Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Lunch feeds nearly 400! We thank God and all the earthly angels that made this years’ lunch a success despite the restrictions put upon us by COVID-19. Aside of people driving thru to pick up lunches, we also delivered to homebound friends. We pray it was ‘ono and satisfying for all who came to get a lunch.

We thank all the following for monetary, food and service donations: Misaki’s, Mrs. K’s, Claire Iveson, Penny Martin, Louise Miguel, Janice and Rick Ogoshi, Pualani Akaka, Earline Iaea, Dara Lukonen, Dan and Hi’ilei Bernabe, Loke Ramarama, Helena Puaa, Crystal Egusa, Jaty Spencer, Lanakila Hussey, Otto, Lisa Willing & Family, Kai Hodorawis, Jim Stone, Cynthia and Jim Kiyabu, Zessica Apiki, Kauwela Kalawe, Panui Tollefsen, Judy Davidson, Norman Levi, Tina He, and forgive me if I forgot to name you.…

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Overpopulated Deer Dropping Dead

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

I am writing as a concerned absentee condo owner on the west end of Molokai. My concern is the proliferating deer herds on the island which are experiencing heavy die-off due to lack of water and vegetation. Shared photos and videos reveal herds are decimating yards, gardens and grounds in daylight hours, unafraid of people, and still they are not able to sustain themselves, as evidenced by their bony, skeleton-like bodies.

Consequently, deer are dropping dead everywhere. Roadsides are punctuated with carcasses which only indicates the number that must be lying in the fields and forests of the island. It is said that hunters are shooting them nightly for sport, leaving the bodies to rot because their freezers are already full.…

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