Community

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

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.…

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.…

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.…

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.,…

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.…

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.…

Karleen U’ilani Van Winkle Meyers

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Karleen U’ilani Van Winkle Meyers

Karleen U’ilani Van Winkle Meyers was born on Oct. 16, 1953 (a twin) in Ho’olehua, Molokai. She passed away in her sleep on Jan. 13, 2021. She was predeceased by mother and father Elizabeth K. Wilson Van Winkle and Jarrett Van Winkle, and sister Kathleen U. Imamura. She is survived by sisters identical twin Karla U. Puerto, Kolleen Naipo, Kayla Teriipaia and Kollett Noga; brothers Bruce, Farrett and Darrett Van Winkle; and friends Lino Nolasco and Terry Salazar.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time.…

Bogus Veteran Board

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

For years we have dealt with a group of “us guys” who have confirmed our vote for removal, two years ago on June 15, 2019. Our incompetent board recently read our bylaws adopted by resolution of membership on May 25, 2013. They have found that there is no such section that allows “spouses and family members of deceased veterans” the privilege of voting in our organization.

Yet they found the time to revise our current bylaws, Sept. 10, 2020, where a gadoot “appointee” is now the commander.

For the last 15 months, we have patiently waited for the attorney general’s office to address our concerns.…

Veterans Center Strategic Plan

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans Board of Directors is working on a strategic plan for the future of the center. We are asking for veterans’ input on what you would like the board to focus on for the next three years. What kind of short term goals would you like to see completed with-in the first year? What kind of long term goals would you like to see happen?

Any ideas or suggestions can be submitted to Lawrence K. Lasua at lawrencelas-ua0@gmail.com or in person at the MVCV Center Monday through Friday between 9a.m. and 12 p.m. Also, as a reminder, please stop by the center to check the board or call the office at 553-8387 if you have any questions or concerns regarding veterans programs.…

Energy Relief Grants

Thursday, February 4th, 2021

Hawaii Energy News Release

Hawaii Energy has awarded more than $1,000,000 in funding to 251 nonprofits and small businesses in Oahu, Maui and Hawaii counties, through its Energy Relief Grant program. Hawaii Energy launched the program in August 2020 to help fund energy efficiency improvements for nonprofits, small businesses and other qualifying organizations experiencing economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A handful of the awarded businesses are on Molokai.

“We recognize the hardships that many local businesses and nonprofits are facing during these unprecedented times,” said Brian Kealoha, executive director of Hawaii Energy. “With the funds provided through the Energy Relief Grant program, business owners will have the resources to reduce energy costs by $2,800 annually, on average, and pivot these savings to other business costs.…