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Community

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

Molokai Votes by Mail

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Registered voters on Molokai have now received their ballots in their mailboxes, launching a new statewide system of mail-in-only voting. Previously, only one community in the state — on Molokai — had voted solely by mail.

“The year 2000 was the first election year any community went with Elections by mail, Kalaupapa was that first community to go to an all mail election system in the State of Hawaii, and resulted in showing the State that it is a doable system, and showed stats with high percentage rates of “voter turnout,” said Kathy Kaohu, County Clerk for Maui County, whose office is overseeing Elections.…

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State’s COVID Cases Set 3-Day Record Highs

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week brought three consecutive days of record-high COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, as of Sunday. July 23 was the highest single-day case count since the beginning of the pandemic with 55 new cases and the 26th death in the state. The next day brought an even higher number at 60 new cases. July 25 continued the streak with 73.

“Some of the cases we’re reporting today are associated with existing clusters, known cases and household spread, but others are new, unassociated cases that indicate increasing community spread,” said State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson on Friday. “In contact tracing, we continue to identify cases connected with gatherings or just hanging out with close friends.…

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First-Ever Online Robotics Class on Molokai

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

First-Ever Online Robotics Class on Molokai

By Edwin Mendija

During this challenging time of distance/online learning, a group of 10 Molokai students completed the first-ever online robotics class hosted on Molokai. The pilot program took place over the course of six weeks, where students attended class via Zoom and did assignments emailed to them. In the class, students learned about STEM, robotics, how those two subjects are related, and basic coding/programming of a virtual robot. The class directly ties into and prepares students for VEX IQ Robotics Competition — which every elementary and middle school on-island participates in.

The next offering of this course is set to take place in the months of June and July.…

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Correction:

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

Contrary to the date printed in an ad in the May 27 issue of the Dispatch, Kamehameha Schools drive thru graduation celebration on Molokai will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 12 noon.…

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Teacher Kudos

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

Being a wife, mother, parent and teacher, ‘Iolani Kuoha goes beyond the call of duty during educating her students and their parents during this crisis. Amazingly, she has enriched and empowered her learners with meaningful virtual lessons and experiences in preparation for the future. Much appreciation for your continual service to our community and Middle School.

Me Ke Aloha,
Ms. FK Makahanaloa…

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Help with Utility Payments

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

DHS News Release

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides heating and/or cooling assistance to needy Hawaii households by assisting with a one-time payment towards their utility bill (electric or gas) in two ways.

Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) program assists needy households in crisis, the electric or gas service has been disconnected or will be terminated as the household has been notified via a disconnect notice from utility company. Applications for ECI are accepted year-round, but the amount of approvals each month are limited and fill quickly.

Energy Credit (EC) program assists needy households who are not in crisis but need assistance with bill payment for the heating and cooling of their residence so having an emergency HVAC repair Plano can be essential for this.…

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Helm Confirmed as Hawaiian Homes Commissioner

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

DHHL News Release

The Hawaii State Senate confirmed Molokai’s Zachary Helm, Randy Awo and Russell Kaupu to the Hawaiian Homes Commission on Thursday, May 21, in a 24-0 vote.

Molokai Commissioner Helm has 30 years of experience working with the Department of Parks and Recreation for the County of Maui, with most of his tenure spent as the District Supervisor for the Molokai District.

Helm is active in his community, serving on various boards, including the Kalamaʻula Hawaiian Homestead Association, Friendly Isle United Way, Molokai Catholic Community Council, and Molokai Little League Association. Helm’s term runs through June 2024.

Maui Commissioner Awo most recently served as the Administrator for the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.…

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Crivello Runs for Molokai Councilmember

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

Stacy Helm Crivello News Release

Stacy Helm Crivello announced last week that she has filed to run for the Molokai residency seat on the Maui County Council. Crivello previously held the seat from 2013-2018.

“Maui County needs steady leadership to get us through these tough times,” Crivello said. “We must work decisively to not only address the health and economic crisis in the short term, but to support a resilient economy in the long term.”

In addition to her experience on the Maui County Council, Crivello has accumulated a wealth of knowledge through her many roles serving the community. She was a founding member of the Molokai Community Health Center and the Molokai Land Trust, Chair of the Maui County Fire and Public Safety Commission, and helped administer Molokai’s USDA Enterprise Community Grant, to name a few.…

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Faithful and Safe Reopening Catholic Churches

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

St. Damien Catholic Church News Release

Masses at the St. Damien church will resume on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 a.m. with the daily mass. The regular mass schedule will be followed with the daily mass on weekdays at 7 a.m. at the St. Damien church in Kaunakakai. Weekend masses are as follows; Saturdays at 6 p.m. at the St. Damien church in Kaunakakai (confessions from 5 to 5:30 p.m.), Sunday mass will be at 7 a.m. at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Kaluaaha, 9 a.m. at St. Damien and 11 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer in Maunaloa.

The Bishop has extended the dispensation to attend Sunday Mass, through June 30.…

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Young Brothers Seeks State Help for Barge ‘Crisis’

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Interisland shipper Young Brothers has declared an “impending cash crisis” and is now seeking help from the state to continue operations, the company announced last week.

YB officials said the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a 30 percent drop in cargo volumes and the company reported losing nearly $8 million through April and projects mounting losses totaling approximately $25 million by the end of the year. In a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC), YB called its financial situation “extremely dire.”

The company claimed it will no longer receive cash infusions from its parent company as of June 1.…

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