Community

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

Finding Peace Amidst the Storm

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND

We have been spending a lot of time with ourselves lately. This can offer us tremendous space for creativity and growth or can be a time of worsening mental health. There are increasing rates of depression among those struggling to navigate the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19. Our current landscape is constantly evolving and there is no definitive end in sight. Our communities are faced with frustration and worry as unemployment rates in Hawaii rise to the highest in the nation.

Molokai tragically has the state’s highest rate of suicide, so it is important for us as a community to proactively address the potential downstream mental health consequences this pandemic will cause.…

Molokai Scholarship Deadline Extended

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

MOM Hui News Release

Due to COVID-19 setbacks The MOM Hui’s Ho’ola Hou 2020-2021 college scholarship application deadline has been extended to Friday, May 29. For more information or to request an application, please contact Mercy Ritte at theMOMhui@gmail.com.…

Save the Arts Center

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

MAC News Release

Government mandates to close schools and stay at home closed our doors over a month ago. The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) has had no income for our basic expenses such as rent, utilities, and staffing to keep our nonprofit going. Our income from keiki classes, workshops, studio memberships, Alu Like Kupuna Program, Molokai Middle School Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, UPLINK, Kualapu’u School 21st Century Program, adult classes, and Maui Community College classes came to a complete halt. Concern is growing as COVID-19 continues to shape the way we operate.

Honolulu Magazine, in conjunction with the Hawaii Community Foundation, has repurposed Give Big Hawaii into The Aloha Campaign platform to assist in raising critical funds for nonprofits in Hawaii during this time of exceptional need.…

Rainbows of Hope and Faith

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Beautiful colors of rainbows of hope and faith — believe there’s a rainbow and hope, at the end of the darkness, smiling at the human race of Mother Earth. Never, ever lose hope. Faith is always there for the human race to touch it, feel it, see it. Believe it – it’s real.

Molokai, we all can create good beautiful things for ourselves, community, generations to follow. It’s our mission, reason, purpose for life. Molokai no ka heke, Friendly Island. Let’s all remember those two beautiful words with positive belief, it’s a happy example of hope and faith.

Molokai, life is beautiful, important, special every day.…

Molokai Benefits From Council’s Proposed Budget

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Molokai Benefits From Council’s Proposed Budget

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez News Release

On April 30, Council’s Economic Development and Budget committee rose to the challenge of what will likely be remembered as the most strenuous Budget Session: “The Coronavirus Deliberations,” and recommended passage of the fiscal year 2020-2021 budget.

The Council worked collaboratively with the Administration, remaining flexible and responsive to residents’ needs, and acted upon community requests to invest in a “new normal” after emerging from the statewide shutdown. The Council’s proposed $816.5 million budget reduced the Mayor’s $869.8 million proposed budget by approximately $53 million, which includes aid for Molokai residents and businesses to help recover from impacts of COVID-19.…

Your May Day

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Your May Day

Mahalo to all who sent us your photos for our May Day contest! We couldn’t choose just one, so here are a few of our favorites, with some words from the photographers.

 

Submitted by Jessica Sanchez:
Aloha from Kalaupapa! Jessica Sanchez and Albert Espaniola with dogs Hulali and Hooch.

 

 

Submitted by Eugene Santiago:
I’d like to submit this photo I took on the beach… to recognize the Hinahina for its subtle beauty that gets overlooked many times, just because it’s a ground cover. I discovered its beauty after being curious and getting on my knees to get a real close up look and what I saw was truly amazing.…

Local Food for Local Needs

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As the effects of COVID-19 continue and many families face financial hardship, the Molokai community is coming together to make sure everyone stays fed. Last week, an effort spear-headed by nonprofit Sust’aina ble Molokai, through the Maui Food Bank’s Molokai food pantry organizations and many volunteers, brought 400 pounds of Molokai-grown kalo, 340 pounds of locally caught fish, 400 pounds of Molokai-raised shrimp, and 50 pounds of Molokai-grown egg-plant, beans and papayas to those in need.

“On the one hand, it’s sad to see people out of work and more people in need, but it’s exciting to see the community coming together, to see all the resources we have on island being put to use,” said Harmonee Williams, Sust’aina ble Molokai executive director.…

Reopening Discussions Begin Cautiously

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Coronavirus cases across the state have declined significantly, with single digit new cases being reported for several days as of Sunday, while the Molokai count remains at two. Leaders across Hawaii and the U.S. are discussing the phasing and timing of reopening businesses and activities, and though Hawaii has among the lowest number of deaths nationwide at 17 as of Sunday, the state remains cautious.

“As the discussion occurs all over the world discerning when the right time will be to re-open… it’s imperative that we, in Hawaii, heed the lessons from other places, and employ the things that have worked and avoid repeating the things that haven’t,” wrote County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez on social media.…

Molokai May Blood Drive Cancelled

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

BBH News Release

Due to the continuing public health risk caused by COVID-19 and the special state and county government mandates, Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) will continue its modified collections plan. All May neighbor island blood drives are canceled, along with all drives on Oahu that are hosted by LifeSaver Clubs organizations. Canceled neighbor island drives include Molokai’s May 12 scheduled drive. Donors who registered are being notified.

“Although collections are currently limited to Oahu, the commitment remains as strong as ever to send blood supplies needed to every neighbor island,” said Todd Lewis, Blood Bank of Hawaii chief operating officer.…

Your Immune System, Part 1

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Ayda Ersoy Page

Most of us know how we can strengthen our immune system by eating high nutrient foods, getting regular exercise, getting enough vitamins, and so on. We are living in a very toxic world and we need to protect ourselves and eliminate any disease by taking better care of ourselves. Sometimes it takes an extreme situation like we have right now to make us more aware of our health.

Viruses and bacteria are two types of potentially disease-causing (pathogenic) particles. Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and can be transmitted in a variety of ways. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause mild illnesses, such as the common cold.…