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Community

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

Cheerleaders Excel at Molokai High

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Cheerleaders Excel at Molokai High

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Everyone needs someone to cheer them on, especially when life is challenging, and hope is at a minimum. Knowing that to be true, Melinda Yamashita and Louise Manley, coaches of the Molokai High School Cheer and Dance Squad, seek to instill a philosophy of cheer that they trust will have lasting impact long after the senior game is done and the pompoms are all put away.

Though the squad focuses on fall sports, they practice year around and normally make appearances at home volleyball games in the spring. Like all other sports, their year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…

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Transmission Rates and Social Distancing

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND

Dr. Opunui is the Medical Director of Na Puʻuwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System serving the communities of Molokai and Lanai. He and the staff of Na Puʻuwai will be regularly contributing to an ongoing health column in The Molokai Dispatch.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the good news is that it does not appear to look nearly as catastrophic as once believed. The numbers of new cases and deaths both nationally and locally appear to be either plateauing or declining. To date, Molokai remains at two cases islandwide, with no indication of community spread.…

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May Day Photo Contest

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

May Day Photo Contest

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

With schools closed and May Day celebrations this year cancelled, we still want to see how you’re observing Lei Day! Maybe you made a spectacular lei to gift, maybe you’re wearing one with your mask. Maybe your dog is even sporting some pua! Whatever it is, share it with us for a chance to have your photo featured on our front page. Please email us your photo to editor@themolokaidispatch.com or tag @molokaidispatch in your Facebook post by Saturday, May 2 at 4 p.m. and show us your Lei Day celebrations!…

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Free Cloth Masks

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

I am very proud of the people of Molokai for the low number of coronavirus cases we have. Protection is the important part of prevention. Keep up the good work! Stay safe.

I am making cloth masks so if you need them, call me and put in your order. They are free. A donation of fabric would be helpful.

I’m so busy sewing these days that I am not answering the phone as much. Please leave me a message, how many you need and your phone number and I will get back to you.

Love and blessings,

Carolyn Havens
553-5782…

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Molokai Food Banks

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Hungry and don’t know where you can get food? This list of on island food banks may be able to help.

Information compiled by the Kuha’o Business Center on covid19mauinui.com/molokai. Information is subject to change.

Ho’olehua/Kualapu’u:

Alu Like Inc., Hoala Hou
Please call for more information
808-646-1592

Gospel Shoes of Jesus Christ
Currently serving both Mana’e and Hoolehua. Please call for more information if in need.
Contact: Judy Caparida at 808-558-8558

Molokai Baptist Church
Open: Tues, Wed, Fri, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Please call first. There are certain guidelines that need to be followed.
808-567-6689

Salvation Army Molokai
Please call for more information
808-213-5674

Kaunakakai:

Child and Family Services
*Located next to Bank of Hawaii- knock on door
Pick-ups available Mon to Fri 8am to 4:30pm (except state holidays).…

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Young Brothers Requests Once-a-Week Barge to Molokai

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Young Brothers Requests Once-a-Week Barge to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Young Brothers interisland freight company is seeking to make emergency cuts to its shipping schedule, including reducing Molokai’s barge from twice to once weekly. Last Friday, it submitted a filing to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), requesting reduced sailing schedules for Maui and Hawaii counties, effective May 5.

“…During these unprecedent[ed] times where YB is experiencing a drastic drop in cargo volumes and revenues, YB is seeking to cut costs by reducing the number of weekly sailings.…” the company wrote to the PUC.

YB currently has two sailings to Kaunakakai per week, departing from Honolulu on Sundays and Tuesdays.…

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Stay at Home Orders Extended Through May

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Stay at Home Orders Extended Through May

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai COVID-19 cases remained at two as statewide cases reached 606, with 14 deaths, as of Sunday. Sen. Kalani English announced last week Tuesday that all tests from April 7 and April 16 were negative.

Last Saturday, Gov. David Ige announced statewide stay at home orders and 14-day travel quarantine rules will be in place through May 31.

“I know this has been difficult for everyone,” said Ige. “Businesses need to reopen. People want to end this self-imposed isolation. And we all want our lives to return to normal.”

But he stressed the need for continued social distancing, wearing face masks when in public and vigilance to maintain Hawaii’s relatively low number of cases compared to many other states.…

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Bag All Rubbish

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

County of Maui News Release

During this difficult time, please observe the following practices to help protect our Molokai Landfill trash collection staff and our community.

Please, no loose trash. All waste should be bagged before delivering it to Landfill or placing it into your trash can for pick up.

Securely tie-off trash bags — double bagging is always appreciated! Try to get as much air out of your trash bags as possible prior to tying it off. This will maximize the amount of waste you can fit in your trash cans!

Don’t overfill the County trash can. Overfilled containers spill, exposing workers and the community to possible injury and illness.…

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I Give My Thanks

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Fifteen years ago this April, I moved to Molokai. At this difficult time, I have a few comments.

To all who, to the best of their ability, stay at home, use face covering and maintain 6 foot separation, I give my thanks.

To those who stay open to provide take-out food and to those who make grocery shopping possible, I give my thanks.

To those who keep my car and bicycle operating and to those who patrol our streets, I give my thanks.

To those who make it possible to receive our mail and to do our banking, I give my thanks.…

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Public Library Resources Online

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Molokai Public Library News Release

Just because you can’t visit the Molokai Public Library right now doesn’t mean you can’t still use its resources. Find out the latest info on the public library, read the New York Times, check out an eBook to read, and check out a movie to stream at home with one easy link from the Hawaii State Public Library System webpage, librarieshawaii.org. Don’t have a library card? No problem! You can now apply for a one online. We also have a Reading Challenge using Beanstack under way to help readers record the time spent reading and share info about what they read!…

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