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Community

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

Hawaii Gas Maintains Access to Gas

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

Hawaii Gas News Release
As the State of Hawaii faces challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii Gas wants to assure its customers that we expect to have continued access to gas energy for their cooking and heating needs. As the state’s only gas utility, Hawaii Gas has a long history of being part of Hawaii’s emergency management response team and remains focused on maintaining reliable gas service as well as following CDC-recommended protocols for the safety of its employees, customers and community.
The company recognizes the financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic and wants to help remove the worry customers may have about losing access to gas during these challenging times.…

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Ghostbusters of Kalaupapa

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa
I was here in my easy chair, where I tend to think better, when they burst onto the scene. Some were carrying white buckets while others were toting back tanks from which hoses protruded. They looked like ghostbusters. I wondered if they had been sent here by the Board of Health to fumigate the church property or perhaps the resident pastor himself. Then I recognized their supervisor was Kaohulani. So I felt safe to go out to meet and greet them.
In actuality, these “ghostbusters” are a group of students from the University of Hawaii at Hilo on Hawaii Island.…

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Dispatch Office Closed

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

The Molokai Dispatch News Release

In keeping with the latest recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure the health of our staff, we’ve made the decision to close The Molokai Dispatch and Copy Center office temporarily. Don’t worry, our staff will still be working hard remotely to produce our island’s newspaper, which will continue to be distributed weekly.

To place an ad in the paper, please email sales@themolokaidispatch.com. To submit articles, releases, letters, announcements or events for the calendar, please email edi-tor@themolokaidispatch.com.

We know this is a tough time for many businesses as we all adjust to the rapidly changing effects of COVID-19.…

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County Emergency Rules Mandate Staying at Home

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a “stay at home and work from home” amendment to the Public Health Emergency Rules in an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The amendment is effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 25. The new order will be in effect until April 30.

“The health and safety of our community has always been my top priority and I believe we need to take bold actions if we are to stop the spread of this virus,” Mayor Victorino said. “I am ordering all our residents to stay at home and our visitors to stay in their rooms as much as possible.…

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County Online Utility, Tax Fees Waived

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui Departments of Finance and Water Supply will be waiving all credit card convenience and transaction fees for online payments for Real Property tax, Solid Waste and Water bills.

The credit card convenience and transaction fees will be waived until June 30.

The announcement follows White House recommendations that advises the public to avoid gatherings of no more than 10 people, and to encourage social distancing for the benefit of County employees and residents.

“My administration continues to look for immediate ways we can make County services safer and easier for our residents and County employees,” Mayor Michael Victorino said.…

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Youth Affected by Closures

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

While school closures continue, academics aren’t the only aspect of COVID-19 precautions affecting Molokai’s youth.

The Molokai Youth Center, an organization that provides an after-school foundation and school break programs for hundreds of keiki ages 8 to 17, had to close its doors due to its location in a County building — which is closed for 30 days along with other county facilities — and the mandates for no gatherings larger than 10 people.

“When I received the email confirming our building is closed for 30 days, I’ve had quite a few parents contact me,” said Andrea Dudoit, director of the Youth Center.…

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COVID-19 Prevention Efforts Escalate, ‘Stay at Home’ Mandate Ordered

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

COVID-19 Prevention Efforts Escalate, ‘Stay at Home’ Mandate Ordered

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai’s Saturday Market in Kaunakakai is normally one of the island’s busiest weekly events, with vendors, farmers, artists, crafters, bakers and shop owners lining the sidewalk. But last Saturday, residents driving through town found it empty — one of the many signs of precautions taken to combat the Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic. Restaurants are closed for dine-in meals, most businesses have temporarily closed their doors and residents have been ordered to hunker down in their homes to safeguard everyone’s health and prevent spread of the virus.

As of Sunday, March 22, there were 56 cases in the state, of which 48 cases were residents and eight were non-residents.…

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Services for Kupuna During COVID-19

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Kupuna are among those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults have shown to be among those most at risk from the virus, and with many regular services discontinued, many kupuna are fearful to leave their homes for essentials.

“I think a crisis of this magnitude does impact the psyche and I aloha the kupuna who worry about their health and are anxious about the uncertainties of it all,” said Kaui Kapuni Manera, Alu Like kupuna program manager, which offers services to elders. “What I can share is what our kupuna have taught us all our lives: plant food, eat the food off of the land and sea, malama our ‘aina, malama our neighbors and ohana and share food if can….…

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Molokai General Hospital Protocol Updates

Tuesday, March 24th, 2020

MGH News Release

Molokai General Hospital has begun using an external triage system (patients are greeted and screened outside the ED) to screen patients. Those who may meet criteria will be tested outside of the hospital to expedite care. The testing is an extension of the emergency department services.

We encourage anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to speak with their medical provider to find out if they meet testing requirements.

As of Wednesday, March 25, Molokai General Hospital will be limiting its number of entrances to one.  All people entering the main facility will need to use the front lobby sliding glass door. …

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County Emergency Rules Mandate Staying at Home

Sunday, March 22nd, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a “stay at home and work from home” amendment to the Public Health Emergency Rules in an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The amendment is effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 25. The new order will be in effect until April 30.

“The health and safety of our community has always been my top priority and I believe we need
to take bold actions if we are to stop the spread of this virus,” Mayor Victorino said. “I am ordering all our residents to stay at home and our visitors to stay in their rooms as much as possible.…

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