• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    July 9, 2026

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    July 10, 2026

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    July 15, 2026

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Community

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

Changes to Local, State and National Policies

Monday, April 6th, 2020

Last week, Molokai experienced its first two coronavirus cases, while as of Sunday, there were 369 positive cases in Hawaii, out of 13,536 tests conducted in the state so far. The state also reported the fourth death linked to the virus.

Following the news of the first positive test result on Molokai last Thursday, grocery stores across the island immediately closed, remaining shuttered for sanitation on Friday. With continued closures for Friendly Market, Misaki’s and Kualapu’u Market opened on Saturday, under a new model: curbside pickup for preordered items only.

“We’ve had long discussions about the safety of our staff, our customers and the island in general and are going to implement curbside pickup only,” posted Kualapu’u Market on its Facebook page.…

Posted in , , , , commentsAdd your comment

Molokai Has First Two COVID-19 Cases

Monday, April 6th, 2020

The Molokai community faced the news of its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases last week. Both are Friendly Market Center employees; the first of whom, confirmed as positive on Thursday, was transported to Oahu for treatment.

After the first case was confirmed, Mayor Michael Victorino, Sen. Kalani English, and Rep. Lynn DeCoite worked with the market’s owners to facilitate testing for all 51 FMC employees at Molokai General Hospital on Friday. The second positive test came out of that round of testing.

“As a precaution, we’ve decided to have all employees [regardless of their test results] remain in self-quarantine,” said Kit Okimoto, co-owner and chief financial officer for Friendly Market.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Federal Assistance for Small Businesses

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Sen. Schatz News Release

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz released a resource guide to help Hawaii small businesses like many on Molokai better understand how to access federal loans and new programs established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bipartisan $2 trillion CARES Act is the largest aid package in American history and was signed into law last Friday.

“This new law will help Hawaii small businesses meet their payroll and provide people with paychecks for up to eight weeks,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “As more federal help becomes available, we’ll continue to work to provide more information about how Hawaii families and businesses can access these new resources.”…

Posted in , , , , commentsAdd your comment

MGH Updated COVID-19 Info

Wednesday, April 1st, 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 COVID-19 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.…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

This Humanity

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

If the barge stops coming
and we have all you need
will we share with our neighbors
or give in to greed?

If the barge stops coming
and the shelves are stripped bare
will we hoard a year’s surplus
or be kind and share?

If the barge stops coming
and the markets all close
will we let people starve
or help ease their woes?

If the barge stops coming
will we wake up and see
that we are all part
of this humanity?

Jayson Mizula…

Posted in , , , commentsAdd your comment

Veterans Center Closure

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

The Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans will close our center until further notice.
Burials in the Veterans Cemetery will only be from Monday to Friday, no holidays, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the County of Maui.

Our veterans and community, Please take care and be safe.

Longie Dudoit, MVCV Commander…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

$2M for Residents Impacted by COVID-19

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino signed a relief bill to launch a $2 million program to assist residents of Molokai, Lanai and Maui who’ve been severely impacted with job losses from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

“Maui County is establishing the Hawaii Emergency Laulima Program (HELP) to make available $2 million to assist residents who’ve suffered economic hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Victorino said. “In this unprecedented time of uncertainty, we want to reach out to our hard-hit hotel, restaurant, retail and other workers who’ve seen their source of livelihood shut down to slow down the spread of this disease.”…

Posted in , , , , commentsAdd your comment

Efforts Continue to Keep Molokai Virus-Free

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

“It’s like a movie that we’re all in,” described resident and Misaki’s Grocery owner Kevin Misaki of the current coronavirus pandemic. “As long as it’s not someone you know, it’s OK. But as soon as it’s your neighbor, your family, people [on Molokai] will start panick-ing.”

So far as of Sunday, Molokai continues to have no confirmed COVID-19 cases, as the rest of the state rose to 175 cases out of nearly 8,000 tests conducted. Nationwide, the U.S. case count has climbed to about 140,000 as of Sunday — the most of any country in the world — of which about 2,500 patients have died.…

Posted in , , , , commentsAdd your comment

COVID-19 Forces Businesses to Adapt, Close

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As the threat of coronavirus intensifies, so does the impact to Molokai’s small businesses. From restaurants to gift shops, grocery stores to realtors, businesses are adapting or being forced to close, at least temporarily. Many are adjusting hours and taking it one day at a time.

“We been through hard times but nothing like this,” said longtime Molokai businesswoman Denise Taueetia, who owns Makana Nui Gift Shop. “We are in the beginning of trying to figure out, what do we do now and how long it’s going to last. It’s survival time!”

Jana Sasada recently took a leap to open her own business on main street in Kaunakakai, Haleola Essentials.…

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Volunteer Efforts Deliver COVID-19 Testing Booth to Molokai

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Volunteer Efforts Deliver COVID-19 Testing Booth to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

If and when COVID-19 makes its way to Molokai, medical staff on island now have an extra tool in their toolbox — a drive-thru testing booth that allows quick swab testing with minimal exposure for providers and patients alike and eases the burden on healthcare facilitates. The booth was airlifted to Molokai last Saturday through volunteer efforts, and though it won’t go into immediate use, it will be available if needed.

Molokai dentist Boki Chung is a member of the Hawaii COVID-19 Healthcare Providers Taskforce, a grassroots effort to unite healthcare workers across the state in fighting COVID-19 and provide them with needed resources.…

Posted in , , commentsAdd your comment