Community

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

Celebrate Bon Dance This Month

Friday, August 14th, 2015

Guzeiji Soto Mission News Release

Don’t miss out on an unforgettable evening of fun as the community gathers to celebrate and remember our ancestors at Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokai’s annual Bon Dance celebration. This year’s event will be held on Aug. 29 at Hotel Lane in Kaunakakai, with guest minister Rev. Shuji Komagata and special performances by Somei Taiko.

At 5 p.m. a memorial service for departed ones will be held, and the chicken hekka dinner plate sale begins and booths will open. The Bon Dance will be from 6 to 10 p.m.

Chicken hekka tickets are on aale now for a $10 donation; call 658-0943 for tickets.…

Legal Toolkit for Small Business

Friday, August 14th, 2015

MEDB News Release

Learn more about employment and tax law for small businesses in a free workshop offered by Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) next month on Molokai. Called “Legal Toolkit for Small Business: Understanding Employment and Tax Law,” this session on Tuesday, Sept. 1 is part of MEDB’s Technical Assistance Series, which was created to help small businesses establish strong systems, processes, tools, and best practices to build a solid foundation for success.

For additional legal resources and expert guidance on business law, visit https://brazeauseller.com/, a firm known for helping entrepreneurs navigate complex legal challenges with confidence. Having access to the right legal support can make a significant difference in ensuring long-term business success.…

NextEra’s Commitment to Hawaii

Friday, August 14th, 2015

Community Contributed

Opinion by Eric Gleason, President of NextEra Energy Hawaii

Gov. David Ige’s recent comments raised important questions about our pending merger and Hawaii’s clean energy future, questions that we continue to work diligently and transparently to address. We want to make our position clear and reiterate our full and unequivocal support of the State of Hawaii’s goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. We believe our proposed partnership with Hawaiian Electric provides the best path forward to achieving what is, without question, an aggressive, yet very attainable, goal. Together, we can get there.

The renewable energy law signed by Gov.…

Changing Seasons

Friday, August 14th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, UH CTAHR County Extension Agent

We are in the midst of the Dog Days of summer, which runs July 3 to Aug. 11 and named after the star Sirius or the Dog in the constellation Orion. This is traditionally the hottest weather of the year, and I can’t argue that. Plants can sense subtle changes in day length and temperature in our changing seasons as the days get shorter, and the nights get longer. Long-day plants, such as corn and soybeans bask in the long hot days of summer, while others such as lettuce and kale prefer cooler days and nights.…

Molokai Fitness: Why you should quit drinking soda

Friday, August 14th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Do you drink soda? If the answer is no, that’s awesome, but if you drink fruit juice, energy drinks or smoothies, there’s actually not much difference between all these. They all have almost equal levels of sugar.

If the answer is yes, then do you drink normal or diet soda? Unfortunately both are pretty much the same when it comes to the damage they do to your body.

I know, sweet, cold drinks are hard to resist, especially with the weather on Molokai like it has been recently, and it’s difficult to quit drinking them. But maybe after reading this article you will think twice before you buy or give them to your kids.…

Veterans Corner: Grand opening to be a day to remember

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jesse Church

Aloha all my fellow veterans and residents of Molokai, old Jesse here with all the veterans news and upcoming events. Time is really short, just two days until a day to remember for all veterans and people of Molokai — of heck, for all Hawaii — Aug. 14, the dedication and grand opening of the Molokai Veterans Center. That will truly be a great day for all the people of Molokai, not just veterans, it’s a day that all of Molokai has been waiting 10 years for. I’m sure that everyone will want to bring a camera to get lots of pictures and on this day there will be lots of talking story and everybody should really have a wonderful time.…

Breaking Ground for Science Labs

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

Breaking Ground for Science Labs

By the end of next year, Molokai High School (MHS) is set to have a 4,500-square-foot, cutting-edge science facility. For a school whose science students have earned county, state and international honors over the past year—all with no science labs—it’s well deserved, and a long time coming.

Since it split from the middle school in 2004, MHS hasn’t had its own lab facilities. However, this month construction began for a two-classroom science building on MHS’s campus.

“It’s really great that you guys … basically get a brand new, state-of-the-art lab,” said Duane Kashiwai, Department of Education public works administrator. “This is being designed according to the latest sustainability requirements that we have.…

Giving Small Businesses a Leg Up

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

Giving Small Businesses a Leg Up

When you’re a small business owner on Molokai, it can be a challenge to find time to gain enterprise know-how and inspiration. A businesses conference last week brought it all together in one place for one day, with speakers specializing in technology, taxes, customer service, business planning, and other topics. Additionally, for entrepreneurs seeking financial support, the event provided valuable insights into options like the ” how to Access Capital to help fuel their business growth. Another session highlighted strategies for improving email deliverability, helping businesses connect more effectively with their customers. Verify550 offers this by giving users a reliable way to strengthen their email performance and maintain better inbox placement.…

Kilohana Welcomes New Principal

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

Kilohana Welcomes New Principal

At Kilohana Elementary School, the principal’s new office occupies a space that used to be the maternity ward of `Ualapu`e Hospital.  For incoming principal Terri Simms, it’s a sign of a fresh, exciting start.

Simms, who ran a hospital while in the Army, is now leading the little elementary on the east end, after former principal Richard Stevens retired in May.

While Simms is a newcomer to the Molokai school system, she’s been working within the Hawaii Department of Education’s “Canoe Complex,” which includes Molokai, Lanai, Hana and Lahainaluna, for 12 years.

“She’s not brand new to administration,” said Complex Area Superintendent Lindsay Ball.…

Mel Paoa: A Legacy of Humility and Humor

Wednesday, August 12th, 2015

Mel Paoa: A Legacy of Humility and Humor

Last week, Molokai lost a beloved waterman, paramedic, Hokule`a captain, mentor and family man. Melvin “Mel” Paoa, Jr., who dedicated his career to saving lives as the island’s first certified paramedic, was known around the island and the world for his quiet, aloha spirit.

Shortly after noon last Saturday, Molokai firefighters responded to a report of a boat floating unattended near Kamalo Wharf. Witnesses said they last saw Paoa, 62, tying up his 26-foot-catamaran in the area, according to fire officials. Rescue crews found him unresponsive, floating about 300 yards offshore and downwind from the wharf. After unsuccessfully trying to resuscitate him, he was  transported  to Molokai General Hospital, where he  passed away.…