Community

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

Workforce Boost for Solar Energy

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Workforce Boost for Solar Energy

Molokai has a new batch of home-grown solar sales graduates.

“There’s a lot more to come, a lot more to build upon, but the goal is for everyone to seize this vision and make the commitment to renewable energy,” said Liliana Napoleon, Ho’ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai’s (HECM) project coordinator.

After completing a spring term course in collaboration with HECM, the ten graduates of the Clean Energy Solar Sales Training Course were recognized for the skills and knowledge they acquired at their graduation on June 10. The course focused on understanding the marketability and economics of solar systems as well as the technical features of solar installation.…

STEM Day for Molokai Students

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

STEM Day for Molokai Students

Beneath a starlit sky, Molokai students observed the rising constellations, set to navigate the Hokule’a canoe through the night. That is, until they took off the virtual reality goggles and realized they were still at Kaunakakai Elementary School’s STEM Day.

More than 120 Molokai students from third to sixth grade participated in the inaugural STEM Day. Run by the Maui Economic Development Board STEMworks program, STEM Day focused on creative and critical thinking in fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

Throughout the daylong workshop, which took place on May 22, students were walked through sessions involving artificial intelligence, virtual reality, video game design and more.…

Promising Signs for Native Species Recovery in Mokio

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Promising Signs for Native Species Recovery in Mokio

Wedged between ‘Ilio Point and Mo’omomi, the Mokio Preserve has been a focal point for native species rehabilitation for years. Now, with the completion of a state-of-the-art predator proof fence, the preserve is poised to support a resurgence of native plants and birds.

Construction of the 5,600-foot-long conservation fence began back in August 2020 as a joint project between the Molokai Land Trust and American Bird Conservancy (ABC).

“We’ve already begun seeing benefits from the newly installed fence, including Wedge-tailed Shearwater (‘Ua’u Kani) chicks this year, compared to previous years when all chicks were lost to mongoose predation,” explained Bard Keitt, oceans and islands director at ABC.…

June Golf Ace

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

June Golf Ace

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Ponciano Raguindin is the June Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club.
Raguindin, a veteran PE teacher at Molokai High School and Molokai’s FIL-AM pro golfer, shot 36–39 for a gross total of 75 and with his 11 handicap his 64 net got him the victory. Congratulations Poncie!

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills Golf Course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

No-Cost and Low-Cost Bargains

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

No-Cost and Low-Cost Bargains

Saving Grace Episcopal Church News Release

Shopping on Molokai is more affordable with the launch of the “Blessings,” a free merchandise room at Saving Grace Episcopal Church thrift store in Kualapuu. Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the U.S., and bargains help stretch a budget. In 2014, Saving Grace Episcopal congregation, led by Father Jim Loughren, started the thrift store in the church property’s fellowship hall. The store sells gently used items such as housewares, small and large appliances, clothing for all ages, books, music and much more at bargain prices. Recently, a family was shopping, and the family’s young child saw a toy and clutched the toy to his heart and said, “my truck,” and looked at his mother.…

Naiwa Homesteaders Meeting

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Naiwa Agricultural Subdivision Alliance News Release

There will be a Naiwa homeowner and builder meeting on Monday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the OHA conference room. Come and meet and greet with Hawaiian Community Lending, Hawaiian Community Assets, and explore the offerings and opportunities that are in motion and on the horizon for the Naiwa Agricultural Subdivision Homesteaders. If you have questions, simply email Naiwa Agricultural Subdivision Alliance (NASA) at mkk.nas.alliance@gmail.com…

Apply for Department of Agriculture Grants

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Maui County News Release

Specific grants for Molokai agriculture are now available for application. Part of a larger series of grants administered by the County of Maui Department of Agriculture, nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the Maui County agriculture sector, and qualified groups, are encouraged to apply until 4:30 p.m. on June 30.

Grants will be awarded in the following categories: agriculture operations, infrastructure, education, recovery, livestock, non-food agriculture, Lanai agriculture, and Molokai agriculture.

Applications and general requirements for applicants are available online at mauicounty.gov/2726/Agriculture-Grants. A request can also be made to have an application emailed by calling (808) 270-8276 or emailing Aggrants@co.maui.hi.us.…

Coastal Homestead Community Resilience Plan Begins

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Coastal Homestead Community Resilience Plan Begins

Molokai community members are taking another important step in addressing sea level rise and climate change.
Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) residents of Kalamaula, Kapa‘akea, and Kamiloloa One Ali‘i are encouraged to attend the second beneficiary meeting to discuss the Molokai Coastal Homestead Community Resilience Plan (MCH-CRP). This meeting is a critical step toward ensuring the sustainability and resilience of Molokai’s coastal communities.

The primary goal of this session is to identify key issues and hazards affecting each ahupua‘a, including flooding, erosion, deforestation, and wildfires. This meeting marks the initial step in developing solutions and initiating relevant projects to address these challenges.…

Kamaka Air Temporarily Halted

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

A lifeline cargo carrier to Molokai temporarily and suddenly stopped service last week. On Wednesday, June 5, news began to circulate that Kamaka Air, Molokai’s predominant air cargo service, had stopped flying.

Concern spread quickly, especially amongst Molokai businesses.

Kim Svetin, President of Molokai Drugs, explained that the drug store relies on three to four shipments from Kamaka Air every week – especially for high value drugs that need to be refrigerated.

“I can’t manufacture COVID-19 vaccines on-island,” said Svetin.

State restrictions on shipping hazardous materials, like certain medicines and vaccines, means that medical providers like Molokai Drugs and Molokai General Hospital can’t use passenger airlines like Mokulele to ship medicine.…

Telecom Provider Stops Service

Thursday, June 13th, 2024

Sandwich Isles Communications (SIC) says that phone and internet services will stop by the end of the first week of June, despite orders from Governor Josh Green and the state Public Utilities Commission.

SIC had been the exclusive supplier of telecommunications for Hawaiian Home Lands for nearly 30 years, explained Albert Hee, founder and former president of SIC. He calls the ceasing of service “strictly a financial decision.”

“We will not be serving beyond the end of this week,” Hee told the Dispatch. On June 5, SIC customers received notice that as of June 8, all phone and internet service would be disconnected.…