Community

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

Workshop for Small Business Owners

Friday, April 10th, 2015

KBC News Release

We, as small business owners, are going to have some of “those days.” What keeps many small business people from succeeding? What are some doubts and limiting beliefs people starting out in business may face?  How “smart” do we have to be to really succeed?

To answer these questions ONABEN — Our Native American Business Network — in partnership with Kuha`o Business Center and MEO Business Development Center will offer a Small Business Workshop for Molokai Business Owners and Entrepreneurs on Tuesday, April 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the OHA/DHHL Conference Room at Kulana `Oiwi building D. …

Free Dental Services at Kualapu`u School

Friday, April 10th, 2015

Kualapu`u School News Release

Ho`o Mino`aka means “to create smile,” and the Ho`o Mino`aka Program is coming to Kualapu`u Public Conversion Charter School.  Through a partnership with the Molokai Community Health Center, Na Pu`uwai, UH John A Burns School of Medicine Department of Native Hawaiian Health, and the DentaQuest Foundation, all Kualapu`u School students will be able to have free preventive oral health care.

Treatment includes a dental exam, brushing education, protective sealant, fluoride varnish, and therapeutic fillings (no drillings).  A dentist, dental hygienist, and dental assistant will be on campus during the week of April 13-17. This initiative reflects the same patient-focused standards upheld by London Smile Clinic (cosmetic dentist), known for delivering high-quality, comprehensive dental care.…

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Friday, April 10th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

It was time for my evening walk and Bailey accompanied me as is his custom. We walked past the Care Home where a nurse is always on duty to tend to any patient who is in need of care. We passed the Visitors’ Quarters and the Wilcox House, both of which accommodate visitors who come to experience this special settlement for a few days. We passed the Bayiew Home which now serves as offices for some of the National Park personnel as well as sleeping accommodations for others. When we got to the next intersection, we paused at the memorial Celtic Cross erected by the English in 1893 to the memory of Fr.…

Record Roi Round-Up

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

Record Roi Round-Up

Molokai divers joined forces last month for a cause – to save native fish species by ridding the island of about 1,000 pounds of invasive roi.

“Nowadays everyone is about malama this, malama that. This is really giving back to the reef,” said local diver Dicky Dowling, who organized the second annual Molokai Roi Tournament. “That’s the most invasive species… Somebody gotta do something, you cannot just stand on the side.”

In the 1950s, the Hawaii Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced roi as a game fish for food. However, they have now overtaken the reef and prey on native reef fish.…

Solar Applications in Limbo

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

Solar Applications in Limbo

Sixty-five applications for rooftop solar on Molokai currently remain in limbo at the hands of Maui Electric Company (MECO), according to company Communications Director Kau`i Awai-Dickson.

Most rooftop solar panels in the state are installed under a program called Net Energy Metering (NEM), which pays customers the retail electric rate for excess energy generated from their panels.

At 51 percent, Molokai has the highest percentage in Hawaii of rooftop solar compared to the island’s peak demand.

“Hawaii leads the nation as far as rooftop [solar], and Molokai leads the state,” said Mat McNeff, MECO manager of engineering, at a meeting on Molokai last month.…

NextEra Energy Open House

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric News Release

The public is invited to provide input, learn more about NextEra and how the proposed merger with Hawaiian Electric Industries will advance a more affordable clean energy future for Hawaii. The companies will be hosting a series of 13 open house informational meetings across Hawaii to introduce residents to NextEra Energy and the benefits of the companies’ pending merger as well as to provide members of the public with the opportunity to provide input directly to company officials.

On Molokai, the open house will take place on April 9 at Kaunakakai School Cafeteria from 5 to 8 p.m.…

Ha`aha`a, the Quality of Humility

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

Opinion by Rick Baptiste

We are on the fourth phase of our joint efforts in renewing the “Aloha Spirit” in our community so we all can live blessed lives on Molokai. The fourth phase is the letter “H” in the acronym of “ALOHA” with “H” standing for Ha`aha`a, the quality of humility expressed with modesty.

The definition of humility taken from Webster’s Dictionary is, “The quality of not thinking you are better than other people.”  Before I go deeper, I hereby ask anyone reading this for forgiveness, in the event I have come across to you in a high makamaka attitude.  …

Heritage Rodeo Tickets Available

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

Molokai Ranch News Release

Molokai Ranch will be hosting the Molokai Ranch Heritage Rodeo on Saturday, April 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Molokai Ranch in Maunaloa. In addition to the wide range of rodeo festivities, there will be a special live performance by Hawaii music icons and Grammy Award-winning artists Henry Kapono, John Cruz, and Brother Noland, who together call themselves the “Rough Riders.”

Pre-sale tickets are now available from various Molokai locations. The price for advance tickets is $10. Tickets will be $12 at the door the day of the rodeo.

Pre-sale ticket locations:

Molokai Ranch Office, (808) 552-2444, Contact: Kalak Bicoy

Hikiola Cooperative, (808) 567-6774, Contact: Tina Tamanaha

Rawlins Chevron Kaunakakai, (808) 553-3214, Contact: Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello

Kualapu’u Market Ltd., …

Molokai Fitness: Are Soft Drinks Healthy?

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Wherever I go in Molokai, it seems that 80 percent of us  — especially kids — drink soda. The other day, a couple of kids asked me “You don’t drink soda, do you?” I asked how they knew that! And their reply? “You look healthy!” This got me thinking more about it. They know that drinking soda is not healthy… so why do they drink it?

I think we need to educate ourselves more about what we’re eating and drinking so that we can choose a healthier option. Remember — your kids or grandkids may not listen to you, but they watch you and they copy you!…

Preventing Falls as You Grow Older

Friday, April 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

Whether it simply bruises your ego or breaks a bone, taking a fall is no fun. Each year, one in three seniors 65 and older experiences a fall—a number that has grown in recent years. For people in this age group, falling is the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths.

Whether due to concerns about independence or worrying others, however, fewer than half these people tell the doctor about their falls. But that could add insult to injury because one fall may lead to another fall.

Don’t keep it a secret.…