Community

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

Molokai Trains for Hurricane Preparedness

Thursday, June 12th, 2014

Molokai Trains for Hurricane Preparedness

Imagine this: A destructive hurricane is spotted in the Central Pacific Ocean south of Molokai with wind speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. Once it hits land, the hurricane delivers a storm surge of destructive winds that leave many residents without electricity, shelter, food or water — and wipes out the island’s communication systems.

On Molokai last week, participants in statewide hurricane preparedness exercises run by the Hawaii State Civil Defense (HSCD), engaged in communication systems training and practiced emergency procedures in case this scenario becomes reality.

The annual HSCD training, called Makani Pahili, consists of drill tests that improve disaster readiness for first responders on each island.…

Summer Salads

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, County Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

Lettuce is one of the oldest garden plants and is always the essence of a summer salad, but finding high quality lettuce during our hot Molokai summers can be a challenge due to less than ideal growing conditions. There are between 50 and 75 lettuce species, and was first cultivated by the Egyptians for oil from its seeds.  There are several lettuce types, but the three most common include leaf, crisphead and romaine. These can be crossed with each other to create an array of leaf types, shapes, and textures.…

Island’s First (Temporary) Stoplight

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Island’s First (Temporary) Stoplight

Molokai’s first stoplight installed at the Kawela Stream Bridge construction site was only directing traffic for two weeks. As of Friday before going to press, Goodfellow Bros. Project Engineer Clayton Morrell said the traffic light is scheduled to be removed on Monday.

“It was only there so we could pave the west-bound lane and shoulder,” said Morrell. “[During that time] we had to shift to one-lane traffic.”

Contractor Goodfellow Bros. is putting the final touches on the state Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge project before scheduled completion at the end of July.

The next big change drivers will notice is a shift in traffic from the curved, detour route to traveling over the new bridge, said Morrell.…

Molokai Native Gains Air Force Recognition

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Molokai Native Gains Air Force Recognition

Community Contributed

By Capt. Renee Lee, Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs

Hailing from Ho`olehua, Molokai, James Low never imagined that he would live and travel around the world, and eventually settle nearly 5,000 miles away from home. Today, Low and his family reside in Dover, Delaware, where they have called home for nearly 10 years. There, he works as Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) Air and Space Expeditionary Force Cell Chief and was recognized as an AFDW Capital Airman in April.

Growing up on a farm, Low enjoyed a quiet, laidback life that involved frequent visits to the beach, playing basketball and baseball with friends, and going to church with his family.…

Business Careers: Career and Tech Ed

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

UHMCM News Release

The Business Careers program at University of Hawaii Maui College, Molokai (UHMCM) offers various levels of opportunity.  Certificates of Competence are designed for students and community members who wish to quickly acquire or upgrade their skills and knowledge.  Earn a certificate in as little as one semester!   A one-year Certificate of Achievement in Business Careers provides essential skills and knowledge in business, communications, writing, and mathematics.   A two-year Associate in Applied Science in Business Careers prepares students to head directly to the workforce or transfer to a four-year business program at UH West Oahu, UH Manoa, UH Hilo, and other institutions. …

Facing Climate Change, Part III

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Emillia Noordhoek

Editor’s Note: Emillia Noordhoek, executive director of Sust`ainable Molokai, traveled to Europe to attend the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last year. This is the third in a three-part series about the Panel’s conclusions and how global climate change will affect Molokai and the world.

Samso is an island off the coast of Denmark in the Baltic Sea that is 16 miles long by four miles wide, with a total area of 44 square miles.  The island’s electricity is powered 100 percent by renewable energy and they are connected to the mainland by a cable to sell the over-production to the rest of the grid.…

A Pathway to Healing

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

A Pathway to Healing

A nursing program on Oahu is working towards bringing diversity into the medical field. It’s not only lifting disadvantaged students out of poverty and onto a pathway towards nursing, but it will soon provide services on Molokai.

According to the Windward Community College (WCC) website, Native Hawaiians make up 29 percent of the state population, but only 3.5 percent of the Registered Nurse (RN) workforce. Jamie Boyd, one of the first Native Hawaiian RNs in the state to earn a PhD, said she was frustrated by the lack of Hawaiian representation in nursing classrooms. To address this disparity, Boyd took action and in 2007 started the Pathway Out of Poverty nursing program at Oahu’s WCC to help Native Hawaiians become registered nurses.…

Splashdown on Kalaupapa

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

She stood on the highest level of the pier flanked by her companion mermaids, Christina and Molly, then on the count of three (interrupted by two and a half) she launched herself far out into the water like a champion swimmer at the Olympic Trials, then quickly surfaced like a playful dolphin. Slim Sam, better known as Sister Sam, true to her vivacious and sprightly nature, was leading the water show in the company of the young people from the Newman Center in Manoa, Honolulu. This splashdown and frolicking in the waters of our harbor was one of the highlights of our young visitors’ stay in Kalaupapa.…

Facing Climate Change, Part II

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Emillia Noordhoek

Editor’s Note: Emillia Noordhoek, executive director of Sust`ainable Molokai, traveled to Europe to attend the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last year. This is the second in a three-part series about the Panel’s conclusions and how global climate change will affect Molokai and the world.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) met at the end of last year as a collaborative effort between countries, scientists and policy makers to address growing evidence of real and serious global climate change and discuss a report on the latest findings. The day after the IPCC was released, activists from Swedish environmental group, PUSH Sweden, organized a demonstration to bring attention to the report and the lack of action they felt was being presented by the Swedish government.…

Mandatory Boater Ed Enforced in November

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

DLNR News Release

With less than six months to go before Hawaii’s new mandatory education law for boaters is to be enforced, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) would like to inform boaters that there is still ample time and multiple ways to become compliant.

Beginning Nov. 10, 2014, all individuals who operate a motorized vessel in Hawaii’s state waters must have taken a boating safety course and be able to show proof of certification. The rule applies to all boaters unless they and/or the vessels being used fall under one of the exemptions mentioned in the new rule.…