Community

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

Hula Under the Banyan

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

Hula Under the Banyan

Through a swish of hips, gestures of graceful hands, shake of the `uli `uli and toss of flaming torches, attendees of Moana’s Hula Halau’s annual dinner show were treated to a journey of the elements and senses through hula and Polynesian arts. After the evening of first-class live music and entertainment, the full house of guests offered a standing ovation Saturday at the Molokai Community Health Center. Featuring Tahitian, traditional and modern dances, as well as special guests from Maui with fire and haka performances under the canopy of the banyan tree, the show was both impressive and emotional for many.…

County Funding to Expand Businesses

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

County of Maui News Release

Maui County businesses looking to expand, strengthen or diversity have an opportunity to apply for funding through the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED). The office is rolling out a program designed to support Maui, Molokai and Lanai businesses.

The Economic Development Revolving Fund (EDRF) was created by the Mayor’s Office and passed by the Maui County Council in late 2011. The fund currently has $1 million which, by ordinance, was designed to strengthen and diversify the County’s economy; to support existing County businesses; to promote job creation; to attract new business, industry, construction, and events that will foster economic development in the County; and to improve the overall economic and social well-being of the County.…

Four from Molokai Among Small Business Nominees

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

Four Molokai business people have been nominated for the 2014 Mayor’s Small Business Awards. Suzette Kahana of B&S Kahana Corp. dba Kalapaki Girl Dezigns, Tarrah and Noa John Horner of iCandie and iCopie, and Wailani Tanaka, owner of Something for Everybody are joining nearly 30 other Maui County nominees. Awards, put on by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Maui Chamber of Commerce, will be announced on Wenesday, Feb. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the King Kamehameha Golf Club’s Waikapu Ballroom.

“This is an exceptional group of nominees, and all of them are worthy of an award,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa.…

Island Air to End Molokai Service

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

Island Air will discontinue service to Molokai after April 1. In a five-sentence announcement last week, the airline said all Molokai-based employees will be offered transfer elsewhere within the company. Customers with confirmed reservations to or from the island after April 1 can either transfer their ticket to another airline or receive a refund.

Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines’ neighbor island service `Ohana by Hawaiian has announced its plans to begin flying to Molokai starting March 11.

“Now that we are certain the island of Molokai will have adequate air service to match its needs, we have decided to redeploy our aircraft to another route that needs more capacity,” Island Air CEO Paul Casey told the Dispatch via email.…

Bakery Pays $20,000 in DOH Settlement

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

After accruing $90,000 in fines to the state Department of Health in 2012 for sanitation violations, Kanemitsu Bakery has reached an agreement with the DOH to pay $20,000 instead.

DOH Communications Officer Janice Okubo said the settlement was reached outside Hawaii’s court system during hearings within the DOH that are scheduled when someone has an objection or concern about a penalty or notice of violation.

“I’m very satisfied,” said Kanemitsu Bakery owner George Kanemitsu of the resolution. “There’s no way we could have paid [the original $90,000 fine].”

Kanemitsu said the bakery’s operations are back on track after a six-month closure in 2012 following the violations.…

Kualapu’u 5K Results

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

Kualapu`u School News Release

On a rain-splashed Saturday that coincided with the opening day of competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Kualapu`u School held its first of six fundraisers on its extended Farrington 5K course.  Eighteen participants ran, jogged, walked, and biked 3.8 miles to show their support for healthy lifestyle choices and to help raise money for this year’s Kualapu`u School 5K team.

Race results:
Elementary School Students
1. Kekai English 54:38
2. Emma Lee Duvauchelle 1:08:00
3. Sunni Han 1:08:35
4. Kaniunaku Duvauchelle 1:08:20 (bike)
5. Tenani Han 1:09:13

Open Women
1. Sue Forbes-Kikukawa 26:45
2. Katina Soares 35:51
3.…

Monsanto Hawaii Scholarship Programs

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

Monsanto Hawaii News Release

Applications are now being accepted for Monsanto Hawaii’s two scholarship programs – the Monsanto Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship and the Monsanto Hawaii Agricultural Scholarship.

High school seniors interested in a life sciences degree are invited to apply for the Monsanto Hawaii Life Sciences Scholarship. As many as 10 scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded in 2014. This scholarship is open to graduating seniors of all high schools in Hawaii who will be attending an accredited college or university to pursue a discipline related to the life sciences (including agriculture, agronomy, biology, botany, genetics, horticulture, plant physiology, chemistry, crop science and soil science).…

Soup R Bowl

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

MAC News Release

Molokai Arts Center (MAC) announces the return of the Soup ‘R Bowl on Saturday, March 1.  This is our annual fundraising event to help raise funds for youth scholarships and programming in the visual and performing arts.

There will be a silent auction that will feature our visiting ceramic artists and several of our local artists including music and performing arts. So this year our potters are hard at work creating 500 unique stoneware soup bowls. Stoneware is a type of clay which is fired at extremely high temperature making it durable and oven-safe. Each beautiful bowl is signed by the artist who created it.…

Molokai in Business: Visual Resource Media

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Jeannine Rossa

The Molokai in Business series focuses on local businesses, both old and new.  It is our way of helping you get to know your local businesses.  Our intent is to support our local businesses, help people who want to start a business, and tell a good story.

What: Visual Resonance Media, a professional video production, media consulting, and website design business
Who: Daniel Emhoff
When: By appointment
Where: Will travel to you
How:  808-553-8125; vrm@consultant.com; visualresonancemedia.com

We all know Daniel Emhoff as the Director of Akaku Community Television’s Molokai Media Center, where he teaches classes in videography and editing, and films community events for Akaku Public Television. …

STEM App Challenge

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

Tulsi Gabbard News Release

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard announced the creation of the first-ever Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Academic Competition.  The “House STEM App Challenge” offers high school students in Hawaii and across the country an opportunity to compete in the creation of a software application — commonly referred to as an “app” — for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.

“Our students are equipped to become leaders in technology and innovation, and friendly competitions like the House STEM App Challenge encourage them to explore advanced industries,” said Gabbard.  “I invite all Hawaii high school students in to participate in this exciting inaugural competition.…