Community

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

Excused or Unexcused is Not the Issue

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Laura Peterson, Molokai Resource Teacher

You may be hearing more about the importance of consistent attendance in school these days.  Attendance in school is critical for keeping up with academics that are increasingly rigorous.

Many schools are taking research-proven steps to reach out to students who are absent.  An example of this would be a short face-to-face conference with a student upon return.  Another would be an offer to help students catch up on missed work, or a peer-to-peer tutoring program where a buddy is assigned to help the student catch up.  A home visit by school personnel or the school social worker is important if the concern needs to be personally delivered to the home.…

Molokai Landfill Reopened After Ordnance Detonated

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

Molokai Landfill Reopened After Ordnance Detonated

Maui County News Release

The Molokai Landfill has been reopened this morning (Tuesday, Jan. 14) after workers discovered a suspected explosive ordnance yesterday.

In response, the Maui Police Department contacted the military and an explosive ordnance unit detonated the object today. The “all clear” was given prior to 10:30 a.m. for the landfill to reopen to the public.

The Maui County Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division, thanks our Molokai residents for their patience during this matter. Mahalo.…

Molokai Landfill Closed Until Further Notice

Monday, January 13th, 2014

Maui County News Release

Due to a potentially unexploded ordnance discovered today (Monday, Jan. 13) at the Molokai Landfill, the Molokai Landfill will be closed starting tomorrow, Tuesday Jan. 14 until further notice, per directive from the Maui Police Department.

The Molokai Police Department has been notified and is monitoring and securing the facility. The Molokai Police Department has contacted the military disposal unit and will notify the County when the “all clear” has been given.

At this time there is no estimated time for returning to full service at the Molokai Landfill.

The Solid Waste Division apologizes for the inconvenience, and thanks the Molokai community for their understanding.…

GMO- – a Powerful Technology??

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

Dr. Karpiak, I was dismayed and disappointed  by the rhetoric you submitted to the Dispatch recently.

For you to allege that those on the island oppose GMOs for undisclosed reasons is ludicrous and seems disingenuous.  I believe there has been much specificity to the concerns and opposition raised. Have you actually listened and read the concerns? And to say that the concerns expressed are anti-science is both deceptive and absurd.  Rather, it seems to me these large chemical companies – for that is their foundation rather than agriculture — have manipulated the political and legal systems to circumvent serious scientific scrutiny and caution.…

Hawaiian Airlines to Serve Molokai This Year

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Hawaiian Airlines plans to begin service to Molokai and Lanai this year, and the certification process to launch its new subsidiary, Ohana by Hawaiian, has resumed. After 2013 budget sequestration caused delays in certification through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Hawaiian officials say things are back on track.

In the fall of 2012, Hawaiian Airlines announced its plans to add Molokai and Lanai to their itinerary, anticipated to begin in 2013. The start date was pushed back several times, and there is still no estimated timeframe.

Alison Croyle, director of external communications, confirmed that the airlines is in the third of four phases in the certification process.…

Come Back to School!

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

UHMC Molokai News Release

Are you ready to make a change in your life?  Do you want to go back to school, but aren’t sure how?  The staff at University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Molokai may be able to help you see how affordable and attainable a college education can be.

Maui College, Molokai offers “A world of knowledge here at home.”  We have certificates and degrees in the fields of Agriculture, Hawaiian Studies, Business Careers, Human Services, Nursing, Liberal Arts and pathways to four year degrees.

These are two of the classes offered this coming semester:

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
UH Maui College, Molokai will be conducting a course on Introduction to GIS/GPS. …

Gift of Dictionaries

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Gift of Dictionaries

Community Contributed

By Alison Place

Rotary Clubs and other civic groups throughout the nation donate the funds to provide dictionaries to third graders in their respective cities. Aptly called The Dictionary Project, the goal of the program is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary, according to the project’s website.

More than 130 Molokai third graders were the recipients of this gift from the Kihei Rotary Club. You can check here for the best Personalized Gifts For Him and get custom gift ideas to make the recipients feel special.On…

Maka`ala Molokai, the Little Fire Ant May Be Coming

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Maka`ala Molokai, the Little Fire Ant May Be Coming

Community Contributed

By Lori Buchanan, MoMISC


The stinging little fire ant has been detected on hapuu ferns being sold at several garden stores and big box retail outlets on Maui and Oahu, according to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (DOA) on Dec. 31. The ferns originated from Hawaii Island.

The Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC) continues to strongly urge Molokai residents not to import plants from Hawaii Island due to the current little fire ant (LFA)and coqui frog infestations there. Also to be aware that coqui frogs and LFA will hitchhike on other goods such as household items, vehicles and on you!…

Holidays in Kalaupapa

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

By Father Pat Killilea, St Francis, Kalaupapa

I heard the voices approaching. So I got to my feet and went to the front door. They were coming through the entrances onto the church lawn wearing strange red head gear and armed with torches. My heart began to race. Oh my Lord, they were coming to take me away. My goose was cooked and Christmas had not even arrived yet. I had to face the music. Then… they broke into song: “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed…”
They had indeed come to take me away, as they began the annual community carol singing evening.…

Five Bonus Benefits of Exercise

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Community Contributed

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

You’ve been hearing about the benefits of exercise for a long time: Weight control, chronic disease management, stronger muscles and bones, to name a few. But the list of exercise benefits done with the help of indoor trampoline for kids just keeps getting longer. If you could package these benefits in a pill, you might have a multi-million dollar product!

Maybe these less-touted benefits will offer the motivation you need to make exercise a regular part of your daily routine. Look into the latest Weight Training Innovations if you decide to start strength training.…