Community

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

Renegotiating Oceanic’s Services

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Molokai residents are frustrated with Oceanic Time Warner Cable, the island’s only provider of cable television (CATV) and broadband Internet services. Many claim that though they pay the same price as on other islands for Internet, they get only half the speed.

As part of the process to renew Oceanic’s franchise, possibly for the next 20 years, the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), who regulates CATV statewide, is gathering community input across the islands on Oceanic’s services as well as public access services provided by Akaku Maui Community Television.

“We want feedback on the level of service being provided by both Oceanic and Akaku,” said Donn Yabusaki, administrator of the DCCA’s CATV division.…

Lunch with Mazie Hirono

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Lunch with Mazie Hirono

Congresswoman and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Mazie Hirono paid the Friendly Isle a visit on Thursday to talk story with members of the community. She hosted a question and answer (Q&A) luncheon with the Molokai Veterans held at Molokai Drive Inn.

At the Q&A session, Hirono discussed her commitment to provide benefits for veterans, her plans to introduce bills that would create jobs for Hawaii, her work with schools to promote sustainability and her ongoing crusade to protect middle class taxpayers. She stressed the need to “cut the fat”–or wasteful spending –from the budget to reduce the national deficit, not by increasing taxes for middle class families, but by eliminating the Bush tax breaks for big oil companies and the wealthiest two percent of the American population.…

Editorial: Mo`omomi Needs All of Us

Friday, August 31st, 2012

By Todd Yamashita, Molokai Dispatch Publisher

I can remember the days when my family got the key to visit Mo`omomi. Driving down the bumpy, dusty road watching the ocean shimmer in the distance, my anticipation would grow as we neared the shoreline. Although I was just a kid, I remember feeling really lucky. It was a privilege to be there and I was grateful.

Since then, Mo`omomi has seen many changes – the latest being the reintroduction of a gate which has made many upset. Gates can be controversial because they are meant to keep people out. But if you look deeper, past the gate, this is really an issue of conservation.…

Sweet and Salty

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Sweet and Salty

Pacifica Hawaii News Release

Have you even been torn between eating a salty snack or a sweet treat? Now you can have both at once with a new product from Molokai gourmet sea salt company Pacifica Hawaii – Sweet and Salty. After months of recipe development, Pacifica owner and salt master Nancy Gove released the product – her ninth recipe — internationally this month.

Sweet and Salty combines two flavors that truly compliment and complete each other. This sweet salt can be added to your favorite recipes for perfect enhancement. It’s great for all types and styles of cooking. Also use it in prepping your veggies and meats and ringing the rim of your favorite beverages.…

Over-the-Counter Medications and Keiki

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Community Contributed

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

Giving drugstore medications to your keiki is no big deal, right? Well, it shouldn’t be, as long as you use them the right way. But just because a medication is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it comes with a risk-free guarantee.

If your child has ever had a bad reaction to an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, stop giving the medication right away. Tell the doctor and pharmacy staff about it. Keep a record of its name, dosage directions, the illness it was used for, and the side effects it caused.…

Make Bread to Save Dough

Friday, August 31st, 2012

Community Contributed

By Lisa Dillon

I look at the price of one loaf of bread on Molokai — over $4 — and cringe. I know if I cannot afford it, many others cannot. But for the same amount of money, you can make four loaves of your own bread. My great grandmother taught me to make bread and share the knowledge. I have passed on her tradition to my family and friends. I’d like to share this recipe for basic bread you can bake at home and save your family money, as well as create your own tradition with your family and friends.…

A Golden Jubilee

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

A Golden Jubilee

Father William “Bill” Petrie celebrated 50 years of commitment to the Catholic church on Sunday at St. Damien of Molokai Church in Kaunakakai. Petrie, who moved to Molokai in July of this year, had previously worked with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, serving “the poorest of the poor” for 25 years. He is happy to call Molokai home now, saying at his celebration, “Mother Teresa did something in heaven and I got here.”

For the full scoop on Father Petrie, read here.…

A Chance at the NFL

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

A Chance at the NFL

NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competition

Footballs flew up and down Kaunakakai Ball Field Saturday morning as keiki ages 6 to 15 practiced their punts, passes and kicks. This is the second year Molokai has hosted the nationwide Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) Competition, sponsored by the National Football League (NFL).

“It’s a good opportunity for the kids to participate in a physical event, especially with football season coming up,” said Mike Mangca, Maui County’s Recreation Leader for Molokai.

Each child gets the opportunity for one punt, one pass and one kick, and a score is calculated based on distance and accuracy, according to NFL PPK’s website.…

Making Middle School Feel Like Home

Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Community Contributed

By Kalei “Pumpkin” Moss

When I was in sixth grade, the thought of entering middle school was quite intimidating. This summer, Molokai Middle School (MMS) tried to make the transition for students a little bit easier with a summer program funded by the 21st Century grant program.

The summer program, open to current MMS students and incoming seventh graders, offered classes in academics, physical fitness and arts and crafts.

MMS strove to increase student achievement this summer by challenging learners in various areas of education, especially math and science. Students learned how to properly create a science project, review the scientific process, complete experiments and document research.…

Bio-Logical Capital Agrees to Buy Hana Ranch on Maui

Sunday, August 26th, 2012

Hana Ranch Partners signed a sale agreement last week to pass ownership of its cattle ranch on Maui to Bio-Logical Capital, the land development company that teamed up with Pattern Energy last year and formed joint venture Molokai Renewables to study the feasibility of developing a 200-megawatt wind farm on Molokai.

Guy Kaulukukui, Bio-Logical Capital’s senior vice president, said the company plans to preserve and possibly expand Hana Ranch’s cattle operations.

“We are truly humbled to take on the kuleana of this remarkable ranch,” said Kaulukukui in a news release. “It is at once a privilege and a great responsibility… [Hana has] the potential to become a model for sustainable ranching and farming practices in the state.”…