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Community

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

Comment on Na’iwa Subdivision Project

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is moving forward with the construction of infrastructure improvements to the Na’iwa Agricultural Subdivision project near the Ho’olehua Airport. The 341-acre parcel will be subdivided into 66 lots, 50 of which have already been awarded to beneficiaries. That’s according to DHHL’s Draft Environmental Assessment for the project, which was just released and currently in a 30-day public review comment period.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $34.6 million. Proposed improvements include access roadways, electrical power, irrigation and potable water for agricultural use of the lots, as well as support the construction of homes and infrastructure built by beneficiaries. …

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Boost for Molokai Auto Parts

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

Boost for Molokai Auto Parts

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai Auto Parts, which has helped the island fill its automotive supply needs for the past four years in Kaunakakai, just got a boost to its financial engine. The business was awarded as a recipient of a $10,000 grant from American Savings Bank and Fiserve’s Back2Business program. 

“[They were] selected as the distinguished recipient of this grant for their remarkable business and community contributions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated an ASB press release. 

The Back2Business program supports minority-owned small businesses through grants, coaching, networking opportunities and access to technology. The program has made a $50 million commitment, and since 2020, has awarded more than 1,600 grants to diverse-owned small businesses in the U.S.…

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Free Volleyball Camp

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

Fieldhouse Volleyball News Release

Molokai raised and alumni of Molokai High School, Annette Luafalemana travels home to host a free volleyball clinic on June 3-4 at the Molokai High School Gym. Ike Loa Volleyball Camp is open to ages 8 to 17 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for under 12, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 13 and older. 

Passionate about volleyball, she currently manages the Fieldhouse Volleyball Club in Texas that helps all ages to follow their dreams and become proud athletes.  This is her way of giving back to her community that helped raise her to be who she is now.  …

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Water Commission Should Uphold Decision to Restore Kawela Stream

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

Community Contributed

Opinion by Walter Ritte, Molokai Nō Ka Heke

Last October, the State Commission on Water Resource Management ordered Molokai Properties, Ltd. to fully restore Kawela Stream, and to find ways to use the reservoirs and other stream diversions MPL already owns to supply offstream uses. MPL requested a contested case to oppose the Commission’s decision to permanently restore Kawela Stream.

The Water Commission should uphold its decision to restore Kawela Stream. 

The Commission followed the law. Under the Hawaii Constitution and Water Code, the Water Commission must protect, restore, and reestablish instream values, including the use of stream waters for the exercise of traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights.…

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PTSD and COVID-19: A Silent Sickness

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

Community Contributed

Opinion by Aaron Mitchell, MS, MHC

While the world may be saying, “We’re back to life as normal,” many of us are saying to ourselves, “Um, this doesn’t feel right.”  We remember when things were “normal” and then COVID-19 hit.  We remember what happened and we remember what we went through.  We have a new level of caution.  An uncle here on Molokai has expressed his concern about the traumatic impacts of COVID on this community.  

Whenever we go through something big and it creates a lot of change in our life, there is the potential for trauma.  In the case of COVID-19, that change was world-wide. …

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Molokai Celebrates the Class of 2023

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Molokai Celebrates the Class of 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga | Editor

On Saturday, May 20, the Molokai community gathered at the Molokai High School (MHS) gym to honor the graduating class of 2023. 

The fact that this was the first graduation held inside the gym since 2019 spoke to the unusual high school experiences of the class. 

COVID “hit us all and caused confusion, frustration,” said MHS Principal Katina Soares in her address. 

“[The class of 2023] kept going,” said Soares, explaining that “I saw them develop grit.” 

This grit, which Soares defined as a “passionate perseverance towards long-term goals,” was evident in the many recognitions awarded to the class.…

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New Medical Clinic

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga | Reporter 

With the May 15 opening of the Molokai Family and Urgent Care Clinic, Molokai residents have a much-needed, new option for medical care. Led by Dr. Kaohimanu Dang Akiona, the clinic is located in the same location as the late Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli’s Molokai Family Health Center, and is supported by Aluli’s clinical staff. 

“The focus for us has always been access to care. Not just primary care, but good care,” said Dang Akiona. 

Dang Akiona, owner of the Kohala Coast Urgent Clinic, explained that heath care shouldn’t be reliant on zip code. 

“[Molokai residents] don’t actually have what we would consider reasonable standards of care anymore,” said Akiona.…

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Rallying for Nathaniel

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Rallying for Nathaniel

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Family, friends and community members came out in the hundreds in a rally for justice for Nathaniel Naki on May 14. From Mana’e to Kaunakakai, a line of cars stretching several miles long crossed the island in a motorcade, honking and holding signs. Stopping in the parking lot near the police station, they gathered in peaceful demonstration to sing a hymn, as well as “Happy Birthday.” 

The day marked what would have been Naki’s 41st birthday.  

“Our son, he didn’t turn, huli! He didn’t run, holo! He didn’t hide; he stood, and took those shots,” Naki’s father, Leimana Naki, told those gathered. …

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Music on the Lawn

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Music on the Lawn

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Residents enjoyed an evening concert on the lawn of the Molokai Public Library as musicians of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME) shared their learning from the year. Taught by Bob Underwood, the program is offered free to elementary students during the school year, with instruments provided, as well as adult learners. The program is sponsored by the Molokai Arts Center and the performance featured students from Kualapu’u and Kaunakakai schools.…

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Fund Mental Health Professionals

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

He needed a hug, not a death sentence.

To practice law in Maui County takes at least seven years. To practice medicine takes a decade or more. To become a police officer takes six months of combined academy and on-the-job training.

Police aren’t required to have even an Associate’s degree in psychology, conflict resolution or even criminal justice. The only requirement to enter the academy is a high school diploma. At the academy they’re trained to enforce, violently if necessary, man-made laws. Police training manuals aren’t written with mental health in mind. They’re certainly not written with Molokai in mind. The officers should have let Nathaniel Naki keep walking away. …

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