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Community

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

New UH Molokai Cooperative Extension Staff

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

UHCTAHR News Release 

The University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is proud to announce that on Jan. 3, our staff on Molokai doubled in size with the addition of two new agents.

Joining the staff are Kristina “Tina” Cacpal and Kyle Franks.  They join the long-time staff of Glenn Teves, Jennifer Hawkins, and Ag Technician Faith Tuipulotu.

Tina Cacpal was born and raised on Molokai in Maunaloa and is a proud alumna of Maunaloa Elementary and Molokai High and Intermediate School. She recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Grand Canyon University. Most of her career was spent as an Educational Assistant at Maunaloa that nurtured her love for education as well as connecting with the land and her people.…

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From Firefighter to Farmer

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

From Firefighter to Farmer

By Paul Hanley, Community Reporter

Weymouth Kamakana is 85 years old but looks 10 years younger. When he is not on dialysis—every other day for four hours—he can usually be found in his golf cart, inspecting his mango orchard in Kalamaula.

 “When I was young,” says Kamakana, “I did everything, ran marathons, paddled to Oahu. I had a lot of energy. When I retired after 28 years as a firefighter, I had to find something to keep active. There were two big mango trees on our property, planted by my parents. This area is nice and hot, mangoes like plenty of heat and sun.…

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New Year, New Restaurant for Molokai

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

New Year, New Restaurant for Molokai

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

In the center of Kaunakakai, a new restaurant, filled with color and flavor, has caught Molokai residents’ attention. Thanks to savvy strategies like OTH Restaurant Influencer Marketing, this vibrant spot has quickly become the talk of the town, attracting both locals and visitors eager to experience its unique offerings.

Carol Rocha’s Pacific Eatery opened its doors on Jan. 7, located across from Friendly Market. Aiming for a fusion of different cultures and foods, Rocha’s restaurant offers new possibilities for dining on Molokai. Looking for latin restaurants Roanoke visit El Paraiso.

“What I wanted to create was something that embraced this multicultural influence we have here,” explained Rocha. …

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Kamaka Air Accident

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A Kamaka Air cargo plane crashed about two miles south of the Ho’olehua Airport on Jan. 16 during its approach to land. The two pilots on board had treatable injuries. The cause of the crash, which occurred just after 5 a.m., is currently under investigation.   

Kamaka Air provides daily, essential cargo service to Molokai and other islands.

The Federal Aviation Administration accident report noted “substantial” damage to the single engine Cessna 208 aircraft. 

“Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances on landing,” the report states. The report classified one flight crew injury as “minor” and the other as “serious.”…

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E-Bike Business Debuts

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

E-Bike Business Debuts

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

Molokai has its first electric bike rental business, recently launched by Glenn Poller. 

Through Molokai E-Bike Rental, Poller is currently renting out five e-bikes. Electric bikes use a small battery-powered motor to assist when pedaling. Riders can choose between pedaling with engine assistance or just using the throttle, depending on how reliant they want to be on the bike’s 750-watt electric engine. 

Poller’s bikes are loaded up with puncture resistant tires, shock absorbers and lights, and come with a helmet, rear storage bags and lock. The e-bikes cover a range of 60-80 miles and top out at about 25 mph, he said. …

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House Fire in Ranch Camp

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

A family of four has been displaced after their home caught on fire on Jan. 17. By 5:33 p.m., four fire engines had been dispatched to the scene of the house fire on Kikipua St. 

The Maui County Fire Department reported that the residential fire in Ranch Camp was knocked down by 5:45 p.m. and extinguished by 6:55 p.m. but not before much of the house was destroyed by flames. No one was home or injured at the single-family residence, according to the Fire Dept. 

Ruled an accident, likely caused by an electrical malfunction, an estimated $125,000 in damage occurred as a result of the fire, said fire officials.…

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Teams Celebrate Seniors

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

Teams Celebrate Seniors

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

It was a sentimental celebration in Farmers sports this week as seniors were honored, athletes brought their teams to victory and the soccer and paddling teams ended their season. 

Girls Basketball traveled to Maui for the Maui Interscholastic League Division II tournament. They first competed against Seabury, beating them with a score of 51 to 8. This win secured their spot for the HHSAA DII Girls State Championships, which will mark the Lady Farmers’ first appearance at states since 2016. The MIL tournament didn’t stop there. The girls competed against Lanai Pinelases for the championship, which they lost 62 to 31.…

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Molokai CERT Training

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

County of Maui News Release

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. 

Using the training learned in the Hybrid CERT Basic Training and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Molokai CERT training will take place in person on Saturday, Jan.…

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Data Science to Help Revitalize Fishponds

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

Purple Mai’a News Release 

Three local organizations — Purple Maiʻa Foundation, Kuaʻaina Ulu ʻAuamo, and Hohonu, Inc. — are launching the Loko Iʻa and Coastal Monitoring Project that will kokua up to 30 Hawaiian Fishpond restoration groups across the state. The project engages local communities in the design process and will work with them to gather insights on the biggest barriers to fishpond restoration for food production.

Hawaii’s fishpond practitioners, coastal communities and local government will have access to real-time environmental data that will support biocultural restoration, climate change monitoring, resilience planning and mitigation. In addition to providing operational support, the sensor and data tools deployed can serve a broad audience for educational outreach and workforce development activities.…

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HMSA Kaimana Scholarships

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

HMSA News Release

The Hawaii Medical Service Association is celebrating the 18th year of its Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program, which honors Hawaii high school seniors and their schools for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities and sportsmanship. Applications are now available online and are open to graduating high school seniors, including those on Molokai. 

HMSA will award up to 15 students $5,000 scholarships each. To be eligible, applicants must graduate from a Hawaii high school in 2023 with a 2.75 or higher GPA, which is verified by a school transcript that is submitted by a school faculty member. Participation in at least one Hawaii High School Athletic Association league-sanctioned sport during one or more of their high school years and involvement in community service projects in addition to school activities is required.…

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