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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Reopening Continues, Social Distancing Still Required

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week brought some significant changes to permitted activities, as well as reopening dates for several industries.

Beaches are now open for passive activities like sunbathing, reading or watching the sunset, as long as social distancing is observed. These activities will be permitted in Maui County on a trial basis between May 16 and May 30. Additional county parks on Molokai opened (see the news release in this issue for details), as well as the county tennis court in Kaunakakai. The public pool, community centers and gyms remain closed.

Drive-in religious services can begin May 22, hair salons can reopen May 25 and dine-in restaurants can begin serving June 5.…

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Funding for Residents’ Essential Needs

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino announced today that Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. is still accepting applications for the Hawaii Emergency Laulima Partnership (H.E.L.P.) program.

MEO has processed 1,677 applications for financial assistance through the program, for a total of $707,000 in assistance. The County of Maui allocated $2 million in general funds to the program.

“This program is providing vital financial support by helping with essentials such as rent and food during the COVID-19 emergency,” Mayor Victorino said. “This support for our families is important until they can safely return to work.”

MEO Chief Executive Officer Debbie Cabebe said, “It has been a humbling and rewarding experience to see MEO and County of Maui staff and volunteers come together to help those who have been impacted by the coronavirus.…

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Electric Disconnections Suspended Through June

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric has suspended service disconnections for nonpayment through June 30 to ensure customers’ electricity needs are met as stay-at-home orders are extended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers should not worry about their power being shut off due to nonpayment through the end of June, and any threat of immediate disconnection unless payment is made received before June 30 should be treated as a scam. Customers experiencing financial hardship because of the pandemic are urged to contact Hawaiian Electric to discuss payment arrangements and options.

Hawaiian Electric continues its modified operations on Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island to reduce the potential spread of coronavirus, which includes extending the closure of its walk-in payment centers through June 30.…

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Once-a-Week Barge Approved for 30 Days

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved Young Brothers’ request to reduce Molokai’s barge from twice to once weekly for 30 days, until May 31.

In its April 24 filing with the PUC, the interisland freight company claimed financial hardship from “a drastic drop in cargo volumes and revenues” due to COVID-19 in requesting a reduced sailing schedule for Maui and Hawaii counties. The same amount of goods is arriving, but instead of two sailings to Kaunakakai per week, departing from Honolulu on Sundays and Tuesdays, YB has discontinued the Sunday sailing and moved the Tuesday sailing to Saturday.…

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Rainbows of Hope and Faith

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Beautiful colors of rainbows of hope and faith — believe there’s a rainbow and hope, at the end of the darkness, smiling at the human race of Mother Earth. Never, ever lose hope. Faith is always there for the human race to touch it, feel it, see it. Believe it – it’s real.

Molokai, we all can create good beautiful things for ourselves, community, generations to follow. It’s our mission, reason, purpose for life. Molokai no ka heke, Friendly Island. Let’s all remember those two beautiful words with positive belief, it’s a happy example of hope and faith.

Molokai, life is beautiful, important, special every day.…

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Local Food for Local Needs

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As the effects of COVID-19 continue and many families face financial hardship, the Molokai community is coming together to make sure everyone stays fed. Last week, an effort spear-headed by nonprofit Sust’aina ble Molokai, through the Maui Food Bank’s Molokai food pantry organizations and many volunteers, brought 400 pounds of Molokai-grown kalo, 340 pounds of locally caught fish, 400 pounds of Molokai-raised shrimp, and 50 pounds of Molokai-grown egg-plant, beans and papayas to those in need.

“On the one hand, it’s sad to see people out of work and more people in need, but it’s exciting to see the community coming together, to see all the resources we have on island being put to use,” said Harmonee Williams, Sust’aina ble Molokai executive director.…

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Farmer Relief Program

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

HDOA News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) mailed out the first batch of checks under the COVID-19 Emergency Farmer Relief Program last week. Four Molokai grants are among the recipients. HDOA received 333 applications for the grants and was able to award 106 proposals that ranged from $2,000 for individual farmers and ranchers and up to $10,000 for nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, and agricultural associations that have experienced financial damage due to the COVID-19 emergency.

The total funding for the program was $250,000 which was drawn from the State’s barrel tax fund (Agriculture Development and Food Security Special Fund) and made available through Gov.…

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Molokai Food Banks

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Hungry and don’t know where you can get food? This list of on island food banks may be able to help.

Information compiled by the Kuha’o Business Center on covid19mauinui.com/molokai. Information is subject to change.

Ho’olehua/Kualapu’u:

Alu Like Inc., Hoala Hou
Please call for more information
808-646-1592

Gospel Shoes of Jesus Christ
Currently serving both Mana’e and Hoolehua. Please call for more information if in need.
Contact: Judy Caparida at 808-558-8558

Molokai Baptist Church
Open: Tues, Wed, Fri, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Please call first. There are certain guidelines that need to be followed.
808-567-6689

Salvation Army Molokai
Please call for more information
808-213-5674

Kaunakakai:

Child and Family Services
*Located next to Bank of Hawaii- knock on door
Pick-ups available Mon to Fri 8am to 4:30pm (except state holidays).…

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Young Brothers Requests Once-a-Week Barge to Molokai

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Young Brothers Requests Once-a-Week Barge to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Young Brothers interisland freight company is seeking to make emergency cuts to its shipping schedule, including reducing Molokai’s barge from twice to once weekly. Last Friday, it submitted a filing to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), requesting reduced sailing schedules for Maui and Hawaii counties, effective May 5.

“…During these unprecedent[ed] times where YB is experiencing a drastic drop in cargo volumes and revenues, YB is seeking to cut costs by reducing the number of weekly sailings.…” the company wrote to the PUC.

YB currently has two sailings to Kaunakakai per week, departing from Honolulu on Sundays and Tuesdays.…

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National Guard Community Service

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

National Guard Community Service

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

The seven members of the Hawaii National Guard currently on Molokai for a month helped in various community causes and events last week, in addition to their primary tasks of performing thermal scans for departing passengers at the Molokai Airport and assisting the Molokai Police Dept. Molokai’s own Staff Sgt. Laurence Kimoha’e Puailihau, Jr. was among those who assisted Kualapu’u Market staff as they reopened their doors to customers last week. He said guardsmen are also helping distribute meals at Molokai High Schoo’s Grab and Go program during the week, and last Saturday, assisted during the chili plate distribution at Lanikeha.…

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