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Environment

News stories regarding Molokai’s outdoor environment

Second Phase of Reopening Parks

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Additional County parks and beach parks reopened on Saturday, May 16, Mayor Michael Victorino announced. The reopening of parks facilities includes select tennis and pickleball courts. Players of both tennis and pickleball may invest in essentials and equipment such as rackets, paddles, tennis and pickleball scoreboards, etc., to improve their plays. County parks and beach parks will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For those looking to join events or leagues, the padelfast signup process offers a convenient way to get started and stay connected.

“Many of these parks are neighborhood parks, which give our families more options for exercise near home,” Mayor Victorino said.…

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Food Packages

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

On April 17 and May 1, the Molokai Youth Center/MCSC and Maui Food Bank provided food packages to the community. We’d like to send a mahalo to those who volunteered their time: Aunty Honey Girl English, Ekolu Ah Yee, Ui’lani Smith, Sybil Lopez, Ashlynn Kaulili, Shae Pualihau, Whitnelle Phifer, Gwendolyn Dudoit and MCSC staff, Karen Holt, Katie Juario, Shaye Lauifi, Lilinoe Bush, Kalola Kaulili, Ali Kaina and daughters, Rose Pettigrew, Ashleigh Dudoit-Polido, Darlynne Mollena. For the generous donations, Kualapu’u Ranch donated two cows that provided 5 pounds of hamburger packages, Molokai Livestock, Josh and Harmonee Pastrana, Mike and Nani Kahinu, and other generous supporters.…

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Hunting or Killing?

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

Definitions of hunting can include the activity of pursuing wild game for sport and food harvest. I grew up in a hunting family, and for me, hunting is filled with anticipation, excitement, and challenge, along with the possibility of eating the best, healthiest meat on Earth. Hunting isn’t just about the harvest for me; it’s also about observing wildlife in their natural habitat. Tools like a starlight scope have enhanced my experience and helped me score some of my best hunts. My son and I have often sat together for hours, watching deer, goats, or pigs enjoying life in their natural environment.…

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More Molokai Farmers Awarded Grants

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

HDOA News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will be issuing a second round of grants totaling an additional $200,000 under the COVID-19 Emergency Farmer Relief Program to assist farmers, ranchers and growers who have experienced financial damage. In this second round, 96 grants were issued ranging between $2,000 and $4,000 each and will provide stop-gap financial relief to help agribusinesses during the COVID-19 crisis, including seven grants on Molokai. The funds may be used to help utilize an oversupply of agricultural products resulting from decreased demand due to closures of restaurants, schools and other businesses.

Last month, HDOA issued 106 grants totaling $270,000, of which $250,000 came from the State’s barrel tax fund (Agriculture Development and Food Security Special Fund) and made available through Gov.…

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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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