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Government

$1.8M for Molokai Conservation Efforts

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai is anticipated to have clearer oceans and reefs, less erosion and flooding, and protection from wildfires thanks to $1.8 million in federal funds that were just awarded to the Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

The funding, through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), will pay for measures to protect Molokai’s forest ecosystems, like fencing for protection from hooved animals and creating firebreaks. The State of Hawaii is also matching the funds as part of a larger Watershed Initiative, directing an additional $2 million of state Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and operating funds to protect Molokai’s forests and provide jobs for Molokai residents, according to the DLNR.…

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New MEO Bus

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

New MEO Bus

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

A new bus was blessed at Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Molokai last week. The 18-seat bus is the 13th bus in MEO’s Molokai fleet and is equipped with a wheelchair lift as well as seat harnesses built into the seats, according to Yolanda Reyes, MEO Molokai branch director.

“It will be used for all transportation routes but mainly for our Head Start children as their chair harnesses are already built in on each seat,” said Reyes. “Previously we needed to install each seat harness when there was an excursion for the children but now they are already built in.”…

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Aging Water System Gets $37M Upgrade

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

Aging Water System Gets $37M Upgrade

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Repairs and improvements to the 80-year-old Ho’olehua Water System kicked off with a small groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday that marks the beginning of a multi-phase, $37 million project that will last about two years. The water system serves more than 2,400 customers, including about 500 homesteads in Hoʻolehua, Palaʻau, Kalamaʻula and Moʻomomi, as well as provides water to the post office, schools and airport.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) capital improvement project will include improvements such as the installation of a 200,000-gallon storage tank, upgrades to automation systems, a new warehouse, and a new emergency generator diesel fuel tank.…

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Temporarily Closure of Molokai Property Assessment Office

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The Molokai Real Property Assessment office is temporarily closed due to staffing shortage from Friday, Nov. 13, through Friday, Nov. 20. The office is located at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.

The office will reopen on Monday, Nov. 23, during its normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For property tax payments and circuit breaker questions, please call the Real Property Treasury Office at (808) 270-7697.

For all other property questions, please call the Real Property Assessment Office at (808) 270-7297, visit its website at mauipropertytax.com, or send an email at rpa@co.maui.hi.us.…

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Election Brings Record Voter Turnouts

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week’s General Election brought record voter turnouts across the state as well as on Molokai. Despite the fact that Hawaii promoted 100 percent mail-in ballots this year, many voters still chose to vote in person at Voter Service Centers, and long lines as the 7 pm deadline on Nov. 3 approached at many locations, caused delays in results being reported.

On Molokai, 2,824 residents cast their votes by mail, while 538 visited the Voter Service Center at the Mitchell Pauole Center to vote in person.

In the 2016 General Election, Molokai voter turnout in all precincts hovered just under 30 percent, while in 2018, it averaged in the low 20 percent range.…

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DHHL to Offer Its Own Internet

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

With Molokai homesteaders struggling with faulty internet service under Sandwich Isles Communication, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands is poised to deliver its own internet to homestead communities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved applications for DHHL to bring wireless broadband to Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Kauai, which is anticipated to be operational by 2022.

Slow internet has been plaguing Molokai homesteaders for some time but has been exacerbated by the pandemic, as students attempt to study remotely, employees work from home and small business owners bolster their online marketplaces.

“Anger, frustration, you can’t even get through to a live body to talk about what the situation is, or negotiations of how they can have their bills paid, or you can transfer over to another carrier,” Rep.…

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Animal Control Services for Molokai

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020

Opinion by Laura Peterson

There is an unfilled position on Molokai, that of the Animal Control Officer, and this petition is sent to Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino and the County Council. Not only is this a solid job for a resident of Molokai, but it is key for the humane treatment of our lost, hurt, and abandoned pets on-island. Would no animal control be tolerated on Maui? No. Then why is it accepted on Molokai?

Ideally, the Animal Control Officer works in partnership with the medical services provided by the Molokai Humane Society (MoHS), temporarily houses and cares for dogs in the county shelter, and arranges safe transport to Maui to adoption facilities.…

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‘Ohana to Continue Service, Mokulele in Financial Hardship

Thursday, November 5th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

After announcing they would temporarily stop service on Nov. 1, ‘Ohana by Hawaiian will now continue flying “through at least January 2021,” the airline said in a statement last week.

A “dormant” Essential Air Service (EAS) provision covers flights to Molokai and Lanai, requiring a 90-day notice for disruption of service, according to the Dept. of Transportation. Ross Higashi, deputy director of the airports division, said in a state Senate Transportation Committee virtual meeting last week that the EAS designation wasn’t being evoked for years because multiple airlines were providing commercial air service to Molokai and Lanai.…

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COVID Spreads to Lanai, State Prepares for Vaccines

Wednesday, October 28th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

There are no new recent COVID-19 cases on Molokai, with the island’s total remaining at 19. However, Lanai, which had previously been COVID-free, had 49 confirmed cases last week, 15 of which are students at Lanai High and Elementary School, as of last Friday.

The source of the cases is unclear. Dept. of Health identified a couple of large social gatherings on Lanai that likely contributed to the outbreak. Some are also attributed to household transmission. One case had a history of travel to Oahu, but there is no clear tie to the other cases, according to DOH.…

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Last Call to Vote

Wednesday, October 28th, 2020

Last Call to Vote

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

There’s less than a week left to vote in the General Election— and if you’ve missed the deadline to mail in your ballot, or haven’t even registered yet and still want to make your vote count, it’s not too late. Molokai’s Voter Service Center is open at Mitchell Pauole Center Conference Room.

It will remain open through Election Day on Nov. 3. Hours of operation for the Voter Service Center are now through Nov. 2, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ballots must be turned in to election officials by 7 p.m.…

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