COVID-19

Drive Thru Event Tests 150 Residents

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020

Drive Thru Event Tests 150 Residents

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

 

A second recent drive thru testing event last week Tuesday held by Minit Medical Urgent Care tested about 150 Molokai residents at Mitchell Pauole Center. About 2,000 masks were also distributed to the public, according to the County of Maui.

The testing was open to those who were both symptomatic and asymptomatic who met certain criteria of exposure or need.

Minit Medical said it would call individuals with all results, within one to three days. If you were tested but did not receive results yet, call Minit Medical at (808) 667-6161.

“We thank Minit Medical for conducting the testing and sending its team to Molokai,” Mayor Michael Victorino said.…

Nearly 1000 Families Fed in Produce Distribution

Wednesday, September 16th, 2020

Nearly 1000 Families Fed in Produce Distribution

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

The largest food distribution effort of its kind brought 960 boxes of produce to Molokai families last week through a multi-agency effort coordinated by nonprofit Sust’aina ble Molokai. The organization has been coordinating regular food giveaways to communities around the island during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Friday afternoon’s distribution at Lanikeha Community Center was federally funded by the USDA Farmers to Families (F2F) food box program, with the help of more than a dozen local agencies and many Molokai volunteers. Administered on Molokai through Sust’aina ble Molokai’s Hoʻokuʻikahi Aloha Molokai (“uniting together for the love of Molokai”) — an initiative that focuses on COVID relief through food banking and giveaways — the F2F program has funded the food and shipping of Molokai food giveaways twice a month during the pandemic.…

11 Active Cases on Molokai

Wednesday, September 16th, 2020

11 Active Cases on Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week brought a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases on Molokai, culminating in four cases being confirmed last Friday that brings the island’s case total to 13, as of Sunday. Two of those 13 were Molokai’s initial two positive cases back in April, while the island currently has 11 active cases, according to Mayor Michael Victorino, logged in August and September.

Rep. Lynn DeCoite called the situation “alarming,” though she said none of Molokai’s cases had required hospitalization as of last Friday.

“Travel has to do with some of them, incubation time has played a role in some of this, family-related also and it is starting to sprawl across the island from East to West, which is what is really alarming now for us,” DeCoite told KITV Friday.…

New Online Travel Application Mandatory

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020

State of Hawaii News Release

A new online Safe Travels application will be mandatory for all travelers on Sept. 1, the State of Hawaii announced. This new digital application, which collects the required health and travel information, is critical to protecting the health of our residents and visitors alike. Safe Travels is one part of a multi-layered screening process which includes arrival temperature checks, and secondary screening for those with symptoms or temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The application can be found at travel.hawaii.gov.

If you’re looking to visit Dubai for a vacation, you should hire a Dubai visa service from the best Dubai travel agency.…

Catch Lonomusic Online

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020

Lonomusic News Release

We miss you all and hope you are doing well this season. Just putting out a heads up on some of the things that are happening with Lonomusic.

We are doing a live interview with local comedian Andy Bumatai on Thursday, Sept. 10 on YouTube. The show goes from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Hawaii time. We will be on at 4pm. So here is your invite to get caught up with Lonomusic and the things that have been going on with us. So if you are able to, please join us and enter the chatroom with your questions or thoughts.…

Two More COVID Cases Last Week

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Two more Molokai residents tested positive for COVID-19 last week, bringing the island’s case total to six since the pandemic began. One of the cases was a county Dept. of Public Works employee, prompting testing of about 20 coworkers at the Molokai baseyard, all of which came back negative as of last Wednesday, according to Maui County. Retesting was done for about 10 employees as a precaution, with news of the results not released as of Sunday.

The Department of Public Works was notified of the employee’s positive test last Monday afternoon. That individual went into self-isolation at home and department ordered deep cleaning of the baseyard and vehicles last Tuesday morning, according to a county release.…

$3M More for Small Businesses

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

If you’re a small business on Molokai hit hard by COVID-19, more funding is now available to support you. A second round of federal funding is allocated to Maui County businesses, totaling $3 million. The first round of funding, also $3 million, brought nearly $96,000 to 19 Molokai businesses, according to Maui County.

The federal CARES Act funds are administered through the Kokua Maui County Small Business Recovery and Relief Fund to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Mayor Michael Victorino announced last week the additional $3 million available. The first round of funding awarded 557 grants to businesses in the county.…

MAC Show Approaching

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

MAC News Release

Many of you have experienced lots of “free time” in these past few months due to the stay at home orders. We hope that you have been working on your art entries to submit for the 2020 Molokai Arts Center (MAC) Members Show! Due to the ever-changing government restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the MAC has had to make several adjustments this year. Following are key dates, however please understand that, should the Mayor or Governor require a lockdown or other changes in restrictions, MAC will have to adjust accordingly. Please bear with us!

Sept.…

Moratorium on Electric Disconnections Extended

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric service disconnections for nonpayment have been suspended through Dec. 31 for Molokai residents and customers statewide. The company urges customers challenged by the financial impact of COVID-19 to seek utility bill assistance from government and nonprofits, and to set up a payment arrangement plan.

The Public Utilities Commission yesterday ordered utilities to extend through Dec. 31 the moratorium on service disconnections for nonpayment. The company voluntarily suspended its collection efforts in March to ensure customers’ electric service would not be disrupted while many were staying home. The PUC subsequently ordered all utilities to suspend disconnections and Hawaiian Electric has since been following with the commission’s orders and timing for the disconnection moratorium.…

Another Positive Case, Kualapu’u School Closed

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

A second recent COVID-19 case was confirmed last Saturday, bringing the island’s total to four since the pandemic began. Kualapu’u School is closed for five days as a result of a student being exposed.

It was unclear as of Sunday whether the new case was connected to last week’s positive case.

Lydia Trinidad, principal of Kualapu’u School, wrote in a letter to the school community Saturday that at that time, that no students or staff at the school had tested positive.

“In light of the specific information available to us and out of caution, Kualapu’u School campus will be closed for at least five days, beginning Sunday, Aug.…