COVID-19

Farm Fresh Food Pantry Opens

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) is pleased to announce the opening of our Community Farm Fresh Food Pantry in partnership with Maui Food Bank. Designated under Maui Food Banks’ Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), this program helps to provide food immediately to those who need it the most. Open five days a week, one can get fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein, as well as food commodities at no cost. MCHC’s Farm Fresh Food pantry is also the only Food Bank based pantry on Molokai now offering qualifying residents chilled and frozen food items, at any time of the month they need it; upcoming refrigeration expansion with MCHC’s certified kitchen will make it the largest and most accessible Food Bank site on island.…

Mahalo for Soup ‘R Bowl Support

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

Mahalo for Soup ‘R Bowl Support

The Molokai Arts Center held its 11th annual Soup ‘R Bowl on March 6. Themed “Reimagined,” the fundraiser event featured 492 soup bowls and mugs created by Molokai artists. MAC reimagined the usual sunset under the banyan tree dinner fundraiser and created a COVID-compliant walk-through, take-out experience that was enjoyed by all.

Mahalo Molokai for supporting Molokai’s only nonprofit arts education program. Special thanks to Lanikeha Community Center, Rosie Davis, Molokai Homestead Farmers Alliance, Take’s Variety Store (Garrick Kanemitsu, Clyde Len Wai, Frank Maniago, Aiko and Kimmy Kanemitsu), and Halawa Tropical Flower Farm (Kalani and Joanie Pruet) for your in-kind donations.…

Health Center Vaccinates 300 During Public Clinic

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

In the first round of COVID-19 vaccines available on Molokai to all residents over the age of 18, Molokai Community Health Center held a vaccine clinic last Thursday and Friday with about 1100 Moderna vaccines available. Approximately 300 of those doses were administered during the two-day event, with about 100 in the first hour on Thursday.

“With Maui positivity cases on the rise last week combined with the emergence of the more virulent variants in the state, this was a feel good event for our team to be able to offer the vaccine to our whole community at a time that we are seeing yet another uptick in the County,” said MCHC CEO Helen Kekalia Wescoatt after the clinic.…

Diane Mokuau Wins National Librarian Award

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

Diane Mokuau Wins National Librarian Award

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

“Never in my wildest dreams” did Molokai High School librarian Diane Mokuau believe she’d be the winner of the prestigious national School Librarian of the Year award.

“Just the fact that you say I qualify for this is enough — there’s no way I’m going to win this,” Mokuau said she told Molokai Public Library Branch Manager Cynthia Delanty, who nominated her.

But win it she did, along with a middle school librarian teacher from Louisiana.

“I am deeply humbled and greatly honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Mokuau. “This highlights the wonderful things that are happening in our schools and our communities and especially spotlights our tight-knit community on Molokai.…

COVID Cases Increase on Molokai, in State

Thursday, April 1st, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai COVID-19 cases continued to increase early last week, with three new cases between March 19 and March 26, and six active cases in the previous 14 days as of last Sunday. The island has 34 total cases since the pandemic began.

Statewide, Hawaii hit a week-long string of triple digit daily cases, ranging from 102 to 119 cases each day since last Tuesday. It was the first time since early February daily counts reached more than 100.

The County of Maui continues to enforce face mask regulations requiring everyone, whether fully vaccinated or not, to wear masks in public areas.…

Nominate a Volunteer Hero

Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

County of Maui News Release

Do you know a volunteer hero on Molokai? Now is the time to recognize them! Nominations are being accepted for recognition of outstanding community volunteers, the County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns’ Volunteer Center announced. The center will hold its annual Volunteer Heroes Celebration of Service in April.

The application deadline is at noon Thursday, April 1. To submit a nomination online, visit HandsOnMaui.com. The direct link to submit a nomination is handsonmaui.com/volunteer-hero-nomination-form/.

Individuals volunteering with a nonprofit, private or government volunteer program on Molokai, Maui and Lanai are eligible to be nominated; one application per organization will be accepted.…

Vaccine Clinic for All Residents

Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

MCHC News Release

Vaccines are coming this week for all Molokai residents. This free COVID-19 vaccination opportunity for all Molokai residents, aged 18 years or older, will be held at the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) campus, 30 Oki Place, on Thursday, March 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Friday, March 26 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m.

Proof of residency (name with a valid driver’s license, State of Hawaii ID card, utility bill, rental lease, property tax statement, etc.) must be presented at the clinic.

The clinics will be held on a walk-in basis with no appointment required.…

Two New Cases, Vaccine Clinic This Week

Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

There were four active COVID-19 cases on Molokai as of Sunday, with the addition of two new cases logged by the Dept. of Health on March 16 and one on March 19, bringing the island’s total cases to 31.

Last week also brought a spike of cases on Maui, which raised concern among officials.

Mayor Michael Victorino expressed frustration on March 18 after receiving the DOH report of 41 new COVID cases in Maui County.

“After reviewing today’s cluster report, it appears the majority of cases are attributed to a new cluster of 24 in a place of worship, eight new cases in an educational setting, additional infections in a cleaning company cluster and two new clusters from bars and nightclubs,” said Victorino.…

Athletics Dept. Plans for Resumed Sports

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

By Rick Schonely, Sports Reporter

Molokai High School athletics leadership is excited to be able to resume athletic workouts and practices with COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols set forth by the Department of Education and Department of Health. Six sports can begin by the end of this month, with exact start dates to be announced.

“We highly encourage our spring sport student-athletes to update their current physical form and consent form during this time to be eligible to practice,” said Athletic Director Lee DeRouin. “Student athletes can pick up these forms at school during the day from [myself] or Athletic Trainer and at milsports.org…

Molokai Nears General Public Vaccine Phase

Wednesday, March 17th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai is poised to potentially have its entire eligible population vaccinated, but healthcare providers say they’re waiting for the green light from the Dept. of Health to move forward with vaccinating.

“We’re waiting for confirmation from DOH that we can begin to inoculate everyone on Molokai,” said Janice Kalanihuia, president of Molokai General Hospital (MGH). “There will probably be ad-equate doses here in the next couple of weeks to do that.”

In a March 10 press conference, Josiah Nishita Maui County Deputy Managing Director said vaccine eligibility on Lanai and Molokai will open to residents as young as 16 later this month.…