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Health

Schools Back in Session, Amid Last Minute Changes

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Schools Back in Session, Amid Last Minute Changes

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Monday brought a return to school for some campuses on Molokai under various blended learning models, while two schools, Kaunakakai Elementary and Molokai High, announced over the weekend they will implement 100 percent virtual learning for the first several weeks.

Two weeks ago, the Dept. of Education announced Oahu schools would start the year with four weeks of distance learning, due to continued a rise in COVID-19 cases. Last week, a second announcement extended distance learning to all schools in the state, except those on Molokai and Hana.

“The decision to move ahead with Molokai’s reopening plans was community-driven,” said Nanea Kalani, a spokesperson for the DOE, explaining why Molokai schools were among the only in the state to return to campus on Aug.…

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New HI Case Record, Molokai Hospital Prepared

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

New HI Case Record, Molokai Hospital Prepared

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

The state reached a new record last Thursday with 355 new COVID-19 cases reported in a single day. On Maui, 71 cases have been reported in the last 30 days, as of last Friday, and county officials expect that number to grow. Molokai confirmed cases remain at two.

“We would like to commend the community on their efforts to keep us COVID-19 free,” said Janice Kalanihuia, president of Molokai General Hospital. “We know it has been a long five months, but now is not the time to let our guard down. There have been a lot of visitors from other islands to Molokai over the past month so it is best for us to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, keep socially distant and wear a mask when out in public.…

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Boost Immune Health Through Meditation

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

By Ayda Ersoy Page

We are so grateful to not to have any cases on Molokai. Yet so many of us are really stressed and not living our lives because of fear of what might happen. In previous articles I have mentioned many ways to improve your immune system and maximize your health. Why is this so important? Well, do you know of anything that is more important than your health?

We can strengthen our immune system and overall health by eating whole foods, minimizing added sugars and processed foods, exercising regularly, and taking vitamins as needed to support our nutrition.…

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Arts Center Celebrates 10 Years

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

MAC News Release

On Aug. 6, 2010, Molokai Arts Center, Inc. was established as a nonprofit organization in the state of Hawaii. Ten years later, in the midst of COVID-19, the MAC, as it is affectionately known, continues to grow despite its current limited capacity.

In 2005, master potter Dan Bennett transformed his two-car garage into a studio. He invited a small group of Molokai artists to share his space and equipment. Dan taught, guided, and encouraged this growing group of potters and sculptors.

Five years later, over 20 eager artists were creating and collaborating. Dan’s modest space was bursting at the seams.…

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Cancel RIMPAC

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

We’re six months into a global pandemic. The U.S. death toll just surpassed 160,000 people. That’s 53.4 times more people than were killed on 9/11/01 and 66.5 times more than were killed at Pearl Harbor.

With new COVID-19 cases already rising, the last thing Hawaii needs is a large number of people arriving from all over the world all at once. In 2018, 25 nations, with 46 warships, five submarines, 17 land forces, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel were part of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. RIMPAC has been held in Hawaii every other year since 1971. A scaled back version is set to begin Aug.…

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CBSFA Follows ‘Ike Kupuna

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

Opinion by Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

The highly anticipated Board of Land and Natural Resources public hearing on the Mo‘omomi CBSFA will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 5:30pm. Due to COVID-19, the hearing will be livestreamed. Testimony may be provided online or in-person with advanced registration.

What is a CBSFA? A Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area designation is a type of fishing management area that encourages continued subsistence, and in Mo‘omomi’s case, would prohibit commercial fishing, except for trolling, within its boundaries. CBSFAs are not marine sanctuaries. It would not create “no-take zones,” like Hanauma Bay.

The Mo‘omomi CBSFA would not limit or prohibit anyone’s right to gather and feed their families: “§13-60.9-1(3) Recognize and protect customary and traditional native Hawaiian fishing practices that are exercised for subsistence, cultural, and religious purposes in the area.…

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MHS HOSA Club Seeks New Members

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

MHS HOSA Club Seeks New Members

By Daylen Casino, former HOSA club president and recruiter

Established in 2005, the Molokai High School HOSA — Future Health Professionals Club — has created opportunities for students who are interested in the health field, and for those who want to explore their career options.

Last year, the club consisted of 14 members, the majority being seniors. With school just around the corner, the recruiters of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) hope to encourage more students to join, even if they’re unsure or sure of what career they plan to pursue. We believe that every student deserves to have opportunities, even through times like these, where they’re limited.…

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Interisland Travel Quarantine in Effect Again

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

With numbers of new COVID-19 cases in the state continuing to skyrocket, a partial interisland travel quarantine was reinstated by Gov. David Ige last week, effective Tuesday, Aug. 11. The mandatory 14-day quarantine affects Molokai residents traveling anywhere in the state except Oahu. If you’re flying into Honolulu, you don’t have to quarantine, but upon your return to Molokai, the 14-day quarantine would be required.

“With Oahu’s 200 new cases reported today and 1,618 active cases statewide, reinstituting the interisland quarantine was necessary to protect our community and healthcare system,” Mayor Michael Victorino said last Friday. “I also want to let our residents know that we are discouraging any non-essential travel, but we understand if you need to travel for work or medical care.”…

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Molokai Lags in Critical Census Response

Thursday, August 13th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Participating in the U.S. census is an important and mandatory task every 10 years that’s currently underway and informs billions of dollars in funding in Hawaii. But Molokai households are falling behind in responding to several simple questions, with only about 27 percent of residents responding thus far, according to census officials.

“That’s far below the current national average of 63.1 percent, and the Hawaii average of 59.4 percent,” said Caroline Witherspoon of Becker Communications on behalf of Hawaii Counts, an organization aimed at educating residents about the census.

“…There’s so much money involved [so] we’re trying to make sure that our islands get their fair share,” said Bill Snipes, Community Liaison for the Office of the Mayor focusing on the census.…

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God on the Mountain

Wednesday, August 5th, 2020

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

“Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind, like you’ve never known
But things change, when you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith, for you’re never alone.
For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, He’ll make them right
And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is still God in the night.” -Bill and Gloria Gaither

If it seems like my column has become one of music and song promotion, it is not so by design, even though many of my first homilies, as a newly ordained, were highlighted by songs of the times in conjunction with the Gospel of the day.…

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