Health

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.…

Flyover Salute

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

Flyover Salute

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Employees at Molokai General Hospital stood outside and cheered last Thursday as a military KC-135 aircraft flew overhead in a salute to healthcare workers, first responders and other essential personnel.

The event was an effort from the Hawaii National Guard and the 15th Wing Active Duty Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to fly over the state’s main hospitals and major metropolitan areas to honor COVID-19 frontline workers. They completed the flyover as part of routine training exercises, at no additional cost to taxpayers.

The statewide flyover included C-17, KC-135 and F-22 aircraft. The KC-135 that flew over Molokai was operated by Hawaii’s Air National Guard Air Refueling Squadron.…

AlohaCare Donates to Molokai Organizations

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

AlohaCare News Release

AlohaCare today announced that it is donating $150,000 to local nonprofit organizations that are helping at-risk families and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation includes monetary contributions to food banks across the state; 28,800 KN95 masks for health care workers at community health centers; and a grant for a new online platform to help identify areas of need in Hawaii.

“The needs in our community are so pressing right now. We want to help non-profits that are directly supporting families and individuals on all Hawaii Islands who are struggling with food insecurity, domestic violence and access to health care,” said Francoise Culley-Trotman, AlohaCare interim CEO.…

Friday Night Lights

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Friday Night Lights

By Rick Schonely

The Molokai High Athletic Department has been honoring the seniors of the Class of 2020 by lighting up The Barn each Friday night.

Per the Hawaii State Department of Education, “Public high schools will fire up their stadium lights in honor of the Class of 2020 on Friday nights, starting tonight Apr. 24 and through May 29. Lights will go on at 8:20 p.m., which is 2020 hours on the 24-hour clock, for 20 minutes and 20 seconds to honor our seniors as part of the #bealight movement.”

Imua Farmer Nation and congratulations seniors!…

Impacts of COVID-19 Among Native Hawaiians

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND

The United Nations has warned indigenous populations that they may be at a disproportionately high risk of being impacted by COVID-19 because of preexisting health inequalities.

Across the nation, there is strong evidence showing Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI), defined as people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Guam or other Pacific Islands, are at greater risk of being infected and of having severe symptoms compared to other United States racial populations including African American, Asian, Latino and Caucasian.

This should raise alarms for the island of Molokai as it has the highest number of Native Hawaiians per capita of all the Hawaiian Islands, excluding Niʻihau.…

MHS Alternative Graduation

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

MHS Alternative Graduation

MHS News Release

The Molokai High School Class of 2020 will be honored through an alternative graduation on Saturday, May 23 at 2 p.m. The alternative graduation ceremony will be a hybrid of virtual (live streamed/recorded) and drive-through commencement. Unfortunately, the proceedings will only be open to graduates and their families. The community will be invited to join our virtual commencement online on Akaku Molokaiʻs Facebook Page.

Molokai High campus will continue to be closed to the general public during graduation. Please help us have a smooth ceremony for our graduates by keeping the roads and area surrounding Molokai High School clear from 1 to 4 p.m.…

To the Class of 2020

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Molokai High School, and all graduations of 2020, congratulations to all of you with love, support, respect for your wonderful achievements. Congratulations on how all of you handled and dealt with your situation regarding what is happening with all of our lives at this moment. It’s not the end of the world of life for most of us, it’s the beginning of adventure and challenges for a new change of habits, lifestyle and vision. Be prepared for it. Also, always remember to make your life happy first. If you are happy with your life, what more could you want? Happiness includes parents, families, friends, community needs and wants as well.…

Research Your Family Tree from Home

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

HSPLS News Release

Through May 31, the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) is able to offer access to Ancestry Library Edition from home with just a library card.

Molokai library cardholders can access the Ancestry Library Edition to get census, vital data records, directories, and photos for those doing research on their family tree. During the COVID-19 crisis, Ancestry Library Edition is offering temporary remote access to cardholders while libraries remain closed to the public.

“We are so happy that the Hawaii State Public Library System can provide access to this rich genealogical research tool from home. It’s really amazing when you can see a photo of a written census that your grandmother was part of when she was 9, and find clues to other family members,” said State Librarian, Stacey A.…

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.…

Wind in the Willows

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

Some people awake to the sound of an alarm, some to the call of one or more roosters and some have a natural awakening. It was that way for me last week during this lockdown because of the coronavirus. One morning I awoke to the memory of childhood days and “The Wind In The Willows.”

Just in case you are wondering, this is the title of a book written in 1908 for second and third graders by a Scot, Kenneth Grahame. As a child, he had lived with his grandmother on the banks of the River Thames and so developed a love for nature.…