Health

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.…

Retail Businesses Green-Lighted to Open

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Retail Businesses Green-Lighted to Open

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

With Hawaii’s COVID-19 curve officially flattened, Gov. David Ige announced last week the first phase of an incremental reopening of the state, with retail businesses permitted to open on Molokai Monday, May 11.

“Today was another victory in the battle with COVID-19. Only four positive cases were reported,” said Ige last Tuesday. “This makes more than two weeks of single-digit daily new cases. We have some of the lowest numbers of cases in the country. And we have flattened the curve.”

The governor replaced the Stay at Home order with a “Safer-at-Home” message. Last Thursday, Ige allowed retail and other businesses classified as low risk from a health perspective to open.…

Once-a-Week Barge Approved for 30 Days

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved Young Brothers’ request to reduce Molokai’s barge from twice to once weekly for 30 days, until May 31.

In its April 24 filing with the PUC, the interisland freight company claimed financial hardship from “a drastic drop in cargo volumes and revenues” due to COVID-19 in requesting a reduced sailing schedule for Maui and Hawaii counties. The same amount of goods is arriving, but instead of two sailings to Kaunakakai per week, departing from Honolulu on Sundays and Tuesdays, YB has discontinued the Sunday sailing and moved the Tuesday sailing to Saturday.…

Your Immune System, Part 2

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

By Ayda Ersoy Page

In my article last week, I talked about the need for strengthening our immune system, and how we can do so through exercise and by minimizing our added sugar intake.

Other major factors that can affect our immune system include insomnia and stress, which are both equally important and really can not be separated from each other. When you are in high stress, you will be restless and often not sleep well either. On the other hand, if you have insomnia, eventually you will have stress by increasing cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone. When we stress the body, we suppress the immune system because the body thinks that it’s the time to be alert, and not the time to repair and heal ourselves.…

Molokai Student Selected as Aloha ʻAina Leader

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Molokai Student Selected as Aloha ʻAina Leader

Kanaeokana News Release
Kanaeokana, the Kula Hawaii Network, recognizes 20 graduating seniors of the class of 2020 from Hawaiian-focused charter schools, DOE kula kaiapuni and Kamehameha Schools who were selected by their schools’ teachers and administrators as emerging leaders who embody aloha ʻaina leadership in their school communities.
O Hina i Ka Malama Molokai High School student Pueo Akina-Surminap is among the Aloha ʻAina Leader Award Recipients.

“A major part of Kanaeokana’s vision is to bring into being a strengthened lahui that grows and sustains future generations of aloha ‘aina leaders, and this award celebrates that vision,” said Mahinapoepoe Paishon-Duarte, co-founder of Waiwai Collective and member of Kanaeokana’s Hoʻokele Committee.…

Finding Peace Amidst the Storm

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND

We have been spending a lot of time with ourselves lately. This can offer us tremendous space for creativity and growth or can be a time of worsening mental health. There are increasing rates of depression among those struggling to navigate the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19. Our current landscape is constantly evolving and there is no definitive end in sight. Our communities are faced with frustration and worry as unemployment rates in Hawaii rise to the highest in the nation.

Molokai tragically has the state’s highest rate of suicide, so it is important for us as a community to proactively address the potential downstream mental health consequences this pandemic will cause.…

Molokai Scholarship Deadline Extended

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

MOM Hui News Release

Due to COVID-19 setbacks The MOM Hui’s Ho’ola Hou 2020-2021 college scholarship application deadline has been extended to Friday, May 29. For more information or to request an application, please contact Mercy Ritte at theMOMhui@gmail.com.…