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Health

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.…

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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.…

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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.…

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Save the Arts Center

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

MAC News Release

Government mandates to close schools and stay at home closed our doors over a month ago. The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) has had no income for our basic expenses such as rent, utilities, and staffing to keep our nonprofit going. Our income from keiki classes, workshops, studio memberships, Alu Like Kupuna Program, Molokai Middle School Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, UPLINK, Kualapu’u School 21st Century Program, adult classes, and Maui Community College classes came to a complete halt. Concern is growing as COVID-19 continues to shape the way we operate.

Honolulu Magazine, in conjunction with the Hawaii Community Foundation, has repurposed Give Big Hawaii into The Aloha Campaign platform to assist in raising critical funds for nonprofits in Hawaii during this time of exceptional need.…

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Molokai Benefits From Council’s Proposed Budget

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Molokai Benefits From Council’s Proposed Budget

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez News Release

On April 30, Council’s Economic Development and Budget committee rose to the challenge of what will likely be remembered as the most strenuous Budget Session: “The Coronavirus Deliberations,” and recommended passage of the fiscal year 2020-2021 budget.

The Council worked collaboratively with the Administration, remaining flexible and responsive to residents’ needs, and acted upon community requests to invest in a “new normal” after emerging from the statewide shutdown. The Council’s proposed $816.5 million budget reduced the Mayor’s $869.8 million proposed budget by approximately $53 million, which includes aid for Molokai residents and businesses to help recover from impacts of COVID-19.…

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Local Food for Local Needs

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

As the effects of COVID-19 continue and many families face financial hardship, the Molokai community is coming together to make sure everyone stays fed. Last week, an effort spear-headed by nonprofit Sust’aina ble Molokai, through the Maui Food Bank’s Molokai food pantry organizations and many volunteers, brought 400 pounds of Molokai-grown kalo, 340 pounds of locally caught fish, 400 pounds of Molokai-raised shrimp, and 50 pounds of Molokai-grown egg-plant, beans and papayas to those in need.

“On the one hand, it’s sad to see people out of work and more people in need, but it’s exciting to see the community coming together, to see all the resources we have on island being put to use,” said Harmonee Williams, Sust’aina ble Molokai executive director.…

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Reopening Discussions Begin Cautiously

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Coronavirus cases across the state have declined significantly, with single digit new cases being reported for several days as of Sunday, while the Molokai count remains at two. Leaders across Hawaii and the U.S. are discussing the phasing and timing of reopening businesses and activities, and though Hawaii has among the lowest number of deaths nationwide at 17 as of Sunday, the state remains cautious.

“As the discussion occurs all over the world discerning when the right time will be to re-open… it’s imperative that we, in Hawaii, heed the lessons from other places, and employ the things that have worked and avoid repeating the things that haven’t,” wrote County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez on social media.…

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Molokai May Blood Drive Cancelled

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

BBH News Release

Due to the continuing public health risk caused by COVID-19 and the special state and county government mandates, Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) will continue its modified collections plan. All May neighbor island blood drives are canceled, along with all drives on Oahu that are hosted by LifeSaver Clubs organizations. Canceled neighbor island drives include Molokai’s May 12 scheduled drive. Donors who registered are being notified.

“Although collections are currently limited to Oahu, the commitment remains as strong as ever to send blood supplies needed to every neighbor island,” said Todd Lewis, Blood Bank of Hawaii chief operating officer.…

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Your Immune System, Part 1

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

By Ayda Ersoy Page

Most of us know how we can strengthen our immune system by eating high nutrient foods, getting regular exercise, getting enough vitamins, and so on. We are living in a very toxic world and we need to protect ourselves and eliminate any disease by taking better care of ourselves. Sometimes it takes an extreme situation like we have right now to make us more aware of our health.

Viruses and bacteria are two types of potentially disease-causing (pathogenic) particles. Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and can be transmitted in a variety of ways. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that usually cause mild illnesses, such as the common cold.…

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Transmission Rates and Social Distancing

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

By Dr. Landon Opunui, ND

Dr. Opunui is the Medical Director of Na Puʻuwai, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System serving the communities of Molokai and Lanai. He and the staff of Na Puʻuwai will be regularly contributing to an ongoing health column in The Molokai Dispatch.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the good news is that it does not appear to look nearly as catastrophic as once believed. The numbers of new cases and deaths both nationally and locally appear to be either plateauing or declining. To date, Molokai remains at two cases islandwide, with no indication of community spread.…

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