Health

Science Education Fund Scholarship Extended

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Bayer News Release

In response to challenges facing Hawaii’s educators during the coronavirus situation, the application deadline for the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund has been extended to May 22. The previous deadline was April 25.

This Bayer Fund grant program is open to public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai, where Bayer farms.

Established in 2005, the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund helps provide Hawaii public schools with programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance science education in the schools, and encourages today’s students to consider a future career in the sciences.…

Bag All Rubbish

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

County of Maui News Release

During this difficult time, please observe the following practices to help protect our Molokai Landfill trash collection staff and our community.

Please, no loose trash. All waste should be bagged before delivering it to Landfill or placing it into your trash can for pick up.

Securely tie-off trash bags — double bagging is always appreciated! Try to get as much air out of your trash bags as possible prior to tying it off. This will maximize the amount of waste you can fit in your trash cans!

Don’t overfill the County trash can. Overfilled containers spill, exposing workers and the community to possible injury and illness.…

I Give My Thanks

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Fifteen years ago this April, I moved to Molokai. At this difficult time, I have a few comments.

To all who, to the best of their ability, stay at home, use face covering and maintain 6 foot separation, I give my thanks.

To those who stay open to provide take-out food and to those who make grocery shopping possible, I give my thanks.

To those who keep my car and bicycle operating and to those who patrol our streets, I give my thanks.

To those who make it possible to receive our mail and to do our banking, I give my thanks.…

Molokai Resource Page

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Kuha’o Business Center News Release

The County of Maui is sponsoring a new website with information and resources for residents and businesses at COVID19MauiNui.com. The website now includes a “Molokai News and Updates” page. The website includes information and assistance from state and federal agencies as well as highlights community initiatives and programs.

During this time of heightened public health risk and community concern over the coronavirus disease of 2019 (“COVID-19″), it is important to know you are not alone and there is help and resources available.

The website also includes a link to the program OurKupuna.com, a community initiative project that connects our kupuna with volunteer sponsors, also available on Molokai.…

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Offers Free Food Transport

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Offers Free Food Transport

Hawaiian Airlines News Release

When Kristina Gomez learned her elderly parents on Molokai were impacted by the abrupt closure of a main grocery store in the town of Kaunakakai due to COVID-19 cases, she wanted to find a way to help. A Hawaiian Airlines guest service agent in Honolulu, Gomez reached out to our leadership team late last week, suggesting we set up a transportation service between Oahu and Molokai to assist the rural island’s residents.

Teams with Hawaiian Air Cargo and ‘Ohana by Hawaiian – our turboprop operations offering passenger service to Molokai – worked through the weekend discussing requirements of the proposed service, consulting with local government officials, and obtaining necessary TSA approvals.…

Those Masked Marvels

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

By Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

Many of you readers grew up watching the Lone Ranger fight for justice. Some of you may have thrilled at the exploits of Batman as he nabbed all types of crooks and criminals. More of you marveled at the feats of the Green Hornet. As for myself, I was drawn to the swashbuckling but sometimes reckless Zorro. Indeed, I once dressed up as that mystery man, complete with sword and whip and concealed behind a mask, at a parish country fair in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. All of these fought for justice behind the mask.…

Stores Reopen, School to Remain Closed

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai remains at two COVID-19 cases after two large-scale testing events in the past two weeks. The county reported that 400 people during the April 7 drive-thru testing and nearly 100 people during last week’s event. Though neither the Mayor’s office nor state officials could provide confirmation, sources say all results have been negative so far.

Statewide, there were 580 cases as of Sunday, 414 of which have been released from isolation; there have been 10 deaths in the state linked to COVID-19.

After more than two weeks closed following two employees testing positive, Friendly Market Center reopened their doors on Monday.…

Health Center Gets COVID Funding

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Health Center Gets COVID Funding

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) received $550,535 in emergency federal funding to assist in COVID-19 response.
The funding was part of $10,037,995 given to 14 health centers statewide by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) which funds health centers across the country. The coronavirus money was part of President Trump’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act.

“This federal assistance to our community health centers can be used by the centers for staffing, personal protective equipment, screening, testing, and prevention or other means to fight the pandemic,” said Congressman Ed Case.…

Hawaii Beaches Closed

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

DLNR News Release

Governor David Ige issued a Fifth Supplementary Proclamation to his Emergency Rules. This one includes limitations on activities outside homes or places of residence and closes all beaches on Molokai and statewide. It became clear that many people are continuing to access beaches, waters, and trails for social and recreational activities without proper social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis. Such activity contributes to the risk of spread of coronavirus across the state.

Under these new rules, all beaches are closed, which means no sitting, standing, lying down, lounging, sunbathing, or loitering on beaches and sandbars. People can still cross beaches to access the ocean for outdoor exercise like surfing, solo paddling and swimming as long as social distances are maintained.…

National Guard Assists on Molokai

Monday, April 20th, 2020

National Guard Assists on Molokai

Last week, seven members of the Hawaii National Guard arrived on Molokai to perform thermal screenings at the airport and assist the Maui Police Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guardsmen are unarmed and “all local boys just trying to serve their community,” said Staff Sgt. Laurence Kimoha’e Puailihau, Jr., who is from Molokai and now lives on Oahu with his family.

Puailihau joined Councilwoman and Molokai High classmate Keani Rawlins-Fernandez in a virtual talk story last weekend to answer questions and clear up “the uncertainty and anxiety that people feel when they hear the National Guard is coming,” said Rawlins-Fernandez.…