Health

$2M for Residents Impacted by COVID-19

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino signed a relief bill to launch a $2 million program to assist residents of Molokai, Lanai and Maui who’ve been severely impacted with job losses from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

“Maui County is establishing the Hawaii Emergency Laulima Program (HELP) to make available $2 million to assist residents who’ve suffered economic hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Victorino said. “In this unprecedented time of uncertainty, we want to reach out to our hard-hit hotel, restaurant, retail and other workers who’ve seen their source of livelihood shut down to slow down the spread of this disease.”…

Efforts Continue to Keep Molokai Virus-Free

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

“It’s like a movie that we’re all in,” described resident and Misaki’s Grocery owner Kevin Misaki of the current coronavirus pandemic. “As long as it’s not someone you know, it’s OK. But as soon as it’s your neighbor, your family, people [on Molokai] will start panick-ing.”

So far as of Sunday, Molokai continues to have no confirmed COVID-19 cases, as the rest of the state rose to 175 cases out of nearly 8,000 tests conducted. Nationwide, the U.S. case count has climbed to about 140,000 as of Sunday — the most of any country in the world — of which about 2,500 patients have died.…

Volunteer Efforts Deliver COVID-19 Testing Booth to Molokai

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

Volunteer Efforts Deliver COVID-19 Testing Booth to Molokai

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

If and when COVID-19 makes its way to Molokai, medical staff on island now have an extra tool in their toolbox — a drive-thru testing booth that allows quick swab testing with minimal exposure for providers and patients alike and eases the burden on healthcare facilitates. The booth was airlifted to Molokai last Saturday through volunteer efforts, and though it won’t go into immediate use, it will be available if needed.

Molokai dentist Boki Chung is a member of the Hawaii COVID-19 Healthcare Providers Taskforce, a grassroots effort to unite healthcare workers across the state in fighting COVID-19 and provide them with needed resources.…

MHS Team Competes in Esports

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

By Ric Ornellas

Along with math and literacy, Molokai High School (MHS) is developing 21st century competitive skills. Esports!

MHS research shows engaging students in esports and pikakasinotsuomi games can help them build critical thinking skills, encourage teamwork, foster innovation, and promote self-directed learning, all elements of Hawaii DOE’s six general learning objectives (GLOs).

With learning objectives as a focus to bolster core math and literacy skills, DimensionU, a leading educational program used in over 40 U.S. states, was acquired January 2020, through the efforts of MHS Principal, Dr. Katina Soares, and Librarian and Curriculum Coordinator, Diane Mokuau. Math and english language arts (ELA) teachers earlier tested and endorsed the program objectives.…

Hospital Reduces Risk to Patients and Staff

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

MGH News Release
Molokai General Hospital is committed to the safety and well-being of our patients and employees. Effective immediately, we are taking the following steps to help reduce the potential of exposure at our clinics to protect patients and all clinic staff.
We have made the decision to cancel all elective well-care appointments, including but not limited to, annual physicals, well woman exams, and other preventive exams effective Tuesday, March 17 through May 16. Patients with scheduled appointments have been, or are in the process of being, notified about their appointment cancellation.
MGH providers will be reviewing all other upcoming in-clinic patient appointments to determine what visits may be medically appropriate to be conducted as a Virtual Visit or telephonically.…

Community Health Center COVID-19 Response

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

MCHC News Release
Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) is announcing several updates to the operations of their facility in response to the COVID-19 outbreak including Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, WIC and Ka Hana Pono programs and services, effective immediately.
MCHC is an active COVID-19 testing site. Testing is administered via our onsite Acute Care Treatment (ACT) Clinic. Hours of operation for the ACT Clinic are Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Hours are subject to change. Only people with flu-like symptoms should visit these locations. Those who are healthy and not feeling ill should not come to these facilities for COVID-19 testing.…

Library Closure and Resources

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

HSPLS News Release

All public library locations in Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS), including the Molokai Public Library and bookmobile services, will be closed until April 7. Please know that we are working diligently to navigate the ongoing changes in guidance and requirements from local, state, and federal authorities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Given the most recent information, as of March 19, all book drops will be closed. We are asking everyone to hold on to our library materials until we open again.

While we are closed, we don’t want for you to worry about fines and due dates during this stressful time.…

County Emergency Rules Mandate Staying at Home

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a “stay at home and work from home” amendment to the Public Health Emergency Rules in an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The amendment is effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 25. The new order will be in effect until April 30.

“The health and safety of our community has always been my top priority and I believe we need to take bold actions if we are to stop the spread of this virus,” Mayor Victorino said. “I am ordering all our residents to stay at home and our visitors to stay in their rooms as much as possible.…

Youth Affected by Closures

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

While school closures continue, academics aren’t the only aspect of COVID-19 precautions affecting Molokai’s youth.

The Molokai Youth Center, an organization that provides an after-school foundation and school break programs for hundreds of keiki ages 8 to 17, had to close its doors due to its location in a County building — which is closed for 30 days along with other county facilities — and the mandates for no gatherings larger than 10 people.

“When I received the email confirming our building is closed for 30 days, I’ve had quite a few parents contact me,” said Andrea Dudoit, director of the Youth Center.…

COVID-19 Prevention Efforts Escalate, ‘Stay at Home’ Mandate Ordered

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

COVID-19 Prevention Efforts Escalate, ‘Stay at Home’ Mandate Ordered

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Molokai’s Saturday Market in Kaunakakai is normally one of the island’s busiest weekly events, with vendors, farmers, artists, crafters, bakers and shop owners lining the sidewalk. But last Saturday, residents driving through town found it empty — one of the many signs of precautions taken to combat the Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic. Restaurants are closed for dine-in meals, most businesses have temporarily closed their doors and residents have been ordered to hunker down in their homes to safeguard everyone’s health and prevent spread of the virus.

As of Sunday, March 22, there were 56 cases in the state, of which 48 cases were residents and eight were non-residents.…