Health

Emergency Device Helps Rescue Fishermen

Wednesday, June 13th, 2018

 

Last Thursday, two Molokai fishermen were stranded after their 18-foot boat capsized. A Coast Guard crew was able to quickly locate them and hoist them to safety after the fishermen activated an emergency beacon on board their vessel called an EPIRB, which stands for emergency position-indicating radiobeacon.

The two men, who were not identified, launched their boat from Kaunakakai Harbor Thursday morning to go fishing. They reported that a wave hit their boat, overturning it. They were able to swim out from under the boat but weren’t able to call for help, according to the Coast Guard. One of the Molokai residents swam back under the boat to manually activate the emergency beacon, and the signal was received by the Coast Guard at 12:06 p.m.…

Molokai Remembers Anthony Bourdain

Wednesday, June 13th, 2018

 

Anthony Bourdain, a celebrated chef, TV personality, travel and food commentator and host of the award-winning series, “Parts Unknown,” died last week at the age of 61. In 2015, Bourdain visited Molokai as part of the series’ episode on Hawaii food and culture, and many Molokai residents have been reacting to his death and offering tributes of their memories of him. Bourdain himself wrote fondly of Molokai on his blog following his visit.

“The place where I was happiest in Hawaii was the place everybody (native Hawaiians included) insisted that I would probably be least happy—or least welcome: Molokai,” wrote Bourdain.…

Tsunami Fears ‘Unfounded’

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

 

With the continuing volcano and earthquake activity on Hawaii Island, many Molokai residents have their bags packed, ready to run for higher ground in case a tsunami is triggered. But Cindi Preller, duty scientist and geologist at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, said that scenario is highly unlikely.

“The tsunami fears being propagated are unfounded,” she said. “The likelihood of a collapse from Kilauea is super low. The scary scenario that people are referring to is Mauna Loa [which is not currently erupting]. Kilauea has a buttress of sediment on the ocean floor… even if it does slide, it wouldn’t slide very far.”…

Landfill Expansion Planned

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

 

Molokai’s landfill is looming larger each year, and the existing facility is slated to reach capacity by mid-2020. Maui County’s Dept. of Environmental Management is now proposing a $6.5 million plan to add two new disposal cells to the Molokai Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility in Na`iwa that would bury the island’s waste disposal needs until 2038.

The two-phase expansion of disposal cells would increase the size of the existing 11.6 acre landfill to 18.4 acres. Phase 5 is projected for development in 2019 and Phase 6 would be completed in 2024. The project also includes relocating the existing green waste facility to another location at the landfill, as it currently exists where Phase 6 is planned.…

Drawing the Line on Sea Level Rise

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

Drawing the Line on Sea Level Rise

By Audrey Newman, Community Reporter

A team of committed students, teachers and community members participated in the statewide Blue Line Project to “draw the line on climate change” and raise community awareness of sea level rise projections for Molokai last Saturday.   Sust`aina ble Molokai helped volunteers create a temporary blue line of ocean images and climate change messages along Kamehameha V Highway in front of Duke Maliu Regional Park to show the area vulnerable to permanent flooding in the next 40 years.  

“We chalked in a blue line to show where the new shoreline will be if we don’t take drastic measures [to address] climate change, sea level rise, and carbon emissions,” explained Vicki Newberry, team leader for Aka`ula School. …

Red Cross to Install Smoke Alarms

Friday, March 30th, 2018

Hawaii Red Cross News Release

On Saturday, May 5, a group of Red Cross volunteers will be installing free smoke alarms in homes in need on Molokai as part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Red Cross volunteers will also be sharing fire safety information.

Smoke alarm installations are by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call and leave a message at the Maui Red Cross office at 808-244-0051 ext, 159.

Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster — and the vast majority of these are home fires. In the U.S., home fires kill more people each year than all other natural disasters combined.…

Audibel Hearing Center Provides Care on Molokai

Monday, February 12th, 2018

Audibel Hearing Center News Release

One of Stephanie Crabbe’s greatest joys is playing a pivotal role in helping people regain their hearing. “It is life-changing when someone can suddenly hear,” says Stephanie, owner of Audibel Hearing Center, which will be offering visits on Molokai this week.

Stephanie has witnessed amazing transformations — for example: first-time patients who are sad and withdrawn are suddenly elated from recovering the precious sense of hearing. She enjoys seeing how those individuals quickly become more active members of the community, regain lost relationships and just enjoy life more.

Audibel Hearing Center is a family owned clinic that opened in October 2012.…

Practice Ocean Safety

Friday, February 9th, 2018

Practice Ocean Safety

This winter has brought “unprecedented” ocean fatalities on Maui, according to the Maui Fire Department. Though there have been no close calls reported on Molokai so far this season, officials are warning those entering the water to use caution, as winter swells bring strong current and high surf.

“In the last few weeks, Maui has experienced an unprecedented spike in ocean drowning incidents,” said Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto. The month of January brought what he called an unfortunate “string of fatal drownings,” with the latest Feb. 3 drowning of a visitor from Alaska off Wailea marking the 10th ocean related death in Maui County in 2018, he said.…

Molokai Resident Assists with Harvey Storm Recovery

Friday, September 8th, 2017

Molokai Resident Assists with Harvey Storm Recovery

 

Molokai resident and Red Cross volunteer Lester Keanini is among 16 Hawaii Red Cross members deplayed to the mainland to assist with those devastated by Tropical Storm Harvey. Keanini is currently in Texas assisting with sheltering of the thousands of people who had to leave their homes during flooding.

Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from all over the country are deployed to Texas and Louisiana. From Hawaii, Keanini joins  five volunteers from Hawaii Island, four from Maui, and six from Oahu who are assisting in relief efforts ranging from damage assessment, bulk distribution, sheltering, community partnerships, feeding and disaster mental health, according to the Hawaii Red Cross.…

Update: DHHL Water Given the All Clear

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016

DHHL News Release (Nov. 23)

Effective immediately, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is lifting the water usage restriction for Molokaʻi residents who receive their potable water from the Hoʻolehua reservoirs.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) completed the microbiological and chemical testing of the Hoʻolehua water system and has determined that it is safe to resume normal water usage and consumption.

“We would like to thank our homesteaders and the residents of Molokaʻi for their patience and understanding as well as Maui County, the State Department of Health and the State Department of Education for their continued cooperation in this matter,” said Jobie M.…