Health

Flu Season Is Here

Friday, November 20th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs

The flu can hit senior citizens fast and furious! That’s because their immune systems weaken with age. If you’re over 65—or care for someone who is—keep the following in mind as we head into the flu season.

As for the rest of you? We have a message or two for you, as well.

A better match. Last year, seniors really bore the brunt of the flu season. Sixty percent of flu-related hospitalizations and nearly 80 percent of deaths were among those 65 or older. One problem was that last year’s main strain of flu (H3N2) wasn’t included in the vaccine.…

Child Abuse Prevention

Friday, November 13th, 2015

Consuelo Foundation Molokai News Release

In conjunction with the Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Kapi`olani Women and Children Hospital, the Molokai Child Abuse Prevention Pathways wants to encourage everyone to be an advocate for respect.

Respect means to show regard or consideration for the following situations.

Sexual Violence is non-discriminatory, it happens to anyone of any age, sexual preference, social/economic class, it does not care who you are. However, friends and family members can have an open discussion about the respectful ways to respond to someone who discloses sexual abuse.

Here are reminders to go by that are respectful:

Believe the victim Remind and encourage the “victim” that it is not his/her fault Encourage the victim that there is help available when they are ready

Kids, always remember if a friend or family member is in serious danger, tell a trusted adult as soon as possible.…

Molokai Fitness: Heal yourself with your diet

Friday, November 6th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

What if you can heal yourself just by changing your diet? I don’t think anyone needs to tell you that you should lose weight, or exercise, or start following a diet. You know exactly what you need to do. Am I right?

If you look around Molokai, a large amount of the population has diabetes and is overweight. In the U.S., 21 million people have diabetes, another 8 million have it but are as yet undiagnosed, and an astonishing 86 million are pre-diabetic. The numbers are increasing every year.

So what are we doing wrong? What has changed in the last 20 or 30 years to make this problem get so big?…

November Events for Veterans

Thursday, November 5th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Longie Dudoit, MVCV Vice Commander

Our Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) have a lot of activities for our veterans and community for the month of November.  On Thursday, Nov. 5, our state VA Counselor, John Condello, will be at our center from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for appointments only by calling (808) 433-0420.

On Friday, Nov. 6, at our center will be holding our general membership meeting from 10 a.m. to noon for election of board officers and directors for the next two years.  Our nomination committee chairperson, Jeanette Kahalehoe, is currently accepting interested veterans for all positions. …

Wellhead Protection Project

Friday, October 23rd, 2015

County Dept. of Water Supply News Release

The Maui County Department of Water (DOW) Supply initiated the “Wellhead Protection Project” in order to protect the quality of our community’s drinking water wells. The land areas that could contribute water and pollutants to our drinking water sources have been mapped as “Wellhead Protection Areas.” If pollutants are spilled or discharged in these land areas, they could filter through the soil to the groundwater and be drawn into a drinking water well. The DOW, in collaboration with the community, developed a protection strategy and drafted a Wellhead Protection Overlay District Ordinance.

The DOW will hold an informational meeting on this project and the proposed ordinance on Tuesday, Nov.…

Grief Support Group

Friday, October 9th, 2015

Hospice Hawaii Molokai News Release

When a person experiences the death of a loved one, their life is forever changed and the journey can be an emotional roller coaster. Knowledge about grief can help a person understand the emotions and know what is normal grief and mourning. A grief support group through Hospice Hawaii Molokai is for anyone in the Molokai community who has experienced the loss of a loved one.

The new closed support group begins Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and every Wednesday for 12 weeks at the Hospice Hawaii office (next to Dave’s ice cream).…

Child Abuse Prevention Scenarios

Friday, October 9th, 2015

Consuelo Foundation Molokai News Release

Though Molokai is a small community, we’re not immune from child abuse. Education is an important step in prevention. Parents, don’t be afraid to talk to your children about staying safe and healthy. Here is an activity to do with your children ages 5 to 10, but it can be discussed at any age.

Talk about grown-ups they trust. Have your child think of several trusted grown-ups, they are comfortable talking to. Along with your child, identify and draw pictures of three grown-ups who will help if they have a problem. It is important to make sure to communicate with these adults about their role as a trusted person.…

How is Your Healthcare?

Friday, October 2nd, 2015

Gov. Ige News Release

As part of a statewide effort to share health care innovation plans and get community feedback, the Governor’s office will provide public briefings on Lanai and Molokai. Two health care initiatives meant to improve insurance coverage, health care access and coordination of care will be addressed in the following proposals:

The state’s proposed waiver from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), developed with input from the Affordable Care Act Waiver Taskforce, which seeks to preserve Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act while also complying with the federal health care law.

A plan to improve behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and excessive alcohol consumption by incorporating screening and treatment for behavioral health needs with innovations in workforce, telehealth, training, and incentives. …

Molokai Fitness: Eat More and Lose Weight

Friday, September 11th, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

You always heard that if you eat more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. Correct? Actually no, not exactly. Yes, it’s important how many calories you are consuming each day, but what’s so much more important than that is what type of food you are eating, while you can also check the status of your body and weight using a reverse bmi calculator online.

Here are three foods that may help you lose weight. Let’s start with the first meal of the day, breakfast!

Did you realize the word actually means to break, or end, your fasting (that you do every night)?…

Molokai Fitness: Healthy Alternative for Soda

Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

I already talked about soda in a couple of my articles, and why you shouldn’t drink it. I got a big response, lots of you asked me questions. Yes, I think we all know that soda is not good, but what can we drink instead?

Actually, the best answer is water. Remember our body consists of almost 90 percent water. But I understand that sometimes drinking water alone can be a little boring! Great news though, I have some awesome and delicious recipes for you.

A good friend here on Molokai, Skylla, is setting a great example of how you can grow your own food and feed your ohana just from your own garden.…