Health

Child & Family Service Celebrates New Office

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

Child & Family Service Celebrates New Office

When Child & Family Service (CFS) first arrived on Molokai in 2008, staff members worked with families in a one-room building in Kualapu`u, according to Nicole Hokoana, CFS’s Director of Maui County Programs. Six years later, CFS has a new, seven-room office on Kaunakakai’s main street, a fresh location for Hawaii’s oldest human service nonprofit.

“We’re all here because we have one thing in common: we love our children,” said Kahu Jimmy Duvauchelle, who came to help bless the new location last Friday. “We wanna give them nothing but the best.”

CFS, which helps families through serious issues that include domestic violence and sexual assault, went from the small building in Kualapu`u to a location next to Hometown Goods on Kaunakakai’s main street.…

Medical Directives and Financial Powers of Attorney: Why Do I Need These?

Thursday, October 23rd, 2014

Community Contributed

By Maria Sullivan, Attorney

Many of us have an aunty who suffered a stroke, then spent months in the hospital before she passed away.  Not only was it difficult for Aunty, but also for her family.  One of the many decisions that had to be made was about Aunty’s health care, because she couldn’t communicate who she wanted to carry out her medical wishes. Doctors spoke to the family and asked them to consider filing a Guardianship Court case, and the Court would determine who would make decisions for Aunty.  But if Aunty had signed an Advance Health Care Directive and Medical Power of Attorney (generally referred to as a Medical Directive), the decision making and entire medical process would have been easier for Aunty and for the family.…

Flushing Cesspools Down the Toilet

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Hawaii relies on its cesspools more than any state in the nation, according to the Department of Health (DOH), and officials want to change that. The DOH is proposing revised rules that would prevent new cesspools from being built and require switching to septic tanks if owners sell property with a cesspool on it. Before installing septic systems, they must make sure that the professional they hired is knowledgeable of details like a Septic Tank Bacteria.

The DOH feels that “Hawaii has fallen behind all other states in eliminating cesspool pollution,” according to an informational handout that Sina Pruder, an official from the DOH’s Wastewater Branch, reviewed in a public hearing on Molokai on Oct.…

Waving a Message

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Waving a Message

Youth got together to share a message promoting healthy lifestyles last week. A sign waving in conjunction with National Recovery Month helped educate the Molokai community about mental or substance abuse disorders and the treatments available.

Hosted by Alu Like’s Hoala Hou program and the Ho`i Ho`i Leadership Group, the annual sign waving was held this year on Sept. 26. Ho`i Ho`i Leadership Group is comprised of eight middle and high school students who participate in weekly lessons, activities and service projects through Alu Like, according to Jana Sasada, program supervisor.

“Our Ho’i Ho’i Leadership Group plays a big role in organizing, planning and preparing all of our community activities and service projects,” said Sasada.  …

Changes to Cesspools and Wastewater Systems

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

 

There are changes to rules about cesspools and wastewater systems taking place, and the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is soliciting public comments and holding meetings around the state, including Molokai.

Proposed changes include prohibiting the installation of new cesspools and requiring connections or upgrades of existing cesspools to septic systems within 180 days after sale of property. This is a great reminder that homeowners with septic tanks should schedule a septic tank pumping service every three years or so. Those who have their homes connected to the municipal sewer system are also encouraged to have their sewer lines checked and repaired with the help of a sewer line repair contractor.…

DOH Director Vows Continued Support for Kalaupapa

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

State Department of Health (DOH) Director Dr. Linda Rosen has a soft spot for Kaluapapa, but her term is nearing its end, and she visited the settlement last week to speak with residents there personally.

“I just want to let you know what a privilege it has been to be the director of the Department of Health and to have the privilege to be involved with Kalaupapa,” Rosen said.

Rosen, a political appointee, was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in February to fill a vacancy created by the death of former director Loretta Fuddy. With a new governor being elected in November, there will be a change in all of the appointed directors.…

Molokai Fitness: Motivate Yourself

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

What is your motivation? What keeps you going and working towards your work, life, or health goals? What do you enjoy doing?

Your motivation comes from understanding the big “why” you are doing what you do. When you understand the reason why, you will get much more energized.

If you really want to achieve your goals, but you are lacking motivation, then take a moment and do this exercise. Close your eyes and just imagine that you have already reached your goal. Imagine how that feels. Imagine looking in the mirror and telling yourself “I did it!”…

Molokai Fitness: Nutrition Workshops

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

I am excited to share some great news with you this week. I’m starting my new free nutrition workshops on Molokai. Finally we will have a chance to meet and talk face to face!

I’ve just been given the license for Hawaii from The Diet Doc, which will be the basis of my new business. The Diet Doc is a scientific and natural approach to permanent weight loss, founded 20 years ago, and now with more than 40 locations across the U.S. and on four continents. It has helped thousands of people around the world lose weight, and keep it off; it has actually helped people lose a total of more than 100,000 pounds!…

Tips from the Vet for Your Pet: Heartworm

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Stewart Morgan, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Heartworms are parasites that live in the arteries (blood vessels) going from the heart to the lungs. These worms can be between six inches to one foot long and can cause weakness, difficulty breathing, cough, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, and even death. Heartworm is spread by mosquitos, including the Asian tiger mosquito, and dogs with heartworm have been found in all 50 states. In short, where there are mosquitoes, there is heartworm!

When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites a dog or cat, the heartworm larvae enters the animal’s bloodstream and matures.…

Cultivating a Food Network

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

Like much of the state, Molokai imports most of the food found in its grocery stores, restaurants and schools — about 98 percent. Many Molokai residents are ready for a change and want more locally-grown foods available. That was the message received Wednesday night at Sust`aina ble Molokai’s Food Hub meeting.

Based on the Agricultural Needs Assessment survey conducted by Sust`aina ble Molokai in 2012, 90 percent of residents surveyed said they prefer to buy Molokai-grown food products, and 98 percent answered, “Yes, I would eat more local food if it was available.”

There’s a solution to that demand, said Sust`ainable Molokai Food Hub Coordinator Harmonee Williams.…