Health

Chinese Rose Beetles: A Life in the Dark

Thursday, September 11th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, Extension Agent, UH CTAHR

The Chinese Rose Beetle, Odoretus sinicus, is one of the most insidious and troublesome garden and yard pests due its wide host range. It can feed on over 250 species of plants, including taro, beans, corn, eggplant, okra, banana, cacao, ohia lehua, heliconia, and roses. First reported in Hawaii in 1891, the Chinese Rose Beetle is found throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Due to our strange weather this summer, we’ve been having more than our share of Chinese Rose Beetles. Its signature holes in leaves looks like someone took a buckshot to your plants, and its damage can stunt and even kill plants.…

Fun for the Whole `Ohana

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

Fun for the Whole `Ohana

Last Saturday’s Kualapu`u School `Ohana Fun Fair brought crowds of families for a day that included a beauty pageant, fitness challenge, horseback and wagon rides, face painting and art booths, bounce house, and a wide assortment of food and craft booths. The event was a kick-off to the school’s 10th anniversary of converting to a charter model.

The fitness challenge, pictured here, featured age-appropriate obstacle courses in a fun, “everyone wins” race over tables, through tires, into a muddy dunk-tank, and past opihi-picking challenges, all to end with a cooling water slide. The fitness event, through a partnership with Na Pu`uwai, promoted exercise, healthy competition and self-confidence, according to Na Pu`uwai’s Kari Kikukawa.…

New Rules for Food Establishments

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

The State of Hawaii has new rules for food establishments that may bring big changes for local restaurants and groceries.

“It’s kind of a big deal,” said Department of Health (DOH) Inspector Cathleen Sakamoto, of Molokai. “Chapter 50 is very different from Chapter 12 [previous law]. The whole point is to lessen food-spread illness.”

Sakamoto held two workshops on the new Chapter 50 regulations last week to educate business owners and pass out information on the changes.

While the new law has been years in the making, she said, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed it into law in February. As soon as Sakamoto has notified all food establishments on Molokai of the new regulations, inspections will begin, she said.…

Walk for Sight

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

Molokai Lions Club News Release

The Molokai Lions Club third annual Walk for Sight on Molokai will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, Saturday, from 7:30 to 10 a.m.  Registration is in front of Kalele Bookstore.  Club members urge the community to join them in their multiple treks through Kaunakakai raising money for continued sight programs on Molokai.

All money raised in this event remains on Molokai. The sight programs include offering help to anyone who is underserved in their need for sight or hearing assistance, vision screening for elementary and preschool children, and the retina vision van project of detection for adults.…

New Location for Psychologist

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

`Imi Ola News Release

Molokai-based psychologist Dr. Stephanie Napoli has recently opened a new location. Dr. Napoli has had the privilege of serving our community for the past three years. Now, she offers her therapy services in Office 2 at Home Pumehana, 290 Kolapa Place, Kaunakakai.

Psychotherapy is available for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Napoli has specialized training in therapy for trauma survivors and in suicide prevention. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Her practice is named `Imi Ola, which means “seek life.” Come seek your best life in therapy with Dr.…

Life-Saving Flights

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

Life-Saving Flights

It usually signals unfortunate circumstances when Hawaii Life Flight (HLF) — an air ambulance service — arrives, but last week it was a celebration. The company has been offering emergency air medical transport on Molokai since 2006, and this year, made the island one of its bases. That means faster service for Molokai residents in need – and a better chance to save more lives, according to HLF staff.

“For all time-sensitive patients, like stroke, cardiac and trauma, every second counts… It can be life or death,” said flight nurse and Molokai base manager Josh Schroeder.

With the nearest bases on Oahu and Maui, the response time for HLF crew to arrive on Molokai for a call used to be between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, said Schroeder.…

Fill the Boot

Thursday, August 28th, 2014

Fill the Boot

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has supported the fight against muscle disease for more than 60 years through a yearly fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On Molokai, local firefighters will be participating in the annual event, called Fill the Boot, on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Rawlins’ Chevron from 9 a.m. to noon. They’ll be collecting contributions from drivers and passersby.

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Honoring the Fight

Thursday, August 28th, 2014

Honoring the Fight

As the lights at Kaunakakai Ball Park shut off and darkness fell across the field, the grounds were illuminated by a huge-circle of candle-lit luminaria lanterns at Molokai’s eighth annual Relay for Life. Each lantern bag was decorated with names and pictures in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer. Family and friends surrounded the decorated bags that lined the track, many wiping away tears and holding on to loved ones, as the names of everyone listed on the luminaria scrolled on the screen during the ceremony.

“[The luminaria] represents the light we carry within ourselves for our loved ones that have been affected by cancer,” said board member U`ilani Lima.…

Molokai Fitness: Having a Plan

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

Do you have a plan for your future? Or even a daily plan of what you need to do? Did you know that if you have a plan you a much more likely to reach your goals, and to achieve your goals much easier too?

Whatever you want to do, the first step is to make your plan. Then you need to stick to it.

Take your time to make your exercise or nutrition plan. Make sure that you make goals that you can achieve short term — this will make it much more realistic. If you need help then ask an expert, or just search the Internet.…

Medication Safety for Children  

Thursday, August 14th, 2014

Community Contributed

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

Did you know that medications are the top cause of poisoning in kids? Together, we can help change that. To get started, here are a few answers to some questions parents commonly ask about medication safety for kids.

Where should I store medications? People may call it the “medicine cabinet,” but it’s not a good place to store medications. Bathrooms are moist and can lower the strength of a medication. Plus, they’re a little too easy for little hands to get into.Instead, keep drugs, eye drops and vitamins out of sight and reach of children in a high place, like a closet or kitchen shelf.…