Health

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

Hale Ho’omalu and Molokai ATV News Release

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved when the first Day of Unity was observed in October of 1981 by the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (NCADV).  The intent was to bring battered women’s advocates together across the nation and end violence against women and their children.

In October of 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.  That same year the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress.  Such legislation has continued to pass every year with the NCADV providing key leadership in this effort.

Mayor Alan M.…

Patient Portal Puts Patients at Forefront

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

MCHC News Release

The Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC), in an on-going effort to provide patient driven care, has spent the past year investing in the development and implementation of the best technological tools to better service our patients.

Initially, our Electronic Medical Records (EMR) were introduced in mid 2009 providing a quick and efficient way for our doctors to access patient information and coordinate services with other specialists.

With this same focus in mind: to provide quality care based on quality information, MCHC will be introducing the newly developed Patient Portal designed for the patient’s needs first.  This on-line, web-based Patient Portal will be provided to all MCHC patients, at no additional cost, with the goal of providing our patients direct access to all of their very own health information, originally only available inside the clinic.…

All Creatures Great and Small

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013

Community Contributed

Opinion by Rev. Jean Taloa

Living here on Molokai, we are all aware of the over-population of the feral cats. We see them everywhere we go in town, along the highways and in the woods. My heart goes out to each one of them knowing that they are hungry and suffering. Have you ever gone to sleep hungry, not knowing if you will find food tomorrow or the next day? Most people say, “Oh, well let them catch mice.” It’s a scientific fact that one cat has to catch 22 mice a day just to survive. They only eat the heart and lungs, according the Animal Planet channel.…

Disaster Preparedness Part 2

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

Community Contributed

By MMS Robotics Team

We are the Molokai Middle School FLL Robotics team — Kaitlin, Lana, Taye and Marianna — and this is our second article to raise awareness about natural disasters. We are encouraging you to do three key things in order to be prepared for a natural disaster: get an emergency supply kit, make a family plan, and be informed about the emergencies that can occur and the appropriate actions for you to take. For schools, a well-stocked classroom emergency kit can be a lifesaver.

All Americans — especially Molokai residents, who have more limited access to off-island resources — should have supplies in order to survive for at least three days after a natural disaster occurs.…

What’s New is Not Good: Biosecurity Challenges in Hawaii

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

What’s New is Not Good: Biosecurity Challenges in Hawaii

Community Contributed

By Glenn I. Teves, UH Molokai Extension Agent

Biosecurity is a set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of introduction into Hawaii of infectious diseases, quarantined pests, invasive alien species, and living modified organisms. Each year, approximately 10 to 15 new major insect pests are accidentally introduced onto Oahu. On top of this, many other seemingly unimportant pests are also accidentally introduced, though we may not fully understand their impacts at that time.

Oahu’s major ports of entry — including harbors, airports, and military installations — are the main entry points for these pests, but they can also be sent through mail systems.…

Affordable Care Act on Molokai

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Maui County Office of Aging News Release

Wondering how the Affordable Care Act will affect you? An upcoming workshop on Molokai will offer some answers. Maui Adult Day Care Centers and the Maui County Office on Aging invite the public to a free caregiver workshop, The Affordable Care Act: Health Coverage in 2014.  Speaker Kanoelani Davis, a Hi`i Ola Program Specialist with the Hawaii Health Connector will present on topics including what is the Affordable Care Act, how it will affect Medicaid/Medicare and common benefits offered in option plans. She will also offer information on the new health insurance marketplaces, what is the “Connector” and how they can help, and how one will qualify for no- or low-cost insurance coverage.…

Molokai Mom On a Mission

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

 GMO Exposure

Community Contributed

Opinion by Mercy Ritte

Did you know that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is not only limited to the food we eat? Here is how we may be exposed to GMOs on a daily basis without even knowing it.

Personal care and cleaning products: The next time you lather lotion on your skin or clean your shower, have a look at the product labels you are using.  Among the incredibly long list of synthetic ingredients you may come across soy protein (derived from GM soy) or alcohol and glycerin (both derived from GM corn).  Some healthier options include Dr.…

No Proof GM Crops are Safe

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Community Contributed

Opinion by Kevin Brown

In 1992, President George W.H. Bush made an executive order stating that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are “substantially equivalent” to ordinary seeds and crops. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) then adopted a policy permitting the production of GM organisms without independent testing.

In the late 1990s, Arpad Pusztai, a molecular biologist and GMO supporter, found that rats fed GM potatoes had “…smaller livers, hearts, testicles and brains, damaged immune systems, and showed structural changes in their white blood cells….”  Pusztai expressed his concerns on a British television program and was promptly suspended and forced to retire from his position.…

Healthy Eating for Keiki

Sunday, September 1st, 2013

Community Contributed

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

Every week, you see another headline in the local and national news about the obesity epidemic in our keiki. One of the latest studies shows that obese children face not only long-term risks, but also more immediate ones. They’re more likely to have problems such as asthma, learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), and eating disorders, which might need an effective Eating Disorder Treatment Therapy to cure.

Yet keiki — and adults – are surrounded by advertising messages telling them to eat sugary, high-fat, often empty-calorie foods. It can feel like a chore to get kids to make healthier choices.…

Backyard Gardens, New Thinking

Sunday, September 1st, 2013

Community Contributed

By Joe Kennedy

We have so many problems. Write down a list of the world’s most pressing problems and it will become clear that things are dangerously close to more widespread pain and suffering. Global warming, drought, flooding, starvation and warfare are increasing. Agriculture is the world’s biggest polluter in the form of soil erosion and pesticide and herbicide use.  But on the other hand, there’s a new kind of thinking out there that latches on to a certain kind of change and it’s called quantum physics. This new way of thinking is even favorably affecting farming methods and what to do with profits. …