Health

Molokai Mom On a Mission: Fugitive Dust Storm 2

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Community Contributed

Opinion by Mercy Ritte

A shocking fugitive dust storm invaded Ho`olehua on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 10:12 a.m — the second such occurrence in less than a month.  Winds traveling from the south-east at about 10 to 15 miles per hour blew across Monsanto’s vast exposed land, lifting a disturbing amount of earth into the air and sending it several miles across the landscape.  This chemical saturated dust involuntarily entered and contaminated the homes, yards and vehicles of many residents.  What I found most alarming was the pungent scent of chemicals that filled the air during this occurrence.

Fugitive dust is also known as particle pollution.  …

Molokai Red Cross Volunteers Spread Aloha

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Molokai Red Cross Volunteers Spread Aloha

When Hawaii was hit with a tsunami following the earthquake in Japan last March, Molokai’s seven Red Cross volunteers were spread thin, working around the clock to assess damages and connect residents with the resources they needed. There were 25 cases of damages reported on the island — the highest number in Maui County, according to Michele Liberty, Red Cross Maui director.

“After the Japan tsunami, we realized there was clearly a need… it lit the fire to focus on growing the Molokai team,” said Liberty. Since then, membership on the island has grown to 20, thanks to ongoing training workshops and recruitment efforts.…

A Natural Cleanse

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

A Natural Cleanse

Molokai Soaps of Hawaii uses natural, local ingredients

Think about a bar of soap. What probably jumps to mind is a hard, waxy block stamped with a generic brand that you bought in a pack from the grocery store. If you’ve ever bathed with a bar of handcrafted soap produced by Molokai Soaps of Hawaii, however, you’d have a different definition.

Master soaper Patricia Hammond is renowned for her artisanal approach, crafting all-natural products sourced from local ingredients. Her creations not only delight the senses but also promote a sense of well-being. Each meticulously crafted bar of soap bears the hallmark “Molokai” and is accompanied by a note detailing its creation process.…

Molokai Mom on a Mission: Fugitive Dust Storm

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Community Contributed

Opinion by Mercy Ritte

Friday, Nov. 9th at 12:46 p.m. marked the largest, most disturbing, fugitive dust “storm” ever seen in Ho`olehua. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fugitive dust is dust generated from open sources such as unpaved roads and agricultural tilling operations.

On this particular day, the prevailing trades had picked up, blowing over Monsanto’s recently disturbed and exposed land, lifting massive amounts of dust into the air and sending it miles and miles across the landscape, beginning from the Kualapu`u reservoir to Mahana stretch near the airport. I had never seen anything like it before.…

Kanemitsu Bakery Permit Reinstated, Open Tonight

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Kanemitsu Bakery Permit Reinstated, Open Tonight

Kanemitsu Bakery, after having been closed for five months, will be open in time for Thanksgiving this year. The bakery’s permit was reinstated today after the facility passed a Department of Health (DOH) inspection this morning.

Bakery manager Blossom Poepoe said staff will begin baking immediately, with the famed hot bread opening tonight starting at 8:30 p.m.

Inspectors visited the bakery Wednesday and found a few minor sanitation deficiencies, which contractors worked yesterday to correct.

“The improvement is tremendous [since the permit was suspended],” said Peter Oshiro, DOH environmental health program manager, who flew in for the Wednesday inspection.

While most of the violations had been corrected, DOH inspector Dean Kagawa said today he would reinstate the permit based on the understanding that several aspects of the facility, including the floors and some areas of the ceiling, would continue to be repaired.…

Shopping for Healthcare

Sunday, November 11th, 2012

Online web portal ‘one-stop shop’ for health insurance

Health insurance can be complicated, confusing and often, costly. Statistics show that many Native Hawaiians lack any kind of healthcare maintenance or prevention plan, which may cause damage both physically and financially, as those who file taxes must pay a penalty for not having health insurance. Enter Hawaii Health Connector (HHC), the local version of an initiative in each state established in 2011 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act –better known as ObamaCare. The goal is to provide an outlet for easy, accessible and affordable healthcare for everyone in Hawaii.…

Tobacco Documentary to Screen on Molokai Saturday

Friday, November 9th, 2012

Adrienne Jules Foundation News Release

Tobacco education in Hawaii is getting added inspiration with special screenings of the documentary film “Addiction Incorporated,” a lauded documentary about the duplicity of the tobacco industry. The film is showing around Hawaii this week, including at Kulana Oiwi on Saturday, Nov. 10. The showings are in preparation for the nation-wide anti-smoking campaign on Nov. 15, the Great American Smokeout, when smokers are asked to stop smoking for at least one day.

The documentary film has won critical acclaim for its riveting, true story of the tobacco industry’s lies and its attempt to silence the scientist who blew the whistle on them and testified at the Congressional hearing.…

Pathways for Youth Training

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

Mental Health America of Hawaii News Release

In 2011, Hawaii’s youth ranked second highest in the nation for high school students who have made a suicide plan, and highest in the nation for middle school students who have made a suicide plan.  Native Hawaiians are at higher risk than other students. As a community, what can we do to better understand the risks facing these youth? And, more importantly, what are our resources?

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., training on Molokai for service providers for parents and community members who care about the youth of Molokai is being hosted by the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC).…

Molokai Pharmacist Receives Award

Thursday, November 1st, 2012

Molokai Pharmacist Receives Award

Molokai Drugs Pharmacist Kelly Go was honored in a state-wide award for outstanding community service from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association. She was named the recipient of the 2012 Bowl of Hygeia Award — one of the profession’s most prestigious awards — which honors one pharmacist from each state annually.

“It’s an honor to be chosen for this year’s award representing Hawaii,” said Go. “I’m blessed to be in a community I grew up in and can now serve in this capacity.”

“She was nominated by one of the pharmaceutical representatives [on Oahu] who heard about what Molokai Drugs has done and is doing on Molokai, including Kelly’s role in making sure that there are resources for our community,” said Go’s father and fellow Molokai Drugs pharmacist, David Mikami in a letter to store staff.…

Corps Values in Health

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

Molokai is one of 12,000 communities in the country – over 10 million people –that are considered medically underserved, according to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Every year, the NHSC enlists medical, dental, mental and behavioral healthcare providers to these communities to provide primary health care to those who may not be able to afford it. Last Thursday marked Corps Community Day that recognizes the efforts of almost 10,000 NHSC members nationwide who are caring for underserved communities — four of whom serve on Molokai, according to Catherine Sorenson of the Hawaii Department of Health.

One of those members is Dr.…