News Releases

Program Bridges Nutrition Gap for Keiki in Summer

Friday, July 19th, 2024

DHS News Release

The Department of Human Services announced the launch of the SUN Bucks program application on July 5. DHS is disbursing this benefit and working with the Hawai‘i Department of Education to implement the SUN Bucks program for school-aged children this summer, according to a DHS news release.
Summer EBT, also called SUN Bucks, is a new and permanent program to provide benefits to households with school-aged children to purchase food during the summer. Households will receive $177 for each qualifying child, to be spent during the summer months. Eligibility must be established annually.
School-aged children are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks if:
● The child was in a household that participated in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in any month from July 1, 2023 through August 4, 2024; or
● The child has been identified as a ward of the state (foster child), or identified by their school as homeless, migrant, or runaway; or
● The child attended a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the household applied for and was approved for free or reduced-price school meals.…

New Molokai Small Business Advocate

Friday, July 19th, 2024

Kuha‘o Business Center News Release

Aloha kākou, I’m Carrie DeCoite Caparida, the new Molokai Small Business Advocate at the County of Maui, Office of Economic Development, Kuhaʻo Business Center.
For those unfamiliar with our center, we’re an extension of Maui’s Office of Economic Development (OED), dedicated to empowering Molokai’s families. We are a resource for new entrepreneurs and existing business owners who needs assistance for business operations in Maui County. Our goal is to support financial independence and foster healthy, sustainable businesses within the community.
I’m excited to collaborate with Molokai’s small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Your feedback will help us better support your business needs.…

Traps Help to Prevent Invasive Beetle Spread

Friday, July 19th, 2024

MoMISC News Release

If you see large black rocket-looking objects hanging from tree branches across the island, these are coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) traps.
Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC) is currently surveying palm plants for 45-degree, V-shaped cuts on palm fronds with scalloped leaf edges and 2-inch bore holes on palm stems. We are using the black, 3.5-foot plastic panel trap with pheromones to attract and detect adult CRB. MoMISC has deployed 40 of these traps across Molokai including Kalaupapa. MoMISC is working closely with the Maui County Department of Agriculture and the statewide CRB Response team on this project.
CRB was first detected on O‘ahu in late 2013.…

Disaster Preparedness Workshops and Resources

Friday, July 12th, 2024

UH CTAHR News Release

In response to recent challenges posed by COVID-19 and wildfires, Maui County residents are invited to participate in a series of comprehensive workshops aimed at enhancing community resilience and preparedness. Organized by UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Maui County Cooperative Extension Services on Maui and Molokai, these workshops will equip attendees with essential skills such as CPR, first aid, and fire suppression techniques. Participants will also learn how to assemble emergency kits and adopt firewise landscaping practices to mitigate the risk of fires.

Registration is now open to adults, families up to four members, and youth who are year-round residents of Maui County.…

Free Concert

Friday, July 12th, 2024

Hawaii Youth Symphony News Release

The public is invited to a free afternoon of music in Kaunakakai at the Molokai Public Library from 3:30 to 4 p.m. on July 12, featuring the talents of renowned cellist Daniel Scoggins in a concert presented by Hawaii Youth Symphony and its Pacific Music Institute (PMI). Through Hawaii Youth Symphony’s partnership with the National Orchestral Institute and Festival, Scoggins will return to Hawaii as a teaching fellow for this year’s PMI: an annual summer music camp connecting students with celebrated soloists, players from major symphony orchestras, and educators from leading music institutions. In addition to the public performance, Scoggins will teach a private workshop for the string students of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program, led by Lauren Fischer.…

Preserving the Stories of Molokai

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Hokulani CTOM News Release

The Hokulani Children’s Theater of Molokai (CTOM) invites kupuna to share their stories in the ‘Preserving the Stories of Molokai’ children’s book project.
This unique initiative seeks to bring together the wisdom of Molokai’s kupuna, or elders, with the creativity of our keiki, or children, to create a timeless collection of stories that celebrate our rich heritage and impart valuable life lessons.
We are calling upon our beloved kupuna to participate in this special project by sharing stories from their childhood that taught them important life lessons. These stories will be retold by our keiki, who, working with kupuna, will also illustrate them — capturing the essence and spirit of Molokai’s traditions for future generations.…

2025 County Budget Includes Funds for Puko’o Fire Station

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Maui County News Release

Alongside Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee and Council Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Mayor Richard Bissen signed into law an approximately $1.263 billion fiscal year 2025 budget that boosts housing for residents, especially those who were displaced after the 2023 August wildfires, supports wildfire recovery and resiliency, bolsters social service programs and delivers core County of Maui services.
For Molokai specifically, the budget included $2.25 million in funding for the Puko’o fire station.
The budget was signed into law a week after it was unanimously passed by the Maui County Council on June 5.…

Kamaka Air Resumes Flights

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Kamaka Air News Release

Kamaka Air, Hawaii’s premier inter-island air cargo company, is proud to announce it has resumed full flight operations servicing all islands in the state once again. Due to recent personnel transitions, Kamaka temporarily halted its flights on June 5 but ensured continued deliveries through a partnership with a third-party airline.
“At Kamaka Air, we understand the essential role our services play in delivering products, medications, and mail to residents across every Hawaiian island. We deeply regret any disruption caused by the events of last week,” said David Hinderland, CEO of Kamaka Air. “Today, our planes are flying again, our teams are excited to be in the air, servicing our great Kamaka Air customers who depend on our deliveries for their everyday needs.…