News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Mayor’s Small Business Awards

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

County of Maui News Release
Is there a Maui County business you believe is exceptional? Nominate it for the 2013 Mayor’s Small Business Awards. The awards honor outstanding small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, and that have had a Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license for no fewer than two years. The program is designed to recognize businesses that demonstrate leadership in a changing economic environment, create a quality work environment for their employees, exhibit the Aloha Spirit and exemplary customer service, develop partnerships with other sectors of the community, and demonstrate other exceptional qualities or traits. The program is being held in partnership with the Maui Chamber of Commerce.…

Statewide Meetings for Mental Health Services

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Hawaii Department of Health News Release

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) is conducting a series of community focus group meetings to solicit input from communities and stakeholders statewide about AMHD services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Information gathered at the meetings will be used for developing plans for 2013 and beyond. The meetings are open to the public. The Molokai meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Conference Room, Kulana Oiwi Complex.

“Gathering input from community members about the mental health system in each county plays a critical role in the state’s planning process for improving services,” said Health Director Loretta J.…

Molokai Boxer to Enter National Competition

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Molokai Boxer to Enter National Competition

Molokai Southside Boxing Club News Release

Three young boxers from Hawaii, including Hunter-Gabriel Manaba of Molokai, made the cross-country journey to the first-ever USA Boxing Junior World Team Open held in Reno, Nevada January 7 to 11. The event showcased many of the nation’s top 15 and16 year old boxers vying for the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the 2013 AIBA Junior Men’s World Championships.

Tournament action began with preliminary rounds on Monday, Jan. 7 and Tuesday, Jan. 8 at the Grand Sierra Resort & Spa with each session beginning at 6 p.m. nightly. Kauai native Kristopher Alcos did not advance to the quarterfinals which took place on Wednesday, Jan.…

Nominate a Big Tree

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Nominate a Big Tree

DLNR News Release

Do you know of a tree you’ve always thought was special? Now’s the opportunity to recognize it by nominating it for the National Big Trees Competition. Anyone can nominate a native or culturally important tree from 21 currently-eligible species in Hawaii. Last year, two coconut trees at Molokai’s Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park were among six trees in the state that gained national titles. For tree services Lynchburg call Viewpoint Tree Service.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to help Hawaii compete in American Forests’ National Big Tree Program. The Big Tree Program seeks the largest trees of their species in the U.S.…

Dual Product Power Plant Proposed

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Aurora Renewable Energy News Release

Aurora Renewable Energy, Inc. (ARE) has proposed the first combined waste-to-energy/waste-to-product plant to the residents of Molokai as a means of becoming energy independent. During I Aloha Molokai’s Energy Festival, attendees on Molokai got a first look at the diagram for a combined 10 megawatt (MW) power plant and compound production plant that would use the island’s combined waste streams as fuel.

ARE’s integrated system gasifies municipal solid wastes, sewage sludge, farm wastes, and other biomass waste streams to their base elements and then reforms these gas if led elements tor electricity generation. The remaining reformed gas — commonly referred to as synthesis gas or Syngas — will be further processed into other usable products such as fertilizer or biodiesel for on-island use.…

Ua Mau Ke Ea: Sovereignty Endures

Sunday, January 13th, 2013

Alu Like, Inc. News Release

Molokai’s Native Hawaiian Library is sponsoring an Open House and Event, Ua Mau Ke Ea: Sovereignty Endures on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. The library is located on the hill behind Lanikeha and the Ho`olehua Fire station.

The event will be revisiting the history of the 120 years since the overthrow of the Hawaiian government. A guest speaker, Dr. David Keanu Sai, will be doing a PowerPoint presentation from 5 to 6 p.m. The presentation will be based on historical documents to educate the public. (Views expressed by the speaker do not represent the views of the organization.)…

Rising Vocalist Kuana Torres Kahele on Molokai

Friday, January 11th, 2013

Rising Vocalist Kuana Torres Kahele on Molokai

MACC News Release

Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s (MACC) Artist-in-the-Community Program is pleased to present a special show with vocalist Kuana Torres Kahele on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7 pm in Kulana `Oiwi Halau on Molokai. Admission is free.

Kuana Torres Kahele was born on the slopes of Mauna Kea and began composing, arranging and playing traditional Hawaiian music at an early age. In 1995 with Kehau Tamure, Kuana formed the multi-award winning duo, Na Palapalai, who earned critical acclaim for reviving Hawaiian classics as well as for original compositions. Last year, Kuana’s highly anticipated solo release, “Kaunaloa,” excited the hula world and re-ignited passion for Hawaiian music from everyday fans, garnering him multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.…

Kalaupapa Exhibit at St. Damien Church

Sunday, January 6th, 2013

Kalaupapa Exhibit at St. Damien Church

Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

A historical exhibit developed by Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa opened this week at Saint Damien Church in Kaunakakai, where it will remain through Feb. 3. The exhibit, “A Source of Light, Constant and Never-Fading,” emphasizes the strong relationship between the people of Kalaupapa and the Royal Family of Hawaii, a chapter of the history of Kalaupapa not often told.

A presentation about the work of the `Ohana in reconnecting families to their Kalaupapa ancestors will be held Thursday, Jan. 10 beginning at 6 p.m. at the church. Light pupus will be served. The public is welcome.…

Molokai Energy Festival

Sunday, January 6th, 2013

IAM News Release

The second annual Energy Festival, hosted by I Aloha Molokai (IAM) will be held next weekend and focuses on sensible, renewable energy solutions. On Jan. 11 and 12, 2013, at Mitchell Pauole Center, Kaunakakai, Molokai over 1000 people are expected to participate in panels and workshops, listen to local music, and eat ono food at the event.

The opening ceremony on Friday, Jan. 11 will be a cultural welcome to Native American guests from the mainland and feature guest speaker Colette Machado, chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Saturday workshops will educate about construction of a low-cost solar water heater, do-it-yourself energy audits, reducing electricity use in the home, and photovoltaic (PV) options for homes and businesses.…

Remote Oral Testimony Now Accepted at Council Meetings

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

County of Maui News Release

On the Nov. 6 general election ballots, Maui County residents voted in favor of an initiative that makes it easier for residents of remote communities like Molokai to give their testimony during county council meetings held in Wailuku. Dec. 6 marks the first time the council and its committees will begin accepting oral testimony from council district offices in Hana, Lanai, and Molokai, for council and council committee meetings.

“Making these remote testimony sites available will allow a broader cross-section of our County’s communities to be heard without having to travel to Wailuku,” said Council Chair Danny Mateo.…