News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Food Producer Training

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Food Producer Training

Maui Culinary Academy and Hawaii Master Food Preservers News Release

A hands-on training program designed to explore value-added food production to support the skills necessary for a career in the food manufacturing industry. The Value-Added Food Production Cohort Training (VAFP) will engage participants in the development of specialty, niche food products to realize economic gains utilizing Molokai grown produce and farm products as a way to create more competitive “shelf ready” foods  through value-adding. This is valuable training for farmers, food distributors and others in the “farm-to-table” food chain.

“Adding value to crops by processing brings more money to the island and in the pocket of Molokai farmers,” said Glenn Teves, a University of Hawaii Molokai extension agent. …

Help Sought Locating Distressed Monk Seal

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Help Sought Locating Distressed Monk Seal

NOAA News Release

Monk seal advocacy groups are asking for the public’s help to locate a sick and severely malnourished Hawaiian monk seal known to frequent the Kalaupapa area in the county of Kalawao, Molokai. Experts are concerned about her health and want to bring the seal to Oahu for assessment and treatment at the Waikiki Aquarium. The seal would be returned to Kalaupapa after recovery.

“The seal we are looking for would appear ill and its ribs or other skeletal features would likely be visible. We are asking people to keep an eye out for this seal in the water or on the beach,” explained Pat Wardell, President of the Monk Seal Foundation, a Hawaii based organization that recently took over management of the monk seal volunteer program on Molokai.…

Kalaupapa Residents Sign Kana`iolowalu Petition

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Kalaupapa Residents Sign Kana`iolowalu Petition

Kana`iolowalu News Release

The Native Hawaiian Roll Commission, chaired by former Governor John Waihe`e III, attended the 10th anniversary celebration of Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa at Kalaupapa on April 27 where Kalaupapa residents were given the opportunity to sign the Kana`iolowalu petition along with the descendants of Kalaupapa and friends who came together for the event.

“We felt it was important for Chair Waihe`e and the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission to visit Kalaupapa for support of the Kana`iolowalu petition just like Ahahui Aloha `Aina came to Kalaupapa in 1897 to give our people the chance to sign the Ku`e petition against annexation,” said Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, a resident of Kalaupapa for more than 50 years and President of Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa.…

Library Tree Removal

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Library Tree Removal

Molokai Public Library News Release

The Cook pine tree growing on the front lawn of the Molokai Public Library needs to be removed soon. Library staff has been consulting with Department of Accounting and General Services on Molokai and Maui and two certified and licensed Oahu arborists, who highly recommend we consider removing the tree for safety reasons. General Tree Service, Inc. does Greensboro tree removal.

This huge, aged, 115-foot tree is now showing signs of decline and gradual deterioration. The upper third part is stressed, the trunk has weak stability and is susceptible to root decay and termite damage.…

Molokai Power Outage

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Maui Electric News Release

At 9:40 a.m. this morning, Molokai experienced an island-wide power outage affecting approximately 3,200 customers. At this time, power to the majority of our customers on Molokai has been restored.

Parts of Kaunakakai were brought back on-line at 11:38 a.m. and Hoolehua, including the Airport, was restored to power at 11:43 a.m. Customers on Molokai’s west end were restored shortly thereafter at 11:51 a.m. and the Kualapuu area was brought back on-line at 12:03 p.m. Remaining customers in Kaunakakai were restored at 12:18 p.m.

At this time, customers on Molokai’s east end remain without power. Maui Electric crews are working hard to bring these customers back on-line as quickly and safely as possible.…

County on Your Corner: Thursday on Molokai

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Alan Arakawa’s next “County on Your Corner” will be held on Thursday, May 9, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai, Molokai.

“It is important to connect with people face to face,” said Arakawa. “‘County on Your Corner,’ which is scheduled in a different location each month, is a good way for us to interact with the community on the issues that are of most interest to them.”

Joining Arakawa at this “County on Your Corner” event will be Councilmember Stacy Helm Crivello as well as members of Mayor Arakawa’s cabinet such as Housing & Human Concerns Director Jo-Ann Ridao, Mayor’s Executive Assistant Zeke Kalua, and Assistant Communications Director Ryan Piros.…

Increased Protection of Papohaku Dunes

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

DLNR News Release
The Papohaku Dune System in west Molokai has been identified as an important natural and cultural resource of the State of Hawaii. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) will hold a public hearing on Molokai on May 10 regarding a proposed subzone amendment to increase the level of protection for the dune system.

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 10 at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center.

OCCL is proposing to change the state land use conservation district subzone of tax map key (TMK): (2) 5-1-006:156 at Papohaku Beach, Kaluakoi, from the general subzone to the protective subzone.…

Discuss Proposed Animal Shelter on Monday

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Shields’ Animal Shelter Foundation News Release

The Shields’ Animal Shelter Foundation would like to welcome you to a community forum at The Mitchell Pauole Center on Monday, May 6 at 6 p.m. Please join us in an open discussion regarding our proposal to bring The Shields’ Animal Shelter to Molokai.

The Foundation was established in 2009 upon the passing of longtime friend of Molokai, Mrs. Kathleen Shields. A great animal lover, Mrs. Shields supported the mission of the Molokai Humane Society, and it was her dream to one day see a fully functioning animal shelter on Molokai. Mrs. Shields’ was so inclined to improve the lives of the animals on Molokai that in her will she left a small endowment for the expressed purpose of building a shelter on this island she loved so very much.…

Ka Hula Piko 2013

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

Ka Hula Piko 2013

Halau Hula O Kukunaokala News Release

The 22nd Annual Molokai Ka Hula Piko Festival is a three-day community event celebrating the birth of hula on the island of Molokai with a goal of educating the community and visitors alike. This year’s festival will be held Thursday, May 2 through Saturday, May 4, with Ho`olaulea and hula show on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho`olehua.

The festival consists of two days of educational and cultural day excursions, including sharing mo`olelo (story) and hula (dance) onsite at Ka`ana, the place where according to Molokai tradition, the art of hula began.…

Occupational Therapy Position Available

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Pakolea Rehab News Release

Jobs on Molokai are scarce, and unless you open your own business or work in agriculture, the future may seem bleak to the residents of our small island. However, there is a glimmer of hope for a dedicated individual interested in the healthcare field. Pakolea Rehab is offering a unique opportunity for a Molokai resident interested in pursuing a career in healthcare as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, or COTA.

Pakolea Rehab is offering a paid position upon graduation. We are looking for dedicated, caring, and hard-working individuals willing to attend Kapi`olani Community College in Fall 2013 to complete this two-year program for an Associates Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.…