News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Emergency Mortgage Assistance Available

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation News Release

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers an Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP), of which 130 homeowners in Hawaii may be assisted with a 0 percent interest, forgivable loan.

EHLP provides emergency mortgage assistance to homeowners who are temporarily and involuntarily unemployed or underemployed due to the economy, or have a medical condition and are at risk of foreclosure.  The forgivable loan is up to $50,000 that pays past-due mortgage payments, as well as a portion of the homeowner's mortgage payment for up to 24 months.  Homeowners will receive counseling before and during the loan period.

Rate Increase for Water

Monday, July 4th, 2011

Maui County News Releases

The Department of Water Supply (DWS) would like to remind its customers that water rates will increase by an average of 5.5 percent effective July 1, 2011. The rate increase should generate approximately $2.9 million in additional revenues, which will be necessary to offset increases in electrical expenses, debt service, and operations and maintenance expenditures. In addition, the balance of additional revenues will be used to fund capital replacement projects. The County Council approved the rates during the fiscal year 2012 budget approval period.

The new monthly rates, per 1,000 gallons, are as follows: 0-5,000 $1.75; 5,001-15,000 $3.20; over 15,000 $4.60; agriculture less than 15,000 $1.05; and non-potable $1.05.

More Grants for Farmers

Monday, July 4th, 2011

U.S. Department of Agriculture News Release

Local, independent agriculture producers, farmers and ranchers, as well as cooperatives, are encouraged to apply for economic assistance grants through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG).

VAPGs may be used for feasibility studies or business plans, marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy projects. Value-added products are created when a producer increases the consumer value of an agricultural commodity in the production or processing stage.

Small Farms Get Support

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

U.S. Department of Agriculture News Release

Small farms and agri-business are supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by their Small Business Innovation Grant Program. The department, in collaboration with the local University of Hawaii (UH) Ag program, will be hosting an informational meeting June 27 at 9 a.m., at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs conference room at Kulana `Oiwi. Dr. Suresh Sivapathasun will be the guest speaker.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the USDA makes competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high quality, advanced concepts research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefit if successful.

Keep Kupuna From Falling

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

Maui Adult Day Care Centers News Release

Maui Adult Day Care Centers and Maui County Office on Aging are inviting members of the public to a free caregiver workshop, “Fall Management Training for Caregivers.” The workship, held on June 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kulana `Oiwi Halau, is open to both professional caregivers as well as those caring for family members, 

Ted Anderson, Doctor of Physical Therapy and member of the Hawaii Chapter of American Physical Therapy Association, and his assistant Jonathan Bucki will offer presentations. They will cover fall statistics and solutions, why falls increase with age, recognizing the warning signs, protection during a fall (demonstrations), fall recovery and Tai Chi for balance.
 

Mayor Approves 2012 Budget

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Mayor Alan Arakawa approved Maui County’s budget for fiscal year 2012 last week, praising County Council members and his own budget office staff for their hard work. The budget was approved at $475.3 million, a 9 percent increase from the current fiscal year.

“This is a good budget. About 98 percent of my office’s proposed operational budget was left intact,” Arakawa said. “Council Chairman Mateo and Budget Committee Chairman Joe Pontanilla have done a commendable job bringing the Council together to make some tough decisions.”

The mayor said he particularly appreciated the Council’s support of the following projects:
-         $16.2 million to upgrade the public safety radio system

The Summer Chess Challenge

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

The Summer Chess Challenge

Did you know that the history of chess spans 1,500 years and that the earliest form of the game originated in India?  Did you know that chess is called the game of kings, because for many centuries it was played primarily by nobility and the upper classes?  Did you know that the longest game theoretically possible is 5,949 moves? 

If these chess facts inspire you or make you curious about the game, then come and join in on the fun at the Molokai Chess Tournament on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at the Kalanianaole Hall in Kalamaula, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The day starts at 7:30 a.m. with registration, and at 8 a.m. the challenge begins!  There will be three divisions: Elementary (grades fourth – sixth), Middle School/High School (seventh – twelfth), and Open Division (adults 18 and over).  Each player will challenge five different opponent s in five rounds of chess play, and each round will last a maximum of one hour.  Winners in each division will be determined by the players’ accumulation of points. 

Seating is limited to 30 players per division, so hurry and sign up by calling the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center at 553-5369 by the deadline of July 1, 2011.  First come, first served!  Prizes will be awarded in each division.  This tournament is co-sponsored by QLCC and Grace Episcopal Church through its Youth Drop In Center.

The public is welcome to come and observe the games (quietly!) and lend moral support to your favorite player or players.  For those who would like to learn the game of chess, volunteers will available and equipped with chess boards and pieces – ready to teach students, parents, or kupuna.  A concession will be available for players and supporters alike to purchase drinks and something to eat.  If successful, this could be the first of more tournaments to come. We want you!

State Prescription Assistance Discontinued

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Department of Human Services News Release

The State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP), which subsidizes the co-payment for Medicare prescriptions for low-income seniors, will be discontinued due to a lack of funding, announced the program’s administrator, the Department of Human Services (DHS). This change, effective July 1, 2011, will affect 43,500 eligible Hawaii residents enrolled in the program.

Ka Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The funding will go towards expand its programs aimed at helping families obtain information about their Kalaupapa ancestors and assisting the public in learning more about the history of Kalaupapa.

“The `Ohana is excited and humbled to have the support of OHA,” said Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa, president of the `Ohana, who has lived at Kalaupapa for more than 50 years. “We believe it is important for Hawaiians to know about their Kalaupapa roots and involve them in the preservation of Kalaupapa.”

UH Maui Receives Dollars for Job Training

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Sen. Daniel Akaka News Release

The University of Hawaii (UH) will receive $4.3 million to continue a 14-year old program that provides job training and educational opportunities to more than 800 residents each year who live in underserved, rural communities on Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye announced the funding last week.

The national unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent in May, and job creation has fallen to its lowest point in eight months. Maui County reported a 20 percent decrease in unemployment compared with one year ago.