News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Trade In Your Ice Box

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

Hawaii Energy, the state’s energy conservation and efficiency program, is joining forces with community partners to bring 100 new Energy Star® refrigerators to Molokai residents.

The Hui Up program is supported by the following federal stimulus funds as well as community and business partnerships:
•    America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
•    Blue Planet Foundation
•    Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), State Energy Office
•    Hawaii Energy, Conservation and Efficiency Program
•    Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.
•    Refrigerant Recycling Inc.
•    Servco Home and Appliance Distribution

Kalaupapa Future Discussed at Public Open House

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

National Park Service News Release

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is in the process of developing a General Management Plan (GMP). The GMP will describe the general path that the National Park Service and its partners intend to follow in managing Kalaupapa over the next 15-20 years.

The open houses will provide a forum for discussing four different future visions for managing resources and opportunities for visitors at Kalaupapa. These preliminary alternatives represent many statements and ideas that were provided by the public during earlier phases of the planning process.

Celebrate AmeriCorps Week on Molokai

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Community contributed by Siri Anderson

Celebrate AmeriCorps Week with us!  AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in solving community problems.  Please stop by our Kualapu`u Business Center office to hear about our unique Molokai program which offers educational award opportunities and financial literacy, career and job search support.   

Summer Reading

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Beginning May 31 through July 1, readers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2011 state library Summer Reading Program. The free five-week programs at public libraries will feature outstanding, family-friendly storytelling performances by noted storytellers and artists. This year’s theme at Molokai Public Library (MPL) is “One World, Many Stories.”

Featured will be a children’s, teens and adult program, and MPL will also be hosting a few events open to the public.

•    June 14 – Native American flute playing with Connie Fleenor, 10 a.m.
•    June 21 – Pet Tales featuring Lyndon and DeeDee and Chyna, stories by Ehulani, 10 a.m.

Habitat Celebrates Women Builders

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Habitat Celebrates Women Builders

Molokai Habitat for Humanity News Release

Molokai Habitat for Humanity (MHFH) celebrated the efforts of women who contribute to building and supporting affordable housing for families in need at the first ever “Women Build” event on May 4 at Paddlers Inn.  In three teams of five, Molokai women competed to build 8-foot wooden picnic tables which were later raffled off to supporters, as a fundraiser for MHFH.  Teams competed for gift baskets from Lowes and L&R Farms and a $100 cash prize that was donated to the winning team’s favorite charity.  When the drills stopped and the dust cleared, team “Big Guns” was crowned champion.  Teams “HI Finest” and “Solid” tied for a close second. The event served a multi-purpose agenda for MHFH to highlight the mission of Habitat for Humanity, honor hardworking women, and acknowledge Lowes for their support, as well as continuing partnerships and opening doors for new ones between MHFH and the Molokai community. 

In addition to the 15 participants, around 80 people joined in the festivity by cheering on the teams, celebrating at the awards ceremony and enjoying the awesome musical duo of Raymond Hiro and Hanalei Lindo.  Prize giveaways included four 8-foot wooden picnic tables; potted plants donated by UH Maui-Molokai Farm (James Boswell); Angel Maid Cleaning service (Vicki Boswell); shirts and caps (Paddlers Inn); and event gift baskets (Lowes/Habitat for Humanity).

Thank you to all the Board of Directors of MHFH; Lowes (Kahului); Paddlers Inn (Curtis, Mike and Kamuela); Aaron Boswell; James and Vicki Boswell; MCC Farms; Bucky Espaniola; George English; Debbie Kelly; Priscilla Maliu; Raymond Hiro; Hanalei Lindo; event participants; KMKK Radio, 102.3 FM; and the Molokai community.  Your love and support is greatly appreciated.  Stay tuned for more exciting events and community gatherings sponsored by MHFH.

Go Green, Win Green

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Berry Company News Release

Students around the state are looking to raise the bar on last year’s recycled telephone directories. The Berry Company LLC, publisher of the Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages, announced the launch of its annual telephone directory recycling program, Think Yellow, Go Green.

Schools on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai will compete to recycle the most telephone directories with the goal of surpassing last year’s recycling totals and winning cash prizes.

“Last year, our schools helped collect 64 tons of telephone directories across the neighbor islands,” said Scott Szczekocki, client services regional director for Berry. “The community response has been tremendous, and I look forward to another strong campaign this year.”

Adult Day Care Receives Grant

Friday, May 6th, 2011

Na Pu`uwai News Release

Na Pu`uwai is pleased to announce that its Adult Day Care Center, the Senior Enrichment Program located at Home Pumehana’s senior living facility, is the recipient of a $100,000 community grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).  This award will support our kupuna who attend the adult day care and who participate in its range of activities. 

Ohana Metal Health Conference Tomorrow

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Molokai Adult Mental Health Center News Release

On Thursday, April 21, Molokai’s Adult Mental Health Center will host the 2011 Consumer, Family and Youth (CFY) Alliance Mental Health Conference. The theme of the conference is “It’s About Wellness” with special guest speaker will be Dr. Kimo Alameda. The conference will be held at the Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center, from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The conference will also include two workshops, WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) and Trauma Informed Care.  Lunch will also be provided.

Contact Melveena Starkey at (808) 553-3691.

Taking Initiative with Organic Farming

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

USDA News Release

There’s a new reason to be an organic farmer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a national funding opportunity for certified organic producers, or those transitioning to organic production.

Locally, the USDA-NRCS office is hosting a sustainability workshop, focusing on conservation easements to achieve sustainability goals. Conservation funding will be discussed, as well as an introduction to conservation easements and benefits to landowners.

Molokai Energy 2.0

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

Blue Planet News Release

Building on the success of the “Go Green & Carbon Clean” project, where 36,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) replaced incandescents, Blue Planet plans to introduce a series of energy efficiency programs that will maintain momentum for the island of Molokai to achieve energy independence in the years to come.

The Molokai Project 2.0 will focus on further educate the public and engaging with the youth of Molokai – “Hui Up” is an Energy Star appliance bulk purchase program that will allow resident to replace their inefficient refrigerators with energy-efficient products at affordable prices.