News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Department of Water Supply NOTICE

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

Water Conservation Request: Ualapue to Waialua, Molokai

Customers from Ualapue to Waialua, Molokai, are asked to conserve water while the Department of Water Supply well pumps at Ualapue Well are out of service.  Water service should be restored to normal by Friday, August 19, 2011.  Irrigation systems should be turned off and water should be used only for health and safety purposes for today. 

The Department of Water Supply would like to thank its customers for their assistance in ensuring a safe water supply for the east end water system.

Molokai Meeting to Discuss Mental Health Initiatives

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Department of Health News Release

Later this month, there will be an opportunity to make your voices heard on mental health services on Molokai and learn about new initiatives. The Hawaii Mental Health Transformation State Incentive Grant (MHT SIG) will hold public meetings statewide throughout August and September 2011 to outline the progress made through the MHT SIG initiatives and discuss how some of these initiatives will be sustained after the grant ends.

The Molokai meeting will be held Aug. 25 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Queen Liliuokalani Learning Center in the Kulana Oiwi Complex in Kalama`ula.

Kick Your Way to the National Football League

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Maui County Department of Parks & Recreation News Release

Young pro football fans will have the opportunity to exhibit their football skills when the Maui County Dept. of Parks & Recreation hosts an NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition on Aug. 27 at the Kaunakakai ball park at 9 a.m. The competition is free and open to boys and girls ages 6-15. For competition information, call Kaunakakai gym staff at 553-5141 or 553-5819. Entry forms are available online at NFLyouthfootball.com or from the Kaunakakai gym.

The NFL Punt, Pass & Kick football competition allows youngsters to showcase their talents in punting, passing and kicking with scores based on distance and accuracy. Age classification is as of Dec. 31 of the current year.

Interval House Molokai Investment Workshop

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Interval House Molokai News Release

Have you ever heard of a ROTH IRA? How about a 401(k) or an ETF?

Interval House Molokai is presenting an Introduction to Investment Workshop on Thursday, Aug. 25 from 6–8 p.m. at the Kaunakakai Elementary School library.  Workshop instructor William C. Rhyne has taught an investing credit course at the Molokai Education Center covering investing basics, retirement planning and interpreting options.  He currently manages family investment portfolios on Molokai and offers advisory input in a TD Ameritrade Communication Forum on current investing trends and socio-economic issues.

Kamehameha Schools Accepting Applications

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

Kamehameha Schools News Release

Health Center Receives OHA Funding

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

MCHC News Release

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) is pleased to announce the approval from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) of an award of $150,000 dollars for Fiscal Year 2011-12, and $150,000 for Fiscal Year 2012-13. The funding will support the renovation and conversion of the former Pau Hana Inn to a modern outpatient medical facility. 

Land Conservation Program Seeks Applicants

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

DLNR News Release

If you have an agency or non-profit land conservation organization that could use from funding for its efforts, this program may be for you. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP) is seeking applicants for grants from the State Land Conservation Fund to fund the protection, through acquisition, of lands having value as a resource to the state.

The Legacy Land Conservation Program provides an annual source of funding for the acquisition and conservation of watersheds; coastal areas, beaches, and ocean access; habitat protection; cultural and historic sites; recreational and public hunting areas; parks; natural areas; agricultural production; and open spaces and scenic resources.

Molokai Students Enter UH Medical School

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

UH News Release

Two students from Molokai are among 66 new students selected to enter the John A. Burns School of Medicine Class of 2015. The students, chosen from more than 1,600 applicants, received the short white coats that mark them as physicians in training during a ceremony last Friday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.

Molokai’s Kaimana Chow graduated from Kamehameha Schools and is a recent graduate of the UH Imi Ho`ola Post-Baccalaureate Program, a year-long intensive study for students from culturally, socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The second Molokai student, Dayton Wong, attended Molokai High Intermediate School before college.

PUC Requires HECO to Reopen Renewable Energy Bids

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Public Utilities Commission News Release

To read The Dispatch's coverage of this story, click here.

HONOLULU – In a July 14, 2011 Decision and Order, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) required Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) to restart within 90 days the bidding process for renewable energy generation that would have come from a 200 MW Molokai wind project. The decision also allows the Castle & Cooke portion of the Big Wind project on Lanai to proceed.

Monsanto Molokai Earns ‘Top Safety’ Award

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Monsanto Molokai Earns ‘Top Safety’ AwardMonsanto Hawaii’s Molokai farm received the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA (OSHA) top safety designation, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star.

 In Hawaii, the VPP is also known as “Hana Po’okela” (excellent work), and is administered by the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations under OSHA.

 The program recognizes employers who meet exemplary standards in workplace safety and health. Nationally, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of companies accomplishes a Voluntary Protection Program.

 Monsanto is the first company on Molokai to become a VPP Star site, and the only agricultural company in the state with a VPP certification. Monsanto Hawaii’s Maui operations received its VPP designation in 2006.

 “Gaining the VPP certification is an extremely rigorous and lengthy process that requires everyone to be thoroughly committed to safety in the workplace,” said Ray Foster, Monsanto Molokai’s farm manager. “It’s not easy to become a VPP Star, so I commend all of our employees for this exceptional achievement.”

 Achieving the VPP Star designation is a multi-year effort, involving an extensive series of safety audits, inspections, employee training programs, meticulous record-keeping, trends analysis, improvements to the workplace and visits by OSHA inspectors.