News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

A Calling for Kaho`olawe

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

KIRC News Release

The Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) is seeking nominations for an individual to fill the Native Hawaiian Organization Representative seat on its seven member State commission. According to the State law which created the Commission (Chapter 6K, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes), one of the commissioners is appointed by the Governor from a list of names submitted by Native Hawaiian organizations and is eligible to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

This request for nominations is to fill the seat currently held by Charles PMK Burrows, Ed.D, who will have served eight years on January 10, 2010. Commissioners serve without pay, but are reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses.

Island Style

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Island Style

John Cruz News Release

After spending much of the past year touring on the mainland, John Cruz is back home and about to head out to all the main Hawaiian Islands this November and December.  He'll play on Molokai, Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. Friday, Nov. 27th, he’ll be playing at Paddler’s Inn beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Shows will feature John with a small band, including Frank Carillo on bass and a few different surprise guests on each island.  John has been touring with Frank locally and on the mainland this past year.

John has begun work on his third, and possibly his very best album. He is currently writing new songs and finishing the arrangements on others that have been in his collection for some time.  His first two projects won three Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, including Contemporary Album of the Year for both Acoustic Soul and One of These Days. The new album, which is still untitled, will include the rich vocals and lush guitar sound that has become John's signature.

For all details on his shows, including ticket sales, please visit www.johncruz.com.  John is now selling concert tickets, CDs, t-shirts, ringtones and music downloads on his website. 

 

Guns of Vietnam War Exhibit

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Mel Chung, Gunsmith News Release

Sharing the Goodness

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Molokai Chamber of Commerce News Release

This Saturday, November 14, 2009 the Molokai Chamber of Commerce presents the 7th Annual Food & Business Expo. Pu Ke Pono Maika’i (Sharing the Goodness), is an exciting event that brings much needed economic stimulus to our island. 

Our new location this year, the Mitchell Pauole Center in the heart of Kaunakakai town, will allow guests to easily flow from the ever popular early Saturday morning Open Market, to the Food & Business Expo which begins at 11:00 a.m.  Historically this event has attracted both island residents and on-island visitors, as well as those who come to Molokai just for this occasion.  Last year we hosted over 1000 people, and with our new location we expect many more. 

Care about Cancer

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

American Cancer Society News Release

The American Cancer Society has recently trained four new Patient Services volunteers to assist cancer patients on Molokai.  

Suzette Kahana, a licensed cosmetologist from Kaunakakai, is the “Look Good…Feel Better” program instructor who will help women undergoing cancer treatment with makeup, skin care, hairstyling tips with wigs and other accessories.   “Look Good…Feel Better” classes will be offered at Molokai General Hospital.   Reservations for future classes can be made by calling the Kukui Ahi office at 553-3607 or contacting the American Cancer Society at 553-5154.

Off the Bottle

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Meeting to discuss how to combat underage drinking.

Neighborhood Place of Wailuku News Release

Maui County is one of hundreds of communities nationwide that will conduct town hall meetings to discuss and raise awareness of the problem of underage drinking. Parents, teachers, officials, youth and other community members will be educated about the impact that underage drinking has on the community, and they will develop possible ways to address this issue. The Neighborhood Place of Wailuku (NPW), County of Maui – Department Housing & Human Concerns, and the Maui Police Department, in collaboration with the State Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) is sponsoring these meetings.

Save Our Birds

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Save Our Birds

Public invited to view conservation plan for wildlife refuge.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service News Release

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating development of a comprehensive conservation plan for Kealia Pond on Maui and Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge on Molokai that will guide their management for the next 15 years. A public meeting is planned for both islands to explain the planning process and seek the public’s input in the projects.

The open house is scheduled on Molokai for Nov. 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the  Mitchell Pauole Center-Conference Room in Kaunakakai.

Kealia Pond and Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuges are part of the Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Kakahai`a National Wildlife Refuge is located on the southeastern coast of Molokai. Habitats found in this refuge include open water, freshwater marsh, mudflat, grassland, and scrubland. An inland Hawaiian fishpond is also located on the refuge. The refuge provides important breeding, feeding, and resting areas for endangered water birds, a variety of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wetland birds. Some of the more common migrants are Northern pintail and Pacific golden plover. Kakahai`a is closed to the general public. However, volunteers occasionally conduct wetland education programs.

The Service invites public comments on the conservation plan. For more information, including the first planning update for this project, see the Service's website at: www.fws.gov/pacific/planning.

To receive a paper copy of the planning update and comment form, or to submit comments, contact: Glynnis Nakai, Project Leader, Maui National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 1042, Kihei, Hawai‘i 96753, phone: (808) 875-1582, fax: (808) 875-2945.

Comments can also be e-mailed to us using the following address: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Please include “Kealia Pond or Kakahai`a” in the subject line. Comments will be accepted until November 20.

DLNR Holds Molokai Meetings About Fishing Regulation Changes

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

DLNR Press Release 

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) invites Moloka‘i residents to participate in statewide public meetings to discuss possible regulations for certain marine fish species.

Meetings will focus on at least three main fish families that aquatic resources managers believe may be at risk of being over-harvested and in need of updated regulations. The species of concern are: Parrotfish (uhu), Goatfish (weke), and Jacks (ulua/papio).    

Discussion will also cover relevant species information, and various measures to regulate the harvesting of marine life that could improve the conditions of these fisheries.

DAR biologists would also like to discuss other methods to manage fisheries, including the use of daily bag limits.  No rule changes have yet been drafted.

Governor’s Molokai Council Meeting

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Governor's Office Press Release

The Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Molokai will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 3:00 p.m., at the Kulana ‘Oiwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, Kaunakakai.  The meeting will introduce the new council to the community.

Governor Linda Lingle created Councils of Neighbor Island Advisors to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The council will hold monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues in Moloka‘i.  The council will also recommend potential nominees for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Moloka‘i are Robert Granger, Janice Kalanihuia, Jersula Manaba, Marlene Purdy and James Feeter.

Tsunami Advisory in Effect

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Downgraded from a tsunami watch.

By Molokai Dispatch Staff

As of 10:30 this morning, the tsunami watch for Hawaii has been lifted. The tsunami advisory still in effect, downgraded from the watch issued this morning, comes as a result of an undersea earthquake that hit near Samoa just before 8 a.m.

The tsunami advisory for the Hawaiian islands is in effect until 7 p.m. Unusual sea levels or currents could occur. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warns that sea level changes of three to four feet could occur this afternoon.

Residents are advised to monitor television, radio or news websites for remain updated on the situation. If the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center were to issue a tsunami warning, the county’s emergency sirens would sound and evacuation areas would be identified.