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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Raising Your Voice

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

UH program brings music-making to Molokai youth

Moloka'i High students Kandis and Shaye Santiago in recording studio

Press Release

Self-expression and cultural preservation are both important to members of the Molokai community, and three artist educators have brought those values to life for students on Lana‘i and Moloka‘i.  For the past several years, Musician Bailey Matsuda, storyteller Nyla Fujii-Babb, and dancer/choreographer Yukie Shiroma, as part of UH Manoa Outreach College’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program (SCEP),  have worked with Molokai students to develop songs and stories from oral histories and the youth’s own contemporary experiences. The narratives span local history to romantic heartbreaks, and make a powerful case for preserving the rural lifestyle of these islands. A concert in Honolulu on April 25 of these young singer/songwriters and storytellers is a showcase of their dedicated efforts, new confidence, and a gift to all.  Joining them on stage will be their teachers and some special guests, artistic role models from O‘ahu, Lana‘i and Moloka‘i:  Nalani Olds with an opening and closing oli, musician Po‘okela Napoleon, and Lehua Matsuoka, Kumu Hula with ties to the late Kumu from Lana‘i,  Aunty Elaine Kaopuiki.

The Moloka‘i performers are Joshua Adachi, Abigail Adachi, Kandis Santiago, and Shaye Santiago.

I like going fishing
Casting out the line
I like diving down
Morris Point get fish
I like going hunting
In the gulches on the west side
I like going swimming
At the wharf when hot

(Chorus) 
We get the best beaches
 Kaluakoi, Sandys, Dixies
 We get the best people
 Loving and nice

– from “I Like Moloka‘i” by Young Voices participants from the Moloka‘i Youth Center


Concert, open to the public: Saturday Saturday, April 25, 7:30 pm, Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College
Limited number of free tickets available to high school students and teacher.  Please call 956-8246.
Tickets also available at www.etickethawaii.com/orc.html, by calling 944-BOWS, or at any UH ticket outlet. For more information, call 956-8246 or visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/community

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Lawful Remembrance

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Press Release

Kalaupapa memorial signed into law

President Obama’s signature last week finally confirmed what Molokai residents already knew – their family, friends and ancestors of Kalaupapa deserve recognition. The Kalaupapa Memorial Act, introduced by Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono, part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, establishes a memorial for the 8,000 former patients buried in Kalaupapa, only 1,300 of which have marked graves. The President invited Congresswoman Hirono and Hawai‘i Senator Daniel Akaka to attend the signing ceremony at the White House.

“The passage of this law should be a proud moment for all Americans. We will now be able to recognize the Hansen’s disease patients of Kalaupapa for the way they led dignified, inspirational lives under extremely challenging circumstances,” said Hirono.  “This memorial will provide family members a place to visit and reflect since the majority of patients at Kalaupapa have been buried without grave markers.”

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Funds for Four-Legged Friends

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Funds for Four-Legged Friends

Humane Society sets goal of $20,000

Press Release

While many people think the Humane Society is just for animals, the organization does a lot of make the Molokai’s people happier, too. In the first three months of 2009 alone, the Molokai Humane Society clinic has sterilized 343 dogs and cats plus two rabbits and a goat – that means a lot fewer unwanted animals on the island. Visiting veterinarians have attended to 426 pets, offering quality care and saving lives. The clinic receives 5-10 calls per day.

With very limited resources the Molokai Humane Society, provides the only veterinary clinic on the island. The organization receives $40,000 from the County and needs and additional $20,000 to keep afloat.

The clinic is housed in a converted sea container powered by solar and the wind. There is now phone and Internet service but currently there is no running water at the site. The clinic has one paid staff person.

The Molokai Humane Society’s goal is to be financial sustainable, so it can support a permanent facility that provides shelter and healthcare for animals. But for now they are dependant on funding from the County and donation to keep its low cost spay/neuter program going.

The Molokai Humane Society is asking for your support. If you rely on the clinic and its low cost spay and neuter program, here is how you can help:

*Five dollars – The Humane society is asking that people donate $5 or more per visit to the clinic to go toward the operational costs, including rent, phone, porta potty, internet, and clinic supplies. All of your donations are tax deductable.

*Join – Be a part of the organization. Become a member of the Molokai Humane Society. Pick up an application at the clinic. Or via email at molokaihumanesociety@gmail.com

*Donate – Send a check to: Molokai Humane Society POB 1258 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Donate online: http://www.razoo.com. The clinic also needs a digital camera, and is looking for someone to donate a used one.

*Buy our merchandise: http://www.cafepress.com/MolokaiAnimals

*Pledge miles – Lisa Davis will bike across America to help raise money for the
Molokai Humane Society.  She will start in Virginia and ride all the way to Oregon! Contact Lisa thru her blog at http://lisatedtransamericabikeride2009.blogspot.com

*Recycle “Cans for Critters” – Drop off your cans and bottles at the clinic.

*Volunteer – Become a clinic volunteer, call Tessa at 558-0000. Pick up an application at the clinic. Or via email at molokaihumanesociety@gmail.com. Are you tech savvy? MHS is looking for volunteers to help start a Molokai Humane Society Blog, manage the newly created petfinder account and contribute to the MHS newsletter. Email Koki at molokaihumanesociety@gmail.com

*Serve on the Board Pick up an application at the clinic. Or via email at molokaihumanesociety@gmail.com

For information visit the website: http://www.molokaihumanesociety.org/ or drop in at the clinic Monday-Friday 8-1, 3104 Maunaloa Hwy, Hoolehua, Molokai,1 mile east of the airport. Clinic phone: 558-0000. 

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Sound Harbor

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

National Parks wants your input on Kalaupapa pier repairs.

Press Release

Molokai gets two barges a week, but Kalaupapa, on the island’s North shore, gets only one a year – and even that is getting iffy due to outdated pier structures. With upcoming repairs scheduled, the National Park Service (NPS) will be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the environmental effects of improvements to the dock structures at Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

The pier is approximately 50 years old, exposure to seawater and wave impact has caused extensive cracks in the concrete structure. The pier and associated structures such as the bulkhead and breakwater are failing structurally. The proposed project would stabilize and repair the failing bulkhead wall and toe structure located adjacent to the pier.

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Sound Harbor

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

National Parks wants your input on Kalaupapa pier repairs.

Press Release

Molokai gets two barges a week, but Kalaupapa, on the island’s North shore, gets only one a year – and even that is getting iffy due to outdated pier structures. With upcoming repairs scheduled, the National Park Service (NPS) will be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the environmental effects of improvements to the dock structures at Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

The pier is approximately 50 years old, exposure to seawater and wave impact has caused extensive cracks in the concrete structure. The pier and associated structures such as the bulkhead and breakwater are failing structurally. The proposed project would stabilize and repair the failing bulkhead wall and toe structure located adjacent to the pier.

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Sound Harbor

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

National Parks wants your input on Kalaupapa pier repairs.

Press Release

Molokai gets two barges a week, but Kalaupapa, on the island’s North shore, gets only one a year – and even that is getting iffy due to outdated pier structures. With upcoming repairs scheduled, the National Park Service (NPS) will be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the environmental effects of improvements to the dock structures at Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

The pier is approximately 50 years old, exposure to seawater and wave impact has caused extensive cracks in the concrete structure. The pier and associated structures such as the bulkhead and breakwater are failing structurally. The proposed project would stabilize and repair the failing bulkhead wall and toe structure located adjacent to the pier.

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Free Eye-Care Coming to Molokai

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Lions Club helps bring free vision screening to Molokai keiki

On March 2nd and March 3rd, all elementary/middle school children and the students of Aka'ula from kindergarten through 8th grade will have the opportunity to have their eyes screened by one of two doctors from Maui! The Molokai Lions Club have been working with Optometrists, Doctors Karsten Lee and Michael Leong, to bring this service to our children. These two doctors will arrive on Sunday March 1 along with a crew of three young women.

The Molokai Lions Club has arranged food, lodging, and transportation for their 3 day/2 night stay. All 4 elementary schools, the middle school and Aka'ula agreed to the proposed screening. The doctors sent their permission form for the schools to use and this has been sent out by the individual schools to all families. If your child has not brought a form home please contact your school...... this form is necessary in order to have the screening. Several Lions Club volunteers will work along side the doctors and crew to accomplish this mission in just two days! The schools have been extremely cooperative in their acceptance of the screening schedule and providing lunches!! If you have any questions please contact Lion Jackie Cushman, Vision Chairperson for Molokai Lions Club @ 553-5006. A short summary of the doctors background and mission statement is as follows:

UC Berkeley classmates Drs. Karsten Lee and Michael Leong have a philosophy in their practice that emphasizes strong community service.  The Lion's club shares in their vision that clear vision should not be a privilege but a human right.  Also, they understand that it is critical to screen children, who sometimes cannot articulate that there is a vision problem, which could result to vision loss as an adult.  Amblyopia is the number one reason for vision loss in children, and the tragic thing is that it is completely avoidable with screenings. Additionally, working with a team of stellar staff allows them to do more in the community.  It frees up time to work on projects and allows them to help in an area where they are lucky to have some expertise.
 
The local Lion's Clubs are always a huge support, especially on their off island screenings.  Whether it's setting up the screenings, picking them up at the airport or even housing them, the Lions have been a wonderful partner in vision screenings.
 
The goal at Drs. Lee and Leong is to screen as many schools as they can.  Coordinating school schedules with their clinic schedules can pose challenges, but their staff and partners at the Wal-Mart Vision Center have been flexible.  They just finished a successful screening on the island of Lanai, and have their sights set on making Lanai and Molokai annual stops on their screening circuit.  Both islands have limited to no eye care.  While vision screenings without doctor support are successful, having a doctor on staff provides an added layer of medical expertise.  This is a welcome relief on these islands with limited access to eye and health care.  The support doctor can make the proper diagnosis, treatment, and/or referral which saves time, which in turn can dramatically affect outcome, especially in these rural settings. 

Drs. Lee and Leong have gone on over 13 international eye missions and realized a few years ago that there is a huge need right here where we live as well.  They try to balance providing screenings at home with eye care to places like Chile, Nicaragua, Thailand, Honduras, and Mexico. They recently setup a monthly eye clinic at the Hana Health Center to provide care to a community that was without care for over 2 years.  These doctors are always looking for ways to better serve the community they live in, and to ensure the eye care needs of community members are taken care of. 

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The Gift of Vision

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

The Gift of Vision

Vision screening will provide gift of clear vision to Molokai children

In January, 2008 while visiting Molokai for the first time, Dr. Doris  Forte’, a retired optometrist quickly observed that there were no full-time eye care providers on the entire island.  When asked, Molokai residents explained that if an ocular emergency or other vision problem occurred, they either traveled off island to obtain care or they simply waited.  Inaccessibility to comprehensive vision care left no other options. 

Further investigation revealed that The Gift of Sight Foundation (GTGOS) conducted a 4-day vision screening of 1,027 residents in 2007 and made 474 referrals for vision correction. In a population of approximately 7.000 residents, that parallels a third world response.

Eye See A Need Vision Screening Service was created  to provide vision care services to individuals who might otherwise go without because of economic or geographical constraints.   Change Happens Foundation of Holuahoa, Hawaii, under the executive direction of Mike Troxel,  agreed that clearly, such a need existed on Molokai and funded the Eye See A Need Vision Screening Service which begins on Monday, March 1, 2009.

“Clear, comfortable vision is a basic human right, not a luxury.” says Dr. Forte’, founder and director of Eye See A Need Vision Screening Service.  “Therefore our mission is to go wherever vision services are needed on the planet Earth in order to accomplish the goal of helping others see their world clearly and experience a better quality of life.”

Joining forces with Dr. Doris Forte’ in the Eye See A Need Vision Screening Service are doctors Karsten Lee and Michael Leong, two optometrists from Oahu who participated in  a vision screening on Molokai last spring.  Their goal this year is to screen all of the elementary school aged children on Molokai.  By providing vision screenings, the doctors hope to detect and prevent sight-threatening diseases, such as amblyopia which is the leading cause of blindness for children in the United States.
Mahalo to Change Happens Foundation for funding this project, the Board of Directors of You’re Living Proof, Inc., and to the Molokai Lions Club, known internationally for its support of vision services.  Other contributors to the Eye See A Need Vision Screening Service on Molokai are Travel Advantage Network thru Hotel Molokai , Budget Rental Car, and the optometric technician team comprised of Lei Fujishiro, Leilani Ramos, and Lara Fae Ramos.
For more information about Eye See A Need, visit www.urlivingproof.org. For information about children’s vision, visit www.preventblindness.org/children/amblyopiaFAQ.html

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County Irons Out Bed and Breakfast Laws

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

WAILUKU, Maui, Hi - Mayor Charmaine Tavares signed into law today a legislative bill pertaining to bed and breakfast businesses.  The bill was approved by the County Council on December 19. The new law, which takes effect immediately, specifies the amount of bed and breakfast businesses allowed in districts except for the islands of Molokai and Lanai where every application will be reviewed for approval by the island’s planning commission. The new law allows a bed and breakfast business to operate in residential, business, hotel, rural and agricultural zones.

In signing the bill into law today Mayor Tavares called it “a great result of collaboration between the Administration, the Council, and the community.” She continued, saying that “this new law reflects the wishes of our community through the correct process of legislation.

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State ID Cards On Molokai

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

State ID personnel will be at Mitchell Pauole Community Center on Molokai toprocess applications for State ID cards on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The fee is $10.00 for senior citizens 65 years and older, and $15.00 for all others, payable incash only. State ID cards will be processed and mailed to applicants within ten business days.
Priority will be given to applicants with completed application forms and required certified documents. Applications without these documents cannot be processed.
New applicants must minimally provide an original social security card and a certified
copy of their birth certificate (or resident alien card, if applicable).
For renewals of current ID cards with no change in name or citizenship, no other
documents are required.
All changes in name or status due to marriage, divorce, annulment, adoption, or
citizenship must be supported by certified government-issued documents. Altered or
illegible documents are not acceptable.
Recorded information on application requirements is available at (808) 587-3111 and on the Internet at www.stateid.hawaii.gov. Further questions can be directed to (808) 587-3112. Application forms are available on the Web site and at the State ID office, and will also be available at Mitchell Pauole Community Center on October 25, 2008.
Mitchell Pauole Community Center is located at Aiona Street and Ala Malama Avenue in
Kaunakakai. A map is provided at www.stateid.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:
Liane Moriyama, Administrator, or
Virtta Hite, Civil ID Supervisor
Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
(808) 587-3110
hcjdc@hcjdc.state.hi.us
www.hawaii.gov/hcjdc

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