• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    May 7, 2026

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    May 1, 2026

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    May 6, 2026

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

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

Posted in , comments1 Comments

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.

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

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

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

More than $11,000 donated to Friendly Isle United Way

Monday, September 29th, 2008

More than $11,000 donated to Friendly Isle United Way

Press Release

Bank of Hawaii’s Kaunakakai Branch Manager Cindy Manaois (pictured left) and Maui Island Manager and Senior Vice President Kevin Baptist (right) recently presented a check for $11,250 to Glenn Izawa, (center) President of Friendly Isle United Way.

Bank of Hawaii Corporation is a regional financial services company serving businesses, consumers and governments in Hawaii, American Samoa and the West Pacific. Bank of Hawaii has 72 branch locations and 446 ATMs in Hawaii, the largest number in the state, with locations on all the major islands.

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Community Meetings Planned To Discuss County’s 2009-2010 Budget

Friday, September 12th, 2008

It's that time of the year when lawmakers will decide how to spend the County's money - and you’re invited to join them.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares and her administration will host a series of community meetings this September to take public testimony regarding the proposed budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Citizens with an interest in the County budget are encouraged to attend a meeting in their local area and offer testimony as individuals or on behalf of an organization. Both written and verbal testimonies will be accepted.

The budget meetings are designed to provide an opportunity for members of the community to present what is needed for their area. Budget Director Fred Pablo will present the projects and initiatives of the administration specific to that community. Input from the community meetings will be taken into consideration when the administration constructs the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget.

"It is vital that the budget process start with input from the community," said Mayor Charmaine Tavares. "This information will be used to identify how the County can set priorities for its programs and capital projects to benefit our citizens."

Meeting times and locations are as follows:

Hana:
Thursday, September 4 at 5 p.m.; Helene Hall

Kihei/Makena:
Tuesday, September 9 at 5:45 p.m.; Kihei Community Center

Molokai:
Tuesday, September 16 at 5 p.m.; Mitchell Pauole Community Center

Makawao/Pukalani/Kula:
Wednesday, September 17 at 5:45 p.m.; Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center

Kahului/Wailuku:
Thursday, September 18 at 5:30 p.m.; Velma McWayne Santos (Wailuku) Community Center

Lahaina:
Tuesday, September 23 at 5:45 p.m.; Lahaina Civic Center

Paia/Haiku:
Wednesday, September 24 at 5:45 p.m.; Paia Community Center

Lanai:
Thursday, September 25 at 5 p.m.; Lanai Community Center

For more information on the budget meetings, contact the County of Maui Budget Office at 270-7855.

Each session will be preceded by presentations on the "Circuit Breaker" real property tax credit. Additionally, the program office of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will conduct public hearings preceding the Mayor's budget community meetings in Hana, Molokai, Kahului/Wailuku and Lanai. CDBG will gather views and comments from interested persons who wish to participate in the preparation of the County's proposed Annual Action Plan for the 2009-2010 fiscal year relating to the County's grant application for approximately $2,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Community Development Block Grant is a federal program created by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-383). CDBG funds received will be utilized for housing and community development needs primarily benefitting low and moderate income persons.

For information on the CDBG public hearings, contact the County of Maui CDBG Program Office at 270-7213.

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Repair on Kalaupapa Dock Planned

Monday, September 8th, 2008

Public encouraged to offer input.

Press Release

The first stage of planning for repairs to the docks at Kalaupapa National Historical Park is now underway.

The U. S Department of Interior’s National Park Service(NPS) has commenced planning for much needed repairs to this vital dock for Molokai.

The 50 year old Pier has begun to deteriorate over the years due the continued onslaught of ocean waves and seawater causing the concrete surface and overall structure to crack.
In addition, the pier’s bulkhead has performed poorly due to structural deterioration. Planned repairs intended to fix bulkhead and the concrete that composes the Pier as well to possibly work on repairing and widening the Pier’s breakwater.

Repairs of the Kalaupapa pier are urgent because the dock is the islands lifeline via the barges that bring food, fuel and other supplies to Molokai.

There are even proposed plans by the NPS to alter the docks so that barges of varying size can comfortably dock there as well to deploy structure called “dolphins” to help make barge more maneuverable, dredging of the harbor to provide for more barge access and mooring buoys to keep barges stable.

To offer your opinion and feedback on these proposed repairs, long on to http://parkplanning.nps.gov or snail mail a letter to: Superintendent, Attn: EA comments. Kalaupapa National Historical Park, P.O. Box 2222, Kalaupapa, Hi 96742.

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Molokai Ranch to Continue Water Service Past Aug. 31

Friday, August 29th, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced that Moloka‘i Properties Limited has confirmed it will continue to provide water service beyond August 31.   

In a letter to Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Chairman Carl Caliboso, Moloka‘i Properties Limited Director Peter Nicholas said the recent approval by the PUC to temporarily increase water rates for West Moloka‘i will enable the company to continue to provide service.  The company previously said it lacked the financial resources to continue to operate beyond August 31.

“Now this issue appears to have been temporarily resolved, I confirm the utilities will continue to operate and provide services to their customers past August 31,” Nicholas stated in the letter.   “How long the temporary rate increase will be sufficient for the utilities to be able to continue to operate depends on future fuel, power and labor cost increases,” Nicholas continued.

Nicholas’ letter also pointed out that the temporary rate increases are a “stop-gap measure,” and that the company will not operate the utilities indefinitely.  Moloka‘i Properties Limited’s long-term obligation to operate the utilities has not been determined.

Governor Lingle noted that the rate increase is not an ideal situation for Moloka‘i residents, but it will ensure the continuation of water service until a permanent solution is found.

“The temporary rate increases will allow Moloka‘i Properties to continue to provide water service until another entity can take over the operation,” said Governor Lingle.  “We recognize that this is a difficult situation for everyone involved, and we especially understand residents’ concerns regarding increases in water rates.  However, facing the potential shutdown of water and wastewater services, the Public Utilities Commission has taken appropriate action to ensure the health and safety of residents are not compromised by any disruption of water or wastewater service.

“We continue to emphasize that in the absence of a private entity, operating and maintaining water and wastewater systems is a basic responsibility of county government.  Mayor Tavares, council members, state legislators, and Moloka‘i residents have asked for my help, and we will continue to work with the county to ensure uninterrupted water and wastewater service to protect the health and safety of the island,” the Governor added.
Posted in comments1 Comments

No More Plastic Bags for Hawaii

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

Groundbreaking legislation passed to boost environmental protection efforts.

The Maui County Council voted unanimously last week to pass critical legislation in the second and final reading of the "Plastic Bag Reduction Bill," which prohibits the distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags at the point of sale beginning January 11, 2011.

For Council Member Michael Molina, who introduced the measure in July 2007, the passage of this bill means better days ahead for the environment, wildlife, and public health and safety.

"Cities and countries throughout the world are experiencing the destructive impacts plastic bags are having on their environment," said Molina. "It's time that we in Maui County and the State of Hawaii join the worldwide effort to eliminate the distribution of plastic bags."

The bill states that businesses are prohibited from providing plastic bags to their customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other goods. Although a bag fee is not mandated, the bill adds that nothing in the chapter shall preclude a business from making reusable bags or recyclable paper bags available for sale or without charge to customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other goods.

The County of Maui Solid Waste Division took steps to help the public reduce its dependence on single-use, non-biodegradable bags early on and has been distributing reusable shopping bags since 1998.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares has also distributed thousands of free reusable shopping bags in an effort to increase public awareness about the dangers of plastic material in the ocean environment, including bags.

"I appreciate the Council's hard work on this bill, and Council Member Molina's initiative in introducing this ground-breaking legislation," said Mayor Tavares. "This important action is intended to help protect diminishing natural resources, and while the bill will not be implemented until 2011, many steps can be taken now to prepare for the new law, including public education and encouraging businesses and shoppers to utilize reusable bags."

In a survey conducted by the County's Office of Economic Development (OED), which is administered by the Office of the Mayor, 92 percent of the businesses surveyed said they supported prohibiting the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, and would be willing to stop using them in their business. Many also indicated they were already actively making the switch to reusable bags.

OED surveyed approximately 50 small businesses in Maui County; the businesses represented were primarily retail stores and a small number of restaurants.

"We wanted to work with the Council to make sure that in these hard economic times, the bill would not cause an undue hardship on our small businesses," Tavares noted. "The response was overwhelmingly in support of reducing the amount of plastic bags, especially with a 'soft approach' that includes a reasonable timeline for the conversion to take place."

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Investing in the Future

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

Education grants support science, technology, engineering, and math skills in Molokai schools.

Lynn DeCoite, Senator Daniel Inouye, Irene Inouye and Barbara Haliniak at the MEDB Ke Alahele Education Fund event on Aug. 21 at the Wailea Marriot on Maui. DeCoite and Halianiak are on the Molokai Chamber Foundation board with MEDB as partners.

Meeting our workforce needs – particularly in technology-related fields – will determine the success of our economic goals. The Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) has worked vigorously throughout its history to enhance education and training in Maui County communities.

To support the growing need for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills in the future, our board of directors created the MEDB Ke Alahele Fund in 2006 as a grant-making vehicle. The fund invests in broadening career pathways for Maui County residents.

This year, MEDB Ke Alahele Fund has awarded grants to Kaunakakai School for $9,996.02, Molokai Middle School for $5,578.80, and Kilohana School for $1,462.26. The grants are year-round and interested parties can get additional information by visiting www.medb.org.

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Gas Prices Affect Ferry Service

Thursday, August 21st, 2008

Ever increasing gas prices are about to affect ferry passengers in a big way. Effective Aug. 15, all tickets will be subject to a fuel surcharge.

The fuel surcharge is currently $26 each way but will be raised or lowered monthly according to the price of diesel fuel. The base ticket price will remain the same at $40 for adults and $20 for children (one way before taxes and fees).

Ferry times will also be changing starting on Aug. 25. The ferry from Kaunakakai Harbor will depart at 5:15 a.m., which is 15 minutes earlier than the former 5:30 a.m. departure. This means that all passengers should be onboard no later than 5 a.m. Passengers trying to board after 5:10 will not be accommodated. All other departures times remain the same.

New Public Utility Commission rules also require all passengers to provide a current mailing address and contact number.

Reservations can be made at 662-3355. Mahalo for your past and future support.

Posted in commentsAdd your comment