News Releases

Putting Health First

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Molokai recognizes National Community Health Center Week.

Molokai Community Health Center would like to extend a big mahalo to our community and patients for their continued support and aloha. Together we can create a healthier place to live and raise our children. It all starts with improving our own health!
 
The Molokai Community Health Center opened its doors four years ago. We are happy to be celebrating– along with its 13 affiliates on 5 islands (14 total) around the state – National Community Health Center Week from August 10 to 16.
 
Since its opening on March 2004, the Center has recently expanded its services to include the Ikaika Program, an Early Intervention service that assists children with developmental delays ages 0-3 years old.

Along with this added service, MCHC is thankful to have gained expanded space. Both Administrative and Ikaika Program offices are located in separate buildings behind Mango Mart in Kaunakakai town.

The health center’s main clinic is still conveniently located in the Kamo’i Professional Center. It is open Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., with the exception of being closed during lunch hour from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
 
In addition to the newly added Ikaika Program, the Center offers primary medical, dental and behavioral health care. The non-profit center’s primary goal is to assist the un-insured and/or under-insured, but the Center will serve anyone who accesses these services. They welcome everyone to stop by and help celebrate National Community Health Center Week, and learn more about the services they have to offer.
 
For more information, please contact Debora Eala at 553-4503.

Kalaupapa Talk Story Session Coming Up

Monday, July 21st, 2008

All are invited for one-on-one talks July 31.

By Valerie Monson 

Those who may have had relatives who were sent away to live in Kalaupapa will get an opportunity research their lineage on July 31at Home Pumehana.

A list of 200 people from topside Molokai who were sent to Kalaupapa will be available. If you think you might have an ancestor on the list, you are invited to check it out and learn how to find out more information about your family member.

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, who will be hosting the talk-story session, is a nonprofit organization made up of Kalaupapa patients, their family members, friends, and descendents of anyone sent to Kalaupapa since 1866.

Those interested are invited to come any time between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 31 at Home Pumehana in the main hall.

Topside residents will also be able to get a better understanding of the mission and goals of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, which is an independent organization that will be hosting the talk-story session. 

“We think this will be a great opportunity to let people topside know what the ‘Ohana has done and some of the things that we’re working on,” said President of the ‘Ohana Kuulei Bell, a resident of Kalaupapa for more than 50 years.. “We hope to see some old friends at this gathering and make new friends, too.”

Four other Kalaupapa residents are members of the Board of Directors: Gloria Marks, Makia Malo, Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa and Pauline Chow. The  original 13-member board was chosen by a group of Kalaupapa patients.

The ‘Ohana was established in 2003 to support the community, make sure that the voices of the residents are included in decisions that impact Kalaupapa and guarantee that the history is accurately passed down to future generations.

The idea for creating the ‘Ohana came from longtime human rights activist Bernard K. Punikai`a, who was sent to Kalaupapa in 1942 as a young boy with leprosy (now called Hansen’s disease). With the residents getting older, Mr. Punikai`a felt that a strong group of supporters, including family members, was essential for the community’s well-being. Mr. Punikai`a serves as Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Some of the ‘Ohana accomplishments include helping to coordinate the effort that reinstated dialysis services at the Kalaupapa Care Home, convincing state and federal leaders to hold monthly community meetings and introducing a bill to Congress that would establish a Monument at Kalaupapa that will eventually list all the names of the people who were sent there. Last summer, the ‘Ohana compiled a list of the names of the first 5,000 people who were taken from their families and sent to Kalaupapa. The Kalaupapa Memorial Act, which would authorize the Monument, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 12 and is awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.

Earlier this year, the ‘Ohana proposed and wrote the resolution that was adopted by the Hawaii State Legislature which acknowledged the great sacrifices made by the people of Kalaupapa and their families, and also apologized for the pain of the harsh separation. The resolution was the idea of the late Kalaupapa leader Paul Harada.

For more information, see the ‘Ohana website at www.kalaupapaohana.org or email info@kalaupapaohana.org

Free, Cheaper Meals for Kualapu`u Kids

Friday, July 18th, 2008

Kualapu`u School has announced free and reduced-price meals for children of families unable to pay the full price of food served under the National School Lunch Breakfast programs.

Households that will be eligible for free meals must report an income of at most $15,548 for a one-child family, and $53,222 for an eight-child family. Eligibility for reduced-price meals is $22,126 for a one-child family and $75,739 for an eight-child family.

Qualified households should fill out an application and return it to the school. For school officials to determine eligibility, households receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) must list the child's name, their food stamp or TANF case number and the signature and name of an adult household member. 

Households not receiving food stamps or TANF must list:  1) names of everyone in the household; 2) amount and source of income received by each person, 3) name and social security number of the parent/guardian who is the primary wage earner 4) the signature of an adult household member.

For more information, contact Kualapu`u School at 567-6900.

Paddlers Inn Open for Business

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Molokai’s favorite congregating site for outrigger paddlers, concert goers, and `ohana wants the community to know that Paddlers Inn Restaurant won’t be closing its doors if its employees have anything to say about it.

The Inn is being given a chance to continue to serve the community, and will surely be around for years to come with everyone’s support.

Initial changes include a reduction of some prices on the menu, continued concerts and a renewed emphasis on helping the community to fundraise.

“We want to encouraging anyone who needs fundraising to come to us with their ideas,” said Paddlers general manager Alicia Montemayor.

Everyone at the Inn would like to give a big mahalo to the community for their continued support. Alicia also wants to say “mahalo nui” to all the aunties and uncles who have shared their mana`o, and especially all the employees who have helped her keep it running strong during the hard times.

“Save Your Life with Chopsticks, Fork and Knife”

Sunday, July 13th, 2008

Partners in health, Carol Kanemitsu and friend Pastor Kurt Unglaub have worked together getting Carol 70 pounds lighter through healthier diet.

Carol Kanemitsu, well-known co-owner of Takes Variety Store, is no stranger to Molokai residents. When customers enter their new store on Mohala Street, one of the first things they notice is the “new” smaller version of Carol walking the isles or sitting behind the counter. Used to answering questions like, “Do you have any barbeque fluid?” she is now peppered with inquiries such as: “What’s your secret?”

Last fall Carol was hospitalized with a serious illness. During her treatment and recovery she learned she had high blood pressure, diabetes, and a heart problem. After recovering from this shocking news, she responded with her usual fiery determination, only now tempered by grace, “I aim to beat this thing with God’s help.” Carol admitted, “I’m a compulsive eater. I’d eat all day, down 6-7 cans of soda, and then come home and eat a big dinner.” But, that lifestyle is a thing of the past.

Over the last six months Carol’s total cholesterol has gone down 175 points, her triglycerides have plummeted 325 points, the diabetes and high blood pressure are under control, and she’s 70 pounds lighter. “What’s her secret?” Come to the first in a series of nutrition and cooking classes at the Seventh-day Adventist Church starting Sunday, July 27 at 5:30 PM and find out.

Taste meatless meatloaf, vegetarian stir fry, and tamale pie all guaranteed to satisfy the most epicurean of local palates. Participants will learn the secrets of reversing disease with chopsticks, fork, and knife. These free classes are open to all who desire the best of health and are willing to make a few simple, easy to follow, lifestyle and dietary changes to achieve it. For more information call Carol at 553-8373, or Pastor Kurt at 553-4202.

Krazy for Kolea Kontest

Sunday, July 13th, 2008

By Arleone Dibben-Young 

The fall migration of the kolea, the Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), will begin shortly with birds returning from their summer breeding grounds in the Alaskan tundra sometime around the end of July. The earliest observed birds are typically females that may have experienced a failed nesting attempt or perhaps did not bond with a mate for the breeding season. Adult males normally appear by the end of August, followed by juveniles in October.

The kolea is easily recognized by its bold black & white breeding feathers called “alternate” plumage, however this is lost by winter. Kolea are long-lived (20-plus years), territorial and annually return to the same grounds: Many Molokai residents have named their distinguished winter guests and note arrival and departure dates on calendars. Sightings are collected at Nene O Molokai and emailed to Mr. Peter Pyle, ornithologist, who then compiles this information for the Bishop Museum.

Koleas are swift flyers, performing an incredible non-stop transpacific migration to Hawaii in about 40 hours at speeds averaging 56 – 60 miles per hour. Some birds continue on to points as far south as Australia or as far away as Madagascar. In Hawaii the winter range of the kolea can include pastures and cultivated fields, coastal salt marshes and mudflats, the grassy borders of airport runways, athletic fields, golf courses, and residential lawns.

The kolea spends most of its daylight hours foraging and can be recognized from a distance by its peculiar feeding behavior of run-stop-run. Nighttime roosting sites are Molokai’s coastal fishpond walls or rocky points, parking lots, roof tops or other areas where distance visibility is good and predators can be easily sighted.

Kolea on their northern migration may have aided ancient navigators with the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands, and the bird figured prominently in Hawaiian folklore: it was considered to be the embodiment of the god of healing, Koleamoku, and a messenger of high chiefs.

Report the return of your kolea to Arleone Dibben-Young at Nene O Molokai. Include date, time, and location. The observer of the first CONFIRMED sighting will win a Keep Them Wild! nene T-shirt. The first ten confirmed observations will receive a gift certificate for a scoop of ice cream at Kamoi Snack ‘N Go. In addition, any individual reporting a banded Kolea will receive $25. The sighting and location of each banded bird WILL BE CONFIRMED for this prize: Seven females were each banded on the left leg with a yellow band over a silver metal band. Three males were banded on the right leg in the same manner. Call 553-5992 or email nene@aloha.net.

Mayor Appreciates Community’s Support in Water Battle

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

Over 200 people attended a Molokai community meeting conducted by Mayor Charmaine Tavares and Council Member Danny Mateo. The large crowd at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center spent a little over two and a half hours providing public comments on the anticipated termination of water and sewer services to approximately 1,200 West Molokai residents.

Molokai Ranch, the owner and operator of the utility services, announced recently that it will cease its operations at the end of next month.

“I am very pleased with the participation from the Molokai community. Council Member Mateo and I went there to assure the people of Molokai that we are very concerned for their welfare, hear their comments, and respond to questions. It was a terrific opportunity for us to speak directly with the public and dispel rumors, and correct inaccurate
information" said Mayor Tavares.

"It was heartening to hear the majority of speakers encourage the County to continue its efforts to hold Molokai Ranch accountable for abandoning such essential services."