News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Watercolor in Halawa

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

Watercolor in Halawa

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center returns to Halawa Valley for an afternoon of watercolors and fresh smoothies inspired by Molokai’s natural bounty. Come learn Landscape/Floral Watercolor Painting. This class will be offered every third Sunday of the month and the next class will be on Sunday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local artist Kalani Pruet, who prefers on-location nature observation and color mixing, will teach a three-hour class right in his backyard. The class includes a smoothie and a painting demonstration. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to taste fresh chocolates made from the cacao trees on his farm. Kalani will share fundamental watercolor techniques such as landscape sketching, silhouette and outline drawing, watercolor tiling and blending or layering methods.…

Energy Rebates

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

Hawaii Energy News Release 

 Hawaii Energy, the state’s Public Benefits Fund administrator that focuses on energy-efficiency education and clean-energy initiatives, has launched new rebates for residents looking to lower their energy bills by investing in energy-efficient equipment and installations. Almost all of the rebates have been increased from the previous year, in an effort to keep up with the rising costs of goods. The rebates are available from now until June 30, 2023, or while funds are available.

“We’re announcing our new rebates at a pivotal time when so many in our community are actively looking for new ways to lower their electricity bills as they experience the impacts of increasing fuel and energy costs,” said Caroline Carl, executive director at Hawaii Energy.…

OHA Molokai Meetings

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

OHA News Release 

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will be convening their Board of Trustees Meeting at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho`olehua. Community meeting on Monday, July 18 will have light dinner served at 5 p.m. then the meeting starts at 6 p.m. Then on Tuesday, July 19 the Board will convene again at 10 a.m. OHA Beneficiaries encouraged to attend. Contact Pohai Ryan with questions, 808-594-1898 or pohair@oha.org.…

$1.5M Available for Feral Animal Impacts

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

Lokahi Pacific is accepting grant applications from Maui County farmers and ranchers for a $1.5 million assistance program to help with crop damage and other impacts from axis deer and other feral animals.

“I encourage our farmers and ranchers to apply for these grants as soon as possible to help them with damage caused by foraging axis deer and other feral animals,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Maui County is funding this grant program as a good beginning, but solving this problem requires a committed collaboration among the county, state, large landowners and other partners if we are to get this invasive species under control.”…

Schonely Retires as Sports Reporter

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Schonely Retires as Sports Reporter

The Molokai Dispatch News Release

After seven years of providing sports coverage in The Molokai Dispatch, Rick Schonely said he will be stepping back from the role of sports reporter.

In 2015, following his retirement from the Maui Fire Dept., Schonely began contributing to The Molokai Dispatch’s sports coverage, whether taking photos, writing stories, sharing his “Sports Reports” on Facebook, sending scores or keeping in touch with alumni athletes. We appreciate his dedication to Molokai’s student athletes and making sure their accomplishments are celebrated in the paper.

Schonely said he’ll be taking more time to play golf and spend with his ‘ohana but will still stay close to sports at Molokai High. …

Water Quality Report Available Online

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

The Maui County Department of Water Supply announces the 2022 publication of the 2022 Water Quality Report for results of testing compiled from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021. This year marks the 24th year of providing this information to customers.

The annual report provides information about water quality and how the Maui County’s water compares with established federal and state drinking water standards. The department encourages customers to review the report. It provides details about the source and quality of the drinking water in 2021.

In an effort to be more environmentally responsible and cut down on costs, the department no longer prints these reports.…

Gov. Signs Bill Appropriating $5M for Kalaupapa Memorial

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Gov. Signs Bill Appropriating $5M for Kalaupapa Memorial

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release 

Governor David Ige signed a bill passed by the State Legislature that appropriates $5 million to plan and build The Kalaupapa Memorial. Ige signed the bill, which was proposed by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, last Wednesday in a ceremony in his offices at the State Capitol.

“I really want to thank everyone involved with getting this measure to my desk,” said Ige.

The Governor singled out Senators Lynn DeCoite and Brian Taniguchi for their persistence in leading the effort in the State Senate to pass the bill to fund The Kalaupapa Memorial that will list the names of the nearly 8,000 men, women and children who were taken from their families and forcibly isolated on the peninsula known as Kalaupapa because they were diagnosed with leprosy, now also known as Hansen’s disease.…

Hoʻolehua Water Temporary Shut Off

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

DHHL News Release 

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), through its contractor Goodfellow Brothers, will conduct repair work on the main water storage tanks and distribution lines of the Ho‘olehua Water System beginning Monday, July 18.

As a result, DHHL will temporarily shut off service from its Hoʻolehua Water System to customers in the Ho‘olehua area on Tuesday, July 19 at 10 p.m. through Wednesday, July 20 at 6 a.m., subject to delays.

Water system customers in Ho‘olehua and Kalamaʻula are advised to conserve water ahead of and during the scheduled service interruption. Upon reactivation, some customers may experience low water pressure until the system is fully pressurized.…

Molokai HAMS Needed for Emergency Drill

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Hawaii ARES News Release

Calling all Molokai Amateur Radio operators or HAMS! On Saturday, July 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, the Hawaii Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) will be hosting the Makani ‘Ino Hurricane Emergency Communications Drill.

Molokai residents are some of the most self-reliant people in the state. They have been cut off from each other many times in the past, from dangerous burning wildfires to flooding water, closing roads on the East End.

We also know that cell phone coverage is very limited as we drive around the island. Imagine what would happen if Molokai got hit by a hurricane? …

Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

Mana’olana Pink Paddlers News Release 

New funding is available for Molokai patients fighting cancer. Na ‘Ale O Mana‘olana (Waves of Hope) is Mana’olana Pink Paddlers’ cancer financial assistance program to help Maui County residents actively dealing with cancer. 

“This assistance program began as a dream when we won $14,000 from 100 Women Who Care in 2019,” said President Mary Dungans. “Then in 2020 we received a $10,000 donation from U’ilani Fund when they dissolved their breast cancer support non-profit due to COVID.” 

Since then, Mana’olana has received generous grants from Atherton Family Foundation and the Laurence H. Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation to further fund their programs. …