News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Aloha Festivals Merchandise on Molokai

Wednesday, September 21st, 2022

Aloha Festivals News Release

Aloha Festivals, the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the U.S., is pleased to announce that apparel brand Hawaii’s Finest is producing its exclusive 2022 festival merchandise with the help of the ai in retail with designs inspired by the 2022 festival theme “Aloha ʻĀina, Love of the Land.”

“We have the pleasure of partnering with popular, local brand Hawaii’s Finest once again to celebrate the return of Aloha Festivals this year,” said Helene “Sam” Shenkus, co-chair of Aloha Festivals. “It’s an honor to be working with a home-grown brand that cares so much about Hawaii’s people and culture.”       …

Remembering Dr. Thomas

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Remembering Dr. Thomas

MGH News Release

On Sunday Sept. 4, 2022 Molokai lost Dr. William Thomas, Jr. Dr. Thomas came to Molokai over 20 years ago to “pay back” a Native Hawaiian student loan and quickly saw that he perfectly fit into this community.

Dr. Thomas’ entry to medicine was an interesting one. In his early 30’s working as a restaurant manager he decided to try to move into the medical field. That led to admission to John A. Burns School of Medicine and his eventual position as Medical Director of Internal Affairs at Molokai General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Thomas was instrumental in governance at MGH and was key to the ongoing strength of our oncology program.…

Volunteers Sought for Community Emergency Response

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Volunteers Sought for Community Emergency Response

Maui County News Release 

The Maui Emergency Management Agency is seeking community volunteers in Maui County to be a part of the Community Emergency Response Team, also known as CERT. MEMA sponsors and administers this national program designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Maui Fire Department provides training for all CERT volunteers, including basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

“The CERT program is a critical component to our emergency response network,” said MEMA Administrator Herman Andaya. “In an emergency, CERT volunteers who are already embedded in our communities augment first responders who can then focus on more complex tasks.”…

Health Center Welcomes New Full-Time Family Dr.

Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Health Center Welcomes New Full-Time Family Dr.

MCHC News Release 

Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) announced the addition of Dr. Raquel Cisneros to its clinical provider team. Dr. Cisneros is a board-certified family and community medicine physician with extensive experience working in underserved populations. She earned her medical degree at the University of Arizona and completed her family and community medicine residency training at the University of New Mexico as its chief resident. As the youngest of nine children to migrant farm workers, Dr. Cisneros understands the importance of the family unit and how it affects the health of the community. She is also a passionate advocate for women’s health and strongly supports patient autonomy.…

MEO Helps Students Get to School

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

MEO Helps Students Get to School

MEO News Release

Maui Economic Opportunity on Molokai has stepped in to offer transportation services to youths who could not be accommodated by the public school bus service.

The state Department of Education sent out an email to families last week indicating that about 17 students on two central Kaunakakai routes were being put on a waitlist for rides on the school bus due to a driver shortage.

To fill the gap, MEO Transportation on Molokai will accommodate students on its 9 a.m. rural shuttle from the Mitchell Pauole Center, which should arrive at Molokai High in time for the 9:30 a.m.…

Electric Rates to Drop

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release 

Hawaiian Electric shared good news last week. Customers on Molokai, Maui, Lanai and Hawaii Island will see lower rates in September that reflect the first significant drop in oil prices since spring. Oahu customers will see a smaller rate increase than expected with the shutdown of the AES coal-fired power plant. 

Hawaiian Electric is forecasting a typical residential bill on Molokai to be down by 14 percent, or about $34, for electricity used in September, which will be included in bills most customers receive in October. Molokai will see the greatest reduction, followed by Lanai down nine percent, Hawaii Island down six percent, and Maui down five percent. …

Witnesses Knocking on Doors Again

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

Witnesses Knocking on Doors Again

Jehovah’s Witnesses News Release 

Jehovah’s Witnesses will resume their trademark door-to-door ministry on Molokai and the rest of Maui County beginning Sept. 1, when a two-and-half-year suspension of the work is officially lifted, just in time to begin a global campaign featuring a new interactive Bible study program. The decision to resume their door-to-door ministry marks the complete restoration of all pre-pandemic in-person activities for the 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 13,000 congregations in the U.S. 

Houses of worship (called Kingdom Halls) were reopened April 1, witnessing in public places resumed May 31 and in-person conventions are once again being planned for 2023. …

Emergency Loans for Deer Impacts

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

HDOA News Release 

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will open an emergency loan program to help farmers with the costs associated with the overpopulation of axis deer on Maui, Molokai and Lanai). At an Aug. 23 meeting, the Hawaii Board of Agriculture (Board) approved the emergency loan program request by the Agricultural Loan Division. Applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.

In March 2022, Governor Ige issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Maui County due to drought conditions. Supplementary proclamations have extended the relief period until Sept. 20. The emergency proclamations include provisions for relief from damages, losses and suffering caused by axis deer, which have decimated agricultural crops and pastural lands as they migrate to seek water and forage.…

Residents Get Trained in Suicide Prevention

Wednesday, August 31st, 2022

Residents Get Trained in Suicide Prevention

 MEO News Release 

Twenty Molokai residents learned to be suicide prevention gatekeepers in training sessions last Tuesday and Wednesday conducted by Maui Economic Opportunity Youth Services.

The four sessions, held over the two days at MEO’s Kaunakakai office, covered recognition of the warning signs of suicide, how to provide support to those contemplating suicide and connecting them to services.  The content was patterned after suicide prevention sessions held at Molokai High and Middle schools in April.

The training sessions were a follow up to a town hall on suicide prevention held on July 27.  Some at the town hall were interested in the program taught in the schools.…

$3M in Home Gardening Grants

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

HDOA News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is now accepting applications for the second year of the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP), which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to help produce food in areas that are food insecure.

A total of $3 million will be available in this program, which includes $2 million for this year’s grant funds combined with $1 million that was carried over from the previous year. Last year, a total of 177 grants were awarded statewide. Funding for this grant program is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the 2018 Farm Bill.…