News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Draft State Budget Includes Molokai Projects

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

HI Senate News Release 

With the State’s economy rebounding and significant increases in tax revenues, Maui County’s Senate delegation is in full support of the supplemental operating budget for fiscal years 2022-2023 as recently passed out of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. 

“With funding set aside for infrastructure, education, housing and health on the Valley Isle and statewide, we are heartened in anticipation of the needed work that will be done to improve the lives of our neighbors and friends on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai,” Senators Gilbert Keith-Agaran (District 5 – Wailuku, Waihe‘e, Kahului), Rosalyn Baker (District 6 – South and West Maui), Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kaho‘olawe) said in a joint statement.  …

Climate Change Workshops

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Please join us as Sustʻainable Molokai hosts Molokai Climate Change Workshops round two across the island – starting in Mana’e on April 7. The workshops are part of Molokai Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise Adaptation and Resiliency Plan (CCSLAR) and will include three in-person meetings and one virtual meeting.

Where will our shoreline be in 2100? The Molokai CCSLAR Plan focuses on climate change issues; particularly, how sea level rise will affect Molokai, our lifestyle and our community. The main goal is for the community to identify five to 10 most important areas, whether it be infrastructure, buildings, and/or roadways that either need to be relocated, rebuilt, or adjusted to adapt to sea-level rise.…

Ho’ahu Energy Coop Gets Federal Support

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Sen. Schatz News Release

Ho‘ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai, a local group developing Molokai’s first community-owned renewable energy resource project, will receive federal support, including technical assistance, from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

“This kind of hands-on federal support will help us expand clean energy production on Molokai as the community moves to take its energy future into its own hands. That means more jobs, more reliable energy, and cheaper electric bills for Molokai residents,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.

Ho‘ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai will receive tailored expert support from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a DOE National Lab, to address the island’s unique energy challenges. During this first phase of the initiative, Ho‘ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai will receive one-on-one assistance from PNNL, including training, energy and economic analysis, workforce and equity assessments, and grant application assistance.…

In-Vehicle Road Testing Returning

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Maui County News Release 

Maui County’s Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing will return to offering in-vehicle road testing, beginning Monday, March 28, for learner’s permit holders seeking driver’s licenses for passenger vehicles.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, DMVL began providing modified driver’s license basic skills tests since Feb. 23. The division will end modified testing on Thursday, March 24. Expats are getting free dgt test in english in Spain. You may check out these DriverZ driving resources.

All Maui County DMVL road testing stations will resume in-person road testing on March 28. Road testing stations are located in Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina, Hana, Lanai and Molokai.…

Rotary Scholarships Available

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Rotary Club News Release

The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset is awarding two $2500 academic scholarships to two graduating seniors who live in West Maui, Hana or Molokai and attends a Maui or Molokai high school. The students should demonstrate superior academic abilities, involvement in school activities and a winning character profile and must be pursuing a field of study that will benefit the environment. 

The scholarship highlights the club’s commitment to support the educational goals of local youth. 

“Knowledge is power and we are thrilled to help two graduating senior students reach their educational goals,” said Kelsey Briggs, Youth Service Chair. …

Health Center Gets $1M

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Sen. Schatz News Release

Fourteen community health centers across Hawaii will receive $23,749,447 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue providing health care services to underserved communities, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz announced last week.

Molokai ‘Ohana Health Care, also known as the Molokai Community Health Center, will receive $1,005,059. 

“Community health centers provide quality, affordable health care to Hawaii families every day,” said Sen. Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. “This federal funding will give our health centers the resources they need to continue providing care and keep people healthy.”…

Call for Fiber Art

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Since 1982, Hawaii Craftsmen has had a juried biennial fiber exhibit that is, “in, of or about fiber.” Artists are asked to consider fiber and textile techniques, exploring all fiber related work as an idea as well as a media. Emerging and established artists, members and nonmembers from Molokai and across the state are encouraged to submit completed artworks to be considered for inclusion in this statewide exhibition. 

Fiber Hawaii 2022 entries will be juried by well-known fashion designer and creative consultant, Amos Kotomori. Amos is sure to bring a unique sense of style to the Fiber exhibit.…

Partner in the Spotlight: Diane Pike

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

Partner in the Spotlight: Diane Pike

NOAA News Release

Molokai’s Diane Pike stumbled into the Hawaiian monk seal world in 2008 when she volunteered to help locate a mom and pup pair that were spotted on Molokai during a NOAA aerial survey. Little did she know where that road would lead her! At that time, finding reproductive females giving birth across the main Hawaiian Islands was still a relative novelty.

Diane’s involvement in monk seal conservation expanded alongside these promising signs of recovery in the species itself. Later that year, she facilitated NOAA’s efforts to tag that pup, and in observing the process and learning about the important work happening in her backyard, she was hooked.…

Input for Important Ag Lands Designation

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Maui County News Release

The County of Maui Department of Planning is seeking community review and comment on the initial steps to identify and map parcels on Molokai, Maui and Lanai that may be eligible for designation as Important Agricultural Lands under state law.

The law aims to preserve the highest quality agricultural lands in each county for current and future agricultural use and food security. The Planning Department is working with lead consultant Christine Feinholz of Pacific Cartography and Project outreach lead Anders Lyons of Kapalaea Consultants.

“Agriculture has always been a big part of our heritage throughout Maui County,” said Mayor Michael Victorino.…

Temporary Water Shut Off for Hoʻolehua

Friday, March 18th, 2022

DHHL News Release

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), through its contractor Goodfellow Brothers, is conducting improvements to a main water line of the Hoʻolehua Water System on Molokai from Monday, March 14 through Friday, March 18.

Water service is scheduled to be shut off from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, for customers on Lihi Pali Avenue west of the Keena Place intersection, Molokai High School, and the Hoʻolehua Fire Station.

Affected customers are asked to store water and adjust schedules accordingly.

The temporary water service interruption is a portion of DHHL’s $37 million capital improvement project aimed at improving Molokai’s 80-year-old Hoʻolehua Water System.…