News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Molokai Artists Showcased at Honolulu Exhibit

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Downtown Art Center News Release

Downtown Art Center, in collaboration with Na Heona Molokai, is thrilled to present its first-ever art exhibition exclusively featuring artists from Molokai. No Stop Light: Molokai will be open for viewing in the second floor Exhibition Space from Friday, May 6 to Saturday, May 28. A free, public opening reception will be held on First Friday, May 6, from 4 to 8 p.m.

This historic show, the largest group exhibition by Molokai artists in Honolulu, is an opportunity for these often-unsung artists to convey their experiences of living on a Hawaiian Island so different from Oahu that there is no need for traffic lights.…

Community Ownership of Molokai Ranch Meetings

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Sustʻainable Molokai News Release

Please join us this month for meetings regarding community ownership of Molokai Ranch. There are five upcoming meetings about this project each with different purposes. Three subcommittee meetings will focus on technical research about funding options, community ownership models, and spirituality. These meetings will be followed by a working group meeting to synthesize the progress made by subcommittees into material that is easily understandable and empowers our community with the information to make informed choices.

Lastly, a community meeting will provide distilled updates on working group progress and serve as an opportunity for broad community input. Please see the dates below and in the new Dispatch community calendar to join us.…

Electric Discount for Medical Issues

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric has established a permanent program that offers a discounted rate to customers with special medical needs, including those dependent on life-support equipment at home. The rate is available to 2,000 residential customers. 

Hawaiian Electric recognizes that some customers are dependent on special equipment or have increased cooling or heating needs due to a medical condition, increasing electricity bills. To assist, the company established the pilot Special Medical Needs Rate Program in 2017, which received several extensions. Regulators approved a permanent program effective April 1. 

As the demand for reliable heating continues to rise, especially among individuals with special medical needs, ensuring an efficient and safe heating system becomes essential.…

County Recruiting Leadership for New Ag Dept.

Wednesday, April 13th, 2022

Maui County News Release

In November 2020, Maui County voters approved the establishment of a Department of Agriculture. Throughout 2021, an agricultural working group established by Mayor Michael Victorino set forth a draft of the new department’s mission, goals and objectives, and community meetings were held to get feedback on the direction and budget priorities of the new department. 

The Department of Agriculture will open on July 1, 2022. The County is recruiting a Director and Deputy Director of Agriculture.

Prospective candidates should carefully evaluate the roles, responsibilities and qualifications for each position and apply only for the position that best matches their qualifications.…

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.”…