News Releases

Hawaiian Electric to Issue $2M in Kokua Fund

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Hawaiian Electric News Release

Hawaiian Electric will apply $2 million in bill credits for customers who have struggled to pay their electric bill during the COVID-19 pandemic on Molokai and other islands. The Kokua Fund Bill Credit Program will automatically provide a one-time credit of $90 to past-due balances for about 22,000 residential and business customers by Jan. 31. 

“Our priority during the pandemic has been to keep customers connected,” said Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura. “Many people have been affected by the pandemic and we have designed this program to reach as many as we can, especially those for whom this credit will be the most meaningful.…

More Internet Options for Homesteaders

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

DHHL News Release

Hawaiian homesteaders on Molokai will soon have more options for internet and telecommunications services. Recent Federal law, coupled with expanded service options, will now allow service users on the homelands to obtain telecommunications services from a provider of their choice under the lifting of a former exclusivity clause that allowed only one provider to issue telecommunication products. 

For many years, Sandwich Isle Communications, Inc. (SIC) was the exclusive provider of broadband telecommunications services under Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) License No. 372 (License 372) which was issued to SIC’s parent company, Waimana Enterprises, Inc. on May 9, 1995. 

On June 30, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order determining that all exclusivity claims arising from License 372 are preempted by Federal law and are therefore unenforceable.…

Hawaiian Homes Molokai Meetings in April

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

HHC News Release

The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC), the nine-person executive board that governs the Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands (DHHL), has approved and announced its 2022 meeting calendar. The Molokai community meeting will be held on April 18, and the HHC meeting will be held on April 19, at Lanikeha, both at 9:30 a.m. 

 The meetings will be held in compliance with Act 220 and comply with any existing COVID-19 guidelines at the time of the meeting. Act 220 provides state agencies the flexibility to utilize interactive conference technology for the public to view meetings online as well as provide remote oral testimony so board members and other participants can hear the testimony whether through the internet, a telephone or other means.…

Molokai Gets Two New Firefighters

Thursday, January 20th, 2022

MFD News Release

On Friday, Jan. 7, the Department of Fire and Public Safety celebrated the graduation of its 37th Firefighter Recruit Class in Kahului, including two Molokai recruits. 

Molokai’s Troy Heen and Lohiao Paoa were among the 19 firefighter recruits graduated from the Maui Fire Department’s 28-week Recruit Training Program. The program is designed to train and evaluate fire recruits on the many skills and disciplines necessary to serve the public as a firefighter. 

The 37th Recruit Class was comprised of 19 firefighter trainees. 15 firefighters will be joining the ranks with the Maui Fire Department and will be assigned to Maui County fire stations on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.…

Winter Reading Challenge

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

Public Library News Release

Until Jan. 31, the Molokai Public Library invites residents to join the Virtual Winter Reading Challenge, part of a statewide challenge held by the Hawaii State Public Library System.  This year’s theme is “Read for a Better World.” It is a time to read books that explore diversity, empathy, and action through literature. This year’s program offers unlimited access to more ebook titles through Lerner Publishing, one of the national sponsors for this program.  

It’s easy to join! Molokai readers can sign up or log in at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack App on your mobile device. Once you are signed up, simply use Beanstack to log reading minutes, and participate in activities and challenges.  For…