News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Planning for Molokai’s Energy Future

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

MCEH News Release

We must go slow, to move fast. This proverb is true for Molokai’s renewable energy needs.

In 2017, Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) revealed a statewide plan including Molokai for 100 percent renewable energy by 2020. However, Molokai is not even close to the goal. Molokai has an abundance of rooftop solar, but customer options for roof top solar are limited due to technical limitation with the grid.

Over the last decades, four large-scale renewable energy developers have come and gone without completing projects for various reasons, primarily costs and roadblocks with HECO. Today Molokai remains dependent on expensive and environmentally damaging fossil fuels.…

$5M in Rental, Utilities Assistance for Native Hawaiians

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

CNHA News Release

In a continued partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is expanding the Native Hawaiian Rental and Utilities Relief Program to include all eligible Native Hawaiians living in Hawaii. Prior to this program, only beneficiaries on the DHHL Waiting List who are at least 50 percent Hawaiian, were eligible for assistance using the DHHL funding.

This new allotment of funds was made possible through the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and is part of the DHHL COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This round of funding is available to all Native Hawaiians whether or not they are on the DHHL Waiting List.…

Kualapu’u School Gets $20K for Science Ed

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

Kualapu’u School News Release

Kualapu’u Public Charter School received a grant for $20,000 from Bayer Fund, which will be used to continue our science education program in Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Life Science. The grant will also support island-based field trips so students will learn these science concepts in action and in their own community.

Principal Lydia Trinidad reports, “Our students love field trips and we are excited we can continue our science instruction outside the walls of the classroom,” said Principal Lydia Trinidad. “This year, especially after COVID-19 restrictions, we want to take our students outside! This is our fourth year of receiving support from Bayer and we have all the curriculum to implement our science program.…

OHA Awards $1.77M in COVID Response Grants

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

OHA News Release

Programs helping to mitigate learning struggles endured by young learners during the pandemic, provide psychiatric services to Native Hawaiians and provide food to vulnerable Native Hawaiian communities are among the grant awardees announced today by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

A total of 15 Hawaii nonprofit organizations on five islands will receive a total of $1.77 million in grant awards through OHA’s COVID-19 Impact and Response Grants. The grant program is being offered for the first time to help the community address the multiple impacts of the global pandemic.

On Molokai, KUPU was awarded $55,042 for its “Conservation Leadership Development Program” to provide employment opportunities for early and developing professionals (17 years or older) who want to commit to a career in conservation.…

Wildland Fire Training This Week

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

MFD News Release

From Wednesday, June 30 through Friday, July 2, the Maui Fire Department will be conducting a series of live fire wildland training exercises on Molokai. The training will be taking place on a parcel of DHHL land southeast of the intersection of Maunaloa Highway and Pu’upe’elua Avenue in Ho’olehua. The training will occur daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during this time.

During the training, Molokai residents can expect to possibly see smoke and flames in the immediate area.

These training evolutions give Maui Fire Dept. fire fighters on Molokai an opportunity to train in realistic conditions to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season, while at the same time eliminate some of the wildfire fuel loads.…

Molokai Teachers Renew National Board Certification

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Molokai Teachers Renew National Board Certification

NBCT News Release

Molokai High School Librarian Diane Mokuau and Student Services Coordinator Laura Peterson are two of thousands of teachers across the United States to renew their certification as a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT).

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is excited to celebrate these teachers along with the more than 20,000 teachers currently pursuing Board certification – seen as the profession’s mark of accomplished teaching.

“The pandemic truly tested the mettle of anybody working in a school setting — including teachers and their students,” said Peggy Brookins, NBCT, President and CEO of The National Board. “Those teachers who renewed their Board certification this year voluntarily chose to challenge themselves, reflect on their practice and confirm that they are teaching to the highest standards.…

Indigo Dye Class

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Indigo Dye Class

MAC News Release

On Saturday, June 5, an indigo dye class hosted by the Molokai Arts Center (MAC) was held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at an off-site venue at the Holomua Junction. The class was an introductory class and no previous experience was required of the participants.

Indigo is a natural and ancient dye, known for its deep and rich blue color. It was used by many civilizations such as in Mayan, Egyptian, Japanese and Indian cultures. Natural indigo is obtained from a variety of plants, the most widely used one being indigofera tinctoria. But, did you know that we actually have an indigo plant species called Indigofera suffruticosa that grows in the wild here all over the island?…

Raguindin Awarded $3K Scholarship

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Takitani Foundation News Release

The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. (Takitani Foundation) has awarded 10 high school seniors from Maui, Molokai and Lanai scholarship awards in its annual Legacy Scholarship Program. Baldwin High School senior Donna Kim was selected as Maui District’s Finalist, winning a $5,000 scholarship.

There were 61 recipients, one from each qualifying public and independent school in the state, who received scholarships based on academic achievement, community service and financial need. In total, the Foundation awarded $225,000 to students throughout the state in its Legacy Scholarship Program this year.

From Molokai High School, senior Reese Raguindin, daughter of Panciano and Erin Raguindin, received a $3,000 scholarship and will attend Pacific University in Oregon this fall.…

Molokai College Financial Assistance

Wednesday, June 16th, 2021

UHMCM News Release

Interested in attending college in the fall? Contact UH Maui College Molokai EOC program advisor Nahiwa Naki at mkkeoc@hawaii.edu or call 553-4490 opt. 2 for application and FAFSA assistance. You may even qualify for the Manaiakalani Scholarship, intended for first time (or minimal college experience) students who will attend UH Maui College next semester. For more information, visit manaiakalani.weebly.com.…

Hunting Licenses, Stamps for New Season

Wednesday, June 16th, 2021

DLNR News Release

A new hunting season opens from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Effective June 15, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will begin issuing hunting licenses and stamps for this new season.

DOFAW offices have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hunters can purchase licenses and stamps online by credit card. Individuals without internet access or needing other purchasing options can contact island-specific DOFAW offices by phone. A valid license is required for hunting on public and private lands.

For additional information please call your local DOFAW office on Molokai at (808) 553-1745, or the statewide DOFAW administration office in Honolulu can be reached at (808) 587-0166.…