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News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

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.…

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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.…

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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.…

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Community Acquisition of Molokai Ranch

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Please join us this month for the first of two meetings on community acquisition of Molokai Ranch. The first meeting is a working group meeting on March 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. held over Zoom. 

The purpose of this first meeting is to introduce the legwork that has been done to prepare us to dive into the research necessary for us to answer questions such as: How will we pay for Molokai Ranch? What kind of ownership structure would we utilize to own the Ranch? How would we manage the lands? How will we generate revenue?…

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Molokai Endangered Species Get Federal Funds

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Sen. Schatz News Release

The Molokai Land Trust will be receiving $350,000 in congressionally directed spending, also known as earmarks, in this year’s appropriations bill, secured by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. The new earmark funding will be used to support construction of predator-proof fencing to protect threatened and endangered species within the Mokio Preserve.

“This new earmark will protect dozens of threatened and endangered species on Molokai,” said Sen. Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “By supporting the Molokai Land Trust, we’re helping to care for native wildlife, strengthen local ecosystems, and preserve the island’s environment for years to come.”…

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Molokai Program Among $6.6M for Local Projects

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Congressman Kahele News Release

Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele announced $6,686,000 in Community Funded Projects for Hawaii’s second congressional district. The funding, which was included in the federal government funding package that passed through the U.S. House of Representatives last week, is expected to be signed into law by the President this week.

Among nine projects, one is specific to Molokai. Maui Economic Opportunity will receive $100,000 for the Kaohi Program, which offers in- and out-of-school activities and will target 100 Molokai youth ages 11 to 18 years old to reduce alcohol, tobacco and drug use. 

“These Community Funded Projects, secured by my office and granted to deserving non-profit organizations, state and county agencies, will support locally led priorities such as protecting our environment, educational opportunities for our keiki and addressing healthcare disparities in our rural communities.…

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Meet our Miniature Donkeys

Friday, March 18th, 2022

Meet our Miniature Donkeys

Seed of Love News Release

Come and meet Kaunakakai’s cutest new attraction hosted by the locally based nonprofit Seed of Love (SoL). Join us for an open house on the farm in Kaunakakai this Sunday, March 20.

SoL’s mission is to work with the land and community to create a platform for learning, gardening and animal care including rescue and rehabilitation. SoL has partnered with the Yamashita family farm located along the Kalokoeli Fishpond in Kaunakakai. The farm is now host to SoL’s main attraction Maia and Angelo, a pair of miniature rescue donkeys that made their way to Molokai via a rescue program on Oahu.…

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Budget for New County Ag Dept.

Wednesday, March 9th, 2022

Maui County News Release

Molokai residents are invited to join a virtual community meeting that will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 to gather public input on the new Department of Agriculture’s fiscal year 2023 budget.

The County will consider funding requests and priorities suggested by the community for the Department of Agriculture that will open in July.

“We invite our farmers, ranchers and interested residents to get involved in making plans for this new department,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “The County Department of Agriculture will meet our community’s needs by supporting local farmers and ranchers to help improve food security, build our agricultural workforce and promote new opportunities for economic diversification.…

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County Small Business Grants Open

Wednesday, March 9th, 2022

Maui County News Release  

The Maui County Small Business Grant Program is open to all small businesses in Maui County.

In early January, the County of Maui announced the Maui County Small Business Grants for Restaurants, Bars and Gyms. Effective March 1, the program became the Maui County Small Business Grant for all small businesses in Maui County.

The County of Maui offers the program in collaboration with the Credit Unions of Maui (Maui County FCU, Maui FCU, Kahului FCU, Valley Isle Community FCU, Wailuku FCU and Maui Teachers FCU). The program is part of the American Rescue Plan to assist small businesses in Maui County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.…

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No More Plastic Foodware

Wednesday, March 9th, 2022

Maui County News Release 

Maui County’s Plastic Disposable Foodware Ordinance No. 5084 went into effect March 1, and the County’s Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division continues working with affected businesses and suppliers to help them transition toward non-plastic products. With the exception of some temporary exemptions, plastic foodware will no longer be used at take-out restaurants or for purchase at stores on Molokai. 

“We are focused on education and working with businesses to comply with this new law,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “There is a temporary exemption process in place to assist businesses with supply-chain challenges and those that need to exhaust non-compliant supplies.…

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