News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Help with Utility Payments

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

DHS News Release

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides heating and/or cooling assistance to needy Hawaii households by assisting with a one-time payment towards their utility bill (electric or gas) in two ways.

Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) program assists needy households in crisis, the electric or gas service has been disconnected or will be terminated as the household has been notified via a disconnect notice from utility company. Applications for ECI are accepted year-round, but the amount of approvals each month are limited and fill quickly.

Energy Credit (EC) program assists needy households who are not in crisis but need assistance with bill payment for the heating and cooling of their residence.…

Helm Confirmed as Hawaiian Homes Commissioner

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

DHHL News Release

The Hawaii State Senate confirmed Molokai’s Zachary Helm, Randy Awo and Russell Kaupu to the Hawaiian Homes Commission on Thursday, May 21, in a 24-0 vote.

Molokai Commissioner Helm has 30 years of experience working with the Department of Parks and Recreation for the County of Maui, with most of his tenure spent as the District Supervisor for the Molokai District.

Helm is active in his community, serving on various boards, including the Kalamaʻula Hawaiian Homestead Association, Friendly Isle United Way, Molokai Catholic Community Council, and Molokai Little League Association. Helm’s term runs through June 2024.

Maui Commissioner Awo most recently served as the Administrator for the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.…

Crivello Runs for Molokai Councilmember

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

Stacy Helm Crivello News Release

Stacy Helm Crivello announced last week that she has filed to run for the Molokai residency seat on the Maui County Council. Crivello previously held the seat from 2013-2018.

“Maui County needs steady leadership to get us through these tough times,” Crivello said. “We must work decisively to not only address the health and economic crisis in the short term, but to support a resilient economy in the long term.”

In addition to her experience on the Maui County Council, Crivello has accumulated a wealth of knowledge through her many roles serving the community. She was a founding member of the Molokai Community Health Center and the Molokai Land Trust, Chair of the Maui County Fire and Public Safety Commission, and helped administer Molokai’s USDA Enterprise Community Grant, to name a few.…

Faithful and Safe Reopening Catholic Churches

Thursday, June 4th, 2020

St. Damien Catholic Church News Release

Masses at the St. Damien church will resume on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 a.m. with the daily mass. The regular mass schedule will be followed with the daily mass on weekdays at 7 a.m. at the St. Damien church in Kaunakakai. Weekend masses are as follows; Saturdays at 6 p.m. at the St. Damien church in Kaunakakai (confessions from 5 to 5:30 p.m.), Sunday mass will be at 7 a.m. at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Kaluaaha, 9 a.m. at St. Damien and 11 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer in Maunaloa.

The Bishop has extended the dispensation to attend Sunday Mass, through June 30.…

Middle School Wins Big at State Level

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

Middle School Wins Big at State Level

MMS Media News Release

Congratulations to Molokai Middle School Media and Leadership and eighth grade English Language Arts (ELA) students. Students won first place and were the top three finalists for five categories among 900 entries at the 17th Annual Olelo Youth Xchange Video Contest. The contest is the only Statewide Video Competition and showcases Student Voice from K-12 public and private schools. Congratulations to the following students:

1. Documentary: Kailana Guerrero-McGuire & Carly Dudoit – “Grief”
2. Short Film: Kuulei Simon, Leilei Starkey-Ahyee & Keahi DeCosta – “Eo Molokai”
3. Sponsor: Kalawaia Puaa-Kanawalewale, Heath Lopez & Kahekili Cuello – “808 No Vape”
4.…

Molokai Library Bookdrop Open

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

HSPLS News Release

The Hawaii State Public Library System is pleased to announce that all library bookdrops, including Molokai Public Library, are now open to return library materials. The reopening represents the beginning of a phased-in approach to providing library services to support the health and safety of our communities. No book donations will be accepted at this time.

To ensure the health and safety of our staff, all returned items will be placed into quarantine for a minimum of four days before checking those items in. Depending on the date of return, and the location’s hours of operation, it may take a few days for your library account to reflect the return.…

Bells of Hope to Ring

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

St. Damien of Molokai Catholic Parish News Release

Starting on June 1, the the St. Damien of Molokai Catholic parish will bring back a celebration of a rich history of expressing our devotion to God and our gratefulness of all things provided to us by way of the Angelus bells. Each week day at noon the bells of St. Damien church in Kaunakakai will ring out to remind us of our bond with God and to pause and give thanks. The bells will sound three times followed by a number of single chimes.

Historically, the Angelus prayer is a famous Catholic devotion commemorating the Incarnation and is said 3 times each day: at dawn, noon, and dusk.…

Fall Canoe Races Cancelled

Wednesday, May 27th, 2020

OHCRA News Release

The spirit of aloha continues to permeate our Hawaii communities as we champion making difficult decisions to support one another and care for the safety and health of our people and visitors. Many have had their lives change overnight and businesses, as well as individuals, continue to feel these effects as we transition into the next phase of our statewide COVID-19 response efforts.

As our state has been tremendously impacted by the global reach of this pandemic, the Board of the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA) together with the organizing committee of Na Wahine O Ke Kai, regretfully announce the decision to cancel this year’s championship canoe races — Hawaiian Airlines Na Wahine O Ke Kai, scheduled for Sept.…

Two Residents Earn Degrees Online

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

WGU News Release

Two Molokai residents have earned a degree from Western Governors University (WGU). The online, nonprofit university has graduated over 178,000 students from across the country since its inception in 1997.

Lian Chong Kalima of Kaunakakai has earned a Bachelor of Science, Business Management degree. Rachel Abshire of Kaunakakai has earned a Bachelor of Science, Business – Healthcare Management degree.

Since January 2, 2020, WGU has awarded 6,313 undergraduate and 4,975 graduate degrees. Graduates’ areas of study include business, K-12 education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. The average time to graduation for those earning a bachelor’s degree was two years, three months, while the average time for graduate programs was one year, six months.…

Molokai Middle Winner in Video Contest

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

‘Olelo Community Media News Release

Schools from across the state were named winners in the 17th Annual ‘Olelo Youth Xchange Student Video Competition last week. Top prizes went to Maui High, Wai‘anae Intermediate and Moanalua High, and Molokai Middle School students won the Free Speech Middle School category.

The competition is the state’s oldest and largest contest of its type. Over 900 video submissions this year were created by elementary, middle and high-school students who attend 71 public, charter and private schools statewide. Winning videos were from across Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai and Molokai.

The 54 award winners will receive high-definition Sony digital video cameras as prizes.…