News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Molokai Benefits From Council’s Proposed Budget

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Molokai Benefits From Council’s Proposed Budget

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez News Release

On April 30, Council’s Economic Development and Budget committee rose to the challenge of what will likely be remembered as the most strenuous Budget Session: “The Coronavirus Deliberations,” and recommended passage of the fiscal year 2020-2021 budget.

The Council worked collaboratively with the Administration, remaining flexible and responsive to residents’ needs, and acted upon community requests to invest in a “new normal” after emerging from the statewide shutdown. The Council’s proposed $816.5 million budget reduced the Mayor’s $869.8 million proposed budget by approximately $53 million, which includes aid for Molokai residents and businesses to help recover from impacts of COVID-19.…

Molokai May Blood Drive Cancelled

Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

BBH News Release

Due to the continuing public health risk caused by COVID-19 and the special state and county government mandates, Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) will continue its modified collections plan. All May neighbor island blood drives are canceled, along with all drives on Oahu that are hosted by LifeSaver Clubs organizations. Canceled neighbor island drives include Molokai’s May 12 scheduled drive. Donors who registered are being notified.

“Although collections are currently limited to Oahu, the commitment remains as strong as ever to send blood supplies needed to every neighbor island,” said Todd Lewis, Blood Bank of Hawaii chief operating officer.…

Farmer Relief Program

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

HDOA News Release

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) mailed out the first batch of checks under the COVID-19 Emergency Farmer Relief Program last week. Four Molokai grants are among the recipients. HDOA received 333 applications for the grants and was able to award 106 proposals that ranged from $2,000 for individual farmers and ranchers and up to $10,000 for nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, and agricultural associations that have experienced financial damage due to the COVID-19 emergency.

The total funding for the program was $250,000 which was drawn from the State’s barrel tax fund (Agriculture Development and Food Security Special Fund) and made available through Gov.…

Science Education Fund Scholarship Extended

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Bayer News Release

In response to challenges facing Hawaii’s educators during the coronavirus situation, the application deadline for the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund has been extended to May 22. The previous deadline was April 25.

This Bayer Fund grant program is open to public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai, where Bayer farms.

Established in 2005, the Bayer Hawaii Science Education Fund helps provide Hawaii public schools with programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance science education in the schools, and encourages today’s students to consider a future career in the sciences.…

Bag All Rubbish

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

County of Maui News Release

During this difficult time, please observe the following practices to help protect our Molokai Landfill trash collection staff and our community.

Please, no loose trash. All waste should be bagged before delivering it to Landfill or placing it into your trash can for pick up.

Securely tie-off trash bags — double bagging is always appreciated! Try to get as much air out of your trash bags as possible prior to tying it off. This will maximize the amount of waste you can fit in your trash cans!

Don’t overfill the County trash can. Overfilled containers spill, exposing workers and the community to possible injury and illness.…

Public Library Resources Online

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Molokai Public Library News Release

Just because you can’t visit the Molokai Public Library right now doesn’t mean you can’t still use its resources. Find out the latest info on the public library, read the New York Times, check out an eBook to read, and check out a movie to stream at home with one easy link from the Hawaii State Public Library System webpage, librarieshawaii.org. Don’t have a library card? No problem! You can now apply for a one online. We also have a Reading Challenge using Beanstack under way to help readers record the time spent reading and share info about what they read!…

Molokai Resource Page

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Kuha’o Business Center News Release

The County of Maui is sponsoring a new website with information and resources for residents and businesses at COVID19MauiNui.com. The website now includes a “Molokai News and Updates” page. The website includes information and assistance from state and federal agencies as well as highlights community initiatives and programs.

During this time of heightened public health risk and community concern over the coronavirus disease of 2019 (“COVID-19″), it is important to know you are not alone and there is help and resources available.

The website also includes a link to the program OurKupuna.com, a community initiative project that connects our kupuna with volunteer sponsors, also available on Molokai.…

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Offers Free Food Transport

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

‘Ohana by Hawaiian Offers Free Food Transport

Hawaiian Airlines News Release

When Kristina Gomez learned her elderly parents on Molokai were impacted by the abrupt closure of a main grocery store in the town of Kaunakakai due to COVID-19 cases, she wanted to find a way to help. A Hawaiian Airlines guest service agent in Honolulu, Gomez reached out to our leadership team late last week, suggesting we set up a transportation service between Oahu and Molokai to assist the rural island’s residents.

Teams with Hawaiian Air Cargo and ‘Ohana by Hawaiian – our turboprop operations offering passenger service to Molokai – worked through the weekend discussing requirements of the proposed service, consulting with local government officials, and obtaining necessary TSA approvals.…

Hawaii Beaches Closed

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

DLNR News Release

Governor David Ige issued a Fifth Supplementary Proclamation to his Emergency Rules. This one includes limitations on activities outside homes or places of residence and closes all beaches on Molokai and statewide. It became clear that many people are continuing to access beaches, waters, and trails for social and recreational activities without proper social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis. Such activity contributes to the risk of spread of coronavirus across the state.

Under these new rules, all beaches are closed, which means no sitting, standing, lying down, lounging, sunbathing, or loitering on beaches and sandbars. People can still cross beaches to access the ocean for outdoor exercise like surfing, solo paddling and swimming as long as social distances are maintained.…

Airport Gets $1.6M for COVID-19 Support

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Airport Gets $1.6M for COVID-19 Support

Sen. Brian Schatz News Release

The Molokai airport will receive $1.6 million in funding, announced U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. That’s part of $133 million in new federal funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that Hawaii airports will get across the state. The new funding will help support airports and its workers experiencing severe economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“Hawaii airport workers and the entire airline industry have taken a significant hit during this crisis,” said Sen. Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This new federal funding will help save jobs and keep our airports across the state running.”…