News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Workshop for Renewable Energy Cooperative

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

Shake Energy News Release

On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m., Shake Energy will host another virtual public meeting to further our progress on designing renewable energy projects on Molokai to be locally owned and operated. This follows in a series of community workshops hosted on Molokai about Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE). These meetings are held regularly every two weeks to continue the effort to formalize this energy cooperative and design the projects it will own and operate.

At the meeting this weekend, we will be hosting interviews from energy development companies that are interested in partnering with us to submit our bids to Hawaiian Electricʻs Request for Proposals (RFP) for Phase II CBRE projects on Molokai.…

Aerial Electric Line Inspections

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

Hawaiian Electric News Release

As part of efforts to maintain reliable service, Hawaiian Electric will be using a helicopter to perform routine power line inspections on Molokai on Thursday, Oct. 29 and Maui on Friday, Oct. 30, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Dates and locations are subject to change depending on weather.

Routine aerial inspections of Hawaiian Electric’s equipment, including electrical lines, poles and substations, are necessary to maintain stable and reliable electrical service for the Maui County community.

For questions about this work, the public can contact Hawaiian Electric’s Customer Service Center at 871-9777.…

Quarantine Exemption for Medical Travel

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino announced that Maui County residents traveling for medical purposes will be exempt from quarantine and will not need to take a pre-departure test for COVID-19.

“We know many of our residents in Maui County need to travel briefly to Oahu for medical purposes or to undergo medical procedures or treatment that’s not available here at home,” Mayor Victorino said. “This exemption allows for same day or overnight travel for patients get their needed treatment. Hopefully, it will reduce the amount of anxiety they experience in an already stressful situation.”

This exemption is available only to those not subject to any other quarantine.…

More Time, Funding for Small Business Relief

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui has added another $1 million to the Kokua Maui County Small Business Recovery and Relief Fund, and small businesses now have until Oct. 31 to apply for grants of as much as $7,500.

The additional $1 million in CARES Act funding brings the Kokua Maui County Small Business Recovery & Relief Fund’s total funding to $7 million. The fund was established in a partnership with local federal credit unions to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

So far, 859 applications have been approved, with more than $5.6 million disbursed. Twenty-four Molokai businesses have been awarded nearly $143,000, and three Lanai businesses have received over $18,500.…

Molokai Farming Cost-Reimbursement Program

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development announces a second round of funding is available for the Molokai Farming Cost-Reimbursement Program.

Molokai farmers were allocated $23,213 in the first round of funding to help them comply with federal food regulations. Now, total funding available through this program is $221,535.

The program provides cost reimbursements to farmers and ranchers on Molokai to assist with the costs of compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act and state food safety laws. The total amount of cost reimbursement to any one applicant shall not exceed $5,000.…

New Partnership Brings Whale Sanctuary Education

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

New Partnership Brings Whale Sanctuary Education

NOAA News Release

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the nonprofit organization ʻAina Momona have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to develop new outreach and educational projects for the community of Molokai. It is the first MOA between the sanctuary and a nonprofit on the island of Molokai.

ʻAina Momona is a Molokai-based Native Hawaiian nonprofit organization, founded in 2017 by Executive Director Walter Ritte and Trisha Kehaulani Watson, both former sanctuary advisory council members.

“We’re excited to partner with NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary on the stewardship of Molokai’s resources,” said Ritte. “Our reefs and ocean are important sources of food for our island people, who rely heavily on a subsistence economy.…

Election Places of Deposit

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

Maui County Clerk News Release

Maui County’s General Election Places of Deposit — except for those located at Voter Service Centers, such as Molokai — will open on Oct. 8, County Clerk Kathy Kaohu announced.

“We are opening most Places of Deposit on the same day ballot packages for Maui County voters are scheduled to be mailed out,” Kaohu said. “This means in addition to mailing their ballots back to us, voters will also be able to drop off their ballots at our designated Places of Deposit as soon as they have completed their voting.”

The Place of Deposit opening date was officially changed on Oct.…

Hoʻolehua Water Conservation

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

Hoʻolehua Water Conservation

DHHL News Release

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is asking all Hoʻolehua Water System customers to reduce their water consumption for necessary purposes only through the month of October.

Large quantities of water use, along with drought conditions, have impacted the Hoʻolehua Water System storage tanks. The tanks are currently below expected levels and the pumps are unable to keep up with the demand.

DHHL advises all customers to reduce their water usage by 25 to 50 percent using the following tips:

· Repair faucet leaks and water line leaks
· Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth
· Shorten shower time
· Install aerators and low-flow showerheads
· Reduce or eliminate watering of lawns or filling up “kiddie” pools

Customer efforts in reducing water usage will allow the tanks to replenish and avert the need for more restrictive measures.…

County Food Distribution This Month

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino announced that food distribution events will be held on each Friday in the month of October for Molokai residents in need.

The last food distribution took place 10 a.m. on Oct. 9 at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai.

Volunteers passed out 150 boxes of fruits and vegetables on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients are required to wear face masks.

To maximize social distancing, food distribution will be done in a grab-and-go drive-through (no walk up). Motorists will have the option of getting boxes placed in their vehicle’s trunk or rear cargo area.…

$2.5M in Grants for Local Farmers

Wednesday, October 14th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui and Maui Economic Opportunity launched today a $2.5 million program to assist small local farmers in Maui County. The Agriculture Micro Grants Program provides grant funding of up to $25,000 to farmers on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

Applications are available online at meoinc.org.

“This program will benefit local consumers by improving the availability of local produce, livestock and poultry in Maui County, while also increasing farm capacity, productivity, name recognition and income for farmers,” Mayor Michael Victorino said.

Farm qualifications include:

• Operating farms throughout Maui County (crops, livestock, poultry and products).…