News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Mayor Signs Emergency Proclamation, Urges Preparedness

Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Mayor Signs Emergency Proclamation, Urges Preparedness

County of Maui News Release

Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa signed an emergency proclamation effective 11:00 a.m. Saturday, in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Ignacio. The National Weather Service (NWS) has advised that although Ignacio’s track is still uncertain, the system has the potential to cause widespread damage throughout Maui County.

The proclamation recognizes the need for government agencies and representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services to our island residents and to mitigate hazardous situations in advance of the weather effects from Tropical Cyclone Ignacio such as sustained tropical storm force winds and the potential for hurricane force winds, heavy rains, potential lightning, flooding, and extremely high surf and storm surge.…

Kualapu`u School Gets $15K

Friday, August 28th, 2015

Kualapu`u School News Release

Kualapu`u School has received a $15,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund to support teacher training and STEM curriculum development for the charter elementary school’s fourth grade students.

Project Kuka`ike (“knowledge bursting forth”) is Kualapu`u School’s STEM education program that serves students in grades K-6. Project Kuka`ike is designed to provide a robust, hands-on STEM education, with a focus on the environment and agriculture. It allows students to connect real-life observations and experiences to content and learning that significantly improves their achievement in science and math.

“Kualapu`u School has a four-year plan to strengthen and expand STEM teaching and learning for all students, and we are developing new standards-based, hands-on STEM curricula for each grade level, as well as professional development for our teachers,” said Lydia Trinidad, principal.…

Solve a Mars Mystery

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

Molokai Public Library News Release

Come and solve a mystery about a strange object found on Mars at a program at the Molokai Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. We will use real data collected by Mars Rovers, amazing robots that send photographs to Earth. Using the practices of planetary scientists, we will investigate to find out if the object is a rock, a tool or a jelly donut?

You can also design a prototype for a new Mars Rover and decide what information it will gather about the Red Planet.

The program is provided by Alestra Menendez, a curriculum developer at the UC Berkeley Lawrence Hall of Science.…

Give Your Two Cents on County Budget

Friday, August 21st, 2015

County of Maui News Release

In September and October, residents of Maui County will have the opportunity to give their input on the county’s budget for Fiscal Year 2016-2017. Mayor Alan Arakawa and his administration will host a series of community meetings to receive comments and suggestions from the public regarding the proposed budget. The opportunity to give feedback on Molokai will be on Monday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center.

Citizens with an interest in the county budget are encouraged to attend and offer input, either as individuals or on behalf of an organization. Both written and verbal comments will be accepted.…

Funding Nonprofit Community Projects

Friday, August 21st, 2015

YB News Release

Young Brothers, Limited (YB) is now accepting online grant applications from nonprofit community organizations in Maui County for its Community Gift Giving Program. The program will award grants of up to $2,500 per organization. According to Young Brothers, the new online tool streamlines the application process for community nonprofit groups. Applicants should go to GIVINGtrax.com to register their organization, create a profile, and submit an application.

Community organizations that meet the criteria are invited to submit applications to Young Brothers’ Community Advisory Board, via GivingTrax.com, for grant consideration. Those criteria are IRS approved under Section 501 (c) 3, and the purpose of the organization is related to health, education, civic and community service, youth activities, cultural enrichment, environment or special community projects.…

Bible Prophecy Seminar Kicks Off

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

Revelation of Hope Ministries News Release

This week, the Molokai Seventh-day Adventist Church will be hosting a two-week seminar to explore and study the Bible prophecies found in the book of Revelation.

Local boy Keoki Gandeza, associate speaker from Revelation of Hope Ministries, will guide the community through a study of the book’s symbols and the messages they hold for today’s world.

“We’re inviting the community to come together, no matter what their background, those who go to church or don’t go to church, to learn and reaffirm, why we can have hope and peace in a time when the world seems to offer us none,” said Gandeza.…

Molokai to Receive $1.5M for Watershed Project

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service News Release

Molokai’s Pua`ahala Watershed Project will be one of two federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) grants to be funded in Hawaii this year. The FWS is awarding $37.2 million in grants to 20 states — including more than $2 million to Hawaii — to support conservation planning and acquisition of vital habitat for threatened, endangered and at-risk species.

The Pua`ahala Watershed Project will receive $1,566,875. This project will secure long-term protection of Hawaii’s listed species as part of the State’s comprehensive recovery effort. The subject area contains some of the highest quality native forest habitat on Molokai.…

Funding for Futures in Science

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

Monsanto Fund News Release

Monsanto Hawaii Science Education Fund awards grants to public schools serving students at the intermediate, high school and college grade levels on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Molokai. Applications are now being accepted. 

Established in 2005, the Fund helps provide Hawaii public schools with programs, tools, supplies and equipment to enhance science education in the schools, and encourage today’s students to consider a future career in the sciences. To date, the program has awarded more than $195,000 to public schools throughout the state.

Grant applications are accepted and reviewed twice a year.  The next application deadline is Oct.…

Community Resources for Kids with Disabilities

Friday, August 14th, 2015

LDAH News Release

Interactive entertainment, developmental learning activities provided by specialists and early childhood screenings for children ages two through five will highlight the Kid Zone at the 2015 Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii (LDAH) Traveling Mini-Conference (TMC) on Molokai.

The event will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Molokai Community Health Center from 3 to 7 p.m. and is free and open to all families.

The Molokai TMC is an opportunity for families to learn more about community resources and services available to help their children with or at risk of disabilities. Kid Zone will include age-appropriate activities and comprehensive childcare for siblings so parents of children with disabilities, students with disabilities and educators can attend informational sessions.…

Celebrate Bon Dance This Month

Friday, August 14th, 2015

Guzeiji Soto Mission News Release

Don’t miss out on an unforgettable evening of fun as the community gathers to celebrate and remember our ancestors at Guzeiji Soto Mission of Molokai’s annual Bon Dance celebration. This year’s event will be held on Aug. 29 at Hotel Lane in Kaunakakai, with guest minister Rev. Shuji Komagata and special performances by Somei Taiko.

At 5 p.m. a memorial service for departed ones will be held, and the chicken hekka dinner plate sale begins and booths will open. The Bon Dance will be from 6 to 10 p.m.

Chicken hekka tickets are on aale now for a $10 donation; call 658-0943 for tickets.…