News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Molokai Flood Zone Changes Presented on Monday

Friday, September 5th, 2014

County of Maui News Release

Important information on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) new digital flood insurance rate maps (DFIRMs) will be highlighted at public meetings being held on Molokai Monday, Sept. 8. The meeting is from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands, with a presentation at 3 p.m.

For Molokai, the revised DFIRMs reflect the integration of the 2008 statewide hurricane study, which affects properties on the south shore of Molokai, as well as the decertification of the Kaunakakai levee system.

Personnel from FEMA, the County of Maui and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will provide a short presentation and take questions on the new flood maps and insurance ramifications.…

Molokai Represented Among Omidyar Fellows

Friday, September 5th, 2014

Molokai Represented Among Omidyar Fellows

Omidyar Fellows News Release

Molokai’s Emillia Noordhoek is among 14 exemplary emerging leaders selected for the 2014-2015 Omidyar Fellows program.  The individuals were chosen to participate in the third cohort of Omidyar Fellows, a leadership development program that cultivates, trains, and educates local leadership for Hawaii.

“We are pleased to welcome this diverse and inspiring set of emerging leaders to the Omidyar Fellows program,” said Kalei Stern, director of external relations, Omidyar Fellows. “As they embark on this new professional and personal development journey together, we look forward to the Omidyar Fellows becoming a close, collaborative team of leaders who will improve our state — and the world — together.”…

Kualapu`u School Receives $50K Grant

Thursday, September 4th, 2014

Ho`okako`o and Kualapu`u School News Release

Hawaiian Airlines Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to Kualapu`u Public Conversion Charter School for two new projects essential to the educational achievement of its students: Project Kuka`Ike STEM Education Program and Project Kuakupono Student Support Services Program.

Project Kuka`Ike STEM Education Program is a school-wide initiative to expand STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) for students in Kindergarten through sixth grades. According to Sue Forbes, the school’s Math and Science Curriculum Coordinator, “The goal is to prepare teachers to provide a robust, hands-on STEM education with a focus on the environment and agriculture that the children of Molokai can easily relate to, and which significantly improves their achievement in math and science.”…

Film Explores Community-Based Resource Management

Thursday, September 4th, 2014

Film Explores Community-Based Resource Management

Pacific Islanders in Communication News Release

 

The half hour documentary film “Fishing Pono: Living In Harmony With The Sea” tells the story of declining fisheries and how some Native Hawaiian communities are using traditional conservation practices to restore their fishing grounds.

 

Featuring lifelong fisherman Kelson “Mac” Poepoe, narrated by Kauai native Mauna Kea Trask, and directed by award winning helmer Mary Lambert, “Fishing Pono”follows Trask as he travels to Molokai to meet Poepoe and learn how his community based conservation program succeeded.

 

Poepoe’s fishing conservation program on Molokai, based on historical practices, is an inspiring story of how one community turned the tide on a seemingly doomed resource.…

Biochar Production Workshop

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

Biochar Production Workshop

UH CTAHR News release

Molokai residents can learn how to transform scrap lumber into a powerful soil amendment at a Biochar Production Workshop on Friday, Sept. 5. The workshop will be led by guest speaker Josiah Hunt of Hawaii Biochar Products. Biochar improves soil by providing habitat for microbial life. It also retains water and sequesters carbon, making it a cool for climate mitigation.

Come to the event at the UH Maui, Molokai Farm in the Molokai Agricultural Park Sept. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact the Extension Office at 567-6929. This workshop is sponsored by Makakuoha Cooperative, The Kohala Center, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UH CTAHR) and UH Maui College.…

Molokai Food Hub Meeting

Thursday, August 28th, 2014

Sust`aina ble Molokai News Release

Sust`aina ble Molokai will host a meeting for island farmers and food producers on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the High School Cafeteria.  The primary purpose of the meeting is to determine if our farmers can (and want) to supply Maunaloa Elementary School’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) with locally grown fruits and veggies.  There will also be discussion on connecting our island farmers with other consumers, including stores and restaurants.

Sust`aina ble Molokai is currently in the process of developing a Molokai Food Hub, which is meant to serve as an on-island distribution center, as well as a resource center for farmers. …

New Format for Community Budget Meetings

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

Maui County Budget Office News Release

Mayor Alan Arakawa and his administration will host a series of community meetings in September and October to receive comments and suggestions from the public regarding the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016. 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.

The Molokai meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Home Pumehana Center at 3 p.m.

As a new feature this year to the Mayor’s annual community budget meetings, tables will be set up to allow directors and staff from each county department to meet with members of the public, hear budget-related needs, listen to concerns and answer questions about various county-related issues.…

College Prep Workshops

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

MHS News Release

In conjunction with the Molokai High School (MHS) Ohana Night activities, MHS is continuing to sponsor college prep workshops for their students. Part one of the two-part series will be held on Oct. 16 in the MHS Library and will start at 6 p.m. The workshop is open to the public. This session is geared for high school juniors and focuses on activities that can be started this year in preparation for college. Seniors who may have recently decided to further their education after graduation and sophomores who would like to get an extra-early start are also welcome to attend.…

Ohana Eye Center Moves

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

Ohana Eye Center News Release

Ohana Eye Center is moving Sept. 2 to be a part of the Molokai Community Health Center (MCSC) located at 30 Oki Place in Kaunakakai (old Pau Hana Inn).

“We’re excited to be partnering with Ohana Eye Center. Our goal is to have a one stop shop for: medical services, wellness, dental services, physical therapy, Molokai drug store and behavioral health services,” saud MCSC CEO Desiree Puhi.

Doug Chu, M.D., owner of Ohana Eye Care, said Puhi reached out to him to see if a parternship could be formed by moving the eye center to the campus.…

Mobile Unit to Renew Expired Transport Credentials

Friday, August 22nd, 2014

County of Maui News Release

Molokai’s Kuha`o Business Center has secured funding to bring a mobile Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) unit to Molokai on Aug. 26-28, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development has announced. The mobile unit will allow more than 140 transportation workers with expired credentials to apply for renewals of their TWIC cards.

TWIC cards are issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard; they are required for all workers who need unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels. All U.S. credentialed mariners are required to have a TWIC.

On Molokai, many business owners send employees to pick up freight in secured areas on a regular basis.…