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Political

Molokai and Hawaii – Island Politics

Election Results Bring Some Surprises

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Saturday’s Primary Election will bring some experienced candidates to November’s General Election, as well as some new faces to politics for Molokai representation. 

In a highly anticipated race for Democratic District 7 State Senator, an office currently held by Molokai’s Lynn DeCoite, she successfully defended her seat against Molokai’s Walter Ritte. DeCoite earned 55.1 percent of votes statewide, while Ritte garnered 30.6 percent. DeCoite will appear on the general election ballot along with Republican candidate Tamara McKay, who won 65.9 percent of her party’s votes, according to the Hawaii Office of Election’s results report as of 1 pm Sunday.…

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Last Chance to Vote

Wednesday, August 10th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

If you haven’t already cast your ballot, there’s still time! This Saturday, Aug. 13 is the last chance to vote in the primary election. If you received a ballot in the mail and haven’t postmarked it yet, it won’t arrive in time to count now so you can drop it off in person at the Voter Service Center at Mitchell Pauole Center. You can also vote electronically through machine there or register to vote same day so you can still vote even if you’ve never done it before.

Voter Service Center hours this week are 8 a.m.…

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Vote!

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022

Vote!

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Are you a registered voter who’s already received your ballot in the mail? Are you a Molokai resident who’s never voted before? Either way, vote! Now is the time to participate in this important part of community-building to voice your preference for candidates who align with your values and vision for the future. Along with candidates statewide, six Molokai residents appear on the ballot running for key seats in this election. 

Overview: The primary election is held to nominate candidates who will represent each political party in November’s general election.

What: 2022 Primary Election

When: If you are already a registered voter, you already received your ballot in the mail and can mail it back now.…

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Primary Election Approaching

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

This week, Molokai registered voters will receive their ballots for the primary election in the mail. The deadline for your ballot to be received is Saturday, Aug. 13 so it must be postmarked in advance, or it can dropped off at the voter service center in Kaunakakai by Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. To register to vote or check your status, visit elections.hawaii.gov. 

In the primary election, voters nominate the candidates who will represent each party in the general election, which will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8. When casting your primary election ballot, remember to select only one political party preference, and only vote for the candidates of your selected political party preference.…

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Progress on Water Policy in Maui County

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

Community Contributed

Opinion by Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

Shortly after joining the council, I noticed unfairness in the structure of our county’s potable water rates.

A hotel or resort using over 35,000 gallons of water was charged a lower rate than a single-family dwelling using the same amount. This disparity was based on a technical defect in the rate structure: single-family dwellings had four tiers while the other category of all other general users each had only three. 

Hotels and resorts are used by visitors for the profit of offshore investors. Single-family dwellings are where our local residents raise their families. 

I have presented twice to the Board of Water Supply, with the intention of working with them and the Department of Water Supply to balance important policy goals—conservation and revenue generation—in addition to equity in rates. …

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Candidate’s Long Support of Molokai Athletics

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

I am not one to get political, but in the race for Lt. Governor for Hawaii, most of you probably don’t know much about any of the candidates. But if any of you have a chance to vote for the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor for the State of Hawaii, please consider Keith Amemiya as your candidate of choice. 

I don’t know much about the other three candidates or if any of them may have had any impact on our Molokai community, but I want to share with you a few things that Keith has done for Molokai High School that maybe not too many of you know about or may have forgotten about.…

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Elect Mahina Poepoe for State Rep

Wednesday, July 13th, 2022

If I was asked to identify one reason to elect Mahina Poepoe as our State House District 13 representative, I would be hard pressed to choose between “Dedicated hands-on community worker,” “Tireless citizen activist,” “Unassuming leadership qualities,”  and “She gets the work done.”

Whether it be pursuing climate resiliency, providing access to healthcare, establishing a zero cap on short term vacation rentals, eliminating the influence of money in politics, fighting for a living wage, stewarding fishponds, implementing invasive species outreach, coordinating the Halawa Hawksbill Turtle Project, being a water protector, working as a Legislative Analyst for the Maui County Council, living for Native Hawaiian rights, her work is always in service to improving our quality of life and the health of the environment.…

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Mahina Poepoe Running for State House D-13

Wednesday, June 29th, 2022

Mahina Poepoe Running for State House D-13

Mahina Poepoe Candidate News Release 

Aloha e Molokai! For those who may not know me, my name is Mahina Poepoe. I am the only Molokai candidate in the race for the State House of Representatives, District 13. I was born, raised, and lived my entire life on Molokai. I am a descendant of Native Hawaiian family ancestry from Puko’o, Mana’e. 

My mom is Puanani Goodhue from Puko’o, Molokai. My dad is Doug Lopes from Waianae, Oahu. 

On my mom’s side, my grandma is Anna Duvauchelle from Puko’o, and my grandpa is John Goodhue from Mapulehu, Molokai. 

My husband is La’a Poepoe, son of Kamalu and Mac Poepoe. …

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‘Boots on the Ground’ with Congressman Kahele

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022

‘Boots on the Ground’ with Congressman Kahele

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

On a three-day visit to Molokai last week, Congressman Kai Kahele worked with Molokai veterans to solve healthcare challenges, discussed renewable energy projects and East End road infrastructure needs, discussed college campus expansion plans, tourism management, women’s resource programs and more. It was Kahele’s second island visit since being elected to represent Molokai and other areas of Hawaii’s second Congressional District in 2020. 

“One of the biggest things that we jumped right into and was very beneficial that we came was this transition for our veterans from Molokai General Hospital to something else that is still undetermined but we think is a new partnership between the Veterans Affairs and Na Pu’uwai,” said Kahele during a Dispatch interview last Wednesday.…

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Strategy for Economic Prosperity

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022

Community Contributed

By Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Maui County Council, Molokai

The county is in the midst of updating its fourth Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), “an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies,” for publication later this year.  

This update occurs every five years, as a result of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Reauthorization Act of 2004. Maui County has completed three CEDS, in 2004, 2010 and 2016. 

The CEDS is intended to create a local-based strategy for economic development and an environment for economic prosperity and resilience. 

Maui County has historically contracted the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) who achieved the objective of completing the required analysis and report by working with a network of connected businesses, suppliers and associates in specific fields that are all located in the same geographical area.…

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