Island-Wide Sanitation Effort

Photo By Lynn DeCoite

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Dozens of Molokai businesses got sanitized last Sunday following the news of two COVID-19 positive cases on the island. In a joint effort coordinated between Mayor Michael Victorino, Rep. Lynn DeCoite, Sen. Kalani English and the Molokai Chamber of Commerce, Honolulu company H2O Process came to Molokai to sanitize about 30 businesses, including banks, hardware stores, groceries and convenience stores across the island, from Mana’e Goods and Grindz to Ho’olehua Credit Union.

Friendly Market Center, along with Misaki’s and Kualapu’u Market, were sanitized on Friday.

“We’re just doing the best we can to facilitate as safe a community as possible,” said Rob Stephenson, president of the Molokai Chamber of Commerce. “We’re super grateful for all the people who came together to make this happen.”

DeCoite said H2O also trained Molokai sanitation company Lena Blue in carrying out the process.

Donning full protective suits and masks, the sanitation team sprayed ammonia chloride in an effort to disinfect public areas.

Stephenson said H2O Process employees “have been so kind and courteous.” He also credits the cooperation of local businesses.

“Every business that we called, even they were not normally open today, they came in and showed up so we were able to accomplish [sanitation of] a good 25 to 30 businesses starting at 8:30 this morning,” said Stephenson on Sunday.