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Tracking COVID Trends

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai logged 18 new COVID cases in the week between May 18 and May 25, according to the Dept. of Health. That’s down from 26 the previous week, and 40 the week before that, May 4-11. However, officials suggest that the tally is likely five to seven times what’s officially reported, due to the influx of home COVID tests, which go unreported. By that calculation, last week’s Molokai cases probably range between 90 and 126 new cases. 

Between May 17 and May 26, Molokai Middle School reported eight new COVID cases and Molokai High School had two, according to the DOE weekly COVID report.…

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Free Summer Meals for Youth

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

HIDOE News Release 

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced that 83 public schools will serve meals free of charge over the summer to children ages 18 years and younger, regardless of public school enrollment status, through its summer food service program. Three schools on Molokai are participating in the program.

Beginning in early June, the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program will serve meals at select schools Monday through Friday, with the exception of June 10 (King Kamehameha Day) and July 4 (Independence Day). SSO is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was established to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer. …

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Exchange Students Seeking Host Family

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

Exchange Students Seeking Host Family

Community Contributed

By Vicki Boswell

Molokai has the opportunity to make the world more united in love and accepting of cultural diversity.  The International Hospitality Center (IHC) in Honolulu that places foreign exchange students are looking for host families who will consider sharing their home and welcome two new students to Molokai for the 2022-2023 school year. A host family can be a single adult, couples, or a family with children/teenagers.

Host families are volunteers and are not financially compensated.  The host family’s lives are enriched as they malama these young students who have a great desire to learn and grow.…

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Mahalo from an Exchange Student

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

This is Johnson Harris and you probably know me as the kid who rides his bike all around.  Well, I am from Liberia. I came to Molokai as part of the American Government Culture Exchange Program for this past school year.  I was hosted by the James and Vicki Boswell for the past school year while attending Molokai High School as a junior.

Living on Molokai has been a wonderful experience!  Thank you for befriending me, teaching me the culture of Hawaii and also of America.  I am writing this to extend my appreciation to the people of Molokai. You enriched my Hawaiian experience by your friendliness and generosity.…

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Exemptions Will Help More Disabled Veterans

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

This year, the Maui County Council made positive changes to homeowners exemptions resulting in tax relief for many, however, a 1980s era law allows only 100 percent disabled veterans to qualify for a disability exemption. This law is limiting and does not address the needs of other severely disabled veterans.

With this in mind, Maui County Council colleague Gabe Johnson and I are co-sponsoring legislation in the County Council that will lower the qualifying percentage to 70 percent. This would allow more of our disabled veterans on Molokai, Lanai and Maui to become eligible to receive this important exemption and will be retroactive for widows of veterans with 70 percent or more, service-related disability as well.…

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Noe Ornellas Cluney

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022

Noe Ornellas Cluney

Noe Ornellas Cluney, 98, of Hoolehua passed peacefully on December 9, 2021. She was born on Oct. 5, 1923 in Honolulu.

Aunty Noe was a Ho’olehua homesteader for 72 years and was employed by the Hawaii DOE serving as the school secretary at various times over 32 years at all of the public schools on Molokai. An often-repeated story from her days at Maunaloa School was when truant children were found at home and led to school in line behind an officer on horseback.

Lydia Kamakanoe Paikuli Ornellas Cluney is survived by her sons William “Billy” Ornellas, Richard “Ric” Ornellas and Fred Ornellas, deceased; stepson Raymond Ornellas; and stepchildren Loy Cluney, John Cluney, Mark Cluney, Sarah Cluney and Will Cluney, deceased.…

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‘Cherish This Place’ – Molokai High Class of 2022 Celebrates Their Island and Accomplishments

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

‘Cherish This Place’ – Molokai High Class of 2022 Celebrates Their Island and Accomplishments

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

With their May 21 ceremony held for a second year outdoors on the football field, the Molokai High School Class of 2022 celebrated overcoming the challenges the past few years have brought and looked toward a bright and diverse future. 

Nearly half of the 77 members of the class have already taken college courses. Two students — Shia Bush and Summer Stone-Sardinha  — not only received a high school diploma but also already graduated with their associate degrees from the University of Hawaii Maui College. Six students received the Seal of Biliteracy, showing proficiency in both English and Hawaiian languages. …

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Planning for Molokai’s Water Resources

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Planning for Molokai’s Water Resources

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

A plan is being developed to analyze Molokai’s water resources and project how future water needs will be met. Public mana’o is currently being gathered on this important topic and planners are asking the community to share their voice. 

State of Hawaii Water Code requires each county to develop a Water Use and Development Plan, and Maui County is developing separate plans for Molokai, Lanai, and Maui to better address the unique needs of each island. The goal of Molokai’s plan is to provide a balance between the preservation and management of the island’s water resources, and sustainable ground and surface water use and development to service present users and future generations, according to planners. …

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County Gets New Rescue Chopper

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

County Gets New Rescue Chopper

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

On May 20, Molokai’s Hanale Lindo, Maui Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations, conducted the blessing of a new rescue and firefighting Air 1 helicopter on Maui that will also serve Molokai during emergencies. 

The Eurocopter BK117-850G2 aircraft, named “Iolani” (royal hawk in Hawaiian), will begin service on July 1. The pilots and air crews have already begun training on the aircraft. The twin engine helicopter will bring more safety elements for both responders and the public, said Fire Chief Bradford Ventura. The aircraft has increased hoist capability to lift victims and rescuers from the ground into the aircraft, as well as increased personnel carrying capacity, according to a Maui Fire Dept.…

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Ranch Community Ownership Discussions Continue

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

Sust’ainable Molokai News Release

Please join us this month for meetings regarding community ownership of Molokai Ranch. Each meeting has a different purpose. 

Subcommittee meetings will focus on technical research about funding options, community ownership models and spirituality. These meetings will be followed by a working group meeting to synthesize the progress made by subcommittees into material that is easily understandable and empowers our community with the information to make informed choices. 

Lastly, a community meeting will provide distilled updates on working group progress and serve as an opportunity for broad community input. 

Please see the dates below and in the community calendar to join us.…

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