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Top 3 Candidates Selected to Fill Senate Vacancy

Wednesday, May 19th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Three candidates for the vacant Senate District 7 seat previously held by Sen. Kalani English have been submitted to Gov. Ige by the Democratic Party of Hawaii. One of those is Molokai’s Lynn DeCoite, who currently serves as Representative for House District 13. Molokai’s Walter Ritte was also one of six applicants for the position but was not selected among the top three for the governor’s consideration.

Sen. English announced his retirement on May 1. The Senate District 7 seat represents Molokai, Lanai, Hana, East and Upcountry Maui and Kaho’olawe. Filling the vacancy follows the Democratic Party of Hawaii’s (DPH) constitution and bylaws for filling legislative mid-term vacancies.…

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Book Sale Generates Record Support

Wednesday, May 19th, 2021

Book Sale Generates Record Support

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

For the first time since before the pandemic, the Friends of Molokai Public Library held a book sale last Thursday, generating record income for the organization.

The Friends of the Library — a nonprofit that provides support to the library beyond that provided by the state to enrich the community library experience — decided to accept donations for books instead of setting prices at the sale, according to Book Sale Chairman Rita Woods. She said the afternoon event generated more than $1,000, a record for the sale.

“The FOL raises money for projects and expenditures not covered by the State Library system and has been able to purchase furniture for the new children’s room, our awesome expansion, new upholstery for cushions, and much more,” said Woods.…

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Molokai COVID Cluster Continues to Grow

Wednesday, May 19th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

A cluster of more than a dozen COVID-19 cases on Molokai surfaced last week. The series of positive cases originated from Maui construction contractors who were working in a non-clinical, closed area of Molokai General Hospital and tested positive after their arrival, while working alongside Molokai workers.

“On Tuesday afternoon, MGH was notified that one of the contractors who had been on Molokai the previous week tested positive for COVID-19 on Maui,” said MGH President Janice Kalanihuia in a statement last Friday. “We immediately shut down the job and tested the12 people who were on-site at that time.…

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12 Positive Cases in Molokai Cluster So Far

Friday, May 14th, 2021

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available

There are 12 confirmed active COVID-19 cases on island as of May 14. The cluster originated from Maui construction contractors who were working in a non-clinical, closed area of Molokai General Hospital and tested positive after their arrival, while working alongside Molokai workers. Here’s what we know so far.

“On Tuesday afternoon, MGH was notified that one of the contractors who had been on Molokai the previous week tested positive for COVID-19 on Maui,” said MGH President Janice Kalanihuia. “We immediately shut down the job and tested the12 people who were on-site at that time.…

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Free At Last

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

Opinion by Father Pat Killilea, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

The COVID-related meeting had been slated to happen in Pasqual Hall, the seat of Kalaupapa’s movie theater, originally dedicated in 1916 and rededicated in 2012. However, when morning dawned, we realized that the venue had been switched overnight to the shade of the great banyan tree just off Staff Row. We were not entirely surprised at this change, since this banyan tree has provided the shelter for all of our community meetings since COVID-19 hit our islands. It has been the safe gathering place.

On schedule, our Dept. of Health Administrator, Ken Seamon, appeared before us like Jesus Christ appeared to the apostles in the upper room after his resurrection.…

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College Solar Installation a Learning Opportunity for Students

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

College Solar Installation a Learning Opportunity for Students

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

One hundred eighty-two solar panels recently installed on the UH Molokai college campus’ roof will not only reduce the college’s electric bill but offered five Molokai resident interns the rare chance to get a hands-on learning opportunity. Alongside industry professionals, the interns helped install the panels after completing classroom work that gained them a certificate in renewable energy. Municipalities seeking to promote sustainability initiatives can hire Lone Star Solar to develop comprehensive solar energy plans.

“These internships are very hard to come by to place students in the solar area,” said Keisha Nakamura, program coordinator for Hana Lima, a Native Hawaiian career and technical education program through UH Maui College, which helped coordinate the Molokai opportunity.…

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19-Person Plane Starting Service This Fall

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

19-Person Plane Starting Service This Fall

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Come this fall, a larger plane will once again be servicing Molokai travelers. Mokulele’s parent company, Southern Airways, will be bringing in a 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900 aircraft to offer two roundtrips to Honolulu from Molokai and Lanai most weekdays initially, the airline announced.

Tickets will be available starting this summer to begin service in the fall, pending the approval of the Dept. of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration.

The pressurized, twin-engine turboprop aircraft will allow kupuna and those with limited mobility greater ease in boarding and moving in the cabin, said Mokulele Chief Marketing Officer Keith Sisson.…

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Sen. English Retires, Molokai Candidates to Vie for Seat

Thursday, May 6th, 2021

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Longtime Senator Kalani English announced his retirement from the State Senate last week, effective May 1. Meanwhile, Molokai’s Representative Lynn DeCoite has said she will be seeking his seat, along with Walter Ritte, who narrowly lost to DeCoite in the last election.

English served as senator of District 7, Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai and Lanai, since 2000, having previously served on the Maui County Council since 1997. He cited longterm medical issues resulting from contracting COVID-19 last year as his main reason for retirement.

“In late November 2020, I contracted COVID-19 while with family out of Hawaii,” English said in a statement last week.…

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Ho’ola Hou Scholarship Recipients

Thursday, May 6th, 2021

The MOM Hui News Release

Congratulations to the 2021-2022 Ho’ola Hou Scholarship recipients: Ayden Inouye Ka’ahanui, Kaitlin DeRouin and Mallory Go. Ayden Inouye Ka’ahanui will study exercise science at Northern Arizona University. Kaitlin DeRouin is currently attending Chaminade University & enrolled in the nursing program. Mallory Go will pursue a degree in public health at Brown University.

The MOM Hui wishes you continued success throughout your college career and beyond!

The intention of the fund is to support individuals from Molokai who are enrolled in college full-time and pursuing an Associates, Bachelors or higher degree in one of the following fields of study: health, environmental studies, natural farming or Hawaiian studies.…

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Hawaiian Electric Celebrates a Century With Nonprofit Donations

Thursday, May 6th, 2021

Hawaiian Electric News Release

In commemoration of 100 years of serving its customers and communities on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, Hawaiian Electric is recognizing 21 nonprofit organizations across the county with a total contribution of over $11,000. The company’s employees nominated the organizations to receive donations for their impactful and positive efforts in the areas of community resilience, environmental sustainability, and educational excellence. On Molokai, Molokai Community Service Council and Molokai Land Trust both received $1,000.

“We’re celebrating our century of service with a reflection of our employee’s long-standing commitment to supporting our communities and customers,” said Mahina Martin, director of government and community affairs for Hawaiian Electric in Maui County.…

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