Forming a Community-Owned Energy Cooperative

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Shake Energy Collaborative News Release

On Saturday, Aug. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., we will host a virtual public meeting to share information and gather input on the formation of a cooperative to design and own renewable energy projects on Molokai. This meeting will be hosted by Shake Energy Collaborative, a public benefit corporation based in California, and follows in a series of community workshops hosted on Molokai about Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE). At these workshops, community residents expressed the desire for CBRE projects to be owned and managed locally by a cooperative entity. This meeting will launch the effort to formalize this energy cooperative.…

Art Show Postponed

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

MAC News Release

In light of new COVID rules, the 2020 Molokai Arts Center Member Art (MAC) Show has been postponed until the fall. We will not collect art work between Aug. 14-28 as originally planned.

The new dates will be posted soon on our Facebook page and sent via our e-newsletter. Like our page and visit our website molokaiartscenter.org to be added to our mailing list.

Any questions or concerns may be directed to molokaiartscenter@gmail.com.…

William “Bill” Guillermo Sahagun

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

William “Bill” Guillermo Sahagun

It is with great sadness that the family of William “Bill” Guillermo Sahagun of Honolulu, HI announces his passing on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020.

Bill was born in Kaunakakai, Molokai on June 4, 1965; son of the late Felipe and Eugenia (Bumanglag) Sahagun. He graduated from Molokai High School in 1983 and attended Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. He later returned to Hawaii and worked at the Pagoda Hotel as front desk manager for 18 years. Bill enjoyed being a Steelers fan, but more than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his children Waverly Hope and Tristan Ford Sahagun.

Bill will be lovingly missed and remembered by his siblings Filma C.…

Why Hunt in Residential Areas?

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Why? They say if you have to ask the question, you don’t know the answer. And so I ask this question because I am looking for enlightenment, education and answers. I don’t want excuses. Excuses are tiresome. I simply want to know why.

Why do some feel the need to hunt in residential areas, so close to houses, close to where children are playing, close to where people are enjoying the outdoors? Why do some feel the need to hunt so close to houses that they risk harming others?

Why did someone feel the need to shoot a majestic buck, behead him, and leave his en-tire body to rot in someones yard?…

Mahalo to Kalua Koi Outfitters

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

I would like to take this opportunity to shout out a heartfelt mahalo nui loa to the Kalua Koi Outfitters. This family run business is doing a big service for our island people who depend on the local food bank during these hard times.

They are blessing us through Kaunakakai Baptist Church with deer meat whenever they get some! Our freezer is only being stocked through their generosity. This is such a blessing to those who cannot provide for themselves. They have found a way to support their family and give back by donating much needed meat to our island families.…

Library Suspends Computer Use, Offers Wifi

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state, the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) will temporarily suspend computer time at all library branches statewide from Aug. 16 to 31. However, using their library card, patrons will be able to access the HSPLS’s WiFi network from outside the library buildings during public service hours, including the Molokai Public Library.

Public libraries will continue to offer Library Take Out services at all branches statewide, except at the Liliha, Kahului and McCully-Moiliili Public Libraries, which are closed for renovation. Library Take Out allows patrons to pick up hold items that are ready for them at their favorite library branch.…

Beneath The Banyan Tree

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

By Father Pat Killilia, St. Francis Church, Kalaupapa

Legend says that “trees are the record keepers of the earth. They are busy gathering information and holding volumes of wisdom and knowledge. Branches layer themselves with information and their leaves capture your words and actions as you walk by them.” It is also written that “the banyan tree represents a time of going within and becoming self-aware through reflection, meditation, silence and a quieting of one’s mind. In the stillness of our awareness, we can begin to hear the voice of our soul’s calling.”

It should be no surprise then that on the morning of Aug.…

Schools Back in Session, Amid Last Minute Changes

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

Schools Back in Session, Amid Last Minute Changes

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Monday brought a return to school for some campuses on Molokai under various blended learning models, while two schools, Kaunakakai Elementary and Molokai High, announced over the weekend they will implement 100 percent virtual learning for the first several weeks.

Two weeks ago, the Dept. of Education announced Oahu schools would start the year with four weeks of distance learning, due to continued a rise in COVID-19 cases. Last week, a second announcement extended distance learning to all schools in the state, except those on Molokai and Hana.

“The decision to move ahead with Molokai’s reopening plans was community-driven,” said Nanea Kalani, a spokesperson for the DOE, explaining why Molokai schools were among the only in the state to return to campus on Aug.…

DeCoite Bests Ritte in Vote Recount

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

DeCoite Bests Ritte in Vote Recount

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Last week, we reported that results for the District 13 Representative seat in the Primary Election were pending a recount. Incumbent Lynn DeCoite and challenger Walter Ritte came within 91 votes of each other, triggering an automatic recount process under the laws governing the new mail-in ballot system in Hawaii, according to Maui County Clerk Kathy Kaohu, who oversees ballots cast in Maui County.

On Monday, Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. the recount began, and final results were announced Tuesday morning, with DeCoite winning by 93 votes over Ritte. DeCoite will move on to the General Election, when she will face the Republican and Aloha Aina party candidates.…

New HI Case Record, Molokai Hospital Prepared

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020

New HI Case Record, Molokai Hospital Prepared

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

The state reached a new record last Thursday with 355 new COVID-19 cases reported in a single day. On Maui, 71 cases have been reported in the last 30 days, as of last Friday, and county officials expect that number to grow. Molokai confirmed cases remain at two.

“We would like to commend the community on their efforts to keep us COVID-19 free,” said Janice Kalanihuia, president of Molokai General Hospital. “We know it has been a long five months, but now is not the time to let our guard down. There have been a lot of visitors from other islands to Molokai over the past month so it is best for us to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, keep socially distant and wear a mask when out in public.…