The Molokai Dispatch - Press Releases

Free, Cheaper Meals for Kualapu`u Kids

By Molokai Dispatch Staff — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Kualapu’u School will now offer free and reduced-price meals for those children who qualify.

Kualapu`u School has announced free and reduced-price meals for children of families unable to pay the full price of food served under the National School Lunch Breakfast programs.

Households that will be eligible for free meals must report an income of at most $15,548 for a one-child family, and $53,222 for an eight-child family. Eligibility for reduced-price meals is $22,126 for a one-child family and $75,739 for an eight-child family.

Qualified households should fill out an application and return it to the school. For school officials to determine eligibility, households receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) must list the child's name, their food stamp or TANF case number and the signature and name of an adult household member.

Paddlers Inn Open for Business

By Molokai Dispatch Staff — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

A reduction in prices and a big community Mahalo from Paddlers gang.

Paddlers `ohana shared a celebration of life last month for late Paddlers owner Kamuela Kamakana.

Molokai’s favorite congregating site for outrigger paddlers, concert goers, and `ohana wants the community to know that Paddlers Inn Restaurant won’t be closing its doors if its employees have anything to say about it.

“Save Your Life with Chopsticks, Fork and Knife”

Press Release — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Partners in health, Carol Kanemitsu and friend Pastor Kurt Unglaub have worked together getting Carol 70 pounds lighter through healthier diet.

Carol Kanemitsu, well-known co-owner of Takes Variety Store, is no stranger to Molokai residents. When customers enter their new store on Mohala Street, one of the first things they notice is the “new” smaller version of Carol walking the isles or sitting behind the counter. Used to answering questions like, “Do you have any barbeque fluid?” she is now peppered with inquiries such as: “What’s your secret?”

Last fall Carol was hospitalized with a serious illness. During her treatment and recovery she learned she had high blood pressure, diabetes, and a heart problem. After recovering from this shocking news, she responded with her usual fiery determination, only now tempered by grace, “I aim to beat this thing with God’s help.” Carol admitted, “I’m a compulsive eater. I’d eat all day, down 6-7 cans of soda, and then come home and eat a big dinner.” But, that lifestyle is a thing of the past.

Krazy for Kolea Kontest

By Arleone Dibben-Young — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0600

By Arleone Dibben-Young

The fall migration of the kolea, the Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), will begin shortly with birds returning from their summer breeding grounds in the Alaskan tundra sometime around the end of July. The earliest observed birds are typically females that may have experienced a failed nesting attempt or perhaps did not bond with a mate for the breeding season. Adult males normally appear by the end of August, followed by juveniles in October.

The kolea is easily recognized by its bold black & white breeding feathers called “alternate” plumage, however this is lost by winter. Kolea are long-lived (20-plus years), territorial and annually return to the same grounds: Many Molokai residents have named their distinguished winter guests and note arrival and departure dates on calendars. Sightings are collected at Nene O Molokai and emailed to Mr. Peter Pyle, ornithologist, who then compiles this information for the Bishop Museum.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

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Maui County's Top Officials to Meet with Molokai Community over Ranch Water Shutdown

Todd Yamashita — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:20:26 -0600

Wailuku, Maui – Council Member Danny Mateo and Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced today they will host a community meeting on Molokai on Tuesday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.

"In light of the announcement by Molokai Properties that it will stop providing water and wastewater services at the end of August, we would like to assure Molokai that the County is doing everything possible to protect the community’s rights to essential needs such as water and sewer service," said Council Member Mateo.

Upcoming Events

Press Release — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:11:50 -0600

May 12-17 TWIC registration all day in front of Kuha`o Business Center.

May 14, Members Only. Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting 11:30 am at Hotel Molokai.

May 14, OHA meeting open to public at Kulana `Oiwi Halau at 6 pm

Currently the Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Transportation Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC) registration in front of the Kuha`o Business Center on Kamoi St. (across from the Molokai Drive in). Along with a Lockheed-Martin representative, they will be registering individuals and businesses all week, May 12-17. You can call the Chamber at 553-4482 to schedule an appointment, or try for a walk-up. Must have proper identification and payment at time of registration. This is only for registration, the card will be activated at a date to be determined. The TWIC program will be instituted no later than April 15, 2009.

Jet Ski Public Meeting

Press Release — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:34:36 -0600

DLNR TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON JET SKI USE AROUND MOLOKAI

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold an informal public meeting on Molokai on Thursday, May 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room to hear from community members regarding the use of jet skis (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) around Molokai.

UPC Wind Announces Name Change to First Wind

Press Release — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:30:01 -0600

Boston, MA—May 1, 2008—UPC Wind, an independent North American wind power company, today announced that it is changing its name to First Wind. The name change will not have any impact on the company’s organizational structure or day-to-day operations. The name change is effective immediately.

“Although our name has changed, our core values remain the same,” said Paul Gaynor, President and CEO of First Wind. “As First Wind, we remain committed to our community partners, to seeking energy independence, and to finding environmentally sensitive solutions to meet the nation’s growing energy needs. We look forward to continuing to bring these values to the development, construction, and operation of our wind power projects under the First Wind brand.”

Maui Electric to Talk Renewable Energy on Molokai

Press Release — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:22:14 -0600

Governor’s Molokai Community Advisory Council to host energy discussion.

The Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Kūlana ‘Ōiwi, DHHL / OHA Conference Room, 600 Maunaloa Highway, in Kaunakakai. The public is invited.

Representatives from Maui Electric Company (MECO) will discuss integrated resource planning for Maui County, including Moloka‘i. The presentation comes as the Lingle-Aiona Administration continues to make progress on the Hawaii Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, an unprecedented partnership between the State of Hawai‘i and the Dept. of Energy which aims to have 70 percent of Hawai‘i’s energy come from clean, renewable sources by 2030.

Governor Linda Lingle created community advisory councils to give the neighbor islands a stronger voice in state government. The Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues on Moloka‘i. The council also recommends potential nominees for state boards and commissions.

The members of the Governor’s Moloka‘i Community Advisory Council are Robert Granger, Janice Kalanihuia, Jersula Manaba, Marlene Purdy and Weldon Wichman.

Anyone requiring special assistance or accommodations to participate at this meeting may call (808) 586-0034. For additional information on Neighbor Island Community Advisory Councils, including meeting minutes and agendas, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.