Opening Day 2024!

Meeting with Congresswoman Jill Tokuda

On Monday, January 22nd, we were able to have a productive meeting with the Congresswoman discussing transportation, including the airlines, the ferry, and air traffic control at Lāna'i Airport.

Constituent Corner

A few weeks ago, we received a call from Molokai Drugs with a concerning issue: they were unable to fill the prescriptions for some of their customers due to an insurance error. More specifically, those affected were customers who were insured by UnitedHealthcare under the Med-Quest program. After reaching out to the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and the Governor's office, we were able to determine that there was a glitch in the insurance provider's system which prevented subscribers from being approved to fill prescriptions. Much mahalo to those in these departments who were able to determine and resolve the issue--within a few hours, we were able to help Molokai Drugs resume distributing medication to those affected. And mahalo nui to Molokai Drugs for bringing this issue to our attention and for taking swift action to ensure prescription access was restored.

DOBOR Shares Info on Humpback Whale Approach Regulations

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) has recently alerted boaters that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is finalizing an interim final rule. The rule, entitled “Approach Regulations for Humpback Whales in Waters Surrounding the Islands of Hawaiʻi under the Marine Mammal Protection Act," apply to humpback whales within 200 nautical miles from the shores of all Hawaiʻi Islands. The final rule will take effect on January 22, 2024.

The regulations continue to prohibit:

• Operating an aircraft within 1,000 feet of a humpback whale

• Approaching within 100 yards of a humpback whale by any means

• Causing a vessel, person or other object to approach within 100 yards of a humpback whale

• Approaching a humpback whale by interception (i.e., placing an aircraft, vessel, person, or other object in the path of a humpback whale so that the whale approaches within a restricted distance)

• Disrupting the normal behavior or prior activity of a humpback whale by any act or omission

Exceptions to the regulations include:

• Federal, State, or local government vessels, personnel, and assets when necessary, in the course of performing official duties

• Vessel operations necessary to avoid an imminent and serious threat to a person, vessel, or the environment

• Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver that, because of this restriction, are not able to comply with approach restrictions

• Activities authorized through a permit or authorization issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service that may result in the taking of humpback whales

To learn more, please read DOBOR's alert here. 

Variety of Agricultural Resources Available for Local Farmers

A variety of educational and financial resources from federal and state agencies are available for local farmers to access. They include:

• USDA Farm to School Grant Program - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is intended to increase access to locally grown foods in schools and to help connect students with their food sources. Applications are currently closed as of January 12, 2024, however, the grant page with more information and future openings can be found here.
• Indigenous Economic Development Community of Practice - The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) will be holding a new Indigenous EDA Communities of Practice (CoP) forum for knowledge-sharing between indigenous communities. The first event took place virtually on January 17, 2024. To receive updates on CoP-related activities, please fill out the interest form here.
• University of Hawaiʻi AgConnect Project - UH's AgConnect Project matches interns/apprentices with ag producers to garner experience and contribute to the operations of producers, in a mutually beneficial experience. To learn more about the project, please click here.
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs Mahi ʻAi Agricultural Loan Program - The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund has introduced a loan program for Native Hawaiian farmers that features low-interest rates and interest-free deferment of loan payments for six months. To learn more about the loan program, please click here.

To learn more about these resources and other opportunities that support rural, agricultural, and cooperative businesses, please visit The Kohala Center's newsletter here.

Akamai Internship Provides 10-Week Work Experience in STEM

Heads up local students! The Akamai Internship Program is still accepting applications through February 5, 2024. Undergraduate students studying in Hawai'i or from Hawai'i are eligible to apply for this 10-week STEM work experience. 

To learn more, please visit the PISCES newsletter here.

HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program 2024

HMSA is celebrating the 19th anniversary of our Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program. The program honors high school seniors and their schools for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship.

Awards for students and schools:

• Kaimana Scholarships for students, which awards scholarships worth $5,000 each to 15 outstanding high school seniors.
• Kaimana Awards for schools, which awards $1,500 each and a trophy to nine top schools throughout the state.

Eligible students must:

• be graduating from a Hawaii high school in 2024.
• have a 2.75 or higher GPA verified by a school transcript submitted by a school faculty member.
• have participated in at least one HHSAA league-sanctioned sport during one or more of their high school years.  
• have participated in community service projects in addition to school activities during their high school years.
• write a personal statement and an essay about community and well-being.
• submit two letters of recommendation from school faculty, mentors, or coaches.

Click on the links below to view:

• FAQs with information on how students can apply and how schools can earn points.
• School Poster & Student Poster to promote the program.
• Applications will be accepted online only at hmsa.com/Kaimana. Direct link to the student application. Completed applications and all required elements must be received through the online application by 4 p.m., Friday, February 23, 2024.
• Visit hmsa.com/Kaimana for information.