Molokai Dispatch -- September 3, 2014

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September 3, 2014 - Volume 30, Issue 36

The

Molokai Dispatch T h e i s l a n d ’s n e w s s o u r c e s i n c e 1985

life-saving flights

Granting Success

Momi Afelin and Kawika Gonzales. Photo by Bianca Moragne

By Bianca Moragne | Staff Writer

W Photo by Catherine Cluett

By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief

I

t usually signals unfortunate circumstances when Hawaii Life Flight (HLF) -- an air ambulance service -- arrives, but last week it was a celebration. The company has been offering emergency air medical transport on Molokai since 2006, and this year, made the island one of its bases. That means faster service for Molokai residents in need – and a better chance to save more lives, according to HLF staff. “For all time-sensitive patients, like stroke, cardiac and trauma, every second counts… It can be life or death,” said flight nurse and Molokai base manager Josh Schroeder. With the nearest bases on Oahu and Maui, the response time for HLF crew to arrive on Molokai for a call used to be between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, said Schroeder. Now, that time averages 15 minutes.

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“If we can get to those patients faster, it increases their chances,” Schroeder said. “Every minute helps… We’re still doing the best we can to save as many lives as possible.” The new base means that one of the company’s aircraft, two pilots and two medical staff are on-island and on-call 24/7. Schroeder said if the plane is currently taking a patient to an off-island medical facility, they have back-up coverage from Maui or Oahu. The rotating staff of four medical crew and three pilots are dedicated to Molokai, said Program Director Dawn Guillermo. They have houses in Ranch Camp and the Heights in Kamiloloa, close to the hospital, where calls come in. HLF staff said with crews doing almost a flight a day from Molokai, it was more cost effective – as well as better for patients – for the company to create a Molokai base. “We’ve noticed the need on Molokai

has been great the last few years,” said Guillermo. Mark Leggett, medical department chief, agreed and said the company is meeting an important demand. “[Being on Molokai] it’s a more consistent, faster response with a dedicated team,” he said. Last Thursday, the company held a blessing for its new base at the Ho`olehua Airport. Keiki from Punana Leo preschool offered oli, while kahu blessed the plane, pilots, crew and HLF staff as they move forward to serve Molokai residents. HLF representatives also shared membership plans with attendees. The company’s `Ohana Plus Program offers membership to families for $30 per year if they already have medical insurance. Guillermo said for those without insurance, HLF membership is $60 per year. Dawn Perreira, `Ohana Plus Program

Life Flight Continued pg. 2

hen she was in eighth grade, Molokai High junior Momi Afelin wrote her first grant for robotics education. Fast forward three years and she has five successful grants under her belt, with the most recent awarded to the Kaunakakai Elementary robotics program last Friday morning. “I hope this grant opens the kids' eyes to all the opportunities that are out there for them in STEM,” Afelin said, referring to science, technology, engineering and math fields For the last two years, Afelin has volunteered her time as a student mentor after school at Kaunakakai Elementary to help students with their presentation skills. Last week, she presented a grant check for $1000 from the Air Force Communication and Electronic Association (AFCEA) for the school’s fifth grade robotics program. Monsanto also awarded the robotics program $250. “Robotics is alive and well at Kaunakakai and it’s happening during the school day in fifth grade,” said Afelin’s mother and Kaunakakai special education teacher Meg Fox. To date, Afelin has written three single-authored grants from AFCEA and co-authored two grants with Fox from the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) and Monsanto. Afelin first got in-

Grant Continued pg. 2

Molokai Paddlers Win Big at World Sprints By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief

S

even Molokai paddlers represented Team Hawaii at the World Sprints in Rio de Janeiro Brazil and came home with 10 medals between them. Paddling on several different crews, Penny Martin, Camie Kimball, Crystal Egusa, Donna Paoa, Janice Kalanihuia, Lou Ann Reyes and Daphne Socher made the trip earlier this month and in total, earned five first places, two second places and three third places. This year, Brazil hosted the Va`a World Sprint Championships, races held in locations around the world every two years among the world's best paddlers. “It is always a proud moment to stand on the podium and receive the gold medal or any medal for Hawaii,” said Martin. “To stand there and see the Hawaiian flag flying first and highest and to hear 'Hawaii Pono`i' being played and then to know that not only are you standing there for Hawaii Nei but also for our Molokai Nui a Hina is a great feeling.” Since 2004, Martin and Kimball have raced in the event with the Island Mas-

Above, Wa`akapaemua members combined with Kehei Canoe Club to win gold in the 40s double hull. Right, Island Masters A crew with Molokai paddlers Penny Martin and Camie Kimball won four gold and 2 silver medals.

ters A team at the World Sprints since 2004. The crew won gold in the age 60s category double hull race, as well as the six-man 500 meter and 1000 meter events. They also placed first in the 50s double hull and second in the 50s 500 and 1000-meter races. Egusa, who has attended two World Sprints in the past, paddled this year with the Island Masters B crew and

World Sprints Continued pg. 3

Why I Fly with Makani Kai. Yes, that’s an awfully big name for a very small guy, but both he, his twin sister Kaiolohia and their dad like to fly on Makani Kai Air. “I like you guys because of the free parking,” says Kevin. “I have a corporate account at Mokulele and although it’s nice that they let you take your bags for free, it’s still cheaper to fly Makani Kai because the parking’s free.” Kekueneponookekai, whose name means Righteous Steward of the Sea, doesn’t say a lot yet, but he seems to agree.

$50 online fare, every seat, every flight, every day. MakaniKaiAir.com | (808) 834-1111

The

Molokai Dispatch

P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748

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