September 10, 2014 - Volume 30, Issue 37
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
New Rules for Food Businesses
Fun
for e l o e h h t W
By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
By Catherine Cluett | Editor-In-Chief
he State of Hawaii has new rules for food establishments that may bring big changes for local restaurants and groceries. “It’s kind of a big deal,” said Department of Health (DOH) Inspector Cathleen Sakamoto, of Molokai. “Chapter 50 is very different from Chapter 12 [previous law]. The whole point is to lessen food-spread illness.” Sakamoto held two workshops on the new Chapter 50 regulations last week to educate business owners and pass out information on the changes. While the new law has been years in the making, she said, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed it into law in February. As soon as Sakamoto has notified all food establishments on Molokai of the new regulations, inspections will begin, she said. While it’s all in the name of public safety and reducing the spread of foodborne sickness, the new requirements have some food business owners scrambling to make changes. For others, like Jeff Egusa, co-owner of Friendly Market Center, the new rules aren’t causing a sweat. “I think it’s good for the consumer, less chance of illness,” said Egusa. “It seems to be pretty common sense kind of stuff.”
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Look for Placards The most publicly noticeable change is a color-coded placard system that indicates the level of compliance with current regulations at each food establishment. According to the DOH, the goals of the placard system include reduction in the occurrence of foodborne illness and informing the public of the most recent inspection results of each establishment. Placards must be posted within five feet of the main entrance to the business. “It can be a major impact on your bottom line if the business down the street has [a green placard but you have yellow],” said Sakamoto. A green placard will be posted when no more than one major violation is observed during a routine inspection, and the violation must be corrected at the time of inspection. A yellow placard will be posted when a major violation remains uncorrected after inspection or when two or more major violations are present. In this case, a follow-up inspection will be conducted within two business days, and if the violations have been corrected, the yellow will be replaced with a green placard. If, however, the violations remain, the yellow placard must remain posted for one year, according to Sakamoto. A red placard, accompanied by closure of the business, will be immediately issued when multiple major violations indicating an imminent health hazard have been observed during inspection. Examples include sewage overflow, rodent or vermin infestation, no hot water or severe unsanitary conditions. The red placard and closure of the facility will remain until a follow-up inspection shows the hazards have been corrected.
Food Safety Continued pg. 2
a n a h `O
Hawaii’s Finest Celebrates Five Years
By Bianca Moragne | Staff Writer
ast Saturday’s Kualapu`u School `Ohana Fun Fair brought crowds of families for a day that included a beauty pageant, fitness challenge, horseback and wagon rides, face painting and art booths, bounce house, and a wide assortment of food and craft booths. The event was a kick-off to the school’s 10th anniversary of converting to a charter model. The fitness challenge, pictured here, featured age-appropriate obstacle courses in a fun, “everyone wins” race over tables, through tires, into a muddy dunk-tank, and past opihi-picking challenges, all to end with a cooling water slide. The fitness event, through a partnership with Na Pu`uwai, promoted exercise, healthy competition and self-confidence, according to Na Pu`uwai’s Kari Kikukawa. Kualapu`u Principal Lydia Trinidad said the celebration of the elementary school as well as its pre-kindergarten program, organized by pre-school parent Kimberly Lani, was also a fundraising event. It marked the first in a series of community events this year to both observe the 10th anniversary and raise money for the school, but also fulfilled another goal. “The purpose of this event is to get family together,” said Trinidad. “[As a school], our goal is to become more sustainable [financially.]” Coming up this year, Kualapu`u School will host a Turkey Rainbow Run, a parent wine tasting event, and a 100K bike race.
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awaii’s Finest Clothing has come a long way since its humble beginnings on Molokai. For Paulele Alcon, what began as a T-shirt for his cousin’s bachelor party turned into one of the most successful local clothing businesses in the state, he said. With two retail locations under his belt, Alcon decided to give thanks to the community that supported him all along. To celebrate a milestone of five years in business, Alcon returned to Molokai, the birthplace of both himself and his company. He hosted a free anniversary concert at One Alii Park Friday night featuring Molokai’s Roots Mafia, Just Cuz, Melia Kalawe and Katchafire, the band that played at Hawaii’s Finest first concert. “[The Molokai community has] been supportive since day one before I found success,” Alcon said. New Zealand’s Katchafire kicked off their first show in the U.S. on Molokai in 2007, said drummer Jordan Bell. “We love coming back here every time,” Bell said. “Not too many bands get to come out here and experience the island like we get to on a local level. The experience, the vibe and aloha from the locals here is humble.” Alcon supports local artists and gives them a platform to express their music, Bell said. “I give props to people like Paulele who’s behind the local musicians and promoting them as well as giving back to the Molokai people and community,” Bell said. “I really look up to him for that.”
Girls Volleyball Starts Strong
Hawaii's Finest Continued pg. 2
This Week’s
Dispatch
Grace Under Pressure: Miss Rodeo Hawaii Pg. 3 Photo by Bianca Moragne
By Bianca Moragne | Staff Writer
T
he Lady Farmers dominated their home court at the Barn last weekend against Maui Prep, taking both games Friday and Saturday. At Friday night’s game, the girls won three sets 25-10, 25-18, 25-12; on Saturday, they scored 14-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-12. The team played well for their first
game of the season, said head coach Mahea Rawlins. She said she hopes the girls will continue to work on their teamwork. “I think nerves were coming out for the first game [on Saturday],” Rawlins said. “When they play, they give it their all, but I think there’s still a lot to be worked on.”
Cultivating a Food Network
Volleyball Continued pg. 2
Why I Fly with Makani Kai. “I love it,” says Leilani, who was making her first round trip on Makani Kai Air. The retired school bus driver, who was sitting in the garden area with her niece Heli, cited the level of service, “It’s good and the people here are friendly.” Leilani also likes the fact that there are no security lines, “It’s like flying used to be.” Now that she’s tried us, she’s sold, “I will continue to fly with you…it’s just so convenient.”
$50 online fare, every seat, every flight, every day. MakaniKaiAir.com | (808) 834-1111
The
Molokai Dispatch
P.O. Box 482219 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Leilani Wallace Molokai Born & Raised
Pg. 3