Business

Small Business Boost

Wednesday, November 1st, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

Running a small business on Molokai can be challenging – but a business training program has given entrepreneurs a boost to excel. Twelve Molokai residents recently proved they have what it takes, graduating from the Pulauhala program on Oct. 25. 

This first cohort of the Pulauhala program, run by Ho’aka Mana Native Hawaiian Organization, completed 14 workshops as part of their year-long class. 

Pulauhala is an accelerator program whereby participants develop the concepts, brands and logistics behind their business ideas. Graduates from the program ranged from established companies to people just starting out with an idea. Part of the Pulauhala program included taking concrete steps like registering a business name with the Dept.…

Molokai Small Business Cohort Launches Entrepreneurs

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai’s Kanoelani Davis has built her culturally-inspired fashion business, PōMahina Designs, from the ground up to a global reach. As a Native Hawaiian single mother of four girls living on a rural island, it has been a long and challenging journey. Now, she’s created a small business accelerator program that helps other entrepreneurs from Molokai to attain success and bypass some of the struggle. 

“Being a small business owner, I had to learn all aspects of building a business, and the way I built Pūlauhala was so that other small businesses can bypass all that work and find their resources easier, and be accessible to capital, to funding, to knowledge, to mentorships, so that’s been super successful and I’m so proud of our small businesses that we have right now,” said Davis. …

Boost for Molokai Auto Parts

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Editor

Molokai Auto Parts, which has helped the island fill its automotive supply needs for the past four years in Kaunakakai, just got a boost to its financial engine. The business was awarded as a recipient of a $10,000 grant from American Savings Bank and Fiserve’s Back2Business program. 

“[They were] selected as the distinguished recipient of this grant for their remarkable business and community contributions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated an ASB press release. 

The Back2Business program supports minority-owned small businesses through grants, coaching, networking opportunities and access to technology. The program has made a $50 million commitment, and since 2020, has awarded more than 1,600 grants to diverse-owned small businesses in the U.S.…

New Year, New Restaurant for Molokai

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter 

In the center of Kaunakakai, a new restaurant, filled with color and flavor, has caught Molokai residents’ attention. 

Carol Rocha’s Pacific Eatery opened its doors on Jan. 7, located across from Friendly Market. Aiming for a fusion of different cultures and foods, Rocha’s restaurant offers new possibilities for dining on Molokai.  

“What I wanted to create was something that embraced this multicultural influence we have here,” explained Rocha. 

The Friday lunch menu with options like Shanghai pork with shrimp, udon noodles and local greens, Chinese chicken salad, and the carnitas super burrito exemplified this fusion of cultures and Molokai-sourced products.…

Gift Local, Support a Dream, Part 3

Wednesday, December 14th, 2022

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

This holiday season welcomes Molokai-made products to the gift giving list to support local and bring unique presents to others. This week, The Molokai Dispatch spoke with the owners of two small businesses that create and sell products on Molokai. These entrepreneurs, Chrissy Tancayo and Tapuilima “Tapu” Hanapi, are the owners behind Chrissy Makes It and Aunty’s Leis and Little Things. 

Aunty’s Leis and Little Things is located at the Ho’olehua Airport. It offers an assortment of goods from shirts and jewelry to lei and lauhala items for locals and visitors alike.  

“The store was about to shut down and there was a possibility that the lease was going to go away to another vendor,” said Hanapi.…

More Partnerships for Mokulele

Wednesday, November 30th, 2022

By Jack Kiyonaga, Community Reporter

As Molokai residents are well aware, flying to and from Molokai is expensive and unreliable.

Roundtrip flights to neighboring islands routinely cost well over $200. Molokai residents have been left holding the bag and wondering when flight service will improve.

Recently, Mokulele Airlines, owned by mainland company Southern Airways, entered into new agreements with Hawaiian and Alaska airlines. The agreements will allow the West Coast based airlines’ customers to book tickets directly to Mokulele destinations – including Molokai.

Southern Airways CEO Stan Little explained that he believes “our airlines working together will advance our shared goal to benefit the people of Hawaii.”…