News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

September Wildfire Tip

Thursday, September 25th, 2025

HWMO News Release
Wildfire safety tip from Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization: Heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Park cars on areas that are paved, on gravel or solid dirt, not on dry grass, especially in high winds. For more wildfire preparedness information visit hwmo.org.…

Molokai Artists Juried into Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibit

Thursday, September 25th, 2025

Molokai Artists Juried into Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibit

MAC News Release

Hawaiʻi’s premier statewide juried exhibition — held annually since 1967 — features traditional and contemporary craft from across the state. This year, juror Sarah Darro, Curator and Exhibitions Director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, visited each of the islands to make public presentations and select works to be included in the exhibition. There is about $13,600.00 that will be awarded in this show.

Two hundred and forty-one artists from around the state entered 613 artworks to be juried for the 59th Annual Hawaiʻi Craftsmen State Exhibit. Of the 613 entries, only 124 works were juried in.

Congratulations to the six Molokai artists whose works got juried into this highly competitive statewide exhibit.…

Pesticide Disposal Program for Commercial Businesses Begins

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity News Release

The Pesticides Branch of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is kicking off the second annual statewide Pesticide Disposal Program for farms and other commercial users of pesticides to safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides.
The PDP is only for commercial operations and state and county government agencies. There are some restrictions (see list of acceptable and unacceptable pesticides). Household pesticides will not be accepted under this program.
The PDP has scheduled the following pesticide collection events:
Maui – Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration deadline is Oct.…

Youth Basketball Clinic Saturday

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Maui County Parks and Recreation News Release
Get ready to learn basketball from coach Maiki Tihada, a former Gatorade State Player of the Year and college standout at Gonzaga and Morehead State.
The Youth Basketball Clinic for third-to-sixth graders, a partnership between County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation and Hoop Heads Academy is this Saturday, Sept. 20 at Kaunakakai Gymnasium from 8 to 10 a.m.
Registration started Sept. 8. Visit Kaunakakai Gymnasium from 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Friday to register.…

DOH Applauds Public Tours in Kalaupapa

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

DOH News Release

The National Park Service announced that public tours at Kalaupapa National Historical Park will resume this week. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health welcomed the return of tours as an opportunity to share the history and legacy of Kalaupapa and those who have lived there.

A media tour is scheduled for Sept. 18, with tours for the general public beginning in late September through Kalaupapa Saints Tours.

The National Park Service manages all commercial activity and concessions in Kalaupapa National Historical Park, with preference given to businesses owned by patient-residents of Kalaupapa.

Kalaupapa Saints Tours, like previous tour operators, is owned by a patient-resident.…

Aging Gracefully Means Monitoring Eye Health

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Hawaiian Eye Center News Release

As we celebrate Healthy Aging Month this September, Hawaiian Eye Center is advocating for proactive eye care, urging adults 50 and over to make vision health a top priority in their aging journey. 

“Vision is one of the most important senses we rely on every day, yet it’s often overlooked until problems arise,” says Dr. Steven Rhee, who has specialized in age-related eye conditions for over 15 years. “Healthy Aging Month is the perfect time to remind our communities that taking care of your eyes is a critical part of aging well.”

Age Gracefully — But Not Blindly

As we age, the risk of developing serious eye conditions increases significantly.…

Kalaupapa Visitor Tours Resume this Month

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Kalaupapa Visitor Tours Resume this Month

National Park Service New Release

Visitor tours are resuming at Kalaupapa National Historical Park with the launch of the Kalaupapa Saints Tour, founded by patient Meli Watanuki. The tour is the only park-authorized commercial operator and offers a respectful, accurate and personal perspective on Kalaupapa’s history. 

Located on the island of Molokaʻi, Kalaupapa preserves the stories of those who lived in isolation after being diagnosed with Hansen’s disease (leprosy). Since 1866, more than 8,000 people, mostly Native Hawaiians, died here. Today, the settlement remains home to a small number of cured patient-residents whose privacy is protected by restricting visitation to guided tours only. …

Join Kulāia Celebration, Molokai Canoe Festivals 

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Join Kulāia Celebration, Molokai Canoe Festivals 

Kulaia Molokai News Release

Mark your calendars for the Kulāia Celebration — Molokai Canoe Festivals in downtown Kaunakakai, between Bank of Hawaii and Fish & Dive Sept. 26 from 5 to 10 p.m.

This free community event celebrates the spirit of Molokai and the Nā Wāhine o Ke Kai, bringing together paddlers, visitors, and locals for an evening filled with live Hawaiian music, ono food, Molokai artisans, cultural demonstrations, and free lomilomi.

Visit kulaia.wix.com/kulaiamolokai for more information.…

Make Molokai Beautiful

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Make Molokai Beautiful

Molokai Bahá’í Community News Release
The Global Citizenship Speaker series resumes at the Molokai Public Library Sept.17 at 5:30 p.m. The first presentation features Molokai artist Kalaʻe Tangonan, who will share her passion for using the visual arts to make Molokai even more beautiful.
The program will feature moʻolelo behind the mammoth re-muraling project at Molokai High School and how multimedia arts can help make Molokai “the most beautiful island our hearts know is possible.”
Tangonan is a multi-media artist, a graduate of University of Hawaii, Hilo’s arts program, mother of nine children, and community arts activist, providing everything from face painting at keiki fairs to hair and makeup for proms, from decorating for parties to lei making for funerals.…

Molokai Boy is the Prince at the Aloha Festivals’ Royal Court

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Hawaii Tourism Authority News Release

A Molokai boy is now the prince for the Royal Court for this year’s Aloha Festivals, the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the U.S. The 2025 Royal Court began their reign Sept. 6 during the Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony in Honolulu.

The Royal Court, which consists of Mō‘ī Kāne (king), Mō‘ī Wahine (queen), Kamāli‘i Kāne (prince), Kamāli‘i Wahine (princess) and various court attendants, is an integral part of the festival’s perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture and is a visual reminder of the royal legacy of the Hawaiian people.

Sean Kaleohano Kekahuna Jr., of Hoʻolehua, Molokai, is the 2025 Kamāli‘i Kāne.…